India
	18 injured in blast in Srinagar SRINAGAR: At least 18 people were injured, four of them critically, in a powerful blast at the main gate of the Central Telegraph Office here on Tuesday, official sources said.
	Mahakumbh begins at Allahabad ALLAHABAD: The millennium's first Mahakumbh mela began here on Tuesday on the banks of the Sangam with lakhs of devotees taking the holy dip amidst unprecedented security arrangements and chilly weather conditions.
	Maharashtra to form panel on Enron project MUMBAI: The state government on Monday night decided to form a high-powered committee to review the power purchase agreement (PPA) of second phase of U.S. energy major Enron's Dabhol Power Project.
	Meeting to revive Samjhauta Express agreement held ISLAMABAD: Indian and Pakistani officials will meet in New Delhi on January 16 to discuss the revival of the Samjhauta Express agreement.

Sports
	Ricard's curler seals Middlesbrough cup win LONDON: A wonderful curling shot by Colombian striker Hamilton Ricard gave Middlesbrough a 1-0 victory over fellow premier league strugglers Bradford City in the FA Cup third round on Monday.

Business
	Maruti strike ends; 40 employees to be taken back NEW DELHI: The over three-month-old strike in Maruti Udyog Limited ended on Tuesday following an agreement between the union and management late on Monday night but about half of the employees suspended/terminated during the course of the agitation would not be taken back on duty.
	Rupee steady in early trading MUMBAI: The rupee was steady in early deals on Tuesday, and dealers expected it to firm on fresh dollar supplies from foreign funds investing in Indian markets.
	Some Asian bourses dip early as US shares soften SINGAPORE: A sustained slide in US tech shares dragged some Asian stocks down early on Tuesday, with Japan down over two per cent on yen weakness concerns.
	Volvo says cannot rule out Mitsubishi stake sale STOCKHOLM: Swedish vehicles maker AB Volvo said on Monday it could not rule out the sale of its five per cent stake in Japanese automaker Mitsubishi Motors Corp.
	German luxury cars weather 2000 downturn DETROIT: German automakers rolled out a set of sales figures for 2000 at the Detroit car show on Monday with luxury vehicles proving more immune to a market downturn than cheaper models.

World
	Li Peng leaves for India BEIJING: Senior Chinese leader Li Peng on Tuesday left here for India on an official goodwill visit aimed to enhance understanding and friendship between the two largest developing nations.
	Israelis rally for Jerusalem, US pursues peace JERUSALEM: A US special envoy was heading back to the Middle East on Tuesday for a last-ditch peacemaking effort in the dying days of the Clinton administration, but prospects for success appeared to be slim.
	Barak uncertain of talks outcome WASHINGTON: Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak endorsed President Bill Clinton's proposal that the Palestinians establish their capital in Jerusalem but said "there is more uncertainty than certainty" whether a peace agreement can be concluded by January 20.
	Musharraf in Jordan for talks on Middle East AMMAN: Pakistan's military ruler and Jordan's King Abdullah II met Monday to discuss the stalled Middle East peace negotiations and closer economic cooperation, the official Petra news agency said.
	China attacks Tiananmen Papers, says they are fake BEIJING: China on Tuesday rejected newly published documents vividly describing how Chinese leaders split over the crushing of the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, suggesting that the papers are fake.
	Bush not considering pardon for Clinton in Lewinsky case AUSTIN: President-elect George W. Bush said Monday he was not considering pardoning President Bill Clinton for possible crimes in the Monica Lewinsky affair because Clinton has not been indicted for any misdeed.
	Four Russians murdered in Algeria ALGIERS, Algeria: Four Russian nationals were found murdered in a forest in eastern Algeria, in the first killings of foreigners in Algeria in four years, security forces said Monday.
	Hillary looking for memoir collaborator WASHINGTON: The search is on for someone to help Hillary Rodham Clinton write her $8 million memoir.
	Second mad cow case reported in Denmark KOPENHAGEN: Denmark's food control agency on Monday evening said that so-called mad cow disease had been found in a second animal in northern Denmark.
	21 trapped miners die in Chinese mine BEIJING: Twenty-one trapped coalminers died in a pit in southwest China after three days of rescue efforts failed, The China Daily reported on Tuesday.