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India can weather global crisis: FM
In the face of uncertainty after US downgrade, govt says implementation of pending reforms could be fast-tracked
New Delhi, August 8
Seeking to allay fears in the wake of the economic problems in the US, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Monday said India’s fundamentals were strong and the country was in a better position than other countries to face the situation, although there could be some impact.

Editorial: US tsunami hits Asia

Tribune exclusive
Session stalled as BJP guns for Sheila over CWG scam
New Delhi, August 8
Seeking the resignation of Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, indicted by CAG in the Commonwealth Games (CWG) scam, the Opposition BJP today forced a day-long adjournment of both Houses of Parliament. With that, the Lok Sabha has lost 36 per cent of its productive time to disruptions in the first six days of the monsoon session while the Rajya Sabha has lost 47 per cent.

Sheila, PMO not indicted by CAG, says government
New Delhi, August 8
The UPA government and the Congress today came out in stout defence of Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) stating unequivocally that the two had not been indicted by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) in its report on the Commonwealth Games as charged by an aggressive opposition. The government fielded Union ministers Ambika Soni, Kapil Sibal and Salman Khursheed to reject the BJP demand for Dikshit’s resignation. (Details on Nation page)

Cash was for Yadav: Accused advocate
Chandigarh, August 8
In what could increase difficulties for Justice Nirmal Yadav in cash-at-judge’s- door scam, advocate Sanjiv Bansal has moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court saying the money was meant for her only, and he was just acting as a courier boy. Bansal is seeking the quashing of the FIR qua him. The petition, filed in the High Court Registry, has been returned to Bansal with some objections; and is to be filed again.

Xinjiang Violence
China orders crackdown on religious extremists
Beijing, August 8
China has ordered “harsh” crackdown on “religious extremists”, especially those infiltrating from across the border following a spate of deadly attacks in the strategic Xinjiang province blamed on militants trained in Pakistan.

Special to the tribune
India’s global eco warrior
He mapped network of sacred forests
An Indian researcher at Oxford University has emerged as a global eco warrior for his role in helping to create the first ever world map of religious forests revered by millions. 

Noose tightens around Assad
Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain recall envoys from Damascus
Amman, August 8
President Bashar al-Assad extended a tank onslaught in Syria’s Sunni Muslim tribal heartland today, residents said, in a crackdown on dissent that prompted an extraordinary warning from Saudi Arabia that he should stop the violence or risk defeat. (Details on World page)