Cong team's visit signals softening of US stance
A high-power bipartisan Congressional delegation led by the Congressman Richard Gephardt, the US House Minority Leader (leader of the opposition, in Indian legislative parlance) will travel to India next week on a visit that is indicative of a vastly improved political mood in Washington vis-a-vis New Delhi.

Even Pak right-wingers are ready to give peace a chance
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's initiative for a dialogue with India has received support from the most unexpected quarters in Pakistan. Even right-wing organisations, with the exception of the Jamaat-e-Islami, are coming out to back the Prime Minister's efforts to build a bridge over troubled waters.

New Lankan offensive against LTTE
Signalling a change in strategy, the Sri Lankan military has over the last few days opened a new front in its battle against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), but worryingly for LTTE supporters, the group has offered little or no resistance so far.

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