Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Starred Articles

US, Cuba sign first environmental accord since thaw
World > US-Cuba
The United States and Cuba signed an agreement to join forces and protect the vast array of fish and corals they share as countries separated by just 90 miles (140 kilometers), the first environmental accord since announcing plans to renew diplomatic relations.


Mali siege: Three killed as gunmen take 170 hostages, including 20 Indians, at Radisson hotel
World > Mali Attack
Gunmen went on a shooting rampage at the luxury Radisson Blu hotel in Mali's capital Bamako, seizing 170 guests and staff in an ongoing hostage-taking. At least three people have been killed in the siege. The victims comprised two Malian citizens and a French national. Twenty Indians among 170 hostages at Radisson hotel, according to Ministry of External Affairs. MEA is in touch with Indian Embassy in Mali over hostage crisis at hotel. The hostages are reported to be safe.


Pfizer to reportedly sign a deal to buy Allergan for $150 billion; to be drug industry's biggest deal
Corporate > Pfizer, Allergan Deal
US drug giant Pfizer is reportedly moving closer to sign a deal to buy Botox maker Allergan for $150 billion, or about Rs 9,88,000 crore, in what would be the biggest transaction in drug industry so far. The deal, if concluded, will eclipse Pfizer's $90-billion buyout of Warner Lambert in 2000.


Swachh Bharat Abhiyan Survey reveals not even half the toilets built being used
India > Swachh Bharat Abhiyan
An all-India survey conducted by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) has revealed that not even half the toilets built under the cleanliness mission are being used. While just 46% of 95 lakh toilets built in rural India are being used, the figure is barely 50% even in urban areas, as per the survey.


Others

WHO launched World Antibiotic Awareness Week with the theme Antibiotics: handle with care
Science and Technology > World Antibiotic Awareness Week
The World Health Organisation (WHO) on 16 November 2015 launched the World Antibiotic Awareness Week with the theme Antibiotics: handle with care. The aim of the campaign is to raise awareness and encourage best practices among the public, policymakers, health and agriculture professionals to avoid the further emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance.


Justice Tirath Singh Thakur to be next Chief Justice of India
India > Chief Justice of India
Justice Thakur, who will be the 43rd Chief Justice of India, is expected to take several crucial decisions on new judicial appointments in high courts. The appointment will be with effect from December 3. He is dealing with several important cases, such as the Vyapam and the Saradha scams.


Bonanza for central government employees as 7th Pay Panel recommends 23.55% hike
Economy > The Seventh Central Pay Commission
The Seventh Central Pay Commission has recommended a 23.55% increase in the pay and pensions of nearly 47 lakh government employees and 52 lakh retirees that could result in a demand-led economic boost but significantly challenge India's ongoing fiscal consolidation plan. The award will be applicable from January 1, 2016.


US, Cuba sign first environmental accord since thaw
World > US-Cuba
The United States and Cuba signed an agreement to join forces and protect the vast array of fish and corals they share as countries separated by just 90 miles (140 kilometers), the first environmental accord since announcing plans to renew diplomatic relations.


Maharashtra to be the first state to enact law against social boycott
India > Law Against Social Boycott
Maharashtra will be the first state in the country to enact a law against social boycott of individuals or families by caste panchayats. A draft of the said act called as the ‘Maharashtra Prohibition of Social Boycott Act, 2015’ which was published on the state government’s website has termed any action of social boycott as crime.


Barack Obama names Indian-origin Swati Dandekar as Asian Development Bank director
World > Asian Development Bank Director
Indian-American politician Swati Dandekar has been nominated as Executive Director to Asian Development Bank with ambassadorial rank by US President Barack Obama. The first-ever Indian-American to be elected to Iowa House of Representatives in 2003, Dandekar, 64, would replace Robert M Orr, who has held the position since 2010.


Government keen to get three anti-graft bills passed in winter session
India > Anti-graft bill
Union minister of state for personnel Jitendra Singh has said the NDA government is keen to get three anti-corruption bills—amendments in the Whistle Blowers Protection Act, Prevention of Corruption Act and Lokpal—passed in the winter session of Parliament starting November 26.


India, China to set up framework on terrorism, cyber crime
India > Cyber Crime
India and China have for the first time agreed to set up a minister-level mechanism to tackle and exchange information on terrorism, trans-border crime, drug-trafficking and cyber crime.


Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Yadav receives Guinness certificate for November 7 plantation feat
Politics and Government > Akhilesh Yadav receives Guinness certificate
The Guinness Book of World Records had issued a certificate to the chief minister in Saifai for planting the maximum number of saplings in a day. The feat was achieved on November 7. Chief minister Akhilesh Yadav had led the drive on November 7 to plant 10 lakh saplings at 10 locations in a day.


Turkey shoots down Russian plane for ‘violating’ airspace
World > Turkey
Turkish fighter jets on patrol near the Syrian border shot down a Russian warplane that Turkey said had violated its airspace, a long-feared escalation that could further strain relations between Russia and the West.


Tunisia declares state of emergency after bus blast
World > Tunisia
Tunisia's President Beji Caid Essebsi declared a nationwide state of emergency and a curfew in the capital after a bomb attack on a presidential guard bus killed at least 12 people.


0 comments:

Post a Comment