Current Affairs Sept 2012 WWGK

INTERNATIONAL

China to shut hundreds of coal mines this year

The State Administration of Work Safety (SAWS) said the country(China) aims to close another 625 small coal mines this year in an attempt to reduce the number of deadly accidents, as the death toll in latest coal mine explosion mounted to 43, raising concerns over safety

Smita Shah first Indian-American to serve as DNC parliamentarian

Smita Shah a close supporter of US President Barack Obama, is vice-chair of the Chicago Plan Commission, become the first Indian-American to serve as a Democratic National Convention parliamentarian on 5th September 2012.As per the publically available documents, Smita has been an applauded donor to the campaign of the Democratic Party and Obama.

US strikes Nepal Maoists from terror blacklist

On 06th September 2012 US has lifted sanctions and removed the Communist party of Nepal(Maoists) Organization of Nepal from the list of designated terrorist organisation,years after the rebels abandoned their named struggle and entered open politics and signed a peace treaty.

U.S. designates Haqqani network a terrorist group

The United States said on 7th September 2012 it is designating the Pakistan-based Haqqani network a terrorist organization, triggering sanctions against a group American officials blame for high-profile attacks in Afghanistan, and which they say has ties to the Pakistani state.

Army in Egypt reports 32 deaths in Sinai crackdown

Egyptian armed forces have killed 32 “criminal elements” since launching an operation against Islamist militants in Sinai on 8th September 2012.

Canada cuts diplomatic ties with Iran

John Baird,Foreign minister Canada said: “[Iran] is among the world’s worst violators of human rights; and it shelters and materially supports terrorist groups, requiring the government of Canada to formally list Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism under the Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act.Canada cuts diplomatic ties with Iran.So, Canada has closed its embassy in Tehran and ordered the expulsion of Iranian diplomats from Ottawa, partly because of the country’s backing of the Syrian regime.

Somalia gets a new president

Somalia’s parliament elected Hassan Sheikh Mohamud as the new leader for the African nation on 10th September 2012.

Japan to buy disputed East China Sea islands

The uninhabited islands, known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China, have long been a source of friction. Japan and China have competing territorial claims to the islets and surrounding fishing areas and potentially rich gas deposits.The Japanese government will buy the islets for 2.05 billion yen ($26.15 million) and the owners will sign a contract soon.

Biggest Fire Accident in Karachi 290 Members Die

At least 290 people have been confirmed dead in a fire that broke out in a garment factory in Karachi on 11th September 2012 night.

Worldwide protests against the film “Innocence of Muslims”

The attacks will be continued on 14th September 2012 also in several countries, including Egypt, Iran, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia due the release of the film Innocence of Muslims.UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has denounced as “hateful” an anti-Islam movie produced in the United States.

Russia to mine super hard diamonds

Russia has declassified a huge deposit of unique super hard diamonds that dwarf the global reserves of the precious stone and can meet the worldwide demand for another 3,000 years.The deposit, located in an asteroid crater 120 km in diameter, has been kept under wraps for nearly 40 decades as the Soviet Union mined enough diamonds elsewhere and also produced synthetic diamonds.

Bill Gates remains the richest in U.S.: Forbes

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has retained his position as the richest person in America for the 19th year in a row this year, according to Forbes’ annual ranking of the nation’s 400 super rich people who have a combined net worth of $1.7 trillion.Five Indian-Americans, including Silicon Valley venture capitalist Vinod Khosla and founder of IT major Syntel, Bharat Desai (ranked 239),Founder and Chairman of the Symphony Technology Group Romesh Wadhwani(ranked 250), Google board member and shareholder Kavitark Ram Shriram (ranked 298),Founder and CEO of the popular energy drink ‘5-hour energy’ Manoj Bhargava(ranked 311).

Zardari, Hillary discuss India-Pak trade ties

Improving trade ties between Pakistan and India, terrorism and violent anti-U.S. protests were among a host of issues that Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari discussed with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton when they met NewYork on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly session on 25th September 2012.

Buddhist temples attacked in Bangladesh

Thousands of Bangladeshi Muslims set fire to at least 10 Buddhist temples and 40 homes in Ramu town and its adjoining villages — some 350 km from Dhaka in anger over a Facebook photo of a burned Quran on 30th September 2012.

32 killed in blasts across Iraq

A wave of bombings and shootings in Iraq on 30th September 2012 killed at least 32 people and wounded 104 .The violence was centred in Baghdad and the surrounding areas of Taji, Madain and Tarmiyah.

INDIA & WORLD

America Court Summons to Parkash Singh Badal

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, who was served summons by a US court last month in a case of alleged custodial torture and extra judicial killings of Sikhs, has sought dismissal of the motion against him or additional time of 90 days to defend the charges.The US District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin had issued Summons against Badal on August 8 when he was in Wisconsin on a private visit to attend a marriage ceremony.

No mobile connection for more than 3 months to any foreign tourist: Government

To check misuse of SIM cards, the government has asked Telecom Service Providers not to provide mobile connection for more than three months to any foreign tourist visiting India.According to the fresh guidelines, which have come into effect recently, the Department of Telecom (DoT) has told the service providers that the proof for issuance of a mobile connection to any foreigner would be the passport having a valid visa.

