Sunday, August 11, 2002, Chandigarh, India
 Updated at 3:00 am (IST)

Hurriyat sticks to poll boycott decision

Srinagar, August 10 The Hurriyat Conference today ruled out participation in the forthcoming Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, but decided to convene a meeting of its general council on Monday to discuss the invitation for talks extended by leader of the Kashmir Committee Ram Jethmalani.

Abdul Ghani Bhat (right), chairman of the All-Party Hurriyat Conference, and Javid Mir, a Conference executive member, during a press conference in Srinagar on Saturday. — Reuters photo In video(28k, 56k)

Punjab to get $ 1 bn from IFC
New York, August 10
The International Financial Consortium (IFC) comprising leading banks and foundations has agreed to provide $ 1 billion to boost Punjab’s rural development programme during the visit of the Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh.

• War of words over Punjab CM’s visit

Shivani murder case
No bail for absconding IG
Panchkula, August 10
The Additional District and Sessions Judge, Panchkula, Mr H.S. Bhangoo, today rejected the anticipatory bail application filed by Haryana Inspector General (Prisons), Ravi Kant Sharma. The latter is wanted by the Delhi police in connection with the Shivani Bhatnagar murder case.

• NCR: Case of missing cop: A game of hopscotch is on

Ashwani Talwar, lawyer of Ravi Kant Sharma, who is one of the prime accused in the Shivani Bhatnagar murder case, talking to the media outside Panchkula courts on Saturday. — PTI photo

No diplomatic status for Agnihotri: USA
Washington, August 10
The USA has ruled out any diplomatic status for Ambassador-at-large for Overseas Indians Bhishma Kumar Agnihotri, saying there are certain criteria for according such a status. It is reliably learnt that the State Department conveyed its decision to the Indian Embassy here in response to such a request made by it.

UK Muslims ‘funding’ Pak madarasas
Donate $ 800 million annually
London, August 10
Madarasas in Pakistan receive more than £ 800 million a year - equivalent of the country’s income tax revenue — through charitable donations mainly from wealthy Britain-based Muslim businessmen.