01 January 2012 Current Affairs Study Material

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INTERNATIONAL

Obama signs bill to suspend $ 1.1 bn aid to Pak

US President Barack Obama has signed into law a massive $1.1 billion defence spending billthat also seeks to suspend a big cut of $1.1 billion military aid to Pakistan, despite his

serious reservations about provisions regulating custody and prosecution of suspectedterrorists.

Pakistan wins temporary UN Council Seat

Pakistan has won a seat as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council(UNSC) for a two-year term.Securing 129 out of 193 votes in the United Nations General Assemblyexactly the two-thirds majority required to win the seat, Pakistan will now be a non-permanent member,replacing Lebanon, of the United Nations Security Council in a term that begins on January2012 and will end in December 2013.

Pakistan Court issues Contempt Notice against Prime Minister Gilani

Pakistan top court began contempt proceedings on 16 January 2012 against Prime MinisterYousuf Raza Gilani for failing to carry out its order to re-open a corruption case against thePresident, ramping up pressure on the beleaguered civilian government and pushing thecountry deeper into political crisis.

Wikipedia shut for 24 hours to protest US anti-piracy act

Wikipedia, the popular community-edited online encyclopaedia from 18 Jan. 2012 eveningblacked out its English Language site for 24 hours to seek support against proposed US anti-piracy legislation that Wikipedia founder, Mr Jimmy Wales, said threatens the future of theInternet.

White House locked down after smoke bomb attack

The White House, Washington was locked down on 18 Jan. 2012 for more than an hour aftera smoke bomb" landed inside the compound of the United States presidents residence,breaching the high security alert around the building.

Once Again Bird Flu Deaths In China

Once again bird flu deaths brings 2nd death in 30 days in china , over 28 number of peoplein china who have died from the diseases since 2003 .

Younest Sailor To Complete Solo Circumnavigation of The World

Dutch Leeager Laura Dekkar 16 yrs old , on 21 st Jan 2012 became the youngest sailor tocomplete a solo circumnavigation of the world .

25 EU Nations Sign Up For German

All European Union Countries agreed to sign a new treaty called fiscal compact on 30 th Jan2012 .When 25 out of 27 EU states agreed to sign only Britan and Czech republic refused tosign a fiscal compact, that will impose quasi automatic santions on countries that breach

European union budget deficit rules in national law .and crippling debts crises and tostimulate growth and development in economy .
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Romney wins first round battle for GOPs ( Grand Old Party), ( US Republican PliticalParty ) US President nominations

Front-runner Mitt Romney stood in course of a narrow win ( by just 8 votes ) from a 120, 000party flock in a state New Hampshire that is considered the heartland of America.

Maldives lifts ban on spas

The Maldives president on 4 January 2012 said he has lifted a ban on spas in the upmarkettourist destination after establishing they were not being used for prostitution as alleged byIslamist protesters.The Maldives on 31 December 2011 has ordered hundreds of luxury hotelsto close their spas after protsts by an Islamist party which claimed they were a front forprostitution.

Karzai gives goahead to USTaliban peace talks

The government of Afghanistan gave its blessing to talks between Taliban insurgents and theUnited States, and also to the opening of an office for the Islamists in Qatar on 4 January

2012 .

Obama unveils New Defence Policy, shifts U S focus to the East

U S President Barack Obama unveiled a defence strategy on 5 Jan. 2012 that calls for agreater U S military presence in Asia and envisions cutting troops in Europe as the Pentagonseeks to reduce spending by nearly half a trillion dollars after a decade of war.

Myanmar Govt. approves Suu Kyis party on 5 January 2012, allows to contest by- electionsin April

Turkeys ex general arrested on coup allegations

Turkeys former Army chief Ilker Basbug on 6 January 2012 was detained over an allegedbid to topple the Islamistrooted government in the latest confrontation likely to inflametensions with the powerful military.

Chinese media slams US look east policy Warns Washington against War Mongering ,says move may fuel military tensionChinas state run news media warned Washington on 6 January 2012 not to recklessly

practice or engage in war mongering, a day after the Obama administration outlined a newmilitary strategy with an increased focus on China.

Nea Zealand oil slick ship breaks up in storm

A cargo ship, Reena, stranded on a New Zealand reef for the past three months has split intotwo in a severe storm on 8 January 2012, creating fears of a fresh oil spill. The two pieces ofthe Reena have been forced 20-30 metres apart after waves up to 6 metres hit the vesselaccording to Maritime New Zealand spokesman, Ross Henderson.

Iran begins Nactivity underground

Iran has begun uranium enrichment at a new underground site well protected from possibleair strikes on 8 January 2012.


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Germany, France warn Greece it wont get more funds until it agrees on Bond Swap

Germany and France warned Greece on January 9, 2012 it will get no more bailout fundsuntil it agrees with creditor banks on a bond swap and pressed for an early deal to avert a

potential default in the euro zones most debt-stricken nation.

Pak PM dismisses Defence Secretary

Pakistans Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani dismissed Defence Secretary Lt Gen KhalidNaeem Lodhi, a retired general and a close aide of the Army Chief with immediate effect forgross misconduct and illegal action according to a statement issued by the Prime MinistersOffice.

INDIA & WORLD

India, Pak exchange list of Nuclear Installations

India and Pakistan on 1 Jan. 2012 exchanged lists of their nuclear installations and facilitiesunder a twodecadeold pact prohibiting attacks on atomic assets, days after seniorofficials of the two sides held talks in Islamabad on nuclear and conventional CBMs. TheGovernments of the two countries are required to exchange lists of their nuclear installationsand facilities on January 1 every year under the terms of the Agreement on Prohibition ofAttacks against Nuclear Installations and facilities that was signed in December 1988.

India, Pak set to start trade in power, petro goods

Plan is to transfer 500MW via Punjab, surplus Diesel from Bhatinda RefineryIndia and Pakistan are strengthening business links in 2012, with the stage set for start of

trading in electricity and petroleum products. Officials from the two countries have decidedto trade in electricity through a speciallybuilt high voltage direct current link betweenAmritsar and Lahore. The plan is to transfer 500MW through the Punjab border with thetariff linked to the market rate.

China denies visa to IAF officer, Indian defence team cancels the visit

India on 6 Jan. 2012 cancelled the visit by a military delegation to China after one of itsmembers hailing from Arunachal Pradesh, was denied Visa by China.

12 Indian diamond traders return after detention in China

Twelve diamond traders returned to India from China on Jan. 6, 2012 after being releasedfrom a detention centre in Shenzhen, where they had been kept for nearly two years.

India to give MFN status to Bangladesh

India on Jan. 6, 2012 said that it was keen to give Bangladesh most preferred nation statusfor trade across the border and would try to ensure capital flows to that country for business.

