Parl adjourned for day over Walmart, SC/ST reservation Dec 11, 4:34 PM Both the Houses of Parliament

witnessed frequent adjournments today, the Lok Sab ha on the issue of Walmart and the Rajya Sabha on Reservation in promotions for SCs and STs. The Lok Sabha was adjourned thrice before adjourning finally for the day with th e opposition members demanding an inquiry followed by a thorough discussion on W almart issue. They demanded the government to set up a time-bound inquiry into t he allegations of bribery against the retail major. Raising slogans, the opposit ion members trooped into the well of the house forcing the Chair to adjourn it f or the day. The Rajya Sabha was adjourned finally for the day as Samajwadi Party members con tinued to stall the proceedings protesting against the reservations in promotion s for SCs STs. It was earlier adjourned twice on the same issue in the post-lunc h session. The agitating members trooped into the well as the Minister of State for Personnel, V Narayanasami, moved the Constitution amendment bill. Amidst din , Deputy Chairman P J Kurien adjourned the house for the day. // Congress supports inquiry into Walmart lobbying issue Dec 11, 8:39 PM The Congress today urged the opposition to allow Parliament to function. Party s pokesman Rashid Alvi said in New Delhi today that those who are entrusted with l aw making are themselves violating the law. He said the Congress Party is also v ery keen for an inquiry into the allegations against the retail giant Wallmart. But the mode of inquiry has to be decided by the Government. Mr. Alvi said the a llegations against the multinational company have been levelled abroad and not i n India. Yet the Congress party supports the proposed inquiry against it. His pa rty wants a consensus with the opposition, Mr. Alvi said. // Guj Polls: Campaigning ends this evening News Content Dec 11, 8:35 PM In Gujarat the election campaign for 87 Assembly constituencies going to polls i n the Ist phase of polling ended this evening. 87 constituencies spread over 15 districts will go to polls in this phase on Thursday. Top political leaders of n ational parties including Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, Congress President Sonia Gandhi and General Secy. Rahul Gandhi and BJP stalwart L.K.Advani, leaders of the opposition in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Sushma Sawraj and Arun Jaitl ey addressed a series of rallies to win the support of voters. AIR correspondent reports while the Narendra Modi highlighted the achievements o f his government in the election campaign, the opposition leaders including Rahu l Gandhi alleged that his government failed to fulfill the promises made to the people. 846 candidates including 46 women are in contest in this phase of election. Only ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has fielded its candidates in all 87 constituenci es. The main opposition Congress has fielded its nominees in 83 segments leaving 3 seats for its ally Nationalist Congress Party. Rebel BJP leader and former Ch ief Minister of the state Mr Keshubhai Patel's recently floated Gujarat Parivart

an Party has fielded candidates for 83 seats. The Bahujan Samaj Party is contest ing 79 constituencies and Samajwadi Party 22 seats.Janata Dal United has fielded its nominees in 33 seats. // Tourist resorts in HP get first snowfall, cold wave reaching Delhi

Dec 11 The entire state of Himachal Pradesh is reeling under cold wave with the upper r eaches intermittently experiencing snowfall and other parts rain since last nigh t. Major tourists resort like Manali of Kullu district , Kufri, Narkanda, Jakhu hill of Shimla, and Dalhousie are experiencing snow intermittently since this mo rning. Tourists resort Manali has one to two centimeters.. Panchang in Manali ha s upto 5 cm snow, Solangnalah 7cm, Khoti 10 cm and Marhi 15 cm. The 13050 ft hig h Rohtang pass, the gateway to Lahaul spiti which has recorded one to two feet s nowfall is closed for vehicular traffic. The Keylong, headquarter of Lahaul Spit i district has been experiencing snow since last night and has recorded more than 5 cm snow fall In the capital Shimla, Jakhu hill received one cm snowfall while Tourists r esort Kufri and Fagu also had 2 to 3 cm snowfall and Narkanda 4 cm snowfall. The vehicular traffic on Hindustan-Tibet National high way no -22 remained off f or more than two hours in the morning after road become slippery at Kufri and Na rkanda. // Prez calls for 2nd green revolution in agri sector

Dec 11 The President Pranab Mukherjee has called for a second green revolution in agric ulture sector which should be more holistic and widespread. Addressing a confere nce on agriculture in New Delhi today, Mr. Mukherjee said that such an initiativ e should be accompanied by development of rural infrastructure, human developmen t and increased sensitivity to ecology and environment. He said it is imperative that the government should seek the right partnerships by building innovative s tructures to encourage the involvement of private sector in agriculture. Union M inister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Industries, Tariq Anwar was also present on the occasion. // Telecom Commission approves subsidy for BSNL operations in rural areas

Dec 11 The Telecom Commission today approved a subsidy of 1500 crore rupees for support ing landline operations of BSNL in the rural areas. AIR correspondent reports, the move follows recommendations by the Telecom Regul atory Authority of India (TRAI) that 2,700 crore rupees be given to BSNL as it o perates in remote and rural telecom circles that are less profitable. Speaking t o All India Radio, Commission's Chairman and Telecom Secretary R. Chandrashekhar said the subsidy will be paid out of the Universal Service Obligation Fund with out impacting fiscal deficit. AIR correspondent reports, the first part of the approved amount is part of the

total proposed subsidy of 2,750 crore rupees for supporting rural landline conne ctions installed before April 1, 2002. This will also lower the losses incurred by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited. // Railways carries over 647 mn tonnes of freight during April- Nov 2012

Dec 11 The Railways have carried more than 647 million tonnes of freight during April t o November this year. This accounts for 4.70 per cent increase in the freight tr affic. An official release said, 618 million tonnes of freight traffic was carri ed during the corresponding period last year. // Khurshid assures support to Sarabjit s family Dec 11 External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid has assured the family of Sarabjit Sin gh that the Indian government would press Pakistan to extend mercy to him on hum anitarian grounds. Sarabjit, an Indian citizen, is on a death row in Pakistan fo r alleged spying and bombing. Sarabjit's sister Dalbir Kaur and daughter Swapand eep met the Minister in New Delhi today when Salman Khurshid assured them that h e would ask Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde to take up the issue with the Paki stan Interior Minister Rehman Malik who is slated to visit India later this week . Khurshid said Sarabjit and his family had built a strong case for his release and the recent execution of 2008 Mumbai attack convict Ajmal Kasab must not infl uence Sarabjit's case. // Prez celebrates 78th birthday with differently-abled children Dec 11 President Pranab Mukherjee today celebrated his 78th birthday with a group of di fferently-abled children specially invited for the occasion. Vice President Moha mmad Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Ku mar, leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj were among other dignit aries who went to Rashtrapati Bhavan to greet him. The day began with nearly 80 students performing dance to the tunes of Vande Mat aram after which blind students rendered the National Anthem in sign language. On the occasion, the children also handed over greeting cards designed by them t o the President. // Plan Panel reviews preparedness of states in Direct Cash Transfer Scheme Dec 11 The Planning Commission today reviewed the preparedness of the states in the Dir ect Cash Transfer Scheme for its rapid roll-out through video conferencing. The Commission Secretary, Ms. Sindhushree Khullar talked to the representatives from 11 states and 6 Union Territories. The Secretaries of different departments als o attended the meeting in New Delhi. During the conference senior officials from various states appraised of the preparedness on their part and infrastructure a rrangements to be tied up for the roll out. An official release said the Centre

