Divali spirit beats
wet weather
NEW DELHI, Oct 19 — Wet weather and spiralling prices failed to dampen the festive spirit as Divali was celebrated with gaiety and enthusiasm across the country today. Notwithstanding incessant rain during the past one week in parts of the country, markets bustled with people out to make purchases, undeterred by the high prices.

West Asia talks extended in hope of accord
WASHINGTON, Oct 19 — Despite three personal interventions by US President Bill Clinton in the past four days, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat failed to find a way out of the deadlock in the West Asia peace process.

Petroleum Minister to visit Russia
MOSCOW, Oct 19 — Petroleum Minister V. K. Ramamurthy will arrive here on October 21 on what will be the first visit to Russia by a minister of Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's government.

Indian immigration to Canada drops
VANCOUVER (British Columbia), Oct 19 — Even though there has been a drop in the number of Indians immigrating to Canada over the past year, India continues to be the second biggest source country.