Support to Northern Alliance to be discussed
New Delhi, Nov. 4. The U.S. Defence Secretary, Mr. Donald Rumsfeld, arrived here to discuss with India the option of beefing up the Northern Alliance in the campaign against terrorism in Afghanistan and expanding bilateral military ties.

Taliban positions bombed
Kabul, Nov. 4. American warplanes resumed bombing runs early on Sunday on several Taliban positions in an effort to clear the way for advances by forces opposed to Afghanistan's ruling movement. The U.S. forces targeted Taliban lines around the northern city of Mazar-e-Sharief in the hope of making it easier for the opposition Northern Alliance to move on the city.

Vajpayee, Putin to deliberate on terrorism
Saint Petersburg, Nov. 4 The Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, arrived in this historic Russian city today to begin a three-nation diplomatic voyage for a new strategic vision that might harmonise India's foreign policy with the changing dynamics of the ongoing international `campaign' against terrorism.

Accord on specific deals unlikely
New Delhi, Nov. 4. Although a review of various ongoing defence deals with Russia will form an integral part of the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee's visit to Moscow, senior Defence Ministry officials said no agreements or memoranda of understanding (MoU) are expected to be signed for specific deals.

Thousands of Dalits embrace Buddhism
New Delhi, Nov. 4. Thousands of Dalits, from all over the country, today embraced Buddhism at the `Diksha ceremony' organised by the All India Confederation of SC/ST Organisations and the Lord Buddha Club.

Militants storm army camp
Srinagar, Nov. 4. Four jawans were killed and five injured when Lashkar-e-Taiba militants attacked an Army camp in the Peth Dialgam area of Anantnag district late last night. A militant was killed in the gun fight.

FIR filed
Allahabad, Nov. 4. The Uttar Pradesh Home Minister, Mr. Rangnath Mishra, said today an FIR had been filed in Ayodhya over the Ramlalla temple incidents of last month and an inquiry was being conducted and those found guilty would be punished as soon as the report was received by the Government.

6 infants dead
Lucknow, Nov. 4. Six newly-born infants, aged between one day to three days, died in the King George's Medical College here during the last 24-hours due to shortage of oxygen cylinders, their parents alleged today.

EC ban on postings
Patna, Nov. 4. The Election Commission has put a blanket ban on the transfer and posting of officers connected with revision of electoral rolls for graduates and teachers constituencies of the Bihar Legislative Council.

'Lagaan' for Oscar
Mumbai, Nov. 4. Lagaan, which has won accolades at home and abroad for its humane theme, has been nominated as India's official entry for the Oscar awards in the category of best foreign language film.