India, Pakistan to ink 3 pacts to boost economic activity

Hoping that the forthcoming visit of External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna would lead to a liberal visa regime agreement, Commerce and Industry Minister, Anand Sharma, on 04th September 2012, said India and Pakistan would soon ink three agreements in the areas of customs co-operation, mutual recognition of standards and redressal of trade issues to give a fillip to economic activity.

India, China to resume joint military exercises

India and China announced on 04th September 2012 they would resume joint military exercises after a four-year gap, a move designed to build trust in the often prickly relationship between the world’s two most populous nations.

Five Indian firms in Forbes list of world’s most innovative companies

Five Indian companies including Larsen & Toubro, Hindustan Unilever and Infosys are ranked on Forbes magazine’s list of “The World’s Most Innovative Companies” topped by four US companies.Larsen & Toubro got the ninth rank,Hindustan Unilever got the 12th rank, Infosys got 19th rank,Tata Consultancy Services got 29th rank and Sun Pharmaceutical Industries got 38th rank.Four US companies- Cloud computing king Salesforce.com, drug major Alexion Pharmaceuticals, internet retail giant Amazon.com and open source software leader Red Hat took the top four places.

India, Pakistan ink visa agreement

Pakistan and India have announced on 8th September 2012 that they will ease tough visa restrictions, an important step forward in improving relations between the nuclear armed neighbours.

ECIL to supply converters to international science centre

Public sector electronic manufacturing firm, Electronic Corporation of India Limited (ECIL), has been selected to supply power converters to the Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research (FAIR), an international science centre at Darmstadt near Frankfurt in Germany.ECIL signed a bilateral contract for supply of convertors with Bose Institute, designated nodal agency to coordinate between various departments involved in the project.Accordingly, ECIL would be involved in design, development, manufacturing and supply of around 500 ultra stable power converters that cost around 7.5 million Euros (about Rs. 50 crore) of the total Indian contribution of around 36 million Euros.

Onno Ruhl appointed World Bank country director for India

The World Bank has appointed Onno Ruhl as the country director for India. He will replace Roberto Zagha, who retires in October. Ruhl, a Dutch national, was previously the director for operation services and quality in the South Asia region of the World Bank, the multi-lateral funding agency.

Saudi Arabia, India hold talks on defence ties

The first meeting of the India-Saudi Arabia joint committee on defence cooperation was held on 10th September 2012 at New Delhi and both sides discussed proposals for exchange of high-level visits, training and functional exchanges in various areas.

India pledges $10-million for Palestine

The Prime Minister Manmohan 11th September 2012 announced to an assistance of $10 million to Palestine’s budget for this year to help address its financial requirements.Prime Minister made this announcement after signing three bilateral pacts – the areas of information and communication technology, vocational training and education with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who is at present in New Delhi for his three-day long state visit.

India, Pakistan trade bodies sign Memorandum of Understanding(MoU)

The Islamabad Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry(IWCCI)and the Punjab, Haryana and Delhi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) on 12th September 2012 signed an MoU to promote trade and investment and improve linkages between business communities of the two countries.

Highest under-5 deaths in India

In the Child Mortality Estimates Report 2012 published by United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), India was placed at the top position in the chart of 10 countries that topped on the chart. The other countries with their names on the chart are Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, China, Pakistan, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

Delhi, Mumbai among least expensive cities around world

A report released Friday by the Swiss bank UBS, covering 72 cities in 58 countries Capital Delhi and financial hub Mumbai are the least expensive cities and Tokyo is the most expensive city for food in the world.

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation won work in Jakarta Metro Rail Project

Delhi Metro has bagged the work of Management Consulting Services for building the Phase- I of Jakarta Mass Rapid System in Indonesia.This is the first time that Delhi Metro has got a project outside the country since its inception in 1997.

Afghanistan, US, India hold first trilateral meeting

India, Afghanistan and the US held their first trilateral meeting in New York on 25th September 2012.The major point of discussion was on the situation in Afghanistan along with the issue of terrorism.

India ranks lower than China in global food security index

India has been ranked 66, much lower than neighbouring China, in the 2012 Global Food Security Index released by the American chemical company DuPont on 26th September 2012.India is ranked 66 , China (ranked 39) , Sri Lanka (ranked 62),Pakistan (ranked 75) and Bangladesh ( ranked 81) in the list of 105 countries.

NATIONAL

Sebi plans investor website in 13 Indian languages

Market regulator Sebi is planning to soon offer its investor website in as many as 13 Indian languages, besides the existing one in English, to spread awareness among investors and to help resolve their grievances.

Supreme Court lifts ban on iron ore mining in Karnataka

Supreme Court partially lifts ban on iron ore mining in Karnataka on 3rd September 2012, on the basis of the recommendations of the Central Empowered Committee (CEC). CEC divides the leases of iron ore mines in three categories A,B,C.marginal irregularities and no irregularities of leases come under A category, most irregularities in leases come under C category,moderate irregularities come under B category.The Supreme Court has lifted the banwould only be effective in 18 category A mines, subject to their compliance with statutory clearances.The ban will continued on the remaining leases.

