News - Issue -10 October 15, 2007

• The stock market Sensex on Monday crossed 19,000-point mark, adding 1,000 points in a record four sessions, on aggressive buying by foreign funds in front line stocks. India is witnessing heavy foreign inflow in the stock market recently.
  
• Non- resident Keralites (NRKs) will be issued with Photo ID cards. It is proposed that Panchayath will accept the applications.
  
• SBI Reduces Home Loan interest rates for the coming festival season, lowest interest rates in the recent times, valid upto 31st December. (more details in interest rate section)
  
• From next year, common entrance examination of Indian Institute of Technology will have Dubai as a centre (first centre outside India).
  
• Airports in UAE have put a curb on hand baggages being transported in flights. The rule will affect the transportation of liquid materials including liquefied detergent, perfume, shaving lotion and hair gel.
  
• Bahrain has removed the current restrictions in issuing driving licenses to foreign labourers and housekeepers. Such curbs have been imposed when it was observed that illegal taxi operators were on the rise after licenses were issued freely
  
• SBI launches Reverse Mortgage scheme for persons aged above 58. More details in the next issue.
  
• The new international terminal of Thiruvananthapuram Airport will be completed by August 2008.
  
• The Overseas Indian Affairs Ministry has decided to celebrate ‘Mini Pravasi Divas’ (Mini- PBD-2007) in New York on September 23.
  
• As per the new immigration law in Germany, both the foreigners and natives should know to read, write and speak German language, if they have to bring their spouses to the country.
  
• Saudi Arabia has clarified that if an employee wants to change the visa from one company to another, the NOC of the sponsor is compulsory except in certain cases.