Friday, February 11, 2011, Chandigarh, India
Updated at 2:30 am (IST)

Egypt Unrest
Mubarak blinks, but doesn’t go
Says he will transfer powers to Vice-President; protesters furious
Cairo, February 10
Hosni Mubarak, struggling to cling on as Egypt's President in the face of unprecedented protests over poverty, corruption and oppression, said today he would transfer powers to his Vice-President.

An image grab taken from Egyptian state television shows Egypt’s President Hosni Mubarak addressing the nation in Cairo on Thursday. — AFP

2G SCAM
SC asks CBI to go after corporates
New Delhi, February 10
Suggesting the establishment of a special court for holding a speedy trial in the 2G Spectrum scam case, the Supreme Court today directed the CBI to take action against all the conspirators even if they happened to be on the global list of richest people.

Drunk CRPF jawan kills HP player
National-level kabaddi player Manisha refused to give her mobile number to him
Patna, February 10
A drunk CRPF jawan gunned down a national-level kabaddi player, Manisha Devi, before shooting himself with an AK-47 rifle here yesterday. Though Manisha died instantaneously, her killer is still surviving with critical bullet injuries at the Patna Medical College Hospital.

Bizarre incident cuts short a promising career

Quebec House bans ‘kirpan’ on assembly premises
Toronto, February 10
Canada’s French-speaking Quebec province’s legislature has unanimously voted to ban “kirpan” on the assembly premises, weeks after four Sikhs were denied entry for a parliamentary hearing for refusing to surrender their ceremonial daggers.

Sikh leaders condemn ban on kirpan

India to restart talks with Pak on all issues
Qureshi’s Delhi visit by July; secy-level meetings on cards before that
New Delhi, February 10
In a major breakthrough in the India-Pakistan ties, the two countries today announced their decision to resume dialogue on all issues in the spirit of the recent meeting between Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao and her Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir in Thimphu.

Aero India
Mother of all aircraft deals likely by Sept
IAF to buy 126 medium multi-role combat planes worth Rs 49,000 cr
Bangalore, February 10
Inching closer towards the finalisation of the biggest ever fighter aircraft deal worth Rs 49,000 crore ($11 billion), the Indian Air Force today said that negotiations with the six contenders would begin within a month from now.

More chopper muscle for IAF
Fleet to see a sea change this year; Army gets Dhruv upgrade for Siachen operations
Bangalore, February 10
A new bigger and more powerful chopper has been pressed into service specifically for the needs of the Army in Siachen. The chopper, an upgraded version of the existing Dhruv, will have a brand new engine enabling it to carry heavier loads to drop supplies at the glacier in the harsh winter months and ensure safer evacuation of those needing medical treatment.

Sarang helicopters of the IAF in action at Aero India on Thursday. Tribune photo: Manas Ranjan Bhui

Snag cuts short LCH show

Flying high at 62: Czech woman pilot mesmerises Bangalore, February 10 Age is no bar for this 62-year-old woman pilot who is still flying high leading the Flying Bulls, the Czech Republic-based aerobatic team that is performing at the ongoing Aero India show here. Radka Machova’s role in the aerobatic team includes leading the formation into various complex manoeuvres, a vertical loop, a dive or roll on, the manager, Martin said.