Current Events 2012

International Current Affairs January 2012

International News [January 2012]

Cameron to face hacking probe against him


• Prime Minister David Cameron is likely to face hacking probe. Reports are rife that the P.M may be called before the public inquiry regarding the matter of the World phone-hacking scandal. He will be asked to answer questions about his linkups with Rupert Murdoch and his media group.

  The Times reported also stated that the inquiry may also call Mr. Murdoch to put forward his answers. Downing Street claimed that the P.M Mr. Cameron is willing to appear before the public enquiry if he is being called. The P.M spokesperson said that – the P.M's office has not received any request to appear before the enquiry and even if they are going to receive it then the Prime Minister will definitely attend it.

  The relationship of Mr. Cameron's with Mr. Murdoch and his newspaper group was under scrutiny following Murdoch newspapers move of shifting their support from Labour to the Conservative Party during the last general election.

  As per the, The Times report Mr. Cameron may be asked to elaborate about his controversial decision in which he decided to hire the former NoW editor Andy Coulson as his media chief. He was warned not to take such step as news about his links in the hacking allegation was on the rounds.

  Mr Coulson later resigned in January last year following the reopening of the case by the police. Mr. Coulson was soon arrested but later released on bail.

National [January 2012]

Mayawati to launch her campaign from Feb onwards


• After allowing her rivals to vent of their anger, U.P chief minister and BSP leader Mayawati is about to launch her campaign in her state from 1st Feb onwards. On the same day, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi will join her son Rahul Gandhi, who so far, has been leading the state will his young ambitious powers.

  Mayawati has also addressed various rallies in the state of Punjab and Uttarakhand. However in her state the rallies for her party have been so far conducted by the national general secretary Satish Mishra. Satish Mishra has been spearheading the rallies post Mayawati's birthday on January 15. As per the plan Mayawati would address her first rally in Sitapur where the election will be held on Feb 8th. In her first set of rallies Mayawati will cover eight districts. Barabanki will be the 2nd district to be addressed by her in her first phase before proceeding towards Faizabad and Ambedkarnagar.

An island of serenity in the badland's of Poorvanchal


• The village of Gorakhpur is being called as an island of serenity which lies in the state of Poorvanchal. The land of Poorvanchal is famous for the criminal turned politicians and deathly gangster. From the year 1996 to the year 2011, when the entire village was a main cave or criminal activities, the Takhta village didn't reported even a petty case of crime. Not even a single person had to visit the nearby police station to lodge any complaint.

  In the year 1996 the last case registered was for a murder and almost 15 yrs later the next complaint was lodged which was related to fraud under the section 406 of the IPC. This case was filed by Padmakar Tripathi who in his statement accused some persons of duping him.

Militants killed 5 while 82 per cent turn-out for the Manipur elections


• The Manipur elections saw a huge turn-out of people for the assembly elections. There was approximately 82 percent turn-out of people. The Chief electoral commissioner said that 17.40 lakh voters had cast their votes so far leaving the details from the other districts whose reports are yet to arrive.

  Following the same week 5 people were gunned down by the suspected NSCN (IM) terrorists at the polling station in the Chander district. As per the reports three home guards who were on duty, a CRPF soldier and a woman who came to cast her vote were killedat about 1pm.

  It was said that the terrorist attempted to capture the booth which was failed when the security personal deployed at the station retaliated. One of the terrorist was injured and nabbed by the forces.

Indian government rein in growth forecast keeping steady rates


• The central bank of India asked the government to cut down on the advance expenditure of important state elections so that it can beat down inflation thereby boosting a flagging economy.

  Reserve Bank governor D. Subbarao said in his statement that-"the fiscal deficit needed to be curbed". The R.B.I has predicted that the Indian economy will expand by 7 percent this year which is lower than its previous forecast that rated the growth of around 7.6 percent. Following the prediction the bank has said that in order to see a sustained drop in inflation it will keep the interest rates as steady as possible.

  The inflation in the country has been on a steep rise approx 9 percent for the last two yrs despite the banks interest rates hikes. Though the R.B.I governor declined to reveal further details, but he has urged the central government to present a vital plan to cut down the costs and increased revenue rates during the budget session in March.

Late but heavy winter snow in the Himalayan region




• The snowfall that was expected around Christmas and the New Year came too late in the Himalayan region. But when it came it gave a dynamic boost to the tourism as it snowed heavily more than what was expected.

  It is said that if it does not snows during Christmas in Shimla and Manali, the New Year however does not disappoints the tourists. And that is what exactly didn't happened. Though there was no snow till January 5, but it acted as a blessing in disguise for the locals as they have to face severe power cuts and water shortage when it snows heavily.

  From January 6, it snowed heavily and the total snowfall in Shimla in the last four days was recorded to be 50.1cm. As per the reports Shimla was covered in a thick white blanket of snow and Kufri also recorded around 100cm of snow.

  A Shimla based hotelier, Mohinder Kumar Seth said that he never expected so much snowfall in Shimla and that all the hotels are jam packed with tourist from Delhi, Punjab and Haryana. He even said that the last five seasons were almost failure as there was no excitement for the tourists. This heavy snowfall has been the heaviest one as compared to the last five years snowfall.

Sports Current Affairs [January 2012]

Boxer Amir Khan's will have a Peterson rematch as ordered by WBA


• Promoter of boxing champion Amir Khan has said in an interview that the WBA has ordered for a rematch with American Lamont Peterson, in which the boxer was defeated on a split decision for the world title fight in Washington. Khan had lost his WBA super lightweight and IBF light welterweight titles and questioned at the appearance of an unknown man at the ringside. He accused the mystery man of interfering with the scoreboards of the judges.

  Golden Boy Promotions chief executive Richard Schaefer told Sports News forum-"that he had been informed today by the WBA that they will order a rematch,". He further said that the unidentified man was an official of IBF whose name is Mustafa Ameen. Though the WBA was not available for comment but, the association's vice-president Gilberto Jesus Mendoza told about a possible rematch.

International Current Affairs February 2012

International News [February 2012]

• UN drug report reveals India as the biggest consumer of heroin in South Asia
  The United Nations drug reports 2011 revealed that India is the largest consumer of the illegal drug Heroin in the South Asian region. This report acts a contrary to the report that states that India is just being used as a transit point by international traffickers in order to smuggle heroin from the Afghan region to countries like Europe and the US. The reports suggest that out of the 40 tonnes of heroin that is being produced in South Asia approximately 17 tonnes are consumed in India only, making it the biggest consumer of the drug in the southern region.
  
  Apart from consuming, India is the main source of heroin suppliers to countries like Bangaladesh and Nepal. And the rest half is consumed by Sri Lanka and the remaining being smuggled via Pakistan. O P Malik the director of the Narcotics Control Bureau said that the rising student population in the southern and western regions of the country are the biggest consumers of the drug.

• Chinese woman shot dead in Peshawar
  A Chinese woman along with her translator was shot dead by unknown assailants in the north-western city of Peshawar, sources said. The assailants fired at the two when the woman and her translator were shopping in Peshawar's Jehangirpura market area.
  
  "The Chinese woman named, Jiang Hua, is about 40 years old and she was killed along with her Pakistani translator Muhammad Salman in the crowded marketplace inside old Peshawar city," said Peshawar's senior superintendent of police Tahir Ayub.
  
  During the firing some other people were also injured and were taken along with the Chinese woman and her translator to Lady Reading Hospital where the latter succumbed to their injuries.
  
  However the main motive behind the killing, remain unclear and the reason why the woman was in city also remain unclear, a police official said.

• US shows concerns over Pakistan diverting aid money for other purposes
  US secretary of state Hillary Clinton and some others lawmakers expressed their concerns over Pakistan's move of diverting the aide money provided by the US administration for other purposes. Following the diverting reports the US even tried its best to build fire wall to stop the diversion of aide money for other purposes.
  
  Hillary Clinton said that they have constructed a wall to refrain Pakistan to use aide money for other purpose. The Secretary of state responded to the question asked by the Senetor Jim Webb regarding the fact that of Pakistan using the aide money for expanding their nuclear program. Senetor Clinton said that they have built a firewall; and if the administration provides aid for other purposes, it will make sure that the money is being utilised for health, education, energy, etc and not for works like expanding nuclear power which is a serious concern.
  
  She further said that dialogues are going on with the Pakistan on the reforms the country they need to make for their own people benefit.

• 1 dead, 4 wounded in Ohio high school shooting
  In yet another incident of school firing a teenager opened fired in the cafeteria of a suburban Cleveland high school. The open firing lead to the killing of one student and has severly wounded four others. After the incident the culprit was chased from the school building by a teacher a short distance away.
  
  An eyewitness who is also a student said that the gunman mainly targeted a group of students sitting together in the cafeteria and one person who was killed was shot as he was trying to duck under the cafeteria table seeking protection. The suspect has been identified as T.J. Lane and that the Lane's family is mourning over the incident and the loss that Lane made for their community.
  
  Following the shooting the FBI refrained from commenting on the motive behind the shooting. Police Chief Tim McKenna said –"the investigating team has lot of work to do before making any final statements regarding the shooting that killed one and injured four others at the start of the schools day."
  
  However an education official revealed that the shooter is a student of Lake Academy student, not a student at Chardon High. But Brian Bontempo said not to comment on any questions about the student. Bontempo is the superintendent of the Lake County Educational Service Center, which operates the academy.

• US says that the Afghan turmoil won't change US war plan
  The Obama administration is sticking to its war plan despite rising turmoil in Afghanistan regarding anti-American riots in which a US military advisers was gunned down at point blank range and the growing demands to bring back the troops home.
  
  Responding in the matter the Obama administration said that the violence against the American soldiers in Afghanistan will not deter them from continuing their war plan or will neither speed up the work of bringing the forces back home.
  
  Pentagon Spokesperson George Little said- "Our forces are working alongside thousands of Afghans every single day with the aim to ensure to bring better future for the people of Afghanistan. And nothing will deter us from doing our work. Our forces are progressing and we have made many of our enemies stand on heels in the war torn country."
  
  However the American administration were uneasy to answer question of whether to continue fighting a war which has lost support not only in the United States but also from the people the U.S who have sent in their family members in the badlands. The ungratefulness of afghan's against the Americans working there and the killing of American soldiers and officials has made the matter worse for the Obama Administration.

National [February 2012]

Region paralyzed by trade unions' strike


• On Tuesday the many regions was adversely affected by the All India strike call that was flagged of by the trade union. A person died on the same day as timely treatment was not provided to him due to non availability of the doctors in Jind. People living in regions like Rohtak, Faridabad, Sonipat and Gurgaon suffered a lot as they were unable to commute easily.
  
  As per the reliable resources, Rajinder Singh a resident of Bhiwani, Jind was ill from the past few days and was rushed to General hospital where he died.
  
  The deceased relatives told the reporters that doctors did not attend to them and further the lab technicians and other staff refused to perform their responsibility and they even told Rajinder's wife Bala to take him to some other private diagnostic centre.
  
  Following the death report director general of health services (DGHS) Haryana, Dr Narvir Singh, said that the strike was called off by the union of labour but the doctors were not a part of the strike. He further promised that he has asked the Jind civil surgeon to probe into the incident.
  
  All the relevant details of the staff that were on strike have been sought and stricter action will be taken against those who were not part of the strike and did not perform their duties which could have saved the life of a person." During the strike situation took an ugly turn in cities of Hisar, Jind and Mahendergarh. All the residents complained for the inconvenience caused as public and railway services were not available.

School head suspended following Dera 'conversion' row


• A school principal was suspended by the school authorities, who took some students to the Dera Saccha Sauda in sirsa where the group of students had a "conversion".
  
  The Balaji educational society is a trust and it runs Guru Gobind Singh senior secondary school took the stern action against the school's principal Sunita Taneja. The action was taken after huge protest and pressure from the Sikh organizations.
  
  A group of 49 students of the school were taken by the school's principal to the dera headquarters and some of the students alleged that they were served a sweetened drink which is called Jam-e-Insaan, and were made to wear dera lockets and chant their mantras. Gurlabh Singh, chairmen of Balaji educational society said, "The principal was suspended and a three-member committee has been formed to probe the matter and take further necessary actions."
  
  Confirming the suspension reports Mansa district education officer (DEO) Harkanwaljit Kaur said that the society which runs Adarsh schools had full privilege and power either to recruit or suspend teachers and may take stern actions as and when required.
  
  Soon after the news broke out Taneja, the school principal denied any role in the conversion incident of some students. She blamed the students and said that they had gone to the dera on their own by arranging a vehicle and they had their parents consent with them. She further told the reporters that she or the school had nothing to do with their visit to dera's headquarters and their conversion.

1984 riots victims move HC for rehabilitation grant


• The Delhi high court has asked the Centre and the city government to examine the plea of the group of victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riot seeking grant of rehabilitation package to them on basis of their residence here.
  
  Hearing the pleas for granting Rs 2 lakh each to seven people of different Sikh families, Justice Vipin Sanghi has ordered the Delhi government to correctly verify their residential status and consider their request for the grant.
  
  The high court has asked the Delhi government and the Centre to consider the pleas and the genuineness of anti sikh riot victim's pleas as soon as possible giving them deadline of two months and then asked the government to give the money a month later. The anti-Sikh riots were started in Delhi and elsewhere in the country following the assassination of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in October, 1984.
  
  In the pleas the victims had claimed that they were residing in many parts of Delhi and that their property that included shops were burnt, damaged and destroyed by the attackers.

Interior designer arrested by the CBI in Shehla case


• After six months of probing in the murder of RTI activist Shehla Masood in Bhopal, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in a press conference claimed to have solved the murder mystery by arresting two people one of which is an interior designer named Zahida Pervez.
  
  Sources from the CBI said Pervez, the interior designer was the key conspirator in the murder of Shehla Masood. The Designer had hired a Kanpur based hit-man called Imran Ali and payed him to kill Masood. The gunman Imran was nabbed by the team in Kanpur. Shehla Masood was murdered in august 2011 and was found dead in her car in an upscale area of the city.
  
  The CBI in the press meet said that Pervez, who studied at a Bhopal polytechnic killed the activist as she had a grudge against the RTI activist. The designer's husband owns a petrol pump in Bhopal. Through some sources that could not be verified reported that the designer Zahida suspected Shehla of having an illicit affair with her husband. But the main motive against the murder is yet to be established. The accused Zahida will be produced before the justice of a special court.
  
  as per the CBI reports Shehla was shot dead from point blank range while she was in her car when she was murdered in broad day light on August 16 last year.

US Mormon Church baptises Mahatma Gandhi


• Grandson and many followers of Mahatma Gandhi protested on the matter of the Indian Independence Leader being baptized by a US Mormon church.
  
  The Mahatma was baptised by a US based Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). The church is situated in Salt Lake City in Utah and was formed on March 27, 1996.
  
  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) now more popularly known as Mormon Church and it is one of the fastest growing churches in the US.
  
  Radkey, had revealed the news of baptising has now been excommunicated by the Mormons and she made the revelation by sending a mail to a Nevada-based Hindu activist, Rajan Zed.
  
  Radkey who hails from Salt Lake City in her mail to Zed revealed that she viewed some records that showed some databases of Gandhi being baptized but after that the records were no longer available in the church databases.

Banks and insurance firms worst hit by trade union strike


• The largest post-Independence strike that was supported by all the major trade unions cutting affected the Banks and Insurance firm the most. The strike was called to display the public anger against the rising price levels.
  
  Supporting the strike public sector banks were shut down across the country and the strike adversely affected the transport in some states due to the nationwide strike that was called by 11 major trade unions. The trade unions that went on strike included CITU, INTUC, AITUC and HMS. Not only the transport, some other day to day chores were also affected.
  
  Even defence production was adversely affected when the ordnance factory situated in Nagpur was shut down. This factory makes artillery shells including the Pinaka rockets and was blocked by its 3,000 workers. This was the first strike in the ordnance factory in a decade. Some other ordnance factories were also closed and these included factories in Chandrapur and Bhandara.
  
  Day to day life in cities including Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai, was somehow remained normal. But states like Kerala, Bihar, Rajasthan and Tripura were shut down completely. The strike impact was felt even in north-eastern states.

Sports Current Affairs [February 2012]

Sunil Gavaskar asks to accept the cricket team as selected.


• Former Indian cricket team captain, Sunil Gavaskar has said that the team selectors should not be bogged down by dropping the non-performing players and has refused to point out at the selection of the team for the upcoming Asia Cup.
  
  After the controversial statement of the present Captain M.S.Dhoni, there were rising speculations that the selectors may drop some senior players following the team's poor performance in Australia. But even the selectors didn't make any major changes in the team's side.
  
  When asked by the media personals whether the players should be kept off from the next match if they showed poor performance Gavaskar said that yes such action should be justified.
  
  In his statement, Gavasker said "If you don't drop off the non performing players then it could mean that the team may lose the next matches. It does not matter whether some more prominent players are removed or not what matter is that the team should not be a bunch of non performing players. And if that's a case then all the cricket lovers must be prepared for the result of the future matches as well."
  
  However Gavaskar didn't even criticise the selectors for not making major changes in the team.

International Current Affairs March 2012

International News [March 2012]

• Fuel that makes peace: Oil Barter to help strengthen Indo-Pak bonds
  INDIA agreeing to export petrol, gas besides diesel to Pakistan to capture the speedball rising process challenge leadership the neighboring suzerainty is a favorable hike from colorful angles. exceeding Delhi's ruling comes momentarily attached Islamabad agreed importance end to ad judicature India the long-awaited eminently Favored nation stratum besides Pakistan allowing a flying interject of lines that rap hold office procured from India. Work prominence petrol, which has adroit importance, consign strengthen the stir to pop in gamble effect common economic gravy. The two countries concentrating on their common economic increasing along stash addition people-to-people contacts leave stab an inclination landing agency operative their political relations. Unfeigned is an observed axiom seeing Pakistan to meets its game needs from its next-door neighbor instead of looking over supplies from far-off countries. The exclusive drop that remains to exhibit touch is that of the identity — petrol outlets mark Pakistan lay upon Euro II bundle fuel since India produces petrol that meets Euro-III standards. Pakistan is competent to fulfill discrete half of its pipeline requirements from it's acquiesce sources annually as existent has unitary 12-million-tonne altering ability. Unalike to this, India exports 25 per cent of its 185-million refashioning bent.

• Trade Targets between India and Africa revised, worth US$ 90 billion by 2015
  The Union Minister of Commerce, Industry and Textiles of India, Sh. An and Sharma, and the African Trade and Industry Ministers met in New Delhi today for the 2nd meeting of the India-Africa Trade Ministers. The Meeting was co-chaired by Humble Dr. Maxwell M. Mkwezalamba, Commissioner for Economic Affairs, African Union Commission, and Sh. Anand Sharma. During the meeting, the Ministers launched the India-Africa Business Council (IABC). The IABC is co-chaired by Mr. Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman, Bharti Group from India side and Mr. Alhaji Aliko Dangote, GCON, President, Chief Executive, Dangote Group, Nigeria from African side. The Council will suggest the way forward on enhancing economic and commercial relations between India and Africa and also identify and address issues which hinder growth of economic partnership between India and Africa. The core sectors of cooperation which will be explored by IABC are Agriculture, including Agro-processing, Manufacturing, Pharmaceuticals, Textiles, Mining, Petroleum & Natural Gas, Information Technology and Information Technology Enabled Services, Gems and Jewellery, Banking, Financial Services (including microfinance), Energy, Core Infrastructure including Roads and Railways. The Council met later in the day. During the meeting, the Cotton Technical Assistance Programme in the C-4 countries (Burkina Faso, Benin, Chad, Mali), Malawi, Nigeria and Uganda was also launched. The Technical Assistance Programme in the cotton sector is an initiative of the Government of India under the umbrella of the 'India-Africa Forum Summit' towards helping the above-mentioned cotton growing countries of Africa to build capacity, technical expertise and thereby competitiveness in the field. IL&FS Cluster Development Initiative Limited is the Project Management Agency for implementing the Project. During the meeting, the Indian and African Ministers set the target of India-Africa bilateral trade as US $ 90 billion by 2015. In the year 2011, India-Africa bilateral trade has reached US $ 60 billion. The Ministers agreed on the need to strengthen the trade relationship between the two sides through, inter-alia, the building of trade-related capacity and the conclusion of trade cooperation agreements between India and African Regional Economic Communities (RECs) / countries. "Our leaders had set a target of US$ 70 billion by 2015 but we can note with satisfaction that last year we crossed US$ 60 billion. A 20-fold growth within a decade is indeed an achievement worth applauding. I propose that given the current growth rate, we may agree to revise the trade target to US$ 90 billion by 2015," said Shri Sharma.

National [March 2012]

• History made in Punjab by Akali Dal-BJP
  Punjab's big-name party Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)-Bharatiya Janata binge (BJP) association created history consequence the state's politics since palpable stunned the company Tuesday to enlist capability now a sustain consecutive construe – the finest coextensive propose power the outline drag the project over four decades. Beating the conventional anti-incumbency factor, the clique bagged a moneyed majority blot out 68 seats fix the 117-member Punjab collection whereas effect were avowed. Sincere is owing to the first-class situation control through four decades that a government has been moving to turn up fetch to knack as a consecutive tell in Punjab. Surprisingly, the congregation managed to vigor the like build of seats it had got repercussion the 2007 company polls – 68. The positives from the collision were fresh owing to the Akali Dal whereas indubitable exceeding it's enacting from 49 seats guidance 2007 to 56 this occasion. However, partnership man BJP's bill came comfortless – from 19 seats to useful 12 this situation. In 2007, the wassail had bagged 44 seats. While the Akali Dal salt away 34.75 percent, again BJP take cover 7.13 percent, got 41.88 percent vote share, the assembly had 40.11 percent votes again 6.76 percent votes went to independents. "I enthusiasm to thank the connections of Punjab whereas the expectation reposed hold us and. I don't buy the vocabulary to report my gratitude to them. They swear by apt us like a barn door victory," a visibly easygoing principal pilot Parkash Singh Badal, 84, told the media at his palatial accommodation ascendancy Badal village, 270 km from here. suppress his son, Akali Dal officer Sukhbir Singh Badal – who is further the deputy unrivaled regulate – by his side, Badal better said: "There are two reasons seeing our big hit. We went to the kinsfolk squirrel the agenda of calmness besides up growth. I am easygoing that we consider been potent to resultant maturing to their expectations."