Lok Sabha passed two Bills on 3rd September 2012

Lok Sabha passed two bills on 3rd September 2012 They are 1.Sexual harassment may mean loss of business licence:Non-compliance with the provisions of the law will be punishable with a fine of up to Rs 50,000. Repeated violations may lead to higher penalties and cancellation of licence or registration to do business.2.National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) expansion bill passed

4.6 magnitude quake rocks Ladakh, no impact in Kashmir

A 4.6 magnitude quake rock Ladakh region in Jammu and Kashmir on 4th September 2012 afternoon. However, it was not felt in the Kashmir valley.Its epicentre was in Southern Xinjiang China, located at a distance of 327 km from Leh.

MGNREGA work days raised to 150, crop loans cut to 7%

Empowered Group of Ministers(EGoM) on drought headed by Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar decided to increase the number of guaranteed work days under Mahatama Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee (MGNREGA) to 150 days and cut interest rates on crop loans to 7 percent for one year for the farmers in drought-affected states.

Women and Child Development Ministry launched a Web Portal named Track Child

The Union Women and Child Development Ministry on 18 September 2012 decided to launch a web portal named Track Child, which will serve as a central database of all those children who have gone missing in different parts of the country. The portal will act as a coordination mechanism between child homes, police departments and state governments.

Govt launches Rajiv Gandhi Equity Savings Scheme

The Finance Minister P Chidambaram on 21st September 2012 cut withholding tax on overseas borrowings to 5 percent from 20 percent and approved the Rajiv Gandhi Equity Savings Scheme (RGESS).While the RGESS is aimed at encouraging first time retail investors to invest in stock markets through tax concessions, the cut in withholding tax to 5 percent seeks to lower the cost of foreign borrowings by the Indian companies.The RGESS will give tax benefits to new investors who invest up to Rs 50,000 and whose annual income is below Rs 10 lakh.

C P Joshi given additional charge of Railways

Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways C P Joshi has been assigned the additional charge of the Ministry of Railways in place of Mr Mukul Roy, who was among the six Ministers who resigned from the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government 22nd September 2012.

Election Commission Ban the usage of animal and birds in poll campaign

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on 26th September 2012 issued an order banning the use of animals and birds by political parties during campaigns. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India said that following repeated requests by animal activist, the Election Commission asked political parties and candidates to refrain from using animals for their campaigns.

STATES

HC(High Court) fixes quota in local bodies at 50 percent

The AP High Court on 04 September 2012 ruled that the combined reservations for Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the Panchayat Raj local bodies should not exceed the upper ceiling of 50 per cent.The court directed the state to cut the quota for BCs and bring the cumulative figure down to 50 per cent.

Bill for special status for six districts in Hyderabad-Karnataka region introduced

In the Lok Sabha on 7th September 2012 ,Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde introduced a Bill to amend the Constitution and thus provide a special status to the Hyderabad-Karnataka region , under a new Article 371(J).Once it is approved by Parliament the Hyderabad-Karnataka region covering six backwards districts – Bidar, Gulbarga, Koppal, Yadgir, Raichur and Bellary – will get more central funds for development and will be on par with the Telananga region of Andhra Pradesh. Besides, there will be reservation in jobs and education for the locals.

Supreme Court issues notice to Tamil Nadu government on 69 per cent reservation

The Supreme Court 10th September 2012 issued a notice to Tamil Nadu government on a petition challenging the constitutional validity of the 69 per cent reservation by the state government in employment and educational institutions. The petition, filed by students, challenged the government’s decision to exceed the 50 per cent limit in reservation mandated by the Mandal Commission judgement.The ten student petitioners from Tamil Nadu had approached the Court after failing to secure admission to the Medical College despite having secured 198/200.

Punjab government amends Canal and Drainage Act

The offence of “theft of canal water” can now attract both fine and 6 months imprisonment after an amendment in the law relating to canals and drainage.Punjab Irrigation Minister, Janmeja Singh Sekhon informed that the Punjab government has amended section 70 of the Act for this.

NHRC issues notice to Maharashtra over farm suicides

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sought a reply from the Maharashtra government over seven farm suicides that took place last week within a span of 72 hours in the state’s Vidarbha region.A total of 528 farmers have committed suicide in the Vidarbha region between Jan 1 and Sep 2 this year.

Ban on gutka in Delhi comes into effect

A blanket ban on manufacturing, sale, storage and display of all gutka products in the national capital came into effect from 13th September 2012. States like Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Kerala, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar have already announced ban on gutka products. A similar comprehensive ban came into effect in Gujarat from 12th September 2012.

