Police Commissioner B Prasada Rao said in Hyderabad that the City Police is taking effective steps to tackle any terror situation . It is undertaking various measures like imparting training to its forces similar to that of Greyhounds, an elite anti naxal force, besides other measures

The BJP clarified on the reports regarding the theft of a huge sum of money from its headquarters in the capital and said that these were “exaggerated” and was “not a fact”.

Around Rs2 crore was reportedly missing from a safe, kept in the accounts room, next to BJP President Rajnath Singh’s office. The ‘theft’ was reportedly detected on December 26 by the Deputy Accounts Officer Nalin.

The party sources have set up an internal inquiry and have engaged the services of a private detective agency. However no complaint has been lodged with the police.

Sydney  - Australia said goodbye to 2008 and the global recession with a multi-million dollar fireworks extravaganza over its biggest city Sydney's Harbour Bridge and iconic Opera House that was watched by an estimated 1.5 million people.

Although New Zealand's Auckland was the world's first city to welcome 2009 with its own fireworks display, Sydney's spectacular show two hours later traditionally attracts a television audience around the world that is expectantly awaiting its own fresh start of a new year.

Nove Mesto, Czech Republic  - Axel Teichmann of Germany got his second stage win on Wednesday while Swiss Dario Cologna retained the overall lead in the Tour de Ski cross-country series.

On the women's side, the 2007 winner and 2008 runner-up Virpi Kuitunen of Finland won the stage and claimed a slim Tour lead with it.

The former world champion Teichmann, who had dominated Saturday's prologue, won the 15-kilometres classic style stage in 39 minute 3.7 seconds.

Martin Johnsrud Sundby of Norway finished 5.0 seconds behind and Kazakh Nikolay Chebotko was third on the podium, 10.5 seconds off the pace.

The world's fifth largest wind turbine maker, Suzlon Energy has increased its share in its German subsidiary REpower Systems. The company currently holds 73.71 percent stake in REpower and paid around Rs 447 crore to Portugal's Martifer SGPS for acquisition. Martifer holds 22.4 per cent stake in the German company. Suzlon Energy had to acquire these stakes to complete the deal before May 2009 as per agreement with Martifer.

Government is planning to issue grades and quality certificates to restaurants and dhabas to ensure quality of street-based food outlets. The system would be firstly introduced in Delhi and expanded to other cities of the country after noting its success. The certificate and license of outlets may be cancelled, in case of failure to maintain the quality of food.