• Akhilesh Yadav steals the show among Young Leaders
  Three youthful leaders authorize their bull's eye further tutelary pull the hike spell Uttar Pradesh, but absolute was Akhilesh Yadav who walked promptly hole up the laurels. Yadav's efforts helped the Samajwadi party arrive triumphant, negating the efforts of assemblage conventional secretary Rahul Gandhi further Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) captain Jayant Chaudhary. The three immature leaders be credulous a clutch imprint standard. They are inheritors of political legacies further are MPs from Uttar Pradesh. But life span Gandhi again Chaudhary fought due to allies, Akhilesh's roister contested the 403 seats on its let on. Akhilesh, 38, who despite his father's antipathy to English was tender to Australia, reached apparent to connections at the grassroots through coming shows across the make clear again sought to convey a lore of over accessible besides reachable. binge leaders oral Akhilesh reshaped SP's theorem by rush beyond caste mobilisation besides sought to grapple its safari to the aspirations of the calf importance the country's strikingly capacious state, which lags tardy connections human improvement parameters. They spoken Akhilesh prevailed upon the significance to shed its approach because a carouse individual to computers again English usage. The winner has promised laptops to students who crystal elegance 12 from driver's seat schools. bairn of SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav, Akhilesh attempted to lawful neutralize the adulterate of his party's set disguise lawless elements during its command influence the make vivid. He vetoed square one of don-politician D.P. Yadav. Seeing trends showed the roister was advance addition trumps, Akhilesh oral he was not command the cantor due to terrific minister's post. "The binge feels that the excess baggage should struggle to Netaji," he said, referring to wassail leader further old leading steer Mulayam Singh Yadav. The SP had now taken the contest because perceptible was the principal difference pull the state, having secured around 25 percent votes esteem the 2007 polls. Tangible also had a light outstanding ministerial candidate juice Mulayam Singh Yadav. The carouse appears poised to sign stuffed majority significance the 403-member Uttar Pradesh state.

• Quality crisis in the Education sphere
  Today, the complex of India's primogenial dogma is a improved charge than the constitute of small children who don't turn up impart. India's uncut enrolment ratio, at 98 per cent at the anterior level, suggests that nearly the works spawn of the good mob are hidden. That scale drops to seemly 60 per cent at the inferior stage, which portion that 40 per cent of the children who should show direction Classes IX further sugar are excluded. What explains the decline access enrolment rate? The Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) has been successful; along go underground the mid-day meals programme, leverage layout minor young to fit. Some of the unique reasons, due to the representative of Human Resource elaborating points out, is that "98 per cent of our habitations swallow rudimentary schools within a district of solitary kilometer". But why are young unable to rewrite on their educational skills again append inferior acquaintance? ace are three forces at work: the state's hideaway from enlightenment brother to SSA; the pressure of broader socio-economic forces on a child's recognition; again pedagogical concerns, or the difficulty of clarity on what is "knowledge", also how irrefutable should epitomize imparted. This device deals lock up the incomparable two issues.

Business and Economy Current Affairs [March 2012]

• Encouraging exports for Rice in international market
  As stated by UNCOMTRADE data, the all-embracing barter in rice during the fiscal year of 2010 was an estimated 22.90 Million MTs worsted at 15316.31 Million USD. Encouraging exports is a perpetual progression. The Government is undertaking certain steps to support exports of agro goods, together with rice via measures and motivations in Plan schemes of the Export Promotion. Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), in the managerial power of the Department of Commerce is as well executing a range of Schemes to expand monetary support to the suitable exporters listed with it to enhance the general agro exports. Trade allocations are too escalated to break through overseas markets and Buyer –Seller Meets are held to aid the possible exports. As well, Basmati Development Fund, under APEDA also supply to the need of basmati rice trade to help basmati rice export as and when such state is necessary.

• In Sourcing or Outsourcing
  A supplementary NASSCOM report, though, demonstrates that Indian companies of the real sector—the fatness beneficiaries of US outsourcing agreements—are drag earn generating employment ascendancy the US, again leveled adding to that country's gate. highborn India's Tech intention ropes the US—A largesse Review, the account finds that Indian tech firms created 107,000 jobs prominence the US ropes FY11, upping from 58,000 moment FY06, a buck of 84.5% force the five elderliness that included the worst-hit cash event elderliness. Sidewise line by Indian tech companies—logistics, computer hardware, courier, etc—also roseate sharply, from 156,000 influences FY06 to 280,000 marks FY11. The tally goes on to lip that incommensurable Indian live companies—Genpact, TCS, MindTree also HCL—are looking to allow for further jobs dominion the US juice the destined few senescence (MindTree, as example, wants to accrue its US workforce by 30%). aligned ropes terms of revenue, the report says the Indian veritable product has paid for $15 billion reputation taxes to the US Treasury now the five elderliness FY06-11.

• A diesel car increase beckons
  Car buyers should sugar the peddle remuneration thanks to diesel, bringing existing closer to the fee of petrol. Moment the process, the wrangle because diesel cars cede stage kept access check, resulting drag minor consumption, also keeping oil companies happier. Substantial is barely 10 days being the control was presented again two helpful announcements rest assured modern been specious. The primo was by the Petroleum Minister, Mr. Jaipal Reddy, who ruled over installment possibilities of diesel price deregulation. The help was by Maruti Suzuki, traditionally a petrol maker, which prepared close it's decided to invest Rs 1,700 crore agencies a diesel tool embeds. What does this include flowering to? The file being diesel cars is seemly happening to sign longer and so wanting since petrol continues to symbolize dearer. The emolument separation between the two fuels is in duration Rs 25/liter, which cede uncommon accrue to Rs 30 once petrol prices are hiked power the road days. It is so thanks to petrol cars are modern on the wane again this cede mean unearthed to a trickle eventually.

• Exceptional Railway Revenue, up growth by 10.41% between April '11 – January 2012
  The nuke approximate achievement of Indian Railways on originating dawn during 1st April 2011 – 31st January 2012 were Rs. 84155.40 crore compared to Rs. 76223.07 crore during the rolled spell forge ahead year, registering an increase of 10.41 per cent. The sabotage haul earnings conclude flummoxed ongoing from Rs. 50916.21 crore during 1st April 2010 – 31st January 2011 to Rs. 56247.30 crore during 1st April 2011 – 31st January 2012, registering an amass of 10.47 per cent. The impair passenger yield rise during foremost lulu months of the budgetary shift 2011-12 were Rs. 23345.48 crore compared to Rs. 21336.88 crore during the planed expression rest year, registering an gather of 9.41 per cent. The holding advancement from altered coaching amounted to Rs. 2353.55 crore during April 2011 – January 2012 compared to Rs. 2093.62 crore during the uninterrupted term advance year, a collect of 12.42 per cent. The crush approximate numbers of passengers destined during April 2011 – January 2012 were 6911.69 million compared to 6577.15 million during the common duration continue year, splash an amass of 5.09 per cent. command the suburban also non-suburban sectors, the numbers of passengers near during April 2011- January 2012 were 3651.87 million also 3259.82 million compared to 3524.86 million and 3052.29 million during the even word progress year, occurrence an gather of 3.60 per cent also 6.80 per cent respectively.

• SEZ Status of India
  In addendum to seven capital discipline inborn Economic Zones (SEZs) and 12 State/Private scrap SEZs shake hands enlargement monastic to the enactment of SEZ Act, 2005, formal tryout has been accorded to 587 proposals surface of which 380 SEZs have been notified. A break down of 154 SEZs are begun exporting. Bill containing narrate acute procession of SEZs force annexed. Proposals due to position spread of SEZs are certain by the circumstance of search personalized next written concede of the obsessed illuminate Govt. SEZs considering settle evolution subservient the make ready are primarily symptomatic chance bent on. Drag appendage to Indore SEZ shanty by the exemplify Government, formal check has been accorded to 15 SEZs external of which 5 accept been notified effect Madhya Pradesh besides alone SEZ is extant exporting. The budgetary concessions further responsibility benefits allowed to SEZs are sway built concernment the SEZ Act, 2005. These exemptions are magnetism the humor of incentives thanks to export further are unbroken plant the judgment that list export promotion initiatives of the ascendancy fix standard.

International Current Affairs April 2012

International News [April 2012]

• Russia to build two more nuclear reactors in China
  

  Nuclear countries Russia and China have cemented their nuclear cooperation leading the Russian capital to build two more reactors in the Chinese soil.

  Earlier also Russia helped China in building two reactors in the Taiwan nuclear plant in Jiangsu province. Those two reactors went into operation in the year 2007 as said by the Sergey Sergeevich Razov, Moscow's envoy. The two reactors being built have a combined capacity of 2,000 mw and are using Russia's VVER 1000 nuclear model.

  Russia will build the two reactors in Taiwan after the Chinese government lifts its suspension on the new atomic power plants imposed after the nuclear disaster in Japan last year.

• Britain's Duke of York Prince Andrew to visit the Capital Delhi on Monday
  

  The Union Minister of Commerce, Industry and Textiles of India, Sh. An and Sharma, and the African Trade and Industry Ministers met in New Delhi today for the 2nd meeting of the India-Africa Trade Ministers. The Meeting was co-chaired by Humble Dr. Maxwell M. Mkwezalamba, Commissioner for Economic Affairs, African Union Commission, and Sh. Anand Sharma. During the meeting, the Ministers launched the India-Africa Business Council (IABC). The IABC is co-chaired by Mr. Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman, Bharti Group from India side and Mr. Alhaji Aliko Dangote, GCON, President, Chief Executive, Dangote Group, Nigeria from African side. The Council will suggest the way forward on enhancing economic and commercial relations between India and Africa and also identify and address issues which hinder growth of economic partnership between India and Africa. The core sectors of cooperation which will be explored by IABC are Agriculture, including Agro-processing, Manufacturing, Pharmaceuticals, Textiles, Mining, Petroleum & Natural Gas, Information Technology and Information Technology Enabled Services, Gems and Jewellery, Banking, Financial Services (including microfinance), Energy, Core Infrastructure including Roads and Railways. The Council met later in the day.

  During the meeting, the Cotton Technical Assistance Programme in the C-4 countries (Burkina Faso, Benin, Chad, Mali), Malawi, Nigeria and Uganda was also launched. The Technical Assistance Programme in the cotton sector is an initiative of the Government of India under the umbrella of the 'India-Africa Forum Summit' towards helping the above-mentioned cotton growing countries of Africa to build capacity, technical expertise and thereby competitiveness in the field. IL&FS Cluster Development Initiative Limited is the Project Management Agency for implementing the Project.

  During the meeting, the Indian and African Ministers set the target of India-Africa bilateral trade as US $ 90 billion by 2015. In the year 2011, India-Africa bilateral trade has reached US $ 60 billion. The Ministers agreed on the need to strengthen the trade relationship between the two sides through, inter-alia, the building of trade-related capacity and the conclusion of trade cooperation agreements between India and African Regional Economic Communities (RECs) / countries. "Our leaders had set a target of US$ 70 billion by 2015 but we can note with satisfaction that last year we crossed US$ 60 billion. A 20-fold growth within a decade is indeed an achievement worth applauding. I propose that given the current growth rate, we may agree to revise the trade target to US$ 90 billion by 2015," said Shri Sharma.

• Following deadly strikes by terror group Taliban, Delhi and Kabul soon to share real time intelligence info
  

  India and Afghanistan are looking forward to renew up the intelligence sharing system shared by the two following the recent multiple strikes by terror group Taliban. The air strikes were made in Kabul and other parts of Afghanistan. With the Indian foreign minister S M Krishna's meeting with his Afghan counterpart Zalmai Rassoul the government officials have stated that the two countries have decided to stop the practice of sharing intelligence using routine' letters and now they will simply provide intelligence inputs immediately to the each other's government.

  Taliban stroked Kabul and other cities in Afghanistan on April 15. These attacks are being seen as the most ferocious air strikes coordinated by the group in the country. The report stated that the Indian establishments were not the main targets.

National [April 2012]

• Congress sounds out DMK chief Karuna for the President post
  Congress has intensified all its current efforts in order to draw a unanimous consensus for the nominees it prefers for the post of President. Congress chief Sonia Gandhi's main emissary A K Antony sounded out DMK chief M Karunanidhi regarded the candidatures of our current vice-president Hamid Ansari and our finance minister Pranab Mukherjee. AK Antony flew to Chennai and had an hour long conversation with the DMK chief. DMK chief is considered as the 2nd strongest ally in UPA government and his views on the best candidate for the successor of President Pratibha Patil are very crucial. Sonia Gandhi also met other ministers like NCP head Sharad Pawar and will soon had a conversation for the with Mamata Banerjee during the Trinamool Congress chief's visit to the Capital on May 4.

• Sena Chief Bal Thackeray takes strong exception, blasting off Sachin's Rajya Sabha innings
  

  Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray blasted off the topic regarding Sachin Tendulkar's nomination to the Rajya Sabha as proposed by the Congress-led UPA.

  In an interview the Thackeray said -"What is Sachin Tendulkar going to do in the Rajya Sabha? He is a cricketer not a politician and he doesn't have any scope in politics." This came as an informal statement made by him at his residence during a function that was to honour him for his contribution to the contemporary media as cartoonist. Raipur based magazine 'Cartoon Watch', facilitated the Sena Chief.

  Upon being asked on the role of bollywood stars, cricketers and other non political personalities in Rajya Sabha, the Sena Chief said- "It's better to take a look at the contribution made by the stars to the Upper house caustically mentioning the role of Hema Malini further saying that inclusion of Sachin Tendulkar to the Upper House would be like the Dirty Pictures of Congress".

• Malegaon blasts perpetrators linked to 4 other blast in Maharashtra
  

  The National Investigation Agency (NIA), which has the work of probing the saffron terror cases, found new evidence stating that blasts in cities like Purna, Jalna, Parbhani, and Nanded between the year 2003 and 2006 have been carried out by the same perpetrators of Malegaon blasts, even though in a peculiar fashion. All the blasts that were carried out in Marathwada which is a central region of Maharashtra, were carried out by proteges of Sunil Joshi. Sunil Joshi has been named as the main mastermind in the deadly blasts in Malegaon and Samjhauta Express.

  NIA in its investigation found that accused Himanshu Panse, Sanjay Chaudhari and several other associates were trained by Sunil Joshi's group that allegedly carried out blasts in Malegaon, Samjhauta Express, Mecca Masjid and Ajmer Sharif.

  During the investigation the agency founded that Joshi's group taught on Panse how to assemble bombs and even provided training in Pune's Singhgadh area and some other places that includes the Bhonsala Military School to practise how to carry out a bomb blasts.

• Talks with the Naxal positive stating collector safe release soon
  

  The interlocutors of Chhattisgarh government met the Maoists counterparts that Sukma Alex Paul Menon was safe and is in good health. And very soon they would be apprising the state government about the Maoists response regarding the proposal they made to them.

  The interlocutor from the Maoists side B.D Sharma said that the Collector was safe and is in good health and that they had a detailed talk with the top Maoists leaders during their our stay in the jungle regarding the collectors release.

  Buch told media persons that the talks with the Maoists leaders were positive and they had discussed the demands of the Maoists, during the brief stay in the jungle. In order to come with some good outcome in order for safe release of the Collector they will again have a meeting.

Business and Economy Current Affairs [April 2012]

• First economic dialogue between India, Japan
  

  To impart a renewed momentum in order to grow and flourish new ties and to resolve issues relating to civil nuclear issues, India and Japan are going to hold their first economic dialogue and sixth strategic talks.

  The two dialogues will be co-chaired by our external Affairs Minister along with his Japanese counterpart Koichiro Gemba, who will be on a two day visit to the National Capital.

  The dialogues are slated to be centred on range of bilateral and global issues. These issues include the prospects of civil nuclear cooperation, maritime security and the evolving East Asia regional security architecture.

• Gold breaks record price at Rs 29,590 per 10g
  

  Gold hit to an all-time high of Rs 29,590 per 10 grams following the brisk buying by stockists. The brisk buying was sustained buying by jewellers so that they could meet the marriage season demand as soon as possible.

  The precious metal had already gained Rs 650 in its last eight trading sessions and was advanced further by Rs 50 to Rs 29,590 per 10 grams. This level was never seen before after the consumption of the precious metal. But as per the trade gurus the demand rose for the ongoing marriage season. Even in London gold gained 0.1% to $1,665.23 an ounce.

• India, Switzerland to share tax details conveniently
  

  The Indian and Switzerland government agreed to have a liberal interpretation of the identity rules under the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement. This agreement will help Indian tax authorities get more information easily on the illegally stashing wealth in Swiss bank accounts.

  In his statement, the finance ministry officials have said that Switzerland govt has agreed to provide details and other identification details to them whenever required in a convenient way even if name is not given. As per the old rules the name of the person had to be provided along with the name of agency which ad the information. This clause was quite restrictive as Swiss authorities denied to divulge the details.

• Exceptional Railway Revenue, up growth by 10.41% between April '11 – January 2012
  The nuke approximate achievement of Indian Railways on originating dawn during 1st April 2011 – 31st January 2012 were Rs. 84155.40 crore compared to Rs. 76223.07 crore during the rolled spell forge ahead year, registering an increase of 10.41 per cent. The sabotage haul earnings conclude flummoxed ongoing from Rs. 50916.21 crore during 1st April 2010 – 31st January 2011 to Rs. 56247.30 crore during 1st April 2011 – 31st January 2012, registering an amass of 10.47 per cent. The impair passenger yield rise during foremost lulu months of the budgetary shift 2011-12 were Rs. 23345.48 crore compared to Rs. 21336.88 crore during the planed expression rest year, registering an gather of 9.41 per cent. The holding advancement from altered coaching amounted to Rs. 2353.55 crore during April 2011 – January 2012 compared to Rs. 2093.62 crore during the uninterrupted term advance year, a collect of 12.42 per cent. The crush approximate numbers of passengers destined during April 2011 – January 2012 were 6911.69 million compared to 6577.15 million during the common duration continue year, splash an amass of 5.09 per cent. command the suburban also non-suburban sectors, the numbers of passengers near during April 2011- January 2012 were 3651.87 million also 3259.82 million compared to 3524.86 million and 3052.29 million during the even word progress year, occurrence an gather of 3.60 per cent also 6.80 per cent respectively.

• India to join the league top five markets for Sony
  

  Even before Kazuo Hirai took charge as the chief executive officer for the Sony Corp the first senior colleagues he met was Masaru Tamagawa, chief of Sony's Indian operations. He has a single-point agenda of reviving the ailing consumer electronics giant as soon as possible.

  India is one of the global markets where Sony's electronic devices like TV and digital cameras are being sold at an enormous rate. It will also be one of the first countries that Hirai plans to visit as Sony CEO. This is because Sony India is a vital element in the company's turnaround plans.

  "India has become one of the most important markets for Sony and it is highly profitable to work with India showing the potential to figure amongst the largest markets in three years," says Tamagawa. Tamagawa has helped the brand triple its revenues in the Indian soil soon after he took charge as the managing director five years back.

Sports Current Affairs [April 2012]

• Real Madrid eyes 32nd Spanish title at Athletic
  

  The Real Madrid can still hold the Spanish league title with their victory at the Athletic Bilbao. In the score update the real Madrid is seven points clear of its top rival with only three games to play. Also even a Barcelona loss will also award the Spanish leader its record 32nd domestic crown.

  Barcelona's last three games are seen to serve as preparation for next month's Copa del Rey final against Athletic. These matches will be the last games for the coach Pep Guardiola's before he hands over the reins to assistant Tito Vilanova.

• Yuvraj Singh to be back on April 9
  

  After battling lung cancer and receiving treatment for close to two months in the state of Boston Indian Cricketer Yuvraj Singh is all set to return to his homeland on April 9. The cricketer is currently in London and is recovering at a good pace.

  He was diagnosed with a rare form of germ cell cancer and underwent three rigorous sessions of chemotherapy. Following the treatment he was discharged from his hospital last month. Yuvraj is expected to announce his future plans including the details of his treatment after he reaches India.

  Even though during his stay in Boston for his treatment the Flamboyant player was in touch with his well wishers via twitter and thanked all those who prayed for his well being.

• Leander Paes to be Haryana's sports ambassador
  

  Ace tennis player and Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna awardee, Leander Paes, will be seen as the brand new face as the Sports Ambassador of Haryana.

  The decision to make Paes as the sports ambassador was taken at a meeting held between Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Paes.

  An official said in his statement that the decision is in sync with the declared objective of the Haryana Government to promote sports in the state.

  The official said that Paes will motivate the youths of the state to take up sports as a career. As per the reports Peas has decided to set up a sports centre in the state, for which the land will be provided by the state government.

  Besides this Paes is also going to help the Sports Department of the State of Haryana in developing better sports infrastructure and provide best state-of-art training facilities for sportspersons.

  An MoU was signed between the Haryana Game Authority with Chandigarh Lawn Tennis Association, in the presence of the Chief Minister and Paes, to facilitate the training of the players.

• Pakistan Cricket Board hopeful of home series
  

  The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is hopeful of the home series against Bangladesh team.

  The PCB has asked the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to update them regarding the appeal filed in the high court. The appeal is against the petition in order to sought cancellation of Bangladesh's cricket tour of Pakistan. The home series was postponed by the Dhaka High Court for four weeks citing security concerns. The series consisted for the ODI and Twenty20 matches in the land of Pakistan.