has identified 34 government schemes for the roll-out of Direct Cash Transfer Sc heme in 43 identified districts of different states from 1st of January next yea r. // Govt to raise cap on supply of LPG to 9 cylinders per year Dec 11 The government will raise the cap on supply of subsidised cooking gas (LPG) to n ine cylinders per household per year from current restriction of six. Talking to reporters in New Delhi today, Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister, M Veerappa Mo ily said the decision to raise the cap will be taken by the Cabinet very shortly . Mr. Moily said he has had two rounds of meetings with Finance Minister on the impact of the decision to raise the cap. Meanwhile, taking suo moto cognisance of reports of the Centre's move ahead of G ujarat assembly polls, the Election Commission has directed government to stop it immediately. The Commission held an emergency meeting soon after minister's announcement and decided to write to the Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry asking it to immediat ely stop the move in the wake of Model Code of Conduct in view of Gujarat electi ons. AIR correspondent reports that the government had in September this year put a c ap on subsidised LPG to six cylinders per household in a year. The decision was widely criticized and demands were made from all quarters to remove the cap. // National News Heading Dec 11 The entire state of Himachal Pradesh is reeling under cold wave with the upper r eaches intermittently experiencing snowfall and other parts rain since last nigh t. Major tourists resort like Manali of Kullu district , Kufri, Narkanda, Jakhu hill of Shimla, and Dalhousie are experiencing snow intermittently since this mo rning. Tourists resort Manali has one to two centimeters.Panchang in Manali has upto 5 cm snow, Solangnalah 7cm, Khoti 10 cm and Marhi 15 cm. The 13050 ft high Rohtang pass, the gateway to Lahaul spiti which has recorded one to two feet sno wfall is closed for vehicular traffic.The Keylong, headquarter of Lahaul Spiti d istrict has been experiencing snow since last night and has recorded more than 5 cm snowfall In the capital Shimla, Jakhu hill received one cm snowfall while To urists resort Kufri and Fagu also had 2 to 3 cm snowfall and Narkanda 4 cm snowf all. The vehicular traffic on Hindustan-Tibet National high way no -22 remained off f or more than two hours in the morning after road become slippery at Kufri and Na rkanda. // I&B Ministry seeks recommendation of TRAI regarding entry of centre, state s into broadcasting sector Dec 11 The Information and Broadcasting Ministry has sought the recommendation of Telec om Regulatory Authority of India, TRAI, regarding the entry of central and state governments and their entities into the broadcasting sector. The ministry made this reference recently as the issue of granting permission to the state governm

ent or its organs to run Cable TV Network has been drawing its attention from ti me to time. The ministry has also received requests from central government mini stry and from several state governments in the past. The TRAI in its recommendat ions had restricted such entities to enter into broadcasting and distribution ac tivities. // IPS officer Mahboob Alam given additional charge of DG of ITBP Dec 11 Senior IPS officer Mahboob Alam has been given additional charge of Director Gen eral of Indo Tibetan Border Police, ITBP. The 1981 batch IPS officer of Tamil Na du cadre is currently Additional Director General of the same force. The post fe ll vacant following appointment of Ranjit Sinha as CBI director last month. // 3 day international seminar organised by India International Centre Asia Project kicks off Dec 11 The three day international seminar organised by the India International Centre Asia Project opened in New Delhi today with Senior doctors and pharmacologists f rom diverse systems of medicine stressing the importance of harmonising mind and body for holistic treatment of ailments. Speaking to All India Radio, National Professor of Pharmacology Ranjit Roy Chaudhury said, the focus is on jointly pro viding the unified benefits of differenct systems of medicines, including those of Asian origin to benefit the people. AIR corresponent reports, medical practioners from countries including India, In donesia, Myanmar, Bhutan, China, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Cambodia, Bangladesh, S rilanka and Nepal are participating in the seminar being held at the India Inter national Centre at New Delhi. // CPM demands judicial inquiry into bribery allegations against Walmart Dec 11 The CPM has demanded a time-bound judicial inquiry into the bribery allegations against the retail major Walmart. Briefing media persons in New Delhi today, Par ty leader Sitaram Yechury said Walmart is eying a five hundred billion dollar ma rket in India which is expected to grow to one trillion US dollars in the next s even years. // UN: Syrian refugees registered in neighbouring countries, N Africa passes half m illion

Dec 11 The United Nations today said the number of Syrian refugees registered in neighb ouring countries and North Africa has passed half a million. The UN High Commiss ion for Refugees said it had either registered or was in the process of register ing 509,550 Syrians in Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Turkey and North Africa and these numbers are currently climbing by more than 3,000 a day. Talking to reporters in Geneva, UNHCR spokeswoman Melissa Fleming said close to 1,000 Syrian refugees h ad crossed into Jordan alone in the past two nights, arriving with soaked clothi ng and mud-covered shoes due to heavy rainfall. While all the registered Syrian

refugees in Turkey were living in camps, Fleming pointed out that across the reg ion around 60 percent of refugees were not in camps. // Death toll in Philippines typhoon mounts above 700

Dec 11 In the Philippines, the death toll from the strongest typhoon to hit this year h as climbed above 700 with hundreds more missing. The civil defence office today said Typhoon Bopha, which unleashed floods and landslides across the main southe rn island of Mindanao on December 4, has killed at least 714 people and oblitera ted entire communities. It said nearly 115,000 houses were destroyed and more th an 116,000 people remain in crowded government shelters. Officials said a total of 890 people, including 313 deep-sea fishermen, remain missing. Meanwhile, the United Nations launched a 65 million US dollar global aid appeal for the victims of the typhoon, the deadliest natural disaster in the Philippines since Tropica l Storm Washi killed 1,200 people on Mindanao's north coast last year. // RS member Najma calls on Sheikh Hasina at her office in Dhaka

