Won’t quit, won’t share power: Soren
Ranchi, May 20
In a sudden turnaround, Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren today said he would not quit his post and the rotation of power with ally BJP was “not acceptable”. Talking to reporters in Bokaro, JMM chief said: “I will not quit from the Chief Minister's post. The rotation of power is not acceptable to us. I will fight the Assembly poll.”

Nation page: BJP leaves Munda to fend for himself

Seven dead as ‘Laila’ hits AP coast
9 dists bear the brunt; cyclone weakens
Hyderabad, May 20
After keeping the authorities guessing about its path, the cyclonic storm “Laila” hit the coast in Andhra Pradesh today, leaving a trail of destruction and claiming at least seven lives. Accompanied by winds at a speed of 120 km per hour, the cyclone kissed the coast, about 50 km from Bapatla in Guntur district. 

Ruchika Case
Verdict deferred till May 25
Chandigarh, May 20
 The much-awaited verdict on the plea for enhancing the sentence of former Haryana DGP SPS Rathore — convicted in Ruchika molestation case, was deferred to May 25.

Special to the tribune
Red Shirts run riot in Thailand
20 killed in Army offensive; fear of civil war looms large

Thailand’s capital remains a war zone after the security forces blazed their way into an anti-government rally in the city centre that effectively brought Bangkok to a halt on Wednesday, killing more than 20 persons and forcing most of the protesting leaders to surrender.

Thai police officers look for snipers as they clear any  remaining anti-government protesters at a known clash  point in Bangkok on Thursday. — AP/PTI

Naxals are our own, says BJP icon Modi
Suggests talks with them, leaves party red-faced 
New Delhi, May 20
Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today left many red faces in the BJP by propagating dialogue with the Naxalites, a stand clearly against the party line.

Meant strong action against rebels: Modi

Punjab hikes  DA by 8 pc
Chandigarh, May 20
The Punjab Government today announced 8 per cent hike in the dearness allowance, taking the existing allowance from 27 to 35 per cent. This increase has been made on the pattern of Central government employees. The announcement came from Finance Minister Manpreet Badal. The allowance will be increased with retrospective from January 1, 2010.

UK to impose cap on non-EU immigrants London, May 20 In a move likely to affect Indian professionals as well as British trade and industry, the David Cameron coalition government has decided to impose an annual cap on the number of immigrants from non-EU countries. Unveiling the full text of the coalition agreement between his Conservative Party and Liberal Democrats today, Prime Minister Cameron said the government would introduce “new measures to minimise abuse of the immigration system, for example via student routes, and will tackle human trafficking as a priority.”