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India
tops globally on censoring Facebook content
India
> Facebook
censor > 16th March
Facebook
witnessed increased requests from governments across the world to
restrict content this year compared to the last. According to
official reports, the number of requests increased to 35,051 in the
second half of 2014 from 34,946 in the first half. It got 9,707
pieces of content for violating local laws, 11 percent more than in
the first half, with access restricted to 5,832 pieces in India and
3,624 in Turkey. In an official statement, Facebook has said that it
will continue to entertain such requests from governments, provided
the requests are not unreasonable. The website also updated its
community standards to create awareness amongst users about the kind
of posts that are not allowed.
China
becomes world's third largest weapons exporter
World
> China
weapon export > 16th March
China
has overtaken Germany to become the world's third largest weapons
exporter. China's share in the global arms market rose by 143 %
between the years 20102014, a time when the overall arms market
increased by 16%, according to the data compiled by the Stockholm
International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). China's share now
accounts for 5% of the total arms export in the world behind USA and
Russia the world leaders. China has long been a major importer of
weapons, but of late its soaring economy, adaptation of foreign
technology and its low priced products have largely reversed the
trend.
Israel's
Netanyahu emerges winner beating Herzoc by small margin
World
> Israel
elections > 17th March
Benjamin
Netanyahu beat his close ally-turned-rival Isaac Herzog of the
Zionist Union by marginal votes, to emerge as the winner of the
Israel elections. The two parties will now compete to form a
coalition that commands a majority in the 120-seat parliament. The
preliminary exit polls had shown a near death heat between the two
parties. Netanyahu, who has governed the country for the past six
years had offended many voters and alienated allies in the
campaigning process.
Others
India to develop two islands in
Indian Ocean
India
> Indian
Ocean Development > 12th March
PM
Narendra Modi's ocean outreach comprising visits to Mauritius,
Seychelles and Sri Lanka has resulted in India's acquisition of
''infrastructure development rights'' for two islands in the region -
Agalega from Mauritius and Assumption from Seychelles. India has
signed four agreements with the Indian Ocean island nation to boost
security and maritime partnership. This move has strengthened its
partnership with Seychelles and provided India a foothold in the
middle of the Indian Ocean. China had been overshadowing India in
establishing its position in Indian Ocean by undertaking mega
infrastructure projects in several littoral countries.
David
Hale nominated by Obama as ambassador to Pakistan
World
> US
Ambassador to Pakistan > 12th March
Veteran
diplomat David Hale has been appointed as the next ambassador to
Pakistan by the US President Barack Obama. Mr. Hale has been serving
as the US Ambassador to Lebanon since 2013. Mr. Hale has also served
as Director of the Office of Israel and Palestinian Affairs,
Executive Assistant to the Secretary of State and in other positions
overseas in Bahrain, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia.
Supreme
Court orders against High Courts entertaining pleas against Armed
Forces Tribunal
India
> Armed
forces Tribunal > 12th March
The
SC has ordered that the verdicts passed by the Armed Forces Tribunal
(AFT) under a writ petition cannot be challenged by the high courts.
According to Justices SJ Mukhopadhaya and NV Ramana who passed the
judgement, an HC entertaining a petition under article 226 of the
constitution against an order passed by the AFT, would contradict a
key aspect of the AFT act. The ruling came after the SC overruled the
order of the Delhi HC, which was against the AFT's decision
reprimanding an army officer. Article 30 of the AFT act now states
that the final decision of the tribunal can only be challenged in the
SC.
Suicide
bombers kill 15, wound 78 in Pakistan
World
> Pakistan
Christian Attack
Two
suicide bombers blew themselves up at two Christian churches in
Pakistan in a latest attack on religious minorities. The attack left
at least 15 persons dead and more than 70 injured. The
Tehreek-e-Taliban Jamaat-ur-Ahrar accepts responsibility for the
suicide attacks on the churches in Lahore . They were quoted saying
that they will continue to do so until the Islamic system is put into
place in Pakistan. The devastating incident created outrage among the
mob who took to street to protest against the attack.
24
dead, 3,300 displaced after Cyclone Pam devastates Vanuatu
World
> New
Zealand Cyclone > 15th March
Vanautu
in New Zealand was hit by a dreadful cyclone killing 24 people and
sweeping away homes of 3,300. The New Zealand relief workers failed
to reach the affected area due to poor weather and communications
issues for days. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian
Affairs said 3,300 people are sheltering in 37 evacuation centres on
the main island of Efate and in the provinces of Torba and Penama.
Officials are dispatching aid to the worst-hit areas.
Zomato
plans global expansion
Corporate
> Zomato > 15th March
Online
food ordering and restaurant delivery portal Zomato is planning to
open subsidiaries in over a dozen countries. In a bid to compete with
its rival Foodpanda, a Germany based website, which has
operations in around 40 countries worldwide, Gurgaon based Zomato has
completed the paperwork to set up shop in five countries – Mexico,
Sweden, Germany, Finland and Norway. The six year old company already
has presence in over 20 countries including India, Dubai, UK, Brazil,
Canada, Australia, Turkey, Poland and New Zealand; and if the on
paper aspect is taken into account the presence is extended to over
40 countries. Zomato is expected to earn around Rs. 100 crores this
fiscal and has till date raised over Rs. 1300 crores through multiple
financers.
SC
removes Jats out of the OBC reservation bracket
India
> Jats
Reservation > 16th March
The
Supreme Court has decided to overlook the decision to include Jats
into the Central list of Other Backward Classes (OBC). An SC bench
comprising of Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman
stated that Jats are not socially or economically backward and also
said that caste alone should not be a factor to determine the
backwardness of a class. The bench termed that Jats are a politically
established caste and their inclusion inside the category would
adversely impact the welfare of other communities. The decision came
after a PIL filed by the OBC Reservation Raksha Samiti - an
organisation for members of communities that are included in the
Central List of Backward Classes.
After
saanvli comment, Sharad Yadav hits back at Smriti Irani
Politics
and Government > Sharad
Yadav > 16th March
JD(U)
leader Sharad Yadav hit back at Smriti Irani in Rajya Sabha after his
remarks on “saanvli” (dark-complexioned) women. Yadav's comment
on dark complexioned women had met with Smirti Irani's appeal,
requesting him to stop making such comments. However, Sharad Yadav
hit back at her saying “I know what you are”. He has refused to
apologise for his earlier remarks and said that he is ready to
participate in a debate any time.
Exlawyer
of the doctor who helped CIA find Osama shot dead
World
> Pakistan > 17th March
Samiullah
Afridi the former lawyer of a Pakistani doctor who helped CIA locate
Osama Bin Laden's whereabouts, was killed by an unidentified gunman
in Northwest Pakistan near the city of Peshawar. Two different
militant groups have claimed responsibility for the incident. Dr.
Shakeel Afridi helped the CIA by organising a fake vaccination camp
to help trace Osama's location in 2011.
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