Next US President Will Think Twice
if India Delays N-deal by Arun Kumar 
An influential US daily has warned that if Indian politicians cannot find a way to resolve the deadlock over the India-US nuclear deal, the next US administration will think twice before trying anything like it. "India is clearly destined for a greater role on the world stage, and there are sound reasons to hope that it will increasingly find itself in sync with the United States as its influence grows," the Washington Post said Wednesday in an editorial titled: "Can India Say Yes?" Read On

China, India Space Arms Race
Challenges US Dominance: US Daily
India and China have hastened an arms race in space challenging American dominance in the field, the Washington Times has suggested. "On the planet's final frontier, more and more countries are beefing up their border guards," it said noting: "India became the latest country to boost its defence presence in space, announcing last week plans to develop a military space programme to counter the fast-growing space defence efforts of neighboring China." Read On

• Supreme Court Defers Election
  in Sharif's Constituency 

Bill Clinton Finally Backs
Obama's White House Bid by Arun Kumar
Two weeks after Hillary Clinton conceded the Democratic presidential nomination race, former President Bill Clinton has finally announced his support for Barack Obama's bid for the White House. But the announcement of support for his wife's former rival ahead of a joint Obama-Hillary Clinton rally Friday was not made in person. Read On

US Lawmakers Shocked at Pakistan Getting
$ 5.6 bn Without Oversight by Arun Kumar
A key US lawmaker has expressed shock at a government audit report showing a "troubling lack of oversight and accountability" for US funds to Pakistan meant to combat terrorism along its border with Afghanistan. The US has provided Pakistan about $5.6 billion in payments, known as Coalition Support Funds (CSF), since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on America. Read On

Ex-Nepal King's Grandchildren Stop Going
to School: Report by Sudeshna Sarkar
The exit of deposed king Gyanendra from the royal palace and the abolition of Nepal's once revered institution of monarchy has affected the former king's grandchildren as well, though they had no role in the upheaval that shook the country following their grandfather's ascension. Read On

Still Enough Time for Mideast Deal: Rice 
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Tuesday that she believed there was still enough time for Israeli and Palestinian negotiators to reach a framework deal for peace as envisaged by the Annapolis conference in Washington. Read On

Indian American Owned Beauty Salon Charged with Exploiting Workers
An Indian American-owned beauty salon chain patronized by the celebrity in California has been slapped with a class action suit on the charge that it was exploiting its workers. Read On

• Mittal Buys Third House on London Billionaire's Row

Pak's Plan Panel Seeks India Help,
Backs Gas Pipeline
Pakistan has sought India's help in various fields such as power, agriculture, e-governance and infrastructure, and supported the $7.4 billion India-Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline. Read On

• Bush Team Hopes New President will Back N-deal
• Russia to Downsize Army to One Million by 2013 
• Obama to get Hanuman Idol from India for Luck

• India Pummel Hong Kong in Asia Cup  

Undecided Congress Buys Time
to Choose between N-deal, Government
With the Congress still undecided on whether or not to risk its government for the India-US civil nuclear deal, a much-awaited climactic meeting of the UPA-Left nuclear committee Wednesday ended inconclusively leaving the future of both the government and the deal in the balance. Read On

Punjab on Standstill During Dera Row Strike
Thousands of commuters were stranded for several hours in many parts of Punjab and in some parts of Haryana after protesting Sikh activists Wednesday stopped trains and blocked highways seeking the arrest of controversial Dera Sacha Sauda sect chief Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh. Read On

Azad Seeks Consensus on Land for Shrine,
Mufti Talks Tough
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad Wednesday decided to convene an all-party meeting soon to work out a consensus on the land allotment to the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), but ruling coalition leader Mufti Muhammad Sayeed demanded the deal be first annulled. Read On

Purse-friendly Reva Car Launched in Delhi
India's first electric car Reva was launched in Delhi Wednesday, providing commuters with an environment friendly - and cheaper - mode of transport. Buyers of the new Revai model will get incentives including a 15 percent subsidy on the base price of the vehicle, a 12.5 percent exemption on value added tax (VAT), and refund of road tax and registration charges from the Delhi government. Read On

Market Ends Five-day Losing Streak
The Indian equities market ended its five-day losing streak and closed the day in green on the back of short covering by the investors ahead of the expiry of June 2008 derivatives. Metal, realty and Oil and Gas sectors led the gaining rally. Read On

Four Amarnath Pilgrims Injured
as Kashmir Protests Land Transfer
Four Hindu pilgrims were wounded in stone pelting by an irate mob here Wednesday, as violence and protests against the controversial allotment of forest land to the Sri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) spread to other parts of the Kashmir Valley, forcing the authorities to suspend the annual Hindu pilgrimage. Read On

Hectic Talks to Resolve UPA-Left Imbroglio
on N-deal
Leaders of India's ruling coalition and its defiant Left allies held make-or-break meetings Wednesday in a bid to end their row over the India-US nuclear deal that threatens the government's future. But with only hours to go for a UPA-Left nuclear panel meeting, there is no sign of a breakthrough, informed sources said. Read On

The Dead Tell No Tale; in Uttar Pradesh They Do
by Rajat Rai
Two wanted criminals of Uttar Pradesh were arrested recently, years after they were declared dead by their family members. These are not rare instances in the state . There are over 200 people accused in various cases who the police believe are alive though they have been taken to be dead. Read On

Madhya Pradesh Sanctuary to Get Asiatic Lions from Hyderabad by Sanjay Sharma
A sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh that has been identified as an alternative habitat for the endangered Asiatic lion is to soon to get the first of the big cats from a Hyderabad zoo after Gujarat refused to part with the animals. Read On

Gorkha Group Meets Home Minister,
Calls Off Shutdown
The Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM), fighting for a separate Gorkhaland state in West Bengal, Tuesday withdrew its indefinite shutdown till July 5 in the Darjeeling Hills following "positive" talks with union Home Minister Shivraj Patil in New Delhi. Read On

ULFA's Strike Unit Announces Ceasefire 
The most potent strike unit of the separatist United Liberation Front of Asom announced a unilateral ceasefire, prompting Assam authorities to say more rebel units might want to put violence on hold. Read On