Top Stories

US lifts sanctions against Indian space and nuclear institutions

What is India News Service, Thursday, September 30, 2004, 2200 hrs IST

The United States has lifted some of the sanctions against Indian space and nuclear entities, taking forward the Next Steps in Strategic Partnership (NSSP) between the two countries.

The US Commerce Department's decision to lift sanctions against Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) subordinate entities and Department of Atomic Energy entities would ease export of some high tech items to India.

The Department also said that it has now corrected some "mistakes" in an earlier announcement by the Bureau of Industry and Security. It said for some items there is a case by case review and for others there is a presumption of approval.

'Aircraft with arms arrived only this morning': The Government said today that it was "aware" of the supply of explosives and ammunition by the United States for use by the Nepal police in counter-insurgency operations in the Himalayan nation. 

Ministers' group to study print media: The Union Cabinet today decided to set up a Group of Ministers to take a "comprehensive look" at print media policy and "violations that may have occurred" over time.

Militants gun down Congress leader in Kashmir: Militants have killed Congress vice president for Anantnag, Mohammad Yusuf Bhat alias Yusuf Mattan, and his personal security officer. Elsewhere, a soldier died and five have sustained injuries in an accidental blast at their camp in Kangan.
Also read: The killer and killed share glory

CRPF killing stokes fire in Nagaland too: A Manipur-like explosive situation is developing in adjoining Nagaland where people are up in arms over the killing of a civilian by a jawan of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Nagaland has asked the Centre to withdraw the CRPF from the state and institute a high-level probe into the killing.

\91Remove Special Powers Act from Tripura\92: Calling the Special Powers Act a \91rule of atrocity\92, the CPI(ML) staged a demonstration in Tripura to demand its immediate withdrawal. 

Three women lifters, coach banned for life: Tainted women weight-lifters Sanamacha Chanu, Pratima Kumari and S Sunaina were banned for life by the Indian Olympic Association on Wednesday.

Cabinet okays move towards conditional quota for minorities: The Union Cabinet approved the constitution of a National Commission for the welfare of the socially and economically backward sections among the religious and linguistic minorities.

PM to review report on RAW defector: Heads may roll in the country's external Intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), after Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh reviews the report about the suspected defection of a top RAW official this year.

Railways will defy austerity fiat, fill up 80,000 posts; It looks like the latest Central directive to all ministries fiscal prudence would have to be observed and recruitments frozen does not seem to extend to the Indian Railways.

India, US to conduct joint naval exercise: India and US will conduct joint Naval exercises named Malabar series of exercises in the Arabian Sea from October 1 and the focus will be on advanced anti-submarine warfare and sea control missions.