We will take Agra process ahead: PM
The Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, today said India would continue the dialogue with Pakistan - despite the recent contentious statements from Islamabad - to help reach a negotiated settlement over various outstanding issues, including Kashmir.

Ganguly retained skipper
The suspense is over. Sourav Ganguly will lead India during the coming cricket tour of South Africa. The decision, taken at a meeting of the national selection panel in Mumbai on Thursday, was unanimous.

No starvation deaths in Kashipur: Patnaik
The Orissa Chief Minister, Mr. Naveen Patnaik, said today that there had been no starvation deaths in the tribal-dominated Kashipur block of Rayagada district. The deaths had taken place due to ``food poisoning and diseases''.

Nitish clips Digvijay's wings?
The cold war between the Railway Minister, Mr. Nitish Kumar, and the National Democratic Alliance convener, Mr. George Fernandes, appears to have taken a chilling turn.

Mango kernel hurled at Orissa CM's convoy
Dried mango kernel were hurled at the convoy of the Chief Minister, Mr. Naveen Patnaik, during his visit to this block in Rayagada district to assess the situation there following the alleged recent starvation deaths of 19 tribals.

No water for now: Karnataka
An emergency meeting of the Cauvery River Water Authority Monitoring Committee today failed to find a solution to the present water crisis with Karnataka stating that as of now it was in no position to release water to Tamil Nadu due to deficient rainfall.

Report on economy
The management consultant Mckinsey and Company today presented the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, with a report which details the problems afflicting the Indian economy and suggests policy changes to speed up growth.

3-year RI for Hiten Dalal
A special court today sentenced the stock broker, Mr. Hiten Dalal, and the former general manager of Canbank Mutual Fund (CBMF), Mr. B.R. Acharya, to three years' rigorous imprisonment for various offences, including defrauding the CBMF of Rs. 32.5 lakhs during 1991-92.

SEBI plan to check scams
The Securities and Exchange Board of India, which went into the stock market crash, has come out with a six- point strategy, including a Central authority to monitor the flow of funds into the market to prevent stock scams in future.