Daily News Notes

· Indian Mujahideen, another terrorist out fit has dismissed the Huji claim saying they were responsible for the Delhi High Court blast.
· Members of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation have called for removing tariff and non-tariff barriers among member nations and to prepare a road map for regional economic union to boost regional trade and investment. All leader from Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, and others have said that the economic integration of the region should not be held hostage to historical legacies, differences and political disputes.
· India's exports maintained sterling performance in August, growing year-on-year by 44.2 per cent to 24.3 billion dollars despite problems in major economies of the west. Except iron ore, other sectors including engineering, chemicals and textiles have shown robust growth. He said that imports too grew by a fast pace of 41.8 per cent to 38.4 billion dollars. This leaves a trade deficit of USD 14.1 billion for August.
· The gross direct tax collection grew by around 26 per cent during the month of April to August of the current financial year. Direct tax collection rose to 1,54,360 crore rupees during these months from 1,22,618 crore rupees in the corresponding period last year.
· Entire country will be covered under the Prevention and control of cancer, diabetes and heart diseases programme in the next five-year Plan. Over 50 percent deaths in the country occur due to these diseases which are non-communicable in nature.
· In Bihar, more than 450 officials are under vigilance scanner. Five of them are IAS and IPS officers.
· The President Mrs Pratibha Devisingh Patil will give away the 58th National Film Awards for the year 2010. Veteram Film maker K. Balachander will be conferred the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke Award for the year - 2010. Tamil actor Dhanush and Malyalam actor Salim Kumar to share the award for best actor. Marathi actress Mitalee Jagtap Varadkar and Tamil film actress Povallal have been selected for best actress award. Indira Gandhi Best debut film director award will be given to Marathi film Babu Band Baza and its director Rajesh Pinjani.
· Thiruonam is being celebrated today by Keralites all over the world with great joy and enthusiasm. The festival is celebrated to commemorate the prosperity and peace that prevailed during the rule of the mythical king Mahabali, who is believed to visit Kerala on Thiruvonam day.
· Supreme Court has refused to restrain BCCI secretary N Srinivasan from taking over as president of the Board.
· Indian trap shooter Shagun Chowdhary has qualified for the 2012 London Olympics
· The Finance Ministers from the G-7 countries are meeting in the French city of Marseille today looking for fresh ways to spur economic growth and calm the crisis in the world's financial markets.
· The US Special Representative for Myanmar, Derek Mitchell, has arrived in Myanmar for talks with the new nominally civilian government.