T.N.: A balancing act?
The Union Cabinet today held an informal discussion on the ticklish question whether Central Ministers enjoy any immunity, if at all, from the officers superintending law and order, a State subject. The matter was raised by Mr. T.R. Baalu, who along with Mr. Murasoli Maran, was arrested on June 30 in Chennai by the Tamil Nadu police.

India ready for a long haul
Irrespective of the final outcome from the talks with Gen. Pervez Musharraf at Agra later this week, India is gearing itself up for ``a patient, long-term engagement with Pakistan'', well-placed sources in the Government say.

Karunanidhi running away from probe: Jayalalithaa
In an unusual but well-planned exercise, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Ms. Jayalalithaa, today released a ``dream interview'' - posing the questions herself and providing detailed answers to the burning issues on hand.

Musharraf for joint press meet
The Pakistan President, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, wants to address a joint press conference along with the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, at the end of the Agra summit on July 16.

PM meeting on Musharraf visit
The Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, tonight had a meeting on the summit.Those who attended included the External Affairs Minister, Mr. Jaswant Singh, the Finance Minister, Mr. Yashwant Sinha, the National Security Adviser, Mr. Brajesh Mishra, the Centre's interlocutor on Kashmir, Mr. K. C. Pant and the Foreign Secretary, Ms. Chokila Iyer.

Narrow escape for Musharraf
The Pakistan President, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, had a narrow escape when a private car crashed into his convoy injuring one of his bodyguards and the driver of an escort vehicle.

Pak. unimpressed with 'unilateral peace offensive'
The Pakistan Government is clearly not impressed with the series of confidence-building measures (CBMs) announced by New Delhi in the last few days, and believes that they should follow, not precede, the summit talks at Agra between the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, and the Pakistan President, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, on July 15/16.

India ranks 115 in human development report
The United Nations has called for major initiatives to ensure that new technologies addressed the pressing needs of the world's poor.

Indo-Bangla train trial run today
Bangladesh and India will go for a trial run of a passenger train between the two countries in the next two days, which is expected to revive regular rail service between the neighbours after nearly four decades.

My Govt. is committed to a free press: Jayalalithaa
At a time when she came under tremendous pressure from all sides - the Centre, the allies, the Opposition and the media - the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Ms. Jayalalithaa, has hit on a unique and ingenious idea of a question-and-answer form of communication.