An international conference to tackle the issues pertaining to maritime piracy and the ways to counter them starts in Dubai. A high level Indian delegation is taking part in the conference to convey the Indian perspective at the rear of a large number of Indian hostages held in captivity by the Somali Pirates.
According to the International Maritime Bureau report, maritime piracy is over $7 to $12 billion industry run by the ransom seeking Somali Pirates off the coast of Oman, Gulf of Eden and the Indian Ocean. Although the number of hostages taken by pirates declined to 555 in 2011 from 645 in 2010, the attacks and hijackings still happen.

India is expected to discuss a Bilateral Investment and Trade Agreement (BITA) with the European Union by the end of year 2012. This was agreed at a meeting b/w the Commerce minister Mr Anand Sharma and the EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht in Brussels, Belgium. During the meeting, the Indian side sought comfort and clarity on the market access being made available to it and asked for an assurance that they are really effective on the ground.

India stressed for better access and elimination of safeguard clauses that may hinder the actual realization of concessions given by the EU. India also demanded more access for domestic industry and agricultural products. The European part put across its concern regarding market access and patent issues.
As per an estimate, the bilateral trade b/w India and the EU stood at over $108 billion in 2011. In exports, it was over 41 billion US dollars in 2010, which increased to around $ 55 billion in 2011.

• Hollywood screenwriter and Director Nora Ephron passed away. She was suffering from acute myeloid leukemia.
• Among the eminent films written by her include When Harry Met Sally and Sleepless in Seattle
• She was nominated for Oscars 3 times

India has come out as Dubai's top trading partner as its total trade reaches over USD 10 billion during the quarter ended March, 2012. As per the newest statistics released by Dubai Customs, India also evinced as Dubai's top exporting and re- exporting country at USD 5.7 billion and stood 2^nd in terms of imports at USD 5.17 billion, following China at USD 6.94 billion. The US was at 3^rd place at USD 4.35 billion.

The PMO has planned to establish a coordination committee to attend to diverse aspects of broadband services for panchayats. This will be implemented through a network being set up at an expense Rs 20,000. The creation of the network is a part of the government’s endeavor to provide e-Governance at the panchayat level as it will help electronic delivery of services. It has been recently reviewed by the PMO to create the National Optical Fibre Network to provide broadband connectivity to 2.5 lakh gram panchayats.