Indo-Pak. talks: an air of pessimism
A week before Gen. Pervez Musharraf arrives here for talks with the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, an air of pessimism is beginning to creep up on the expectations from the Agra summit. The inexplicably harsh statement from Pakistan on Kashmir last night and the insistence of Gen. Musharraf to meet the Hurriyat leaders are forcing a reconsideration of the initial assessment here that a modest but positive outcome is indeed possible at Agra.

Former judge to probe 'police excesses' in T.N.
The Tamil Nadu Government today appointed a Commission of Inquiry to probe allegations of ``police excesses'' during the arrest of former Chief Minister and DMK president, Mr. M. Karunanidhi, and the Union Ministers, Mr. Murasoli Maran and Mr. T.R. Baalu.

Duty evasion notice slapped on MUL
The Excise Department has slapped a Rs. 200- crore duty evasion show-cause notice on the country's premier car-maker, Maruti Udyog Limited (MUL). With the serving of the notice, the Excise Department is understood to have cast its net wider.

Protect Chennai judge: Fernandes
The NDA convener, Mr. George Fernandes, and the DMK MP, Mr. C.P. Thirunavukarasu, have demanded additional security for the Chennai Principal Sessions Judge, Mr. Justice Ashok Kumar, who is dealing with the cases registered against the former Chief Minister, Mr. M. Karunanidhi, and others in ``flyover scam''.

41 policemen killed in Nepal
Maoist rebels killed 41 policemen in three incidents in Nuwakot, Lamjung and Gulmi districts of western Nepal on Friday. The rebels attacked Bichaur police post in Lamjung and killed 21, eliminated 10 at Taruka post in Nuwakot, and another 10 at Bamitaxar in Gulmi district.