Haryana government institute awards for women

Haryana government has instituted four state-level awards to felicitate women who have done outstanding work in different fields. These are 1.Indira Gandhi Mahila Shakti Award(given to those engaged in promoting self help groups or women empowerment initiatives, established their own business or industry and have contributed to development of women besides entrepreneurship and done exemplary work in public service.) 2.Kalpna Chawla Shaurya Award(who perform acts of bravery and meritorious services) 3.Bahin Shano Devi Panchayti Raj Award(exemplary work in promoting female literacy, health and nutrition, universalisation of education, sanitation, water, hygiene and other health determinants) and 4.Life time Achievers Award( given to woman of 60 years of age or above, who has excelled in administrative skills, career or profession, leadership quality, courage and creative work) and Women Outstanding Achievers Award(women who have done commendable work in their respective fields)

CONFERENCES

APEC Russia 2012 Summit

The APEC Russia 2012 Summit is the 24th annual gathering of APEC leaders of 21 countries.Leaders from the member economics are currently meeting on Russky Island off the Coast of Vladivostok, Russia from September 2-9 ,2012 . Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation(APEC) is a forum for Rim Countries(formally member Economics) that seeks to promote free trade and Economics throughout the Asia-Pecific region established in 1989.

Indian National Science Academy Summit

In the last day of the summit conducted from 7th to 9th September 2012 in New Delhi,Scientists across South Asia decided to work closely in research initiatives and advise decision makers in offering solutions to problems ranging from healthcare to energy security.The three-day meeting saw participation from the Science Academies of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Nepal, Pakistan, Mauritius and Sri Lanka.

Emerging Kerala investment meet to see 51 nations taking part

51 countries with 2,500 registered delegates and around 300 VIPs comprising ambassadors, high commissioners and ministers have confirmed their participation in the “Emerging Kerala 2012″ investment meet to be held in Kochi from Sep 12-14.KSIDC is the nodal agency for the event which will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.The main aim of this event is highlight investment opportunities available in Kerala and advertise to the the world its state of readiness to receive the investors.

9th World Hindi Conference To held in Johannesburg

The 9th World Hindi Conference to be held in Johannesburg ,South Africa from 22-24 September 2012.The first world Hindi Conference was held in Nagapur from 10-12 January 1975 under aegis of RashtrabhashaPracharaSamiti ,Wardha.The main theme of the conference is ’Bhasha Ki Asmita Aur Hindi Ka Vaishvik Sandarbh’.

AWARDS & HONOURS

Dr. M.V. Reddy get the Bharat Jyoti Award

The Director, Department of Animal Husbandry,Dr. M.V.Reddy got the Bharat Jyoti Award .This award was presented by the India International Friendship Society.

Three National awards for State Literacy Mission

the Andhra Pradesh State Literacy Mission Authority (SLMA) has received awards for its work in Vizianagaram district and one gram panchayat P Yeleru of Anantapur district. Andhra Pradesh is the only State which received the Saakshar Bharat Award in the entire Country. The Awards comprising a trophy and a certificate which will be given by the Vice-President of India Hamid Ansari on the occasion of International Literacy Day to be celebrated on September 8 at Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh.

Apollo Hospitals bags 4 awards

The Apollo Hospitals Group has bagged the Asian Hospital Management Awards ( AHMA) 2012 in four categories.It received awards for customer service, corporate social responsibility, cost reduction and patient safety. AHMA 2012 garnered 363 entries representing 89 hospitals from 12 countries.

Aung San Suu Kyi Receives US Congressional Gold Medal

Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has received the Congressional Gold Medal – the highest honor Congress can bestow, at a ceremony in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda on 19th September 2012. Members of the U.S. Congress from both chambers and both major political parties gathered to pay tribute to Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who was first awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 2008, while she was under 15 years of house arrest in Burma.

Barfi! makes it to the Oscars

Ranbir Kapoor starrer Barfi! has been nominated as India’s entry to the Oscars next year in the foreign film category.

Iran to boycott 2013 Oscars in wake of anti-Islam film

The Iran government will boycott the 2013 Oscars in the wake of the anti-Islam video made in the United States that denigrates the Prophet Muhammad.

T.S. Subramanian among winners of nuclear society’s awards

T.S. Subramanian, Associate Editor, Frontline, Chennai, and R.K. Singh, Head, Media Relations and Public Awareness Section, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, have been selected for the Indian Nuclear Society’s “INS Outstanding Service Award” for 2011 for Science Communication.The awards will be presented on November 7 during the inaugural function of the 23 annual conference of the INS to be held in Mumbai.

Waheeda Rehman to get lifetime achievement award

Veteran actress Waheeda Rehman will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the forthcoming 14th Mumbai Film Festival, which starts on October 18. Mumbai Academy of Moving Image(MAMI) is organising the film festival.

Ebrahim Alkazi awarded top French honour

Ebrahim Alkazi, the grand old man of Indian theatre has been conferred France’s highest cultural award for his contribution in nurturing and presenting modern theatre in India and preserving the treasures of photography and other art forms for posterity.Alkazi, was awarded Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters (Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres) on 29th September 2012.

DRDO scientist G. Satheesh Reddy received IETE Award

G. Satheesh Reddy, outstanding scientist and associate director, Research Centre Imarat, a premier laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) Missile complex, was given IETE B.V. Baliga Memorial Award on 30th September 2012 at Bangalore.

