RBI eases norms to help India Inc increase global footprint

In order to encourage Indian companies to expand their global footprint and showcase entrepreneurial skills, the Reserve Bank on Friday relaxed norms for overseas direct investments.The regulations relating to overseas direct investments, RBI said in a circular, are being liberalised “with a view to providing more operational flexibility to Indian corporates having investments abroad.”

Kannada development authority’s plea to Kerala Govt.

Kannada Development Authority today appealed to Kerala Government to withdraw its circular making learning of Malayalam the first language from first to tenth standard in all schools in the border district of Kasargod.The May 6 circular would cause hardship to students as majority of those living in Kasargod are Kannadigas, KDA Chairman ‘Mukyamantri’ Chandru told reporters in Bangalore.In a federal system, States have to respect all languages and Karnataka has been following this principle, he said.It is not advisable to impose Malayalam on linguistic minorities living in Kasargod, he said.Mr. Chandru said he would request Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa and Minister for Primary and Secondary Education Vishweshwara Hegde Kageri to write to their Kerala counterparts seeking withdrawal of the circular.

Courtesy : The Hindu

Benevolence, technology save lives of two infants

It's a perfect case of kindness and technology coming to the aid of two four month-old infants born with defective heart valves in the city.Thanks to the courageous and noble act of parents of Sony, a 40-day-old brain-dead infant, in allowing the doctors to harvest the vital organs, Devi Priya and Sahil have received a fresh lease of life. Both the children, now around four-months old received the heart valves, harvested from Sony recently.

EGoM to consider hike in prices of diesel, kerosene, LPG soon

Worried over the mounting under-recoveries of the oil marketing companies (OMCs), the Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM), headed by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, is likely to meet on June 9 to consider a hike in prices of diesel, kerosene and domestic LPG.

Training to set up Agriclinics

The Union Ministry of Agriculture has launched a programme to set up Agriclinics and Agribusiness centres in each district in the State to provide quality extension services to farmers.The programme is being implemented by Kerala Agricultural University and MANAGE, Hyderabad. It aims at developing agricultural graduates into consultants or entrepreneurs by imparting specialised training in areas related to Agriclincs, Agribusiness and agri consultancy.

iPhone 4 launched in India

Eleven months after Apple’s next-generation smartphone hit stores worldwide, the iPhone 4 was launched on Friday in India, the world’s second biggest market for mobile phones.Declaring the rollout of one of the most expected smartphone in the world by Bharti airtel in Kolkata and in 34 other cities in India, Airtel CEO (West Bengal and Orissa) P.D. Sharma told PTI the iPhone 4 will create a separate space from the clutter of smartphone in the market, many of them having copied Apple features.

RBI to banks: Reimburse failed ATM transactions in 7 days

The Reserve Bank on Friday directed banks to reimburse customers for amounts wrongfully debited from their accounts in failed ATM transactions within seven days of an account holder’s complaint or else pay a Rs. 100 per day compensation.“The time limit for resolution of customer complaints by the issuing banks shall stand reduced from 12 working days to seven working days from the date of receipt of customer complaint,” the RBI said in a notification.

Lok Adalat seeks views of Railways, PCB

The Ernakulam Permanent Lok Adalat, on Thursday, directed Railways and the Pollution Control Board to give their view on a petition seeking a directive to Railways to prevent dumping of toilet waste from running trains into the open.The petition complained that the waste was neither collected nor treated before being dumped into the open environment. The petitioner, D.B. Binu, a lawyer, said the practice had an adverse effect on the health of the people. Human excreta contained a large number of germs that could cause diarrhoea, cholera, typhoid, and other parasitic infections.

US offers assistance in dealing with money laundering

The United States has offered assistance to India to deal with money laundering and fake currency menace, besides cooperation in issues related to cross-border terrorism.The visiting Secretary of the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Janet Napolitano called on Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee in New Delhi on Friday and the two leaders explored the areas of bilateral cooperation.

