Top Stories

Govt not aware of US plans
against Indian N-entities

What is India News Service, Saturday, 23 October 2004, 2000 hrs IST

India on Saturday said it was not aware of any US plan to impose sanctions on three Indian entities for allegedly aiding Iran's nuclear weapons programmes and made it clear that such cases could be taken up during discussions on nuclear issues.

"We are not aware of plans to sanction three entities as mentioned in these press reports," External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna said when asked about reports that the Bush Administration was considering imposing sanctions on one to three Indian entities for aiding what Washington insists are Iran's nuclear programmes.


"If there had been any such plans, then the Next Steps in Strategic Partnership (NSSP) forum would have been the appropriate forum to discuss these cases," he said.


"We have seen these press reports. With the launch of the NSSP, we now have a forum for discussions on such issues between the two countries and it is in this forum that all cases of onward proliferation can be brought up by one or the other country," Sarna said.

ITBP starts training on N-disaster management: The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), which is the nodal agency for handling natural disasters, has started training its men to handle nuclear, chemical and biological disasters.

Panel asks govt to ensure education to special children: Expressing concern over the inadequate attention being paid to the education of physically challenged children a parliamentary panel has asked the government to take fresh initiatives to ensure proper education to children with special needs.

Advani, Varun attend Dasehra at RSS HQ: RSS chief K S Sudarshan today chose his Vijayadashami speech to launch a bitter attack against the Left parties whom he accused of \93back-seat driving\94 the UPA government and conspiring to harm \93Hindu forces\94.

Govt hands over Tehelka enquiry to CBI: The Central Government has decided to handover to the CBI the enquiry into the Tehelka expose in which the then BJP president Bangaru Laxman was shown accepting bribe for a fictitious defence deal and a number of army officials were seen compromising their office.

KLF chief gets life term for Mirdha\92s kidnapping: A local court has sentenced chief of Khalistan Liberation Force Daya Singh Lahoriya to life imprisonment for kidnapping the son of senior Congress leader Ram Niwas Mirdha nine years ago.

Hospital, not doc, to be blamed in negligence case:  The Supreme Court has ruled that the claim of damages against a hospital would not fail merely because the treating doctor was not impleaded as a party.

Spotlight After Operation Cocoon  Tamil group threatens blasts: An organisation purporting to champion Tamil cause has reportedly threatened to plant bombs at railway stations in Tamil Nadu if the officials who killed Veerappan and his associate Sethukuli Govindan were not immediately suspended from service. Daughter to heal and serve in bandit village: Vidyarani, the older daughter of Veerappan, wants to fulfil mother Muthulakshmi\92s wish that she become a doctor and serve poor tribals around her father\92s native Gopinatham village. ...  Also read: Veerappan wanted to surrender, says wife School welcomes back brigand's daughter

 
States

Congress, NCP to resume talks today: After a three-day break, the Congress and the NCP will be resuming talks tomorrow to resolve the nearly week-long deadlock over the issue of Maharashtra Chief Minister amid no signs of either side giving up the claim to head the new government.

Veerappan\92s widow plans to sue govt: Slain brigand Veerappan\92s wife Muthulakshmi is planning to sue the government for killing her husband "by laying a meticulously planned trap".

Mystery disease kills 14 children in Ghaziabad: A mysterious disease afflicting children has claimed 14 lives while seven others were admitted to hospitals in neighbouring Bhagpat district of Uttar Pradesh. 


Neighbours

Bangladesh cracks down on ATTF: Dhaka has launched an operation against the All-Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF) militants lodged in that country for the past few days, setting the alarm bell ringing in other North-East militant groups who operate from camps in the neighbouring country.

Myanmar's head of state to visit India next week: The relation between the two neighbours - India and Myanmar - will take a step forward with the signing of an accord in the field of non-traditional security issues when Senior General Than Shwe visits Delhi on Monday next. The two countries are also expected to finalise an agreement on counter-terrorism.



View from abroad

Decide turban issue by Nov 5, French court tells school: A French court ordered a suburban Paris school to hold a disciplinary hearing to decide whether three Sikh pupils would be expelled or allowed to cover their uncut hair despite a new ban on religious signs. 

Stem cells from skin to fight brain tumours: A team of neurosurgeons and scientists from Italy are engaged in a research to find out whether stem cells derived from a brain tumour patient\92s skin can be used to fight the tumours.

Overall:

Is US planning action against Indian organisations?: The Indian government says it has no clue.