Centre's approach to major issues chaotic: Sonia
The Congress president, Ms. Sonia Gandhi, today charged the NDA Government with compromising the country's internal security which had led to escalation of terrorist violence in Jammu and Kashmir and sharp rise in insurgency in the North-East States.

'Amnesty for security forces under study'
The Union Home Minister, Mr. L.K. Advani, has said that the Government was contemplating steps to provide legal protection and relief to the personnel of the security forces facing prosecution for alleged excesses during anti- insurgency operations. But, he ruled out any amnesty for those arrested or foreign terrorists who desired to join the national mainstream.

'Chota Shakeel' scotches rumours
Chota Shakeel, a key figure in Dawood Ibrahim's criminal empire, is reportedly safe and has not been a victim of an attack on him in Karachi. Rumours that he was attacked in the Pakistani port city on Friday, have been making the rounds since yesterday.

First woman Amnesty chief
When the 44-year-old Bangladeshi, Ms. Irene Zubaida Khan, took over yesterday as Secretary-General of the Amnesty International, she became the first in many - a woman, Asian and a Muslim - to head the human rights watchdog.

Bangladesh polls on Oct. 1
Bangladesh will go to polls on October 1 to elect a new government, the Election Commission sources said today. The last date for submission of nomination would be August 29 while scrutiny of the papers would take place on August 30 and 31.

Inflation rises to 5.22 p.c.
The annual inflation rate rose by 0.26 per cent points and stood at 5.22 per cent in the week ended August 4 on account of a near two per cent increase in the price of fuel items.

36 killed in Ukraine blast
At least 36 miners were killed and 44 injured today in an underground methane and coal-dust explosion in eastern Ukraine, and at least 14 others were missing, officials said.

Christian leaders criticise PM remarks
Catholic leaders today criticised the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, for his remarks on Christian missionaries, saying this would only encourage extremist elements.

Umed Singh to go on fast
Mr. Umed Singh, the husband of slain Samajwadi Party, MP, Phoolan Devi, today said he would begin an indefinite fast at Rajghat from tomorrow to demand a CBI probe into the ``deep conspiracy'' behind his wife's murder.