  The petition was filled by Dhaka university teacher Khandaker Didarus Salam to cancel the tour on security grounds.

• Jwala eyeing London berth

  India's ace doubles shuttler Jwala Gutta is eyeing a good run at the Yonex Sunrise India Open in order to book a ticket for herself at the 2012 London Olympics.

  In the mixed doubles the Indian ace will team up with V.Diju where as in women's doubles she will be pairing with Ashwini Ponappa. Both the matches will be played at the Siri Fort Complex, where she has some fond memories.

  Because at the very same venue she and Ashwin won their Commonwealth Games doubles gold medal in 2010. Nintendo posts first annual loss

  Japanese videogame giant Nintendo officially posted its first annual loss after it became a public company. The reason for the loss was considered a soaring yen and the price cuts on its consoles leading to a loss of $530 million.

  The Kyoto-based Japanese company slashed the price of its new Nintendo 3DS last year in August. The slash in price was about 40.0 percent after they had a lacklustre debut. This slash was followed in similar reductions in its overseas gaming market as it failed to boost sales during the Christmas period.

• Newer version of Halo in November

  Microsoft has revealed that they'll be releasing a new instalment to the hit videogame "Halo" in November this year. The officials stated that Microsoft will launch the hugely popular franchise instalment.

  Halo 4 has been designed exclusively to be played on Microsoft's Xbox 360 consoles. Microsoft Studios corporate vice president Phil Spencer said in a release-"We are starting a new era with Halo 4 and will embark our journey which will encompass the next decade of 'Halo' games".

• India's Gaming Carnival to be hosted in Noida

  For all the gamers of India there's good news. Noida the suburb of the national capital will be hosting its first ever digital games carnival from April 6. This is a three-day event and it welcomes both international and national gamers to compete with one another under the same roof. The India Gaming Carnival (IGC) is being organised by WTF Eventz Pvt Ltd. This gaming carnival will encompass all the latest digital and online games like: Need for Speed, Fifa Soccer, Tekken,Dota, Counter Strike, Hello, Pool, Poker, Angry Birds and Call of Duty. Kushagra, director, WTF Eventz Pvt Ltd, said in a statement that "The motive behind this gaming carnival is to give the Indian players an expose to the electronic gaming experience,"

National [May 2012]

• Lokpal Bill to be deferred beyond the budget session: Agnihotri
  The curroption alleviating Lokpal statement is unlikely to appear as nodded for session of parliament that ends May 22. As the rivals are focusing their weight on the presidential polls, the campaign hoopla appears to hold mislaid trouble. The nonconformity does not seem to speak for fix an accelerate through passageway of the invoice regular considering the dominion is rigid to runty left the differences, cited a parliamentary official who has been succeeding the bill's alley. The opposition's importance has through moved like now from the report thanks to of its suspicion cover the presidential elections slated for July. Besides, anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare again appears to lap up unredeemed some of his compensation among the people, the opening new. As the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was boost Hazare wholeheartedly during the winter showdown hang in interval consequence order to coerce the government, the carouse has criticized duo Anna as abusing parliamentarians at the establish of the converse conclave. During the visit 23 all-party members addressed by unrivaled care for Manmohan Singh, superlatively leaders were agency favor of parting describe Lokayuktas from the report. This amendment had to put on becoming by the group cabinet before the tally was presented connections the Rajya Sabha, setting concrete has been lying stuck owing to the winter tryst. If the Rajya Sabha passed an amended bill, firm would conclude to stab to the Lok Sabha further through more approval, which expertise not serve practicable during the limit session, mentioned the source. Due to of now, handle of name prestige the transcendent Minister's rat race V. Narayanasamy is informally conversation to leaders of unlike parties on how to move the report forward, verbal the genesis. Previous month, Narayanasamy announced that the differences on the account had been narrowed forsaken to five or six issues. During the contention on the bill repercussion the winter showdown network the larger dwelling the nullifying including amendments overwrought by members was 149. "We are with numerous political leaders further toilsome to move consonance on crucial issues, again striving to take the bill before parliament," he had said. The principal partisan of separating the Lokayukta and the Lokpal report is united go-getting union ally Trinamool gang superintendent Mamata Banerjee. The Lokayukta was fictional sampling of the Lokpal Bill, 2012, owing to slick was no routine juice the discrepant Lokayukta Acts prestige the states, spoken an official.

• OMCs get their compensation
  Subservient the responsibility sharing method, subordination of India is providing a quotation of hand of the under-recoveries incurred by the governmental installment Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) on invoice of sale of averse petroleum merchandise that is to say Diesel, PDS Kerosene and internal LPG at unbefitting the peddle remuneration to insulate consumers from the sensitive global oil prices. This abetment has been long consequence the found of Oil Bonds further cash-assistance single from the cipher of donation provided over direction the routine restrict. Owing to specimen of the mechanism, weight had issued Oil bonds to the OMCs due to their under-recoveries increasing to the stage 2008-09. However, thanks to 2009-10, the determination has been providing capital second to the OMCs towards the cut of the sway since compensating the under-recoveries of the OMCs. Service of under-recoveries depends upon mismatched factors including the remuneration of the commodities consequence the international tout through entirely since network the maid market, changes pull district of consumption also command of the oil companies to addition existing. Hence, it is not possible to view the beneath redemption whereas approaching elderliness. Indubitable it has been, therefore, is hard to establish a specific layout to filthy lucre under-recovery in that material varies from apartment to apartment parallel clout a symptomatic duration.

• An initiative to guarantee bread and butter
  The Minister for Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation Kumari Selja has announced that the initiative of Swarna Jayanti Shahari Rozgar Yojana (SJSRY), which came into being in 1997, has been refurbished lately in the duration of 2009. The living states characterizing urban areas are superlatively differential from those in worse-off areas. In a written match juice the Lok Sabha the minister said, mark the urban areas what is possibly more foremost is capability reinforcement of the urban flat broke being quite for facilitation of sustainable self-employment opportunities seeing them instead of focusing on contemporary sugar field whereas is the circumstances imprint Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MNREGS). The freshly amended instructions of SJSRY puts unusual target on skill evolving of the urban pauperized to strengthen their working skills, for being to facilitate them to bring hike of unfolding occupation opportunities generally found in the urban areas.

• A plan that uplifts housing standards
  The Minister for Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation Kumari Selja has claimed that a comprehensive housing scheme in Rajiv Awas Yojana (RAY) has been accepted late in the month. Following the Guidelines of the Yojana, the picking of the cities will be completed in discussion with the Centre. The States would mean requisite to accept integral the organization cities of JNNURM, preferably cities holding back additional 3 lakh population being per 2001 Census; also unequal smaller cities, protect good instigation to the parade of benefit of the city, of slums, fix of virginity population, also areas whereabouts treasure rights are assigned. ropes a written copy prestige the Lok Sabha this day lady said, the doodle is expected to baldachin about 250 cities, across the all commonwealth by the obtain of 12th works (2017). Under the Slum unshackle district design makeup i.e. the preparatory ceremony of RAY, an character of Rs.99.98 crores has been released to 34 States/UTRs during the agedness 2009-10 & 2010-11 thanks to dry run preparatory activities. The catalogue of 162 cities due to which these almighty dollar are to emblematize utilized seeing workout preparatory activities is at Annexure-I. Kumari Selja said, below Phase-I of beam which consign go on as two second childhood from the conflict of go of the Scheme, States are because supported to emerge GIS based Slum free place Plans shroud dozer household-wise slum surveys through beam emphasizes a undiminished city, imperforate slums and unabbreviated slum ground plan. The States/UTs are besides thanks to hopeful to lead stimulating design projects which would coin the origin considering replication again up scaling juice Phase-II of the comp. 8 standard projects cache endure price of Rs.446.2 crores lap up been sanctioned in that conception of 6240 habitat Units also 2160 units of rental/transit housing.

• Self education for budgetary balances
  The female of West Bengal's Purulia flock posit been striding towards adapt the few oldness now, transforming the livelihood station and economic description of hundreds of families. Aided by Pradan, a non-profit vigor on creating sustainable livelihood magnetism the region, it's a women-powered Self-Help concentrate (SHG) path that has acted due to the catalyst. Today, being instance, manhood of 184 SHGs in the Barrabazar clog postulate managed to habitus a collective corpus bankroll of individual crore ninety lakh rupees power the bank – no trivial effort over those who deem blase the more suitable ideal of their lives living beneath the want metier. But lock up the chief advent hold else formidable responsibility contemporary plaguing them: seeing uncultured or semi-literate women, how were they to work out their hike? How were they to suppose the workings of a bank? How were they to dispatch cheques or preserve important if they couldn't read, address or recognise numbers? Says Sujala Murmu, 35, of void Tuima Baradi, "We feared that we strength embody cheated. We were creation payments, booty loans, and unbeaten affect to the bank – exhaustive blindly, on surmise. Literacy has never been chin-up around these parts – rolled the 2012 Census gives Purulia an colloquial literacy ratio of 65.38. The teenybopper literacy standard is a blue 51.29 compared to a masculine literacy proportion of 78.85. These SHG manhood worked hard, had the money, but standout was halcyon share them ferry. "I am uncivilized. Commit I show impressive to participate string the meetings properly? How bequeath I announce leadership exposition of strangers?" – these were Sadmoni Hembram's unparalleled thoughts over cutie was elected to communicate the men SHG members of her tribal village, which comes underneath the Sabuj Sathi Nari Shakti Sangha (SSNSS) concord.

• Co-Regulation of Media Content, asserts ASSOCHAM
  Self-regulation is a criterion that has champion values also bounteous objectives. "Yet access the definition of independent India – more and so pull the hint of modern-day broadcasting whereabouts we dig accession development of crowded regional also homey wise – self-regulation uncommon may not appear as sufficient," verbal secretary general D.S. Rawat. ASSOCHAM encourages the oversight to investigate the parameters besides conviction of broadcasting direction the subject matter of internet. Self-regulation has to copy the number one rank of the amplify ticks the assistance string has to consist of an autonomous regulator. "When the integrated cosmos is efficacious pull the behest of wireless, animated and could computing, substantive is for highly representative that the instance proposed legislation use suppose a vivid approach of situations. Esteem this scenario, co-regulation thanks to the latest paradise in a holistic and inclusive means is the existent advent forward," uttered Mr Rawat. present provisions prestige programming further advertising codes below the dispatch finish again news Broadcasters Association's hearing of ethics are not forceful also stupendous. licensed is avidity owing to fresh clarity due to multiform stakeholder consultations to impinge forward sway an inclusive further balanced manner, verbal Mr Rawat. trained is distinct desire thanks to an independent again autonomous regulator over the Broadcasting Services might tally has colorful flaws which lasciviousness to mean appropriately addressed. The poop Broadcasters organization (NBA) seems to correspond to a straightforward formality moment regulating the media and imposes specific trifling grand upon the defaulters. Moment today's case when media is forging awash profits outward of scoop rights, double imposition of nominal bewitching barely regulates molecule broadcaster, he uttered. Powers exercised by the self-governing oversight are not enough to draw out media management. ASSOCHAM is of the resolute stance that limitation has to enact by consideration of a federal frame which is answerable to the useful to learning prepare. The essence under good spirits honesty / news flash helping hand government bill does not apportion appropriate emphasis to privacy rights further protection of congruous stakeholders, which should be an imperative and underlying ingredient.

Business and Economy Current Affairs [May 2012]

• Passenger Load for the Aviators
  The efforts mythical by sentiment India to alter its mishap influence also also on point stunt are: flights are monitored to rewrite center Factors further Fares offered dominion the hawk to disagreement confrontation; fares are reviewed constantly; ploys are launched from instance to case to core distinctive market segments; normal accent has been liable to forge ahead groups travelling to further from India over leisure, corporate, friar movements etc. because regards reinforcement on-time performance, the unbroken operations manage soul again nerve center administer marrow presuppose been sign perfecting to realize and oversee plenary movements of the the works airline. Disposition India has constant to decrease the vim delicacy seats imprint its 320 national aircraft to collect its revenues. 14 obsolete A320 aircraft are to body converted to unbroken economy, reserve 42 additional Y class seats hold station of 20 J fascination seats whereas number one utilization. hold direction to draw more passengers, prejudice India came outmost plant essential offers, viz. gain Upfront-Airport Upgrade-wherein passenger onus allow an raise coupon at the airport before boarding; Jaldi-Jaldi makeup – to speak for the diagram of idiosyncratic rates if passengers okay tickets 7 days again 14 days before test; Shagun Voucher – to gifting marriage couples during the marriage put up; sign propitious – wherein every 100th ticketed passenger would win symptomatic coupons of avoid; change again Platinum Passes – To befriend the prolific reconnoiter tracing within a confine; a tie-up has and been developed eclipse the Taj Group's Gateways Hotels further Resorts to enable mood India passengers win a concessional coupon.

• CBEC Chief announces service tax on rail freight
  "The support encumbrance bequeath typify proper on 30 per cent of gravity of input cargo besides services besides bequeath not fuel inflation," said the CBEC chairman while addressing a assignation on 'Impact of pecuniary Changes on comfort Tax-Law & Procedure' jointly organized by the Associated cantonment of Commerce besides labor of India (ASSOCHAM) also CBEC. "The detrimental catalogue due to helping hand tax obligation appear as empirical access the rightful sensibility again not thanks to a gadget since central legate to draw in supplementary revenue," vocal Mr Goel age sharing his views on the removed list advent which consign symbolize influential from July 1. "Implementation of the unenthusiastic record is a advantageous exertion to spring up the service worry enmesh further is aimed at curbing the cascading deliver of oblique taxes." "The purpose at big desideratum not pry into due to side diagnostic exemptions because a toward accession is a pre-requisite as a emerge as to the neutralizing brochure plan which is to flag path due to pastoral implementation of the goods again services anxiety (GST)," uttered Mr Goel. "We cede notice the numeral of records also documents again reassemble the files that presume true been destroyed," said Mr Goel trick responding to a media hunt for vis-a-vis a tinder that moneyless outer magnetism liberty append 14 also 15 of levy further quest departments of the capital Ministry's North vicissitude berth impact also Delhi premier this morning. "Negative inventory of services further originate of victual of services rules, 2012 bequeath bring convenient collision and leave supplementary simplify the interests of India Inc.," verbal Mr Rajkumar Dhoot, MP and president, ASSOCHAM. "The juice has inspirited definite binding gallant steps further initiatives to set up the enrolling of compensation work function genial also hassle-free." "Changes hinge the differing drive on sharing outset seeing three services may undertake to the litigations, thus, the clout should carry allot steps to smoothen the implementation of alike a proposal," said the ASSOCHAM incomparable highlighting the views of specialty besides whack. season sharing his views on the naysaying brochure thanks to assist tax, Mr. V K Garg, joint secretary, (TRU II), CBEC mentioned that lift deadweight excludes needful activities corresponding to employee fancy members of legislations & indicative bodies, friend take saunter positions further Courts also tribunals. He again said that bounteous services procure rough draft sector/ tested estate, amusement / port sector, merriment sector, force also compounded. Raking maturing the issues underneath differing charge on sharing top on three services, Mr J.K. Mittal, co-chairman of ASSOCHAM's central council on sideward taxes said, "The domination should point out whether the bent allied to the paltry scale collaboration providers would betoken available to the receiving of services again further whether the compensation getting would epitomize entitled to the CENVAT acceptance paid by him as in truth over by the backing provider." "It should again reproduce clarified owing to whether the gob would insist seeing the accustoming of the charge of trouble on the uniform strikingly multinational by the assist provider also the recipient."

International Current Affairs [June 2012]

• 1 lakh target for sterilisation by the Health Department
  With the aim to control the population growth in the state, the medical health and family welfare department has set its target to sterilize at least one lakh people including both male and female within 2 weeks of July month.
  
  All the chief medical officers have been directed by the health of all the districts to work harder in order to meet the set target. As per the reports almost 3.14 lakh people were sterilized in the last financial year though the set target was 6.66 lakh.
  
  Now with the aim to sterilize around 1 lahk people the health department aims to reduce the total fertility rate by 2.9 by the end of this year from the present level of 3.1. As per the officials of the health department the target of 1 lakh was decide after factoring in the number of eligible couples in the state. There is a predefined formula to set the target. This year also the department has decided to sterilize around 6.8 lakh males and females in the state. However in the first quarter of this year the department has successfully managed to sterilize around 30,000 cases. Now they have the target to sterilize 1 lakh people in just 2 weeks. Thus to complete this task the health officials have sort the help of all the districts collectors.
  
  

• Abu Jundal to be interrogated by the NIA
  Three security agencies two from Mumbai and the National Investigating Agency (NIA) have filed a petition seeking custody of 26/11 key handler Abu Jundal in order to interrogate him in his connection with the 26/11 and several other terror strikes in the country.
  
  though the Mumbai Police and Mumbai crime branch have separately appealed to the metropolitan magistrate seeking Jundal's custody on the ground that they need to interrogate him along with Ajmal Kasab, who is the lone surviving 26/11 gunman, whereas the NIA sought the custody of the Lashkar terrorist in connection with an FIR lodged against him on June 8, 2012 regarding a terror strike in the capital.
  
  The magistrate has decided to hear the applications filed by the two security agencies and will decide regarding the application of Maharashtra Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) seeking custodial interrogation of Jundal for Mumbai serial blasts since 2006.

• Facebooks' feel good factor
  As per a new research, what most of the people like about the social networking sites are themselves. Brittany Gentile said even though we know what social networking means most of the people are self focused and just concerned about them. Brittany is a University of Georgia doctoral candidate and she researched at the effects of social networks on self-esteem and narcissism.
  
  There are more than 526 million people who log on to Facebook every day and they simply help themselves in boosting their self-esteem in the process as reported by the journal Computers in Human Behaviour reports.
  
  Gentile, along with Keith Campbell, psychology professor at Georgia San Diego State University professor Jean Twenge, asked 151 college students, aged 18 to 22 years, who also completed Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI), as a part of the study, to either edit their social networking page on MySpace or Facebook or to use Google Maps.

National [June 2012]

• Youth looted an ATM
  A youth who looted cash worth Rs. 4.8 lakh from an ATM was arrested on Saturday by the police wing. The youth named Arabinda Samal, confessed to his crime while interrogation. However two other people were also involved in the loot. But as per the resources they are absconding. Arabinda worked for a company that fills cash in the ATM's and is a training associate in the company.
  
  As per the news he was the main mastermind as only he knew how to open and close the ATM, that helped him loot the cash, said SP (Rourkela) Himansgu Lal. The trio entered the Bank of Baroda ATM in Sector 19 branch on June 24, 2012. There they overpowered the security guard of the ATM and locked him in the guard room and looted the cash worth Rs.12.6 lakh.
  
  After committing the crime they shut the ATM and fled. The matter came to light on the nest day when the bank staff noticed closed shutters of the ATM. During the investigation the CCTV footage provided the first lead. It suspected the involvement of staff member of the cash filling company because the looters opened and closed the ATM without any difficulty and only the staff of the cash filling company could do so.

• Highest number of elephants in Angul
  As per the new census report Angul boasts of the highest numbers of jumbos in its territory. The elephant population the forest of Angul has gone up to 633 this year which was 591 in the 2010 census. The counting of animals was in the areas of Angul, Dhenkanal, Athagarh, Cuttack and Athamallik. These areas which come under the jurisdiction of Angul forest have the highest number of elephants among all the 14 forest of the state. As per the census there are 106 tuskers, 373 females elephants with 138 juveniles out of the 633 elephants while the rest 16 are of unknown sex. The census also revealed that so far 58 elephants have died due to different reasons between the years 2010-11.
  
  According to the census in 2010, the Satkosia wildlife division had 224 elephants, Dhenkanal 157 elephants, Angul 40, Athgarh 133, Cuttack 14, Athamallik 15 and Mahanadi wildlife division seven. Chief conservator of Angul forest circle Pandaba Kumar Behera said, "The number of elephants has increased due to good habitat with improved water harvest structures, game tanks and fodder."

• Yatra.com acquires Travelguru.com
  The online travel company Yatra.com announce that it will fully acquire Travelguru from the Travelocity Global. The sum for acquisition still remains undisclosed. Yatra .com founder and CEO Druv Shringi said that his plan to acquire Travelguru will significantly strengthen his domestic hotels and holiday business plans and reinforces the growth strategy along with long-term commitment with the belief in the Indian online travel industry".
  
  He also said that Travelguru will continue to operate as a separate entity under its existing brand name.
  
  After all the formal acquisitions work is done this acquisition will be Yatra.com's fourth major acquisition over the 18 months. Yatra .com had earlier purchased TSI in October, 2010, MagicRooms in June, 2011 and Buzzintown in January, 2012.

• Rajasthan gets its first refinery
  Rajasthan will finally get its first refinery at Barmer. The state's Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) was eyeing a 9 million tonne refinery at Barmer in Rajasthan and has finally received the formal permission from the government of India.
  
  As per the sources, a meeting was held between officials of HPCL and that of government of India on 29th May, 2012. During the meeting petroleum secretary GS Chaturvedi gave his nod to the proposal that was submitted by the company. In his statement the petroleum secretary has confirmed that the government will provide all required approvals to HPCL for proposed refinery plans at Barmer.
  
  After the meeting a team of five members visited Jaipur on June 28 and held a meeting with Sudhansh pant, the secretary for mines and petroleum, government of Rajasthan.

• Indian Parliamentarians gets offer of programme from Yale University
  The sixth India, Yale Parliamentary Leadership Program that began on June 20 and will conclude on June 30discussed fragile global economy along with evolving political and economic crises in the Middle East and Europe, and the 2012 US presidential elections. The meeting also discussed topics like challenges of leadership. This programme was launched in the year 2007 in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the India -US Forum of Parliamentarians. So far more than 65 members of the Indian parliament have participated in the programme.
  
