martin-place-siege-hostages-held-in-sydney-cafe-islamic-flag-seen-in-window

Martin Place siege: Hostages held in Sydney cafe, Islamic flag seen in window

Sydney, Dec 15 (ANI): Hostages have been held inside a central Sydney cafe in Australia on Monday where a black flag with white Arabic writing was seen in the window, raising fears of an attack linked to Islamic militants. Patrons were seen inside a cafe standing with their hands pressed against the windows. A black and white flag similar to those used by Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria was also visible. Part of Martin Place, home to the Reserve Bank of Australia, commercial banks and close to the New South Wales (NSW) state parliament, has been cordoned off by the armed Australian police. Trains and buses have come to a halt and roads have been blocked in the area. Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott called an emergency meeting of the cabinet's national security committee. Dec 15, 2014
state-working-for-all-round-development-making-women-heads-of-family-vasundhara-raje

State working for all round development, making women heads of family: Vasundhara Raje

Jaipur, Dec 13 (ANI): As Vasundhara Raje government completes one years of governance in Rajasthan, the chief minister said that the state is working for all round development and are bringing in reforms to make women the heads of the family. Raje said that the year has been a disturbing one and the government could function only for 151 days out of total 365 days as holidays, model code of conduct, and elections have taken up rest of the time. One of the major achievements that Raje is looking up to is the Bhamashah reform which would roll out on 15th. Bhamashah scheme is a card that comes with a bank account number in the name of the female head of the family. Her biometrics details are recorded and only she can withdraw money. Among others, the chief minister also said that the government is working to bring the financial sector back on track and bring employment to youth so that Rajasthan is counted one amongst the developed states in India. Dec 13, 2014
rajnath-singh-addresses-rally-in-jharkhand-appeals-voters-to-support-bjp

Rajnath Singh addresses rally in Jharkhand, appeals voters to support BJP

Jharkhand, Dec 12 (ANI): Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday addressed a rally in Baghmara district of Jharkhand. Singh attacked the former Congress government for increasing inflation with every passing year of its rule. Singh said that the new government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi is working towards the development of the country which is why he took the initiative of opening bank accounts for all citizens. He then appealed to the voters to support BJP in the upcoming Assembly elections. Dec 12, 2014
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Current account deficit comfortable despite widening: Raghuram Rajan

Kolkata, Dec 12 (ANI): Governor of Reserve Bank of India, Raghuram Rajan said that the RBI was comfortable with the current account deficit (CAD) even after it widened in the July-September quarter. Rajan while speaking at a news conference after the central bank's board meeting in Kolkata city, said risks remain to the current account deficit even though he was not apprehensive about it. Rajan said that gold imports had increased in the country which may have resulted in the increase in the CAD. Global oil prices have fallen to a five-year low on Wednesday. Brent crude oil fell to $63.56 a barrel, the lowest since July 2009, on signs of oversupply and waning demand. Indias largest imports are crude oil and gold. Turning to the economy, Rajan said an interest rate cut won't by itself lead to higher economic growth, although he noted it would have an impact. Turning to limits on foreign investments in government bonds, Rajan said it would look at raising the limit at an appropriate time, and would look at expanding it steadily. Dec 12, 2014