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Day 3: London violence engulfs Britain’s second-largest city Birmingham among other cities
Riots spread in UK
* Cameron pledges crackdown, cuts holiday short
* Shops looted, cars and buildings set ablaze
* Reinforcements called in, 16,000 officers on duty
* More than 450 persons arrested for violence

London, August 9 Rioting and arson today spread from London to other cities in Britain, including Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester, with 450 people arrested for the spiralling violence in the last three days and Prime Minister David Cameron cutting short his holiday to return home.   A property on fire near Reeves Corner in Croydon, south London, on Tuesday. — AP/PTI

London riots hint at wider risks of youth unrest
London, August 9
Young, lacking opportunity, angry at the system and organising phenomenally fast over social media, London's rioters show some of the same characteristics as the pro-democracy demonstrators of the "Arab Spring". But while those in the Middle East have marched in the hope of positive change, Britain's violence has been almost nihilist, focused on looting and a quick burst of the sort of publicity and power inner-city youth feel they have long been denied. (Details on World page)

Faculty shortage in colleges, varsities a whopping 54%
New Delhi, August 9
India’s higher education sector is working with half the teacher strength it actually needs. The first major government assessment of faculty crunch in colleges and universities across the country has thrown up shocking results, putting the faculty resource shortage in the country at 54 per cent. This is much higher than 40 per cent previously estimated.

CEC rules out early poll in Punjab
Chandigarh, August 9
The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), Dr SY Quraishi, has ruled out the possibility of early elections in Punjab saying, “prima facie there seems to be no apparent reason that warrants an early poll in Punjab”. Dr Quraishi made these observations after holding meetings with political parties and government officials here today.

Devika Rani’s estate to get a facelift
Bangalore, August 9
A Supreme Court order today upholding Karnataka government’s acquisition of the over 450-acre estate in Bangalore belonging to yesteryear actress Devika Rani and her Russian painter husband Svetoslav Roerich has paved the way for giving a massive facelift to the estate by the state government.

J&K fake encounter: Antony seeks report
New Delhi, August 9
Defence Minister AK Antony today took a serious view of an alleged fake encounter in which a civilian was killed on Sunday and passed off as top Lashkar-e-Toiba militant. He has directed the Army to submit a detailed report to him. “The minister has directed the Army to submit a detailed report to him as soon as possible,” a senior Defence Ministry functionary said, adding that “as soon as possible” means “top priority”.

CWG MESS
BJP targets PM, Sheila; Parliament disrupted
New Delhi, August 9
Both the Houses of Parliament were adjourned here today without concluding the debate on Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Ajay Maken's statement, amidst repeated clashes between Congress and BJP benches over BJP leaders targeting Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the appointment of Suresh Kalmadi in the Rajya Sabha and insinuations in the Lok Sabha of Ajay Maken acting as conduit for bribing of Congress leaders in Delhi by former Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda.(Details on Nation page)

Indian batting must stand up and be counted India’s ranking as the number one team in Test cricket is in danger as they prepare to take on a super confident England team in the third Test at Birmingham. Before the series started, nobody in England would have believed that the hosts would win the first two Tests of the series.