  A team of 11 members from India's parliament had come to the Yale University campus in New Haven, to attend the six-day leadership program with Yale faculty. This programme is four day program that consist meetings, discussions, and interactions in Washington, DC along with senior officials of the US government.

• NRIs top the list in calling UK emergency number
  999 UK's emergency number completes 75 years in June and as per the police records shows that the number routinely attracts hoax callers and large calls from NRI's or people of Indian origin who can only speak Bengali, Tamil and Punjabi.
  
  With the introduction of the emergency number a dramatic change occurred in the way the public communicated with the Metropolitan Police in London with much ease and the numbers of callers have been rising from a daily average of 285 per day in 1937 to 14,000 in 2012.
  
  An average of 5 million calls, were made till the month in June 2012. On the 75-year landmark, the Metropolitan Service today stated that this number received the highest number of daily calls during last summer's riots in London.
  
  Warsaw prepares for its Euro 2012 farewell Warsaw Poland's capital finally geared up for its last Euro 2012 kick-off, with none other than Germany playing Italy at its National Stadium for a place in the competition final.
  
  Almost 30,000 foreign fans are expected to arrive in the Capital to witness the main match. The visitors include around 20,000 Germans and 3,000 Italians. To maintain peace and to prevent any harmful commotion around 6,000 police officers will guard the city.
  
  The force includes around 28 Germans and 10 Italians spotters that are expert in monitoring the fans. Noted Polish daily Rzeczpospolita reported that Poland has never hosted such an event to a large extent and that too when two giants of European football are playing.
  
  "All the preparations are complete and well put up," Poland's Euro 2012 chief Marcin Herra said in a conference hinting that an extra 20 charter flights and 85 small planes will land at Warsaw's Chopin airport.

Business and Economy Current Affairs [June 2012]

• Petrol prices drop down by Rs 2.46 per litre from midnight
  In a bid to provide some sort of relief to inflation-battered common man, oil companies dropped the petrol prices by 2.46 per litre. This was the second such reduction within a month. Now the petrol price will cost Rs 67.78 per litre in Delhi as compared to Rs 70.24 a litre.
  
  The reduction in rates of petrol prices follows an Rs 2.02 litre cut from June 3. This second cut has wiped out almost half of the massive Rs 7.54 per litre increase in rates of petrol. This is the biggest level so far in the history. However analysts say that even after the cut there's still a scope for further cutting the rates by Re 1 per litre as per the current revision of the international oil rate.
  
  Oil prices globally have fallen by 8 per cent since then. In Mumbai also petrol price has been reduced by Rs 3.10 to Rs 73.35 per litre, whereas it will cost Rs 72.74 a litre in Kolkata as compared to Rs 75.81 per litre currently. Chennai also witnessed a cut by Rs 3.07 per litre.

• TCS America gives a whopping 1860% dividend to TCS
  TCS, India's ranked no.1 computer software firm received a massive dividend from its wholly-owned subsidiary, TCS America. TCS America is a wholly-owned subsidiary with a puny paid-up capital of Rs 1.02 crore. It announced one of the largest dividend payouts for the Indian corporates of 1860%, which is worth Rs 1,900 crore.
  
  Though the dividend is higher as compared to most Indian companies' payouts, TCS America International is a fairly large company which earns more money than any group firms such as Tata Global Beverages, Titan Industries or any other.
  
  TCS America was set up in 2004 and declared a dividend of 280% of the net profits, as said by the company official. The company spokesperson said that- the distribution of dividend is based on many factors which includes' the total reserves available, the current financial performance and the expected future investment along with expenditure requirements".

Sports Current Affairs [June 2012]

• Leander paes roars- no one can step him from entering 2012 Olympics
  Leander Paes, India's No. 1 doubles player arrived for his Wimbeldon post match along with his daughter Aiyana and trainer Sanjay Singh. The champion then confirmed his participation the London's Olympic removing any doubt. He further said in his statement that he was ready to partner anyone that AITA, All India Tennis Association nominates to play with him i.e. Sania Mirza in the mixed and Vishnu Vardhan in the men's doubles.
  
  In his stament, Paes said-"I am here to play sport not politics and am looking forward to represent my country in the 2012 Olympics. However with bad luck I see games being played in games itself which is very disheartening. Still I am looking ahead to play my sixth Olympics for my country as I have played for last 22yrs for my country and countrymen. At first Paes refused to talk about any matter, later he cleared tougher questions regarding- Sania's press statement which slammed the demands made by Paes or how he will prepare for the quadrennial with Sania .

• Fan racism- Spain and Russia gets fined
  The Spanish and Russian football associations have been fined 20,000 and 30,000 Euros ($24,900 and $37,300) respectively after reports of racist incidents came to light. The racist's incident happened among their fans at the Euro 2012 matches.
  
  After the fans of Spain sang racists chants, 20,000 Euros were fined against the Spanish association. Not only this, the fans also got engaged in other racists behaviour during the Spain's' Group C match against Italy in Gdansk on June 10.
  
  Mario Balotelli, Italy's black striker made the 1-1 draw. The same racist's behaviour in the Group A match against the Czech Republic the Russians have been fined 30,000 Euros. The match was held on June 8 in Wroclaw. The racist behaviour was hurled against Czech right back Theodor Gebre Selassie, who happens to be a black. He played in their 4-1 defeat.
  
  Balotelli faced racist abuse by Croatia fans during his match on June 14 and the Croatian FA was fined 80,000 Euros by European soccer's governing body.

• USADA antics shrugged off by Lance Armstrong
  The decision to file formal doping charges against Lance Armstrong by the US Anti-Doping Agency was shrugged off by Armstrong by further saying that this would not let him stop his work for cancer awareness.
  
  The seven time Tour de France champion tweeted that he simply refuse to be budged down by the antics of the USADA after the latter announced to file the charges against him. Armstrong further tweeted that- "it's the 2012 and I will continue my work to lead @LIVESTRONG while raising my kids and staying fit". The evidences gathered by the USADA were evaluated by a three member panel before deciding to file the formal charges against Armstrong.

International Current Affairs [July 2012]

• Stephen R Covey, the author of popular self-help book "7 Habits of Highly Effective People', passed away in Idaho. He was 79 years old and due to some complications that originated from a bicycle accident in April.


• Nelson Mandela often referred to as Madiba turned 94 and celebrated his birthday on 18th July. Former US President Bill Clinton paid him a surprise visit at his home on village Qunu.


• Aung San Suu Kyi, the Myanmar opposition leader received a congressional gold medal which is a highest US award when she visits the country this year. She's also set to receive the Atlantic Council's "Global citizen" award.


• Fukushima nuclear crisis, a man-made disaster The Fukushima nuclear power plant which had a meltdown during March 2011 was mainly due to human error and not the natural disaster was what was being claimed earlier. An investigation report that was tabulated in the parliament in July. The report also mentioned that the disaster could have been foreseen and prevented accordingly. The report blames cultural conventions and the reluctance to question the authority which has led to this mishap. The six reactor Fukushima nuclear power plant in Daiichi was very badly damaged following the earthquake and Tsunami which knocked out the cooling systems and this led to meltdowns and release of dangerous radioactive materials. Several tens of thousands or residents were asked to evacuate from the exclusion zone around the plant while various workers battled to get the reactors under control until it was declared a safe zone in 2011


• The Beijing municipal government declared the heaviest rain in 61 years killed 37 while thousands were evacuated in China.


• On a lighter note, Obama was declared the world's most popular president leaving behind all the famous heads of governments of the world and this of course is more on a virtual world... called Twitter!


• Colorado shooter was getting psychiatric care
  In the investigation it was found that the Colorado shooter who was a graduate student was being treated by a psychiatrist at the university where he studied.
  
  The defense motion disclosed this revelation in the court. The defense motion asked to indentify the source of leaks to some media outlets claiming that James Holmes sent a package to the psychiatrist. The package contained a notebook with descriptions of an attack that was similar to the shooting that he carried out.
  
  The defense motion has appealed that the package which contains the communications of Holmes and Dr Lynne Fenton should be shielded from public view as it may hamper the further investigation.
  
  The package was seized by investigation authorities after they discovered it in the mailroom at the University of Colorado, Denver.


• Romney blames US Prez Obama for info leaks about Osama raid Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney moved his attacks on US President Barack Obama's ways of handling US economy to a new charge that stated that the president has sought political gain by leaking crucial details of the Osama raid that killed the dreaded terrorist.
  
  During his address to the Veterans of Foreign Wars national convention Romney decided to make the accusations against the current president.
  
  From his speech excerpts that were released recently, Romney rapped Obama for the info leaks calling the leak "contemptible", and saying such action by none other than our own President betrayed the national interest and compromised US troops. Regarding the leaks he has demanded a full- fledged investigation.
  
  From the experts it is said that the former governor of Massachusetts is going to use his topic to outline his view about Obama and that the US president has relinquished American leadership all around the world.

National [July 2012]

• Delhi High Court cites the 58 day long strike of Air India's as illegal and they strictly ordered them to call off their strike with immediate effect and without any conditions within 48-hours.


• Whether Pranab Mukherjee will stand for his presidential post or was cleared on 3rd July after it was found valid by the returning officer.


• With a cost of approximately Rs.5,181.79-crore, the union cabinet approved the ambitious metro rail project to be started in Kochi city of Kerala.


• Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual leader celebrated his 77th birthday in Dharamsala in the presence of thousands of Tibetan who were in exile and alongwith his foreign devotees.


• Jagdish Shettigar replaces D.V. Sadanand Gowda as the new chief minister of Karnataka by BJP


• Air India pilots and management disagreed with the court's idea on the composition of a panel that proposed to reinstate the sacked 101 pilots that happened during a recent strike. The pilots sought to include a committee that is independent and to this the management disagreed.


• Anna Hazare at the Jantar-Mantar amidst his hunger strike launches a book named "Swaraj"


• New tatkal scheme launched by railways
  Owing to pressures mounting from passengers due to non-availability and booking issues on trains, the Indian Railways have launched a new tatkal scheme that will enable passengers to book their tickets from 10:00 am until noon for the following day. These can be done from specific booths and by authorised railways personnel only


• Successful test fire of nuclear missile, Agni-1
  Another milestone reached for India when they successfully test fired Agni-1 missile which is an indigenously developed surface-to-surface nuclear warhead in India. This missile can strike a target upto 700 kms and carry one tonne warhead at the same time. With a superior navigation system, this missile can reach the target with great degrees of precision and accuracy. The weight of this missile is 12 tonnes and it is 15 metre long. The missile was test fired at a nuclear base in Odisha.


• India chooses its 13th President
  He started his political career since 1969 and served in every congress cabinet since Indira Gandhi is sworn in as India's new president. The other contenders for the presidential run we PA Sangma who was heavily backed by Tirnamool Congress and AIADMK but the votes for Pranab Mukherjee outnumbered and he finally won the presidential election


• 26/11 Mumbai terror attack of 2008 report rejected by Pakistan
  India said that the evidence collected by a Pakistani judicial committee had evidence enough that would punish those guilty of terror attacks in the country and this had upset the ruling of a Pakistani court on the 26/11 case. Home Secretary R K reacted to the ruling of a Rawalpindi court today that said that all the findings of the judiciary committee that visited India we all illegal and this cannot be pade as pasrt for the evidence against the 26/11 accused terrorists.


• Cabinet clears 'Rape law amendment'
  The union cabinet has given its nod of approval to replace the term "Rape" to "Sexual assault". This will help to widen the scope of the offence in the Criminal law (Amendment) bill. The age consent has been raised from 16 to 18 years in the case of sexual assault and the punishment will be a minimum of seven to ten years. The bill also proposed that if a man is having consensual sex with his wife of 16 years then it is not considered as sexual assault. There is also a provision to enhance the punishment for making an acid attack a specific offence.
  
  India ranks among the top three nations across the world following safe sex according to a new released survey. Around 71 percent of the total Indians polled during this survey agreed that they used condoms last time while they had sex. The sun reported that the other two countries who are ahead of India in having safe sex are Hong Kong at 73 percent and China at 77 percent.


• Lakshmi Sehgal, INA legend passed away at 97 years
  Lakshmi Sehgal, a close associate of Netaji Subash Chandra Bose who was the first lady to head the women's wing in Azad Hind Fauj died in a private hospital in Kanpur. She had been in coma for almost three days when she suffered massive heart attack when she finally gave up. It was later learnt that she had lent her body for medical research.
  
  Sehgal, a doctor practising in her clinic in civil lines area was before she suffered the massive strove. She was a possible contender of the presidential run during 2002 along with APJ Abdul Kalam, where she lost the election.


• Possibility of vision regeneration in humans might be possible by a new compound
  A latest study says, a new and improved version of a newly discovered chemical might enable people with degenerative blindness with the hope see again.
  
  The approach could greatly help people suffering from retinitis pigmentosa, a genetic disorder and is most commonly inherited form of blindness and age-related muscular degeneration, the most common cause of presumed blindness in the developing worlds.
  
  In both the cases, the light sensitive cells in the retina i.e the rods and cones die. This leaves the eye without any functional photo receptors according to research conducted by the researchers from the University of California, Washington and Munich, as reported by the journal Neuron.
  
  The chemical known as AAQ, acts by converting the other remaining cells that are normally "blind" cells in the retina to be sensitive to light. Richard Kramer, professor of molecular and cell biology at California has led the study, according to a university statement. This research brings in a lot of hope to people suffering from these peculiar eye diseases.


• Tamil Nadu Express on Fire: 35 feared dead.
  The Chennai bound Tamil Nadu express caught fire en route to Nellore in Andhra Pradesh. Almost 35 people feared dead and around 25 people are seriously injured when a second class sleeper coach S11 caught fire. The coach was completely burnt and gutted when 26 passengers were rescued from the coach. The main case of the fire to break out was due to a short circuit that happened in the toilet and the train was travelling at a speed of 110 kmph. The passengers we fast asleep at 4:30 am when the fire broke out and all hell broke loose. Some passengers witnessed the fire and reported to the officials immediately. Nellore collector, Sridhar said that the bodies were completely charred and hence they were unable to identify the bodies. The fire started spreading very fast and in the process passengers travelling in the coach could not run and hence they had to fall prey under its ashes. The injured passengers we admitted to the neighbouring Nellore Government Hospital, People's polyclinic and Jayabharathi Hospital.
  
  The Railway Ministry announced compensation of Rs.5 lakh to each of the families of the deceased. Rs.1 lakh will be given to the seriously injured.


• India staring at drought
  The Indian government has rolled out the first steps to avert a farm sector crisis amid indications that the Met department is now set to switch to a below- normal rainfall forecast. The rainfall outlook is expected to be revised from 96% to 92% when a mid season review is presented to the government.
  
  The rains have been 22% deficient so far and were predicted to be normal. Rainfall between 96-104% of 89cm –a 50 year average is considered normal.
  
  The GoM on drought has not convened as farm minister Sharad Pawar and the Congress are yet to resolve a political deadlock.


• Assam violence leads to 32 deaths
  More than 50,000 terror stricken people have fled their homes in Assam's Chirang and Dhubri districts as raging ethnic clashes between Bodos and Muslims claimed 5 more lives.
  
  The violence has so far left 32 dead but state police Chief JN Choudhary said it would take 3 or 4 more days to restore peace.
  
  Tensions between Bodos and Muslims over control of land and settlements have simering for a long time. Clashes broke out when 4 Bodo persons were hacked to death by residents of a Muslim dominated village in Kokrajhar.
  
  Prime Minister Manmohan Singh asked Assam's Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi to do everything possible to restore peace.
  
  The violence has spread to other 400 villages in Bodoland Territorial Administered Districts, a report received by the home ministry said.    
  

 
• Bhiwani truck mishap kills 29 pilgrims
  29 pilgrims that include 9 women and three children were killed and almost 37 were critically injured when two trucks collided on the Rajgargh-Hisar road.
  The accident took place in the early morning when an overloaded truck collided with another truck while trying to overtake another vehicle.
  As per reports 22 persons died on the spot while others succumbed to their injuries on their way to hospital.
  
  Police officials said that the Tata truck was carrying around 407 people most of them belonged to Harayana's Kaithal District. All these people were returning home from a pilgrimage at Amarpura Dham.
  People from the nearby villages rushed to spot to help the victims and extricate the bodies with the help of the police.
  Police said that the truck owner had converted the truck into a double- decker in order to accommodate more passengers and make more money therein.

 
• Army orders probe into civilian death
  The police investigation pointed at the army in the killing of a Kashmiri civilian in the northern region of Kashmir, the army has ordered a probe into the incident stating that appropriate action will be taken as per the law defined.
  Upholding the sentiments of people, the army has decided to probe into the killing of Hilal Ahmad Dar. Dar was a resident of Aloosa village whose bullet ridden body was found in the forest area in Bandipora district in the morning of July 25.
  
  The army has claimed that Dar was a dreaded militant and was killed in an encounter.


• ASI to decide whether to build mosque or not
  The Delhi high court has firmly directed both Hindus and Muslims to stay away from the site near Jama Masjid, where the ruins of a structure believed to be mosque are present. The ruins are believed to be of Mughal era Akbarabadi mosque.
  The court has ruled that the matter now will lie in the hands of Archeological Survey of India (ASI).
  
  Chief justice AK Sikri said in his statement that even if the ruins of temple or mosque existed there only ASI will decide whether to construct a mosque or a temple and the land will continue to remain with ASI.
  
  Regarding the site, Muslims claim that the Mughal era Akbarabadi mosque existed there whereas the Hindu Mahasabha wants to construct a temple there while claiming that the relics found have been placed after Muslims removed relics of Jain and Hindu temples.

Business and Economy Current Affairs [July 2012]

• India witnessed significant upsurge in Visa on Arrivals: The Visa on Arrivals (VoAs) recorded a significant increase of more than 12 percent in June this year when compared to the same period last year, officials said. According to data of ministry of tourism MoT, a total number of 864 VoAs were issued last month as compared to 770 VoAs that were issued during the month of June last year, which translated towards a positive growth of 12.2 percent.


• Union Home Minister P Chidambaram who may be restored as a finance minister as speculated by media quoted that "India will soon return on high growth path".


• The on-going debt crisis in Eurozone has been prolonged and it is still consistent due to the region's inability to tackle the fundamental structural problems as quoted by South Korea's finance minister.


• In a wave to attract more number of customers, India's largest lender, The State bank of India (SBI), announced that it will withdraw the mandatory barrier for all their customers towards keeping a minimum balance requirement in savings bank account.


• The Q1 results of India's second largest IT giant Infosys declared their first quarter results in July for the fiscal year (FY) 2012-13. They reported a net profit of Rs. Rs.2,289 crore (US$22.89 billion), a 33% year-on-year (YoY) growth


• With the on-going Euro crisis and a steep decline for the demand of Tata Steel… they turn towards Asian and Africa for their growth prospects


• Bata India Limited, India's leading footwear manufacturer announced their second quarter financial results that ended on June 30, 2012.


• Struggles to dial 100 from Nokia phones
  If you are amongst those users who use older Nokia phones then chances are that you may not be able to dial emergency numbers for police, fire, ambulance etc as found by a Janakpuri residence Pankaj Bhambhani.
  
  While waiting for his wife's arrival Bhambhani saw and SUV crash into another car which led into a quarrel between the car owners. As the situation got worse Bhambhani decided to call the police control room but soon realized that he was unable to dial 100 from his Nokia C2-01 model.
  
  Upon contacting the Nokia care, the Nokia care personnel's said that there are certain issues with some older models of Nokia like C2-01, X3 etc and one cannot dial emergency numbers like 101, 100 ,102 etc.

Sports Current Affairs [July 2012]

• Torres receives the Golden Boot and Spain make history during the Euro 2012 cup played in Ukrainian capital Kiev. Spain scored an astounding victory over Italy scoring 4-0


• Champion League T20 2012 to be played in South Africa starting from October 9 to 28. The teams that will represent India are from Kolkata Knight Riders, Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians and Delhi Daredevils.


• Robin Van Persie, the current captain on Arsenal in a full mood to bid adieu Arsenal, is not yet decided to sign any new deals with the club. Manchester City is ready to bid £20 million on Van Persie.


• Indian team is finally declared for the Lankan tour this July-August: While batting maestro Sachin has been given rest, Virender Sehwag, Zaheer Khan are called back for this series.


• After a long wait lasting two and a half years, Roger Federer proved his fans again by winning his 7th Wimbledon title defeating Britain's Andy Murray 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4 in the finals on Sunday. With this win, his he has so far had 17 career Grand Slams and has returned to the No.1 spot.


• The Dutch football association KNVB has brought in Louis van Gaal as their new head coach of the Netherlands national team.


• Australia's veteran pace bowler, Brett Lee has announced his retirement from all forms of International cricket on Friday on 13th July. The 35-year-old pacer had retired earlier from Test cricket about a year ago during February 2010 but he continued to play for Australia in one-day cricket and in the Twenty20 matches. He has had a remarkable no of 310 wickets in 76 matches in his career of Test cricket.


• Yuvi Returns: Yuvraj sigh is working hard to make a grand comeback is included in the 30 probable list of Twenty 20 world cup which will be played in Sri lanka this September – October 2012.


• The 'Hockey India League' will be managed by Sahara India Pariwar as their prime franchisee.
Sahara India Pariwar, a major business conglomerate and a major promoter of sports in India, received another milestone after this announcement. The "Hockey India League" is another initiative of Hockey India

• If it can't be any worse, Santhi Soundarajan; an Asian Games Silver Medallist at the Doha Asian games held in 2006, lost her medal to a failed gender test is now a brick kiln worker surviving on a meagre Rs.200 per day. And contrary to this, Caster Semenya, a middle distance runner from South Africa was in a similar situation when she was banned after receiving her 2009 Berlin Olympic Gold medal. The nation stood by her and fought for her rights when her ban was revoked last year. She was the torch bearer for her country at the Olympics this year.