Dec 11 Dr Najma Heptulla, a member of the Rajya Sabha and former president of the Inter - Parliamentary Union called on Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her o ffice in Dhaka today. Briefing reporters about the meeting Bangladesh Prime Mini ster's Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad said the two leaders discussed issues rel ating to democratic and parliamentary system in India and Bangladesh as well as curbing terrorism and tackling the climate change impact. Highlighting various s uccesses achieved in different fields during the tenure of thepresent government , Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that Poverty alleviation is a pre requisite for maintaining peace in the region and underscored the need for a uni ted efforts of all the countries of the region to this end. // Lanka s Prez: Govt sets up another committee to look into impeachment of Chief Jus tice of SC Dec 11 Sri Lanka s President, Mr Mahinda Rajapaksa today said that government has set up another committee to look into the impeachment of the Chief Justice of Supreme C ourt before coming to a final decision in the matter. The President was speaking at a public function in Colombo this afternoon. The power of the Parliamentary Select Committee, created under the provisions of a Standing order of the Parliament, to probe the allegations has been challenge d in the Supreme Court for being violative of the constitution and the principle s of natural justice. The court is set to hear the petitions on Thursday. Meanwhile, Bar Association of Sri Lanka today declared that it will be boycottin g courts for one hour tomorrow to protest the impeachment of the Chief Justice. // ADB to provide $300 mn loan to Chhattisgarh for overhauling roads

Dec 11 Asian Development Bank, ADB, will provide a 300-million US Dollar loan to Chhatt isgarh for overhauling over 900 kilometres of roads in the state. A statement by the ADB said, the project would include works such as expanding r oads for two-laning, building new sections, construction and strengthening of cu lverts and bridges. The Chhattisgarh government will provide 128 million Dollars taking the total cost of the project to 428 million Dollars. // Over 45% Punjab population surveyed for early detection of Cancer

Dec 11 In Punjab, more than 45 per cent population of the state has been surveyed for e arly detection of Cancer and to bring awareness about the disease. A door to doo r campaign has started last week to know incidence of disease among the people. Health and Family Welfare Minister of the state, Madan Mohan Mittal said in Chan digarh that 26, 40,777 houses have been visited by more than 40000 field workers as per the compiled data by yesterday evening . // 4 killed, 4 injured in J&K road accident

Dec 11 In Jammu and Kashmir, four persons were killed and four others were injured toda y when the vehicle they were travelling in, skidded off the road and rolled into a gorge in Doda district. As per information, the vehicle was on its way from v illage Chirala to Doda, when it rolled down into deep gorge while negotiating a sharp curve at village Suigadi. Three persons died on the spot while as one of t he injured succumbed to injuries in the District Hospital. District Hospital and also provided them first aid. // One day winter session of sixth Mizoram Legislative Assembly ends Dec 11 A one day winter session of the sixth Mizoram Legislative Assembly ended today w ith the introduction of "The Mizoram Co-operative Societies(Ammendment) Bill, 20 12". Earlier, the House took up obituary reference for the Prime Minister I.K.Gujral, sitting MLA and Parliamentary Secretary Chawngtinthanga and former MLA Vanlalhr uaia. // Four national records created at National Sports meet for visually challenged

Dec 11 Four national records were created at the National Sports meet for the visually challenged persons at Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi today. In the Women 's B-III 100 metre race Syampa Mondal of Kolkata set a National record by coveri ng the distance in 16.41 seconds. In the Women's B-I Shot put. Nidhi Mishra of D

elhi set another record with a throw of 6.59 metres. Delhi's Avneel Kumar set a record in men's 100 metres B-III race while the fourth record of the day was set by Rishikant Sharma in Javeline throw in B-II category. // 58th National School Games 2012 Tennis Ball Cricket under 19 declared open

Dec 11 In Jammu and Kashmir, 58th National School Games 2012 Tennis Ball Cricket, Boys and Girls under 19 were declared open in Maulana Azad Stadium, Jammu today. As m any as 13 states with 25 teams are participating in the National level sports ev ent. The games which are being organized by the Department of Youth Services and Sports under the aegis of School Games Federation of India were declared open b y Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister, Tara Chand. Addressing the gathering of players from different parts of the Country, the Deputy Chief Minister said t hat the State Government has taken various steps to promote sports at different levels in schools, colleges and Universities. Earlier, the Chief Guest unfurled the School Games Federation of India flag and released the balloons. A colourful programme depicting different dance forms of the Country was presented by the s tudents. // 3rd World Cup Kabaddi tournament: Semi-final to be played tomorrow

Dec 11 In Punjab, semi-final matches of 3rd World Cup Kabaddi tournament will be played tomorrow at Bathinda. In first semi- final India will play with Iran in men s sec tion while Pakistan team will face Canada in 2nd semi-final of men s section. In w omen section India will play 1st semi-final with England while 2nd semi-final wi ll be played between Malasia and Denmark. Today on the last day of league matches India ,Malasia and England registered vi ctories in matches played at Mansa. In men s section India got semi-final berth by defeating Denmark by 73-28.In second league match England defeated Afghanistan by 64-21.In the last league match in women s section Malasia defeated Turkmenistan by 39-29. Final match will be played on 15th of this month at Ludhiana. // Reforms improves India's growth prospects in 2013: Moody

Dec 11 A flurry of reforms have improved India's growth prospects in 2013, global ratin g agency, Moody's said today. Moody's said in a report, that growth prospects ha ve improved with a new finance minister, and a flurry of pro-business reforms de signed to lift the economy. It said these moves are working. The rating agency further said that near-term risks around India's fiscal and ex ternal deficits have receded. Business groups are more upbeat and this will tran slate into better investment and GDP growth, but not until well into 2013. It sa id the moves help to lock in its longer-term outlook.

