We remain relevant: Lone
Senior Hurriyat leader, Mr. Abdul Gani Lone, today castigated the Union Home Minister, Mr. L.K. Advani, for ``ruling out'' a mediatory role for the All-Party Hurriyat Conference. ``Where have we said that we wanted to mediate between India and Pakistan? All we have said - and say it again - is that we can help create a conducive atmosphere for the success of New Delhi's peace initiative.''

Musharraf to respond 'shortly'
The military ruler and Chief Executive of Pakistan, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, would respond ``shortly'' to the invitation extended by the Prime Minister, Mr. A.B. Vajpayee, to visit New Delhi for peace talks.

PDA vows to stake claim
The newly-formed five-party People's Democratic Alliance (PDA) in Manipur comprising 41 MLAs today asserted that it would stake claim to form a Government and began an exercise to garner support among the National Democratic Alliance against imposition of President's rule.

IED blasts leave 5 CRPF men dead
In a string of blasts across Jammu and Kashmir at least five CRPF men were killed and nine others injured, some of them seriously. This is the first major strike after the Centre called off the unilateral ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday.

Gujarat starts raising dam height
The Gujarat Government has begun work on raising the height of the controversial Sardar Sarovar dam by building three-metre high humps, ignoring the reservations expressed by the riparian States of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and the panels on rehabilitation and environment under the Narmada Control Authority (NCA) chaired by the Union Water Resources Secretary.

Blind man scales Everest
An American, Mr. Erik Weihenmayer, became the first blind person to conquer Mount Everest.

Frigate launched
The third Talwar class frigate for the Indian Navy was launched in St. Petersburg on Friday.

MSEB petitions Enron panel to set aside PPA
In a quick follow up to its notice rescinding the power purchase agreement with the Enron-sponsored Dhabol Power Company(DPC), the Maharashtra State Electricity Board today filed a petition with the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC), seeking damages and relief from DPC for misrepresentations on its power generation capability. It wanted the PPA to be set aside forthwith.

Trinamool warming to Vajpayee Govt.
Ms. Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress today praised the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance Government for inviting Pakistan's Gen. Pervez Musharraf for reaching a permanent solution to the Kashmir problem, signalling a qualitative change in its attitude towards the Vajpayee Government.