WASHINGTON: Confirming the broad pronouncements US Deputy Secretary Strobe Talbott made in an interview to The Indian Express last week and subsequently during his visit to Delhi, US officials said here on Monday that the US administration would soon ease some of the sanctions imposed on India following the May 1998 nuclear tests. State Department spokesman James Rubin said some of the sanctions will be lifted soon. Indications are the first modest step could come possibly later this month, when a $ 210 million loan for an Andhra power project comes up before the World Bank Board of Directors.

Bihar carnage

JEHANABAD: Caste conflicts and socio-economic imbalances formed the backdrop of the January 25 massacre of 22 dalits in Bihar's Jehanabad district, R D Kapoor, Additional Secretary to the Union Home Ministry said here today. Kapoor is heading the four-member central team which visited the spot of the carnage.

Beer banned

JAIPUR: Rajasthan todaybanned the sale of beer in restaurants. Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot told reporters after a four-hour Cabinet meeting that ``no further licence will be given to beer restaurants nor will the licenses be renewed''. Gehlot said he had taken the step to discourage youth from consuming liquor.

Betting accused

CALCUTTA: In a cricket betting case, one accused was granted bail but three others were remanded to police custody by a city court here today. The magistrate S Bandyopadhyay granted bail to J R Goe, who was arrested while betting during the India-Pakistan match on January 30. Laloo in courtPATNA: FORMER Bihar Chief Minister Laloo Prasad Yadav today appeared before the designated special CBI court of S K Lal here, in connection with a fodder scam case.