IT raids leave questions unanswered
CHANDIGARH, July 21 — Countrywide income tax raids on the premises of cricketers and their families and business interests have left several questions unanswered and thrown up posers that need to be answered soon to clear the air of suspicion that has enveloped the nation after the ongoing raids.

Edit: Cricketers and crooks

US President Bill Clinton talks to Russian President Vladimir Putin in Okinawa on Friday prior to the G-8 economic summit. — Photo by Reuters

Clinton, Putin to continue cooperation OKINAWA, July 21 — The Presidents of the United States of America and Russia pledged to continue cooperation in the field of arms control on Friday on the sidelines of the annual summit of the Group of Eight.

 ‘Declare stand on Srikrishna report’
SC raps Centre, Maharashtra govt
NEW DELHI, July 21 — A three-Judge bench of the Supreme Court headed by the Chief Justice Dr A.S. Anand on Friday took the Union Ministry to task for flouting “collective responsibility” as some Cabinet members had made statements in newspapers in conflict with the government’s affidavit before the court on the implementation of the Srikrishna Commission Report on the post-Babri Masjid demolition riots in Mumbai.

Farooq softens stand on autonomy CHENNAI, July 21 — Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah today softened his stand on the demand for restoration of pre-1953 status to his state.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah presents a copy of the state autonomy resolution to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi in Chennai on Friday.— PTI

No going back to pre-1953 status in J&K: CWC
NEW DELHI, July 21 — In a severe blow to the consensus effort of Farooq Abdullah Government on the autonomy issue, the Congress Working Committee (CWC) today ruled out going back to pre-1953 situation in Jammu and Kashmir and reiterated that only the 1975 Indira Gandhi-Sheikh Abdullah accord can form the basis for any talks on the resolution.

Abhinav Bindra for Sydney
CHANDIGARH, July 21 — Chandigarh shooter Abhinav Bindra has been given one of the 16 hardship quotas for the shooting events of the Sydney Olympics, according to a communication received from the International Shooting Sport Federation. 

 

Feeding on lizards, mongooses for kick JALANDHAR, July 21 — They cannot afford to buy costly booze or opium or for that matter any other concoction. They do not even like these. Thanks to cheaper alternatives which are there for them in the form of monitor lizards and mongooses, they are able to experience the high offered by any good quality liquor.