Wednesday, June 14, 2006, Chandigarh, India
Updated at 3:00 am (IST)

Left takes to the streets

*SP workers stop trains *Protest petro price hike New Delhi, June 13 The Left parties, joined by regional forces like the Samajwadi Party and Telugu Desam Party, today staged street protests to demand the rollback of the hike in fuel prices as the Communists said the UPA government could not take their support for granted.  CPM activists hold placards during a demonstration to protest against the fuel price hike in New Delhi on Tuesday. — Reuters photo

In videos (28k, 56k) Protests against fuel price hike across India. (28k, 56k) Petrol and diesel prices reduced in Goa. (28k, 56k)

Petrol cheaper by 67 p, diesel 21 p in Haryana
Chandigarh, June 13
The Haryana Government will not charge value added tax (VAT) on the element of increase in the prices of petrol and diesel.

Delhi page: Token cut in price of petrol, diesel
Ludhiana page: Left protests against fuel price hike

BJP to intensify stir against price hike
New Delhi, June 13
The BJP today said that the party along with its NDA allies is going to intensify its agitation on the fuel price hike issue and condemned the Centre's proposed move to increase PDS grain prices along with a cut down in the quantum of grains being sold to poor.

Bachchans again under IT scanner
Mumbai, June 13
Amitabh Bachchan’s family is again in the news with reports of the Income Tax Department sending notices to Jaya and Abhishek Bachchan with respect to certain investments made by the family.

Student leader and Maoist supporter Himal Sharma is embraced by a family member after being released from Nakkhu jail in Kathmandu on Tuesday. Nepal’s new government freed dozens of jailed Maoist rebels on Tuesday, keeping a pledge made to the guerrillas ahead of last month’s resumption of peace talks that aim to end a revolt that has killed thousands of people. — Reuters

S. Korea rally to avert upset
Frankfurt, June 13
South Korea were given an almighty scare by Togo today before a second-half revival earned them a 2-1 victory to launch their World Cup campaign. Substitute Ahn Jung-hwan rifled home the winner in the 72nd minute after debutants Togo had been reduced to 10 men in their Group G clash at the Waldstadion.( Details on Sports page)

Four die as grenade explodes in Hisar
Chandigarh, June 13
A suspected grenade blast in a firing range of the Army at Bhojraj village in Hisar district of Haryana today claimed four lives, according to official sources. Another five were seriously injured in the blast.

Govt likely to set up 6th pay panel
New Delhi, June 13
The government is likely to set up the sixth pay commission by next month to revise wages of its employees, five months after the announcement by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

45 killed as truck falls into gorge

Monsoon to revive from June 19
New Delhi, June 13
Early indications have now been received of revival of the monsoon current from the Arabian Sea side from June 19 onwards. With this, the National Centre for Medium Range Forecast (NCMRF) hopes that fresh rain activity will begin around June 19 over Kerala and coastal Karnataka that will gradually spread northward over Peninsular India.

Scholarships to attract diaspora students New Delhi, June 13 After health and tourism, it is education that is being used to build brand India. Taking note of the declining number of foreign and diaspora students in Indian universities, the government is projecting India as a destination for quality education at affordable prices.