8 killed as bus falls into gorge
Chikmagalur, dhns: Eight people, including two, women, were killed and 28 injured when a private bus fell into a gorge near Bababudangiri, here on Wednesday. Two fakirs from Ajmer were also injured. Four children had a miraculous escape.

Gangster in police net
Belgaum, dhns: Notorious gangster Pravin Shintre was arrested in a Udupi hotel on Wednesday morning.  A team of police officers from Belgaum caught the gangster-turned-politician, Shintre, at Pancharatna Paradisei. He was brought under tight police vigil from Udupi to Belgaum late on Wednesday. According to the police, Shintre made a futile attempt to escape from the clutches of police while the van carrying him reached Khanapur. On the pretext of attending to the nature's call, Shintre escaped from the police near Desur Cross, (14 km from Belgaum). Edwin Pradeep, APMC PSI, caught him immediately.  

Meet on hydel power plant
Chennai, pti: The Union Power Ministry will convene a Secretaries-level talks between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu in New Delhi regarding a dispute over sharing of electricity under Cauvery Hydro Power Project, a top ministry official said. Anil Razdan, Union Power Secretary, told reporters here the meeting may be held in another 15 days.

KSPCB gets new member-secy
Bangalore, dhns: Mr R Venkatesh on Wednesday assumed charge as Member-Secretary of Karnataka State Pollution Control Board. The officer, who belongs to State Forest Service, had previously served as Deputy Conservator in BDA.

Rs 60 crore for land acquisition
Bangalore, dhns: PWD and Power Minister H D Revanna on Wednesday discussed with the Revenue and Railway officials the process of acquiring land for Hassan-Bangalore, Ramanagar-Bangalore, Bidar-Gulbarga and other railway projects. Speaking to reporters here, Mr Revanna said the railways had released Rs 60 crore towards acquisition of land for Hassan-Kunigal-Bangalore railway line.