Hindus, Muslims plan talks
After a prolonged legal battle and the demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya in 1992, leaders from Hindu and Muslim communities have agreed to sit across the table for the first time on January 13 in Lucknow in a bid to resolve the issue.

BSNL hikes rent, slashes call charges
Pressure from politicians and competition by cell companies has forced the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) to drastically reduce rates in two short distance slabs - 51 km to 100 km and 101 km to 200 km - within a telecom circle from January 26. In order to make up for the loss in revenue, the BSNL will hike rentals for about one-third of its subscriber base from February 1. The net loss has been estimated at Rs. 150 to Rs. 200 crores.

Violence mars Bengal bandh
The 12-hour bandh called by the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal today to protest the terror unleashed on its supporters by the communists, was marred by incidence of violence.

Defence team visits BDL unit
A high-level team of the Ministry of Defence was learnt to have arrived in the city today to probe the accidental firing of a short-range missile at the Milan complex of the Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) here on Thursday. One person was killed and five others injured in the mishap, which occurred in the presence of the Defence Secretary, Mr. Yogendra Narain.

Samata Party splits for the third time
Spurning conciliatory moves of the Defence Minister, Mr. George Fernandes, the two factions of the Samata Party, went ahead with their parallel State council meetings virtually splitting the six-year-old party for the third time today.

'Christian gathering attacked, priest missing'
Mr. Samson Christian, Ahmedabad-based national executive committee member of the All-India Christian Council, has alleged that some priests and their Christian followers were beaten up and the house of one priest was ransacked at Jehar village in Udaipur district of Rajasthan last night.

Mir fate sealed; U.S. word prevails
The Russian Government has signed a death warrant for the veteran space station Mir, ordering its de-orbiting in February-March.

'Lakshya' inducted
The Pilotless Target Aircraft ``Lakshya'' had been successfully inducted into the IAF with a squadron already conducting sorties, the Aeronautical Development Establishment director, Dr. K.G. Narayanan, said.

Preparation on for GSLV launch
After the successful test flight of the LCA in Bangalore yesterday, eyes are now set on the launch of the country's biggest rocket, the Geostationary Launch Vehicle (GSLV).

Militants kill five in Shillong
Five persons were shot dead, and three injured by suspected Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) militants at Dhankheti locality here today.