Sharif calls up Vajpayee
Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Sunday spoke to his Indian counterpart Atal Behari Vajpayee by phone to urge that the two countries take steps to defuse tensions, officials said.

Russia may get control zone in Kosovo
United States Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott on Sunday ended talks with Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov and reportedly said Russian troops in Kosovo would obtain their own ``zone of responsibility.''

LTTE admits losing territory; 125 killed on both sides
Sri Lanka's Tamil Tiger rebels on Sunday accused government troops of shelling civilians but admitted losing territory as the death toll in the latest fighting exceeded 125 on both sides, security sources said.

  Jaswant visit a win-win situation
  Sophie-Edward wedding short on hype, hoopla
  Australia has reason to debate Queen's b'day
  World at a glance
  Three nations stock smallpox virus -- US
  Nissan to roll out revamp plan in Oct
  Softbank to pick 30% stake in Global Sports
  Venezuelan aluminum unit sell-off delayed
  Vietnam to cut back coal output from July this year
  Pak price cut move may delay gas projects
  Ivory Coast coffee exports marginally down in April
  France unveils share price range for Credit Lyonnais
  Aluminium, copper seen mixed on LME
  Asian gold demand gains on low price
  Malaysia tin continues gain on LME