India to seek new waivers from US on new sanctions on Iran

As new US sanctions of Irans oil sector take effect, India, which expects to be hit, will askthe US for waivers to minimise the effect of the curbs that may be given to Washingtons keyallies like Japan, Turkey and South Korea, who, like New Delhi, are all importers of Iranianoil.


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India decides to send small triservice delegation to China

In an overnight U-turn India has decided on 7 January 2012 to go ahead with sending amilitary delegation to China next week but reduced it to 15 members to the original 30 afterBeijing refused to issue a visa to an IAF officer from Arunchal Pradesh.

India for labour treatises with Europe, Oz

The government is negotiating human resource mobility partnership agreements with theNetherlands, France, Australia and the European Union in a move aimed at greater inroadsfor Indian professionals into such markets.

India, South Africa for early conclusion of Customs union pact

India and South Africa on Jan. 9, 2012 agreed to ensure an early conclusion of the IndiaSACU ( Southern African Customs Union ) Preferential Trade Agreement and the BilaterialInvestment Promotion and Protection Agreement.

India, Singapore in talks for changes in trade agreement

The IndiaSingapore Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement ( CECA ) wouldrequire some amendments, particularly in the area of mutual recognition of professionalqualification in order to make it relevant to the present business relations between the twocountries..

Mali signs $100-m line of credit with Exim Bank of India

The West African nation of Mali on January 11, 2012 signed a $100 million line of creditwith the Exim Bank of India. This line of credit will be used for transmission of power fromCote dIvoire, Malis neighbour, to the capital city of Bamak.

Indias push for UN veto to stall reforms: Berlin

As the issue of expansion of UNSC permanent membership gathering momentum, Germanyfor the first time on 16 January 2012 has openly warned India that its insistence on veto rightsfor new permanent members will not just delay the reform process but also not help turningthe UNSC into a more decisive body.

India, China agree on a border peace mechanism

India and China on 17 Jan.2012 agreed to set up a working mechanism on bordermanagement to deal with important affairs related to maintaining to peace and tranquility in

the border areas.

Mahindra Rajapaksa committed to settling Tamils issue

Sri Lankan President Mahindra Rajpaksa on 17 Jan. 2012 repeated his commitment to followthe 13th Amendment plus approach" to achieve a political solution to the Tamils issueeven as the External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna urged Sri Lanka to move towards anexpeditious political settlement.

Chinas Rail Network To Touch Indias Border

China has announced it will aceelerate plans to expand a railway network in Tibet to reach

the two towns near the border i,e from Lasha to Xigaze and the town of Nyingchi which liesin a prefecture bodering of Arunachal pradesh , under five years plans 2011 -2015.


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Indian Factories Fail To Move Up

Indias states as a competitive industrial production economy remained unchanged .Indiaranked 42nd in 2009 on a competitive industrial production index lower than much smallereconomies like Thailand , Mexico ,accordingly to the latest report of (U N I D O ) .

Safeguard Passwords From Phishing

Satistics says India is among the top three countries targeted for phishing attacks .It isestimated that there are three crore victims of identity theft annually with losses of nearly Rs10,00,000 crore to the companies . phishing is among the more popular security attackson banks and personal information , the others being screen logger and key logger .

India s Anti Subsidy Plan To Hit China

The Indian government is ready with a plan to act against countries that provide subsidy tolocal producers and make exports more competitive , Although antisubsidy action is a tradedefence measure,permitted by the World Trade Organisation (WHO) the move is expected to

hit China . The government is setting up a Directorate General of Trade Remedies , whichwill deal with antisubsidy ,anti dumping and countervailing actions .

IndiaPakisthan Deal

India has offered to export petroleum products, including petrol , to Pakisthan .by road , railand sea assumes significance in the backdrop of the forthcoming Pakisthan visit of the IndianTrade Minister .The praposal will be worked out in next few weeks .

India & Thailand Likely To Sign Free Trade

India and Thailand are likely to sign the free trade agreement by the middle of the year, The

Pm of Thailand Ms YingluckShina Watra addressing a bussiness conference pitched foropening trade in services and investment between India and Thailand .

India s Ranks 131 In Press Freedom

Indias ranking in a global press freedom index fallen singnificantly in the past years . Indiafell to 131 out of 179 on the press freedom indes compiled by reporters without borders .

India Has The Most Toxic Air

India has the Worlds most toxic air which infact , the entire South Asian regions fare badlyin the analysis .India holds the very last rank among 132 nations in terms of air quality with

regards to its effects on human health . India scored a miniscule 3.73 out of a possible 100points .

N T P C New Project In Bangladesh

Bangladesh s state owned power development board had signed a $ 1.5 billion , 50 : 50 jointventure deal with public sector N T P C to build a 1,320 mw coal fired power plant inBangladesh .

India To Grant $1.5 Million To Chicago

India will provide a grant of $ 1.5 million to the University of Chicago to establish a

Vivekananda chair for Indian studies , as part of the initatives to mark the 150 th birthanniverssary of the 19 th century Swami Vivekananda and polymath Rabindranath Tagore .


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Indian Deal For France ,126 Fighters

India on 31 st Jan selected the French fighter Rafale over the Eurofighter Typhoon in amultibillion dollor contract for the supply of 126 Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft ( M MR C A ) the country s largest defence deal . The defence ministry said that the product waspicked upon the basis of it being the lowest bidder , after complex calculations ,including the

life cycle costs .The total deal is estimited to be worth of $ 10.2 billion ( 54,000 crore ).wichwas the mojor supplier from French defence , Dassault Aviation who plyed a major roleKargil conflit in 1999 .

Bangladesh To Buy 11 Broad Guage Locos From India

The Bangladesh Railway on 31 st linked a major deal with India to Acquire 10 braod guagediesel electric locomotives ,allowing the expansion of train services in the country .

NATIONAL

Anna suporters show PM black flags

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was shown black flags by supporters of antigraftcrusader Anna hazare at the Golden Temple in Amritser on 1 January 2012, leading thecongress to condemn the protests that it said should be directed against the BJP for blockingthe Lokpal Bill.

No evidence against Tata Group in 2G scam, says Ratan Tata

Ratan Tata, the Chairman of the Tata Group, has expressed happiness that the Group hascome out safely in the 2G Scam on 2 January 2012 which has involved politicians,

bureaucrats and executives of various companies.

Home Min rejects Mundra Ports bid to develop Vizhinjam Seaport

Adanipromoted co wanted to develop port which could become deepest one in India.TheUnion home ministry on 3 January 2012 has rejected Mundra Port and Special EconomicZones ( SEZ ) bids to develop Keralas Vizhinjam International Seaport ( VISL ) and a fewother projects raising doubts about the companys expansion plans.

