Political Briefs: Taj corridor scam; Headley hunt

Developments at home and abroad.

The Home Front

Taj Corridor:

The apex court yesterday rejected Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati's plea for quashing a PIL filed against her in the Taj corridor scandal that involved a massive construction near the monument.

Terror Probe:

The National Investigation Agency has asked filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt's son Rahul, who came in contact with terror suspect David Headley during his stay in Mumbai, not to leave the city.

Influx bid:

Two soldiers and as many militants were killed in two separate gun battles as army foiled an infiltration bid, second within the past three days, along the LoC in the Kashmir valley.

Foreign Affairs 

Qaeda Threat:

US President Obama yesterday called Al Qaeda the biggest threat to US security, as his aides stepped up pressure on Afghanistan and Pakistan to cooperate with Washington's strategy in the troubled region.

Suu Kyi:

Burma's detained opposition leader Suu Kyi has requested direct talks with the chief of the country's military junta to explore ways to work together in the lead-up to next year's elections.

Pakistan Blast:

A suicide car-bomber killed at least four people today near a Pakistan air force base close to the northwestern city of Peshawar and the Afghan border.

(Compiled by Madhumita Sen Choudhury from NW18, newspaper Web sites, agency, and television reports)