The report also said that Asia's economies have weathered the global downturn, a nd will enter 2013 in comparatively good shape. Risk levels appear manageable, d omestic policy settings remain highly accommodative, and the global outlook has begun to stabilize. // HSBC to pay $1.9 bn to settle money-laundering case with U.S

Dec 11 The British banking giant HSBC has agreed to pay 1.9 billion dollars to settle a money-laundering case with U.S. authorities. The probe on the case focused on t he transfer of billions of dollars through the U.S. financial system on behalf o f Mexican drug traffickers and rogue states such as Iran. HSBC Group Chief Execu tive Stuart Gulliver today said the company accepts responsibility for its mista kes and it has taken concrete steps to fix them.The bank settled the case throug h a deferred prosecution agreement with the U.S. Justice Department, which means it will not face further prosecution if it meets certain conditions. In a state ment today, HSBC said under the deal, it will cooperate with regulators and law enforcement and further strengthen its compliance policies. An independent monit or will also evaluate the bank's progress during the course of the five-year agr eement. The statement listed measures it has already implemented to address the issues, including increasing funding and staffing for anti-money laundering effo rts. // India's exports decline due to slowdown in demand in western markets

Dec 11 India's exports declined by 4.17 per cent to 22.2 billion US Dollars in November , due to slowdown in demand in the US and European markets.Exports in November, 2011 stood at 23.2 billionUS Dollars.However imports grew by 6.35 per cent to 41 .5 billion US Dollars in November, leaving a trade deficit of 19.28 billion US D ollars . During the April-October 2012-13, the country's shipments have shrunk b y 5.95 per cent to 189.2 billionUS Dollars.Imports during the period dipped by 1 .58 per cent to 318.7 billionUS Dollars .Commerce Secretary S R Rao said, by end of the week, the government will announce some support measures to provide cush ion to exporters. He said,the country's import bill has increased due to jump in petroleum imports .During the first eight months of this financial year, the trade deficit stood a t 129.5 billionUS Dollars. Oil imports in November increased by 16.7 per cent year- on-year to 14.5 billion US Dollars.Non-oil imports grew by 1.5 per cent to 27 billion US Dollars. // Two Tibetans in Chinese custody to face death for inciting immolations Two Tibetans could face the death penalty for inciting others to self-immolate. China's state-run Xinhua News Agency reports the two are in custody. They are ac cused of encouraging eight people to set themselves on fire, three of the eight died as a result. China's Ministry of Public Security says inciting self-immolat ion is now treated as intentional homicide, a charge that carries the death pena lty. The Tibetans' detention has been the subject of a media blitz in China. Mor e than 90 Tibetans have set themselves alight since 2009 to protest against Chin a's rule of the Tibetan plateau. // Dhaka hit by Opposition alliance strike;US South Asia Secy urges dialogue betwee n parties

In Bangladesh, a countrywide daylong nationwide strike called by the BNP-led 18party opposition alliance is underway marked by some stray incidents of violence in capital Dhaka and other parts of the country. Opposition activists managed t o torch a few vehicles and vandalized some more in addition to setting of crude cocktail bombs in different parts of Dhaka city. Most of the shops and business establishments and schools remained closed and traffic on the roads in Dhaka cit y was minimal. Thousands of police men in riot gear have been deployed in key lo cations of the city to prevent any untoward incidents during the hartal hours. T he BNP led opposition alliance is enforcing the strike in protest against the go vernment's action against the eight hour road blockade protest programme on Sund ay and to press for its demand for the restoration of caretaker government syste m for the conduct of general elections due next year. According to reports, more than twenty vehicles were vandalized last evening in pre hartal violence while the police arrested BNP's Acting Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir i n cases related to the violence during the party's countrywide road blockade pro test on Sunday. Thirty eight cases have been filed against several hundreds of l eaders and activists of the opposition in relation to the violence on Sunday dur ing which three people were killed and more than fifty vehicles vandalized. Meanwhile US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Ro bert O Blake today said that urged the two major political parties of Bangladesh -the Awami league and Bangladesh Nationalist Party to resolve their differences peacefully through dialogue. Addressing a press conference in Dhaka today at the end of his three day tour to Bangladesh, Mr. Blake voiced deep concern over the deepening cycle of violence during hartals and strongly condemned the recent vi olence and killing of three people that took place during Sunday's violence. Mr. Blake also added that hartals have very harmful effect on the poor people who re ly on daily wages and they also have a deepening effect on Bangladesh s reputation and Bangladesh s efforts to attract foreign investment. R eferring to the differences between the two major political parties of the count ry, he said that this a matter the Awami League and BNP should resolve together and he called for a dialogue between the two parties to figure out the way forwa rd. Mr. Blake said that Bangladesh and United States are very close to an agreem ent on issues related to Trade and Investment Cooperation Framework Agreement an d hoped that the Bangladesh government will decide very quickly on this issue as this is a very important opportunity. Later Mr. Blake left for Bhutan from Dhak a after the completion of his three day tour in Bangladesh during which he parti cipated in the South Asia Women's Entrepreunership Sympoisum organized by the US State Department in Dhaka. He also held discussions with Bangladesh Foreign Min ister Dr.Dipumoni, Prime Minister's International Affairs Adviser Gowher Rizvi a nd other civil society leaders. // Mexico Prez announces 5% cut in salaries of govt officials In Mexico, the new President Enrique Pena Nieto yesterday announced the cut of t he salaries of medium-and-high-level government officials by 5 percent in 2013. He also called for cuts in travel expenses, gas allowances, use of official vehi cles and cellphones, spending on real estate rental and photocopies to reduce go vernment spending, as part of his austerity program. The five percent salary red uction is also accompanied by the call to eliminate unjustified posts and the hi ring of temporary employees. The Finance Ministry yesterday published the decree that establishes the measures designed to bring about the efficient and transpa rent use of public resources. // Centre asks states to carry out security audit of jails holding Maoist prisoners

The Centre has asked the states to carry out security audit of all the jails hol ding Maoist prisoners and enhance security wherever necessary. This information was given by Minister of State for Home Affairs, R P N Singh in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today. The moves comes in the wake of Maoists ambushing a polic e van to free six of their colleagues in Jharkhand last month. // PDS beneficiary database to be completed by March 2013: Consumer Affairs Min Tho mas The database of beneficiaries under the Public Distribution System, PDS, across the country is to be completed by March next year. The computerisation of the su pply-chain management is also scheduled to be completed by October, 2013. This i nformation was given by the Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distr ibution, Prof. K.V. Thomas in the Lok Sabha today. In a written reply, he said a ll States and Union Territories have been requested to computerise data regardin g the Targeted Public Distribution System, TPDS. A scheme to provide financial a id to them has been approved for implementation during the 12th Five Year Plan o n cost-sharing basis. Also, a transparency portal and grievance redressal mechan ism are to be set up during this period, he said. // Broad consensus on new state formation must in parent state for any decision to be made: Govt The government today made it clear that it will take decision on formation of ne w states only when there is a broad consensus in the parent state. Minister of S tate for Home Affairs, R P N Singh, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha, said cr eation of any new State has wide ramifications and direct bearing on the federal polity of the country. He said there is a demand from various groups belonging to seven states for creation of new states including that of Telangana in Andhra Pradesh and Koshalanchal in Odisha. // Coal Ministry approves Master plan to deal with mine fires The Coal Ministry has approved a Master Plan to deal with fire in Jharia and Ran igunj coal mines. The Master Plan will also focus attention on subsidence and re habilitation in the lease hold areas of the Bharat Coking Coalfields Limited, BCCL. The Ranigunj Coalfields, RCF, under the Eastern Coalfields Limited, ECL, will also be covered under this Master Plan . Minister of State for Coal Pratik rakashbapu Patil gave this information in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today. The implementation of the Master Plan is in progress, he said. // AP HC stays ED order attaching Rs822cr deposit in money laundering case involvin g frmr Satyam Chirman Raju Andhra Pradesh High Court today stayed a provisional order of Enforcement Direct orate attaching 822 crore rupee deposit belonging to Mahindra Satyam in a money laundering case involving former Satyam Chairman B Ramalinga Raju and others. Justice P V Sanjay Kumar also stayed the notice issued by the adjudicating autho rity to Mahindra Satyam ,Satyam Computer Services Ltd, asking company officials to appear before it with regard to the case. The Enforcement Directorate had on October 18th issued a provisional attachment order of the company's fixed deposits of 822 crore rupee in the money laundering case related to the previous management. // India exports decline due to slowdown in demand in western markets

