T.N. backs down, drops cases against Ministers
Trying to avoid a confrontation with the Centre, the Tamil Nadu Government today dropped the cases against the two Union Ministers, Mr. Murasoli Maran, and Mr. T.R. Baalu, who were taken into custody during the course of the arrest of the former Chief Minister, Mr. M. Karunanidhi.

Is your heart made of muscle or mud, judge asks police
The prosecution, in the alleged `flyover scam' case in Tamil Nadu, received a severe beating today, when the Investigating Officer (I.O.) informed the Sessions Court here that none of the 14 accused received any pecuniary benefits.

Pak. for joint press meet at Agra
Pakistan is believed to have expressed a desire for a joint press conference by the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, and the Pakistan President Gen. Pervez Musharraf, at the end of the summit in Agra on July 16.

No reason to panic over US-64, says Sinha
The Finance Minister, Mr. Yashwant Sinha, declared today that `appropriate measures' would be taken regarding the decision of the mutual fund giant Unit Trust of India (UTI) to suspend the sale and repurchase of its flagship scheme, US-64, for six months.

AIADMK continues damage control exercise
The AIADMK continued its mission to counter the criticism against the Jayalalithaa Government over the arrest of the former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Mr. M. Karunanidhi, and related events even as it got assurances from the Congress and the Left parties that they would oppose attempts to impose Central rule in the State.

BJP hails dropping of charges
The Bharatiya Janata Party today appreciated the Tamil Nadu Government for dropping the cases against the Union Ministers, Mr. Murasoli Maran and Mr. T.R. Baalu, but said several questions had risen out of the action.

Russian plane crash kills 143
A Russian airliner carrying 143 people crashed and burst into flames near the Siberian city of Irkutsk, the Ministry of Emergency Situations said.

JKLF chief arrested
The police in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) have detained the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) leader, Mr. Amanullah Khan, for violating an order banning him from entering a city there.