Budget Favours Salaried Class, Senior Citizens; Dividend Tax Off

          NEW DELHI: Finance minister Jaswant Singh presented a populist budget on Friday with a slew of sops appearing to ease the burden on the lower and middle income groups, with one eye on next year's general elections. But he also promised to maintain budget discipline, saying that fiscal consolidation is essential for ... (Contd)

Iraq Agrees to Destroy Al-Samoud Missile

          NEW DELHI: Iraq has written to the chief UN arms inspector Hans Blix that it agrees in principle to destroy its banned Al-Samoud 2 missiles, reports the News quoting a foreign agency. However, US defence secretary Donald Rumsfeld has said that Iraq's destruction of these missiles will not be proof of cooperation with UN disarmament demands, according to a report on Friday. Meanwhile, Russian foreign minister Igor Ivanov said that Russia will use its veto power in the UN to maintain world stability if needed. He did not mention Iraq specifically. He warned that if war was used to disarm Baghdad and effect regime change, the consequences would be far-reaching.

Europe Warned of Cyber Terrorism If Iraq Is Attacked (Go To Top)

          LONDON: An international cyber establishment has warned Europe of a possible attack of cyber terrorism in case war against Iraq breaks out. Such cyber terrorism and possible hacking of networks may put in jeopardy key European infrastructures such as water, electricity and transport, according to sources.

           The European Union and its member-states prepare for a structured combat against a possible cyber terrorist attack after the EU commissioner for enterprise and information society acknowledged that cyber terror threat was now very real and the head of Microsoft Europe warned that Europe was still unprepared for cyber attack threat, says the News.

US Security Cess on Pak Cargo (Go To Top)

          KARACHI: American Customs authorities have imposed a new kind of cess to be called security manifest documentation charge on Pakistan's export cargo arriving at American ports with effect from March 9. This amount will be recovered from Pakistan's exporters at the rate of 25 dollars per bill of lading, says a report in the News. Sources in the shipping industry disclosed on Thursday that besides this new charge, the exporters of Pakistan would pay heavlly if subsequent changes were made in B/L and a notification in this regard said "correction charge" would be recovered at the rate of 40 dollars per correction. The move came in the backdrop of American efforts to save its shipping ports from any unwanted incidents of terrorism, possibly carried out through the destined cargo from those ports or countries which were 'friendly' to American Government but could be used by terrorists to hide their identity, the newspaper added.

US House Imposes Total Ban on Human Cloning (Go To Top)

          WASHINGTON: The US House of Representatives has overwhelmingly approved a total ban on human cloning, says the News quoting sources. In a 241-to-155 vote, the law-makers passed the Bill, rejecting arguments to prohibit reproductive cloning but allow therapeutic cloning for medical research purposes. The ban reflects Bush administration's stand agianst any language that would permit human embryos to be created and then destroyed to enable embryonic stem cell research. The House, under the previous Congress, had passed a similar Bill on 31 July 2001 by a vote of 265-162, but the Bill died before it ever reached the Senate floor.

US Senator's Charge Against India on J and K(Go To Top)

          ISLAMABAD: Robert J Guida, leader of New Hampshire Senate delegation, has urged India to expose to the world what he said is happening in Jammu and Kashmir. "I have sent two letters to the Indian Government, through its ambassador to Washington, for a visit to Srinagar to see the plight of the Kashmiris but they did not respond," he said while speaking at a dinner hosted for the visiting delegations from the New Hampshire Senate and Luton (UK) by the leader of Opposition in PoK Legislative Assembly, Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry, at the latter's residence, according to the News.

          If there was nothing to hide, why did the Indian Government not allow people to visit the State, Guida asked. New Delhi did not allow the APHC leaders to visit other countries in a bid to hide the atrocities being committed against innocent Kashmiris, he added. Guida, who is deputy majority leader in the New Hampshire Senate, said that India should stop shelling the innocent people in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and start dialogue with Pakistan for resolution of the long-standing dispute. Referring to his delegation's visit to the refugee camp and hospital at Muzaffarabad, Guida said the scenes lead us to the conclusion that India must be questioned about what was exactly happening at the Line of Control and in J and K.

           "Indian troops have been committing gross human rights violations against innocent Kashmiris for the last 56 years and this situation cannot be tolerated," he added. Mayor of Luton (UK) Raja Saleem expressed concern over the alleged killing of innocent people in the State. "We do understand the plight of innocent Kashmiris who are victims of terror in the hands of Indian troops." Saleem remarked.

Budget Favours Salaried Class, Senior Citizens; Dividend Tax Off (Go To Top)

          (Contd) ... economic growth. Economists had expected a voter-friendly budget ahead of a string of State elections this year which are seen as a dress rehearsal for a national election due by 2004. The budget measures included tax breaks for parents paying school fees for their children, a new drive to provide healthcare cover to the poor and higher tax exemptions for senior citizens. "To enable them to live their life of retirement in dignity, the tax rebate to senior citizens is proposed to be increased to Rs 20,000. As a result, their income up to Rs 153,000 will henceforth become fully exempt from income tax," said Singh, while reading out the annual budget in Parliament.

