Cong takes a U-turn, plays Muslim quota card again 
New Delhi, January 14
After shrugging off Law Minister Salman Khurshid’s poll promise on reservation for minorities as his individual view, the Congress did a volte-face today, saying it was in favour of a further increase in quota for backward Muslims

AI pilots call off strike after last-minute deal
New Delhi/ Mumbai, Jan 14
Cash-strapped national carrier Air India today managed to avert major crisis after some of its pilots, who had earlier in the day announced “no-pay-no-work” agitation against non-payment of their salary and allowances, reached an agreement with the management. 

Row brews over process to select new UGC chairman
Chandigarh, January 14
The selection process of the new chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) seems to be jinxed. After allegations of pulls and pressures, a new controversy is brewing with questions being raised on the issue of propriety, as head of the selection panel, Goverdhan Mehta, is a professor of Panjab University’s Rajiv Gandhi Chair and university’s Vice Chancellor, RC Sobti, is candidate for the coveted post.

Oxford death
Dead prof's kin back Sivia
London, January 14
Insisting that Indian-origin Mathematics lecturer Devinder Sivia and noted astrophysicist Stephen Rawlings were the best of friends for decades, the widow and sister of the late Oxford professor do not want Sivia's reputation to be "tarnished".

India, China to hold border talks on January 16-17
New Delhi, January 14
The Special Representatives (SRs) of India and China will meet here on January 16-17 to hold the 15th round of boundary talks, it was officially announced here today. An agreement on setting up a joint mechanism on border management is expected to be signed at the end of two day-talks between the two sides.