National interest, not pressure, guides economic decisions: PM
The Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, today reserved comment on the reported criticism by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh of the Government's economic policies, saying ``I will make the final comment only after going through the full statement.''

Murdoch eyes Bangalore
The Newscorp Chairman, Mr. Rupert Murdoch, has selected Bangalore as an investment destination for media activities and software ventures.

Fernandes warns of PoK build-up
The Defence Minister, Mr. George Fernandes, has warned that the coming summer could be fairly ``hot'' for security forces posted along the Line of Control (LoC) as reports indicated some build-up in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

SGPC crisis deepens
The Jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Puran Singh, today issued an `aadesh' (directive) to the president of the Shiromani Akali Dal and Punjab Chief Minister, Mr. Parkash Singh Badal, to replace Bibi Jagir Kaur as chief of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee(SGPC). However, he did not fix a time limit for effecting the change or suggest a replacement.

S.C. appeals to lawyers to end strike
The Supreme Court today appealed to the striking lawyers to end their agitation and resume work in the interest of the litigant public as this might help reach an amicable solution to the issues raised by them. A Bench requested the Attorney-General (G), and the Solicitor General, Mr. Harish Salve, to help resolve the issue before the next date of hearing of the petitions before the court on March 27.

BJP finalises list for RS poll
The Bharatiya Janata Party is hoping to manage the election of 17 of its candidates to the Rajya Sabha, instead of the 15 its strength in the various State Assemblies would suggest, and this is because for an extra seat in Maharashtra and another in Bihar it is hoping to get the surplus votes of the Shiv Sena and some independents.

Clinton may tell Dhaka to sell gas to India
As part of the American efforts to promote regional energy cooperation in the Sub-Continent, the U.S. President, Mr. Bill Clinton, is likely to urge the Bangladeshi Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, to begin exporting natural gas to India.

IAF team for Sierra Leone
The first batch of Indian Air Force contingent left for Sierra Leone last evening as part of a six- nation U.N Peace Keeping Force.

Cong. decides to join Bihar Govt.
The Congress(I) has decided to join the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Government in Bihar, arguing that it could ``try to provide better governance'' by doing so. The Common Minimum Programme (CMP), agreed upon earlier, would be the basis of cooperation between the two parties. A coordination committee would be set up to monitor the implementation of the CMP.

Bengal parties in a spot over RS nomination