Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Starred Articles

Terror attacks Pathankot air force base, India-Pakistan thaw
India > Pathankot Terror Attack > 03rd January
A week after Prime Minister Narendra Modi made an unannounced trip to Pakistan counterpart Nawaz Sharif’s home in Lahore to signal the willingness at the top to revive ties between the two countries, heavily-armed terrorists, suspected to be members of the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Muhammad, attacked the Pathankot airbase.

Security forces, including commandos of the National Security Guard and Army and Indian Air Force personnel, engaged the terrorists, and gunbattles through the day left at least four terrorists and three security personnel dead. Sources confirmed that six terrorists were killed till now.



Diplomatic crisis deepens in West Asia
World > Saudi Embassy > 04th January
Saudi Arabia's execution of leading Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr sparked a violent protest at the Saudi Embassy in Iran's capital, Tehran. Saudi Arabia then quickly severed ties with its longtime regional rival.

The cleric was an outspoken critic of the Saudi government, calling for more rights for the country's marginalized Shiite community. Sudan and Kuwait have also severed ties with Iran and given Iranian diplomats two weeks to leave the country.


North Korea leader touts 'thrilling sound' of hydrogen bomb in test order
World > Hydrogen Bomb Test > 06th January
The North Korea had conducted its first "successful" miniaturised hydrogen bomb test — a shock announcement that drew condemnation from its neighbours including its major ally China. The test was initially detected by international seismology centres as a 5.1-magnitude tremor next to the North's main Punggye-ri nuclear test site in the northeast of the country.


Others

From January 1, UK to stop financial aid to India
Politics and Government > UK-India > 31st December
From January 1, 2016, India will no longer receive financial aid from the UK, a decision which was taken by the British government in 2012 after a domestic outcry about India's growing economic status. The transition has taken three years during which the existing financial grant projects were completed and the unutilized funds moved into what are called "technical assistance" projects.


India offers no duty cuts on steel to China, Australia and New Zealand
Economy > Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement > 31st December
India has not offered any duty cut on steel to China, Australia and New Zealand as part of the ongoing negotiations for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement. To protect steel and other manufacturing sectors, the country has not come out with any duty reduction for these three countries.


PSBs to strengthen exam for clerical posts
Banking and Insurance > Public Sector Banks > 03rd January
Finance Ministry has asked Public Sector Banks (PSBs) to strengthen written examination for recruitment of clerical and sub-staff posts as there will be no interviews for such appointments. The decision to change the recruitment process follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi's directive that there was no need for holding interviews for lower level posts.


Government plans to make PAN as Business Identification Number for companies and firms
Corporate > Business Identification Number > 04th January
In a step towards a single-window clearance mechanism at the central level, the government plans to make the permanent account number (PAN) as the Business Identification Number (BIN) for companies and firms. The move is aimed at doing away with the need for separate registration with authorities ranging from the registrar of companies to the direct and indirect tax wings, the labour department and for export and import.


Pakistan arrests 42 IS supporters
World > Islamic State Group > 04th January
At least 42 militants allegedly linked to Islamic State group have been arrested in Pakistan's Punjab province as part of a campaign to "wipe the threat of IS" from the country. The arrests were made during a series of raids by counter-terrorism officials to nab the alleged supporters and activists of the dreaded terrorist group in Pakistan.


Sushil Agarwal becomes Aditya Birla group CFO
Corporate > Aditya Birla Group > 05th January
Aditya Birla Group has brought changes in its senior management team with Grasim Industries CFO and whole-time director Sushil Agarwal being elevated to the additional role of group CFO. Sushil Agarwal will hold the additional responsibility of group CFO


Obama to introduce gun control measures bypassing Congress
World > Gun Control Measures > 05th January
US President Barack Obama is set to introduce a series of gun control executive measures, including expanding background checks, bypassing the Congress in a bid to control mass shooting menace that has claimed over 100,000 lives in the last decade.


Indian peacekeepers awarded medals for courage in Liberia
Politics and Government > UN Mission in Liberia > 06th January
Indian peacekeepers in Liberia, including a women contingent, were honoured with medals for their courage and service in maintenance of peace and security in the West African country. The 125-strong Indian Formed Police Unit along with 12 Indian personnel of the UN Police serving in the UN Mission in Liberia ( UNMIL) were awarded medals during a parade ceremony held recently in Congo Town in Montserrado County.


Pranav Dhanawade's 1009 leaves world cricket fraternity gushing
Sports > Cricket > 06th January
Pranav Dhanawade, a 15-year-old, scored 1,009* at an alarming clip, hitting 129 fours and 59 sixes in his 327-ball innings that lasted 396 minutes. Pranav shared two 500-run partnerships - 546 for the opening wicket and 530 for the second wicket.

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