S P O T L I G H T

VSNL cuts rates
New Delhi, July 11
In a significant development benefiting telephone and Internet consumers, VSNL will reduce its rates down from Rs 40 a minute to Rs 24 a minute for calls to the USA and Europe. VSNL has submitted its tariff structure to TRAI for approval. The Tata-managed VSNL’s move to slash rates comes in the wake of competitor Bharti dropping its international long distance (ILD) rates to Rs 24. TNS

Russian copter goes missing
Moscow, July 11
A helicopter with 21 persons on board disappeared over Russia’s far north, the Russian media quoted a spokesman for the Emergencies Ministry as saying early today. The helicopter, which carried eight crew members and 13 passengers, left the polar city of Norilsk yesterday at 1530 IST and failed to arrive at its scheduled destination two hours later as expected. The Emergencies Ministry today sent a plane with 14 rescuers to look for the helicopter. AFP

Resignation accepted
New Delhi, July 11
President K.R. Narayanan today accepted the resignation of Mr P.C. Alexander as Governor of Maharashtra and appointed Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court Justice Chunilal Karsandas Thakkar to discharge the functions in his place. TNS