PM reaches out to RSS
On the eve of the declaration of results of the Assembly polls, the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, has sought to make his peace with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) - the difficult customers in his own backyard. He hosted a lunch on Friday for three senior RSS functionaries, Mr. H.V. Seshadri, Mr. Madan Devi Das, and Mr. M.G. Vaidya. The RSS chief, Mr. S. Sudarshan, was out of town and could not partake of the delicacies at the Prime Minister's residence.

Musharraf opposes NMD
Pakistan today came out openly against the National Missile Defence (NMD) programme announced by the Bush Government and said that it was against any action that re- initiates nuclear and missile race in South Asia.

India to dispel Beijing's doubts
India will have an opportunity next week to exchange views with China at the high political level on the controversial American plans to build missile defences.

60 p.c. turnout in repoll
Repoll in 181 pooling stations in Assam, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu was held today amid tight security. An estimated 60 per cent of the electors turned out to exercise their franchise in today's repoll. Repolling in 121 polling booths in Barak Valley in Assam will be held tomorrow.

'Delhi appreciates Armitage mission'
The Bush administration says that the Deputy Secretary of State, Mr. Richard Armitage, has been ``very active'' in India, having a wide range of discussions with officials and leaders in New Delhi.

Wins crown on home turf
Boosted by a hometown advantage, Miss Puerto Rico, Denise Quinones August, won this year's Miss Universe crown, with Miss India, Celina Jaitley, finishing as fourth runner-up. When the sparkling crown was placed on her head last night, Ms. Quinones, one of the few women in the history of the contest to win the title at home, beamed and blew kisses to a crowd of thousands that applauded her victory.

Defence Ministry debating deal with U.S. over NMD
The Defence Ministry is actively debating the terms of a possible deal with the Bush administration for supporting its concept of a new international security architecture.

PM may stress need for India-ASEAN summit
The Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, will need to use all his diplomatic charm to convince the Malaysian Prime Minister, Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, that the level of engagement between India and ASEAN needs to be raised to summit- level.

Britain hails Indo-U.S. talks
Britain has welcomed the high-level talks between India and the U.S. on issues, including the Bush administration's initiative on reduction of nuclear arms.

OIC should not see India as an enemy: Mahathir
The Malaysian Prime Minister, Mr. Mahathir Mohammed had said the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) should not look upon India as an enemy.