Retire on May 31 : MoD to General Singh

Ministry of Defence on 3 January 2012 said to Army Chief General V K Singh to retire by

May 31 due to a controversy over his Date of Birth recorded differently in the AdjutantGeneral ( AG ) branch, the keeper of official records, and the Military Secretary ( MS )branch, which handles postings and promotions. It is May 10, 1950 in AG branch, and May 10, 1951 in MS branch.

PM asks ministers to fill 50k quota backlogs

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on 4 January 2012 instructed key ministers to seriouslytake up the task of filling backlog vacancies of the SCs, the STs and the OBCs after he wastold that the pending seats stand at around 50, 000.


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NREGS : 9,000 personnel punished

As many as 9, 000 personnel involved in implementation of National Rural EmploymentGuarantee Scheme ( NREGS ) for the past six years, have been punished on 6 January 2012in connection with various irregularities, including simphoning of funds.

NRIs can vote in Indian polls, says PM Notification on Registration of Overseas Voters

Reminding nonresident Indians ( NRIs ) of the constitutional provision that allows them tovote in Indian elections, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Jan. 8, 2012 told a gathering ofthe diasphora from 60 countries that the government has issued notificaton for registration ofoverseas voters. In other words, NRIs can vote in the upcoming elections in five states.

70% milk in country adulterated Goa, Puducherry safest places to buy milk; AP toofares well

In the 33-state study, milk was found adulterated with detergent, fat and even urea, besidessiluting it with water. Across the country, 68.4% of the samples were found

contaminated.Only in Goa and Puducherry did 100% of the samples tested conformed torequired standards. At the other end were West Bengal, Bihar, Chattisgarh, Jharkhand,Orissa and Mizoram, where not a single sample tested met the prescribed norms.

Muslim quota : EC show-cause to Khursheed

The Election Commission on January10, 2012 night issued a show-cause notice to UnionLaw Minister Salman Khursheed, asking him to explain why action should not be initiatedagainst him for his statement 9% sub-quota for backward muslims in the course of an electionrally in UP.

2G note isssued with PMOs approval

FM officials tell JPC Word Perusal replaced Approval after Pranabs scrutiny The controversial 2G note that suggested P Chidambaram as finance minister could haveseized the telecom scam, was issued with the approval of the Prime Ministers Office ( PMO), top ministry officials told the Joint Parliamentry Committee ( JPC ) on 11 Januray2012. The committee was also told that the word perusal had replaced approval inthe context of finance minister Pranab Mukherjees scrutiny of the note in an internal noting

just two days before the backgrounder was readied.

Govt. nod for antiterror entity

Government on Jan. 12, 2012 finally gave its approval to set up a specialized antiterrorbody, National Counter Terrorism Centre ( NCTC ), which will work as a single-windowentity to pool together and collate terror related intellegence input, draw plans to nuetralizeterror modules and coordinate action among different terror agencies to defuse threats.

India asks BBC to apologize for Clarksons cheap show

India on 12 January 2012 has demanded an apology from BBC over its presenter JeremyClarkson mocking Indian culture during a Christmas special while driving around thecountry, calling it a breach" of agreement.


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No polio in a year, India steps up Line of Control checks

Success in controling spread of the virus hikes global demand for Indian Docs.India has notrecorded a single case of polio in 12 monthsthe longest ever. India has increasedsurvelliance against polio along the Line of Control ( LoC ) bordering Pakistan.

BPL health scheme to be extended to more unorganised workers

The Government on Jan. 11, 2012 reviewed the implementation of Rashtriya Swasthya BimaYojana ( RSBY ), the scheme launched five years ago to ensure health insurance for familiesliving below the poverty line, saying that it will be extended to several segments ofunorganised workers.

Infosys, HDFC Bank among HBRs elite 10 growth outliers

Two Indian companies, Infosys and HDFC Bank, along with the US-based company ofIndian origin Cognizant, figure in an elite group of 10 companies identified by HarcardBusiness Review as the companies that have consistently performed better than others around

the world over a ten year period. This elite group of 10 companies is called GrowthOutlier".

Court warns Facebook, Google

The Delhi High Court on 12 January 2012 warned Facebook and Google that their websitescould be blocked" as was done in China if they failed to devise a mechanism to removeobjectionable materrials.

Govt. nod to prosecute Facebook, Google, Yahoo

The government on 13 January 2012 granted sanction to prosecute social networking

websites, including Google, Facebook and Yahoo and 18 others, for allegedly promotingenmity between classes and causing prejudice to national integration, a trial court in NewDelhi was informed.

Govt. supports subsidising Rural Mobile Bills

The Planning Commission has proposed that the government pay 20% of all mobile bills thatare less than Rs 300 a month for customers in rural India by dipping into the funds set asidefor providing subsided rural telephony. The Planning Commission had sent the proposal tothe Prime Ministers Office, which in turn has asked the telecom department to study thefeasibility of the proposal on 13 January 2012.

Army Chief takes Govt to Court over Age row

Army Chief General V K Singh on 16 January 2012 moved the Supreme Court against thegovernments rejection of his claim on his date of birth. In a writ petition, he is believed tohave questioned the governments decision to treat his date of birth as May 10,1950, insteadof May 10,1951,as claimed by him on the basis of his matriculation certificate and otherdocuments. This is the first time that any Service Chief has dragged the government to thecourt of law.


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NTRO Scam: SC asks CAG report

The Supreme on 16 January 2012 asked for a copy of the Comptroller and Auditor Generals(CAG) report pointing out alleged irregularities in the purchase of intelligence equipment byNational Technical Research Organisation (NRTO).

NAC draws up plan for shelters for over 3L urban homeless

The National Advisory Council (NAC) on 16 January 2012 has recommended a Rs. 4,250crore programme to provide shelters and other amenities to homeless in Class 1 cities in thecountry.The council has suggested the National Programme for Shelters and other servicesfor Urban homeless to set up 6,800 permanent shelters for around 3 lakh homeless.TheScheme to be run on a 75-25% cost sharing basis between the Centre and the states with theUnion government bearing the entire capital costs.

Centre files a caution against Army Chief

The Centre on 17 Jan. 2012 filed a caveat (caution) in the Supreme Court to prevent Army

Chief V.K. Singh from getting any ex parte order in the writ petition filed by him challengingthe defence ministrys order fixing his date of birth on May 10, 1950, instead of treating it asMay 10, 1951.

NTPC To Set Up 5MV Solar Farms in Andaman

NTCP is taking decisive steps towords renewable energy projects . it is setting up a 5 mvphotovoltaic power generation unit close to port blair airport in Andaman and NicobarIslands .

India is On 6th Nation To Have a Nuclear Sub

India s long hunt for nuclear submarine is finally over . it will take another 1012 monthsto get an operational nuclear weapontriad the capabillity to fire nukes from land , air andwater .

