Kumaramangalam in coma
The Union Power Minister, Mr. Rangarajan Kumaramangalam, is battling for life at the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here following deterioration in his condition early this morning due to multiple organ failure.

Kidnap crisis nearing climax?
The kidnap crisis moved closer to a climax, with the journalist-emissary, Mr. R. R. Gopal, leaving this evening on his crucial mission to the hideout of the outlaw, Veerappan, to secure the release of the abducted Kannada actor, Mr. Rajkumar. He is likely to enter the forests tomorrow and resume negotiations with the bandit.

Hopes of submarine crew rescue recede
Russian officials admitted today that chances of rescuing the 118 sailors trapped on the damaged Russian nuclear submarine were dwindling rapidly, as repeated attempts to dock a rescue capsule with the submarine failed.

Economics may be given the go-by at BJP meet
The BJP is expected to ignore economic policy at the meeting of its national council in Nagpur later this month. Apparently, senior leaders have decided to adopt a political resolution, but skip the mandatory economic resolution.

Rail disaster averted
A major rail disaster was averted today when two alert gangmen detected two powerful bombs planted on the tracks near a railway bridge in central Assam's Karbi Anglong district minutes before the Calcutta-bound Dn. Kamrup Express was to pass.

Suicide bomber attack
A suicide bomber of the LTTE attacked a military vehicle in the northern Sri Lankan town of Vavuniya today, killing a nine-year-old girl and himself and injuring five others.

Curfew in Shillong
A 24-hour curfew was clamped here since 5 a.m. today after a policeman was killed and another injured in an encounter with militants.