As monsoon recedes, sun shines on CWG
* Australia, New Zealand confirm participation
* British contingent checks in
* Fennell says things much better than before
New Delhi, September 24
After being subjected to sustained criticism about the shoddy preparations for the Commonwealth Games, its organisers had something to cheer about today.

NAMASTEY LONDON: British athletes and team officials arrive to participate in the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi on Friday. — PTI

Farmers call off strike
Badal announces Rs 300-crore package
Chandigarh, September 24
Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today pledged Rs 300 crore to farmers to make Bharatiya Kisan Union (Rajewal) President Balbir Singh Rajewal accept a glass of juice to end his five-day hunger strike in Mohali.

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal offers fruit juice to president of BKU at a press conference in Chandigarh on Friday. Tribune photo: S Chandan

Dhaka okays crucial highway link to Kolkata
Will boost transit facilities, reduce distance between northeastern states and W Bengal
New Delhi, September 24
In major development, India’s eastern neighbour Bangladesh has finally agreed to start the construction of a highway that will not only provide transit facilities, ensuring easy movement of goods, but also drastically shorten the circuitous route — crucial from the military point of view — between northeastern states and the port city of Kolkata.

India’s rich are getting super-rich
Hyderabad, September 24
Reflecting the country’s growing economic prowess, India’s wealth generation has outpaced the global average by nearly four times. The individual wealth in India now stands at Rs 73 lakh crore and it is estimated to double over the next three years to touch Rs 144 lakh crore.

The Tribune Ladakh Relief Fund: An Appeal To Readers

Jnanpith Award for Kurup, Shahryar
New Delhi, September 24
Eminent Malayalam litterateur ONV Kurup and noted Urdu poet Akhlaq Khan Shahryar have been chosen for the Jnanpith Award for 2007 and 2008, respectively, for their contribution to literature.

Coastal security plan in place; phase II okayed
New Delhi, September 24
The Union Government today approved the second phase of the coastal security scheme that will be implemented from April 1 next year.

Queen tried to use poverty fund to heat palace The Queen asked ministers for a poverty handout to help heat her palaces but was rebuffed because they feared it would be a public relations disaster. Royal aides were told that the £ 60m worth of energy-saving grants were aimed at families on low incomes and if the money was given to Buckingham Palace instead of housing associations or hospitals, it could lead to "adverse publicity" for the Queen and the government.