Renaming Of Mana Airport

The Union cabinet of India on 24 th Jan 2012 approved renaming of Mana airport at Raipurin Chattisgarh as the Swami Viveka nanda airport.

New Advisor To P M

Senior Television Journalist Pankaj Pachuri was appointed as communication advisor in

Prime Ministers office on 19 th Jan 2012 .and Mr .Harish Khare resingned as Media advisorto prime minister Manmohan singh .The Union cabinet of India on 24 th Jan 2012approved renaming of Mana airport at Raipur in Chattisgarh as the Swami Vivekananda airport.

India First Life To Sell Life Cover Through Auto Dealers

India s first life insurance plans to sell life insurance policies through automobiles . Indianlife insurer had tied up with Varun motors to sell the insurance cover including all vehicles .

Eliminating N T D By 2020

Around 17 Neglected Tropical Diseases ( N T D ) many of which affect millions of Indiansare all set to get the much needed attention .A phrama company Ceos , Billgates along with


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the W H O will loosen their purse string to annouce a range of measures to achieve acommon goal . N T D elimination by 2020,over $ 2 billion is needed to prevent and treat allpeople at risk of contracting a common NTD by 2015, According to a document released onJan 26 th by WHO .The programme aims to improve the lives of over 1.4 billion peopleworld wide and help them to achieve self sufficiency .WHO identified 17 NTD in149countries , and found that one -third of 2.7 billion people living in less than $ 2 a day were

effected .

Pushing Up Of Inland Waterways

The Government has moved the process to fasttrack the development and use of inlandwaterways transport involving the private and state run companies . The move is expected topush the high potential of inland waterways in transporting bulk cargo ,such as coal , foodgrains , fertilizers , project cargo , fly ash over dimensional cargo and container at competivecost for both public and private sectors . It is also expected to ease the burden on rail and roadinfrastructure .An agreement has been signed between the National Thermal PowerCorporation and The Inland Waterways Authority of India and a private developers for theFarakka power project .

Farmer Army Vice Chief Booked

The farmer vice chief of the army , Lt.Gen ,Nobel Thamburaj ,and two other were booked bythe C B I on the charges of criminal conspiracy , cheating and misconduct in settlement ofland dispute .

STATES

Madhu Koda has wealth worth about Rs. 3,300 croreMadhu Koda has amassed property worth about Rs. 3,300 crore during his tenure as the chiefminister of the Jharkhand State by misusing his office, the income tax department has said on1 January 2012.

Jagan aide Vijay Sai arrested by CBI Sai is second accused in Jagan Assets Case

Effecting the first arrest in the alleged illegal assets case pertaining to YSR Congresspresident in AP, Jaganmohan Reddy, the CBI on 2 January 2012 took into custody Vijay SaiReddy, the financial advisor of Jagathi Publications and other companies owned by the son ofYS Rajasekhara Reddy, the former CM of AP.

HIgh Court cancels Srilakshmis bail

Justice NRL Nageswara Rao of the AP High Court on 2 Jan 2012 cancelled the bail grantedto senior IAS Oficer Y Srilakshmi in the illegal mining case and directed her to surrenderbefore the CBI court before Jan 6.President

Pratibha Devi Singh Patil visited SHAAR Space Centre in Nellore District, AP on 2 January2012. She dedicated PSLV Mark3 Mission Control Centre to the Nation.

Milk sold in AP safe, pure : Survey

According to a survey conducted on adulteration of milk in various parts of the country, themilk sold in Andhra Pradesh has been found to be mostly safe but that is not the case with


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many parts of the country. According to National Survey on Milk Adulteration 2011 report,out of the 1791 samples tested in states, 1226 samples were found to be adulterated and notconforming to Food Safety and Standards Authority specifications. The results were madepublic on January 2, 2012.The result for Andhhra Pradesh may be happy to feel about. Itsnot that there is no adulteration at all but out of the 75 samples tested, 70 samples conformedto the standards. Only 6.7 per cent did not conform to the standards.

Kerala ready for joint control of New Dam

Kerala is ready for a joint control of the Mullaperiyar Dam with Tamil Nadu and the Centre,if a new dam gets constructed, replacing the 116year old existing structure, state ChiefMinister Oommen Chandi said on 4 January 2012.

Lokayukta rejects complaint against Maya

The Lokayukta on 5 January 2012 has rejected a complaint against Uttar Pradesh ChiefMinister Mayawati and her trusted minister Naseemuddin Siddiqui alleging a scam of Rs 2.32lakh crore in the excise department on the grounds of insufficient evidence.

Poll process kicks off in Manipur

The notification for the January 28 assembly polls was issued on Jan. 4, 2012 in New Delhi,setting up in motion the poll process in the fivepoll bound states including UttarPradesh. The elections in Uttar Pradesh will be held in 7 phases while in Punjab,Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur, it will be held in a single phase. Counting of votes in all thestates will be held on March 4.

EC says all Mayawati statues to be covered

Chief Election Commissioner S Y Quraishi on 7 Jan. 2012 said all statues of chief minister

Mayawati and Elephants, election symbol for Bahujan Samaj Party, will be covered ahead ofthe Uttar Pradesh Assembly Polls.

UP polls to begin on Feb.8

The Election Commission on Jan.8, 2012 announced a change in the election date in UttarPradesh : instead of beginning on February 4 as previously announced, the polls will start onFebruary 8.

Karnataka for Gita in school syllabus

Karnataka chief minister D V Sadananda Gowda on Jan. 8, 2012 announced that the

government was considering introducing the Bhagvad Gita in primary and secondary schoolsafter seeking public opinion.

Mahindra Solar Rajasthan unit on stream

Mahindra Solar One, a solar power developer, commissioned its first 5 MW solar powerplant. A part of Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission ( JNNSM ) policy, the project islocated near Jodhpur in Rajastan and was first to achieve non recourse financing in theindustry.

Karnataka cuts VAT on cotton to 2%

Karnataka government on 10 January 2012 has decided to reduce tax rate to two per centfrom five per cent for value added tax ( VAT ) on purchase and sale of cotton.


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Suzion to set up 3,000-mw Wind Power Capicity in AP

Suzion Energy has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Andhra Pradeshgovernment to develop a wind power capacity in the state totalling 3,000mw between 2012and 2016, creating potential investments of up to Rs 18,000 crore on 16 January 2012.

Setback to Modi: Appointment of Liokayukta is supported

In a major set back to Chief Minister Narendra Modi, the Gujarat High Court on 18 Jan.2012, by a majority verdict, supported the appointment of Justice R.A. Mehta, a retired judgeof the High Court, as Lokayukta. The Modi governments petition challenging GovernorKamala Beniwal appointing the Lokayukta bypassing the government was dismissed.

