Daily News Notes

· Hectic parleys continue to find an amicable solution to the Telengana crisis. Andhra Pradesh Governor E S L Narsimhan, The Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister met the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and Home Minister forits solution. The Telangana Joint Action Committee has launched a Bus-Yatra from Hyderabad to Singareni Coal mines of Kothagudem in support to the coal workers who have been playing key role in the ongoing general strike as it continues on the 27 th day today.
· The Supreme Court, which has appointed senior advocate Raju Ramachandaran, will hear tomorrow the plea of Pakistani terrorist Ajmal Kasab challenging his conviction and death sentence. The apex court had also agreed to hear the plea of Maharashtra government against the acquittal of two accused Faheem Ansari and Sabauddin Ahmed in the 26/11 case.
· A fierce gunbattle today broke out between security forces and terrorists in the forest area of Kangan in central Kashmir's Ganderbal district after Army assisted by police launched search operation.
· The Centre will provide ten pre-fabricated community-hall type structures for immediate rehabilitation of those who lost their houses in the last months earthquake in the worst hit North district of Sikkim.
· A two week long exercise India-Bangladesh joint Military Exercise named Sampriti II and led by Major S.Y Mahadhik began at the Jalalabad Cantonment of the Bangladesh Army.
· The Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse's Party, the United People's Freedom Alliance has won 22 out of 23 local councils in elections.
· Russia's lower house of Parliament(Duma) has overwhelmingly voted to approve an inter-governmental deal on visa regime simplification. This will benefit Indian citizens wanting to travel to Russia for tourism or business purposes.
· Under The National Framework on Vocational Education, more than 150 million students will be provided vocational training to ensure employment opportunities for school drop outs (after passing eighth standard). Students can register in various vocational courses like carpentering, para-medical, hospitality and construction among others, and provides certification(by CBSE) and job after 12th.
· In Assam, a special adult vaccination drive for Japanese Encephalitis has been launched in highly endemic Sibsagar district. Around 3000 health department personnel including ASHA and Anganwadi workers have been engaged to make the vaccination campaign a success. Assam government will also launch measles catch-up programme to vaccinate all children in the age group of 9 months to 10 years within this month. Measles is a leading cause of childhood mortalityand are at highest risk of dying with severe health complications such as pneumonia, diarrhoea and encephalities.
· Kerala government is planning to purchase about 600 MW electricity from the private sector to tackle severe power crisis (due to prolonged Telegana agitation and reduction in electricity supply from the Central pool).
· Harpreet Singh bagged the first prize at the second edition of the Indian Cyclothon held in New Delh.i The race was divided into four categories, the elite race for professionals, the race for amateurs and school children, one for corporates besides a Green Ride meant to create awareness about the benefits of Cycling. The Cyclothon is indeed an innovative and fun way of creating environmental awareness, and educating people on how to reduce pollution levels and make the cities cleaner and greener.