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The New Year has opened with a bang in major financial markets which hit record highs as investors turn optimistic about a brightening outlook for the economy, which had gone through sluggish and uneven post-crisis recovery in 2010.

Is the Prime Minister misleading the nation by offering to be personally probed by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in the 2G spectrum allocation case to avoid a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) investigation into the charges of cash-for-cabinet-appointments in the United Progressive Alliance government? In that case, has Dr Manmohan Singh conscientiously made such an offer out of his strong personal belief that the 2G spectrum allocation case relates only to some procedural lapses and it has nothing to do with a carefully crafted conspiracy by certain vested interest groups to weaken the government? Or, is the prime minister forced into believing this under pressure from other UPA satraps?

New York: Liberia, a country once torn asunder by civil war, has made some progress in seeking to cut off the illegal supply of diamonds, timber and other natural resources that have been used to finance wars in West Africa, but more needs to be done, according to a United Nations panel.

New Delhi: Shri M. Hamid Ansari, Vice President of India here today inaugurated “Ishq-e-Dilli” son-et-lumiere (Sound and Light Show) - a project of the Ministry of Tourism, Govt of India - at Purana Quila. Kumari Selja, Minister of Tourism and HUPA presided over the function and Shri Sultan Ahmed, Minister of State for Tourism was the Guest of Honour.

New Delhi: The wage rates under MGNREGA have been increased by the Ministry of Rural Development with effect from 1st January 2011. This will result in 17-30% enhancement of wages under the premier flagship program of the UPA Government across the country.

New Delhi: The three-day ‘International Conference on Accountancy Profession: Catalyst to Sustained Economic Growth’ concluded here today with the signing of a Joint Declaration between the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) and the Association of International Accountants, UK (AIA). It was signed by Shri Amarjit Chopra, President, ICAI and Shri M. S. Khare on behalf of AIA. The joint declaration is prepared to benefit both, the Chartered Accountants and the students who pursue CA course. An Honorary membership of the AIA was also conferred upon the President of the ICAI on the occasion.

New Delhi: Mr. Brian Mikkelsen, Danish Minister for Economy and Business Affairs today called on Shri G.K.Vasan, Minister for Shipping in his office at New Delhi. Both the Ministers discussed various issues pertaining to the ongoing negotiations on India-European Union Agreement on Maritime Sector, Free-Trade Agreement between India and the European Union and cooperation in the field of shipping/maritime sector between India and Denmark. Senior officers from the Ministry of Shipping were also present during the meeting.

New Delhi: The report of the Srikrishna Committee was made public here today. In the 461 page report, the Committee has put forward several solutions/possible options. The Committee was constituted under the Chairmanship of Mr. Justice (Retd) B.N. Srikrishna to hold consultations with all sections of the people and all political parties and groups in Andhra Pradesh. The report was submitted to the Union Home Minister, Shri P. Chidambaram on 30th December, 2010.

New Delhi: Union Finance Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee has asked State Governments to urgently look into the supply management of items that are driving the current round of food inflation in the economy, in particular looking at the local factors that are widening the gap between the wholesale and retail prices. Mr. Mukherjee said that the State Governments need to ensure that all bottlenecks in the supply chain are removed so that food prices can be brought down quickly.

New Delhi: Shri Anand Sharma, Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, in a bilateral meeting with Mr. Brian Mikkelsen, Minister for Economy of Denmark, here today, informed that India and Denmark should focus in the areas of IT, Telecommunication, Biotechnology, Food Processing, and Pharmaceuticals for a mutually beneficial economic engagement. He said that the growth in bilateral trade of 10.50% even in 2009-10 indicates the strong commercial ties between the two countries. Bilateral trade between India and Denmark reached US $ 1,172 billion (exports - $ 580 million and imports $ 592 million) during the year 2009-10, an increase over the quantum of US $ 1,061 billion of 2008-09.