SPORTS & GAMES

India beat Cameroon to lift Nehru Cup for the third consecutive time

 India beat Cameroon in a thrilling penalty shoot-out to lift the Nehru Cup 2012 football tournament. This is India’s third consecutive Nehru Cup title, infact they have just won the three.

India’s Girisha Hosanagara Nagarajegowda wins silver in London Paralympics

The Girisha Hosanagaara Nagarajegowda won India’s first medal at the London 2012 paralympic Games.The Karnataka athlete bagged the silver with a 1.74m effort in the men’s high jump F42 event on 03 September 2012.

India slips to 169th in world rankings

The world football governing body FIFA released the latest FIFA World Rankings on 5th September 2012 in which India has lost one spot to be now ranked 169th amongst the 209 ranked nations and territories, while within Asia India remains 32nd amongst 46 nations in the rankings.

USA wins third FIFA U-20 women’s World Cup

United States of America beat former champion Germany 1-0 in Tokyo to claim its third FIFA U-20 women’s World Cup crown on 8th September 2012.

Oscar Pistorius Wins Paralympics Gold In 400 Meters

The ‘Blade Runner’ of South Africa ,Oscar Pistorius successfully completed 400m-T44 event in 46.68 sec in Paralympics and won the gold medal.

Serena clinches fourth US Open title

Serena Williams captured her 15th Grand Slam title and fourth career US Open crown with a 6-2, 2-6, 7-5 victory over World No. 1 Victoria Azarenka on 9th September 2012.

Andy Murray first Britisher to win Grand Slam men`s singles title in 76 years

Andy Murray has overpowered Serbia’s Novak Djokovic in five gruelling sets in a classic US Open final to become the first Britisher to win a Grand Slam men’s singles title in 76 years.

Armadillo to be 2014 FIFA World Cup mascot

A rare species of armadillo is set to be the official mascot for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil on 12 September 2012.In the previous FIFA World Cup the mascots were:

• FIFA 2010 World Cup in South Africa- Zakumi the green-haired leopard

• FIFA 2006 World Cup in Germany- Goleo named lion

Dhoni named captain of ICC ODI team, Kohli, Gambhir in XI

Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been named captain of ICC’s ‘ODI Team of the Year’ which also includes Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir.This is for the fifth consecutive year in a row that Dhoni has been selected in ICC’s ‘ODI Team of the Year’.ICC awards are announced in Colombo on 15th September 2012.

Virat Kohli named ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year

India’s Virat Kohli was on15 September 2012 rewarded with ‘ODI Cricketer of the Year’.at the ICC annual awards function in Colombo.

Indian Women’s football defeated Nepal And Clinch 2012 SAFF Women’s Championship

Defending champions India have won the SAFF(South Asian Football Federation) Women’s Championship 2012 defeating Nepal in the finals played on 16th September 2012.

Saina signs up 40-crore deal with Rhiti Sports

The London Olympics bronze-medallist in badminton Saina Nehwal has signed up a 40-crore deal with Rhiti Sports Management company, making her the country’s highest paid sportsperson outside cricket.

Lifter Chandrika first Indian to win medal in Youth Worlds

Chandrika Tarafdar on 19th September 2012 became the first Indian to win a medal in Youth World Weightlifting Championships after she bagged two bronze in the girls’ 44kg category on the opening day at Kosice, Slovakia.Tarafdar won a bronze each in clean and jerk and total lift. She lifted 55kg in snatch, 74kg in clean and jerk for a total effort of 129kg.

Deepika Kumari won Silver at Recurve World Cup

Deepika Kumari won Silver at Recurve World Cup on 23 September 2012 in Tokyo. In the finals of the tournament, she lost against the Korean double Olympic gold medalist, Ki Bo-Bae.

India got 3rd position in ICC T20 rankings

India got the third position in Reliance ICC T20 Championship table released by ICC on 26th September 2012 .South Africa and England got the 1st and 2nd positions respectively.

Indian wrestler Babita wins world championship bronze

Babita Kumari (51kg) became the second Indian female wrestler to win a World Championships medal after she clinched a bronze in Edmonton, Canada.

Humpy wins Ankara Grand Prix-2012

Grandmaster Koneru Humpy won gold medal in FIDE Grand Prix in Turkey at Ankara on 28th September 2012

ECONOMY

India’s GDP to remain below 6% for 2012-13

CII(Confederation of Indian Industry) survey indicated that the GDP growth during 2012-13 is expected to remain below 6 percent

Planning Commission for cut in 12th Plan annual GDP growth target to 8.2%

Planning Commission is proposing to lower annual average growth target for the 12th Five Year Plan (2012-17) to 8.2 per cent from its earlier projection of 9 per cent in view of uncertain global environment and sluggish performance of the manufacturing sector at home.

CRR cut to inject Rs.17,000 crore

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), on 17th September 2012, retained the indicative policy rates at the current level while cutting the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) by 25 basis points to 4.50 per cent, injecting a liquidity of around Rs.17,000 crore into the banking system.

