Captors extend deadline
New Delhi, July 30
As the Iraqi group holding seven hostages extended its execution threat deadline (by 24 hours according to a PTI report), the hostage crisis apparently took a positive turn this evening with the government getting a little breathing space for negotiating the release of three Indian truck drivers.

Natwar’s plea to media on hostage crisis
Editorial: It is shocking

Anger of Una people spills on roads
Bid to take 37 foreigners hostage
Shimla/Una, July 30
An attempt was made by a mob in Una to take 37 foreign tourists hostage. The mob was protesting against the failure of the government to get three Indians released, who have been held captive by militants in Iraq.

Protesters block the Una-Nangal national highway at Antaryami’s village, Dehlan, demanding the release of the Indian hostages in Iraq, on Friday. — A Tribune photograph

Mukesh Ambani sees oil and gas fields in Punjab
Chandigarh, July 30
Punjab has oil and gas fields. This is a strong belief of Mr Mukesh Ambani, Chairman of the Reliance group of Industries. In fact, the main subject matter of his luncheon meeting with Capt Amarinder Singh at new Motibagh Palace in Patiala yesterday was the exploration of oil and gas in the state.

Kamal Nath rushes to Geneva
Bangkok, July 30
Union Commerce Minister Kamal Nath today cut short his visit here as the WTO talks in Geneva ran into rough weather with India rejecting the WTO’s second draft of a framework pact.

Shibu Soren comes out of hiding
Ranchi, July 30
Resurfacing after more than 10 days, former Union Coal Minister Shibu Soren today claimed that he was never in hiding but was “interacting” with people in villages and jungles of Jharkhand.
In video (28k, 56k)

Shibu Soren, JMM President and former Union Coal Minister, holds his party's symbol as he resurfaced on Friday in Ranchi after being on the run for the past 10 days to evade arrest. Soren announced his intention to surrender in Jamtara Court on Monday. — PTI photo

Editorial: The Soren show

Captain’s fate hangs in balance
New Delhi, July 30
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh's fate hangs in balance. Having drawn flak from the Central party leadership for the unilateral abrogation of the inter-state river water treaties, Capt Amarinder Singh is now in the firing line for his subsequent public statements virtually holding the Centre to ransom in case his decision is overturned by the Supreme Court.

Attempt on Pak PM-designate’s life, 7 killed
Islamabad, July 30
Pakistan Prime Minister-designate Shaukat Aziz tonight survived a suicide bomb attack on his election campaign in which seven persons, including his driver, were killed and more than 25 injured at a place 55 km from here.

Tapestry designed by Corbusier removed from CJ’s courtroom Chandigarh, July 30 The removal of a huge specially-woven tapestry, one of the few hanging on the walls of nine courtrooms of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, was today raised by concerned citizens of the City Beautiful at a presentation-cum-meeting chaired by UT Adviser Lalit Sharma.