US To Set Up LNG Terminal In AP

IL & FS Maritime Infrastructure has teamed up with the US based VGS group to up afloating liquefied natural gas terminal at the Kakinada Anchorage port in Andhrapradesh in abid to cater to the growing needs of independent power producers ( I P P s ) .This terminal

will become the first such ( L N G ) import terminal on Indais east coast .

Government Takes ECS Route To Check Black Money

The Andhra pradesh government has decided to make all payments contractors and otherthrough (ECS) Electronic Clearance Service .Introduction of ECS payments the money willdirectly deposited in their bank A/C and the tax on the same cannot be evaded as the entireprocess is recorded by the bank and the Finance department.

NTPC Another Mega Project In South

NTPC Ltd the countrys largest power company is planning to take up mega project in kudgi

project in karnataka with 4000- mw .

Revive Sakri Solar Project In Maharashtra

The Maharashtra government is trying to revive the , Rs 2,000 crore sakri solar powerproject in Dhule, near Northern Maharashtra with 150mw .

Bullet Train Between Ahmadabad & Mumbai

Terming the bullet train as a dream project of the C M Mr Narendra Modi demanded fornew railway project and infrastructure for the financial year 2012-2013 . this project will beannouced in the railway budget for 2012-2013 .

Maruthis New Diesel Plant At Gurgoan

A new diesel engine plant is expected to entail an investment of Rs 1,000 crore for a capacityof 1 lakh engines under the Maruthi Suzuki banner .It will be the first own diesel engineplant at Manesar in Gurgoan .

Longest Flag Unveiled In AP

The Famous temple town of Bhadrachalam in AndhraPradesh , as students of Dr .Paul RajEngineering College created a history by unveilling a 3.2km long natinal flag .On theoccasion of 63 rd republic day on Jan 26 th 2012 . The flag weighed about 800 kg .The

organisers claiming that they had suceessfully unveiled the Worlds longest Indain


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flag .Vedeo recording of this entire programe was sent to the authorities of Guinnes Book ofRecord .

L N G Plans Terminal In A P

Petronet L N G will set up its third terminal at Gannavaram in Andhra pradesh . Thedecision has taken by companeis board meeting with estimated cost of Rs 4,500 crore .

500 MW Wind Energy Farms In A P

Welspun Energy Ltd (W E L ) part of the diversified $ 3 billion Welspun group had madeagreement with New and Renewable Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh toinstall 500 mw of wind energy capacity in the state .

Polling In Punjab & Uttarakhand

Assembly Elections has been held in the states Punjab & Uttarakhand on 30 th Jan2012 .Elections for 117 contituencies in Punjab & 70 contituiencies in Uttarakhand . Allmajor parties candiadates are participating in this elections .highest of 77 % voting poll hasbeen polled Punjab and in Uttarakhand 70 % voting poll.

U P Lokayukta Recommends C B I To Probe Against Kushwaha

The former minister for family& welfare & mining Babu Singh Kushwaha , prima facieguilty of illegally awarding mining contracts and laudering money through his severalregistered socities , Uttarpradesh lokayukta N .V . Mehrotra sent a report to cheifminister Mayavathi on 30 th Jan 2012 registration of a case against Kushwaha with C B Iand enforcement directors .

CONFERENCES

99th Science Congress Conferences were inaugarated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh inBhuvaneswar, Odisha on 3 January 2012. PM announced the decade 2010-20 as Decade ofInnovation, he also said that the government would allot 2% of GDP for scientific &Technological researches in the 12 th FiveYear Plan.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh inaugurated 15th Global Sanskrit Meetings in New Delhion 4 January 2012.

Confederation of Indian Industry ( CII ) Global Partnership Summit 2012 has been

inaugurated by Union minister of industry and commerce and textiles Anand Sharma inHyderabad, AP. AP gets 233 investment proposals worth around Rs.5.57 lakh crore withemployment generation potential of 4.7 lakh on day one of the event.

10th Pravasi Bharathiya Divas in Jaipur

The 10th Pravasi Bharathiya Divas was commenced on 7 Jan, 2012 in Jaipur, the pinkcity.The chief guest, Indian-origin Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Kamla PersadBissessar, arrived in Jaipur for the 10th Pravasi Bharathiya Divas. The conference took placefrom 7 Jan9 Jan. 2012.


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AWARDS & HONOURS

Flair play Award For Dhoni

Indian Cricket Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was awarded with International Sports Press

Associations Fair Play Award on 30 December 2011 for showing sport-spirit by callingback Ian Bell even after the umpire declares him out during the Teams visit toEngland. This is the first time that this award is given to a cricketer.

Gates Vaccine Innovation Award for Nitish Kumar

The Bill Gates and Melinda Foundation has accepted the proposal for conferring the GatesInnovation Award to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for the first Gates VaccineInnovation Award for effectively strengthening the immunization programme.The BiharChief Minister will thus be the first recipient of the Vaccine Innovation Award, introducedglobally by the Foundation having carried a cash of U.S. $ 250,000.

Grand Master Honour

International Chess Player Musunuri Lalith Babu received the honour of Grand Master on2 January 2012. He is the 26th Chess Player from India to receive the Honour.

S.K.Singh award for nuclear troubleshooter Venkatesh Varma

Senior Indian diplomat D. Bala Venkatesh Varmaa key member of the negotiating teamthat saw the IndoU.S. nuclear deal through from the first agreement of July 2005 down toAdditional Protocol in 2010 was given the first S.K. Singh award " for his extraordinaryefforts to strengthen Indias position in the Global nuclear order by UPA Chair person

Sonia Gandhi at a highprofile function in New Delhi on 6 January 2012.

Bagged By AP Team

Union Home Ministry Award Jeevan Raksha has been bagged by AP Team. The UnionHome Ministry released Sarvotttam Jeevan Raksha, Uttam Jeevan Raksha and Jeevan RakshaAwards for the Year 2011. Rs. 30,000 will be given for Jeevan Raksha Award .

British honour for culture secy

In a rare honour, the British Museum, the oldest in the world, has decided to give its maidenBritish medal to culture secretary Jawhar Sircar on 7 January 2012. The medal is being given

as a tribute and recognition of the extraordinary contribution made by Sircar in pilotingmuseum reforms in India".

Award for Saluri Vasu Rao

Noted cine music director, Saluri Vasu Rao, was conferred with the title, SangeethaSiromani, by the Guntur District Music Artistes Association at the first anniversarycelebrations held recently in Guntur, AP.

Manjubhargavi presented Lifetime Achievement award

Kuchipudi dancer Manjubhargavi was honoured with Lifetime Achievement award at theinauguaral session of the threeday Bharat Nrityotsav of Nataraja Music and DanceAcademi at Kalabharati Auditorium in Visakhapatnam, AP on 8 Jan. 2012.


