Daily News Notes

· The Union General Budget will be presented after the completion of elections in five states. Last polling will take place on the 3rd of March in Goa. The general budget is usually presented on the last day of February every year.
· Dr Manmohan Singh will inaugurate the 99th Indian Science Congress (Theme: ‘Science and Technology for Inclusive Innovation-Role of Women’) at Bhubaneswar tomorrow in which more than 15,000 delegates including 20 Noble laureates will be participating to deliberate on the issues like climate change, food security, preventing maternal and child mortality, assisted technology for disabled, science and education in rural areas, women in science, water scarcity, clean energy and space technology. India’s DRDO will also display models of its innovative missile system such as Agni, Prithvi, Nag, Akash, BrahMos and Astra missiles. ISC was established on the lines of the British Conference on the Advancement of Science on Jan 1914.
· India’s exports registered an increase of over 17% in November 2011, compared to 2010, while the imports grew by over 40 per cent. Export value: 1,13,500 crore rupees, Import Value: 1,82,600 crore rupees
· Fiji's military strongman Voreqe Bainimarama said, he would lift emergency laws in place since a 2009 political crisis and begin discussions on a new Constitution. The draconian regulations, including tight censorship on the news media and a ban on public meetings, were imposed after a Fiji court ruled that Bainimarama's 2006 coup was illegal.
· Health authorities in Australia are bracing against a possible outbreak of a potentially deadly disease, Murray Valley Encephalitis. It is an inflammation of the brain is transmitted by mosquitos or a viral infection. Although rare, it is potentially life-threatening, and may lead to permanent brain damage or death. Symptoms may include a high fever and headache, accompanied by a stiff neck, vomiting, light sensitivity, and convulsions.
· In Tennis, the Indian contingent will begin their main-draw campaign of the Chennai Open Men's tournament, the first ATP tour event of the year, at the SDAT-Nungambakkam Stadium