NEWSPAPERS HEADLINES
The Congress-DMK standoff over seat sharing for the forthcoming Tamil Nadu assembly polls comes in for front page scrutiny in all the papers. "Little chance of DMK, Congress patching up" reports the Hindustan Times. The Mail Today writes "Congress plays hardball with Karuna". With SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav declaring that there was no danger to the UPA government,  the Times of India says "SP in hand, Congress dares DMK to pull out". Analysing what really went wrong between the two parties, the Asian Age writes "2G go-slow plea by DMK rejected".
Most papers take note of the CPM's plans for the forthcoming assembly polls, specially in Bengal and Kerala. Highlighting the roles defined for Chief Ministers Buddhadev Dasgupta and VS Achyutanandan, the Indian Express writes "Poll battle: Karat banks on Buddha, mum on VS". The Pioneer observes "Kerala CPM divided over VS's candidature."
Senior BJP leader L K Advani's demand that the Opposition should have a role in the formation of the Election Commission is highlighted in most newspapers.
The Times of India and the Indian Express report on their front pages that despite three requests in the past year, the Coal Ministry has refused permission to the CBI to register a case against the head of the state-owned Western Coalfields Ltd for favouring a contractor and causing loss to the Company.
In a front page special story, the Times of India writes, that a recent International Men and Gender Equality survey covering six developing countries has found that Indian men ranked lowest on a `gender-equitable men' scale with one in four Indian men having committed sexual violence at some point in their lives.
And finally, in what is a rather novel form of punishment, the Hindustan Times reports that traffic violators in Gurgaon in Haryana, will be made to spend time at traffic intersections and manage traffic. Will this bring greater sanity on the roads...we'll have to wait and watch!

NEWSPAPERS HEADLINES

The developments in Tamilnadu over the issue of seat sharing for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly election, is avidly reported in todays Press." DMK breaks alliance with Congress but not ties", is the lead headline  in the Hindustan Times ."DMK pulls out, but keep comeback window open" writes the Asian age. The Mail Today reports that The Congress  Party has dispatched emissaries  to  engage in dialogue with the DMK. Apart from P.C Chidambram, Shipping minister  GK Vasan will be reaching Chennai today on a peace mission.
"Gaddafi storms key city held by Rebels". The Asian Age reports that Gaddafi's militia has stormed the rebel-controlled town of Zawiyah, in what two residents described as a 'massacre'. A day of brazen counter attacks yesterday  by colonel Gaddafi's militia saw firing on unarmed protesters in front of International news media. The paper writes that this action is likely to stir a debate over international intervention to limit  the use of military power.
The Economic Times  writes "Libya Crude exports set to slide as crisis worsens", as mounting violence, falling oil output, the impact of sanctions and rising freight costs could take their toll on Africa third largest oil producer.
Today's India Ireland cricket match is highlighted by the press with several photographs of practice sessions. "Battlefield Banglalore-India meet giant killers" writes the Hindustan Times, giving  an analysis of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats for each side." watch out for Sachin Tendulkar and Kevin O'Brian', writes the Sunday Pioneer.
Some other issues highlighted in today's papers are : Sushma Swaraj claiming that there are no differences between her and Jaitly over the Prime Minister CVC apology issue;  Slumdog Millionaire child star Rubbina Ali's home being gutted in Mumbai's Gharib nagar.