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Gollapudi Maruthirao feted

Renowned film actor and writer Gollapudi Maruhtirao was conferred Lifetime AchievementAward by Appa Josyula Vishnubathala Kandalam Foundation and Srikakulam RangasthalaKalakarula Samakhya on 8 Jan. 2012 in Srikakulam, AP.

Ballon d Or" for Lionel Messi and Homare Sawa

Lionel Messi was on Jan.10, 2012 awarded the 2011 FIFA Ballon dOr" at a star-studdedceremony in Zurich, the third consecutive year that he has won the prestigious award for theworlds outstanding footballer.Japanese midfielder Homare Sawa claimed the womensequivalant.

Clooney, Streep conquer Golden Globes

The 69th Golden Globe Awards this year have been bagged by Clooney, the Best Actor in aMotion PictureThe Descendants" and Meryl Streep for the Best Performance by anActress for her role as Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady" on 16 January 2012 in Los

Angles.

Cash award for Bindra

Union Sports Minister Ajay Maken on 18 Jan. 2012 presented a cheque for Rs. 4.33 lakh toOlympic champion Abhinav Bindra for winning the Gold in air rifle in the ongoing Asianshooting championship in Doha.

South Asia Literature Award For The Novel China man

Srilankan author Shehan Karunatilaka was awarded the DSC Pril for south asialiterature 2012 at the Jaipur literature festival in Rajsthan for the novel china man .

Dr . C. Narayana Reddy s Award. Dr . C. Narayana Reddy sahitya puraskaram is beenawarded to kanad poet Maskandapuram Srinivas .

Ricky Ponting Was Honoured

Senior Australian batsman Ricky Ponting was honoured with Australias highest civil honouralong with a host of sports person of international repute .he was aslo appointed as officer inthe general division of distinguished service to the sports criket.

A P State Gets 3 Padma

Andhra Pradesh got a raw deal in the prestigious Padma Bhushan . G Maniratnam -Founder member of Trirupathi -based N G O Rashtriya seva samithi (RASS) .AceBadminton coach Syed Mohamad Arif were honoured with Padma Shri .Dr , P.Chandrasekhar Rao -a judge at international tribund for the law of sea , Germany werehonoured with Padma Bhushan.

Padma Bhushan Awards

Cine artistDharmendra , cine artist Shabana Azmi , Director Mira Nair, An Painter JatinDas , London based sculptor Anish Kapoor , carnatic musicians T. V .Gopalkrishnan , B.Muthuramam -mM D of Tta steel,eminent cardiologist -Dev Prasad Shetty ,Cancer Specialist-Suresh H.Advani ,N. Vital -head of Central Vigilance Comission, M V. Subbaiah murugappa group .


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Padma Shri Awards

Women CriketerJhulan Goswami , Hockey Olympic Gold Medalist -Zafar Iqbal ,Skiing -Ajeet Bajaj ,Athletics -paralympics -Devendra Jhajriya , Archery -Limba Ram were awardedwith Padma Shri .

Assam Policman Creates World Record

Assam police constable who is 22 years old Abhjeet Buruah created world record by runningbarefoot more than 150 km in 24 hours in Jorhat .and entered into Guinness Book OfWorld Record on 31 st Jan 2012. The Indian observer for the guinness world recordB.K.Chandrasekar Tiwari opproach to the Tarjan bypass on the western outskirts of Jorhattown .

Asha Bhosle , in Limca Book Of Records

The luminaries from Indian Music including Asha Bhosle , Gulzar and Yesudas have beenawarded people of the year at the unveiling of the 23 rd Limca Book Of Rcords on 31

st Jan 2012.

SPORTS & GAMES

Bartoli crushes Gajdosova

Marion Bartoli of Italy left Australian Jarmila Gajdosova in tears after defeating her 6-0, 6-0as France eased to a 3-0 Hopman Cup victory on 3 Jan. 2012. in Perth.

Michael Clarke, Australian Batsman hits a grand Triple Century ( 329 ) in the 2nd Cricket

Test match between India & Australia in Sydney on 5 Jan. 2012.

Grand Master Honour

AP Chess Player, M R Lalith Babu won Bronze Medal in the Hastings Masters InternationalChess Tournament where as Chinas Yuvang stood as winner on 6 Jan. 2012.

SA wins the Test series against Sri Lanka

South Africa wins the Test series against Sri Lanka 2-1 at Capetown. Kalis was declared Man of the Match for his Double Century. Australia wins the second Test match againstIndia in Sydney and lead the fourmatch series 2-0.

Czech Republic wins Hopman Cup by defeating France

Thomas Berdych & Wimbledon Champion Petro kvitova defeated France and won theHopman Tennis Cup in the final in Perth on 7 Jan. 2012.

Kanepi wins Brisbane International

Estonias Kaya Kanepi defeated Slovakias Daniela Hantuchova ans won BrisbaneInternational Tennis Tourney in Brisbane on 7 Jan. 2012.


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Tsonga wins Qatar Open

Jo-Wilfred Tsonga defeated French compatriot Gael Monfils 7-5, 6-3 on 7 Jan. 2012 and wonthe 20th edition of Qatar Open Tennis in Doha on 7 Jan. 2012.

Canadian Tennis Player Raonic defeats Tipsarevic ( Serbia ) in the Aircel Chennai Opensingles final and clinches the Chennai Open in Chennai on 8 Jan. 2012.

Leander Paes ( India ) and Tipsarevic ( Serbia ) won the Aircel Chennai Open Tennis doublesfinal in Chennai on 8 Jan. 2012.

Zheng wins crown

Chinas Zheng Jie won the Auckland Classic Tennis Tournament on 8 Jan. 2012 inAuckland. This is Zhengs fourth WTA title.

Lee, Wang triumphant

World No.1 Lee Chong Wei stormed back to defeat arch rival and holder Lin Super Dan

in the final of the Korea Open Badminton in the Mens Final on Jan. 8, 2012 in Seoul. In theWomens Final, world No.3 Wang Shixian from China easily beat her compatiot JiangYanjiao, who had defeated world No.1 Wang Yihan in the semifinals. Shixian ran out acomfortable 21-12, 21-17 winner.

South Africa beats Sri Lanka in the first One-day International at Boland Park in Paarl (South Africa ) on 11 Jan. 2012. South Africas Hashim Amla hits century ( 112 ).

Kerala beat Uttarakhand and won the 60th senior National Volleyball championship at theBalbir Juneja Indoor Stadium in Raipur on 11 Jan. 2012..

Chinas Yu Ruiyuan won the Chennai Open international Grandmaster Chess tournament inChennai on 12 January 2012.

Dhoni hints at Test retirement by 2013

Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on 12 January 2012 made a surprise revelation that hemay retire from Test cricket if he is to play in the 2015 World Cup.

