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18 dead as twin blasts rock Hyderabad
* Over 80 injured, many critical
* Bombs planted on bicycles
* IM hand suspected
* NIA, NSG teams begin probe
Hyderabad/New Delhi, February 21
At least 18 persons were killed and over 80 injured as two bomb blasts ripped through a busy locality here this evening. The explosions occurred in quick succession at a crowded eatery near a theatre and at a foot over-bridge in the busy Dilsukhnagar area. The first explosion occurred around 7.10 pm near Anand Tiffin Centre, spreading panic in the area.

Nation page: Govt had intel input, but no details, says Shinde Looking for clues: The police and investigators at the scene of a bomb blast at Dilsuknagar in Hyderabad on Friday. — AFP

Govt working to revive economy: Prez
* Left boycotts Day 1 of budget session
* MPs raise Telangana, Lanka issues
New Delhi, February 21
Slowdown in the economy both on account of national and international factors was flagged today as one of the challenges the UPA Government is addressing while working on a roadmap for fiscal consolidation.

Copter deal may be debated minus voting PM Manmohan Singh with President Pranab Mukherjee at Parliament in New Delhi on Thursday. Tribune photo

Strike ends on violent note, Bengal panchayat officer’s ear chopped off
New Delhi, February 21
The final day of Bharat Bandh called by 11 central trade unions witnessed violent incidents in Delhi and West Bengal where a panchayat officer had his ear chopped off as punishment for participating in the strike.

Amarnath Yatra registration starts from March 18
Jammu, February 21
The registration of pilgrims for this year’s annual Amarnath pilgrimage beginning June 28 will start from March 18 through 422 bank branches. The decision was taken during a review meeting held by Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) Chairman NN Vohra with CEO Navin K Choudhary, Additional CEO Preet Pal Singh and other functionaries of the board today.

moga bypoll
SAD, Cong make their pitch, voting tomorrow
Chandigarh, February 21
Campaigning for the Moga byelection, necessitated by the crossing over of a Congress legislator to the SAD in Punjab, came to an end this evening with both main contestants holding road shows in their last-ditch effort to woo voters. The voting will be held on February 23.

The Tribune gets award for excellence in journalism New Delhi, February 21 Calling for the need to balance commercial considerations with real public service, Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh today presented the International Press Institute (IPI-India), India Chapter, award for excellence in journalism (2012) to The Tribune for publishing an investigative series into the loot of the public transport system in Punjab. Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh presents IPI-India award for excellence in journalism 2012 to Editor-in-Chief of The Tribune Raj Chengappa and Chief of Bureau Prabhjot Singh. Former Chief Justice of India Dr Justice AS Anand (extreme left) and N Ravi, director of The Hindu, (extreme right) are also seen in the picture. Tribune photo: Mukesh Aggarwal