In what may be its last move before the election code of conduct sets in, the government on Tuesday cut excise duty and service tax rates by 2% each. Given the slowdown, lower tax collections — both direct and indirect — have already hit government revenues. The tax incentives mean the fiscal deficit would widen further. 

A host of other measures being implemented by the government, such as debt relief for farmers and pay hike for government employees, have already put the fiscal position under stress. Experts say revenues would be hit to the extent of Rs 30,000 crore, pushing up the fiscal deficit to 6.5% of the gross domestic product from current 6% now. 

Mamata and Congress could have been allies but for a mismatch in goals

Leveraging opportunity is natural enough in order to drive a bargain forward, though it may not be sufficient to cement an alliance that must hold not only just long enough to get a few more seats in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections but also in the eventuality of the most desired outcome being defeated by popular choice. 

According to a survey of young Britons, almost one in three young people admit to having drunken one-night stands, later regretting them. The Sex Factor survey, a part of a report from the charity, YouthNet, into young people's attitudes towards sexual health, polled more than 2,000 young people aged 16 to 24, revealing 32% (the same number) indulged in unprotected sex while under the influence of liquor.

According to the poll:

• "One in five (22%) young people went home with a stranger.
• "15% invited a stranger back to their home.

Recent study revealed that the pressure of being perfect and flawless at the workplace is responsible for increasing popularity of binge-drinking culture despite the government warning to limit number of drinks.

Research team led by Dutch-born Professor Anna van Wersch in the Teesside University analyzed data collected from interview of 32 men and women living in north east England aged 22 to 58. Most interviewees believed that binge-drinking helps them to revitalize for the working days.

Prof van Wersch said: "People in England are more high achievers than the Dutch. The quality of their work has to be perfect and their performance is much higher. "

Emailing is the latest addition to the list of involuntary actions which a person can do in sleep. Emailing and chatting has become most popular way of communication and boosting social life.

Millions of people spend numerous hours before their computer screen interacting with old friends or finding new ones on many popular social networking sites without being aware of the fact that this affecting their cognitive behavior.

According to a new research, girls are more affected by bullying for a long period than the boys at primary school.

Those who were verbally or physically threatened or beaten at the age of 6 years, they are two and a half times more likely to still remain victims at the age of 10 years. As the children grow older their nature of bullying also changes.

Direct victimization includes the physical bullying and threats and in relational victimization, there is spreading of malicious gossip or the withdrawal of friendships.