BJP, JD(U) in face-saving mode
LK Advani, Sharad deny strain in ties
Patna, June 13
The BJP sought to underplay rather ignore the strong reaction of its ruling alliance partner in Bihar JD(U) over a controversial advertisement, displaying the photograph of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his Gujarat counterpart Narendra Modi raising each other’s hand, carried by prominent newspapers in Bihar on the first day of its national executive meeting.

Modi attacks Sonia for ‘silence’ on Bhopal
Nation page: Modi blows his own trumpet

Pranab admits Anderson let off to maintain law
Kolkata, June 13 Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee today defended former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Arjun Singh in sending back Union Carbide CEO Warren Anderson to the USA after the Bhopal gas leakage incident. Left to launch protests from today Nation page: Alexander denies giving consent to Anderson to leave India Editorial: Anderson burden
BJP workers burn an effigy of Arjun Singh in Bhopal on Sunday. PTI

Zardari ‘assures support’ to Taliban
London, June 13
Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari recently met 50 captured Taliban leaders, including Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, in a prison to assure them that their outfit had his government's full support and that they would be freed soon, a media report claimed here today.

World page: Supporting Taliban ‘official ISI policy’

India wary of China’s increasing role in Lanka
New Delhi, June 13
The growing influence of China in Sri Lanka, which may upset New Delhi’s geo-political interests in South Asia, appears to have compelled the South Block weigh the pros and cons of removing restrictions on arms sales to the island nation.

Maoist plan to target politicians foiled
Hyderabad, June 13
The Andhra Pradesh police today claimed to have foiled an attempt of a Maoist team from Karnataka to target political leaders and senior police officers in the state by arresting one of its members.

Pacheco to move HC
Panaji, June 13
Former Goa Tourism Minister Fransisco Mickey Pacheco will move the high court for anticipatory bail tomorrow. The Goa bench of the Bombay High Court will also hear the anticipatory bail petition filed by Pacheco’s aide Lyndon Monteiro tomorrow.

Biz Buzz: Ambanis on safari together New Delhi, June 13 Leaving little to doubt about their growing understanding at home and at work, Mukesh and Anil Ambani holidayed with their families in South Africa and are believed to have discussed synergising their businesses to mutual advantage. UNITED THEY STAND: Anil and Mukesh, along with their families, revisited the same lodge at the Kruger National Park in South Africa, where their father had taken them in 2000