This year's IPL most nail-biting of them all

NEWSPAPERS HEADLINES

As the race for electing a new President for the country speeds up, the Statesman writes "More back Pranab as President". "Mamta links presidential vote to debt relief", writes the Times of India.

"Make-or-break meet on anti-terror body today", reports the Tribune, adding that well-wishers of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre will be hoping that the Center and the States overcome their political differences and allow the setting up of the anti-terror body.

The Mail Today, writing on the aftermath of release of collector Alex Paul Menon - quotes Raman Singh, Chief Minister Chhattisgarh, who talked tough and pitched for a national hostage policy, in which a swap deal would not even be an option, even if it involved the abduction of the Chief Minister.

"Free fall before Budget debate" - is the top headline in the Indian Express, as a statement made by the Minister of State for Finance, SS Palanimanikam - triggered fresh concerns over the Mauritius Tax Treaty Review, sending the Sensex down by 320 points to below the 17,000 mark.

"This year's IPL most nail-biting of them all" - writes the Times of India, adding that barely past the 'half-way stage', this year's IPL has already emerged as the most exciting season in the League's history, in terms of 'close matches'.

"Stephens shows the way with men's quota', writes the Pioneer, with a reservation of 40 per cent seats for male students to preserve what was once an all male bastion.

AND FINALLY, Hindustan Times tells us that after being blind for over 20 years, a British man is regaining the gift of sight - thanks to a pioneering bionic eye implant. He is the first British patient to be fitted with a digital chip, similar to those used in mobile phone cameras - and can presently see a rough outline of simple shapes and will learn, with practice, to see again.