People back at Jantar Mantar, it's war on corruption

Supporters of Anna Hazare took out a march here on Sunday extending their support to civil society members of the Lokpal Bill drafting committee.Armed with banners, placards, posters and flags, the supporters, after assembling at Jantar Mantar, started their march towards India Gate where a programme of songs and street play was held to pledge their support to the anti-corruption movement being spearheaded by Mr. Hazare. Supporters lit candles at India Gate to express solidarity with the cause.

Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden dead - Obama

Al-Qaeda founder and leader Osama Bin Laden has been killed by US forces, President Barack Obama has said.The al-Qaeda leader was killed in a ground operation based on US intelligence, the first lead for which emerged last August.Mr Obama said after "a firefight" US forces took possession of his body.

20 per cent increase in consumption of iodised salt

Use of adequately iodised salt has increased by 20 per cent in the rural households as against the last country-wide survey conducted under the National Family Health Survey (2005-06).The Iodised Salt Coverage Study 2010, released here earlier this week, suggests that use of iodised salt in rural India has jumped to 47.3 per cent from 27 per cent. Uttarakhand, Orissa, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh witnessed a two-fold increase while Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka have shown relatively lower progress. The study shows that the availability of iodine content in the edible salt has improved as the salt is crushed, washed and refined.

Mis-selling of derivative products: RBI acts

Industry, especially the exporting community, welcomed the recent move of the Reserve Bank of India slapping a maximum penalty, according to the Banking Regulation Act, on 19 commercial banks for mis-selling illegal derivative products to exporters.The RBI has recently imposed penalties on 19 commercial banks for contravention of various instructions issued by the central bank in respect of derivatives, such as, failure to carry out due diligence in regard to suitability of products, selling derivative products to users not having risk management policies and not verifying the underlying/adequacy of underlying and eligible limits under past performance route.

New thinking on planning process

The Central Government has set in motion the process for formulation of the XII Plan (2012-17) starting April 1, 2012, with a tentative intent to achieve a GDP (gross domestic product) growth of about 9-9.5 per cent during the five-year period.As has been the practice for the past many decades, the exercise involves the firming up of an approach paper prepared by the Planning Commission which lays down the major targets in the economic and social sectors, the key challenges and resources that are required in meeting them and the broad strategy that must be adopted to achieve these objectives. 

Davydenko downs Mayer to win BMW Open

Nikolay Davydenko beat Florian Mayer of Germany 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 to win his second BMW Open title on Sunday.The seventh-seeded Russian also won the Munich tournament in 2004.Davydenko broke serve for a decisive 2-0 lead in the final set and breezed through for his 21st title.“I haven’t played that well for a long time,” Davydenko said. “I think I will have to come back.” 

Novak Djokovic wins Serbia Open

Novak Djokovic defeated Feliciano Lopez 7-6 (4), 6-2 on Sunday to win the Serbia Open for his fifth title and 27th straight victory this season.The Australian Open champion was not always at his best in a match often played in rain and had six double faults.“You people make it worth to come back to this city and play and hope for the victories,” said Djokovic, who led Serbia’s Davis Cup team to its first ever victory last year.

Del Potro clinches Estoril Open

Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina beat Fernando Verdasco of Spain 6-2, 6-2 in the Estoril Open final on Sunday, claiming victory in his first clay-court event of the year.The eighth-seeded Del Potro set the tone early by breaking Verdasco’s first service game. He went on to break his opponent twice more to cruise through a first set that he sealed with an ace.Verdasco struggled on serve all match and was broken again in the first game of the second set. The Spaniard was broken again to trail 5-2 after making four consecutive errors, allowing del Potro to serve out the match.It was the former U.S. Open champion’s 10th career win and his second title since recovering from wrist surgery last year. 

Courtesy : The Hindu