Musharraf exits Likely to go to Saudi Arabia to perform umra Coalition wants successor from a smaller province Nawaz Sharif reportedly softened stand on trial
President Gen Pervez Musharraf Monday quit office under the threat of imminent impeachment, ending an extraordinary era that spanned nearly nine years of unbridled power. The top leadership of the four-party ruling coalition converged at Zardari House, the residence of the PPP co-chairman here shortly after	LAST GOODBYE: Musharraf leaves the presidential house on Monday. — Reuters photo

EDITORIAL
No one is shedding tears for Pervez Musharraf
By H. K. Dua
It had to happen. Abandoned by friends at home and abroad, the country and even the Army, President Pervez Musharraf sent his resignation to the Speaker of the National Assembly on Monday, which was all set to impeach him for hijacking the Constitution and much else.

Separatists submit memo at UN office in Srinagar
Srinagar, August 18
Riding high on anti-India sentiments, the separatists drew a huge crowd during a rally (UNI put the number at over 1 lakh) and submitted memorandums at the local office of the United Nations Military Observers Group at Sonwar here today. Though the Coordination Committee, comprising both factions of the Hurriyat Conference, lawyers, traders, social and business groups, did not submit its memorandum, other constituents of the committee submitted the memorandums in separate representative groups.

Prachanda takes over as PM But fails to expand cabinet due to rift in alliance

CPN-Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, alias Prachanda, who had waged bloody insurgency in the hinterlands of Himalayan nation for over a decade was sworn in as the Prime Minister on Monday. At around 3.45 pm at the President’s Residential Office (Rastrapati Bhawan) in Sital Niwas, the first President of the republic of Nepal Dr Ram Baran Yadav administered the oath of office and secrecy to the newly elected PM Prachanda amidst a function attended by dignitaries and high-profile personalities.

Newly elected Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda (right) is congratulated by Indian Ambassador Rakesh Sood next to President Ram Baran Yadav at the President House after the oath-taking ceremony in Kathmandu on Monday. — Reuters photo

Indo-Russian meeting for next-gen aircraft
New Delhi, August 18
A crucial meeting with a team of Russian Defence officials started today in the capital to secure technology for the next- generation fighter aircraft, more number indigenous tanks and joint ship building. The meeting, that commenced today, will discuss the possibility of Russians transferring design data for the fifth-generation fighter aircraft (FGFA), said a defence official who did not wish to be quoted. India like other countries is looking to acquire next-generation fighters. In October 2007, the two countries had signed an agreement to co-develop the FGFA.

In ‘Little Cuba’, watering holes left high & dry Bhiwani, August 18 A feeling of disbelief enveloped this “Little Cuba” of India after pugilist Akhil Kumar lost tamely to his Moldovan opponent in the quarterfinal of the 54 kg bantamweight category bout this evening. The town had come to a standstill at 5 pm when the bout was scheduled to begin as its residents crowded around television sets anywhere they could find one. Moldova’s Veaceslav (left) batters Akhil. — AFP photo