U.S. to release oil from reserves
A day after the Vice-President and Democratic nominee, Mr. Albert Gore, called for the release of oil from the Strategic Reserves, the Clinton administration moved in that direction saying that about 5 per cent, or 30 million barrels, would be made available in the market.

Marion Jones sprints her way to Olympic gold
American sprint sensation, Marion Jones, won her first-ever Olympic gold with a shattering display here in the women's 100 m on a chilly Saturday evening even as the men's 100 m world record holder, Maurice Greene, lived up to his promise.

NDA gives Centre free hand on Bengal
The ruling coalition partners in the National Democratic Alliance today took the unprecedented step of adopting a resolution virtually condemning the CPI(M)-led Government in West Bengal while requesting the Centre ``to take whatever steps it deems necessary to prevent the destruction of democratic institutions in West Bengal.''

Veerappan men meet Gopal
Two associates of forest the brigand Veerappan, who abducted the Kannada actor, Mr. Rajkumar, met the Government emissary, Mr. R.R. Gopal, early this morning in the Thalamalai forest area, Sathyamangalam, and took him to Zeerahalli village.

Postal unions threaten strike
Postal federations have warned of a nation- wide strike if their demands were not addressed by the Government to their satisfaction.

DA hike for Central staff
The Union Cabinet today decided on a three per cent hike in dearness allowance for Central Government employees and dearness relief for pensioners with effect from July 1.

Fishermen issue
India and Sri lanka today decided to consider setting up a monitoring mechanism which could periodically review the problems concerned with fishermen in custody in both the countries.

2 killed in blast
Two persons were killed in a powerful explosion near a railway track near Govindpuri railway station here last night, police said today.