NEWSPAPERS  HEADLINES
The Supreme Court striking down the appointment of Central Vigilance Commissioner P J Thomas finds prominence in front-page headlines. "SC tells CVC Thomas to quit"  writes the Hindustan Times. "CVC loses job, UPA loses face" - writes the Indian Express. The Times of India writes 'The unseating of CVC PJ Thomas is the latest break through made by the Supreme Court in the course of a resurgent judicial activism, under the leadership of Kapadia.
"India opposed to 'no fly zone', and use of force in Libya" - reports the Hindu. The paper adds - 'In the articulation of official thinking on Western plans to deal with the emerging situation in Libya, India has said it will oppose any move to enforce a no-fly-zone or the use of force, to end the civil war in Libya.
The Mail Today has a question. It writes, 'Are the Maoists using drugs to fund their revolution? Is marijuana, grown in the remote forests of Malkangiri in Odisha, transforming into automatic weapons and bullets? The paper writes that lawmakers suspect a nexus between Maoists and the Drug Mafia. The police recently detained porters who were ferrying the contraband packed in 266 large bags.
"India trains  full blast", writes the Pioneer. The shock and awe of the Irish performance against England has the Indian Cricket Team practicing hard in batting, bowling and innovative fielding to get ready for their Super Sunday encounter with the resurgent Irishmen. The paper writes - MS Dhoni and coach Gary Kirsten will have to think out of the box, to take on the likes of Kevin O'Brien.
And finally, the Hindustan Times informs us that choreographer Sandeep Soparrkar and his wife Jesse Randhawa have reportedly been invited to perform a 'Bollywood Waltz' at the Royal wedding reception of UK's Prince William and Kate Middleton. The Royal couple want them to perform, as currently, Bollywood is a big thing in the West.

NEWSPAPERS HEADLINES

Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee's announcement that she would not contest the forthcoming Bengal assembly polls is highlighted on the front pages of most papers. "Mamata won't contest Bengal assembly polls" writes the Hindustan Times. The Asian Age adds "if she wins poll, Didi clarifies, she'll head govt."

The assassination of Pakistan's Minority Affairs Minister is also prominently covered on the front pages. The Indian Express reports "Now, only Christian minister in Pak killed over blasphemy law". Drawing attention to an earlier killing the Tribune writes "Shahbaz Bhatti second official to be killed after Punjab Governor Taseer over blasphemy row in less than two months".

The Central Information Commissioner's move to bring greater transparency in Public Private Partnership (PPP) contracts gets wide attention. "Bring PPP under RTI, CIC tells Plan panel" reports the Indian Express on its front page. The Hindustan Times writes "Citizens may get RTI info for PPP projects".

The removal of Muhammad Yunus from the post of managing director of Bangladesh's Grameen Bank and the Election Commission's order stopping distribution of free colour TV sets as the model code of conduct comes into force for the Tamil Nadu assembly polls are the other stories highlighted in the papers today.

Most papers take note of the concluding arguments made in the Supreme Court on the euthanasia plea filed on behalf of Aruna Shanbaug who has been in a vegetative state for the last 37 years in a Mumbai hospital. "We'll take care of vegetative Aruna till the natural end, says hospital" reports the Hindu. On the governments response to the plea, the Times of India writes " Mercy killing for Aruna? Govt tells SC a flat no". The Mail Today says "Euthanasia on hold as SC reserves its verdict".

And finally, the Tribune reports that the National Museum is all set to be blind friendly with visitors being able to touch and feel the objects in the galleries.

NEWSPAPERS HEADLINES
Board Exam season gets underway is the headline in most papers with photographs of students leaving the exam centre.
The Times of India writes that A. Raja used his wife's account to stash bribes inMauritius and Seychelles. According to the paper, the CBI is believed to have gathered evidence to this effect, and the enforcement directorate is preparing send letters rogatory to 10 other countries. "Pay off trail leads to Raja, CBI tells SC" is The Pioneer headline. 
Finger length ratio may predict risk of diseases writes the Times of India. According to scientists in London, the length of the ring and index fingers could help determine your risk of more serious health concerns such as cancer and heart problems. The Asian Age adds that the study found that if your ring finger was longer than the index finger you could be twice as likely to develop osteo arthritis of the knee. 
"Apples land Air India pilot in a Jam" is the Mail Today headline. According to the paper, a woman pilot braked suddenly when the aircraft was taxing at about 240 km per hour causing the tyres of the aircraft to burst putting a 100 lives in danger. According to sources, the pilot had bought apples in Varanasi and placed them in the cockpit. As she was taking off, the apples tumbled out one by one, making a dull sound on the cockpit floor. The commander presuming that engine had shut down, applied the brakes and aborted the take off.
And finally, She was found dead and dumped in a bag at the New Delhi Railway Station. It took the Delhi Police almost a fortnight to solve the murder mystery of Neetu Solanki. Most papers this morning carry photographs and details of the murder stating that the live-in partner suspected of murdering Neetu is still absconding.

