All clear for N-deal
Senate approves bill 86-13
The United States Senate on Wednesday night overwhelmingly voted in favour of overturning a three-decade ban on nuclear commerce with India. The final vote tally was 86-13. The passage of the deal hands President George W. Bush a rare foreign policy success and allows US businesses to start selling nuclear fuel, technology and reactors to India.

Manmohan declines to comment
New Delhi, October 2
India is confident that all its concerns, particularly about fuel supplies, would be addressed satisfactorily when President George W. Bush signs the 123 agreement legislation approved by the US Senate today. While Prime Minister Manmohan Singh declined to comment on the US Senate’s approval of the 123 agreement, his close confidant and National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan hailed the passage of the pact, saying the world at large has now recognised India as a nuclear power.

Sonia calls for united fight against terrorism
Panipat, October 2
In the growing shadow of terrorist strikes targeting innocent people, United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi gave a clarion call for a united fight against terrorists and divisive forces who were trying to divide society in the name of terrorism.
UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi addresses the "Samajik Kranti" rally in Panipat on Thursday. — Tribune photo by Ravi Kumar

NSG team to assist in probe

A day after the first-ever serial blasts rocked Agartala, the capital city of insurgency-hit Tripura, the state government confirmed that the pattern of the blasts had “some similarities” with the recent serial explosions that took place in other parts of the country in respect of the use of ammonium nitrate and fuel oil in the explosive devices.

Security personnel patrol a street in Agartala on Wednesday. — PTI photo

US Senate passes $700-bn bailout plan
Washington/New York/London, October 2
Giving a major boost to the efforts for bailing out troubled American financial firms, the US Senate has approved the $700- billion rescue package proposed by the Bush administration, with some modifications. The Senate passed the Bill, which incorporated tax cuts and a higher insurance limit for bank deposits, by a wide margin 74-25 on Wednesday evening.

Manpreet to meet Badal
Chandigarh, October 2
Finance minister Manpreet Singh Badal today disappointed many detractors of the Badal family, by refusing to react after being rebuked by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. All chief minister’s nephew had to say was: “I will meet Badal Sahib”. The manner, however, in which he said, “main Badal Sahib naal ladna nahin” (I am not going to fight with Badala Sahib) clearly indicated that he was in no mood for confrontation.

Pay Hike AV Singh panel report before Cabinet today New Delhi, October 2 After agreeing to look into the demands of the armed forces over parity in pay hikes, another bonanza awaits them as the UPA government is all set to put its formal stamp of approval on the A.V. Singh Committee report which has recommended the creation of more senior-level posts in the three services to improve promotional avenues and remove stagnation.