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Butt, Asif guilty in spot-fixing scam
London, November 1
Pakistan cricket was today drowned in deep shame with two of its cricketers - former Test captain Salman Butt and pacer Mohammad Asif - found guilty in the spot-fixing scam by a jury at the Southwark Crown Court here.

The scandal

Black money: I-T cracks down on Swiss a/c holders
New Delhi, November 1
The Income Tax Department has started sending notices to persons involved in black money cases on the basis of information received from abroad, even as Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said their names would be disclosed after initiation of prosecution proceedings.

Petrol prices likely to go up in two weeks 
New Delhi, November 1
Petrol prices are likely to be increased by Rs 1.82 per litre this fortnight as a fall in rupee has increased the cost of imports of the raw material (crude oil). This will be the second hike in petrol prices in as many months. Though the pricing of petrol was freed from government controls in June last year, state-owned oil firms 'informally' take directions from the Oil Ministry. It remains to be seen if the government will concede to the demand of oil companies just before the winter session of Parliament.

Anna warns of another fast 
Writes to PM to ensure Jan Lokpal Bill passed in winter session
New Delhi, November 1
Social activist Anna Hazare shot off another letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, warning of a fresh hunger strike if the government failed to pass an effective Jan Lokpal Bill in the winter session of Parliament. “I will begin my hunger strike agitation on the last day of the session if the Jan Lokpal Bill is not passed in the House,” Anna cautioned.

PIL: Badals had interests in private transport when policy was made
Chandigarh, November 1
Just over a month after The Tribune carried a series of news reports on manipulations in Punjab’s transport strategy to rev up profits of private bus operations, it is emerging that the policy was allegedly made “when the head of the government and his family had substantial interests in the private transport sector”.

SC moots Central agency to save public property 
New Delhi, November 1
The Supreme Court today suggested formation of a Central security agency for preventing or minimising damage to public and private property during frequent agitations, similar to the recent stir by Jats for getting job quota that turn violent.

Chinese airfields encircle Ladakh
* India has 2 airbases at Leh & Thoise * China has 6 fully-functional airfields adjoining Ladakh 
In the vast windswept and barren landscape that divides India and China in southeastern Ladakh, temperatures can drop to a numbing minus 10 degree Celsius at the start of winter. What’s more bone chilling for India is recent military developments in western parts of Tibet and Xinjiang province in China that pose a new challenge for Indian defence establishment and its forces.
A view of Chinese infrastructure just 1 km from the LAC. Tribune photos: Mukesh Aggarwal