Daily News Notes

· The bilateral discussions including subjects ranging from terrorism, Siachen, Kashmir,Sir Kreek,Water sharing to trade relations was held between Indian and Pakistan PM. Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik said that the 26/11 Mumbai attack accused Kasab should be hanged and emphasized on a change of mindset of the people of both the countries. Minister also informed that a Judicial Commission from Pakistan will visit India soon to collect evidence against the culprits of the Mumbai terror attacks.
· The Rural Development Minister is on a two day visit to Chhattisgarh to review the implementation of the Rural Development schemes in the naxal affected areas of the state. He disclosed that during the 12th Five Year Plan, blocks instead of districts will be considered as units for receiving funds for naxal affected area. Centre will soon bringing a fresh Mines and Mineral Development Regulation Bill during the 4th coming winter session of Parliament which will have the provision of setting up of ‘District Mineral Fund’ which will be utilized for developmental works in those districts where the mines are located and will replace the existing system where royalties which accrue from mining activities, go straight to the coffers of the state government. He also said that all the Rural development schemes will be brought under the purview of audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General, CAG,for the better transparency and accountability.
· The Insurance Regulatory Development Authority, IRDA has directed all the insurance agents to disclose the policy maturity benefits at the time of sale and all pension products must explicitly define assured benefits applicable on death, surrender and vesting.
· The visit of former President Dr.A.P.J.Abdul Kalaam had created a positive impact in the minds of the people in allaying the fears over Protestors on the Koodankulam nuclear plant.
· Talking to reporters in New Delhi, Sports Minister Ajay Makan said revised draft of the National Sports Development Bill may come up for cabinet approval by 20th of this month which have retained the anti-doping clause, age and tenure norms and players participation in administration clauses. Other clauses such as agent tenure norms with the players participation in the executive body at least 25 percent player should be there in the executive body, Sexual harassment causes, Age fraud distraction, Unethical practices clauses including doping are also part of this bill. Referring to the grilling of film stars and former cricketers by the Enforcement Directorate in matters related to the Indian Premier League, the sports Minister said the incident shows the lack of transparency thus he retreated for the sports federations should be brought under the Right to information Act..
· "Indian banking system is not at risk. The downgrade is not justified at this point of time because it is premature," HDFC Chairman Deepak Parekh told reporters. He was responding to the decision of the US based ratings firm Moody's to lower the outlook of the Indian banking system to "negative" from "stable”. A "negative" outlook reflects volatility and uncertain conditions and would increase the cost of borrowing in overseas markets and said that the 18% credit growth projection for the current fiscal is quite healthy for the Indian banking system. Moody's has said that slow growth, both in domestic and foreign economies, is putting stress on banks' asset quality, capitalisation and profitability. Non-performing assets of state-owned banks have increased to 2.31% of their assets at the end of March 2011, from 2.27% in the year-ago period. But according to Parekh, "there are concerns related to restructured loans, but restructured loans as a percentage is not alarming. Profitability of Indian banks is still robust."
· Russia and Georgia have signed an agreement, removing what is believed to be the final obstacle to Russia joining the World Trade Organization (153 member body to which Russia has negotiated for 18 years to join).
· Asian stock markets opened sharply lower today after Italy's record-high cost of borrowing renewed fears over the Eurozone crisis. Also, Oil prices inched lower in Asian trade today as persistent doubts over the Eurozone’s debt crisis cast a pall over crude markets.
· In China, at least 43 workers were trapped insida a coal mine in an accident. Coal mine accidents are common in China, where work safety is often neglected by bosses seeking a quick profit. Last year, 2,433 people died in coal mining accidents in that country.
· In Greece, politicians are set to hold the fourth day of talks to name a new Prime Minister, outgoing Prime Minister George Papandreou confirmed his resignation.
· Guru Nanak Jayanti, the birth anniversary of first Sikh Guru is being celebrated throughout the country. It was on this day in 1469 AD that Guru Nanak was born at Nankana Saheb, which now in Pakistan. Sikh intellectuals delivered lectures on the gospel of Guru Nanak Dev ji who preached a lesson of do your duty, remember god and share your earnings. Delhi Metro Airport Express has also offered 50 per cent discount for passengers to facilitate reaching them at Bngala Sahib which is very close to the Shivaji Metro Station.
· More than 20,000 Sikhs and Sindhi people are celebrating the Prakash Perv in various Gurudwara of bordering district of Kutch. Large number of people visited historical Lakhpat Sahib Gurudwara at Indo Pak border to pay the respect to the Shri Guru Nanak Dev ji who stayed in Lakhpat sahib on his way to Macca and Madina.
· On the occasion of Kartik Purnima (last celebrations of Diwali festivities) today, thousands of people are reaching the sites of holy rivers to take a dip (as they prayed to Gods to protect them and prosper in life) on this auspious day in various parts of Uttar Pradesh
· In the ongoing 2nd World Cup Kabaddi Tournament in Punjab, India will today take on Canada.
· The Indian duo of Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi has crashed out of the Paris Masters tennis tournament in France. The Indian pair has already qualified for the season ending ATP World Tour Finals in London.
· In Hockey, India's Under-21 Men's team defeated New Zealand, to stay in contention for a podium finish in the Sultan of Johor Cup at Johor Bahru in Malaysia.