Bindra shoots Gold in Asian Championship

Abhinav Bindra won the gold medal in 10-meter air rifle event of the Asian ShootingChampionship in Doha on 13 January 2012.

Azarenka triumphs

Victoria Azarenka ended Li Nas unbeaten two-year run at the Sydney Tennis Internationalwith a fighting three set victory in the final on 13 January 2012 in Sydney.

Wagner wins Sony Open

American Johnson Wagner recorded his third victory on the USPGA Tour Sunday byshooting a final round three-under 67 for a two-stroke win at the $5.5 million Sony Open inHonolulu, Hawaii on 15 January 2012.


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South Africa clinched series victory

South Africa clinched a series victory in the third one-day International against World cupfinalist Sri Lanka at Chevrolet Park in Bloemfontein on 17 Jan. 2012. South Africa lead thefive match series 3-0.

Beijing World Cup cancelled

Shooters preparing for Olympics will have only three World Cups as the Beijing World Cupscheduled to be held from June 16 to 25 has been cancelled.

India wins Hockey Second Test

India recorded a 2-1 win over South Africa in the closely fought second hockey Test at theNational Stadium in New Delhi on 17 Jan. 2012.

Srilanka Wins Fifth odi

One day International series which was between Srilanka and SouthAfrica at Jonnesburg was

won by Srilanka by 3-2.

Rajasthan Holds On Ranji Trophy

Rajasthans hard work and commitment retained the 78 th Ranji Trophy with them and winthe trophy against Tamilnadu at M A .Chidambram stadium .

Robertson Wins Masters

Australias 2010 world champion Neil Robertson won the master tittle on 21 st Jan 2012 with10-6 against England s Shaun Murphy at Alexandra palace .

1 st Women To Icy Adventure

British adventure Felicity Aston completed her crossing of Antarctica on 22 nd Jan 2012 ,becoming the first women to ski across the icy continent alone . she did it in 50 days pullingtwo sledges for 1,744 km from her starting point on the leverett glacier .she has set anotherrecord ,the first human to ski solo across Antarctica using only her own muscle power .

Sixth National Tittle For Advani

Pankaj Advani has won the sixth national billards tittle which was held at Pune .

India Wins Mens s Doubles

Indian players Leander Paes and Radek Stepanek pair , has won their first mens doubles Australian Open Grand Slam on 28 th Jan 2012 against Czech which was held inMelbourne park .

First Balarusian To Win Grandslam

Victoria Azarenka became the first Balarusian to win the grand slam single tittle in AustralianOpen Tittle ,crusing Russia s Maria Sharapova . She is only 22 yrs old to become the newworld no . 1 according to W T A ranking.


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Australia won By 40

Australia won the forth test series by 40 and wins the Border Gavaskar Trophy againstIndia at Adelaide Oval . The captian of Australia Micheal Clarke has been given the man ofthe series ,who scored the highest 626 runs in the series .Peter Siddle the man of match forthis series

Sania Ranked No7 In Double

Indias Sania Mirza craked the top 10 of the individual doubles ranking , climbing ahead tono7 rank in the world .According to the new W T A ranking and Sania slipped five placesto 116 to 111 in singles .

Rocks Wins Abu Dhabi Championships

The worlds 117 th ranked golf player Robert Rock has won the Abu Dhabi GolfChampionships on 29 th Jan 2012 against his strongest opposition player Tiger Woods ,whichheld in dubai .

Nadal Looses Grand Slam

Novak Djokovic wins the Australian Open 2012 mens Singles Champion ship .It was finalin grand slam history which six hours to finish the match between Nadal and Djokovic heldon 29 th Jan 2012 at Melbourne .Djokovic beeing ranked worlds no1 after winning thisgrand slam .

ECONOMY

U S Economy Grows 2.8 %in Q Y

The U S economy grew at its fastest pace in oneand -a -half years in the fourth quarter ,rebuilding of stocks by businesses and week spending on capital goods hinted for the sholeof 2012,the economy grew 1.7 % after expanding 3 % the prior year .

$ 5Billion Loss : Goods Made in India, Faked in China

Chinese manufacturers are increasingly faking popular Indian products of consumergoods giants such as Dabur and ITC, undermining the legitimacy of brands and causinglosses worth as much as $ 5 billion annually, officials said.

Govt readies Rs. 50k cr infra fund plan

LIC, IIFCL, IDBI Bank, ADB & HSBC likely Parteners for New Finance Firm. Thegovernment has finalized the outlines of a $10 billion crore ( over Rs. 50, 000 crore )infracture debt fund ( IDF ) with 50% participation from a foreign bank and a multilateralagency, while the rest of the corpus will be contributed by state owned financial institutionson 2 January 2012.Government officials and bankers said India Infracture Finance Company( IIFC ), Life Insurance Corporation and IDBI Bank along with Asian Development Bank andHSBC are joining hands to set up a non banking finance company ( NBFC ).

RBI governor hints at soft monetary policy

Concerned over the declining growth Reserve Bank Governor D Subba Rao has indicated on2 January 2012 that the central bank could reverse the tight monetary stance adopted by it


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since March 2010 to control inflation. The central bank is scheduled to announce themonetary policy review on Jan 24. RBI has hiked key interest rate 13 times since March2010 in its bid to check rising inflation, but it took a pause in its December monetary policy .

ONGC to invest $2.9 bn in Krishna Godavari gas find

Stateowned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation ( ONGC ) plans to invest $2.894 billion (

about Rs. 15, 340 crore ) in developing its ultra deepsea UD1 gas discovery in the KGibasin by 201617.

Andhra Bank hikes NRE deposit rates

The staterun Andhra Bank has hiked its interest rates on NRE term deposits to 9.40% perannum for one year, 9.25% pa from one to two years and 9% pa for 2 to 3 years with effectfrom December 30, 201.

SBI achieves 100% Financial Inclusion in AP

State Bank of India has achieved 100% coverage of its alloted unbanked villages in AndhraPradesh under the Financial Inclusion Programme ( FIP ) of the Reserve Bank of India.

PFCs Rs. 5,000 Cr TaxFree Bonds

Power Finance Corporation ( PFC ) on 2 Jan. 2012 has come out with a Rs. 5,000 crore tax free bond issue. PFC is a Navratna Government of India undertaking with the governmentholding 73.72% stake in it. Government approves RILs $1.529 B Investment Plan forSatellite Fields in KG-D6 Block.The Union government approved Reliance Industries (RIL) $1.529 billion investment planfor developing four satellite fields in the declining KG-D6 block on 3 January 2012. RILsinvestment plan will boost falling output in the Krishna-Godavari Basin KG-D6 block .

