Train mows down 37 in Bihar
* Devotees killed while walking along tracks * Angry mob vandalises rly station 
Khagaria (Bihar), August 19
Thirtyseven pilgrims, including women and children standing on rail tracks, were killed when a speeding express train ploughed into them today in Bihar's Khagaria district, triggering angry protests by locals who attacked train drivers, set ablaze a coach and vandalised the station.
Bodies lie along the tracks after a train ploughed into a crowd of pilgrims at the Dhamara Ghat railway station. — AFP

Re slide continues, hits all-time low of 63.30
New Delhi, August 19
Rupee’s nightmarish run continued today as it registered its biggest single-day loss in a decade, breaking through the 63-mark to the US dollar. As a collateral damage, the stock markets fell another 291 points and bond markets got jittery with yields jumping to a five-year-high.

Why those facing trial should contest polls? SC asks Centre
New Delhi, August 19
In a move to nip criminalisation of politics in the bud, the Supreme Court today asked the Centre to respond within six weeks to a PIL proposal for debarring persons facing trial from contesting elections to Parliament, Assemblies and other democratic bodies.

CM didn’t run background check on Moga MLA, Punjab tells HC
Chandigarh, August 19
The Punjab Government today admitted before the Punjab and Haryana High Court that the Chief Minister had not applied his mind to ascertain the antecedents of businessman-turned-politician Joginder Pal Jain while appointing him as Punjab State Warehousing Corporation chairman.

Govt non-committal on talks with Pak
New Delhi, August 19
The government today stopped short of any commitment on a meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York next month.

Exchange of fire on in Poonch
Jammu, August 19
Pakistani troops continue to shell Indian forward posts with mortars and rocket propelled grenades in the Hamirpur, Mendhar, Balakote and Mankote areas along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district. The Indian Army has been responding in equal measure in these areas. “Heavy exchange of fire is on in Mendhar, Hamirpur, Balakote and Mankote areas since last night,” said a senior Army officer.

Pakistani snipers target Indian posts in Jammu
Chandigarh, August 19
Pakistani forces are using snipers to target Indian troops across the International Border (IB) in Jammu. During the past month, there have been three incidents of sniping, in which one Border Security Force (BSF) soldier was killed and two were seriously wounded. (Details on Nation page)