Yet to hear from India on Phalcon deal: Peres
Israel has an open mind on selling the Phalcon early warning aircraft, but has not yet been approached by India for their transfer, Israel's former Prime Minister, Mr. Shimon Peres has said.

Gopal for the forests again
The emissary-journalist, Mr. R. R. Gopal, will undertake his third mission to the Sathyamangalam forest on August 28 with ``two vital clarifications'' related to the release of prisoners in Karnataka, to convince the forest brigand, Veerappan, to free the Kannada actor, Mr. Rajkumar, and three other hostages.

It is in Govts' hands, says emissary
The official emissary, Mr. R.R. Gopal, today put the onus on the Karnataka and Tamil Nadu Governments for securing the release of the Kannada film actor, Mr. Rajkumar, who was kidnapped by sandalwood smuggler Veerappan on July 30.

King panel report rejects Cronje's claim
The interim report of the King Commission of Inquiry into match-fixing released here today rejects the disgraced South African cricket captain Hansie Cronje's contention that he was merely ``spinning along'' an Indian bookmaker.

A.P. seeks Rs. 100 cr. for now
The death toll due to heavy rain and floods in the State rose to 105 today while receding waters ``everywhere'' brought cheer to the administration as it facilitated speeding up of relief and rescue operations.

Police stop Suu Kyi
The Myanmarese Pro-democracy leader, Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi, was stopped by the police on Thursday as she tried to travel out of Yangon for the first time in two years.

Trishul test-fired
India's most sophisticated short range surface-to-air missile with multi-purpose utility - Trishul - was successfully test-fired from the interim test range here today, according to official sources.

Five killed in Assam blast
Two CRPF constables and three suspected Muslim militants were killed about 22 km from Kokrajhar town today when an IED blew up the truck of a CRPF search party. The security personnel where returning after a raid at Durgamoni village where they had picked up the three for interrogation. Four CRPF constables were injured.

End strike, says Paswan
The Union Communications Minister, Mr. Ram Vilas Paswan, has called upon the three recognised telecom federations to call off their proposed indefinite strike from September 6. He said all possible steps would be taken to ensure financial viability of the proposed corporation and the rights of the employees with regard to pay and pension will be fully protected.

'U.S. not playing role of match-maker'
While the United States would welcome and may even be pushing for a summit meeting between the Prime Minister, Mr. A.B. Vajpayee, and the Pakistan military ruler, General Pervez Musharraf, in New York, the official response of the Clinton administration is that it is not playing the role of a ``match- maker''.