India declines U.S. proposal to head caucus of democracies
Even as New Delhi has been arguing forcefully the case for a seat on the U.N. Security Council, in an unpublicised move that has perplexed officials in Washington, the Vajpayee Government has turned down a proposal by the Clinton administration that India assume the leadership of an informal caucus of democracies, representing some 100 countries, at the United Nations.

Striking telecom staff warned
The Government today took a ``serious view'' of the disruption of telecom services, specially STD links and fixed-to-mobile connectivity, and sought action taken reports from all centres by this evening. Senior officials said there could be disciplinary action, including dismissal, against those found guilty of sabotage.

Putin to arrive on Oct. 2
The Foreign Office today formally announced the three day visit to India by the Russian President, Mr. Vladimir Putin, from October 2.

Hoogenband is king of the pool
Pieter van den Hoogenband toppled Alexander Popov as the Olympic 100 metres freestyle champion today, ending the Russian's eight-year reign.

Intruder gets bail
An American Indian arrested last Saturday by the U.S. Secret Service at Blair House where the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, stayed during his visit to Washington has been granted bail by a court.

Put more pressure on India: U.S. paper
The new course of American foreign policy in South Asia of embracing India and distancing itself from Pakistan's military Government, set in motion by the U.S. President, Mr. Bill Clinton, must be accompanied by ``more pressure on India'' to exercise nuclear restraint and defuse tensions with Pakistan, says The New York Times in its lead editorial.

Confrontation brewing in Prague
A confrontation is brewing here with the local authorities banning all public marches on September 26, first day of the formal meetings of the 2000 IMF-World Bank conference, but the Initiative Against Globalisation (INPEG) insisted today that it will go ahead with its planed march to the Congress Centre on that day of ``Global Public Action.''

Parvathamma Rajkumar hospitalised
Mrs. Parvathamma Rajkumar, wife of the abducted actor, Mr. Rajkumar, was admitted to the Mallya Hospital here at 8 p.m. on Wednesday after complaining of chest pain, but hospital sources said she was ``in good condition''.