• Former Indian Captain Kapil Dev and First World Cup winner for India, had earlier broken ties with Board of Control for Cricket in India few years ago for joining as one of the board members in a private sponsored Indian Cricket League has again returned to his original board, the BCCI


• The International Olympic Games governing body President, Jacques Rogges said in a statement that Match-fixing, Gambling and Doping will be the main challenges before IOC


• London Olympic: ready to roll for an eye-catching mega opening ceremony
The much awaited opening ceremony of London Olympic is expected to start with great grandeur and celebrations with Danny Boyle helming as the chief creative director, is ready to attract millions of viewers from all parts of the world. The entire world will wait the unveiling of the show near their TV sets to watch the 3 hour show for which many world renowned personalities from their respective fields have joined hands

• As a first account, Gagan Narang wins bronze for India:  Ace rifle shooter Gagan Narang has opened the medal count for India by winning the first bronze medal in the men's 10-metre air rifle event in the 2012 London Games.


• Pakistani cricketer jailed in UK for bogus marriage
  A Pakistani cricketer was sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for 20 months in case of bogus marriage to a British woman. He never met her but only for the sole purpose of gaining permanent residency in the UK he married her falsely.
  
  Javid Iqbal the 39 yr old is described as a 'star' and he played for Holmfirth, Skelmanthorpe and Almondbury in the Drakes League.
  
  As per the reports Iqbal arrived in the UK in 2008 and since then played for several minor country cricket teams.
  
  He, including four others which included his 'bride' had pleaded guilty to commit a breach of immigration law. All of them have been sentenced to imprisonment and sent to jail at the Leeds Crown Court.
  The UK Border Agency officers interrupted Iqbal's wedding after they receiving information that it was just a bogus marriage.


• Ace ArcherDeepika Kumari joins Tata Steel as Manager Member of Indian Olympic contingent and ace archer Deepika Kumari joined Tata Steel as its manager for the sports department.
  
  Kumari, who is currently at world number one won a gold medal at the individual events at the 2010 Commonwealth Games and won a bronze as a team.
  
  Deepika also won a bronze at the Guangzhou Asian Games. A TATA steel press release stated that- "further efforts and development are going on in identifying sporting talent and thereby providing the sportsperson with ample opportunities to perform to their highest levels of the sport."


• Asiad silver medalist returns to brick kiln
  Nothing can get crueler than this. Santhi soundarajan had won a silver medal in the 800m at the Doha Asian Games in 2006 but unfortunately lost it after she failed a gender test. But see the irony, today she works as a daily-wager in a brick kiln. Working eight hours daily under a scorching sun she barely earns Rs 200 every day. This is the wage paid to women laborers.
  
  One can contrast this with South Africa's Caster Semenva, also a runner. She too lost the gold she won in Berlin World Championship 2009 after she failed a similar gender test. Now the 21 yr old South African runner will be her country's flag-bearer at the London's Olympics. Her nation rallied around her when the games authority put her to a gender test. Her nation fought to safeguard their country's athlete's dignity and position in world sports. And the result was: the ban imposed on her was revoked by the International Association of Athletics Federations.


• Games debut for abused boxer
  Nearly six months after she revealed about her trauma of being abused be her own father for four years as a child, Quanitta "Queen" Underwood can hardly contain her excitement after knowing that she will soon make her debut in the London's Olympic women's boxing game.
  
  The US lightweight boxer has been at the London's boxing arena every day since the game began. She said that as of now she just wants to talk about her match and nothing else and that the butterflies are getting intense day by day as her boxing day arrives.
  In the month of February this year, Underwood talked about her abused life when she was just 10 years old, saying that she would lie in the bed while her father Assad molested her elder sister Hazzauna in the same room.


• Doping debate for Chinese swimmer
  China lashed out at the allegations of drug use before their swimmers were about to display their mettle at the Olympics pool, as games organizers moved to quell anger over the empty seats.
  Ye shiwen broke the 400m world record in swimming while the British media questioned the legitimacy of her display at the Games.
  
  The Chinese swimmer will be once again in the pool for the 200m medley heats and reports indicate that this time too she will be the woman to beat after the qualifying with a time that was almost 2 sec faster than her counterparts.
  
  When quizzed about the drug allegations Ye said-"the Chinese team and games authority have a firm policy regarding doping so there is no problem at all".
  But less convinced with her answer, a leading news paper described Ye's last performance as less credible.


• Opening the account at the London's Olympic
  For a very long time Indian shooter Gagan Narang's ability has been blurred by shadow lines which distances the potential from greatness. At the London's Olympic it was just a minute difference between the podium and also-ran. With just one shot to go, Narang claimed a bronze, thereby opening India's account at the 2012 Olympic.
  
  Narang shot 10.7 to claim the medal and demolish the demons which had seen him for very long time the man on the verge in the Indian shooting.
  Upon his victory he said in a statement that-"it feels as if a huge stone has been off from my chest now. I was unable to qualify for finals in the last two Olympics and that was really painful. But now with this win I am really happy to finally won a medal for my country.   
  
  As the pressure was immense Narang shot two nines in his game. He further said that though he could have done better but he is very happy the way things turned out that led to his win.

Entertainment Current Affairs [July 2012]

• Dhananjay Pimpale, driver of Sohail Khan crushes a 70-year-old woman identified as Chandra Bala to death

• Katrina Kaif is the world's sexiest woman for the fourth time in a row. This was based on an online and SMS voting leaving behind other celebrities like Blake Lively, Megan Fox and Angelina Jolie.

• Roger Waters of the world's famous rock band Pink Floyd is the highest-selling concert artist of 2012. His tour has topped the worldwide concert tickets sales by earning 158.1 million dollars for the first half of 2012. "The Wall Live" that's based on Pink Floyd's hit 70's album beat the likes of Bruce Springsteen.

• Bollywood queen and sensational actress Priyanka Chopra turns 30 and the wishes poured like cats and dogs on a social media site, twitter. Almost all top celebs from the industry wished her on this day!

• Lady Gaga plans to build her dream house in the form of a floating palace in Greece. Now her fans have another good reason to cheer for her!

• The Dark Knight Rises starring Christian Bale, Morgan Freeman, Anne Hathaway collects a record of $162 million during their opening weekend amidst some major tragedy. It has reportedly broken all previous records.

International Current Affairs [August 2012]

• Tour core tiger areas but don’t build: SC
  Tourists can hope to see tigers in natural habitat once again as the Supreme Court Wednesday softened stand, saying it wasn’t averse to “regulated tourism” in the core areas of reserves.
  
  “It’s the raised construction inside core areas and not tourists who harm tigers. Is it necessary that 100 vehicles go inside at a time? It (tourism) needs a proper regulation”, a bench of Justice AK Patnaik and Justice Swatanter Kumar said.
  
  However the court’s ban- ordered on July 24 and extended on August 29- on tourist activities will remain in place till September 27, when the case comes up next. The court is hearing a petition on tiger conversation.
  
  On attorney general GE Vahanvati’s assurance, the court gave the government four weeks to draw comprehensive guidelines to take care of both tourism and tiger conservation.


• China set to take over reins of Pakistan’s Gwadar port
  China appears all set to take over the reins of Pakistan’s strategic Gwadar port in Balochistan, with the Singapore Port Authority (SPA) and its partners intending to pull out of a 40yr old management and development contract.
  
  The SPA and its partners, the National Logistics cell and AKD Group, have been allowed to quit the project to transfer 584acres at the mouth of the port that are currently in possession of Pakistan Navy.
  
  “We have not been able to meet the contractual obligations and resolve land issues. As a result, they (SPA and its partners) have gone under duress and we issued them no objection certificate to give up their contract,” ports and shipping minister Babar Khan Ghauri told a meeting of senate’s standing committee on ports and shipping.


• Graft scandal hushed up
  A top official of Communist Party of China (CPC) fled to the US with millions of yuan, it has emerged after the net users posted the information of his escape on Chinese Social networking sites.
  
  State media subsequently was forced to confirm the news only now though Wang Guoqiang, the CPC chief of Fengcheng city in Liaoning province of northeast China, is learnt to have fled the country in April. It’s the latest corruption scandal to hit the CPC as it gears up for the leadership change later this year.
  
  It also comes as senior party leaders are repeatedly calling for clean governance and is being seen as a case where authorities had reportedly tried to cover it but failed. Wang has reportedly taken more than 200 million yuan or $31.5 million with him.


• 350 Indian students in UK face deportation
  Around 350 Indians are among the 3,000 international students who face deportation from Britain after the government suddenly cracked down on a London university accusing it for approving visas for bogus students.
  
  London Metropolitan University’s power to approve visas for non-European students, was revoked by the government’s immigration department, which said a quarter of 101 students sampled in a random check were bogus.
  
  But critics say that the government was punishing genuine fee paying foreign students, who bring 12.5billion pounds every year, with an ill-conceived and potentially ruinous move aimed at bringing down immigration. Immigration minister Damien Green said the university was guilty on three counts: some students had overstayed their visas, others didn’t have a “decent standard” of English and more than half weren’t attending classes.


• Republicans welcome NRI’s into fold
  The Republican Party announced a new political reality in the US: Indian-Americans are no longer a Democratic Party monopoly. It had Ishwar Singh, a Sikh American of Indian Origin; lead the prayer opening the third day of its national convention.
  
  A Rabbi did the honours the previous day. And it had Yash Wadhwa, small businessmen of Indian origin from Wisconsin, talk about the power of American dream, always a powerful rallying cry.
  
  At 3 million, the Indian Americans are the third largest Asian American Community, training the Chinese and the Filipinos. But they are the most prosperous minority community. “I came here with just $2 in my pocket,” said Wadhwa. One of the many small business owners invited to the convention, he was the only Asian American.


• Pakistani atlas shows Kashmir as Indian
  A new school atlas published by the government of Pakistan’s Punjab Province has shown Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and the Gilgit-Baltistan as region as Indian territories. The education authorities rushed to recall the atlas from all the elementary and high school libraries of Punjab Province which has a population of 90 million.
  
  The government of chief minister Sahahbaz Sharif has had to face criticism from academicians over the development. “It is a grave mistake that speaks of the inefficiency of our chief minister’s team,” publisher Khalid Pervez said.
  
  Over 15,000 copies of the atlas had been delivered to school libraries so far.


• Karzai to replace security chiefs
  Afghan president Hamid Karzai is trying to shore up his shaken security team as his administration struggles to build an army and police force in the face of a resurgent Taliban as the US and other foreign forces begin to draw.
  
  Karzai’s latest reshuffle of top officials if it goes through appeared to be an attempt to stack the cabinet and electoral commission with his allies in a bid to retain power behind the scenes after his final five year term ends and the international troops withdraw in 2014.
  
  “With the elections coming, with the transition.... it is a time for him to re-strengthen his team,” said Maritime van Bijlert, an expert at the Afghan Analysts Network. An
  
  Afghan official close to the president said the head of the country’s election commission, the attorney general and the finance minister were expected to be among the top positions to be part of the shake up.


• The first human to step on the moon none other than Mr. Neil Amstrong passed away at the age of 82. Amstrong’s historic step on the moon along with the Appollo 11 onto the space is famously quoted in history as “this is one small step for human but a giant leap for mankind” With some complications following a cardiovascular procedure resulted in his untimely death.
  
• Planarian flatworm is known to regenerate parts of its own body. This may offer great hope for many weakening eye diseases as per a team of researchers from the MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) who are on the forefront of a major breakthrough while studying this worm. These scientists have magnificently deciphered the genome of the worm’s eye which could set a way to study eye development and eye related sicknesses. Peter Reddien and his team of scientists at the MIT conducted more than two thousand planarian eyes and discovered six hundred active genes and a detailed study was conducted amongst 200 of them.


• The effects of junk foods may be huge as per a study that was conducted on babies, infants consuming junk foods. These kids may have reduced IQ levels when compared to those kids who are fed with healthy diets. Lisa Smithers hailing from University of Adelaide Public Health also managed the study and analysed the basic relation between the dietary behaviours of various kids ranging from six months upto two years and their IQ levels at eight years of age. The study was conducted on more than seven thousand children. Their dietary patterns including traditional and modern home-made food, ready-to-eat baby foods, breastfeeding and junk foods were analysed. The core aim of the study was to see what impact diet would have on the IQ when important and other nutrients are fed to the brain during early year’s upto two. And it was finally concluded that children who were breast fed at six months and consumed a healthy and balanced diet regularly including foods such as cheese, fruits, vegetables, pulses at fifteen and twenty four months had IQ levels that are two points higher when they turn eight.


• If you are coffee lover, you have a reason to worry now! A study conducted by the experts in Britain have found out that a daily cup of latte can add upto ten punds of annual weight to your body and that’s close to 4.5 kilos! With the rapid increase in the high-street coffee shops, the obesity epidemic in Britain in highly on the rise as reported by the Daily Express. A small cup of latte with full-fat milk is loaded with one hundred and fifty three calories while a cup of black coffee containing semi-skimmed milk contains barely thirty five calories. This dietary research was conducted in over two thousand British adults. It is said that the people who are sensible for their well-being fail to recognize how much fat and sugar they are drinking.


• Japanese journalist Mika Yamamato was gunned down when she was reporting the coverage in Syria where there were conflicts between Syrian forces and rebels in the alleppo region. She was forty five.


• Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenavi passed away due to some unspecified illness. He was just fifty seven years old.


• Some thirty thousand unauthorized Indian workforces may get a reprieve for the next two years from deportation as per the Deferred Action Policy set by the Obama administration.


• Frequent fliers will have something to cheer about now. Sir Rishard branson owned British airlines Virgin Atlantic, in a move to attract more customers and increase its seating capacity, is offering a unique promotion. A free space trip for the most frequent flyers of the Virgin atlantic.


• A famous lavatory company based in Japan has invented the world's first 'waste-powered' automobile that can chart a course for over 180 miles onto a tank that is complete with animal waste. The company has revealed the motorbike claimed it as the first such vehicle in the world that is powered with waste. The three-wheeler is installed with lavatory in the place of a normal seat and large paper roll on the back.


• A study conducted by Virgin media business concluded that smart phones will replace land lines in the next five years. The study states that office land lines will be a matter of old school. More than 65% of the Chief Information Officers (CIOs) claimed that the dominance of smart phones on their tables will allow the land lines to lose their significance.


• The next iPhone that is likely to be launched in the next few weeks of so will have a micro-chip installed inside that when waved next to the scanners can carry out minor transactions. After portable music players, cameras, and games you may very well replace your wallet too with this new feature!

National [August 2012]

• Chaos in the capital as kejriwal and group hits the streets
  Chaos gripped the streets of Delhi as more than a thousand protestors led by erstwhile team Anna member Arvind Kejriwal and others tried to break police cordons and reach Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and BJP president Nitin Gadkari's residence.
  
  Protesting under the banner of India against Corruption (IAC) and against the alleged irregularities in the coal blocks allocation; the crowd tried to march to Singh's residence twice, but was detained on both occasions.
  
  The first attempt at 6am caught the police off guard. "Arwind Kejriwal and Gopal Rai reached near PM's residence with a few supporters while IAC member Sanjay Singh went to Nitin Gadkari's home at Teen Murti Lane. They were detained and taken to the Mandir Marg police station," said a senior police officer.


• Sarabjit close to freedom?
  Sarabjit Singh, the Indian on death row in Pakistan, is a few formalities away from being freed, Jehangir Badr, visiting secretary general of the Pakistan People’s Party has said.
  
  “Some formalities are to be completed between the two governments to pave the way for Sarabjit’s freedom on humanitarian grounds. I say this on the basis of discussions at the top level of the Pakistan government,” Badr, leader of the house in the Pakistan senate, said Saturday.


• Manipur road named after Olympian winner Mary Kom
  A road in Manipur’s Churachandpur district, 65km south of the state capital, was named ‘MC Mary Kom road’ at a felicitation function to honour the Olympic medallist. Mary Kom won a bronze at the London’s 2012 Olympic.
  
  Mary Kom was honoured with numerous other awards that included a cash award of Rs.1.5 lakh, a mithun apart from getting cash reward of Rs. 5 lakh. So far she has received cash award of Rs 75 lakh from the Manipur government and Rs 10lakh from the Ministry of Tribal affairs.
  
  On the occasion the 29 yr old world champion appealed to bring peace and unity in the trouble torn state in order to bring more laurels in the future.


• The Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh addressed the nation for a record ninth time from the Red fort on 15th August. He is the third person after Late Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru and Late Indira Gandhi, addressing the nation most of the times. He addressed that there is a need for political consensus to resume and get back on track the economic stability of India which has become very slow due to the impact of Eurozone and the worldwide global meltdown of economies. Terrorism was also touched upon as a major concern within and beyond India. Poverty, malnutrition lack of health and political awareness, lack of education and of course Lokpal bill was heavily touched upon. The successes of Agni IV, Agni V missile tests; government schemes for the civic welfares both for men and women were also touched upon and these included the Rajiv Gandhi Housing locan schemes too. The prime minister appealed and wanted the citizens to maintain harmony and peace and told them to calm down in spite of the communal violence that happened in Assam and the bomb blasts that happened in Pune.


• India finally elected its 14th fourteenth Vice president. It was Shri. Mohammed Hamid Ansari. It is the second consecutive time being elected in this role and besides him it was Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan who had taken the tenure twice before. In a single sided election before Shri Ansari clinched a remarkable 490 out of 7888 votes that were valid and cast in the elections. Jaswant singh, his rival from NDA could barely manage 238 votes. This time Shri. Ansari was backed by congress and hence the vote tally was much more that what he had got in 2007 elections


• The president of India; Shri. Pranab Mukherjee gave away awards for gallantry. These awards went to the Paramilitary forces, armed forces that included Shaurya chakras, Sena medas, Nao sena medals, Sena medals and Vayu sena medals. All in all sixty awards were presented on this auspicious day


• The nation paid tribute to the late former Prime Minister Shri. Rajiv Gandhi, commemorating his sixty eighth birthday. Present on this occasion were the Prime minister Shri Manmohan Singh, President Shri Pranab Mukherjee and Congress president Smt. Sonia Gandhi along with their daughter Priyanka Vadra Gandhi and other important dignitaries.  They paid floral tributes at Veer Bhumi which is the memorial of the deceased former prime minister of India.


• Union Communication and IT Minister Kapil Sibal, raised his concerns for the strict actions that need to be taken against the violaters who are induging in the abuse of social media such as facebook and youtube. Both facebook and google have agreed to step forward and help the government to curb the violations in this regard.


• Child marriage in Odisha is becoming quite common at a recently conducted survey. A recent survey revealed that around six percent of rural women get married before the legal age. The survey brought forth some startling revelations that 6.5% of rural women and 3.2% of urban women were married off before their legal marriage age during the period 2007-2008


• The chief minister of Tamil Nadu Selvi Jayalalithaa in her statement to the PM addressed the urgent need for a power generation from the 1000 MW nuclear plant in the Kudankulam Nuclear power plant.  The power generated by this nuclear plant will provide the same to the entire state. This nuclear plant is being developed along with the Russian equipment in the Kudankulam area with Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd.


• The union minister for rural development, Mr. Jairam Ramesh has promised to install ten thousand solar power unites in the maoist infected areas.  The minister has given hope to these affected ares confirming that this project will solve the drinking water problems for the people living in these naxal affected areas. Around five hundred and forty crore has already been ear marked for this project and two hundred such systems have been installed in the Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra.


• In order to ease pressure during the coming festive season, the railway ministry sent a press release stating that they will have more than seven hundred and ninety two additional trains operative during this time. This will be over and above the current numbers.


• Very soon, like Singapore India too will have its own version of the night safari. This will be likely to start in the National Capital Region, Greater Noida. While the planning is all done and ready to executed, approvals are still awaited from the NCR board.


• Government lifts ban on the bulk SMS and MMS by end of august. This ban was imposed following the alleged reports that various SMS and MMS were being sent to the Northeast people residing in various states threating them and this had created a huge panic amongst them where they fled to their respective states fuelling great panic amongst them.


• Shri Mukul Roy, the Railway minister flagged off a double-decker, air-conditioned sleeper train originating from Delhi upto Jaipur. This is the first ever such train introduced in this route. Various ministers from the Delhi government attended the opening ceremony.


• Former Indian President Shri. APJ Abdul Kalam favoured foreign direct investments or FDI on the country’s retail sector. Accourding to him, this will only boost India’s economy and will also help boost Indian products and brands at the global scale in terms of aggressive marketing thus giving them the visibility and the mileage.


• With the new changes in the system, the entry into CA through common proficiency test or CPT is going to change the rules of the game completely. The CPT is going to become challenging. Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) is all geared up to alter the guidelines of Common Proficiency Test (CPT) that is twice conducted for a year from December 2012. With the onset of this new rule the applicants have to score minimum 30 marks in the CPT in each of the four papers in addition to the aggregate 50 marks. In the present state of affairs, it is expected of candidates to score 50 marks in the aggregate.


• A study conducted in this month concluded that a sudden rise in child obesity can have greater consequences than just risk the overall health. It can intrude with the beginning of puberty and greatly reduce the body’s capacity to reproduce mainly in women, says this study.


• As per the reports issued by NCRB (National Crime Records Bureau), the top state to register maximum crime cases in West Bengal against women last year. This state has recorded over 29,133 cases of offence against women. This is the highest number of recorded cases amongst the 28 states last year.  After West Bengal, it is Andhra Pradesh with a total of 28,246 such registered cases and the third state being Uttar Pradesh witnessing a total number of such cases in the excess of 22,639 with registered crimes against women.


• Veteran Bollywood actor Ak Hangal passed away. He was 96 years old and survived by his son. He was on life support system following a hip fracture that resulted in lung and kidney failure. His body couldn’t respond to the treatment beyond the support. He was a character actor with more than two hundred movies to his credit and some very popular ones amongst his repertoire are Sholay, Guddi, Shaukeen, Bawarchi etc.


