Centre for in-camera proceedings
In the light of the publication of some ``scurrilous'' portions of the Tehelka tapes, the Central Government today reiterated before the Justice Venkataswami Commission its stand for holding ``in- camera'' proceedings of the 13 sensitive defence deals identified in the tapes.

Arafat seeks India's help
With the arrival of the Palestinian leader, Mr. Yasser Arafat, today and the visit on Friday by a senior Israeli official, India is being asked by the two West Asian adversaries to help revive their peace talks.

Speaker cracks the whip
If the Lok Sabha Speaker, Mr. G. M. C. Balayogi, has his way, frequent disturbances and adjournments in the House may become a thing of the past, for he intends to get the rules of procedure changed to provide for members being automatically suspended for a week if they walk into the well of the House or make noise that disturbs the regular business.

Ex-CM arrest: NHRC rejects T.N. plea
The National Human Rights Commission today rejected the Tamil Nadu Government's objection that the NHRC could not proceed with the inquiry relating to the alleged human rights violations in the arrest of the former Chief Minister, Mr. M. Karunanidhi, and two Union Ministers, Mr. Murasoli Maran and Mr. T.R. Baalu.

PM expresses concern over U.P. firing
The Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, today expressed concern over the police firing on farmers at a village near Baghpat in Uttar Pradesh and said the State Government has been asked to give a report.

SAARC forges common front on WTO
Commerce Ministers of SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) today forged a common front on multilateral trade issues affecting developing countries in the context of the Fourth Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to be held at Qatar.

Pak. Minister meets PM
The Prime Minister, Mr. A.B. Vajpayee, today received the visiting Minister of Commerce from Pakistan, Mr. Abdul Razzak Dawood. This is the first contact at the political level between the two countries since the Agra summit last month.