New Delhi, Oct 31: The Union Cabinet today approved an ambitious scheme to provide stand-alone drinking water system to one lakh schools across the country, which will be implemented from November 14.

Referring to the budget announcement this year that one lakh schools would be provided with clean drinking water facilities, Finance Minister P Chidambaram said the Union Cabinet approved the scheme which would cost Rs 200 crore during the current financial year.

He said the Director General Supplies and Disposal (DGS&D) has finalised the technologies, the rates and suppliers for the systems.

“This had also been communicated to the respective governments in the states and union territories,” he added.

Guwahati, Oct 31 : An uneasy calm prevailed in Assam, a day after a series of bomb blasts in quick succession ripped through Guwahati and three other towns on Thursday in which 70 people were killed and over 300 injured.

Although normalcy is returning, the shock caused by serial explosions is still on in the minds of the people.

Ganeshguri, one of worst affected area in the blast, the otherwise busy area lay deserted this morning with vegetables strewn around the place.

The recent Obama vs McCain Ohio polls show that Barack Obama is having noticeable lead over John McCain in the Buckeye State.

Ohio has been the Republican state. The state was won by Republicans in 2000 and 2004. But the recent opinion polls show the State favoring Barack Obama. Let’s check out what McCain vs Obama Ohio polls show.

Associated Press/GfK’s Obama vs McCain Ohio poll, conducted from October 22 to October 26, shows Obama leading McCain by 7 % points — 48 % to 41 % among the likely voters of Ohio.

Quinnipiac University’s Obama vs McCain Ohio poll, conducted from October 22 to October 26, shows Obama leading McCain by 9 % points — 51 % to 42 % among the likely voters of Ohio.

New Delhi, Oct 31: The Government has approved the signing of a new and more liberalized Air Services Agreement (ASA) between India and Iran.

The existing one was initialed on June 10, 1980.

A new agreement was initialed between India and Iran after bilateral talks on April 29-30 2008 in New Delhi, which is based on the International Civil Aviation Organization 
(ICAO) template and is in line with India''s liberalization in the air transport sector.

An memorandum of understanding (MoU) was also signed during these bilateral air services consultations.

Chennai, Oct 31: Shops and other business establishments observed a 12-hour shutdown in Chennai today to protest against the ongoing conflict in Tamil dominated area of Sri Lanka.

City''s major markets including vegetable and fruit markets observed a shutdown over the issue.

The protesting traders said, they would continue to lend support to the Tamils in Sri Lanka.

"It is our demand that Sri Lanka should put a stop to the war against the Tamils. We will continue to provide support for the Tamils and raise our voices against the atrocities and we are also ready to face any challenge that will come in our way," said Komagan, Secretary, Koyambedu Vegetable Market, Chennai.

Washington, Oct 31: Republican presidential hopeful John McCain’s supporters are hoping for a “Bradley effect” bounce on the Election Day, but some pollsters and strategists say they may have another thing coming that is: Bandwagon effect.