Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Starred Articles

18 armymen in Manipur killed by militants
India > Terrorrism > 5th June
Manipur witnessed one of the worst militant attacks on army men that killed 18 soldiers and injured 11. According to an official, Dogra Regiment team was on a routine road opening patrol (ROP) along Moltuk village, around 110 kilometres south of state capital Imphal, when the guerrillas attacked the group with rocket-propelled grenades and IEDs. Prime Minister Narendra Modi termed the attack as 'mindless'.

India, Bangladesh sign historic land-boundary agreement
India > Indo-Bangladesh Land-boundary Agreement > 7th June
In a historic move, India and Bangladesh have signed a land-boundary agreement that will settle their 4,096-km long land boundary dispute after 41 long years. The Indian Parliament had passed a historic Constitution Amendment Bill which will operationalise the India-Bangladesh Land Boundary agreement that provides for exchange of 161 enclaves between the two countries. The land boundary agreement will end the misery of 50,000 stateless people struggling with their national identity. With the border agreement in place, India has now control of 510 acres of land while Bangladesh will have control of 10,000 acres of land. The two countries also signed 22 agreements, including on cooperation in maritime safety and to curb human trafficking and fake Indian currency.

TDP files multiple FIRs against Telangana CM in cash-for-vote scam
Politics and Government > Telengana Cash-For-Vote Scam > 8th June
TDP leaders filed multiple FIRs against Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekhar Rao for allegedly tapping the phones of Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu. The TDP alleged a conspiracy by the Telangana government against the Andhra Pradesh government. TDP leaders lodged FIRs against Chandrasekhar Rao, officials of the Telanagana anti-corruption bureau (ACB) and some TV channels.

Government cancels registration of 4,470 NGOs in fresh crackdown
Politics and Government > NGOs > 9th June
A close monitoring of the activities of 4,470 NGOs by the Union Home Ministry resulted in cancellation of their licenses after they found out that their activities included non-filing of annual returns and other anomalies. All associations were given proper notice by the Foreigners Division of the Home Ministry with adequate time to reply before their FCRA licences were cancelled. The cancellation of licences of these NGOs which includes top universities of India including 'Kabir' floated by Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, bars them from receiving foreign funds.

Others

US Freedom Act signed by Obama to protect privacy of citizens
World > US Freedom Act > 3rd June
Citizens of the USA will have some respite from America's most controversial surveillance program since 9/11, following the US Freedom Act signed by the US President Barack Obama. The surveillance program enabled National Security Agency (NSA) to collect and store telephone numbers, dates and times of calls from millions of Americans who have no connection to terrorism. This bill is a critical step in restoring America's reputation as the leader in protecting the privacy and security of user data.

10-year defence framework pact signed by India and the US
India > Defence > 3rd June
A 10-year defence framework pact envisaging joint development and manufacture of defence equipment and technology including jet engines, aircraft carrier design and construction was signed between India and the US. The framework agreement was signed between India’s Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and visiting US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter and focuses on areas like maritime security and joint training. The new framework agreement provides a platform for high level strategic discussions, continued exchanges between armed forces of both countries, and strengthening of defence capabilities.

Nestle suffers a loss of Rs. 10,000 crores due to Maggi controversy
India > Maggi Ban > 4th June
The controversy surrounding the instant noodles brand Maggi has apparently cost FMCG major – Nestle a loss of Rs. 10000 crores. The share price of Nestle has gone down 15% from Rs. 7038 to Rs. 6010. Maggi was a big contributor to Nestle's profits in India and it came under scrutiny for high content of lead and mono-sodium glutamate or MSG (a taste enhancer).

Barcelona beat Juventus to claim Champions League Trophy
Sports > Football > 7th June
Spanish giants Barcelona FC defeated the Italian club Juventus FC 3-1 to win the much coveted title of the European Champions League Trophy at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin. Sunday's win is Barcelona's third major title this season after they won the La Liga and the King's Cup. The goals were scored by Croatian Ivan Rakitic in the fourth minute, Uruguayan Luis Suarez in the 68th and Brazilian Neymar in the final few minutes of the game. Juventus became the first team in the history of the league to lose the finals six times.

India and Bangladesh sign 22 agreements; Reliance Power signs MoU with Adani Power to build power plants in Bangladesh
World > India-Bangladesh > 7th June
India signed 22 agreements with Bangladesh during PM Narendra Modi's visit to the neighbouring country for co-operation in areas of trade, investment, education, climate change and Information and Communication Technology. Along with the agreements the two governments will also implement the Instruments of ratification of the 1974 Land Boundary Agreement and its 2011 Protocol.
Meanwhile, two powerhouses of the Indian energy sector – Reliance Power and Adani Power have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the the state run, Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB). The two companies will build a 3000 MW power plant in the company, which will supposedly provide 35% cheaper power to the country.