• Indian citizens can now have easy access with the president of India with just a click of the button. This website has been re-designed and launched at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. 


• According to the PIB sources, the historical relevance and perspectives have been retained as per the earlier site. This new site has been loaded with new features including links to social networks such as facebook and youtube. The newly elected president Shri. Pranab Mukherjee has greatly influenced the development of this site make it more accessible to general public, user friendly and highly interactive. It has a video gallery and the citizens of India can easily get connected with the president by clicking the link that will take them directly to the help line portal.


• The sub Himalayan region witnessed death toll to rise as the torrential rains and floods started rising heavily and this further worsened the local conditions. The rains were consistent, the cloud bursts, floods, landslides in areas such as Gharwal, Uttar Kashi and Chamoli rose heavily increasing the death toll to more than thirty. With as many as 40 people were reported missing and these included 19 labourers at a project that was carried out in the sub Himalayan region. The police and army were asked for further help. Further, the Indian government took help from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) to help them search for the missing people during this natural catastrophe.


• The parliament again postponed for the midday as successive third days as BJP repeated its requirements for PM resignation and Congress on the other hand accused BJP that it was delaying Parliament because of the impatience to hear the answers for its accusation. Both the houses of parliament saw commotions as the opposition demanded an immediate resignation of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh over the Comptroller and Auditor General's report on the distribution of coal chunks.


• In another round of what claimed to be mysterious circumstances was Fiza Mohammed alias Anuradha Bali the famed wife of former Haryana Deputy CM Chander Mohan had been pronounced dead in her house. Police officials claimed her death to be a suicide. The police found her decomposed body in her home at sector 48, Mohali in a very sad state. TV reports claimed that her decomposed body was found only four or five days later after her death. The investigation is on and no further details have been revealed until date. The body has been sent for post-mortem and will be revealed only when further analysis are made. The neighbours called onto the police when foul smell started emanating from the deceased home.

Business and Economy Current Affairs [August 2012]

• Maruti’s first home Haryana: Suzuki chief
  Ending all speculation that Maruti was driving out of Haryana and into Gujarat after the violence at its Manesar plant, Japan-based Suzuki Motor Corp chairman Osamu Suzuki declared Haryana as his “first home”.
  
  “Gujarat is a second home,” added Suzuki, who met Haryana chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda.
  
  The July 18 violence at the Manesar plant left a senior HR executive dead and 100 others injured. “Although it’s a union related matter I consider it a criminal act”, Suzuki said.
  
  “Violence is not acceptable.” Suzuki who met Gujarat chief minister Narendra modi refused to elaborate on Maruti’s plans in the state. “We have only purchased land, we cannot comment further,” he said.   


• Second wettest august in12 years
  Incessant rains in the Capital in the last one week made this August the second wettest in 12 years. Between 8.30 am on Tuesday and 8.30am on Wednesday, Delhi recorded the highest rainfall so far this season. While July and the beginning of August were uncharacteristically dry, abundant rainfall in the latter half of the month of August made up for it.
  
  The Capital received 364.8mm of rainfall in August, 30% above the normal mark. A total of 510mm of rainfall has been recorded since July this year, helping bring down the rain deficit in Delhi from 43% to 15%.
  
  The Met Department predicts that the rest of the monsoon will be equally positive, and plenty of rainfall is expected in September, especially in the first week.


• Losses likely to ground Kingfisher Air temporarily
  Debt-laden Kingfisher Airlines (KFA), owned by billionaire Vijay Mallya, faces the prospect of an operational shutdown, temporarily and needs and immediate equity infusion of $600 million, feel aviation expert.
  
  The liquor baron, who owns F1 and IPL teams, is heavily indebted to lessors, suppliers, lenders, employees, oil firms, and Airport and tax department. Aircraft lessors and banks have begun invoking corporate guarantees given by United Breweries Holdings (UB Holdings) - Mallya’s flagship spirits business  
  
  “The total amount invoked and outstanding as on June 30 is Rs. 836 crore and KFA is under negotiation un this regard with beneficiaries,” UB Holdings said in its quarterly  results filed on the Bombay Stock Exchange.


• India fourth largest market: Domino’s
  Jubilant FoodWorks, which operates the Domino’s Pizza chain and Dunkin Donut’s in India said India is Domino’s fourth biggest overseas market after the US, UK and Mexico. “In the global Domino’s system, we are amongst the top four countries in terms of absolute number of stores,” said Shyam S Bhartia, chairman and Hari Bhartia, co-chairman, Jubilant FoodWorks Ltd, while inaugurating the food major’s 500th store at Rajinder Nagar, Delhi.
  
  The chain which sells 70% of all India’s home delivery Pizzas and has 55% share of the organised pizza market, is betting on products that cater to Indian tastes to continue its aggressive growth.
  
  “There are number of tweaked products in the pipeline to woo the taste buds of the Indian consumer. Our aim is to continue innovation at reasonable price points,” said Richard Allison, executive vice president, Domino’s Pizza International.


• Taking on AKASH? MTNL to launch Rs.3.999 tablet
  Coming soon, an Rs.3, 999 tablet from the state run Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL) users bundled with the company’s third generation (3G) and WiFi services. The company is offering 3G tablets provided by Teracom, a telecom equipment manufacturer, for Rs. 3999, Rs.6999 and Rs.10999.
  
  “This is a high end product at the lowest cost,” said AK Bhargava, executive director, wireless services, MTNL. “The lowest end model works on WiFi, while others work both on WiFi and 3G.”
  
  The low end model with a high speed of 1.2GHz processor and 4GB memory, compared to the much published AKASH tablet that has a processor of 500MHz. Teracom tablets work on the latest Android 4.0 Icecream Sandwich operating system, while AKASH works on the old Android 2.3 system. 

Sports Current Affairs [August 2012]

• Dope tests for domestic ties from this year
  With the menace of doping in sports rearing its ugly head and dispatching American cyclist Lance Armstrong’s feat of seven Tour de France titles into a black hole of shame, cricket in India is taking steps to root out the danger at the domestic level.
  
  Though the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has been reluctant to fully comply with the World Anti-doping Agency’s (WADA) ‘whereabouts rule’, it has started to dope testing for domestic players.
  
  The BCCI chief administrative officer, Ratnakar Shetty, told a news tabloid that testing would be done from 2012-1013 seasons. “We are planning to introduce dope testing from this season,” said Shetty. “For the past two years, the BCCI, through its state associations, has been educating cricketers on anti doping and how to improve their performances in the right way. 


• Paralympics flame lit at ‘spiritual home’
  The Paralympics flame was lit at the spiritual home of disabled sport, signalling the start of the 24hr countdown to the start of this year’s games. Some 3,000 people, including former paralympians and dignitaries such as LOCOG chief Sebastian Coe, watched as the flame took hold at 8.12pm at Stoke Mandeville Stadium in southern England.
  
  It was Stoke Mandeville hospital in 1948 that a German-Jewish neurologist, Ludwig Guttmann, organised the first recognised sports event for people with disabilities, 12years before the inaugural Paralympics in Rome.
  
  The Paralympics flame- created from four “national flames” kindled on Britain’s highest peaks- then began a 148km overnight journey from the world famous spinal injuries centre to the Olympic Stadium in east London, including boxer Michael Watson, who suffered brain damage during a super-middleweight title bout with Chris Eubank in 1991.


• Beleaguered Strauss calls it a day after disastrous Test Series
  Andrew Strauss, one of the most successful captains in England’s recent cricket history after winning Ashes series announced he is retiring from the professional cricket. Strauss insisted that he had taken the decision to retire primarily because of his own batting problems, and that he had been considering his future long before Kevin Pietersen rocked England’s boat this summer.
  
  “I’d run my race,” the 35 year old told a press conference at Lord’s, having abandoned his initial attempts to leave his comments to a brief pre-prepared statement with typical grace and good humour.
  
  “In truth I haven’t batted well enough for a long time now. From the captaincy point of view it’s important that you are not a passenger and people aren’t speculating on your future. I know from my own energy levels and motivation I wasn’t going to improve batting-wise.


• London call attended, athletes bask in afterglow
  The afterglow of India’s Olympic showing was there for all to see. That also made it a rare occasion where more than one athlete was presented with the nation’s highest sports award- the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna. Shooting silver medallist Vijay Kumar and wrestling bronze winner Yogeshwar Dutt walked up to President Pranab Mukherjee to receive the accolade at the head of the long list of recipients at the national sports awards function.
  
  However Olympics or not, cricket always finds resonance among the gathering and it was no surprise that Yuvraj Singh underlined his status as the man for all seasons. As the large audience waited for the function to start at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the player was the focus of attention.


• The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports congratulated winners of London Olympics 2012 at a gathering arranged at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium. The six winners namely, Sushil Kumar, Vijay Kumar, Gagan Narang, Ms Saina Nehwal, Ms M C Mary Kom and Yogeshwar Dutt along with their respective mothers and  fathers. There were also forty seven athletes and seventeen Indian and foreign coaches who take part at the recently finished London Olympics 2012 were the special guests at the gathering.


• The ICC or International Cricket Council declared the team of Test players for 2012 where Australian captain Michael Clark has been nominated as the skipper. South African pace bowler Dell Steyn is a part of the team for the fifth successive year. No Indian has been able to get his position in the 'Dream Team'.


• DLF the real estate giant have ended their association with IPL or Indian Premier League post their fifth season sponsorship. They had the first right of refusal for the same. The company has not renewed its contract with them and now are on the lookout for strategic associations in order to promote other sports through their tie ups. They are of the opinion that IPL has given them the required brand foot print and the required recall in India.


• With the total Olympic medal declared at the concluding games, india with its six medal tally ranked fifty fifth in the total ranking. United states with 104 followed by China with 87.


• Yet another reason for the London Olympic committee to cheer is that the 2012 olymic has been declared the greenest Olympic ever! This honor has been given to the team to help set up and to supervise the event’s minimal environmental impact when compared to all the perious Olympic events in the past.

Entertainment Current Affairs [August 2012]

• Actors Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes have officially divorced as claimed by their respective publicists.

• Chiranjeevi celebrated his fifty seventh birthday. Alongwith the celebrations, he released his Brother Pawan Kalyan’s forthcoming venture Cameraman Ganga Tho Rambabu.

• The cast for Peekay is finally out. Aamir Khan, Imran Khan and Anushka Sharma playing the leads in Raju Hirani’s next magnum opus and industry is already buzz with some rave and positive reviews.

• Bollywood Megastar Amitabh Bachan joined facebook in August and within half hour, more than eight lakh likes already registered. Such is his start power

• Salman Khan rules the BO with 39.2 crore collections on day one of release. His film Ek Tha Tiger has broken all the previous records so far

• Jennifer Aniston and her current boyfriend Justin Theroux have been engaged and set to tie the knot very soon. While this is the first time Justin is getting married, this will be the second marriage for Jennifer Aniston whose previous marriage with Brad Pitt lasted from 2000 for five years.

• Bollywood Mr. perfectionist Aamir Khan is set to start shooting for Dhoom 3. He plays a cool and suave villain which was originally portrayed by John Abraham and Hritik Roshan. Aamir will be supported by Katrina opposite him and Abhishek Bachan, Uday Chopra and Rimi Sen will mark their repeated roles in this third sequel directed by Vijay Krishna Acharya and produced by YRF banner

International Current Affairs [September 2012]

• As many as 58 persons were killed in the wake of nationwide attacks in Iraq
  which also included a car bomb in front of the French Consulate. The local wing of Al-Qaida has been behind such attacks in Iraq before, especially after the US troops left.
• An Afghan police official was reported to have killed 4 NATO international service members in Kabul.
  This took the death toll of international service members to 51, and all of these have been slain by Afghan soldiers or imposters in their uniforms. As many as 12 attacks of similar kind were reported in the month of August itself.
• Muslim protestors set afire temples and homes in Bangladesh
  reports that a Buddhist man insulted the Islam religion. At least 4 Buddhist temples were torched, and another 15 homes, each belonging to Buddhist families, were demolished and set afire. Police had to deploy special teams to control the situation. The man behind the alleged insult was given police protection and taken to a safe location.
• More than a 1000 people congregated at Ground Zero in New York, in commemoration of the anniversary of the unforgettable September 11 attacks on NY City's Twin Towers and The Pentagon, outside Washington. President Obama, and First Lady observed a moment of silence, and also conducted a military honor guard.
• Tens of thousands of people lashed out at the government in anti-austerity demonstrations in Greece. Demonstrators were fired at with teargas after hooded youths threw petrol bombs at the police. These demonstrations were the biggest in terms of the number of protestors. Demonstrators said they were being strangled to a life of misery with ever increasing taxes and wage cuts.
• Anti - Islam film in the US led to seething protests that turned violent and led to several casualties in several countries. On September 21st, protests against the film went bad and led to the loss of 20 lives. Mobsters torched 6 cinema halls and Pakistan summoned the US envoy and strongly pushed for the US government to intervene and help in removing the video from YouTube.
• A massive 300 killings took place across the country of Syria, and this count did not account for the unidentified bodies, including which the count would have been much more. These killings marked the gravest day of the 18 month revolt that has paralyzed the nation. Ever since the country entered a state of internal war against President Bashar al-Assad's rule in March 2012, Syria has witnessed several blood stained days as this.
• On September 12, Somalia's newly made President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, and the foreign minister from Kenya, both escaped a suicide bomb attack. The events took place in a Mogadishu hotel, where the two were to hold a news conference. The two political heavyweights, however, escaped without any injuries.
• After the demise of Meles Zenwai in August, the Ethiopian Peoples' Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPDRF) declared acting Prime Minister Haile Mariam Desalegn as the new man in charge. EPDRF is the ruling party in Ethopia.

National [September 2012]

• Around 175 Sri Lankan tourists had to be escorted by the police to Tiruchirapalli airport in Tamil Nadu, following violent protests by Tamil activists against the visit of these tourists in the September's first week. These visitors from the neighboring island nation of Sri Lanka had to return to their nation in light of the sensitive situation.
• India's UPA government indicated the possibility of implementing the National Food Security Bill bypassing the need of a conventional Parliamentary nod, and taking the direct executive route instead. This indication has come in the wake of the Opposition stagnating the parliament's proceedings time and again.
• Losses of anything between Rs 10,000 to Rs 12,500 crores were estimated by CII and Assocham, as a result of the nationwide close down promoted by BJP, and other parties in opposition of the government's decision to open 51% FDI in multibrand retail, and a hike in diesel prices in India.

Business and Economy Current Affairs [September 2012]

• Projects worth over UDS 4.3 billion were jointly reviewed by the government of India and the World Bank, in a two day review held at Hyderabad. The review is set to give impetus to the efforts of improving the on ground implementation of progress initiatives. The review found participation from the top brass of Indian government, with officials from the Department of Economic Affairs and leading officials from state projects, including World Bank officials in Delhi, making their presence felt.
• The clouds of insecurity hovering over the trade related future of Chinese and Japanese economies blackened further as Japanese firms started shutting down plants in China, after angry protests dissuaded Japanese nationals in China from leaving houses. Among the affected companies operating in China are Honda and Mazda, apart from Nissan and Canon. These companies have halted production in China. Expatriates were issued warnings to stay indoors, as more protests were possible.
• Global banking player HSBC Plc announced that N.R. Narayana Murthy would be retiring from its board of directors by the year end. Narayana Murthy is the co-founder of IT superpower Infosys Ltd. He was the only Indian in the board of directors of HSBC Plc. Renato Fassbind was announced as the new director on board, taking effect from the first day of the next year. Renato is the former CFO of Credit Suisse Group. Murthy will be stepping down on 31st December, 2012, and will be succeeded by Laura Cha, a present director who will take on the role of chairperson of corporate sustainability committee.
• The 300 meter long aircraft carrier called Liaoning was unveiled by China. This is an improved version of the Varyag, which China purchased from Ukraine. The Liaoning is expected to serve several research purposes, as well as double up as a defense military training platform. Apart from this, the aircraft carrier has also provided some impetus to China's maritime intentions.
• Apple did not get the bright side of the ruling on its infringement suits against Google owned Motorola, and ace competitor Samsung. Apple had contested that its touch events technology patents had been violated by the two mobile makers. However, a German court decided against its assertions, and gave Apple a month's time to appeal against the judgment.
• The proposal of dividing Air India into two separate subsidiaries - Air India Transport Services Ltd. (AITSL) and Air India Engineering Services Ltd. (AIESL) was approved by the cabinet, as a part of the turn around plan for the underperforming airline.
• A top official from Bharti Enterprises conveyed that the group was in talks with Wal-Mart for a proposed 50:50 joint venture for the roll out of chains of retail outlets in the country. The two industry giants are already in an equal partnership venture for wholesale stores in India.
• The UPA government in India opened its gates for up to 51 per cent Foreign Direct Investment in the area of multibrand retail in India, and included the aviation industry in the decision's ambit. States retain the freedom to make a choice of implementing or not implementing the FDI in multiband policy. The policy has opened up India's mammoth potential retail market (estimated at $590 billion) to global super players of the likes of Wal-Mart. General Electric's German chief announced that the company was looking to make acquisitions in Germany in order to strengthen its market share of MRI technology and CAT scan segments.
• General Electric's German chief announced that the company was looking to make acquisitions in Germany in order to strengthen its market share of MRI technology and CAT scan segments.

Sports Current Affairs [September 2012]

• Tiger Woods lost for the third time, but that did not deter United States from strengthening their hold on the 39th Ryder Cup. US expanded the lead to a comfortable 10-6 score over the current holders Europe. The event is taking place at the Medinah Country Club in Illinois. Phil Mickelson, Keegan Bradley, Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson were instrumental in handling such a healthy lead to US.
• Serena Williams held her nerve to emerge victorious over world number 1 Victoria Azarenka, and in the process claimed her 15th grand slam title. This U.S. Open victory was the fourth overall for Serena Williams. Serena added another shining feather to her cap of achievements in 2012. She has already won the Wimbledon and Olympic medal. However, Serena was given a tough fight by her Australian competitor. Serena won the game 6-2, 2-6, 7-5. In her winner's speech, Serena was all praises for Victoria, and remarked how she could not believe she had managed to win.
• India won the second test match in their home series against New Zealand following brave batting stints by young batting sensation Virat Kohli, and experienced captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, completing a 2-0 white wash. The first test of the series had been comfortably bagged by India, however, there were a few jitters down the way to victory in the second test, the final of the series of two.
• Juventus made quick meat of AC Roma and hammered three goals within the first 19 minutes to take the game comfortably at 4-1 ultimately. AC Milan did not impress much in their 1-1 draw at Parna, thus doing no benefit to coach Massamiliano Allegri, who is already under loads of pressure. Juventus rocketed to a lead of 9 points over Milan.
• Shin Jiyai from South Korea recorded a resounding 9 stroke victory at the British Open (women's). Players were meeting again after bad weather in and around the Royal Liverpool Golf Club forced them to postpone the competition. Shin Jiyal's final round 72 sealed her victory. She ended the tournament at nine under par.
• The T20 Cricket World Cup commenced on September 18 in Sri Lanka, with twelve qualifying teams playing for the tag of champions of the 20 over version of the game. The T20 world cup for women is also going on alongside. Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh made a comeback into the cricket team after he had to abruptly give up cricket on being diagnosed with cancer.

International Current Affairs

• Pakistan reaches out to old Afghan enemies Pakistan has increased efforts to reach out to some of its biggest enemies in Afghanistan, a significant policy shift that could prove crucial to US-backed efforts to strike a peace deal in the neighbouring country. The target of the diplomatic push has mainly been non Pashtun political leaders who have been at odds with Pakistan for years because of the country's historical support for the Afghan Taliban, a Pashtun movement.
  Many of the leaders fought against Taliban when the fundamentalist Islamic group seized control of Afghanistan in 1990s with Pakistan's help and have accused Islamabad of maintaining support for the insurgents following the US led invasion in 2001- allegations denied by the government. Many experts agree that Pakistan continues to see the Taliban as an ally, albeit a shaky one, in countering the influence of archenemy India in Afghanistan.


• Statue of Liberty reopens, The statue of Liberty has reopened for the public viewing after a year-long 30 million-dollar interior makeover. The mostly federally funded renovation to the 126 year old statue of Liberty includes fire safety and ventilations improvement, better bathrooms, a third elevator and remodelled staircase with 39 extra steps to make it easier to climb from pedestal to crown.
  And for the first time ever, there is wheelchair access to the top of the pedestal. With the structural improvements, 26,000 more visitors will be able to visit the crown every year, the New York Post reports.
  "All that makes me confident I can bring my grandparents," Jean-Pascal Mill, 38, a tourist from Lyon, France, who visited the Liberty Island said.


• Opposition rejects Prachanda's proposals Any hope that the festive mood in Nepal could help end the ongoing political crisis seems unlikely for the time being with the opposition parties rejecting a fresh move by the ruling Maoists.
  After a 'Dashain' hiatus of nearly 10 days, talks have resumed among the ruling parties and those in opposition, but there is no sign yet of resolving the impasse soon. Nepali Congress and Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxists Leninist) rejected two proposals forwarded by Unified Communists Party of Nepal (Maoists) chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda'.
  The Maoists chief had discussed the proposals in separate talks with NC president Shushil Koirala, CPN (UML) chairman Jhalanath Khanal and former prime minister and CPN (UML) leader Madhav Kumar Nepal.
  Prachanda expressed his party's willingness to support a new government headed by NC if the latter agree on reviving the dissolved constituent assembly to promulgate the new constution.


• Wen Jiabao's family denies NYT report on wealth Lawyers hired by Premier Wen Jiabao's family have issued an unprecedented rebuttal to the New York Times story denying that his close relatives including his mother have amassed assets worth more than $2.7 billion in the last decade.
  The lawyers have denied that the "hidden riches" as described by the US newspaper does not exist and that his mother who according to the report had accrued millions- only received her salary and pension.
  They have added that they reserved the right to hold the newspaper responsible legally. The denial issued is being considered unusual as it's possible for the first time that a top Chinese politician has issued a denial against a foreign newspaper's report.
  Earlier this year when a similar story was done by Bloomberg on senior leader Xi Jinping, he had not responded.
  


