Thursday, March 13, 2003, Chandigarh, India
Updated at 3:00 am (IST)

PM against war without UN nod
New Delhi, March 12
Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee today strongly opposed any military attack against Iraq unless such an action were to have “the collective concurrence of the international community.” Mr Vajpayee advocated for a wait and watch option to be exercised by the international community.

  PM: India can make cryogenic engine

USA hints at attacking Iraq without Britain
Tests ‘mother of all bombs’
Washington, March 12
Hinting that the USA may attack Iraq without Britain as Premier Tony Blair is facing enormous opposition from his country’s anti-war forces, Washington has said the UK’s role in a military conflict is “unclear” at this juncture, but asserted that London would help in the reconstruction process in the post-war period.

  USA threatens Russia over Iraq veto
  India denies deal with USA on Iraq
  Graphic: UN Divided on Iraq
World page:
  UN members working on compromise formula
  UK lays down six conditions for Saddam

Excavation begins in Ayodhya
Ayodhya, March 12
The excavation at the disputed site here to find out whether a temple existed beneath the demolished structure began today amidst tight security, Faizabad district administration sources said.

  Nation page: No legislation on Ayodhya: Swami

Show-cause notice to Shanta
New Delhi, March 12
The BJP, which got a severe beating in the Assembly poll in Himachal Pradesh recently, today issued a show-cause notice to Union Minister Shanta Kumar for remarks made against the previous BJP government in the state.

Top JeM militant killed
New Delhi, March 12
The Uttar Pradesh police has killed a dreaded militant of a Pakistan-based outfit, Jaish-e-Mohammad, in an encounter. The militant reportedly planned to carry out a repeat of the December 13 attack on Parliament and target India Gate and Mumbai bourse.
In video: (28k, 56k) 

Edit page: Reassessing the Pakistani threat The ammunition which was recovered from a Jaish-e-Mohammed militant after an encounter with the police in Noida on Wednesday.  — A Tribune photograph

Henry divested of Industry
Chandigarh, March 12
The Punjab Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, today reallocated the portfolios of some of his Council of Ministers to accommodate the new entrants, two Cabinet Ministers and three Ministers of State as well as three Parliamentary Secretaries.

HP bus fare hike imminent
Cash-starved HRTC’s blow to kids
Shimla, March 12
Mr G.S. Bali, Transport Minister, today hinted at a imminent bus fare hike, but remained non-committal about the quantum of increase. Addressing a press conference here, he said the HRTC had been left in a deep financial mess by the Dhumal government which had not revised bus fares since 1999 despite steep hikes in the prices of diesel, tyres and spare parts and salaries over the period.

Govt stands guarantee HSIDC loan to private sugar mill Chandigarh, March 12 In what is being described as “unprecedented”, “unconventional”, “bold and positive” move, the Haryana Cabinet last night decided to stand guarantee for Rs 7-crore loan to be given by the Haryana State Industrial Development Corporation to a sick unit.