G-8 takes Pakistan to task on Kargil, condemns breach of LoC
Virtually putting the onus on Pakistan to end the Kargil conflict, the G-8 leaders on Sunday condemned violation of the Line of Control, called for an immediate end to fighting in the region and termed as ''irresponsible'' any military action to change the status quo of the LoC.''

BIS plans to grade blended cement
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has initiated steps to grade blended cement. Though gradation is available for ordinary portland cement (OPC) in various categories, BIS has so far not stipulated any standards for blended cement which is essentially a OPC with a mixture of pozzolonic materials such as fly-ash or slag to a certain percentage.

Refiners will have to bear export losses, rules OCC
The Oil Coordination Committee has intimated all stand-alone refining companies that they will have to bear export losses on their own as these will no longer be absorbed by the oil pool account. The move is being perceived by industry observers as a logical reaction to put the public-sector oil companies at par with private players.

  Mounting internal needs may force rubber imports by 2002
  Surplus milk supplies make Aavin quality conscious
  Debate on biotech need of the hour -- Scientist
  Ministry plans to tap new areas for cashew
  France winter barley output seen down
  26,000 tonnes of sugar dock at Calcutta port
  Modified crop insurance scheme to be launched
  Association urges Centre for policy on rehabilitating plant
  Body to seek changes in seed development policy
  Floriculture industry optimistic on low-rate loan post elections
  `Montreal biodiversity meet must move to stop GURT wounds'
  Diamond outlook mixed, says Antwerp Bank
  Canada to produce 12% of world's gems
  Standardisation of gold needed for consumer guidance
  `Gold policy must be liberalised further'
  Rajasthan mine hit by rock phosphate imports
  Tight copper supplies in Japan affect export deals
  Foodgrain demand may swell to 294 mn tonnes
  Russia firms sign price control deal
  Pvt sector cotton players roped into international body' advisory panel
  Ryots want `made in America' cotton seeds now
  Farmers shift cotton sowing style in northern states, American seeds core
  Cotton growers may suffer big losses on depressed prices
  Short staple cotton may replace long varieties
  Cotton prices rule steady
  Cotton yarn production slumps 8.63% in 1999
  Long-grain rice sold as basmati in south
  Monsoon likely to intensify in interior Gujarat
  Freight rates seen narrow
  Britain makes first move to suspend Iraqi sanctions
  Kuwait studies building new domestic refinery
  Nuclear phase-out in progress -- Germany
  A case for fine chemicals based on natural sources
  Import VAT confuses Chinese soyameal market
  US takes cue from Japan, EU; challenges auto policy
  Executive Briefing
  CII urges Centre to set up facilitation cells at ports
  The Kargil Cause -- Film stars to stage cultural shows
  Centre must shed its focus on planning and start strategising -- IDFC MD
  Indian army recaptures Point 5140
  Inflation falls to 87-week low of 3.53 per cent
  Assocham charts strategy to push GDP growth to 7.4%
  Centre averse to entry of PSU banks and FIs into insurance sector