To enhance transparency in Stock market tradings, the Bombay Stock Exchange will provide SMS of transaction details to mobile phones and Email accounts of investors from today.

The move, a first of its kind in the country, is aimed at checking unauthorised stock market trades through investor accounts. The National Stock Exchange, Nifty's SMS service is also slated to begin from the 15th of this month.

The move follows complaints against brokers and other market entities conducting transactions through accounts of their clients without the knowledge of the investor concerned.

Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal has said that the UPA Government has given high priority to the development of North Eastern Region and during its tenure since 2004, 10 National Institutes of Technology (NITs) were established in the region. Speaking at the foundation stone laying function of NIT Meghalaya at Cherrapunjee (Sohra) in East Khasi Hills District of Meghalaya today, Mr. Sibal said that the setting up of high quality institutions in the region would help the youth to materialize their potential and achieve higher levels of excellence. Mr. Sibal urged the NITs to address state specific problems, where they are located.

he European Union has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 2012. The award has been given to the European Union (EU) for six decades of work in advancing peace in Europe. The Norwegian Nobel Committee said, the EU has helped to transform Europe from a continent of war to a continent of peace. 

Announcing the award, Nobel Committee President Thorbjoern Jagland acknowledged the EU's current financial problems and social unrest. But he said, the committee wanted to concentrate on the EU's work over six decades of advancing peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights. 

The President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz, said he was deeply touched and honoured with the award. The award comes as the European Union faces the biggest financial crisis of its 54-year history, with many of its member states mired in recession. The last organisation to be given the award outright was Medecins Sans Frontieres, which won in 1999.

Afghanistan government has launched its first major climate change adaptation initiative with the help of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Six million dollar project aims at protecting vulnerable sections of society from the effects of climate change and to help institutions in capacity building for addressing climate change risks.

Launching the programme in central Bamiyan province yesterday Michael Keating, Resident Coordinator of UN in Afghanistan appreciated Afghan Government for showing its commitment to work with communities in dealing with climate change in the country. The head of Afghanistan’s National Environment Protection Agency Mostapha Zaher hoped that with the people’s cooperation development plans could be made environment friendly.

The UNEP programme envisages improved water management, community-based watershed management; improved agroforestry and pasture development, climate-related research and early warning systems and improved food security. The scheme will be implemented in Badakhshan, Balkh, Bamyan and Daikundi provinces of Afghanistan.

The importance of the UN supported climate change initiative in Afghanistan can be estimated from the fact that 80 per cent of Afghans are directly dependent on natural resources. Agriculture is the mainstay of more than 60 per cent of the country’s population.

Since 1998, more than 6.7 million Afghans have been affected by natural disasters and extreme weather conditions such as drought, avalanches, earthquakes, sandstorms and harsh winters. Although six million dollar UN project for a country of Afghanistan’s size is not sufficient, even then it is a good beginning for mitigating the adverse effects of climate change.

According to French officials, the resolution will ask the West African bloc ECOWAS to present a plan within 30 days for deploying forces to Mali. The Council would then have to approve the plan in a second resolution. The west African nation plunged into crisis in March when soldiers overthrew the government, allowing Islamist militant groups to take control of the north.

Char Adhyaya or four chapters, a cultural festival based on the works of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore will start in Colombo on 15th of October. The festival will cover the four aspects of Gurudev’s works - music, dance, painting and drama. The festival will have performances by Sri Lankan and Indian alumni of Shantiniketan and other famous artists. The festival is being supported by the India-Sri Lanka Foundation.

Famous Sri Lankan dancer and choreographer Channa Wickramasinghe, who is the President of the ‘Santiniketan Friends’, and his troupe would be performing Kanya - a fusion of Sri Lankan dance style on the tunes of Sougata Roy Chowdhury, the renowned Sarod player from India.

‘Santiniketan Friends’ is an organization formed by the Sri Lankan alumni of Shantiniketan to promote Sri Lanka as a cultural hub in South Asia. It aims to promote Gurudev Tagore’s vision of unity through culture and fusion of expression through the medium of fine arts and culture.

President Pranab Mukherjee said present ratio of six doctors for a population of 10,000 in India is a big challenge for growing patient care demand. This must be enhanced by training and preparing more doctors and paramedics in order to serve the needy specially in rural areas. President was addressing 8th convocation of King Gorge Medical University in Lucknow today.

President emphasised the need of integration of AYUSH (Ayurveda Yoga Unani Siddh and Homeopathy) and capacity development of the traditional healthcare system. He said positive healthcare practices and local remedies need to be encouraged.