India's exports declined by 4.17 per cent to 22.2 billion US Dollars in November , due to slowdown in demand in the US and European markets.Exports in November, 2011 stood at 23.2 billionUS Dollars.However imports grew by 6.35 per cent to 41 .5 billion US Dollars in November, leaving a trade deficit of 19.28 billion US D ollars . During the April-October 2012-13, the country's shipments have shrunk b y 5.95 per cent to 189.2 billionUS Dollars.Imports during the period dipped by 1 .58 per cent to 318.7 billionUS Dollars .Commerce Secretary S R Rao said, by end of the week, the government will announce some support measures to provide cush ion to exporters. He said,the country's import bill has increased due to jump in petroleum imports .During the first eight months of this financial year, the trade deficit stood a t 129.5 billionUS Dollars. Oil imports in November increased by 16.7 per cent year- on-year to 14.5 billion US Dollars.Non-oil imports grew by 1.5 per cent to 27 billion US Dollars. // Dhaka hit by Opposition BNP-led alliance's strike In Bangladesh, a countrywide daylong nationwide strike called by the BNP-led 18party opposition alliance is underway marked by some stray incidents of violence in capital Dhaka and other parts of the country. Opposition activists managed t o torch a few vehicles and vandalized some more in addition to setting of crude cocktail bombs in different parts of Dhaka city. Most of the shops and business establishments and schools remained closed and traffic on the roads in Dhaka cit y was minimal. Thousands of police men in riot gear have been deployed in key lo cations of the city to prevent any untoward incidents during the hartal hours. T he BNP led opposition alliance is enforcing the strike in protest against the go vernment's action against the eight hour road blockade protest programme on Sund ay and to press for its demand for the restoration of caretaker government syste m for the conduct of general elections due next year. According to reports, more than twenty vehicles were vandalized last evening in pre hartal violence while the police arrested BNP's Acting Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir i n cases related to the violence during the party's countrywide road blockade pro test on Sunday. Thirty eight cases have been filed against several hundreds of l eaders and activists of the opposition in relation to the violence on Sunday dur ing which three people were killed and more than fifty vehicles vandalized. // Military takes over charge of security ahead of Egypt referendum In Egypt, the military has taken over the charge of security ahead of the nation wide referendum on the new constitution on Saturday. The Egyptians living abroad will cast their votes on the nationwide referendum over the new constitution to morrow. Security forces have been stationed outside the Presidential palace and key state institutions in the capital Cairo and other parts of the country. Pres ident Morsi issued a decree yesterday granting sweeping powers to military to ar rest any civilian on charges of unrest or damage to property. Prime Minister Qan dil has urged all to stop the sit ins since President Morsi has already annulled the controversial Presidential decree which put him above judicial oversight. I n another move, Mr. Morsi stopped a rise in taxes, hours after it was announced yesterday. The move comes in the wake of mass protest call by the umbrella opposition of li beral ,secular and revolutionary groups led by the National Salvation Front whic h is asking the postponement of the referendum. The group is staging a massive r ally in Cairo today to show its strength. Muslim Brotherhood has also called for a rally in support of the Presidential move. Meanwhile, the State Council or the Administrative court has announced its condi tional approval to oversee the constitutional referendum scheduled for December 15. Head of the Council, Judge Hamdi Yassin, told in Cairo that the government m ust stop the scuffles between citizens, stop the bloodshed and end the siege of

all state institutions including the Supreme Constitutional Court so that the ju dges can perform their work freely without threat. It has called for a life insu rance cover to the judges and grant them the right to withdraw if their independ ence is jeopardised. // Allahbad HC fixes 20 Dec as date for hearing in UP NRHM scam Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court today fixed December 20th as the next date of hearing in the alleged scam in National Rural Health Mission at Lucknow CMO office. The order was passed by the bench of Justice Imtiyaz Murtaza and Justice Ashok P al Singh on an application filed in a PIL seeking direction for a CBI probe into alleged irregularities in the NRHM scam. As per the earlier order passed by the court, DIG CBI along with other officers concerned appeared before the bench and informed that investigating officer O P Parida has been removed from the probe and departmental action was being taken a gainst him. CBI has filed the status report along with a counter affidavit in a sealed envel op. After examining the content, the bench posted the matter for hearing on December 20 along with the hearing in murder of two CMOs V K Arya and B P Singh.The cour t had on November 23rd summoned the DIG CBI in connection with investigation int o procurement of medicines in the alleged NRHM scam at CMO Lucknow office. // Not obstructing passing of Bill in Parl granting spl status to backward areas : K'taka CM Chief Minister Jagadish Shetter clarified in legislative Assembly today that the Government has not created any hindrance in the way of passing article 371J in Parliament. The proposed Article 371J amendment proposes to give special status to the Six backward districts of North Karnataka. Giving a statement in the Hous e, Mr.Shetter informed that a letter sent to the Parliamentary committee by the State Government has been withdrawn with a request to take up the amendment of a rticle 371 in the current Parliamentary session itself. He explained that the le gislative Assembly and Council had passed a resolution under 371 D to bestow spe cial status to the six backward districts. A letter was sent to the Central Gove rnment thereafter with a request to enact 371D, as passed by the State legislature, ins tead of 371J, as proposed by the Union Cabinet. Since this was construed as a ta ctic to delay the passing of amended bill, the State Government has withdrawn it s letter. The Chief Minister further added that he has spoken to the Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, leaders of the Opposition in Lok Sabha and Rajya S abha and the Chairman of Standing Committee of Parliament Venkaiah Naidu to expe dite the passing of the amendment bill bestowing special status to the backward region of the state. Reacting to the statement, the leader of the Opposition in Assembly Siddaramaiah said that he has spoken to Union Minister Mallikarjuna Kha rge to help expedite the passing of the bill in Parliament. // Direct Tax collections register 7% increase Gross direct tax collections have registered over seven percent increase during the first eight months of this financial year. The collections stood at 3,25,696 crore rupees as against 3,04,002 crore rupees in the same period last year. An official release said, net direct tax collections was also up by 15 percent at 2 ,70,731 crore rupees, as compared to 2,35,333 crore rupees during the same perio d in the last fiscal. // Mumbai to house National Museum of Indian Cinema

