Tribune Exclusive
MI spends more on secret funds, MoD wants to know why
New Delhi, July 17
The Ministry of Defence has objected to a sudden and unusual surge in the use of secret funds by the Army’s Military Intelligence (MI) and sought details from the Service on the funds that are spent on pursuits not exactly military in nature.

Pak court rejects 26/11 report
Says findings of panel that visited Mumbai illegal; Delhi fumes
New Delhi, July 17
India will soon ask Pakistan what action it would take after a court there ruled that findings of a Pakistani judicial commission which visited Mumbai were illegal and could not be made part of the evidence against 26/11 accused.

Ludhiana MC Commissioner suspended for abusing power
Chandigarh, July 17
Ludhiana Municipal Corporation Commissioner Malvinder Singh Jaggi has been suspended after a speedy one-hour inquiry by Punjab DGP Sumedh Singh Saini found him guilty of gross misuse of power in demolishing the shop of a vegetable vendor who did not “attend to his wife properly”.

Syria rebels launch fresh offensive
Damascus, July 17
Syria's rebels announced the launch of a "Damascus volcano" offensive against regime forces, which according to activists deployed helicopters today in a Damascus neighbourhood rocked by intense fighting. Russia, meanwhile, slammed as "blackmail" Western pressure to push for a UN Security Council resolution against Syria's regime, as a top defector warned that Assad would not hesitate to use chemical weapons against his own people.
(Details on World page)

Public hearing ends amid farmers’ protest
Gorakhpur, July 17
Amid protests by farmers and heavy deployment of police force, the much-talked about public hearing for environmental clearance to Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) for its upcoming project in Gorakhpur ended abruptly today. (Details on Haryana page)

Scanty rains BBMB cuts water supply to 3 states Chandigarh, July 17 Owing to abysmally low level of water in the Bhakra and Pong dams, the water supply to partner states, including Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan, was cut by 10 per cent this morning. The reduction in water supply is set to hit transplantation of paddy and watering of other crops in the region.