Stanislas Wawrinka wins 2015 French Open title
Sports > French Open > 7th June
The 2015 French Open title was won by Stanislas Wawrinka who defeated Novak Djokovic to secure his second career major after the 2014 Australian Open. Wawrinka's stunning win put an end to Djokovic's dream to secure a career Grand Slam as he had aspired to win one title from each major tournament.

Nitish Kumar to be the CM candidate of the JD(U)-RJD alliance for the Bihar elections
Politics and Government > Nitish Kumar > 8th June
Nitish Kumar is set to become the chief ministerial candidate of the JD(U)-RJD alliance for the upcoming Bihar assembly elections said senior leaders Mulayam Singh Yadav and Lalu Prasad Yadav. A hint with an alliance happening with the Congress Party was also made evident by the current chief minister of Biher, Nitish Kumar.

Political agreement solves constitutional crisis in Nepal
World > Nepal > 9th June
After a long period of dispute over the making of Constitution, Nepal can now expect one in the near future. An agreement was signed by four major political parties at Prime Minister Sushil Koirala's residence as they held a majority of votes in the 601-seat assembly that are needed to approve the draft.
Since the country was hit by earthquakes in April and May that killed more than 8,700 people, both the government and opposition have been under pressure to resolve the constitution crisis.

India to be 'country of honour' at South Asia Expo in China
Economy > South Asia Expo > 9th June
China's annual five-day South Asia Expo will have India as 'country of honour' and Thailand as the guest of honour of the Import and Export Fair. This is the third consecutive year that the South Asia Expo is being held by China to expand its trade and business footprints in South Asia where it is looking to firm up influence with huge investments in different countries. The title of 'country of honour' highlights the business potential of that country.

Lieutenant Governor of Delhi appoints chief of Anti-Corruption Branch
Politics and Governance > Delhi Lt. Governor > 9th June
Lieutenant-Governor of Delhi, Najeeb Jung appointed a joint commissioner of the Delhi Police as the chief of the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB), which the ruling government has described as a bureaucratic coup. The appointment of Mukesh Kumar Meena, an IPS officer of the 1989 batch was cleared by the Lt. Governor unilaterally without informing the chief minister or any member of the government.

ISIS carries out attacks in Iran and Libya, despite American air-strikes
World > Terrorism > 9th June
In the battle against the Islamic State, the US government plans to establish a new military base in Anbar Province to help Iraqi forces retake the city of Ramadi. Ramadi, the provincial capital of Anbar, is less than 70 miles from Baghdad; it borders Saudi Arabia and Jordan, two important members of the coalition against the Islamic State.
However, Islamic State militants have carried attacks in Baghdad and the Libyan city of Surt despite persistent bombings by American planes in the area.

Jitender Tomar resigns, AAP blames Modi
Politics and Government > AAP > 10th June
Delhi Law Minister and AAP leader Jitender Singh Tomar was slapped with forgery charges following the allegations of fake law degree by his rivals. The case was dragged to Delhi court which remanded him to four-day police custody, following this Tomar handed his resignation to Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. The arrest triggered a bitter war between the Centre and the State government with AAP leader Kejriwal blaming Modi for threatening his party members. The arrest comes at a time when Lt Governor Najeeb Jung and the Delhi government have locked horns over administrative control of the national capital.

HSBC Bank to lay-off 50,000 employees
Banking and Insurance > HSBC Bank > 10th June
On account of sluggish growth and diminishing profits across its business all the countries, and in a bid to pay more dividends, HSBC Bank has planned to lay off 50,000 employees across the world. HSBC will cut its assets by $290 billion by 2017, and cut off $140 billion from its investment banking business. It also plans to expand its business in Asia with a focus on China.

PVR buys off DLF's DT Cinemas for Rs. 500 crores
Corporate > PVR > 10th June
Film theatre giant PVR acquired real estate major DLF's DT Cinemas for a total of Rs. 500 crores. DLF will acquire a total of 39 screens with a total seating capacity of 9000 seats. DT Cinemas currently operates 29 screens with about 6,000 seats across eight properties in the National Capital Region and Chandigarh; PVR will now have a presence in 44 cities with 115 multiplexes and 506 screens after the acquisition.


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