TODAY'S NEWSPAPERS

Everything you want to know about the Union Budget 2011-12 - presented in Parliament yesterday by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee - is in the papers this morning, not just on the front pages but in reams and reams of analyses inside, besides editorials and special supplements decoding the budget for the aam reader.

All papers headline various sectors of the economy, like health, social spending, agriculture, defence (to name a few), and how the budget impacts each of them.

The common man's tax liability is widely detailed across papers as in the 'Budget and You' column in The Tribune. How government will tackle 'black money' is highlighted in Hindustan Times. Delivering direct cash subsidies on fuel and fertilisers is reported in The Pioneer, which Economic expert Swaminathan Aiyer in The Economic Times calls a 'conceptual breakthrough'.

Here are some headlines -

'Pranab's all inclusive Budget' says the Tribune.

'Pranab plays it safe' is how both the Hindu and the Pioneer put it.

'FM's great fiscal ropetrick' reads the Financial Express with an elaborate graphic portrait of Pranab Mukherjee, made with the rupee symbol.

The Economic Times has an illustration of the socialist symbol hammer and sickle morphing into the rupee symbol with the  paper also focusses on 20 years of liberalisation which began in 1991.

The Pioneer carries the opposition's  reactions, with the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Arun Jaitley, calling it, a 'packaging exercise'; CPM's Sitaram Yechury calling it 'disappointing'; and JDU leader Sharad Yadav saying 'there's nothing new in the budget'.

News beyond the budget carried in most papers is -  Air India's COO Gustav Baldauf quitting, JPC formation today, and all the winners at a dull Oscar awards ceremony.

NEWSPAPERS HEADLINES

All eyes - from those of the inflation-hit 'common man' to the country's stock markets, will be on Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee today, reports the Asian Age. "Pranab walks the tight rope" headlines the Hindustan Times. "Raise in Income Tax exemption limit in the offing" highlights the Hindu, while the Times of India writes "Reeling under heavy losses, Dalal Street is desperate for a good budget."
The 2011 Cricket World Cup came alive in Bangaluru yesterday night. The Indian Express headlines, "1 record, 2 centuries, 18 wickets -- and a Tie". The Hindu carries a picture of the two 'cricketing wizards' of yesterday's dramatic match, Sachin Tendulkar and Andrew Strauss - who combined to orchestrate 'the match' of the 2011 World Cup. "The Mail Today writes "Top rated India gets wake-up call from England."
Photographs of relieved Indian evacuees from Libya arriving at India's New Delhi airport on Sunday are splashed on the front pages. "First evacuees tell of Libyan horror" - is the Hindustan Times front page headline. "It's been a trip from hell and back for the Indians rescued from Libya" - reports The Tribune.

In an exclusive the Hindustan Times writes - "MISUSE forces a review of Dowry Law". Following widespread complaints of the anti-dowry law being misused to lodge false cases, the government has decided to review the stringent provisions of the legislation, which deals with physical and mental cruelty by husbands and their relatives against wives-over dowry.
And finally, the Asian Age writes that mobile phone users in Indian may soon be able to watch television programmes on their handsets, as the Information and Broadcasting Ministry is likely to finalise the launch of Mobile Television in the coming fiscal year.

NEWSPAPERS HEADLINES

The operation to evacuate Indian nationals from Libya is prominently noticed on the front pages today. "AI airlifts 2 batches out of Libya" reports the Asian Age. The Tribune says "First AI flight with 290 Indians lands in Delhi".
Another story that is significantly highlighted on the front pages is the disclosure made by the Income Tax department regarding some relatives of the former Chief Justice of India, K G Balakrishnan. "Ex-CJI's kin has black money, says IT dept" reports the Times of India. The Hindustan Times adds 'Dept mum on Balakrishnan but points finger at brother, sons-in-law'.
The Pioneer highlights the Economic Survey 2010-11 observation that '55% PDS food smuggled to market" as its front page lead.
The deliberations of the National Advisory Council headed by UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi are widely reported. "Sonia's NAC prevails over govt on RTI, forest rights" says the Times of India lead. The Hindu reports "NAC wont go back on its food bill : Job is to advise government and not be influenced by its predilections.'
In a special front page story the Tribune writes that the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council has discarded the Jammu and Kashmir state flag and state emblem and adopted the national emblem.
The recovery of a huge quantity of silver bricks from a `mutt' or monastery in Puri is noticed by most papers. "Silver bricks worth 90crore rupees seized in Puri' reports the Hindustan Times. The Indian Express writes that  this recovery was made after a person was arrested selling a  few such bricks in Dhenkanal.
In international news, the violent tactics being used by Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi to quell protests are widely reported. 'Gaddafi forces shooting from ambulances" says the Indian Express. The Times of India headline reads "Gaddafi trains anti-aircraft guns on protestors.'
And finally, The Asian age reports that in a major step towards integration of the erstwhile Indian Airlines and Air India which became a unified carrier a few years ago, the IC code of the Indian Airlines will be replaced by AI for the unified carrier Air India.

