Keep him out, say Cong., Left
New Delhi, Oct. 13. In a concerted move, the Opposition parties today sought to stall the return of Mr. George Fernandes to the Union Cabinet, by demanding that his return be kept in abeyance till the Venkataswami Commission completes its inquiry.

Civilian area hit accidentally: U.S.
Washington, Oct. 13. Pentagon officials have acknowledged that an American warplane missed its target and struck a residential neighbourhood near Kabul. A 2,000-pound bomb went off target and hit a civilian complex but Washington disputed the Taliban accusation that about 300 civilians had been killed thus far in U.S.-British operations.

Anthrax triggers panic
New York, Oct. 13. Reports of a fourth anthrax case in the United States since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks sent New Yorkers scurrying to hospitals, intensifying fears about bioterrorism in a city and nation already on edge.

Kashmir will be in focus during Powell's visit
Islamabad, Oct. 13. Pakistan today said that, besides Afghanistan, relations between India and Pakistan in the context of the unresolved issue of Kashmir would be the focus of discussions during the coming visit of the United States Secretary of State, Gen. Colin Powell, to Islamabad.

'Centre can tackle J&K terrorism on its own'
Agra, Oct. 13. The Union Home Minister, Mr. L.K. Advani, today expressed the determination of the National Democratic Alliance Government to tackle the menace of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir on its own. The Government had the capability to do it, he said, asserting that it would guarantee security not only in J&K but in every part of the country.

Policy on Kashmir has not changed: U.S.
Washington, Oct. 13. The Bush administration is saying that there is no change in Washington's Kashmir policy and is objecting to the argument that India would take advantage of Pakistan's diversion of attention to attack terrorist and militant groups.

Imam speech 'under study'
Ambala, Oct. 13. The Centre is examining the recent pro-Taliban and pro-Osama bin Laden statements of Shahi Imam Ahmad Bukhari of the Jama Masjid, Delhi, and action would be taken at an appropriate time, the Union Minister of State for Home, Mr. I.D. Swamy, said today.

Attack on CRPF camp
Srinagar, Oct. 13. In the first major offensive in Srinagar after the October 1 strike on the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, militants today launched a grenade attack on the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) camps at the Tagore Hall and Indoor Stadium here, official sources said.

'Bid' to kill Aamir Khan
Mumbai, Oct. 13. Four gangsters, owing allegiance to the Abu Salem faction of the underworld don, Dawood Ibrahim, who were killed in an encounter with police here on Friday, were planning to kill the Bollywood star, Mr. Aamir Khan, and the director of Lagaan, Mr. Ashutosh Gowarikar, the Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister, Mr. Chhagan Bhujbal, said today.

Zaeef rushes to Kandahar
Islamabad, Oct. 13. As the U.S.-led air strikes against terrorist bases in Afghanistan entered the seventh day, Taliban's envoy to Pakistan, Mr. Abdul Salam Zaeef today rushed to Kandahar to consult the militia's top leadership on the emerging situation.