It is business as usual for most part on Day 1 of US government’s shutdown

WASHINGTON: The sun rose in the East, flights international and domestic are landing, power and water are still flowing through outlets, gas stations, stores, and malls opened, teachers, soldiers, teachers, policemen, firefighters and mailmen continue with their job, and traffic is sailing through lights that work. It is business as usual for the most part on Day One of the US government's shutdown. It is only when you head to the Statue of Liberty or the Smithsonian Museum or various National Parks (''CLOSED''), or call in to check on some government programs or payouts (voicemail), that you feel the first impact of the government shutdown that is expected to get worse the longer it lasts.

Govt can seize properties that have no heirs, beneficiaries: HC

MUMBAI: At a time when land is at a premium in Mumbai and land-grabbing a common occurrence, the Bombay HC, in an order, has ruled that the state government can take over land if a property does not have any legal heirs or beneficiaries.

UK cabinet split over visa bonds for Indians

LONDON: The divisions within Britain's Conservative-led coalition government have been exposed over the controversial plans to impose 3,000 pound visa bonds on visitors from countries like India.

Govt plans to give 2.5 crore mobile phones, 90 lakh tablets free

NEW DELHI: In another mega scheme to woo the poor, the Centre proposes to spend Rs 7,860 crore distributing 2.5 crore mobile phones and 90 lakh tablets virtually free of cost to targeted beneficiaries over the next four years starting 2014-15, in the name of bridging the digital divide in the country.

The mobile phones will come bundled with free connection charges for two years. The user, who will have to pay a one-time charge of Rs 300, will also get 30 minutes of talk time, 30 text messages and 30 Mb of data usage free per month. This scheme will be restricted to the rural population.

Similarly, tablets will be given away to students of classes XI and XII, both in rural and urban areas. These gadgets will have free data card connection for two years.

The proposal has been sent to the telecom commission by the department of telecommunication (DoT). After it's approved by the commission, the plan will be sent to the Union cabinet.

States to decide beneficiaries 

The programme will be implemented by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd on behalf of the government. In the first year, 25 lakh mobile phones and 15 lakh tablets are proposed to be distributed at a cost of Rs 395 crore and Rs 772.5 crore, respectively. In the second year, the department aims to give away 50 lakh phones and 35 lakh tablets at a cost of Rs 880 crore and Rs 1,858.75 crore, respectively.

Raghuram Rajan effect: Rupee at two-week high, sensex above 19,000

MUMBAI: Rupee on Friday jumped 77 paise to 65.24 andsensex soared by 290 points to scale the 19,000-mark on continued hopes triggered by new RBI governor Raghuram Rajan's steps to push in more reforms in the financial sector.

Markets cheered the slew of proposals by Rajan, aimed at strengthening rupee and reviving growth, for the third straight day as investors appeared bullish.

Against Thursday's close of 66.01, the rupee on Friday ended at 65.24 -- the highest level in nearly 2 weeks -- on heavy dollar selling, capital flows and weak American currency overseas.