US sings India-friendly tune
A key Clinton administration official, Rick Inderfurth, has said the United States hoped to define a new partnership with India, possibly matching its ties with China in the economic sphere in the long run.

White House wraps up Clinton defence
US Senators were to kick off up to 16 hours of questions for defence and prosecution on Friday, as the impeachment of President Bill Clinton nears a crucial vote.

After the Satanic Verses, the romantic lyrics
Step aside Rodgers and Hammerstein. Move over Lennon and McCartney. Make way Jagger and Richards. A new pop team is set to release its first recording.

  Ethnically targeted arms not far off
  Fear, violence mark run-up to key local polls in Lanka
  World at a glance
  Guilty
  Solo Trip
  Novartis reports two per cent rise in 1998 sales, upbeat for 1999
  Nissan talks leave everything open
  Qantas likely to post robust profits
  Smorgon expects to win 90 per cent of ANI
  Taiwan microchip giant upbeat about 1999
  Uzbeks delay aircraft firm tender, say low demand
  Ford chief says no plan to invest in Nissan
  Autostrade sale seen after cellphone tender
  Monopoly law hangs over Indofood meeting
  "Japanese economy will change for the better in mid-1999"
  EU rethinks subsidies to boost wheat exports
  AT&T may sell WorldNet to AtHome
  Vietnam coffee offers slow down as prices fall
  Gulf crudes firm
  Asian oil product swaps steady
  Mitsubishi Chemical, Tokyo Tanabe to merge
  Alternative crudes exert pressure on Gulf oil trade
  Brent surges into Asia on backwardation, say traders
  Ruhrgas to increase stake in gas firm
  Japanese naphtha prices remain weak on mellowed buying interest
  China likely to cut 1999 crude exports
  Philipine Airlines appoints new CEO
  Japanese aluminium metal buying seen up after April
  Euro becomes part of Malaysian reserves
  `EU nations pitch for greater say in G7'
  Asia Aluminium-Spot premiums red hot on shortages
  Venezuela's Chavez outlines oil policy compromise
  WGC, BIS to set up assaying centres