The Government has decided to set up a National Museum of Indian Cinemas in Mumb ai. The work on setting up the Museum is in progress. Giving this information in the Lok Sabha in a written reply today, Information and Broadcasting Minister M anish Tewari said the Museum will be a repository of valuable information concer ning Indian Cinemas. It will have interesting details for cinema goers, film makers, film st udents, enthusiasts and critics. Mr. Tewari said the museum will have interactiv e galleries and two cinema theatres with seating capacities of 155 and 210 each. It will also have an amphitheatre with a seating capacity of 400 and studios to demonstrate various stages of film production and shooting to the visitors, he said. // More than 99% voters get EPIC cards ahead of Guj Assembly 1st phase polls In Gujarat, campaigning for the first phase of assembly elections comes to an en d this evening. A total of 87 constituencies spread over 15 districts from Saura shtra and south regions and Ahmedabad district of the state will go to polls in this phase on Thursday. Political fate of 846 candidates including 46 women will be decided by about 1 crore 50 lakhs voters. Our correspondent reports that more than 99 percent voters have been provided wi th the Electors Photo Identity Cards EPIC. Polling parties are being rushed toda y to their polling stations. Security forces have already reached the areas. Meanwhile, the election commission has banned conducting any exit poll and publi shing or publicizing it by means of the print or electronic media or disseminati ng in any other manner. The Commission has said in its communiqu that this ban wo uld be effective during the period of 48 hours ending with the hours fixed for c onclusion of poll. Our correspondent reports that in their last bid to woo voters for their party c andidates several senior leaders from both Congress and BJP are to address elect ion rallies today in poll bound constituencies. Congress's star campaigner Rahul Gandhi today alleged the Modi government was ov erlooking concerns and issues of the common man. Addressing an election rally at Jamnagar in Saurashtra region he said Mahatma Gandhi taught us to listen toi th e common man but unfortunately in Gandhiji's native place Gujarat, the common ma n has been neglected by the state government. He said even sittings of the state assembly take place only for 25 days in a year and opposition was not allowed t o raise issues of the common man and weaker sections. He alleged that the opposi tion was suppressed in the state. Without naming BJP leaders and Chief Minister Narendra Modi, the Congress leader alleged that there was no check on corruption in the state and more than 14 thousand RTI applications are pending with the go vernment.He also raised issues of drinking water in urban areas and irrigation f acilities to the farmer and said that it was unfortunate without solving the pro blems of the common man the Chief Minister was claiming the State has made progr ess. He also highlighted the welfare schemes and programmes initiated by the cen tre and alleged that these were not being implemented in Gujarat properly. Mr. Gandhi will be addressing rallies at Amreli and Sanand also. Senior BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani and the Chief Minister Narendra Modi are al so scheduled to address election rallies at Ahmedabad, Saurashtra region and San and. In the last leg of campaigning for the first phase. Adding glamour,ruling B haratiya Janata Party has roped in several Gujarati film and TV artists includin g Firoz Irani and Suchitra Trivedi for canvassing for party candidates. Famous H indi film actor Paresh Rawal and TV artist and Party MP Smriti Irani are also ca mpaigning for BJP candidates. Earlier, Congress President Sonia Gandhi had said that only Congress can provide good living conditions to the common people and now time has come to bring chan

ge in Gujarat. Addressing a public rally at Dakor in Kheda district in Central G ujarat yesterday. Mrs. Gandhi said that BJP Government in the state has misused the money given by the Centre for the welfare of poor people. On the other hand, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has launched a sharp att ack on the Congress alleging that its vote bank politics has destroyed the count ry and the party had no agenda for the Assembly elections. Mr.Modi accused the Congress of spreading lies and defaming Gujarat besides plac ing obstacles in the development of the state. // Greater North-South collaboration needed to achieve energy devpt goals: Min Abdu llah New and Renewable Energy minister Farooq Abdullah today called for a greater Sou th-South and North-South collaboration to help achieve national as well as globa l energy development goals. He said this while inaugurating a two-day Delhi Clea n Energy Conference-2012 in New Delhi. Lauding the achievements of Jawaharlal Ne hru National Solar Mission in bringing down cost per unit of solar energy, the m inister said that more efforts are required to make solar and clean energy comme rcially viable. In this regard, the minister also sought cooperation from the Wo rld Bank and concerned stakeholders for financing clean energy that remains a si gnificant challenge in developing countries. Mr Abdullah urged for more investme nt in research and in improving energy efficiency. // Rise above political considerations, extend constructive support to govt : I&B M in to Opp The government today said disruption of the House on a daily basis just to score some brownie points is not in the interest of the country or the people. Speaki ng to the media outside the Parliament, Minister of Information and Broadcasting Manish Tewari said the allegations raised by the Opposition in the House should be verified in their en tirety.Replying to a question on obstruction of proceedings in Parliament by sup porting parties of the UPA, Mr Tewari reiterated government's commitment to push through economic reforms. He urged them to rise above narrow political consider ations and extend their constructive support to the government. // K'taka all party team to request PM not to issue final notification of Cauvery T ribunal Award Chief Minister of Karnataka Jagadish Shetter told the legislative Assembly today that an all party delegation will be taken to the Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Si ngh with a request not to issue final notification of the award by Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal in 2007. He said that a review petition and original suit is pending before the Supreme Court against the Tribunal Award and hence the final notification should not be issued now. The Tribunal had awarded 419 TMC of Cauve ry water to Tamilnadu and 270 TMC to Karnataka, 30 TMC to Kerala and 7 TMC to Pu ducherry. This Award is challenged in the Supreme Court by all the four States. Chief Mini ster informed that a floor leaders' meeting will be convened soon to chalk out d etails to be presented before the Cauvery River Authority,CRA. The leader of the Opposition in Assembly Siddaramaiah accepted the invitation of the Government t o take a delegation to the Prime Minister. The Water Resources minister Basavara j Bommai informed the House that Supreme Court has not given any fresh direction to the State yesterday on release of water to Tamilnadu, as it was pointed to t he court that a civil notification and review petition is pending before CRA. Meanwhile Karnataka has stopped release of Cauvery water to Tamilnadu since yest

