Heavy bombing on Kabul
Kabul: US planes launched fresh raids on Kabul in the early hours of Thursday causing extensive damage to the city center.

The aerial strikes, which began on Wednesday evening, were the heaviest assault since US-led forces launched their attacks against the bases of terrorist suspect Osama bin Laden and his Taliban protectors.
Osama bin Laden's Al-Qaeda group has threatened that it would continue with terrorist attacks on the US similar to the hijacked plane attacks on the World Trade Center.
Afghanistan's ruling militia claimed that Osama bin Laden is alive and safe despite four days of US bombings.
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Kumaratunga dissolves parliament
Colombo: Sri Lanka President Chandrika Kumaratunga on Wednesday dissolved the legislature and scheduled elections for December 5.

Kumaratunga in a gazette notification ordered the dismissal of the 225-member assembly which earlier in the day saw dramatic defections to the opposition, leaving the government fighting for its life.

Officials said Kumaratunga ordered that nation-wide parliamentary elections should be held on December 5 and the new assembly must begin its six-year term from January 1, 2002.
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Norms set for privatisation of defence
New Delhi: The government has finalized licensing norms for the private sector in defence production and procurement.

Accordingly, companies will be required to demonstrate ability to provide spares and after-sales service and a good track record. A companys capability to manufacture indigenously will also be taken into account.
Though the industry ministry will be the nodal ministry for approving FDI proposals in the defence sector, the defence and home ministries will play a critical role in deciding upon the issuance of licences and clearance of foreign investment proposals.
Global companies including Lockheed Martin, Rolls-Royce, Rafael, Elisra group, Pearson Engineering, Agusta Westland and Meprolight have shown their interest in the domestic defence production and procurement industry, industry sources said.
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