Postal strike enters third day: The nation-wide indefinite strike by postal employees entered the third day on Saturday as the government renewed its appeal asking them to call off their stir and create a congenial atmosphere for amicable settlement. Union representatives who held discussions with senior officials of the department on Saturday afternoon ruled out any possibility of calling off the agitation saying the strike would continue till their demands including higher wages, bonus and regularisation of extra departmental agents, were considered.

BJP didn't consult me, says Jaya: AIADMK general secretary Jayalalitha on Saturday said that the BJP had not consulted her so faron the coming Lok Sabha deputy Speaker election. Jayalalitha, who visited the residence of AIADMK party presidium chairman, VR Nedunchezhiyan to greet him on his turning 79, replied in the negative, when asked whether the BJP had consulted her on the issue.

Silver reacts, gold easy: Silver prices reacted sharply while gold ended marginally lower at the Mumbai bullion market on Saturday. The sharp fall in silver was mainly due to heavy stockists offerings in the wake of increased arrivals of recycled silver in the market. Weak overseas advices also depressed sentiment.

Govt to set up cotton tech mission: Union minister of textiles Kashiram Rana said in Mumbai on Saturday that the government proposes to set up a cotton technology mission to deal specifically with the problems relating to cotton production, marketing and processing to improve its quality. Speaking at the inaugural function of the Cotton Corporation of India's new office complex at Navi Mumbai, he said cotton production in thecountry had suffered a temporary setback during the current year.

Telstra privatisation blocked: Australia's parliament on Saturday blocked the privatisation of telecom giant Telstra Corp, denying the unpopular government a A$45 billion ($30 billion) war chest to fund its re-election campaign and its fight against the rise of populist MP Pauline Hanson.

On the sanctions front: UN secretary general Kofi Annan has discounted the possibility of a nuclear war between India and Pakistan but asked the two countries to "quickly" discuss and resolve their outstanding issues including Kashmir and peace and security. Meanwhile, US Congressman Frank Pallone has proposed a legislation to give the president waiver authority to lift all economic sanctions against India except those related to military and dual-use technology.