Saturday, June 10, 2006, Chandigarh, India
Updated at 3:00 am (IST)

HC stops Jat Mahapanchayat
Inter-caste marriage in Bhiwani
Chandigarh, June 9
Taking strong note of the unlawful and unconstitutional activities of self-styled representatives of the Jats, the Punjab and Haryana High Court today directed the district administration of Bhiwani not to allow the proposed Mahapanchayat of representatives of the community from 84 villages in Bhiwani district of Haryana to be held on June 11.

Rs 1,000-cr aid for Nepal
New Delhi, June 9
India today announced a Rs 1000 crore package to help Nepal revive its economy. The package is aimed at expediting progress on long-term mega infrastructure projects in areas as roads, railway linkages, construction of oil pipelines, creation of special economic zones and upgradation of airports.
In video: Nepal govt indulges in petty issues: Maoist chief.
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Nation page: India, Nepal sort out defence issues

Thrilling win for Germany
Munich, June 9
Miroslav Klose struck twice on his 28th birthday to lead Germany to a 4-2 win over Costa Rica today, getting the World Cup off to a record-breaking start.

(More stories on Sports page) German forward Miroslav Klose (right) scores his second goal against Costa Rica during the opening match of the 2006 World Cup at Munich’s World Cup Stadium on Friday. Germany won 4-2. — AFP photo

Nawanshahr girl tops in Punjab matric exam
Mohali, June 9
Girls outshone boys in the matriculation examination of the Punjab School Education Board, the results of which were declared here this afternoon.

Scrap Official Secrets Act, says panel
New Delhi, June 9 
The second Administrative Reforms Commission today recommended the scrapping of the 83-year-old Official Secrets Act (OSA) saying it was incongruous with the regime of transparency in a democratic society. 

PM, Sonia discuss oil price hike
New Delhi, June 9
Top Congress leaders, including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and party Chief Sonia Gandhi, had a meeting here this evening amid growing demand from within the party as well as its allies for a partial reduction in the fuel price hike.

Nation page: Fuel prices may come down in Maharashtra

EC to hear Amar Singh on June 16
New Delhi, June 9
The Election Commission would hear Samajwadi Party leader and Rajya Sabha MP Amar Singh on June 16 on a petition accusing him of holding office of profit and seeking his disqualification. The EC had earlier issued a notice to Mr Amar Singh for his reply to the petition.

Nation page
Cong targeting Mulayam, says Amar Singh

Delhi police searches Sahil’s residence
Srinagar, June 9
Two premises, including the house of Sahil Zaroo involved in the Rahul Mahajan drug case, were searched by a joint team of the Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir police here today, official sources said.

Sensex records highest-ever gains
Mumbai, June 9
Punters fortunes were reversed on the stock markets, which today witnessed its the highest-ever single-day surge of 515 points that erased nearly half the losses suffered since Monday, as buyers returned in droves and bluechips like RIL lived up to their image. — PTI

India firm on no concessions in N-deal New Delhi, June 9 Even as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is believed to have received a revised draft of the Indo-US agreement of July 18, 2005, and the subsequent one of March 2 this year, the Congress-led UPA government is unlikely to make any concessions.