The statue of “Sher-e-Punjab” Maharaja Ranjit Singh glitters in the surrounding illuminations at Ram Bagh in Amritsar. Union Defence Minister George Fernandes will salute the statue on the occasion of the celebrations of the bicentenary of the Maharaja’s coronation on Tuesday. — Tribune photo Karam Singh

• Punjab page: Display of ‘jalau’: SGPC in a fix
  

Bush offers to bring India, Pak together for talks
New York, November 11
In yet another expression of America’s new-found love for Pakistan, US President George W. Bush offered to bring India and Pakistan together to have “good and meaningful” talks on Kashmir taking into account the wishes of the people of the state, even as he announced $ 1 billion in US aid as an additional reward to Pakistan.

TRIBUNE SPECIALS 50 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE TERCENTENARY CELEBRATIONS TEHELKA EXPOSE FOLLOW-UP MAHARAJA RANJIT SINGH: SPECIAL FEATURES & PHOTOS

NEWS ANALYSIS
Pervez spits venom; peddles lies, half-truths
Hari Jaisingh
New York, November 11
The ugly face of Pakistan came to the fore yet again on Saturday when Gen Pervez Musharraf addressed the United Nations General Assembly. As expected, the self-appointed Pakistan President’s speech had the usual anti-India venom. (28k, 56k)

Taliban lose more towns
Islamabad, November 11
Afghanistan’s opposition Northern Alliance said it captured the northern province of Takhar, including the capital Taloqan, which it lost a year ago, in fighting today, a spokesman said. “We have just received information from the front that Takhar has fallen,” Northern Alliance spokes-man Ashraf Nadeem said by satellite telephone.

• World page: What caused the Taliban rout at Mazar
  

Laden has  N-material, not bomb: UK
London, November 11
British Defence Minister Geoff Hoon today dismissed reported claims by Osama bin Laden that he had a nuclear bomb and was prepared to use it, but said the militant had managed to get hold of nuclear material.