Hectic parleys on to save Durban meet
In an apparent softening of stand, the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) tonight declared that it would not ``blockade'' the World Conference Against Racism (WCAR) on the West Asia issue, raising faint hopes of saving the meet from a total collapse.

Time running out, what next?
Despite the mounting legal and moral pressure on her to resign, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Ms. Jayalalithaa, today showed no inclination of stepping down from office.

Public investment to go up: PM
The Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, today announced that large-scale additional resources would be mobilised for public investment in infrastructure and other development projects with the Railways, roads and power being given top priority.

Sushma offers 'thulabharam'
The Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Ms. Sushma Swaraj, visited the Sri Krishna Temple at Guruvayur on Thursday and performed the `thulabharam' offering with sugar.

Astrology in syllabi
A course on astrology has been introduced in the Vikram university of Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, the Higher Education Minister, Mr. Ratnesh Solomon, told the Assembly today.

Council not for talks
The All-India Christian Council today rejected holding of dialogue with the Sangh Parivar, saying its (Sangh Parivar) ``ideology violates the basic tenets of democracy and the Constitution of India''.