NEWSPAPERS HEADLINES

Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee presenting her third consecutive Rail Budget in Parliament is the top story in the papers today.
'Mamta rolls out poll express' says the Hindustan Times, while, in a similar vein, the lead in the Times of India reads--'More bucks for the Bong--Mamata drives the goodies train into poll bound Bengal', referring to the many projects rolled out for her home state, soon to face landmark elections. The Tribune calls it a 'please-all' budget. The Pioneer refers to it as 'people class'. The Hindu highlights Mamata sparing passengers for the 3rd year in a row with no fare hikes announced, while the Asian Age brings to notice the fact that Rail finances are in a mess. The Indian Express focuses on three new features of the budget--a new e-ticketing portal, a super AC Class with improved comfort and a 'Go-India' pan-India multi-purpose card.
The Economic Survey 2010-11 also tabled in Parliament yesterday, by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, is another front page story. 'All hunky dory, Survey sees India back on 9% growth path in Financial Year 2012' sums up the Economic Times, on the growth story intact despite problems.
Former Telecom Minister Arun Shourie appearing before the CBI in the 2G case and his call for A. Raja to turn approver is widely reported. The CMD of public sector NALCO, and his wife arrested by the CBI in a bribery scandal is also widely covered.
Papers also report the bizarre case of a passenger holding up a domestic flight, objecting to a woman as the pilot.
Both the Times of India and the Hindustan Times report on 14 Tihar jail inmates given job offers by companies, in a campus placement with a difference. 

NEWSPAPERS HEADLINES

Prime Minister  Manmohan Singh's reply to the motion of thanks on President's address in Parliament on Thursday finds prominence in the Press. "Nothing we won't do to clean up public life: PM" is the headline in the Asian Age. "Singh admits to graft in CWG, 2G: Pledges to fight inflation", highlights the Financial Express.
The Mail Today writes that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh dragged the NDA government into the controversy over S-Band spectrum in the Antrix-Devas deal, saying the first discussions were introduced in March 2003, when the Atal Bihari Vajpai government was in office. "NDA initiated Devas Deal : PM" headlines the Hindustan Times.
"Libya protestors gear up for the 'Battle of Tripoli' " reports the Tribune, as forces loyal to Colonel Gaddafi launched a counter attack yesterday on anti-government militias. "3 warships on Libya rescue mission" report the Times of India. Three naval warship - INS Jalashwa and two Delhi-class destroyers will head for Libya to ferry around 9500 Indians from Tripoli and Benghazi.
"Sensex tanks on Libya"- headlines HT Business - the paper writes - it turned out to be a terrible Thursday as Indian Stock Market witnessed their worst fall in more than 18 months after the ugly political crisis in oil producer Libya  took world crude prices to a 30 month high of 120 dollars per barrel.
Hostage crisis ends - headlined the Indian Express. "Safe and healthy, collector returns to garlands, drumbeats and Zindabad". Freed collector R V Krishna says, "Scope for debate on development, but Tribals must benefits."
The Times of India reports - "With an eye on crucial polls in five states, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee appears set to appease the middle class with a likely increase in the income tax exemption limit, from Rs. 1.6 lakh to Rs. 2 lakh - as part of the Union Budget speech on Monday".
And finally, papers report of the death of the legendary Anant Pai at 81, whose beautifully illustrated and simply narrated stories of the Amar Chitra Katha Comics and Tinkle Magazine reintroduced India to young Indians in a fun way.