UNITED NATIONS: The UN Security Council is currently assessing its approach towards Iraq and will be meeting again tomorrow to chalk out future course of action. All members of the Security Council now feel that the present system is not working and needs to be replaced. Diplomats said this could lead to easing of the 8-year-old economic sanctions which would be a move towards lifting the crippling embargo. Chief inspector Richard Butler's future has become uncertain and his replacement should not come as a surprise. Iraq insists on the lifting of sanctions, but may not be averse to a monitoring system to ensure that it does not acquire weapons of mass destruction.

Asiad team in Mumbai

NEW DELHI: The flight carrying the victorious Indian hockey, athletics and billiards teams from Bangkok was diverted to Mumbai tonight because of heavy fog enveloping Delhi. A large crowd of sports enthusiasts and mediapersons at the airport had to return disappointed after airlinesofficials announced that the teams will be able to reach the Capital only on Wednesday afternoon.

Christ's year

NEW DELHI: The government might declare December 25, 1998 to 1999 as the Year of Christ in order to remove the impression that BJP is anti-Christian. Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee said he had received suggestions to this effect and was considering the proposal. The RSS had suggested that separate strategies be framed to persuade Christians and Muslims that the Sangh Parivar was not anti-minorities.