Daily News Notes

· Government is hopeful of normal work in the two Houses of Parliament from tomorrow after an All Party Meeting discusses the proposal on opening of FDI in multi brand retail sector. When economic reforms were launched earlier it invited the ire of many people. With government giving enough room to the Opposition for discussion to arrive at mutually acceptable solution, the onus is now on opposition to ensure smooth functioning of Parliament. The Standing Committee looking into the Lokpal is likely to submit its draft report in Parliament within next three days.
· The National common mobality card was launched in New Delhi that can work as a cashless means of travel through the city. The card It will be a single point of transaction applicable in state buses, Metro or even parking. The card will be integrated in phased manner.
· Government is developing regulatory mechanism to disable the objectionable content from social networking websites like Facebook, Twitter, Google, Yahoo and You-Tube which should sensitize the religious feelings and sentiments of the people. However, government has no intention to censor the media.
· The nation pays homage to Father of the Indian Constitution Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar on his 55th death anniversary today. The day is also observed as Mahaparinirwan Diwas and Buddhist monks recite from the sutras and render religious songs on the occasion.
· Australian Defence Minister, who had pitched for reversing ruling Labor party's policy on uranium export to India, has ruled out similar treatment to Pakistan, citing its poor proliferation record. Calling India an exceptional case, the Minister said that India brought itself under the governance of the international nuclear regulators, the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Nuclear Suppliers Group but that has not happened with Pakistan.
· India will host the 4th International Tax Dialogue Conference, ITD, Global Conference on Tax and Inequality in New Delhi from 7th to 9th December.
· The rating agency, Standard and Poor's (S&P) has put Germany, France and 13 other eurozone countries on credit watch due to fears over the impact of the debt crisis. The only two countries not put on credit watch were Cyprus, which is already under review and Greece whose rating has already been severely downgraded. Chancellor Merkel and President Sarkozy have set up a series of measures they want to implement as soon as possible including automatic sanctions for countries which exceed deficit limits.
· India-Africa Hydro Carbon conference is to be held in New Delhi to boost India-Africa trade and greater investment in this sector. Indian government is encouraging national oil companies to aggressively pursue equity oil and gas opportunities in Africa and other parts of the world to meet the growing energy demand in the country.
· Addressing a session of UN Women in Washington, India's Permanent Representative to the UN Hardeep Singh Puri said India is steadfast in its commitment to the global, regional and national efforts to achieve gender equality, empowerment of women and gender mainstreaming and has pledged five million dollars to UN Women as a fund.
· India and Nepal today signed an agreement to enhance bilateral trade and investment. India is the single largest trading partner of Nepal and is keen to enhance cooperation in hydel power generation along with increased investment in various infrastructure projects in Nepal. Speedy implementation of the Trade Treaty provisions, opening of Vishakapatnam Port and simplifying procedures at the Kolkata port for Nepali traders were some of the other issues which figured prominently in the talks.
· The American Space Agency, NASA has confirmed the existence of an Earth like planet (called as Kepler - 22b, twice the size of Earth) beyond the Solar system where there could be water in liquid form. According the NASA, existence of water is a key indicator of life.
· The Arab League (22 member body) says it is studying the Syrian proposal to conditionally allow observers into the country to monitor Syrian compliance to pro-democracy uprising.
· The second Bonn conference on the future of Afghanistan concluded yesterday with a commitment by the world community of sustained help to Afghanistan even after the withdrawal of NATO combat troops in 2014. President Karzai also assured the world community that his government will fight against corruption and work for strengthening democracy, good governance, human rights and national reconciliation.
· In Egypt, the Election Commission has lowered the turnout figure for the first stage of parliamentary elections from 62% to 52% saying that there were mistakes in the counting process.
· Yaum-e-Ashura or tenth Day of Muharram is being observed across the country today to commemorate the supreme sacrifice of Imam Husain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad. Tazias will be buried in Karbalas this afternoon and then Majlis-e-shaam-e-ghariban will be held.