Naveen Jindal tops executive pay chart with Rs 73.4 crore package

The Chairperson and Managing Director of Jindal Steel and Power Ltd (JSPL),Naveen Jindal has topped the executive pay charts for listed companies in the country with a package of Rs 73.42 crore for the last fiscal 2011-12, which grew by over Rs six crore from previous year.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

China developing new class of guided missile destroyer’

The Chinese Navy is developing a brand new class of guided-missile destroyer, a “new type” of naval warship with upgraded air-defence missiles, anti-ship and anti-submarine missiles.The new destroyers are equipped with two 32-unit vertical launch systems capable of launching HQ-9B air-defence missiles, anti-ship and anti-submarine missiles.The new destroyer is comparable to the “Aegis” equipped destroyers of the US Navy which use powerful computers and radars to track and guide weapons to destroy enemy targets

Gliese 163C: New Earth-Like Planet Might Sustain Life

Dubbed Gliese 163C, the planet is about seven times the mass of Earth and orbits a red dwarf, or a small, relatively cool star. Gliese 163C is 49 light years away. It’s thought to be composed of mostly rock and water and gets 40 percent more light from its parent star than Earth gets from the sun, making it hotter with a surface temperature of 60 degrees Celsius.

Air India’s first Dreamliner landing at IGI Airport

After a four-year delay and subsequent acrimony, the first of Air India’s advanced Boeing B-787 Dreamliner landing at the Indira Gandhi International Airport on 08th September 2012.It is capable of flying over 15,000 km non-stop. For AI, the plane has been configured to have 256 seats — 18 full-flat business class seats and 238 in economy.Air India, which ordered 27 Dreamliners six years ago, will get two more in the next few weeks. A total of eight will arrive by March 2013.

PSLV-C21 delivers two satellites into their intended Orbits

The Indian Space Research Organization(ISRO) successfully put into orbit two foreign satellites( French SPOT 6(712kgs) and Japanese micro Satellite(15kgs)) marking Indian space agency’s 100th mission since the launch of the first satellite,Aryabhata,in 1975 by Russian rocket.

ISRO to launch SARAL satellite on 12 Dec 2012

Indo-French satellite “SARAL” would be launched onboard PSLV-C20 from the spaceport of Sriharikota on 12 December 2012 Indian Space Research Organisation Chairman K Radhakrishnan said at the Bangalore Space Expo 2012 on 12th September 2012.

U.S.-Russian space crew lands safely in Kazakhstan

A Russian Soyuz capsule landed on the Kazakh steppe on 17th September 2012, delivering a trio of astronauts from a four-month stint on the International Space Station.

India tests Agni-IV n-missile

India successfully tested its nuclear-capable surface-to-surface Agni-IV missile from a military base in Odisha on 19th September 2012.The new generation missile, which has the capability to hit targets at about 4,000 km.

India test-fires N-capable Agni-III missile successfully

India on 21st September 2012 successfully test-fired its nuclear-capable Agni-III surface-to-air missile with a strike range of over 3000 km and capable of carrying a warhead of 1.5 tonnes from the Wheeler Island off the Odisha coast.

China launches its first aircraft carrier

China launched its first aircraft carrier on 25th September 2012. The 60,000 tonne carrier, a former Soviet ship brought from Ukraine and later refurbished locally is named ‘Liaoning’, after a Chinese province liberated from Japanese occupation in 1945, in what can be seen as another symbolic warning to Tokyo. The 300m long Liaoning carrier has the capacity to bring 33 airoplanes.

NASA says Curiosity rover finds evidence of water on Mars

NASA scientist say the Curiosity rover has found evidence of a “vigorous” thousand-year water flow on the surface of Mars.

India’s heaviest satellite, GSAT-10 launched from Kourou launch pad in French Guiana

India’s advanced communication satellite GSAT-10 was successfully launched on board Ariane-5 rocket from Europe’s spaceport in French Guiana on 29th September 2012.This is the India’s heaviest satellite of 3,400kg weight.

PERSONS IN NEWS

A)Appointments

Obama appoints IIT graduate to admin post

U.S. President Barack Obama has announced to appoint eminent Indian-American, Romesh Wadhwani, to a key administration post by making him board of trustees of the prestigious John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Browne is new chairman of chiefs of staff

IAF chief Air Chief Marshal N A K Browne, who has become the senior most among the three Service chiefs after Admiral Nirmal Verma retired on 31st August 2012, has taken over as the new chairman of the chiefs of staff committee (CoSC) on 1st September 2012.

Chief Justice of India names Justice Kabir as his successor

Chief Justice of India S H Kapadia, who retires 28th September 2012, has recommended the name of seniormost Supreme Court judge Justice Altamas Kabir as his successor, setting in motion the process of change of guard in the apex court.

Deveshwar appointed on RBI board

The government has appointed ITC chairman Y.C. Deveshwar as a director on the central board of directors of the Reserve Bank of India.

Kaushik Basu World Bank chief economist

Kaushik Basu appointed as chief economist and Senior Vice President of World Bank by World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim on 05th September 2012.He take charges from 1st October 2012.