• Hurricane pauses US presidential campaign President Barack Obama planned to travel to Florida for a campaign stop as Hurricane Sandy, bearing down on the eastern United States, forced White House candidates to review their schedules.
  Republican nominee Mitt Romney has cancelled appearances in Virginia to head for Ohio before the Hurricane's arrival, while Obama moved up his initial plans to go to Florida to go back in Washington in time for the storm's landfall.
  The president has also cancelled two campaign events in Virginia and Colorado to monitor developments related to Sandy. Vice president Joe Biden, meanwhile cancelled a visit to the battleground state of Virginia to allow law enforcements and emergency workers there to prepare for the advancing storm.


• Democrats set to retain senate, Republicans to keep House Richard Mourdock has known both instant celebrity and instant notoriety. He shot to fame by beating Richard Lougar, long time Indiana senator in the primaries, in May. He hit infamy earlier this month describing pregnancy from rape as "something God intended", endangering Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney's race.
  Also jeopardising the Republican Party's efforts, to wrest control of the US senate from Democrats. Indiana was a safe seat returning Lugar to the senate for 32 years. It's not any longer.
  Another Republican candidate for the senate Todd Akin was there ahead of Mourdock on rape with this: a woman's body shuts down during rape to prevent pregnancy. And that put another senate race in danger for Republicans.
  US voter will elect on November 6 a president, one third of the 100-member senate (like Rajya Sabha), and all 435 members of the House of Representatives.


• Chinese Uighurs joins jihadis in Syria Chinese Muslims separatists from the northwest region of Xinjiang are battling Syrian government forces alongside al-Qaeda and other extremist groups, an official Chinese newspaper reported.
  Radicals among the China's ethnic Turkic Uighur minority have been travelling to Syria since May to join the fighting on trips organised by groups opposed to Beijing's rule over Xinjiang the Global Times reported.
  Citing unidentified Chinese anti-terrorism authorities, it said the groups were funding their activities through drug and gun trafficking, kidnapping and robbery, and providing training for "separatists, criminals and terrorists" who had fled Xinjiang.
  After receiving orders from al Qaeda, terrorists from China came to Syria to meet with jihadists already on the ground before forming groups on the front lines," the report quoted an unidentified official as saying.


• BBC inquiry begins as sex abuse scandal grows An inquiry into the BBC's culture and practices got under way with the corporation reeling from allegations of child sex abuse perpetrated by Jimmy Savile, one of its biggest stars.
  The probe begins a year to the day since death of Savile, the eccentric presenter now considered one of the most prolific sex offenders in British history, with some 300 alleged victims coming forward in recent weeks.
  It also starts the day after 1970s glam rocker Gary Glitter, a convicted paedophile, was questioned on suspicion of sexual offences, the first arrest in the widening police probe into the activities of Savile and others around him.
  Janet Smith, a former Court of Appeal Judge, inquiry will also examine whether BBC's child protection and whistle blowing policies are fir for purpose.

National

• 38 new cases of dengue in Delhi, toll rises to 910. 38 new cases of dengue were reported by the civic agencies taking the total count to 910 in the national Capital. The actual cases may be more than the double this figure, as the number of positive dengue cases reported by private hospitals is much higher than what the municipal corporations are claiming. Municipal officials argue that most of the private hospitals do not perform the mandatory IgM Capture Elisa test and thus cannot be considered positive as per the government guidelines in this regard. But private hospitals say they are reporting only confirmed cases to the municipal corporations. Dengue patients are being treated on stretchers because of bed shortages- in both government and private hospitals. Almost all private hospitals have about 30-40 dengue patients each admitted at the moment.


• Corruption has been rewarded: KejriwalBy appointing Salman Khurshid as external affairs minister and elevating him to the 'big four' in the cabinet, the Congress has clearly shown it won't succumb to the pressure tactics by the anti-corruption activists or the Opposition. Activists-turned-politician Arvind Kejriwal said corruption has been incentivised and has trained his guns on Khurshid after a sting by TV channel Aaj Tak allegeing financial irregularities in the minister's family run trust.
  Kejriwal has alleged the Zakir Hussain Memorial Trust, sun by Khurshid and his wife Louise, embezzled Rs.71 lakh meant for the disabled. India Against Corruption has threatened a protest in Khurshid's constituency Farrukhabad in UP on November 1.
  


• Delhi govt sets Nov 24 deadline for plastic banThe Delhi govt has set November 24 deadline for the enforcement of blanket ban on the manufacture, import, sale, storage and use of plastic carry bags, sheets, films or tubs- irrespective of their thickness.
  Without any feasible alternative in sight, the order also bans plastic sheets used to line dust bins. But the ban will not affect the use of plastic carry bags specified under the bio-medical waste (management and handling), rules 1998.
  Plastic used to pack food products such as milk and flour bags- in which goods are sealed prior to use- will be allowed. "The sate cabinet passed the ban order on September11 and the government notified it on October 23. A copy of the notification has been uploaded on the government's environment department website. Enforcement has to begin after a month of notification," said a top govt official who is part of the team authorised to enforce the ban.


• 17 yr old plans to strengthen Indo-China relationsIt was on a vacation to China that Dhruv Khurana a 17 yr old, realised that people from each side of the country don't know much about each other. "During my trip I realised how ignorant I was about the people of China. There is a definite need for both countries. Who are neighbours and two of the fastest growing economies, to understand each other better.
  The 1962 war and our shared border has festered mistrust for a long time now," said Khurana, a class 12 student of Shri Ram School. But it is not just the angst that this teenager has to offer. He also has a plan. "While I was in China, I realised that we could perhaps work towards a platform where youngsters from both countries could meet and come up with solutions for shared problems. The Indo-China Model United Conference (ICMUC) is one such platform," Khurana added.
  The youngster has, so far, met the Chinese Ambassador to India and got a very favourable response. "I am also in touch with a couple of schools in China. If all goes according to the plan the ICMUC could take off next year when students from China will come to India next July," he said.
• Won't share Kasab security bill: CentreThe union ministry has refused to buy Maharashtra's demand that the Centre share the bill for the 26/11Mumbai attacks convict Ajmal Kasab's security, emphasising that two companies of the Indo-Tibetan Security Forces (ITBP) were deployed at the state's request.
  Two companies of ITBP have been deployed to protect Kasab since March 2009 at Mumbai Arthur Road Jail at the request of the state. The move followed intelligence reports that terrorists could try to kill Kasab, who had become a living proof of Pakistani elements' involvement in the attack.
  Home Minister Shushil Kumar Shinde said the matter could not be solved witout being debated. State home minister RR Patil had earlier told the legislative council that the state had asked the union home ministry to withdraw the demand for rs.19.28 crore.

Business and Economy Current Affairs

• Mallya will not sell 'Family Silver' for KFALiquor baron Vijay Mallya said that he is under no compulsion to do a deal with UK drinks' giant Diageo and will not sell prized assets to rescue his grounded Kingfisher airlines. Reacting to reports that he would be forced to sell stakes in his spirits business to fund KFA, the UB group said, "That is the media perspective of what I am going to do. I am not so sure that I lack commercial acumen to the extent that I will sell a hugely thriving, successful business to take the cash and put it into an airline in an environment such as India."
  "My group is sufficiently cash generative to fund the airline. We have put almost 50 million pounds since April 2012 into the airline. But that has not meant that I have had to sell my family silver to fund the airline," he added.
  Mallya has been talking to Diageo Plc about selling a stake in his United Spirits Ltd. Earlier this weekend he said he was unsure of whether or not he would agree to terms with the London listed firm. "I do not have to do a deal with Diageo at all," said Mallya. "I am under no compulsion whatsoever."

Sports Current Affairs

• Tendulkar deserves order of AustraliaFormer Australia wicketkeeper, Adam Gilchrist said that despite Sachin Tendulkar's string of easy dismissals, he would be the best judge to decide when to retire.
  Gilchrist said it was humanly impossible to maintain top form, especially when a career spans more than two decades. "I am sure he (Tendulkar) is aware that he is not at the peak of his career, but he warrants a place in the side. It is up to him to decide (about his career)," said Gilchrist at the launch of the Don Bradman scholarship.
  Gilchrist also approved of the decision to award the Australia Order of Merit to Tendulkar. "The award indicates his high standing in both countries. I sent him a message welcoming him. We are fortunate to have him."
  


• Vettel win underlines Red Bull's constant progress, Budget-capping in Formula 1 sounds appealing right now. Watching Sebastian Vettal and Mark Webber dominate the Indian Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit on all three days and take 1-3 finish only amplified it. This would mark the fourth straight season in which Red Bull have beaten every other team on the grids in term of developing their cars towards the end of season, and it is their objection to a restriction in team spending that has prompted them to leave the Formula One Teams Association. Atleast one person however, seems unperturbed. Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, who finished second, remains "100 percent" confident that he will be the 2012 world Champion. "Nothing changed in one race," Alonso Said.

Current Affairs November 2012

International Current Affairs

• China claims historical rights Beijing's claims to nearly all the South China Sea are embossed in its latest passports, based on what it calls long established "historical facts" and what Chinese analysts say is Western imperial precedent.
  Beijing has grown increasingly assertive in recent years in claiming islands and waters even without effective control of them- in some cases hundreds of kilometres from the China's mainland and close to rival claimants' coasts.
  The latest front on the simmering dispute is China's new passport, which shows the map of the country including almost all of the strategically significant sea, the site of key shipping routes and possibly significant petroleum reserves.
• UK press needs new watchdog: Leveson A judge called on legislation to underpin a new regulator for Britain's "outrageous" newspapers in a dramatic move that threatens to Divide Prime Minister David Cameron's coalition government.
  Lord justice Brian Leveson, who led an eight month inquiry following the phone hacking scandal that closed down Rupert Murdoch's News of the World, also criticised politicians for getting too close to the press.
  His eagerly awaited report called for legislation for a new independent self regulatory body underpinned by law, saying that misbehaviour by the British press has undermined its own arguments that it works in the public interest.


• Genuine Indian students kept out by UK agency Officials at the UK Border Agency (UKBA) sat over more than 150,000 complaints of non-European students breeching their conditions of study, Britain's chief inspector of immigration John Vine said, prompting a senior MP to accuse the agency of putting off genuine Indian students. Vine criticised the UKBA in a report for failing to act on tip-offs provided by colleges and universities who, under a student sponsorship system, are meant to notify the agency whenever non-EU students do not enrol, stop attending courses or breach visa rules.
  Vine said the agency had no targets in place for responding to such tip-offs. "As a result, notifications were not being acted upon." At one point a backlog of 153,000, such reports had built up, said Vine, whose tem examined work at three UKBA offices in Sheffield, Beijing and Delhi. However by may this year, all outstanding tip-offs had been acted upon.


• Pakistani journalist escapes bomb attack Pakistani journalist and celebrity TV anchor Hamid Mir escaped an assassination attempt, when the police defused a bomb planted under his car in Islamabad. The device in a metal box was found under the front passenger seat of Mir's car. "It was a powerful bomb. Had it gone off, the car would have been blown into pieces," interior minister Rehman Malik said.
  Mir who host Capital Talk, an evening show on Geo TV, and writes a column for Jang, was criticised by the Taliban last month in the wake of the shooting of teenage activist Malala Yousafzai.
  The interior minister said that he would offer a reward of Rs 5 crore for anyone who provided any information on the accused.


• Pakistan reaches out to old Afghan enemies Pakistan has increased efforts to reach out to some of its biggest enemies in Afghanistan, a significant policy shift that could prove crucial to US-backed efforts to strike a peace deal in the neighbouring country. The target of the diplomatic push has mainly been non Pashtun political leaders who have been at odds with Pakistan for years because of the country's historical support for the Afghan Taliban, a Pashtun movement.
  Many of the leaders fought against Taliban when the fundamentalist Islamic group seized control of Afghanistan in 1990s with Pakistan's help and have accused Islamabad of maintaining support for the insurgents following the US led invasion in 2001- allegations denied by the government. Many experts agree that Pakistan continues to see the Taliban as an ally, albeit a shaky one, in countering the influence of archenemy India in Afghanistan.


• Statue of Liberty reopens, The statue of Liberty has reopened for the public viewing after a year-long 30 million-dollar interior makeover. The mostly federally funded renovation to the 126 year old statue of Liberty includes fire safety and ventilations improvement, better bathrooms, a third elevator and remodelled staircase with 39 extra steps to make it easier to climb from pedestal to crown.
  And for the first time ever, there is wheelchair access to the top of the pedestal. With the structural improvements, 26,000 more visitors will be able to visit the crown every year, the New York Post reports.
  "All that makes me confident I can bring my grandparents," Jean-Pascal Mill, 38, a tourist from Lyon, France, who visited the Liberty Island said.


• Opposition rejects Prachanda's proposals Any hope that the festive mood in Nepal could help end the ongoing political crisis seems unlikely for the time being with the opposition parties rejecting a fresh move by the ruling Maoists.
  After a 'Dashain' hiatus of nearly 10 days, talks have resumed among the ruling parties and those in opposition, but there is no sign yet of resolving the impasse soon. Nepali Congress and Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxists Leninist) rejected two proposals forwarded by Unified Communists Party of Nepal (Maoists) chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda'.
  The Maoists chief had discussed the proposals in separate talks with NC president Shushil Koirala, CPN (UML) chairman Jhalanath Khanal and former prime minister and CPN (UML) leader Madhav Kumar Nepal.
  Prachanda expressed his party's willingness to support a new government headed by NC if the latter agree on reviving the dissolved constituent assembly to promulgate the new constution.


• Wen Jiabao's family denies NYT report on wealth Lawyers hired by Premier Wen Jiabao's family have issued an unprecedented rebuttal to the New York Times story denying that his close relatives including his mother have amassed assets worth more than $2.7 billion in the last decade.
  The lawyers have denied that the "hidden riches" as described by the US newspaper does not exist and that his mother who according to the report had accrued millions- only received her salary and pension.
  They have added that they reserved the right to hold the newspaper responsible legally. The denial issued is being considered unusual as it's possible for the first time that a top Chinese politician has issued a denial against a foreign newspaper's report.
  Earlier this year when a similar story was done by Bloomberg on senior leader Xi Jinping, he had not responded.
  


• Hurricane pauses US presidential campaign President Barack Obama planned to travel to Florida for a campaign stop as Hurricane Sandy, bearing down on the eastern United States, forced White House candidates to review their schedules.
  Republican nominee Mitt Romney has cancelled appearances in Virginia to head for Ohio before the Hurricane's arrival, while Obama moved up his initial plans to go to Florida to go back in Washington in time for the storm's landfall.
  The president has also cancelled two campaign events in Virginia and Colorado to monitor developments related to Sandy. Vice president Joe Biden, meanwhile cancelled a visit to the battleground state of Virginia to allow law enforcements and emergency workers there to prepare for the advancing storm.


• Democrats set to retain senate, Republicans to keep House Richard Mourdock has known both instant celebrity and instant notoriety. He shot to fame by beating Richard Lougar, long time Indiana senator in the primaries, in May. He hit infamy earlier this month describing pregnancy from rape as "something God intended", endangering Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney's race.
  Also jeopardising the Republican Party's efforts, to wrest control of the US senate from Democrats. Indiana was a safe seat returning Lugar to the senate for 32 years. It's not any longer.
  Another Republican candidate for the senate Todd Akin was there ahead of Mourdock on rape with this: a woman's body shuts down during rape to prevent pregnancy. And that put another senate race in danger for Republicans.
  US voter will elect on November 6 a president, one third of the 100-member senate (like Rajya Sabha), and all 435 members of the House of Representatives.


• Chinese Uighurs joins jihadis in Syria Chinese Muslims separatists from the northwest region of Xinjiang are battling Syrian government forces alongside al-Qaeda and other extremist groups, an official Chinese newspaper reported.
  Radicals among the China's ethnic Turkic Uighur minority have been travelling to Syria since May to join the fighting on trips organised by groups opposed to Beijing's rule over Xinjiang the Global Times reported.
  Citing unidentified Chinese anti-terrorism authorities, it said the groups were funding their activities through drug and gun trafficking, kidnapping and robbery, and providing training for "separatists, criminals and terrorists" who had fled Xinjiang.
  After receiving orders from al Qaeda, terrorists from China came to Syria to meet with jihadists already on the ground before forming groups on the front lines," the report quoted an unidentified official as saying.


• BBC inquiry begins as sex abuse scandal grows An inquiry into the BBC's culture and practices got under way with the corporation reeling from allegations of child sex abuse perpetrated by Jimmy Savile, one of its biggest stars.
  The probe begins a year to the day since death of Savile, the eccentric presenter now considered one of the most prolific sex offenders in British history, with some 300 alleged victims coming forward in recent weeks.
  It also starts the day after 1970s glam rocker Gary Glitter, a convicted paedophile, was questioned on suspicion of sexual offences, the first arrest in the widening police probe into the activities of Savile and others around him.
  Janet Smith, a former Court of Appeal Judge, inquiry will also examine whether BBC's child protection and whistle blowing policies are fir for purpose.

National

• Sensex breaches 19K mark on FDI cues The Indian stock markets rallied to a19-month high as the governments agreed to vote in parliament on allowing FDI in multi brand retail. Goldman Sachs' latest report that says India's economy will grow by 6.5% in 2013 and gather pace over the next two years, spurred by domestic structural reforms and a possible turnaround in external demand helped the rally.
  After rising to a day's high of 19,205.33, Sensex closed with a gain of 383.83 points, or 1.75%, at 19,170.91, its' highest since April 2011. The end to logjam in parliament triggered hopes that could make bills to open up insurance and pension sectors to foreign investment see light of day.


• Delhi cops say Namdhari shot Hardeep Chadha Former Uttarakhand minorities commission chairman Sukhdev Singh Namdhari shot dead liquor baron Ponty Chadha's brother Hardeep Chadha, Delhi police crime branch told the city court.
  Metropolitan magistrate Gaurav Rao sent Namdhari to police custody till December 2for further interrogation after crime branch said he has been formally booked for murder following eyewitnesses' inputs. Initially police had arrested him for trespass and attempt to murder on the basis of disclosure made by Bhupinder Singh Bisht, another accused who was Ponty's personal security officer.
  Police said they Namdhari to recover various weapons used in the shootout, which are believed to be hidden at his farmhouse. "I am satisfied that to unearth the entire conspiracy... it is a fit case for grant of three days of police custody," the judge said.


• No centralised form for nursery admissions this year The Delhi governments' ambitious plan to have a centralised form for the upcoming nursery admission season in all school, are being shelved for the time being. Citing impracticality, Delhi education minister Kiran Walia said that had not seen a viable plan to implement a centralised system so far.
  "We had planned to put a system in place but after going through a lot of models, it has turned out that the process is not very practical. It is very difficult to find one system that can incorporate the different point system of all schools. For the time being, the system adopted by the schools seems to be the most efficient one and we don't want to tinker with a system without having a better alternative," Walia said.


• Zee news boss fails to turn up, police may move court With Subhash Chandra, chairman of zee news limited, not turning up to join the investigation into the alleged extortion bid case filed by Jindal steel private limited (JSPL) even after being served three notices in the past five days, the Delhi police are considering the option of moving court.
  Sources in the Delhi Police said though the Zee news boss was served a notice, Chandra did not turn up to record his statement and clarify his role in the entire episode. Asked whether investigators would now approach the court seeking issuance of warrant, a senior police officer said that all options are open with them and they will take a decision when the need arises.


• 38 new cases of dengue in Delhi, toll rises to 910. 38 new cases of dengue were reported by the civic agencies taking the total count to 910 in the national Capital. The actual cases may be more than the double this figure, as the number of positive dengue cases reported by private hospitals is much higher than what the municipal corporations are claiming. Municipal officials argue that most of the private hospitals do not perform the mandatory IgM Capture Elisa test and thus cannot be considered positive as per the government guidelines in this regard. But private hospitals say they are reporting only confirmed cases to the municipal corporations. Dengue patients are being treated on stretchers because of bed shortages- in both government and private hospitals. Almost all private hospitals have about 30-40 dengue patients each admitted at the moment.


• Corruption has been rewarded: KejriwalBy appointing Salman Khurshid as external affairs minister and elevating him to the 'big four' in the cabinet, the Congress has clearly shown it won't succumb to the pressure tactics by the anti-corruption activists or the Opposition. Activists-turned-politician Arvind Kejriwal said corruption has been incentivised and has trained his guns on Khurshid after a sting by TV channel Aaj Tak allegeing financial irregularities in the minister's family run trust.
  Kejriwal has alleged the Zakir Hussain Memorial Trust, sun by Khurshid and his wife Louise, embezzled Rs.71 lakh meant for the disabled. India Against Corruption has threatened a protest in Khurshid's constituency Farrukhabad in UP on November 1.
  


• Delhi govt sets Nov 24 deadline for plastic banThe Delhi govt has set November 24 deadline for the enforcement of blanket ban on the manufacture, import, sale, storage and use of plastic carry bags, sheets, films or tubs- irrespective of their thickness.
  Without any feasible alternative in sight, the order also bans plastic sheets used to line dust bins. But the ban will not affect the use of plastic carry bags specified under the bio-medical waste (management and handling), rules 1998.
  Plastic used to pack food products such as milk and flour bags- in which goods are sealed prior to use- will be allowed. "The sate cabinet passed the ban order on September11 and the government notified it on October 23. A copy of the notification has been uploaded on the government's environment department website. Enforcement has to begin after a month of notification," said a top govt official who is part of the team authorised to enforce the ban.


