Tap our market, Mori tells Indian software industry
The Japanese Prime Minister, Mr. Yoshiro Mori, today proposed a ``Japan-India IT promotion and Cooperation Initiative'' and asked the Indian software industry to take advantage of the vast Japanese market and its high technology. He was addressing a group of industrialists and businessmen.

Hizb for another ceasefire in two months
In a surprising development, the Hizb-ul- Mujahideen has announced the revival of the ceasefire called off by its supreme commander, Syed Salahuddin, on August 8 in Islamabad. It will also set up a coordination committee with the All-Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC) to remove misconceptions on the issue.

Tamil ultras' refusal perplexing
The Tamil Nadu Government appeared to remain clueless today on the modalities of finalising the exchange of five jailed Tamil militants for the Kannada actor, Mr. Rajkumar, and three others held hostage by the forest brigand Veerappan.

Kumaramangalam's condition worsens
The Union Power Minister, Mr. Rangarajan Kumaramangalam, today continued to battle for his life in the Intensive Care Unit of the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences.

Norway, Russia differ on accident
Norway's military today said the explosion of a torpedo or another Russian weapon probably sank the Kursk nuclear submarine 10 days ago, rejecting Russian suggestions that there had been a collision.

Low pressure in Bay
A well-marked low pressure lay over west central Bay of Bengal off the Andhra coast. It is likely to concentrate into a depression, according to a special weather bulletin issued here today.

Bombs seized, youth nabbed
A youth carrying 20 bombs was caught last night near the Roza railway station, where an explosion aboard the Sabarmati Express killed eleven persons a week ago.

Ex-AASU leader killed
In stepped-up violence for the third consecutive day, Bodo militants shot dead a former leader of the All- Assam Students Union and ambushed a convoy of security personnel in Assam yesterday, official sources said here today.

Implementation of relaxation law won't be delayed: PM
Parliament today approved two Constitutional Amendment Bills - one restoring relaxations in qualifying marks for promotion in government jobs to Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes and the other exempting Arunachal Pradesh from reservation for SCs, with the Lok Sabha passing them. The Bills were passed by the Rajya Sabha last week.

India, Japan to begin security dialogue
As part of their efforts to build a new partnership for the 21st century, India and Japan are all set to initiate a security dialogue. A decision to this effect is likely to be announced tomorrow after the talks between the visiting Japanese prime minister, Mr. Yoshiro Mori, and the Indian leaders.

Formation of 3 States before winter session: Advani
The Union Home Minister, Mr. L. K. Advani, today assured his party MPs that the three new States of Chattisgarh, Uttaranchal and Jharkhand would be constituted before the start of Parliament's winter session.

Steamer in distress
A Sri Lankan steamer with 43 persons on board, has been caught in bad weather in the high seas off the Veraval coast in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat. A portion of the steamer became waterlogged after it developed a crack on the rear side.