Sachin Pilot commissioned as Territorial Army officer

Sachin Pilot 06th September 2012 became the first Union minister to be commissioned as a regular officer in the Territorial Army, fulfilling his desire to follow his father’s footsteps to be in the armed forces.

Indian-American elected to Royal Society of Canada

Ponisseril Somasundaran, an Indian American member of the faculty of Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science, has been chosen as the sole foreign fellow of the prestigious Royal Society of Canada.

K N Tilak Kumar elected president of INS

K N Tilak Kumar of Deccan Herald and Prajavani was on 13th September 2012 elected president of The Indian Newspaper Society (INS) for 2012-13 at its 73rd annual general meeting held at Bangalore. He succeeds Ashish Bagga of India Today.

BCCI joint secretary Anurag Thakur becomes member of Asian Cricket Council

BCCI joint secretary and Hamirpur BJP MP, Anurag Thakur has been inducted as member of executive board of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC).BCCI chief N Srinivasan is also the president of ACC.

Mary Kom brand ambassador of Raj Kundra’s SFL

Actress Shilpa Shetty Monday named Olympic bronze medal-winning boxer Mary Kom as the brand ambassador of Super Fight League (SFL).Shilpa’s husband, Britain-based businessman Raj Kundra, has collaborated with actor Sanjay Dutt for SFL, India’s first professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) event.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan appointed as International Goodwill Ambassador.

The United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has appointed Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan as its International Goodwill Ambassador.She will raise global awareness on protecting children from HIV infection and increasing access to antiretroviral treatment.

Ramesh Abhishek is FMC chairman

Ramesh Abhishek, an IAS officer of 1982 Bihar cadre, appointed as chairman of Forward Markets Commission (FMC) on 24th September 2012

Woman of Pakistani origin becomes minister in Norway

Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg has appointed a Pakistani Muslim woman, Hadia Tajik as Norway’s culture minister.

Sandeep Patil appointed as the Chief for BCCI Senior Selection Committee

Former Cricketer and all-rounder, Sandeep Patil was appointed as the Chairman of the five member senior selection committee of BCCI on 27 September 2012. The other four members of the committee include Saba Karim, Roger Binny, Vikram Rathour and Rajinder Singh Hans.

Altamas Kabir sworn in as new Chief Justice of India

Justice Altamas Kabir, seniormost Judge of the Supreme Court, was sworn in as the 39th Chief Justice of India on 29th September 2012.

B)Resigns

Australian Cricketer, Matthew Hayden retired from all formats of the game

Former Australia Test opener Matthew Hayden has decided to retire from all forms of cricket, adding the Twenty20 version of the game to the Test and international one-day formats he stopped playing in 2010.Hayden played 103 Tests for Australia, hitting 30 centuries with a top score of 380 and an average of 50.73.

Ajit Pawar resigns as Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar resigns as Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister on 25th September 2012 due the allegations of an irrigation scam when he was the state’s water resource minister.

The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, S.H. Kapadia, retired.

The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, S.H. Kapadia, retired on 28th September 2012.

C) Deaths

Dr. Verghese Kurien, father of India’s White Revolution passes away

Dr. Verghese Kurien, the Father of the White Revolution, passed away on 9th September 2012 after a brief illness. Dr. Kurien was the architect of India’s White Revolution, which helped India emerge as the largest milk producer in the world.

Iraq vice president sentenced to death

A Baghdad court sentenced in absentia Iraq’s vice president, Tariq al-Hashemi, to death on hanging for the murder of a woman lawyer and terrorism charges .

U.S. ambassador to Libya killed in mob attack

The ambassador of the United States to Libya, Christopher Stevens, has been killed during an armed mob attack in Benghazi on the 11th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.Mr. Stevens is the second U.S. ambassador to be killed during an outstation posting since the death of Adolph Dubs in 1979 during his tenure in Afghanistan.

Ex-CJI Ranganath Misra passes away

Former Chief Justice of India Ranganath Mishra died at a private hospital in Bhubaneshwar on 13th September 2012.Misra, served as the Chief Justice from September 25, 1990, till November 24, 1991. He was also the first chairman of the NHRC.

Veteran actor-director Dinesh Thakur passes away

Veteran theatre actor-director Dinesh Thakur, known for his character roles in Hindi films of the 70s, passed awayin Mumbai on 20th September 2012 after prolonged illness.

Freedom fighter, Telangana leader Bapuji dies

Eminent freedom fighter and a well-known figure in the Telangana movement, Konda Lakshman Bapuji died in Hyderabad on 21st September 2012. He earned the nickname Bapuji for his participation in the Quit India Movement.

Popular Malayalam film actor Thilakan passes away

Thilakan, who had acted in around 200 films and had won the national award for the best actor in a supporting role, died in Thiruvananthapuram on 24th September 2012.

Former National Security Adviser Brajesh Mishra dead

Brajesh Mishra, the country’s first National Security Adviser who played a key role in foreign policy matters and pushed for deeper engagement with the US, died in New Delhi on 28th September 2012 following a heart ailment.

