Date:10/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/10/stories/2008101060382100.htm

International

U.K. bailout and the tandoori connection

London: Top British officials, including Chancellor Alistair Darling, devoured spicy tandoori chicken before finalising a whopping £500-billion economic rescue package for banks, media reports said.

The operation to rescue the economy commenced at 9 pm on Tuesday with Chancellor’s office placing an order with an Indian curry restaurant, for 32 meals as Mr. Darling and his team got ready for all-night negotiations to part-nationalise some of Britain’s top banks.

After the debris of his curry was cleared away, Mr. Darling ushered chiefs of Britain’s biggest banks into the large conference room just outside his office, according to the media reports. — PTI