AI limps back to normalcy
n 42 more employees sacked
n Fresh strike call from June 12
New Delhi, May 27
The Air India employees’ strike has ended and air operations are limping back to normalcy, but all is still not well with Air India. The employees’ strike, which was smashed to bits by the government’s tough talk and an order by the Delhi High Court yesterday, has now acquired political hues.

India-Canada visa row intensifies
New Delhi, May 27
The denial of visas to several serving and retired officials of Indian security agencies by Canada is turning into a major row between India and Canada ahead of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to Toronto for the G-20 Summit in June.

Canadian authorities denied decorated cop visa twice

UNSC Seat China backs India’s aspirations Beijing, May 27
Skirting contentious issues, visiting President Pratibha Patil today held discussions with the top Chinese leadership which supported India's aspirations of becoming a permanent member of the UN Security Council, a stand welcomed by the Indian side.
President Pratibha Patil inspects guard of honour during a welcome ceremony inside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Thursday. — Reuters

32.4°: Shimla hottest in 170 yrs
Shimla, May 27
The soaring mercury beat all available records to make today the hottest day in the Queen of the Hills in 170 years. As the temperature climbed to 32.4° C, tourists who were here for a summer sojourn from the plains sweated it out under the scorching sun.

Umbrellas came out as the day temperature soared in Shimla on Thursday. Photo: Amit Kanwar.

Near-miss at Mumbai airport
Mumbai, May 27
A major mishap was averted at the city airport after an Indigo aircraft entered the runway instead of turning into the taxiway. The IndiGo aircraft, as per ATC instructions, was supposed to turn into the taxiway. However, it entered the runway, a Mumbai International Airport, statement said today.

The Last Word
Laxmi Kanta Chawla
Lady with the Lamp — and Broom
She is a third-term legislator who claims she is not a politician, a minister who does not entertain “favour-seekers”. She knows Punjabi, but does not use it officially. Punjab Health Minister Laxmi Kanta Chawla is someone who is difficult to fit into any slot. A Toyota Camry may have replaced a bicycle she rode 50 years ago, but her simple, even spartan, lifestyle is as widely talked about as it is not emulated.

Soaring gold prices fail to dampen investors Chandigarh, May 27 The zooming price of gold has not deterred investors from investing in the yellow metal. Rather, gold is becoming a favourite investment option not just for high net worth individuals (HNIs) and smart global investors but also for senior citizens. The price of gold has gone up by almost Rs 2,500 per 10 gram in the past three months. From being traded at Rs 16,020 per 10 gram in February this year, the price touched Rs 18,625 per 10 gram in the bullion market today.