Jaswant-Sattar meet likely in New York
New Delhi, Nov. 2. India today said a meeting between the External Affairs Minister, Mr. Jaswant Singh, and his Pakistani counterpart, Mr. Abdul Sattar, could take place on the sidelines of the coming U.N. General Assembly session in New York, but ruled out the possibility of an interaction between the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, and the Pakistan President, Gen. Pervez Musharraf.

SC bans smoking in public places
New Delhi, Nov. 2. In a significant order concerning the health of the citizens, the Supreme Court today ordered a ban on smoking in public places throughout the country with immediate effect.

Over 70 U.S. soldiers killed: Taliban
Doha, Nov. 2. Between 70 and 100 U.S. soldiers have been killed in Washington's military campaign against Afghanistan launched on October 7, an official of Afghanistan's ruling Taliban said today. But, in a report from Washington, the White House flatly denied the claim.``Once again, the Taliban are just lying,'' said the spokesman, Mr. Ari Fleischer.

Letter to Bhujbal 'anthrax positive'
Mumbai, Nov. 2. An envelope containing a white powder received at the office of the Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister, Mr. Chhagan Bhujbal, has been found to be anthrax-positive in the second test.

New Judge for Bofors case
New Delhi, Nov.02 The Additional Sessions Judge, Mr. R. K.Gauba, was today designated as a special Judge to hear the Bofors payoff case after a reshuffle in the lower judiciary that made him the fourth Judge to preside over the trial of the politically-sensitive case. Mr. Gauba replaces the special Judge, Mr. S. L. Khanna.

Designate Lashkar, Jaish as terrorist outfits: Ashcroft
Washington, Nov. 2. In a significant move, the U.S. Justice Department has asked the State Department to designate the Pakistan-based militant outfits, Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e- Mohammad, as foreign terrorist organisations.

Minor changes in portfolios
New Delhi, Nov. 2. The Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, has made minor changes in the portfolios of some Ministers of State belonging to the BJP.

CBI implicates Sanjay Dutt
Mumbai, Nov. 2. The CBI has implicated all the 123 accused, including the film star, Mr. Sanjay Dutt, in the conspiracy leading to the serial explosions here on March 12, 1993, in which more than 200 persons were killed and several others maimed.

Anthrax scare hits Commerce Ministry
New Delhi, Nov. 2. Ahead of the WTO Ministerial meeting in Doha next week, the anthrax scare hit the Commerce Ministry today as the Minister, Mr. Murasoli Maran and the secretary, Mr.Prabir Sengupta, received two separate envelopes containing ``white powder.''

20 militants killed
Jammu, Nov. 2. Twenty militants were shot dead in the Poonch sector by the Army today. They had moved into the Indian side from the Line of Actual Control in Nowshera sector on Monday. Defence sources said they belonged to the Lashkar-e-Taiba.