Snooping unacceptable, India tells US
* Indo-US strategic talks: Kerry allays fears
* Sushma says no change in policy on Russia
New Delhi, July 31
India today registered with the USA its strong protest over the snooping of Indian entities and individuals by American intelligence agencies and its disappointment over the proposed changes in the US Immigration Act which could affect Indians in a large number.

Nation page: Discusses WTO impasse with Jaitley
Kerry visits IIT, walks out impressed with students

US Secretary of State John Kerry (L) shakes hands with Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj during a meeting in New Delhi. Tribune photo Mukesh Aggarwal

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Cong expels Birender from CWC, asks for explanation
New Delhi, July 31
In a strong message to party dissidents, Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Thursday expelled senior Haryana Congress leader Birender Singh from the all-powerful Congress Working Committee and demanded his explanation for "continued anti-party activities."

Sonia says will write a book to reveal the truth
New Delhi, July 31
In a rare rebuttal of former Foreign Minister Natwar Singh’s comments on her conduct and demeanour, Congress president Sonia Gandhi today said she will write her own book to reveal the truth. As the Congress chief rose in her own defence, the party stood behind her, led by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who said “no files from the PMO were ever sent to Sonia”.

Jhinda & Co ask SGPC to vacate gurdwaras
Kaithal, July 31
The Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC) authorities today adopted aggressive posturing by warning the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) to vacate Sikh shrines in the state or face legal action.

Jagdish Singh Jhinda, president of the HSGMC along with committee members at Kaithal on Thursday. Photo: Ravi Kumar

Gen Suhag takes over as Army Chief
New Delhi, July 31
General Dalbir Singh Suhag today took over Chief of the Indian Army today. He will be at the helm till December 31, 2016, a 29-month tenure. The outgoing Army Chief General Bikram Singh handed over the charge to his successor this afternoon at a brief ceremony at the South Block here. Gen Suhag’s wife Namita Singh Suhag was by his side when he took over.

NRI brides dump and dupe their Punjabi grooms Chandigarh, July 31 Surjit Singh (name changed) was on cloud nine when he received a marriage proposal from an Indian- Canadian girl in 2009. Like lakhs of Punjabi youths, the Raikot resident, too, aspired to go abroad. When the girl’s family asked for Rs 25 lakh for taking him abroad, Surjit readily agreed.