India announces USD 180 mn new line of credit for Tanzania

India has announced a new line of credit of USD 180 mn for Tanzania and signed a pact on avoidance of double taxation as the two countries agreed to intensify cooperation to combat terrorism and piracy and work closely for comprehensive UN reforms.On a three-day visit in Tanzania, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said after wide-ranging discussions with Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete that the new line of credit will be for water supply projects in country's capital Dar es Salaam.

PM praises Tanzania's Indian community

The Indian community in Dar es Salaam came in for praise from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who said they have earned a reputation for entrepreneurial spirit, perseverance and hard work making remarkable contributions to the development of Tanzania.On a three-day visit to give a fresh impetus to bilateral ties, Dr. Singh met the Indian community in Dar es Salaam last night and said they symbolized the contemporary face of civilizational and historical linkages with Tanzania and with East Africa as a whole.

Sowing of Kharif Pulses and Oilseeds Begins

As per latest reports received from different States, sowing of kharif pulses and oilseeds has further progressed in different parts of the country.In Uttar Pradesh, moong has been sown in 1.12 lakh hectare and urad in 38,000 hectare. Moong has been sown in 31,000 hectare in Gujarat and in 40,000 hectares in Bihar. The crop condition of summer pulses is reported to be satisfactory.Groundnut has been sown in 15,800 lakh hectare so far.Cotton has been sown in 9.5 lakh hectare as compared to 8.11 lakh hectare last year. No incidence of insect, pest and disease has been reported by the States.Sowing of Jute and Mesta is also in progress. 8.13 lakh hectare has been covered under the cultivation of jute and mesta till date as compared to 7.18 lakh hectare last year.Sugarcane has been planted in 48.96 lakh hectare so far as compared to 46.69 lakh hectare at this point of time last year..

Courtesy : PIB

Chinese military sets up special cyber warfare unit

The People’s Liberation Army (PLA), of China has formed a special cyber warfare unit called Blue Team, to safeguard the Internet security of the military, Chinese Defence Ministry has said.It is important for the military to strengthen its defence capabilities against internet attacks, Defence Ministry spokesman Geng Yansheng has been quoted as saying in the official media here today.“China is a victim of cyber attacks. Cyber attacks have become an international problem affecting both civilian and military areas. China is relatively weak in cyber security and has often been targeted. This temporary programme is aimed at improving our defences against such attacks,” Geng said. He added that it was only a training programme based on their needs and warning others not to exaggerate the issue.

Panda launches cloud office protection solution in India

Cloud-based security solutions provider Panda Security today announced the launch of Panda Cloud Office Protection (PCOP) solution in India.In a statement the company said, “Designed to protect all endpoints devices, static or mobile, anytime and anywhere, PCOP applies profile based policies in real time to users providing them with highest security, in real time”.Ideal for mobile workers, decentralised and franchised businesses, PCOP is offered to consumers over a ‘SaaS’ architecture designed for fast deployment and implementation. PCOP includes firewall protection, personal or managed, as well as protection for files, email, http/ftp and instant messaging.

Courtesy : The Hindu

CARAPP: an iPhone app to rent out your car

Researchers have developed a new iPhone application which can allow you to share your car with others and potentially generate some good rental income. The new app by Getaround, a car-sharing service provider in the US, enables car owners to “un-idle” their cars and offset the cost of vehicle ownership by sharing it with others.

G-8 wants high standard of regulation on nuclear safety

Leaders of G-8 countries urged for more stringent international rules on nuclear safety following the disaster at Japan's Fukushima plant. Talking to reporters at G-8 summit in the northern French seaside town of Deauville, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said the members of G-8 wish to get a very high standard of regulation on nuclear safety, that will apply to all countries involved in civilian nuclear energy and which will take safety to the highest levels ever.

Nation pays homage to Pt. Nehru on his 47th death anniversary

A grateful nation today pays homage to the country's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on his 47th death anniversary. President Pratibha Devisingh Patil, Vice-President Mohammad Hamid Ansari, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit were among the first to pay floral tributes to the late leader at his memorial, Shanti Van, in New Delhi. Several functions including seminar and symposiums are being organised across the country to mark the occasion.

Courtesy : AIR