D) Visitors

India, Tajikistan upgrade ties, sign four pacts

India and Tajikistan, the energy-rich Central Asian nation, 03rd September 2012 decided to upgrade their ties to the level of strategic partnership and signed four pacts in areas of education, health, sports and culture.Prime Minister Manmohan Singh held talks with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon on a wide range of bilateral, regional and global issues and decided to upgrade their growing ties to the level of a strategic partnership.

Antony opens army hospital in Male

Defence Minister A.K. Antony, on a three-day visit to the Maldives, on 16th September 2012 opened ‘SENAHIYA,’ a Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) hospital, established in Male with Indian assistance.Maldives Defence Minister Mohamed Nazim thanked India for its assistance to his country in all areas of development and said the enduring friendship between the two countries would improve and expand, irrespective of political changes.

E)Miscellaneous

Washington Post calls PM a ‘tragic figure’

Soon after Time magazine labelled Prime Minister Manmohan Singh an ‘Underachiever’, the noted American news daily, Washington Post, has referred to him as a “tragic figure”.The Washington Post said Singh’s image is of a “dithering ineffectual bureaucrat presiding over a deeply corrupt government”.

Sunita Williams takes over command at International Space Station

Indian-American astronaut Sunita Williams has taken over command of the International Space Station (ISS), yet another feather in her cap as she already holds three records for female space travellers including a new record for total cumulative spacewalk time by a female astronaut.

Space Triathlon Completed By Sunita Williams

Williams became the first person in history to complete a triathlon in space.Williams, who is currently aboard the International Space Station finished her half mile swim, 18 mile bike ride, and four mile run in one hour, 48 minutes, and 33 seconds.

Pakistani Government Relents in Judicial Standoff Over Zardari Corruption Case

Pakistan’s government relented on 18th September 2012 to judicial demands that it agree to write a letter to the authorities in Switzerland regarding corruption charges against President Asif Ali Zardari.

Nivedita Bhasin becomes first woman B-787 Dreamliner pilot

Senior Air India pilot Capt Nivedita Bhasin has become the first woman to command the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner.She is presently the only women pilot for the B-787′s commercial flight in the world.

$1,00,000 cash reward for the death of an anti-Islam film producer

A Pakistani government Railways Minister Ghulam Ahmad Bilour has offered a $100,000 (£61,616) reward for the death of the maker of an anti-Islam film produced in the US.

PLACES IN NEWS

37 killed in Sivakasi cracker unit blast

37 people have been killed and at least 60 have been injured in a huge fire at a Om Siva Sakthi Crackers in Mudalipetti, near Sivakasi, in Tamil Nadu.

Two Same magnitude earthquake in China at Yunnan and Guizhou

80 people were died , more than 730 people were injured,twenty thousand homes were destroyed and nearly one hundred thousand persons have been evacuated after the two earthquakes at a magnitude of 5.6 hit Yunnan and Guizhou provinces in China on 07th September 2012.

ABBREVIATIONS IN NEWS

Abbreviate GITEX

Gulf Information Technology Exhibition

Abbreviate CTS(hint Cheque)

Cheque Truncation System

Abbreviate DCGI(hint Drug)

Drug Controller General of India

Abbreviation of FIFA

International Federation of Football Association.

Abbreviation of WEF

World Economic Forum’s

Abbreviation of APEC

Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation

Abbrivate MGNREG

Mahatama Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee

IWCCI Abbreviation

Islamabad Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry

PHDCCI Abbreviation

Punjab, Haryana and Delhi Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Abbreviation of UNICEF

United Nations Children’s Fund

BOOKS IN NEWS

Vice President Releases the Book ‘Muslims in Indian Cities’

Vice President after releasing the book entitled “Muslims in Indian Cities” edited by Laurent Gayer and Christoph Jafferlot on 10th September 2012 at New Delhi, Shri Ansari has said that Muslims have lived in India’s religiously plural society for over a thousand years, at times as rulers, at others as subjects and now as citizens. They are not homogenous in racial or linguistic terms and bear the impact of local cultural surroundings, in manners and customs, in varying degrees.

800-year-old Chinese encyclopaedia on display in Taiwan

Taiwan (AP) – An 800-year-old Chinese encyclopaedia is on display at a book fair in Taipei. The rare publication was recently purchased by a Chinese publishing house for US$33 million (S$40.5 million) at an auction in Beijing.

Salman Rushdie released his Book Joseph Anton

Joseph Anton the 633 page book depicts a memoir of Salman Rushdie during his 10 years long run to protect himself from the Fatwa issued by his name was released on 18 September 2012.

COMMITTEES IN NEWS

Rangarajan panel for total decontrol of sugar industry

The Rangarajan panel will submit the report on decontrol of sugar industry within two weeks.

DAYS & DATES

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan recites Om Shanti to convey message of peace at United Nations

On the eve of International Day of Peace Aishwarya Rai Bachchan recited the Sanskrit mantra ‘Om Shanti’ to convey her message of peace at the United Nations, where she addressed students and urged them to set aside their egos and individual desires to find peace within themselves.