Washington, Sept 24 : A US Senate panel has reportedly cleared the Indo-US Nuke deal with an overwhelming 19-2 vote. This has been described as a key hurdle cleared in the US ahead of the finalization of the deal, much awaited in India as the US goes to Presidential poll in November.

The brief hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday included just one amendment. A proposal by Sen. Russ Feingold, Wisconsin Democrat, to toughen restrictions on selling India the technology to reprocess nuclear fuel was defeated on a 15-4 vote.

Opposition leader LK Advani has written a letter to former president Dr APJ Abdul Kalam requesting him to build a national consensus on Terror and the need to effect strict anti-terror laws. 

Onboard Air India One, Sept. 24: While India Incorporated pundits are worrying about the spillover effect of the sub-prime crisis in the United States; the Indian Government believes the recent economic meltdown that has devastated the robust American banking sector, will have no direct impact on India thanks to the overflowing foreign cash reserves, the regulatory nature of our banking sector and the carefully calibrated, cautious and gradual liberalization policy designed by architects of the economy.

Washington - A US Senate committee on Tuesday approved the White House's plan for selling nuclear technology and material to India, bringing the agreement one step closer to passage.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted 19-2 to approve the nuclear cooperation agreement, but the deal still faces challenges in the House of Representatives and is confronting a closing window of opportunity for passage as Congress nears recess ahead of the November 4 general elections.

New Delhi, Sept 23 : Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment Meira Kumar on Tuesday inaugurated “Shilpotsav-2008” exhibition organized by the Ministry.

“The Government has always given importance to the economic empowerment of poorest of poor among Dalits, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (ST),” said Meira Kumar, and added, “Toeing the line, the Ministry has started many programmes through the State Governments for their economic upliftment.”

Boudh (Orissa), Sept 23 : Flood situation in Orissa remained grim on Tuesday following heavy rains in the catchment area of Mahanadi River.

Large parts of the state were inundated after authorities were forced to open dozens of sluice gates of the Hirakud dam on the Mahanadi River.

The Mahanadi breached its banks at several places and floodwaters had swept away highways in some areas.

In Boudh District of Orissa, many villages like Kutasingha, Panimora, Kaleswar, Kumari, Bankapudi remained marooned today.