Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Starred Articles

India paid Rs 400 crore to international agencies, Japan, Germany for unutilized external loans
Economy > International Agencies
India has paid over Rs 400 crore in the last four years as commitment charges to the Asian Development Bank, Japan, Germany and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) for unutilised external loans taken to fund development projects.


Iraqi Army Defeats ISIS in Its First Major Victory Over The Militant Group In Ramadi
World > Iraq
The Iraqi army's capture of Ramadi, the provincial capital lying west to Baghdad, comes as a huge victory for the US-backed forces in the country especially after the capital was razed to ground by the militants nearly 18 months ago. The takeover of Ramadi by the Iraqi troops has finally deprived the ISIS of its political stronghold. The militants had seized it in May which had prompted the US to rethink its strategy against the Islamic State.


China launches 'most sophisticated' observation satellite Gaofen-4
World > China
China successfully launched its "most sophisticated" observation satellite, Gaofen-4, as part of the country's high-definition earth observation project. Gaofen-4 was launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in the southwestern province of Sichuan aboard a Long March-3B carrier rocket.


Suicide blast in govt office in Pakistan, 22 dead, 40 injured
World > Pakistan
A suicide bomber attacked a government office in Pakistan, killing at least 22 people and wounding more than 30, officials said. The attacker targeted a branch of the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra), which issues government ID cards, in the northwestern town of Mardan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.


Intelligence alert regarding terror attacks by Lashkar-e-Taiba on PM Modi, Parliament
India > Terror attack
Intelligence agencies have issued an alert regarding terror attacks by Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) at various locations in the country during New Year. According to the intelligence reports, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Parliament building may be on the radar of the terror group.


Others

Pawan Kumar Agarwal appointed as CEO of FSSAI
India > FSSAI
Senior IAS officer Pawan Kumar Agarwal was on 22 December 2015 appointed as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of food regulator Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

Pawan Kumar Agarwal is a 1985 batch IAS officer of West Bengal cadre. He is presently serving as the Joint Secretary in Union Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.


30th National Consumers Right Day observed
Days > National Consumers Right Day
30th National Consumers Right Day was observed across India on 24 December 2015. The day provides an opportunity to highlight the importance of the consumer movement and the need to make every consumer more aware of their rights and responsibilities.


Gautam Bambawale appointed High Commissioner of India to Pakistan
India > High Commissioner of India to Pakistan
Gautam H Bambawale, presently the Indian ambassador to Bhutan, has been appointed the next High Commissioner of lndia to the lslamic Republic of Pakistan. Bambawale will replace TCA Raghavan in Islamabad. His appointment comes at time when India and Pakistan have decided to start a comprehensive bilateral dialogue earlier this month during the visit of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to Islamabad.


Agriculture Ministry launches two mobile apps for farmers
Politics and Government > Mobile Apps for Farmers
In a bid to let farmers harvest the best of mobile technology, the Agriculture Ministry had launched two mobile apps for farmers. According to Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Radha Mohan Singh by launching the apps the government would launch a new crop insurance scheme next month, which would aim speedy disposal of claims with very less premiums.


Indigenously developed Air-to-Air missile Astra successfully test fired
India > Air-to-Air Missile Astra
Indigenously developed Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missile, Astra, was on 25 December 2015 successfully test fired. The test was conducted by the Indian Air Force off the coast of Odisha near the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Balasore. In addition to this air trial, the missile underwent successful ground based trials in early December 2015 near Pune.


Good Governance Day observed on 25 December
Days > Good Governance Day
Good Governance Day was observed on 25 December 2015 across the country. The day was observed to mark the birth anniversary of former-Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.


China adopted Anti-Terrorism Bill, 2015; First counter-terrorism law in history
World > Anti-Terrorism Bill 2015
China’s National People's Congress Standing Committee, country’s top legislature, on 27 December 2015 approved Anti-Terrorism Bill, 2015 to address terrorism at home and help maintain world security. It is country’s first counter-terrorism law and will enter into force in January 2016.


India-Iran strategic partnership discussed at first Joint Commission Meeting
Politics and Government > India-Iran Partnership
The first India-Iran Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) since the historic nuclear deal and decision to ease sanctions from Tehran discussed measures to expand economic and strategic partnership including increasing oil imports from the Persian Gulf country besides disbursement of pending oil payments, investments by Delhi in Iran's hydro-carbon sector and tried to iron out irritants to seal the contract for key Chabahar Port by next month.


Modi government to rename new-look Indira Awaas Yojana to Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana
Economy > Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana
The Modi government is renaming yet another welfare programme to remove its association with the Gandhi family. This time it's the Indira Awaas Yojana, which aims to build homes for the rural poor. It's to be renamed the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana.


Bihar CM bans sirens in VIP vehicles in Patna
India > Bihar
In light of the rising noise pollution in Patna, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar banned the use of hooters in vehicles, except in those of the Governor, Patna high court Chief Justice, fire engines and ambulances. Kumar stressed on the measures at a home department review meeting to contain noise pollution by blaring hooters of vehicles belonging to VVIPSs and VIPs, and also directed putting in place measures to end unnecessary blaring of horns by regular vehicles.


China launches 'most sophisticated' observation satellite Gaofen-4
Science and Technology > Gaofen-4 Satellite
China today successfully launched its "most sophisticated" observation satellite, Gaofen-4, as part of the country's high-definition earth observation project. Gaofen-4 was launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in the southwestern province of Sichuan aboard a Long March-3B carrier rocket.


Karnataka's prisons dept to tie up with Flipkart, Amazon for Make-in-Prison mission
India > Karnataka
The Karnataka state's prisons department plans to tie up with e-commerce giants Flipkart, Amazon and other online platforms to sell products made by prisoners at Bengaluru's Parappana Agrahara Central Jail. The made-in-prison initiative will be a first in India, although the concept is common in countries like the UK, USA, Netherlands, Germany and Peru, which have even branded such products.


Indian Navy successfully test fires Long Range Barak 8 missile from INS Kolkata
India > Navy
The Indian Navy on Wednesday successfully conducted the maiden firing of its newly developed Long Range Barak 8 Surface-to-Air Missile (LR SAM), crossing a significant milestone in enhancing its anti-air warfare capability.


Iraqi PM visits Ramadi after declaring Isis will be 'terminated' in 2016
World > Iraq
Iraq prime minister Haider al-Abadi arrived in Ramadi a day after his government declared the city liberated from Islamic State. Abadi kicked off his tour with meetings with security and provincial officials. The recapture of the city, where the Iraqi flag was raised on Monday over government buildings that had served as Isis’s base in Ramadi, marks a key victory against the jihadis.


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