Doordarshan - 24th Dec - 2009

1. Markets remain in festive mood; Nifty at year's high
The markets continued to cheer investors on the Christmas Eve with the BSE Sensex gaining 129 points and NSE Nitfy setting a new 52-week high at 5,178 on heavy buying by funds ahead of the long weekend amid reports of easing food inflation and positive global cues

2. WB provides USD 100 mn for poverty alleviation project in AP
Encouraged by the success of the poverty alleviation project of Andhra Pradesh, the World Bank announced financing of another USD 100 million to the state for improving efficiency and effectiveness of the programme.

3. Food inflation cools down to 18.65 pc in Dec 2nd week
Food inflation softened to 18.65 per cent for the week ended on 12th December, though essential items like potato and pulses continued to remain expensive.

4. Advani reaches semis, Sethi crashes out of All-India snooker
Ace cueist Pankaj Advani rallied from a 1-4 deficit to register a 5-4 win over Sandeep Gulati to reach the semifinals but veteran Geet Sethi crashed out of the VIP Matrix All-India snooker tournament at Chennai on Thursday.