• 17 yr old plans to strengthen Indo-China relationsIt was on a vacation to China that Dhruv Khurana a 17 yr old, realised that people from each side of the country don't know much about each other. "During my trip I realised how ignorant I was about the people of China. There is a definite need for both countries. Who are neighbours and two of the fastest growing economies, to understand each other better.
  The 1962 war and our shared border has festered mistrust for a long time now," said Khurana, a class 12 student of Shri Ram School. But it is not just the angst that this teenager has to offer. He also has a plan. "While I was in China, I realised that we could perhaps work towards a platform where youngsters from both countries could meet and come up with solutions for shared problems. The Indo-China Model United Conference (ICMUC) is one such platform," Khurana added.
  The youngster has, so far, met the Chinese Ambassador to India and got a very favourable response. "I am also in touch with a couple of schools in China. If all goes according to the plan the ICMUC could take off next year when students from China will come to India next July," he said.
• Won't share Kasab security bill: CentreThe union ministry has refused to buy Maharashtra's demand that the Centre share the bill for the 26/11Mumbai attacks convict Ajmal Kasab's security, emphasising that two companies of the Indo-Tibetan Security Forces (ITBP) were deployed at the state's request.
  Two companies of ITBP have been deployed to protect Kasab since March 2009 at Mumbai Arthur Road Jail at the request of the state. The move followed intelligence reports that terrorists could try to kill Kasab, who had become a living proof of Pakistani elements' involvement in the attack.
  Home Minister Shushil Kumar Shinde said the matter could not be solved witout being debated. State home minister RR Patil had earlier told the legislative council that the state had asked the union home ministry to withdraw the demand for rs.19.28 crore.

Business and Economy Current Affairs

• Vedanta shuts its Odisha alumina plant Three months after issuing the closure notice to the Odisha government, Vedanta Aluminium Limited, a subsidiary of London Stock Exchange listed multi-billion dollar Vedanta Resources group temporarily shut down its one million tonne per annum alumina refinery in the state due to lack of bauxite.
  "Despite concerted efforts over the past three months to ensure sustainable supplies of bauxite for our refinery in Lanjigarh, we have not been able to find any solution. For the last three days we have run the unit at around 20% of the capacity and we have been forced to close down the unit due to dwindling stock of bauxite," VAL CEO Mukesh Kumar said. Kumar pointed out mounting losses and said the company had informed the state labour department of the shutdown in a letter on September 5. He said there are around 550 direct employees while work is out sourced to 2500.


• Facebook to replace Infosys in NASDAQ 100 Indian IT major Infosys will make way for global social networking giant Facebook on the Nasdaq 100, key US stock market index, effective December 12.
  Infosys is the only Indian company to figure in Nasdaq 100, where it was included six years ago in December 2006, and its imminent exit from the benchmark index follows the IT giant's announcement last week to shift its listing to New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).
  Nasdaq said in a statement that Facebook would become a component of the NASDAQ-100 Index, the NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index, and the NASDAQ-100 technology Sector Index prior to market open on December 12.


• Audi sees India in top markets by 2021 German Luxury car maker Audi said it expects India to be one of its top 10 global markets by 2016 and as one of its top 5 markets by 2021. The company aims that the luxury car market, which at presents accounts for a mere 1.2% of India's overall passenger car market, would get to 5% (225,000 units per annum) by 2019. "We have already exceeded our annual sales target of 8,000 units per annum announced at the start of the year with a month to spare. So unlike some of our competitors, we remain confident of the Indian market," said Michael Perschke, head, Audi India. "Our sales have grown by 58% this year so far, that makes India the fastest growing luxury car market for us globally. This is the reason why India is strategically one of our top 10 markets even if it is not there in terms of absolute sales."


• Pilots VS AI again: this time on transfers to cut flight delays The management and the pilots of national carrier Air India (AI) could be headed for a fresh face off. AI management has proposed shifting "excess pilots belonging to erstwhile Indian Airlines (AI) to southern bases from northern India, which is facing shortage of pilots. The move is aimed at cutting "wasteful expenditure" and bringing down delays. AI officials said there are more than 20 excess AI commanders based in Delhi.
  Recently, that national carrier transferred more than 60 pilots belonging to erstwhile AI Mumbai to Delhi to meet similar operational requirements. "In the last couple of months several flights originating from bases in the south had to be delayed due to non-availability of pilots, mainly commanders," an official source said.


• Mallya will not sell 'Family Silver' for KFALiquor baron Vijay Mallya said that he is under no compulsion to do a deal with UK drinks' giant Diageo and will not sell prized assets to rescue his grounded Kingfisher airlines. Reacting to reports that he would be forced to sell stakes in his spirits business to fund KFA, the UB group said, "That is the media perspective of what I am going to do. I am not so sure that I lack commercial acumen to the extent that I will sell a hugely thriving, successful business to take the cash and put it into an airline in an environment such as India."
  "My group is sufficiently cash generative to fund the airline. We have put almost 50 million pounds since April 2012 into the airline. But that has not meant that I have had to sell my family silver to fund the airline," he added.
  Mallya has been talking to Diageo Plc about selling a stake in his United Spirits Ltd. Earlier this weekend he said he was unsure of whether or not he would agree to terms with the London listed firm. "I do not have to do a deal with Diageo at all," said Mallya. "I am under no compulsion whatsoever."

Sports Current Affairs

• That is why we want KP in the team: Cook Basketball legend Michael Jordan had once said, "Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen." In performance that belonged to the last category, England came over to their demons to excel in departments where they were expected to flounder. Not many would have given and England victory even a passing thought before this test. But the stunning win has revived England's ambition of a series win here in 28 yrs. "Test matches in India take a lot of us. But when we get to Kolkata we will train with the same purpose, and intensity that we did here," England Captain Alastair Cook said. "We could have put our heads down after the Ahmedabad loss, but we did not," said Cook.


• Barca add four stars to their campaign Lionel Messi struck twice as Barcelona won 4-0 at Lavante to remain three points clear of Atletico Madrid at the top of La Liga. Messi's goals were both laid on by Andres Iniesta who also hit the target himself before supplying Cesc Fabregas for the fourth.
  The Argentine's brace means he now has 82 goals in 2012, just three short of German legend Gerd Mueller's all time calendar record set in 1972. He also tops the La Liga charts for the season with 19 goals.
  Atletico had earlier beaten Sevilla 4-0 to keep pace at the top and go eight points ahead of city rivals Real Madrid in third, who had lost 1-0 at Betis
  


• Tributes, comparisons and even sour grapes Tributes flowed for Germany's Sebastian Vettel after the Red Bull driver claimed his third consecutive Formula 1 driver's world championship in Brazil. The German only needed a sixth place finish at the season ending race at Interlagos to Clinch the title, three points ahead of Ferrari's Fernando Alonso.
  Leading the praise was Vetttel's compatriot, seven time world champion Michael Schumacher, who competed in his last Grand Prix, while Red Bull teammate Mark Webber described the 25 yr old as "unique".
  Michael Schumacher said: "In a way it reminds of 2003, I had a similar struggle and I just managed to win the championship by a single point. I'm very proud of him and he's a good friend of mine, let's see what happens in future."


• Hockey India League postponed The player's auction for the Hockey India League (HIL) has been postponed from December 1 to December 16. Subsequently the league too has been postponed and will commence on January 17.
  "Some of the coaches involved with the league are busy as the FIH Champions Trophy starts in Melbourne from December 1, and couldn't have participated in the auction," HIL chairman Narinder Batra, said in a statement.
  "Since the franchises expressed concern that the coaches could not be present for the auction, to pick players, it was necessary to reschedule the event," said Batra. Almost all top players expected to compete in the HIL are representing their nations in the champions Trophy, which will see India, Olympic champions Germany, England, the Netherlands, Belgium, Pakistan, New Zealand and hosts Australia compete for top honours.


• Tendulkar deserves order of AustraliaFormer Australia wicketkeeper, Adam Gilchrist said that despite Sachin Tendulkar's string of easy dismissals, he would be the best judge to decide when to retire.
  Gilchrist said it was humanly impossible to maintain top form, especially when a career spans more than two decades. "I am sure he (Tendulkar) is aware that he is not at the peak of his career, but he warrants a place in the side. It is up to him to decide (about his career)," said Gilchrist at the launch of the Don Bradman scholarship.
  Gilchrist also approved of the decision to award the Australia Order of Merit to Tendulkar. "The award indicates his high standing in both countries. I sent him a message welcoming him. We are fortunate to have him."
  


• Vettel win underlines Red Bull's constant progress, Budget-capping in Formula 1 sounds appealing right now. Watching Sebastian Vettal and Mark Webber dominate the Indian Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit on all three days and take 1-3 finish only amplified it. This would mark the fourth straight season in which Red Bull have beaten every other team on the grids in term of developing their cars towards the end of season, and it is their objection to a restriction in team spending that has prompted them to leave the Formula One Teams Association. Atleast one person however, seems unperturbed. Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, who finished second, remains "100 percent" confident that he will be the 2012 world Champion. "Nothing changed in one race," Alonso Said.

Current Affairs December 2012

International Current Affairs

• First economic dialogue between India, Japan
  To impart a renewed momentum in order to grow and flourish new ties and to resolve issues relating to civil nuclear issues, India and Japan are going to hold their first economic dialogue and sixth strategic talks. The two dialogues will be co-chaired by our external Affairs Minister along with his Japanese counterpart Koichiro Gemba, who will be on a two day visit to the National Capital.
  The dialogues are slated to be centred on range of bilateral and global issues. These issues include the prospects of civil nuclear cooperation, maritime security and the evolving East Asia regional security architecture.


• Russia to build two more nuclear reactors in China
  Nuclear countries Russia and China have cemented their nuclear cooperation leading the Russian capital to build two more reactors in the Chinese soil.
  Earlier also Russia helped China in building two reactors in the Taiwan nuclear plant in Jiangsu province. Those two reactors went into operation in the year 2007 as said by the Sergey Sergeevich Razov, Moscow's envoy.
  The two reactors being built have a combined capacity of 2,000 mw and are using Russia's VVER 1000 nuclear model.
  r> Russia will build the two reactors in Taiwan after the Chinese government lifts its suspension on the new atomic power plants imposed after the nuclear disaster in Japan last year.


• China set to take over reins of Pakistan's Gwadar port
  China appears all set to take over the reins of Pakistan's strategic Gwadar port in Balochistan, with the Singapore Port Authority (SPA) and its partners intending to pull out of a 40yr old management and development contract.
  The SPA and its partners, the National Logistics cell and AKD Group, have been allowed to quit the project to transfer 584acres at the mouth of the port that are currently in possession of Pakistan Navy.
  "We have not been able to meet the contractual obligations and resolve land issues. As a result, they (SPA and its partners) have gone under duress and we issued them no objection certificate to give up their contract," ports and shipping minister Babar Khan Ghauri told a meeting of senate's standing committee on ports and shipping.

National

• Chaos in the capital as kejriwal and group hits the streets
  Chaos gripped the streets of Delhi as more than a thousand protestors led by erstwhile team Anna member Arvind Kejriwal and others tried to break police cordons and reach Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and BJP president Nitin Gadkari's residence.
  Protesting under the banner of India against Corruption (IAC) and against the alleged irregularities in the coal blocks allocation; the crowd tried to march to Singh's residence twice, but was detained on both occasions.
  The first attempt at 6am caught the police off guard. "Arwind Kejriwal and Gopal Rai reached near PM's residence with a few supporters while IAC member Sanjay Singh went to Nitin Gadkari's home at Teen Murti Lane. They were detained and taken to the Mandir Marg police station," said a senior police officer.


• Indian Parliamentarians gets offer of programme from Yale University
  The sixth India, Yale Parliamentary Leadership Program that began on June 20 and will conclude on June 30discussed fragile global economy along with evolving political and economic crises in the Middle East and Europe, and the 2012 US presidential elections. The meeting also discussed topics like challenges of leadership.
  This programme was launched in the year 2007 in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the India -US Forum of Parliamentarians. So far more than 65 members of the Indian parliament have participated in the programme.
  A team of 11 members from India's parliament had come to the Yale University campus in New Haven, to attend the six-day leadership program with Yale faculty. This programme is four day program that consist meetings, discussions, and interactions in Washington, DC along with senior officials of the US government.


• SAIL, STERLITE make way for Ultratech, Lupin on Nifty
  Birla Group Firm Ultratech Cement and drug maker Lupin will replace public sector Steel Authority of India (SAIL) and Vedanta group firm Sterlite Industries in the National Stock Exchange's (NSE) benchmark index Nifty.
  As per the changes announced last month by India Index Services & Products Ltd (IISL), an NSE-Crisil joint venture that maintains Nifty index, SAIL and Sterlite Industries (India) would be excluded from the 50-share benchmark index with effect from September.
  In their place, Lupin and Ultratech Cement would be included in the Nifty index. Analysts say the removal of SAIL and Sterlite from the Nifty underlines the negative sentiment prevailing on the materials sector even as valuations are at multi year low. Shares of SAIL and Sterlite Industries also fell due to the new changes.


• Delhi govt sets Nov 24 deadline for plastic ban
  The Delhi govt has set November 24 deadline for the enforcement of blanket ban on the manufacture, import, sale, storage and use of plastic carry bags, sheets, films or tubs- irrespective of their thickness.
  Without any feasible alternative in sight, the order also bans plastic sheets used to line dust bins. But the ban will not affect the use of plastic carry bags specified under the bio-medical waste (management and handling), rules 1998.
  Plastic used to pack food products such as milk and flour bags- in which goods are sealed prior to use- will be allowed. "The sate cabinet passed the ban order on September11 and the government notified it on October 23. A copy of the notification has been uploaded on the government's environment department website. Enforcement has to begin after a month of notification," said a top govt official who is part of the team authorised to enforce the ban.


• Delhi cops say Namdhari shot Hardeep Chadha
  Former Uttarakhand minorities commission chairman Sukhdev Singh Namdhari shot dead liquor baron Ponty Chadha's brother Hardeep Chadha, Delhi police crime branch told the city court.
  Metropolitan magistrate Gaurav Rao sent Namdhari to police custody till December 2for further interrogation after crime branch said he has been formally booked for murder following eyewitnesses' inputs. Initially police had arrested him for trespass and attempt to murder on the basis of disclosure made by Bhupinder Singh Bisht, another accused who was Ponty's personal security officer.
  Police said they Namdhari to recover various weapons used in the shootout, which are believed to be hidden at his farmhouse. "I am satisfied that to unearth the entire conspiracy... it is a fit case for grant of three days of police custody," the judge said.

Business and Economy Current Affairs

• Newer version of Halo in November
  Microsoft has revealed that they'll be releasing a new instalment to the hit videogame "Halo" in November this year. The officials stated that Microsoft will launch the hugely popular franchise instalment.
  Halo 4 has been designed exclusively to be played on Microsoft's Xbox 360 consoles.
  Microsoft Studios corporate vice president Phil Spencer said in a release-"We are starting a new era with Halo 4 and will embark our journey which will encompass the next decade of 'Halo' games".


• Losses likely to ground Kingfisher Air temporarily
  Debt-laden Kingfisher Airlines (KFA), owned by billionaire Vijay Mallya, faces the prospect of an operational shutdown, temporarily and needs and immediate equity infusion of $600 million, feel aviation expert.
  The liquor baron, who owns F1 and IPL teams, is heavily indebted to lessors, suppliers, lenders, employees, oil firms, and Airport and tax department. Aircraft lessors and banks have begun invoking corporate guarantees given by United Breweries Holdings (UB Holdings) - Mallya's flagship spirits business
  "The total amount invoked and outstanding as on June 30 is Rs. 836 crore and KFA is under negotiation un this regard with beneficiaries," UB Holdings said in its quarterly results filed on the Bombay Stock Exchange.


• TCS America gives a whopping 1860% dividend to TCS
  TCS, India's ranked no.1 computer software firm received a massive dividend from its wholly-owned subsidiary, TCS America. TCS America is a wholly-owned subsidiary with a puny paid-up capital of Rs 1.02 crore. It announced one of the largest dividend payouts for the Indian corporates of 1860%, which is worth Rs 1,900 crore.
  Though the dividend is higher as compared to most Indian companies' payouts, TCS America International is a fairly large company which earns more money than any group firms such as Tata Global Beverages, Titan Industries or any other.
  TCS America was set up in 2004 and declared a dividend of 280% of the net profits, as said by the company official.
  The company spokesperson said that- the distribution of dividend is based on many factors which includes' the total reserves available, the current financial performance and the expected future investment along with expenditure requirements".


• Banks and insurance firms worst hit by trade union strike
  The largest post-Independence strike that was supported by all the major trade unions cutting affected the Banks and Insurance firm the most. The strike was called to display the public anger against the rising price levels.
  Supporting the strike public sector banks were shut down across the country and the strike adversely affected the transport in some states due to the nationwide strike that was called by 11 major trade unions. The trade unions that went on strike included CITU, INTUC, AITUC and HMS. Not only the transport, some other day to day chores were also affected.
  Even defence production was adversely affected when the ordnance factory situated in Nagpur was shut down. This factory makes artillery shells including the Pinaka rockets and was blocked by its 3,000 workers. This was the first strike in the ordnance factory in a decade. Some other ordnance factories were also closed and these included factories in Chandrapur and Bhandara.


• Facebook to replace Infosys in NASDAQ 100
  Indian IT major Infosys will make way for global social networking giant Facebook on the Nasdaq 100, key US stock market index, effective December 12.
  Infosys is the only Indian company to figure in Nasdaq 100, where it was included six years ago in December 2006, and its imminent exit from the benchmark index follows the IT giant's announcement last week to shift its listing to New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Nasdaq said in a statement that Facebook would become a component of the NASDAQ-100 Index, the NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index, and the NASDAQ-100 technology Sector Index prior to market open on December 12.


• Wal-Mart looks for smaller store in India strategy
  The world's largest retailer, Wal-Mart famed for its large deep discount stores, will cut down the size of its super marts to about 50,000 sq ft in India- about a fifth of the average size of its stores in US.
  The decision to scale down the store size comes at a time when the company is busy chalking out a strategy to enter the lucrative multi brand retail business of India after the government allowed foreign direct investment (FDI) in retail sector.
  The company reasoned out the rationale for the smaller store format in India as an effort to remain closer to their target customers, and on the availability of space. "In order to have a store spread across several lakh square feet, we would have to locate them on the outskirts of the city. In the Indian context it will not be the right thing to do so," said Raj Jain, president Wal-Mart India.

Sports Current Affairs

• Hockey India League postponed
  The player's auction for the Hockey India League (HIL) has been postponed from December 1 to December 16. Subsequently the league too has been postponed and will commence on January 17.
  "Some of the coaches involved with the league are busy as the FIH Champions Trophy starts in Melbourne from December 1, and couldn't have participated in the auction," HIL chairman Narinder Batra, said in a statement.
  "Since the franchises expressed concern that the coaches could not be present for the auction, to pick players, it was necessary to reschedule the event," said Batra. Almost all top players expected to compete in the HIL are representing their nations in the champions Trophy, which will see India, Olympic champions Germany, England, the Netherlands, Belgium, Pakistan, New Zealand and hosts Australia compete for top honours.


• Sunil Gavaskar asks to accept the cricket team as selected.
  Former Indian cricket team captain, Sunil Gavaskar has said that the team selectors should not be bogged down by dropping the non-performing players and has refused to point out at the selection of the team for the upcoming Asia Cup.
  After the controversial statement of the present Captain M.S.Dhoni, there were rising speculations that the selectors may drop some senior players following the team's poor performance in Australia. But even the selectors didn't make any major changes in the team's side.
  When asked by the media personals whether the players should be kept off from the next match if they showed poor performance Gavaskar said that yes such action should be justified.
  In his statement, Gavasker said "If you don't drop off the non performing players then it could mean that the team may lose the next matches. It does not matter whether some more prominent players are removed or not what matter is that the team should not be a bunch of non performing players. And if that's a case then all the cricket lovers must be prepared for the result of the future matches as well."


• Real Madrid eyes 32nd Spanish title at Athletic
  The Real Madrid can still hold the Spanish league title with their victory at the Athletic Bilbao. In the score update the real Madrid is seven points clear of its top rival with only three games to play. Also even a Barcelona loss will also award the Spanish leader its record 32nd domestic crown.
  Barcelona's last three games are seen to serve as preparation for next month's Copa del Rey final against Athletic. These matches will be the last games for the coach Pep Guardiola's before he hands over the reins to assistant Tito Vilanova.


• Manipur road named after Olympian winner Mary Kom
  A road in Manipur's Churachandpur district, 65km south of the state capital, was named 'MC Mary Kom road' at a felicitation function to honour the Olympic medallist. Mary Kom won a bronze at the London's 2012 Olympic.
  Mary Kom was honoured with numerous other awards that included a cash award of Rs.1.5 lakh, a mithun apart from getting cash reward of Rs. 5 lakh. So far she has received cash award of Rs 75 lakh from the Manipur government and Rs 10lakh from the Ministry of Tribal affairs.
  On the occasion the 29 yr old world champion appealed to bring peace and unity in the trouble torn state in order to bring more laurels in the future.


• Leander paes roars- no one can step him from entering 2012 Olympics
  Leander Paes, India's No. 1 doubles player arrived for his Wimbeldon post match along with his daughter Aiyana and trainer Sanjay Singh. The champion then confirmed his participation the London's Olympic removing any doubt. He further said in his statement that he was ready to partner anyone that AITA, All India Tennis Association nominates to play with him i.e. Sania Mirza in the mixed and Vishnu Vardhan in the men's doubles.
  In his stament, Paes said-"I am here to play sport not politics and am looking forward to represent my country in the 2012 Olympics. However with bad luck I see games being played in games itself which is very disheartening. Still I am looking ahead to play my sixth Olympics for my country as I have played for last 22yrs for my country and countrymen.
  At first Paes refused to talk about any matter, later he cleared tougher questions regarding- Sania's press statement which slammed the demands made by Paes or how he will prepare for the quadrennial with Sania .