Amazon to launch iPad rival in October: Report

Online retail giant Amazon.com is all set to unveil a tablet computer by October, says a report. “Amazon plans to release a tablet computer by October,” The Wall Street Journal reported, citing a source. The tablet will have a roughly nine-inch screen and will run on Google’s Android operating system. The device will allow customers to watch videos, read electronic books and listen to digital music they purchase or rent from the online retailer, the report noted.  

Bombings expose India's counter-terror effort

In spite of massive investments in investigation and counter-terrorism intelligence capabilities since 26/11, police forces across the country have made little progress in identifying the perpetrators of the five major urban attacks which have taken place since then.The attacks include the February 2010 bombing of the German Bakery in Pune; the April 2010 serial bombings at the Chinnaswamy stadium in Bangalore, the drive-by shooting at Delhi's iconic Jama Masjid in September 2010, and the December 2010 bombing at the Shitla Ghat in Varanasi.

PSLV to put GSAT-12 in orbit on Friday

With the 53-hour countdown for the launch of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C17) commencing at 11.48 a.m. on Wednesday, the stage is set for the rocket's lift-off from Sriharikota at 4.48 p.m. on Friday.The PSLV-C17 will put in orbit communication satellite GSAT-12, which weighs 1,410 kg. It is a more powerful version of the standard PSLV, called PSLV-XL that will put the satellite in orbit after a 20-minute flight.

'Deshbandhu' - Chittaranjan Das

Chittaranjan Das (1870-1925), whose life is a landmark in the history of India's struggle for freedom, was endearingly called 'Deshbandhu' (Friend of the country). Born on November 5, 1870 in Calcutta, he belonged to an upper middle class Vaidya family of Telirbagh in the then Dacca district. His father, Bhuban Moban Das, was a reputed solicitor of the Calcutta High Court. An ardent member of the Brahmo Samaj, he was also well-known for his intellectual and Journalistic pursuits. 

Prime Minister to Inaugurate State Ministers of Welfare and Social Justice Conference Tomorrow. Implementation of Welfare Schemes Targeted at Scheduled Castes, Tribes, Disabled Persons and Senior Citizens Will Come up for Discussion.

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh will inaugurate a two day conference of the State Ministers of Welfare and Social Justice at Vigyan Bhavan, tomorrow.On the first day of the Conference issues relating to Development of Scheduled Castes and OBCs will be discussed. Progress in the Implementation of Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955, Prevention of Atrocities Act, 1989 and the Centrally sponsored Scheme will also be discussed. Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers, Implementation of revised Post Matric Scholarship Scheme, payment of scholarships to students on a regular basis, through Bank and Post Offices. The State Ministers will discuss progress of implementation and utilisation, status of release of funds receipts of proposals in 2011-12 and their sanction, Grievance Redress System for Scholarship Holders. The conference will debate on the Pending Utilization Certificates under Special Central Assistance and Data about beneficiaries who have been able to cross the poverty line. 

PMO moves ahead on affirmative action in the private sector, catalyses self regulation through Ombudsman

More than 1 500 companies in the private sector have adopted a voluntary code of conduct for implementation of affirmative action.The action hinges around four major points - Employability, Education, Entrepreneurship Development, and Employment (4E). The Chambers of Industry have reported that under the 4E Programme, 112702 persons have benefitted so far.

Union Finance Minister Calls for Strong Measures to Reverse the Ongoing Trend of Illicit Outflows from Developing Countries and Exploitation of their Natural Resources Through Abusive Transfer Pricing Schemes; Inaugurates two Day High Level International Seminar on “Adopting Tax System and International Tax Rules to the New Global Environment: a Shared Challenge for India and the Oecd”; India Oecd to Strengthen Ongoing Cooperation on Tax Related Issues Through three Year Partnership Programme

The Union Finance Minister, Shri Pranab Mukherjee calls for strong measures to reverse the ongoing trend of illicit outflows from developing countries and exploitation of their natural resources through abusive transfer pricing schemes. Shri Mukherjee said that this abusive behavior is robbing developing countries of their scarce resources, which is required for financing of developmental programmes. The Finance Minister said that a recent report of global financial integrity outlines the illicit outflows from developing countries. The Union Finance Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee said that we need to take strong measures to reverse this trend. He said that India and Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development(OECD) can partner in this process. Shri Mukherjee said that transfer pricing continues to be an important tax issue due to high increase in cross border trade taking place within multinational enterprises located in developed, developing and undeveloped countries. He said that these challenges of new global environment will have to be addressed through bilateral and multi-lateral cooperation. Shri Mukherjee said that the emphasis of cooperation has to be on professional and skill up-gradation both in tax administration and in industry. He said that both India and OECD have been taking several steps to improve professional standard and competencies in these areas.