Colombo, Feb. 10: Tensions mounted over the arrest of Sri Lanka’s former Army Chief Sarath Fonseka with violent clashes erupting in the capital as his wife approached the country’s highest court for his release, citing that she feared for his safety.

Hyderabad, Feb. 10: Andhra Pradesh sports and IT minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy on Wednesday asked the Deccan Chargers to boycott the IPL tournament if the governing council stuck to its decision not to conduct matches in Hyderabad.

South Africa captain Graeme Smith (right) celebrates with Dale Steyn (second from right) and teammate Paul Harris after winning the first Test against India in Nagpur on Tuesday. India suffered their first defeat at home in nearly two years and after 15 Tests at the VCA Stadium here. Sachin Tendulkar’s 46th Test century could not avert the defeat as the hosts folded for 319 in their second essay. The humiliating innings and six-run defeat jeopardises India’s world number one Test status.

PHOTO: Reuters

Shiv Sena activists vandalise a poster of Shah Rukh Khan’s new film, My Name is Khan, in Mumbai on Tuesday. Shah Rukh has been under attack from the party for his views on the inclusion of Pakistani cricketers in the IPL. Filmmaker Karan Johar met Mumbai police commissioner D. Sivanandan on Tuesday seeking adequate security for everyone associated with the film. The movie is set to hit theatres this Friday. PHOTO: Amit Haralkar

Kolkata, Feb. 9: In a clear message to the Maoists, the Centre on Tuesday announced that the operation against them would continue if they did not give up violence. A comprehensive inter-state joint operation (Operation Green Hunt), involving West Bengal,

New Delhi, Feb. 9: The Centre on Tuesday decided to prune the security cover of expelled Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh, Schedule Castes Comm-ission chairman Buta Singh and Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee chief Suresh Pachouri.

New Delhi, Feb. 9: The ordinary brinjal has won the day. Mounting pressure forced Union forests and environment minister Jairam Ramesh to revoke the decision of the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee on Tuesday and defer commercial cultivation of what could have been India’s first genetically modified vegetable crop.

Colombo, Feb. 9: Sri Lankan President Mahinda Raj-apakse on Tuesday dissolved the country’s Parliament, paving the way for general elections two months ahead of schedule. The President’s move comes a day after the Army arrested Gen. Fonseka, who

Islamabad, Feb. 9: Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari may become a figurehead before March 23, celebrated as Pakistan Day, official sources said.

SRINAGAR, Feb. 9: Two Army soldiers, a BSF trooper and a civilian have been killed and 25 persons injured in fresh avalanches and other weather-related incidents across the Kashmir Valley, officials here said on Tuesday. Twenty-five cattle also perished, they added.