erday. Abiding by the Supreme Court order, the state had released 10,000 cusecs of water everyday for a week, upto last Sunday. // Former IMF head Strauss Kahn reaches deal with NY hotel maid; financial settleme nt confidential The former head of the International Monetary Fund Dominique Strauss-Khan and th e hotel maid who accused him of sexual assault have reached a financial settleme nt. The deal was announced by a judge in New York. The amount Mr. Strauss-Kahn w ill pay the maid, Nafissatou Diallo will remain confidential. This is the end of a saga which began in May 2011 in a New York hotel room. Amid high drama, Mr Strauss-Kahn was arrested on a plane at John F Kennedy airport h ours after leaving the hotel. He was charged with sexually assaulting the maid w ho was about to clean his room. // Mumbai Service Tax dept seizes aircraft of Kingfisher Airlines The Mumbai Service Tax department has seized an aircraft of the crisis-hit Kingf isher Airlines. Deputy Commissioner of Service Tax department had sent an order to Kingfisher that seven aircraft of the airline in Mumbai will be impounded as the airline had defaulted on service tax dues of 200 crore rupees. Kingfisher has been grounded since October 1st and on 19th of the same month, th e regulator suspended its flying licence. // Taliban to attend Afghan colloquim hosted by France in Paris The Taliban has said it would attend a conference in Paris on Afghanistan this m onth but would not hold peace talks with Afghan government delegates or other gr oups. A member of Afghanistan's government-appointed High Peace Council said tha t its representatives would meet the Taliban. Din Mohammad, who is also a cabine t minister said the government representatives could meet Taliban on the sidelin es of the meeting. President Hamid Karzai has long sought peace talks with the T aliban, who have waged an 11-year insurgency, but they have dismissed his govern ment as a puppet of the United States. Presidential spokesman Aimal Faizi said t hey welcome any conference that is aimed at peace and stability in Afghanistan. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement that the Taliban had ac cepted an invitation to attend the conference, which French government sources d escribed as an internal Afghan colloquim on the future of the country. // SC notice to Nepal Prez on Mahatao candidacy Nepal s Supreme Court has issued a show cause notice to President Dr Ram Baran Yad av and the office of the President on the issue of the Kishori Mahatao applying for the post of Prime Minister. A single bench of Chief justice Khil Raj Regmi y esterday has sought an explanation as to why the deadline for the political part ies to seek a consensual candidate for Prime Minister had been extended when Mah atao had filed his candidacy as sought by the head of the State. The order was i ssued in response to a writ petition filed by Kishori Mahatao . The bench has as ked the defendants, President Yadav, Office of the President , Prime minister an d the office of the Prime Minister to file their reply by fifteen days. Mahatao a leader of Lokkalyankari Janata Dal had filed a writ petition in the Ap ex court on Friday stating that despite his nomination filed at the President s of fice for the Prime Minister s post the authorities had not taken it forward. Stati ng that the presidential call for formation of a consensus government did not sp ecify the nature of the political parties whether or not they needed to be repre sented in the dissolved Constituent Assembly, he filed his candidacy for the pos t prime minister on 29th of last month. He also claimed that he had the support

of twelve parties registered with the Election Commission. // Venezuelan PM Chavez in Cuba for cancer surgery; VP Maduro named successor The Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has arrived in Cuba for a cancer operation. This will be his fourth operation in 18 months. Mr. Chavez was welcomed by his Cuban counterpart, Raul Castro, at the airport in the capital, Havana. Before le aving Venezuela Mr. Chavez spoke publicly for the first time about handing over to a successor. He named Vice President Nicolas Maduro as his successor if he co uld not return to power. Mr. Chavez who was re-elected in October had previously said he had beaten cancer. // Mali PM resigns after arrest by army The Prime Minister of Mali has resigned shortly after he was arrested by members of the armed forces. Cheikh Modibo Diarra announced his resignation on state te levision. He had been leading an interim government installed to restore stabili ty after a military coup in March. Earlier a police officer and an intelligence official confirmed that Prime Minister Diarra was arrested at his home yesterday . A military spokesman said the order came from Captain Amadou Haya Sanogo who l ed the coup in March. The spokesman said the Prime Minister was trying to leave Mali for France. For several weeks, tension has been mounting between the soldie rs who led Mali s March 21 coup and Diarra, the civilian prime minister they were forced to appoint when they handed back power to a transitional government. // Romania's ruling Social Liberal Union led by PM Ponta wins parliamentary electio ns Romania's center-left ruling coalition has won Sunday's parliamentary elections. With more than 80 percent of the ballots counted yesterday, the Social-Liberal Union led by Prime Minister Victor Ponta has won about 60 percent of the votes d efeating President Traian Basescu's Right Romania Alliance. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, which monitored the vote, says the election was conducted in a professional manner. The two candidates have been locked in a personal feud since Mr. Ponta tried but failed to impeach the President in Jul y. Mr. Basescu has hinted that he might refuse to reappoint Mr. Ponta, regardless o f who won the election. // Rebels fail to show up; Congo peace talks fail Peace talks between Congo's government and rebels faltered yesterday when rebels did not show up for the second day of negotiations. The delegation from the M23 rebel group stayed in their hotel in the Ugandan capital, Kampala. They did not say whether or not they would show up for the talks today. Congolese government officials insisted on being allowed to rebut the charges yesterday. However, wh en the rebels did not show up for yesterday's talks, government officials did no t deliver their response, saying they must do so in front of the rebel delegatio n. M23 withdrew from the eastern Congolese city of Goma last week but has threatene d to retake the city if the government fails to begin negotiations. The rebels d efeated the Congolese army in a series of battles this year. A panel of United Nations experts has accused Uganda and Rwanda of supporting th e rebel group, something that both countries have denied. The fighting has displ aced more than 100,000 people in Congo's North Kivu province aggravating an alre ady serious humanitarian situation in the region. // Malta faces fresh elections as govt collapses

