India, US may form joint group against ultras
India and the US will sign some agreements and arrive at "some understandings" during President Bill Clinton's visit here early next year which will take bilateral relationship "further", PM's principal secretary Brajesh Mishra has said.



Chandrika's gesture raises hopes
President Chandrika Kumaratunga's conciliatory gesture to her opponent Ranil Wickremesinghe after her re-election has raised hopes of the formation of a national government to tackle Sri Lanka's burning ethnic problem.



Charging interest is against Islam -- Pak SC
A shariat bench of the Pakistan Supreme Court has ruled that charging interest is against the teachings of Islam. It is a decision that may lead to sweeping changes in this country's already troubled financial sector, warn financial analysts.



Other headlines
Govt drops special session plan
Alondra crew ferried arms for LTTE, HC told