Forge new partnership: PM
The Prime Minister, Mr. A.B. Vajpayee, invited the captains of American industry to grab the many opportunities being offered by India and called for forging of a new partnership, reinforced by a common desire to derive mutual benefit.

Parties agree on EC code
All major political parties today agreed on the crucial and fundamental question of enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct before elections, but could not unanimously agree on the date from which the code should come into force.

King led me to Gandhi, says Clinton
The U.S. President, Mr. Bill Clinton, said that he hoped in the years ahead India and the United States would be better economic and political partners, turn the tide of the proliferation of dangerous weapons and play a constructive role to bring peace to the subcontinent.

A gift from ICCR
The Mahatma Gandhi Memorial - a statue in bronze on a pedestal of solid granite from India - unveiled here by the Prime Minister, Mr. A.B. Vajpayee, in the presence of the U.S. President, Mr. Clinton, was authorised by a U.S. Public Law which was signed by the President last year. The statue is a gift from the Indian Council for Cultural Relations.

New civil aviation policy on the anvil
The Prime Minister, Mr. A.B. Vajpayee, has said the Government will soon announce a new civil aviation policy, step up power sector reforms, speed up disinvestment programme and allow foreign banks to expand operations aimed at attracting foreign investment.

Ashraff dies in copter crash
Mr. M.H.M. Ashraff, a senior Sri Lankan Minister, and 14 others were killed today when a Mi-17 helicopter carrying them crashed in the mountain jungles in the east of the country.

Ashraff, a visionary leader
In 1976, when the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) passed the famous Vaddukodai resolution, which called for an independent Tamil State, one of the delegates representing the Muslims of the eastern province was a young lawyer.

Crude oil price shoots up
Crude oil price shot up to $36 a barrel here yesterday, as friction between Iraq and Kuwait drew a warning from the U.S.

$7 bn for power projects
Indian and U.S. companies today signed three agreements to construct three large power projects involving American investment of $ 7 billions, of which $ 4 billions will be in the form of foreign investment.

Parties demand will be considered: Gill
The Chief Election Commissioner, Dr. M. S. Gill, today said, ``though there was overwhelming agreement on enforcing the code of conduct, we will try that the view of the parties becomes unanimous in endorsing the Commission's stand that it should be enforced from the date of announcement of elections.

American bags first gold
Shooter Nancy Johnson of the United States claimed the first gold medal of the Sydney Games today, winning the women's 10 metre air rifle event with her final shot.