National News: General

India is set to emerge as a major white sugar importer in calendar 2010, and is expected to buy some 3 million tonnes, Jonathan Kingsman, head of the Lausanne-based Kingsman SA consultancy, said on Tuesday.

An investigation against illegal mining is under way in Orissa and 128 mines of various minerals have been asked to suspend operations, Mines Minister B.K. Handique told the Rajya Sabha, a government press release stated on Tuesday.

New Delhi, Nov 24 (IANS) India has taken a credible and consistent position in international negotiations on climate change, Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh said here Tuesday.

New Delhi, Nov 24 (IANS) A mock drill was conducted at a cinema hall in the national capital Tuesday to check the preparedness of security agencies in case of any emergency, police said.

Shimla, Nov 24 (IANS) The Himachal Pradesh government Tuesday requested the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to reopen the Rohtang Pass in Kullu district, closed to the traffic since Nov 9 snowfall, as soon as possible.

New Delhi, Nov 24 (IANS) Journalists covering the Dec 6, 1992, attack on the Babri Masjid were subjected to 'systematic harassment' and not only were they stopped from covering the event but were instilled with a fear for their own safety, the Liberhan Commission has said in its report.

Dharamsala, Nov. 24 (ANI): Following his trip to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh, Tibetan spiritual leader-in-exile Dalai Lama on Tuesday made his first public appearance and also began his three-day long teachings.

Mumbai, Nov. 24 (ANI): With the first anniversary of the Mumbai massacre approaching, some of the unsung heroes of the 26/11 attacks recalled their experiences.

India's openers Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag struck sparkling centuries as India amassed 417-2 to take a firm grip against Sri Lanka after the first day of the second test on Tuesday.

Micro-blogging site Twitter is interested in making more acquisitions as it continues to grow in popularity, co-founder Biz Stone said on Tuesday.

These days, a little before sunset, Anil Shedmake double checks if the door to his home is properly fastened. He also ensures that his farm animals are safe and secure.

The pro-talks group of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) took a leaf out of the Shiv Sena book to raid the office of an Assamese daily in eastern Assam's Tinsukia town on Monday afternoon.

Agartala, Nov 24 (ANI): To tighten security along the Indo-Bangla border, the Border Security Force would set up nine more Border Outposts (BOPs).

Jammu, Nov 24 (IANS) Indian Army Chief Gen Deepak Kapoor Tuesday said incidents of ceasefire violations, which were basically aimed at abetting cross-border incursions from Pakistan into Jammu and Kashmir, had come down compared to last year.

Siliguri, Nov 24 (ANI): The Socialist Unity Centre of India (SUCI) on Tuesday called for a 12 hour state-wide shutdown in West Bengal to protest against rising prices of essential commodities.

New Delhi, Nov 24 (IANS) The indictment of senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders by the Liberhan Commission should be a clear warning for the party to stop practising communal politics, Law Minister M. Veerappa Moily said Tuesday.

Jammu, Nov 24 (IANS) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Tuesday said there would be timely reduction in the army's presence in the state when the security situation normalises. He said though there was some improvement rising cross-border incursions remained a concern.

New Delhi, Nov 24 (IANS) Director General N.P.S. Aulakh, chief of the National Security Guard (NSG) that ended the 26/11 terror siege, says the media should exercise control in such situations as some operations then were exposed due to live coverage.

Openers Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag stroked centuries and produced a blistering opening stand of 233 to put India in command at tea on the first day of the second test against Sri Lanka on Tuesday.

New Delhi, Nov 24 (IANS) Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari Tuesday said that the response of Indian politicians to terror attacks has been very 'squeamish' and a change needs to be brought in their mindset on security issues.