Daily News Notes

· Mr P C Chako, Chairman of the Lok Sabha's Privileges Committee has asked the Centre to direct the states and union territories to ensure that protocol in respect of Members of Parliament is not violated as the committee has been receiving several complaints with regard to the violation of the warrant of precedence.
· India has successfully tested a device, Known as Remotely Operatable Submersible, for exploring minerals in deep sea as it is capable of operating at depths of six thousand metres. A remotely operatable soil testing equipment has also been developed for extracting polymetallic nodules. The country's Polymetallic Nodules Programme seeks to explore and develop technologies for mining minerals from the Central Indian Ocean Basin.
· India today successfully test-fired its nuclear capable Agni-I strategic ballistic missile, as part of the Army’s user trial from the test range at Wheeler Island off Odisha coast. The indigenously developed surface-to-surface, single-stage missile, powered by solid propellants, with a strike range of 700 km and has a specialised navigation system which ensures it reaches the target with a high degree of accuracy.
· World AIDS Day is being observed on the1st of December every year across the globe today to generate awareness among the masses about HIV/AIDS and demonstrate international solidarity in the face of the pandemic. Between 2011-2015, World AIDS Days will have the theme of "Getting to zero: zero new HIV infections. Zero discrimination. Zero AIDS related deaths” which signifies a push towards greater access to treatment for all. Nearly 2.5 million people are affected by HIV/AIDS in India and 34 million people in the World. About 25 million people have died of this disease worldwide since the first cases were reported in 1981.
· The Centre will bring a law against discrimination towards AIDS patients soon and will also provide full financial assistance to NGOs for spreading awareness among the people about negative aspects of AIDS. The funding by International donors has reduced due to the global economic crisis but funds will not be a constraint to eradicate the menace of AIDS. In Kerala, because of high literacy rate and excellent health care facilities in all districts the number fresh cases of HIV is fast declining. In Bihar over 44 thousand people with HIV have been reported this year.
· Food inflation (measured by the Wholesale Price Index) witnessed a sharp fall to 8 per cent for the week ended November.
· The government has allocated 19.07 lakh tonnes of sugar for sale in the open market and ration shops during December. Sugar mills are required to sell 10 per cent of their production to the government for PDS supply at cheaper rates.
· The Global Agri-business and Food Processing Summit organized by the Government of Karnataka in partnership with private players has led to signing of MOU worth over 60,000 crore rupees in the field of agri infrastructure, food processing, logistics and floriculture. State Bank of India has come forward to provide 40,000 crore funds to companies intending to invest in agro projects in the state.
· In the fourth Science Conclave being held at Allahabad, many visiting scientists expressed their concern for science education and lack of interest among young school children. Noted Astrophysicist Dr. Jayant Vishnu Narlikar underlined the fact said that Indian books are more or less just a copy and paste job from foreign authors thus student finds it less interesting to read.
· In Iraq 10 persons have been killed in a car bomb explosion. The Iraqi police has killed a suicide bomber who targetted the police headquarters. Over 71 persons have lost their lives in the fresh spurt of violence in Iraq over the past 10 days.The increase in attacks has come at a time when US troops are due to leave Iraq by the end of this month.
· In the United Nations, India's nominee Ambassador Dilip Lahiri was re-elected to the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, a body under the UN Human Rights system, for a three-year term. The win comes over a week after India won a key election to the Joint Inspection Unit defeating China in a direct fight and returning to the UN's powerful external oversight body after a gap of 35 years.
· Discussion of new measures against Iran is expected to dominate a meeting of European foreign ministers taking place in Brussels later today.
· UAE Government has said it will not take unilateral measures against Syria as being a member of Arab League will abide by its collective decision. The Arab league has yet to decide on air flights to Syria.
United Arab Emirates turns 40 today. 40th National Day celebrations have kicked off across the country.