Malta faces new elections after its government collapsed yesterday over negotiat ions for next year's budget. The Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi lost his one-vote majority after a dissenting MP reportedly voted against the budget bill in prot est over transport reforms. Mr Gonzi told reporters that Parliament will be diss olved on 7 thJanuary and new elections are set to be held in early March. Mr Gon zi, a lawyer by profession, had been in power since 2004. His 2013 budget propos al was defeated after Franco Debono, a member of the ruling Nationalist Party, w ithdrew his support for the bill. The move comes in protest over the government's decision to hand the management of Malta's bus service to a German operator. The Nationalist Party has governed Malta since 1987, apart from 1996-1998 when Labour was in power. The nation of 4 19,000 people gained independence from Britain in 1964. // Remove Noida officials or face action : Allhabad HC to UP govt Uttar Pradesh, the Allahabad High Court has directed the state government to ens ure compliance of its November 8, 2012 order for the removal of two key official s of Noida in letter and spirit. The court has also directed the government to f ile an affidavit to the effect on December 14, failing which action would be tak en for the contempt of court. The order was passed by Justice Vikram Nath on the contempt application filed by the petitioner on Friday last. Our Lucknow correspondent reports that on November 8, a double bench of the high court had directed the Samajwadi Party government in Uttar Pradesh to remove No ida's chairperson Rakesh Bahadur and chief executive officer Sajeev Saran. The c ourt had also directed not to post these two officers anywhere in western UP and had ordered the CBI to probe charges of corruption against them and submit the report within six months. The November 8 judgement came on a public interest litigation filed by a social organisation which alleged that the two officers had been accused of facilitatin g the sale of prime land in Noida to hoteliers at throw away price during 2005-0 7 when Mulayam Singh Yadav was chief minister of the state. A case was registere d against the two officers in 2009 by the then Mayawati government. The land all otments were cancelled and FIRs were lodged against Bahadur and Saran. // Five poachers arrested near Bandavgarh reserve for electrocuting tiger In Madhya Pradesh, five poachers have been arrested for allegedly electrocuting a tiger near Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in Umaria district. The feline's teeth an d skin have also been recovered. Divisional Forest Officer RPS Baghel said that the tiger was found dead on Sunday night by forest officials under Ghunghuti for est area's Majhgavan forest. Forest officials said that they have arrested five persons from Shahdol district in this connection. The arrested poachers said the y had struck a deal to sell the tiger's skin for 10,000 rupees. This is the thir d incident of a tiger being killed in this manner in Madhya Pradesh in the recen t past // CBI questions UP pvt firm in NRHM irregularities Central Bureau of Investigation, CBI has recently questioned executives of a pri vate firm in connection with alleged irregularities in the supply of mobile medi cal units for providing medical facilities in some districts of Uttar Pradesh un der the National Rural Health Mission, NRHM. CBI sources told our Lucknow correspondent that two private firms and a UP-based NGO are being probed for their alleged role in grabbing the contract worth arou nd 40 crore rupees which caused an approximate loss of over 20 crore rupees to t he exchequer. CBI sources said that representatives of the private firm were que

stioned at CBI headquarters in Delhi recently in connection with the scam. The s cheme was launched last year under the public-private partnership model to provi de medical help to rural people in 133 blocks spread over 15 districts which wer e difficult to reach or affected by Maoists. Under the NRHM, a budget of 42.68 crore rupees was approved by the Centre for th e project for providing facilities including mother and child healthcare, immuni zation programme besides other services which are available at Primary Health Ce ntre. // State rights commission & govt co-ordination necessary for implementation of rec ommendations : CJ The Chief Justice of India Mr. Altamas Kabir has said that the success of the St ate Human Rights Commission depends on the good co-ordination with the respectiv e State governments. Addressing a function on the occasion of World Human Rights Day in Kolkata last night Mr. Kabir said that the implementation of the recomme ndations of the Human Rights Commission depends on the level of co-ordination be tween the Commission and State Governments. He said that the State Government ha s its duties and responsibilities in implementing the recommendations of the Com mission as its part of governance. The Chief Justice of India said justice seeke rs may move to court if the State Government does not implement the recommendati ons of the Human Rights Commission. He said that government does not want to imp lement those recommendations of the Human Rights Commission which goes against t hem. The West Bengal Human Rights Commission Chairman Justice Ashok Kumar Gangul y said that the State Government should take a reasonable view on accepting the recommendations of the Commission. // Colombo protest rally on rights day in support of missing activists The International Human Rights Day in Sri Lanka was marked by a protest rally in support of two Human Rights activists who disappeared last year on December 9. Hundreds of protesters participated in a march in Colombo to pressure the govern ment in searching for the two activists. Lalith Weeraraju and Kugan Muruganandan disappeared in the former war zone in the northern parts of the country, while organizing a protest against war crimes. The protestors suspect the hand of the army in their disappearance, a charge tha t the army has repeatedly denied. // Asia to be more powerful than US & Europe combined by 2030: US study A forecast from the U.S intelligence community has found that Asia will wield mo re global power than the U.S and Europe combined by 2030. The report said that w ithin two decades China will overtake the US as the world's largest economy. It also warned of slower growth and falling living standards in advanced nations wi th ageing populations. Global Trends 2030 issued to coincide with Mr Obama's sec ond term, says it aims to promote strategic thinking. Published every four years, the report from the National Intelligence Council , NIC aims to draw together a wide sweep of megatrends driving transformation in t he world. The NIC suggests that by 2030, Asia will have more overall power than the US and Europe combined taking into account population size, Gross Domestic P roduct, military spending and investment in technology. The study is the fifth in a series. The last edition was published in 2008. // 2012 laureates receive Nobel award The 2012 Nobel laureates in medicine, literature, economics, physics and chemist ry received their prizes from Swedish King Carl -16 Gustaf at a gala ceremony in

Stockholm yesterday. The formal event, held as tradition dictates on the anniversary of the death of prize founder Alfred Nobel in 1896, took place at Stockholm's Concert Hall. The Nobel Prize consists of a gold medal, a diploma, and eight million Kronor (n early 1.2 million US dollars), to be shared if there is more than one recipient. // 2G case accused move SC on special bench orders Swan Telecom promoter Shahid Usman Balwa and the other accused moved the Supreme Court against the order of its bench which had stayed proceedings on all petiti ons relating to the 2G spectrum case before the Delhi High Court. They sought st aying of the April 11, 2011 and November 9, 2012 orders of a special bench heade d by Justice G S Singhvi which had directed that no court other than the apex co urt shall entertain any application relating to the case // US commandos rescue Indian-American doctor from Taliban custody in Afghanistan In a daring rescue operation, elite American commandos have rescued an Indian-Am erican doctor, who was in the custody of the Taliban in Afghanistan, losing one Navy SEAL and killing seven insurgents. Colorado-based Dilip Joseph had been abducted on 5th of this month along with tw o Afghan colleagues as they left a rural medical clinic in Sorobi district in Ka bul province. He was rescued on Sunday morning. The spokesman for US forces in A fganistan, Lt. Joseph Alonso, said that this was a combined operation of the US and Afghan forces //