New Delhi  - India's Supreme Court Friday approved two controversial mining and steel projects in the eastern state of Orissa that were delayed owing to protests from tribal people and farmers, media reports said.

The court in New Delhi allowed British metal and mining group Vedanta Resources to go ahead with its 800-million-dollar bauxite mining project in the Niyamgiri hills in Kalahandi district in south-western Orissa, the NDTV network reported.

The apex court had barred the company from mining in November following protests by the Dongria Kondh tribe who consider the Niyamgiri hills sacred.

New Delhi, August 8 : Police detain hundreds of angry Tibetan refugees attempting to storm Chinese embassy in New Delhi.

Police detained hundreds of angry Tibetan refugees attempting to storm Chinese embassy in New Delhi on Friday, coinciding their protest with the opening of the Olympic Games in Beijing.

Scores of Tibetans shouting anti-China slogans braved heavy rains to protest against the Olympics being staged by China.

New Delhi, Aug 8 : The Union Cabinet today gave its approval for modification of the eligibility criterion for appointment of Chairman of E-Committee with effect from February 1, 2008.

This decision will give the Chief Justice of India (CJI) a free hand in selection and appointment of Chairman and Members of the E-Committee by including the retired Judges of Supreme Court along with the retired Chief Justices and retired Judges of any High Court.

New Delhi, Aug. 8 : Taslima Nasreen, the controversial Bangladeshi writer, who had to leave India in March this year, arrived in the national capital on Friday and was immediately whisked off to an undisclosed location.

Official sources said that her visa for India is valid till August 12, but did not disclose her future plans would be.

Nasreen was dramatically bundled out from West Bengal in November last year and eventually left the country for Paris before shifting to Sweden in April.

New Delhi, Aug 8 : The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs today gave its approval for continuating the ‘Nutrition Programme for Adolescent Girls’ (NPAG) in the year 2008-09 in 51 Districts on a Pilot Project basis as per existing guidelines by carrying out small changes in the guidelines.

The CCEA has also approved the releasing of funds as Central Assistance on 100 per cent grant basis to States and Union Territories out of the allocated amount of Rs. 162.77 crore for this fiscal year.

New Delhi, August 8 : The Union Cabinet today gave its approval for the introduction of Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill, 2008 in the Parliament by making certain amendments in the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

The decision is significant as the Prevention of Corruption Act applies to a public servant and therefore only a government servant or any person described as public servant is affected by this Act.