PC hints at denying special powers to Army
Srinagar, June 12
Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram said here today that the Centre would look into the demand of revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and he would discuss it with the Prime Minister and the Defence Minister.

Pak approach on terror debatable, says Krishna
New Delhi, June 12
India has said it would talk to Pakistan if it takes "credible steps" to demonstrate its willingness to fight terror both "within and without".
External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna (L) shakes hands with his United Arab Emirates counterpart Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan at a meeting in New Delhi on Friday. — PTI

No need to panic on swine flu: Azad
New Delhi, June 12
The Central government today said the swine flu pandemic alert declared yesterday by the World Health Organisation (WHO) was based on technical global assessment of the infection, and was not applicable to India, yet, as India had not reported any cluster formations so far. Globally, the world’s first pandemic in 41 years has caused 140 deaths and 30,000 infections in 74 countries.

India starts work on swine flu vaccine
Will be ready in four to six months
New Delhi, June 12
India has started working on the development of swine flu vaccine, with the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) and National Institute of Virology (NIV) successfully isolating the novel virus. The government has already asked WHO to share with it the seed virus — a request which the world health body has accepted on the condition that India would share the vaccine with other countries as well.

6-yr-old is Hyderabad’s latest victim
Stages of flu
Govt may invoke Epidemic Act

Nurmahal Bypoll
71 per cent cast vote
Nurmahal, June 12
Contrary to expectations, the bypoll to the Nurmahal assembly segment passed off peacefully amidst tight security with 71.26 per cent voters exercising their franchise.

Bathinda Refinery
Punjab to reconsider fiscal incentives
Chandigarh, June 12
The state government has decided to have a fresh look at fiscal incentives being offered to Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL)-Mittal Energy Limited’s (HMEL) Rs 18,919-crore Bathinda refinery project following submission of three specific options by the latter. HMEL has sought increased incentives to ensure viability of the refinery vis-a-vis other upcoming facilities across the nation.