Azharuddin, Jadeja and Chopra axed
Mohammed Azharuddin, Ajay Jadeja and Nikhil Chopra, whose names have figured in the betting and match-fixing scandal, have been left out of the list of 23 probables announced for ICC Knock-out limited overs tournament, starting in Nairobi on October 3.

Karnataka yielding to illegal demands: S.C.
The Supreme Court, in its oral observations during a hearing of the ``Veerappan associates-release case'' expressed concern at the inability of the Karnataka Government in apprehending the forest brigand for the past eight years.

RSS chief, Laxman call on Vajpayee
The Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, today had two interesting, ``in-house'' visitors, Mr. K. S. Sudarshan, supreme leader of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, and Mr. Bangaru Laxman, president of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Basu firm on retiring on Sept. 15
The West Bengal Chief Minister, Mr. Jyoti Basu, has said he had made up his mind to retire on September 15, but the CPI(M) central leadership has asked him to continue till it was approved by the party politburo and the State committee.

Straw to discuss joint action against terrorism
The British Home Minister, Mr. Jack Straw, is to discuss plans for a joint action against terrorism during a week- long visit to India which begins on Sunday. Speaking to the press before his departure, Mr. Straw said both Britain and India faced a common threat from terrorism, and it was ``sensible to discuss what action can be taken at both ends to deter and disrupt terrorist activity.''

Tension in Shia-dominated areas
The toll in Friday's IED blast aimed at the prominent Shia leader, Moulvi Iftikhar Ansari, increased to three. Shops and business establishments in Shia- dominated localities remained closed today as a mark of protest.

U.S. recognises India's n-concern
In a roundabout manner, the U.S. has begun to recognise India's need for a nuclear deterrent because China has nuclear weapons.

Govt. takes over Sapru House
After remaining embroiled in legal wrangling and a battle of wits, the Union Government acted decisively at last and took over the prestigious Indian Council of World Affairs and its Sapru House headquarters through a Presidential Ordinance.

25 killed in shed collapse
At least 25 people, mostly labourers, were killed and nine injured when a locomotive shed, which was being demolished, collapsed at the railway station here this morning.