LDF swept out in Kerala
The Congress-led United Democratic Front has swept the Assembly elections in Kerala, securing a record two-thirds majority. The victory was as emphatic as it was consistent across the State, with the UDF winning 99 of the 140 seats to which elections were held.

Left Front retains Bengal
After 24 years in office, one of the world's longest-serving communist governments in West Bengal, the CPI(M)- led Left Front, bested its electoral performance securing its sixth five-year term.

AGP-BJP combine gets a drubbing
It is the Congress all the way in Assam. Till 8.30 p.m., the party had won 25 seats and was leading in 42 others, heading for a decisive majority, while the AGP-BJP-ABSU- ASDC(U) alliance had won 9 seats and was leading in 32.

Cong-TMC top in Pondy
The Congress-TMC combine emerged as the largest group in the Pondicherry Assembly elections, but fell short of an absolute majority. The front won 13 of the 30 seats up for grabs in the Union Territory, largely because of the three-way split in the vote.

R.K. Narayan passes away
The renowned novelist, Mr. R.K. Narayan, died at a private hospital here in the early hours of Sunday. He was 95. He is survived by his brother, Mr. R.K. Laxman, famous cartoonist.

The renunciatory ethic and its uses
It is indeed a moment for the AIADMK leader, Ms. Jayalalitha, to savour. The wheel of fortune which had seen her virtually flung out of office five years ago, reviled and castigated, which also saw her being sent to jail and had her spend considerable time in her years in the Opposition going to the various trial courts and having to plead her innocence, has now turned full circle.

India, Pak. agree to stop firing across working boundary
India and Pakistan have agreed to put an end to firing across the working boundary and the targeting of innocent civilians.

Malaysia to use GSLV facilities
India and Malaysia are poised to enlarge their ties by signing an agreement tomorrow that will allow Malaysia to use the GSLV and PSLV facilities to launch its own satellites as the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, arrived here this evening on a four-day visit.