           Speaking of the salaried class, Singh acknowledged they were the best tax-payers and announced tax benefits for those with an annual income of less than Rs 500,000. "They are the best tax compliers as a troupe. It is, therefore, proposed that the standard deduction for such employees be raised to 40 per cent of salary or Rs 30,000, whichever is less, for salary income up to Rs 500,000. And allow deduction of Rs 20,000 for salary income above Rs 500,000. It is proposed that relief be provided to employees opting for voluntary retirement schemes by exempting VRS payment up to Rs 500,000, even when taken in instalments," he said.

           As Singh presented the budget, the middle class remained apprehensive, saying that with past budgets offering more sops to the wealthy, they would rather keep their fingers crossed. "The budget will increase prices for the poor, what else? Each year it affects the poor. Prices of cigarettes, liqour etc should be increased, things used by the wealthy like cars etc. But generally it is gas, oil and other things of common use whose price is raised," said Bhushan Lal, a magazine stall owner in New Delhi. "Taxes on items of general uses shouldn't be increased ... like petrol, food items. All these should become cheaper," according to Ali, another New Delhi resident.

           Singh began his speech by saying that domestic economy was well-placed to withstand global uncertainty. India's macroeconomic situation, he said, had never been better. The Government also proposed to maintain tax concessions on housing interest loans, and announced a tax rebate of Rs 12,000 per child for education. Singh proposed a new drive to boost infrastructure development particularly in the road sector. He further announced a slew of measures to boost the stock markets, including the scrapping of capital gains tax on shares and dividend tax. He also proposed to abolish corporate dividend tax along with long-term capital gains tax on shares. He also pledged overall savings from better management of national and State Government debt to take advantage of falling interest rates.

          While India will continue proactive policy of pre-paying high-cost external debt, it will buy back high-interest Government bonds from banks, Singh said. An India Development Institute will be set up with an allocation of Rs 200 crore to promote strategic economic interests abroad. It will provide grants and project help to poor nations in Africa, South-East Asia and elsewhere. Textiles, IT and telecom sectors are going to benefit from cuts in excise and customs duties. The minister declared that all States would come under VAT scheme and the Centre would fully compensate them for the revenue loss in the first three years.

HIV Patient Claims Cure from Cow Urine (Go To Top)

          GORAKHPUR: It may simply be the proverbial last straw for a drowning man but his belief has the potential to find for humanity its remedy from the dreaded AIDS disease. Tested HIV positive nearly six years ago, Anil Kumar Gupta, resident of Gorakhpur district, is just an ordinary trader who lacked resources for expensive medical treatment. So he sought remedy elsewhere. Gupta, who began drinking cow urine since the last six months, claims it has reduced his infection to a great extent and checked weight loss. "I have been drinking this (cow urine) for the past six months and my health has improved. Even my weight has increased by ten kg," said Gupta, whose wife and their six-month old son have also tested HIV positive.

           Stories about the success of his experiment has spread like wildfire across the town. "We never knew about this. Now we can tell others about it and this can help the poor treat themselves without spending money. Anyone can get infected by this (HIV/AIDS), so this remedy could be helpful," said Mohammad Iqbal, a neighbour. Gupta's claims are yet not medically proven but cow urine occupies almost a sacred status in Hindu society. It is used as offering to deities in certain Hindu religious rites.

           AK Tiwari, a medical practitioner in the small township, says the medical properties of cow urine needs further research. "It is important to research on it, especially in the laboratories. It is proving to be good for this one person but it is not necessary that it works this way for all. And if this proves to be correct, then it would lead to wonders since this is a disease affecting all," he said. If cow urine turns out to be the breakthrough remedy for the incurable HIV/AIDS, it could prove a blessing for over four million HIV positive or AIDS patients in India, making it second only to South Africa. Some studies estimate that the numbers could balloon past 20 million by 2010.

Jennifer Infuriated with Brad's Pairing with Nicole (Go To Top)

          WASHINGTON: 'Friends' star Jennifer Aniston is not happy that husband Brad Pitt is appearing in a flick with Aussie star Nicole Kidman. According to a report in People News, the dream ticket pairing the stunning duo in forthcoming flick Mr and Mrs Smith has reportedly left Aniston infuriated. 'She would prefer him not to take the role. Jennifer is very wary of Nicole as men simply adore her,' said a source.

          Rumours that the couple's relationship has been strained in recent months were backed up by a distinct lack of contact at the recent Golden Globe awards, and Aniston moving out of the couple's home to spend five nights in a near-by hotel.

Jack Nicholson Back with Old Flame (Go To Top)

          LONDON: Veteran actor Jack Nicholson, nominated for Best Actor for 'About Schmidt', is reportedly back with his old flame Joanne Russell. The actor took the British model on a Valentine's Day date - to a LA Lakers basketball game. Jack first dated the pretty brunette 13 years ago when she lived in Los Angeles, according to a report in the Sun. Jack, who recently split with long-term girl friend, actress Lara Flynn Boyle, got in touch with Joanne again after hearing she is single. He's now set to take Joanne, nearly 30 years his junior, to the Oscars next month, said the report.

-ANI