
Temporary work visas down sharply in US
The INS issued about 60,500 H-1B visas from October 2001 to June 2002, posting a 54 per cent decline from 130,700 visas issued during the same period in the previous fiscal year, the latest data released by the INS shows.
A murder to claim a million-dollar insurance
New York-based taxi driver Amar Singh plotted the murder of his friend Hoshiyar Singh to claim a million dollars as he had earlier tricked Hoshiyar into signing him as the sole nominee.
PETROL PUMP ALLOTMENT SCAM
Govt may move SC for clubbing of petitions
While the Chennai high court has issued notices to the government, oil companies on the allotment cancellation order, Delhi and Rajasthan HCs have stayed the applicability of the Centre's omnibus notification.
Courts step in to protect genuine allottees
The Jaipur bench of the Rajasthan high court on Tuesday stayed the Centre's omnibus notification cancelling all petrol pump and LPG dealership allotments made from the year 2000 onwards.
Insurance firms may take Rs 4-bn hit
General insurance companies may pay dearly for the cancellation of over 3,700 petrol pump allotments.
OTHER REPORTS
Mamata quits NDA over Eastern Railway split
The Trinamool chief said she would be seeking an appointment with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on August 16 or 17 to convey her party's decision.
Jaya government bans Nedumaran's party
The chief minister asserted that there was no need for central intervention in Tamil Nadu as sought by the opposition DMK.
COLUMNS
"Over half" or just 7%?
'Is it 'just 7%' or is it 'over half of the total' 3,850 pumps that went to relatives of BJP MPs and coalition partners? When, if at all, will the common man know the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?' asks Arvind Lavakare.
The road to Kabul
'India has done well to avoid giving any impression that it seeks to interfere in Afghanistan's internal affairs,' says G Parthasarathy.
MONEY
India's agricultural output seen down 4.9%
Weak rains in June and very scanty rains in July have caused extensive damage to the 2002 kharif crops.
Ex-Enron execs seeking millions in severance
The list includes the wife of former chief executive Jeff Skilling, Rebecca Carter, and former vice chairman Mark Frevert, who has asked for more than $6 million.
MONEY COLUMN
How to find a lotus in the muck
'When political parties stop colluding and start flinging dirt at each other, we can hope for some real cleansing,' says Sucheta Dalal.
CRICKET
The ICC must renegotiate: Tim May
Any attempts by the ICC and the boards to induce players to breach their existing contracts are unlawful, the players' representative said.
MOVIES
Love scores over friendship
'Devdas' continues at top spot, MDK enters at No2.
Paresh Rawal has no complaints
The actor now wants a script to direct.
GUIDE TO THE NET
Spine chillers
Seven of the best horror movies
Meet the sorcerer of Sony
The hottest properties in cyberspace are virtual worlds.