India-US nuclear deal signed, sealed

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and her Indian counterpart Pranab Mukherjee have signed an agreement to open up sales of civilian nuclear technology to India for the first time in three decades.Their signatures cap a three-year political rollercoaster for an agreement that lifts a ban on US-Indian civilian nuclear trade imposed after India's first nuclear test in 1974.The deal offers India access to US technology and cheap atomic energy in return for allowing UN inspections of some of its civilian nuclear facilities - but not military nuclear sites.Condoleeza Rice has called the accord "a recognition of India's emergence on the global stage"."Many thought this day would never come, but doubts have been silenced now," she said."The agreement we are about to sign is unprecedented and it demonstrates the vast potential partnership between India and the United States, potential that, frankly, has gone unfulfilled for too many decades of mistrust and now potential that can be fully realised."

Soruce: http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/stories/200810/s2388412.htm?tab=latest

Shop through your nearest retail ATM

Mumbai: You can now buy electronic products without having to visit a shop. Andheri-based Streme-Niche Softek Ltd has developed Retail ATM, which will help you buy different products by feeding your credit card number and address through your cellphone into the ATM.

Next week, Streme will install 50 retail ATMs in cafeterias, hotels and restaurants across the city. The ATMs will offer 81 products under nine categories. One can shop for electronics, movie tickets, books, CDs and chocolates through the ATM.

Initially, it will accept payments only through credit cards. But, later will accept debit cards as well. Deven Limaye, CEO, Streme said, "The idea is to facilitate the retailer with alternate channels for sales."

However, Ryan Martis, an IT professional, finds the concept of Retail ATM akin to online shopping. "I find it boring. I would rather go and buy products from a store."

How it works
The customer must dial a toll-free Interactive Voice Response number provided by the ATM on his cellphone. A number selects a corresponding product on screen, where one can see its audio-visual content. The customer has the option to collect it from a particular retail store.

Source: www.mid-day.com

Sensex down 800 pts at closing

Mumbai: After tanking over 1,000 points in minutes after opening, the benchmark Sensex staged a moderate recovery but still closed lower by more than 800 points at 10,527.80, the lowest in more than two years, on sell-off spree which mirrored the panic among investors worldwide.
Even as the 30-share Sensex was recovering by mid- session on encouraging comments from Finance Minister P Chidambaram and reports of inflation declining against expectations, an abysmal performance in industrial growth pulled down the barometer again.
A moderate recovery in the key-index was backed by the RBI decision to cut CRR by one percent in addition to 50 basis points earlier this week.

The BSE barometer finally settled the day at 10,527.80, showing a loss of 800.51 points.

The key index had lost a whopping 1088points, or nearly 10 per cent, at the outset.

All the 13 sectoral indices, led by realty, capital goods and consumer durables, ended in deep red with falls of up to 11.30 per cent.

Similarly, the wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty in volatile movements, closed lower by 233.70, or 6.65 per cent, at 3,279.95, after touching the day's low of 3,198 points.

Marketmen said the steep fall in the beginning was triggered by weak global cues.

The selling pressure was further strengthened by weakening rupee which plummeted to its all-time low of 49.30 against a US dollar.

Later, particularly weak IIP data negated whatever positive sentiment emerged on a decline in inflation.

Realty segment stocks suffered the most, placing the sectoral index down by 11.30 per cent at 2523.07 followed by consumer durable index by 10.11 per cent at 2139.50.
Source: www.mid-day.com

Haryana to observe ex-PM's death anniversary

Chandigarh: The Haryana Government will observe October 31, the Death Anniversary of the Late Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, as "Rashtriya Sanklap Diwas", across the State.
In a letter issued by the Chief Secretary, all the Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners in the State have been asked to organise rallies at all the district headquarters and other important cities of the districts on this day, an official spokesman said today.
They have also been asked that nationalistic and patriotic songs should be sung, and speeches on National integration should be delivered by well-known personalities, freedom fighters, and youth leaders should also be roped in these functions.
Extracts of speeches of late Mrs. Indira Gandhi should be quoted at the functions organised on this occasion. People from all walks of life should be requested to participate in these functions in large numbers.
Soruce: www.mid-day.com

PM to inaugurate train services in Kashmir

Srinagar: Ten years after the laying of foundation stone of the prestigious Kashmir rail project, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will dedicate the first ever train service in the valley to people tomorrow.
The Prime Minister will inaugurate the train service in the valley by flagging off a train at Nowgam Railway Station, an official spokesman said.
Initially, the train will run from Rajwansher in Budgam district to Anantnag, covering a distance of 66 kms, the spokesman said, adding the fare for the travel will be Rs 15.
The regular service of the train will commence from October 12. There will be eight-coach DEMU Rake in the train, he said.
The stoppages will be at Budgam, Srinagar, Pampore, Kakapora, Awantipora, Panjgam, Bijbehara, Rajwansher and Anantnag, the spokesman said.
The train, which is expected to cover the 66-km in about one hour and 35 minutes including stoppage time at various stations, will be run twice a day from either side.

Source: www.mid-day.com