Pakistan ups the ant with the US

NEWSPAPERS HEADLINES

Home Minister P. Chidambaram and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, separately meeting Congress President Sonia Gandhi, is highlighted by several papers this morning. "Sonia steps in to defuse crisis" - headlines The Hindustan Times, as she tries to end the five-day-old political crisis - triggered by a controversial note by the Finance Ministry on 2G Spectrum allocation. The Indian Express writes, Pranab, Chidambaram meet Sonia, as UPA waits for Prime Minister to return.

In the case of the ongoing war-of-words between Pakistan and the US - over Pakistani links with the Haqqani terror network, the Hindu reports - "Pakistan ups the ant with the US". The Paper adds - reinforcing her reputation for issuing sharp rebukes, Pakistan Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar struck a defiant note against the US, describing the dangerous Haqqani Terror network as the 'blue-eyed boy's' of America's CIA.

On Narendra Modi's recent 3 day fast , the Pioneer writes - "In a clear sign of further escalating tension between the BJP government and the Raj Bhawan in Gujarat, Governor Kamla Beniwal has asked for details of the expenditure on Chief Minister Narendra Modi's - 'Sadbhawana Mission' fast last week".

Fresh and harsher CBI charges against former Telecom Minster A Raja - is given prominence by the Press. The Hindu writes - "The CBI dealt a fresh blow to the 17 accused in the 2G Scam, slamming on them an additional charge of 'Criminal Breach of Trust - which is a non-bailable offence - punishable with Life Imprisonment for a 10-year-term".

And finally, The Asian Age informs us that way back in 1941, a Nazi torpedo tore a hole in a British merchant ship - carrying a fortune in silver to England from India. Divers of the Odyssey Marine Exploration Company, who found the shipwreck near Ireland, say that they estimate its cargo of silver to be worth more than 200 million dollars. The Company will get 80 % of the silver's value and the British Government - 20 %.