Thackeray decides to end his sanyas
Top leaders of the Shiv Sena on Wednesday night went into a huddle to decide on the restructuring of the party following Sena chief Bal Thackeray's announcement that he will emerge from his self-imposed political exile today. Thackeray has chosen Guru Poornima day, today, to break out of a three-month retirement he had evoked in March this year in the wake of differences with Chief Minister Manohar Joshi.

Commerce Secretary slams curbs
India's view that US sanctions would be counter-productive has found support from unexpected quarters with US Commerce Secretary William Daley lamenting that sanctions had become a preferred policy option instead of being a measure of last resort. Imposing sanctions would have no meaning in the absence of multilateral cooperation, Daley warned while addressing a conference of the Bureau of Export Administration.

Prithviraj Chavan among probables for MPCC chief
Among the many probables for the job of president of the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee, the race appears to have narrowed down to Karad MP Prithviraj Chavan. Chavan might pip others to the post, given the fact that he is acceptable to both the pro and anti-Sharad Pawar camps.

LEISURE
  Air pollution may lead to infertility
  Kalahandi, a virtual "riches to rags" district today

SPORTS
  Indians have a good day
  More tackling curbs for 2002

EXPRESSIONS
  Wages of profligacy
  From Colombo with cup

BUSINESS
  No institutional funds for states without SERC
  India to sign oil production deals

GENERAL
  Centre's grant goes a begging and traffic piles up on Pune highway
  Penniless couple await flight home

POLITICS
  Jethmalani calls for review of Statute
  Maharashtra decision on reserved candidate may offend EC