Growth in Direct Tax collection down by 8.3%. Annual growth in net direct tax collection slowed to 8.3% during the first nine months of thefiscal year amounting to Rs. 3,23,955 crore, raising concerns about the centres ability tomeet its revenue targets.

ONGC declares 125% Interim Dividend

Staterun Oil Natural Gas Corp ( ONGC ) declared a 125% interim dividend. The Boardhas approved an interim dividend of Rs.6.25 per equity share ( of Rs. 5 each ) for 201112on 4 Jan. 2012.

Sebi allows UTIMF to launch new schemes

Reversing its earlier stand, market regulator Sebi on 4 Jan. 2012 has allowed UTI MutualFund ( UTIMF ) to launch new funds again even though the fund house continues to functionwithout its top executive officer nearly a year now.

SBI Loan to Kingfisher Airlines turns NPA

State Bank of India, the countrys largest lender says its exposure to ailing private carrierKingfisher Airlines has turned a bad loan or a non-performing asset ( NPA ) on 5 Jan. 2012.


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SIDBI inks pact with IOB

Small Industries Development Bank of India ( SIDBI ) has entered into a memorandum ofunderstanding with Indian Overseas Bank ( IOB ) to extend assistance to micro, small andmedium enterprises ( MSME ) to the customers of IOB on 6 January 2012.

State FMs agree in principle on GST ( Goods and Services Tax ) list

The empowered committee of state finance ministers on GST on Jan. 9, 2012 agreed inprinciple on the concept of negative list and suggested the Centre could prepare such a listwhich would help widen tax base. The panel has agreed in principle to the concept ofnegative list and the Union Government should prepare it and can also implement it fromApril, 2012. The Committee suggested that all those items mentioned in the ConstitutionsScheduleII should be included in the negative list so that Union Government can notimpose tax on them.

Air India told to pay service tax dues

The Central Board of Excise and Customs ( CBEC ) on 10 Jan. 2012 has warned the nationalcarrier Air India to pay up a reasonable part of its service tax dues as early as possible orface having its accounts frozen.

Govt. notifies 100% FDI in single-brand retail Retains rider of 30% sourcing fromIndian small industries

The Government, which has been facing flak for policy paralysis, on 10 Jan. 2012 notified100 per cent Foreign Direct Investment in single-brand retail trading, moving a step forwardin opening up of the retail sector. The current FDI limit is 51 per cent. Investments will bethrough the Government approval route.

IRDA plans to take up complaints on its own

Customers may except better services from their insurers soon. The Insurance RegulatoryDevelopment Authority is planning to take insurance complaints on its own to ensure fairplay by the insurers.

Govt investing $20 b in creating information highway, says Pitroda

The Government is investing $20 billion in projects related to creating information highway,according to Mr Sam Pitroda, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Public Infrastructure,Information and Innovations.

SEBI asks bankers to disclose due diligence records

Stock market regulator SEBI ( Securities and Exchange Board of India ) on 10 Jan. 2012 hasasked merchant bankers to disclose their track record of due diligence done during the lastthree financial years from the date of listing for each public issue managed by them.

Rs. 1,935 crore worth FDI cleared

The Government on 10 Jan. 2012 has approved 20 proposols of Foreign Direct Investmentworth Rs. 1,935.24 crore according to an official statement. One among them include Rs.1,150 crore by Sterlite Grid, to act as an investment company.


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RBI says no to CRR cut

The Reserve Bank of India has ruled out the possibility of a cut in the cash reserve ratio orCRR, in its monetary policy review on January 24, according to bankers who took part in thecustomary pre-policy meeting held by the central bank on Jan.10, 2012.

Rice procurement up 17.3%

The Government has so far procured 18.11 million tonnes rice from farmers across thecountry in the current marketing year that started October , the food ministry said on 10 Jan.2012.

Malaysia palm oil exports fall

Malaysias palm oil exports fell 19 per cent in the first 10 days of January compared with theprevious month.

Indirect tax collections up 16.1 per cent

Indirect tax collections went up by 16.1 per cent to Rs. 2.86 lakh crore in April-Decemberthis fiscal as compared to Rs. 2.46 lakh crore garnered during the same period of 2010-11.

Moodys upgrades Indias Short Term Foreign Currency Bank Deposits RatingIt will help Indian banks, other entities raise overseas deposits at finer rates.Global ratingagency Moodys on Jan. 10, 2012 has upgraded the countrys rating of short term foreign currency bank deposits from speculative to investment grade. Since December 20 lastyear, this is the fourth upgrade by Moodys Investor Service, which is expected to help Indianbanks and other entities in raising overseas deposits at finer rates.

SBI cuts processing fee by half for bigger share of Home Loan Mkt

The State Bank of India on 11 January 2012 cut processing fees on home loans by half, amove aimed at acquiring a larger business in the home loan market and giving competition toprivate banks and housing finance companies.

SBI opens exclusive branch for women customers

The branch, Vasundhara Jubilee Senortia Banking centre is opened by SBI in Hyderabad onJan. 11, 2012. It is only the second of its kind in the country. It is aimed at tech-savvy,educated women customers including entreprenuers. "with play room for kid and otherfacilities women customers can handle their banking transactions in a safe and familyatmosphere".

Andhra Bank lauches Abhaya Wealth Pack

Andhra Bank on 12 January 2012 launched Abhaya First Wealth Pack for the commonman. The bank termed it as one wealth management for all financial needs. It will have asavings bank account, a recurring group deposit account, a group term insurance and a unitlinked insurance plan.

India to be Reckitt Benckisers New Regional Head Quarters

Benckiser, one of the worlds largest consumer goods companies , has upgraded India to itsregional head quarters for Sooutheast Asia, covering 12 nations representing a market of 1.8billion people.


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S&P may strip France of AAA rating for first time

Standard & Poors is stripping France of its AAA rating for the first time according toAgence France-Press report.

SEBI wants Fund Houses to Launch Pension Products

Asset Management Companies ( AMCs ) need to launch pension products that will channelretirement savings into stock market, Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)Chairman UK Sinha said on 13 January 2012.

Indian Exports up 6.7% in December, may touch $300-b target

Indias exports rose for the first time in five months, encouraging the government to reaffirmthat it would achieve its $300-billion target for the year. Exports in December grew 6.7% to$25 billion over the previous month according to the data released on 16 January 2012.

At 7.47%, December Inflation takes major load off Govt

Inflation rose at its slowest pace in two years in December 2011. Headline Inflation asmeasured by the Wholesale Price Index (WPI), dropped to 7.47% in December on lower foodprices, as compared with 9.11% in November, government data released on 16 January 2012.

S&P downgrades the Brussels bailout fund EFSF

The Standard and Poors, the US credit ratings agency on January 16 downgraded theBrussels main bailout fund, European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF) by one notch toAA+ but said it would restore the top AAA ranking if the fund obtains additionalguarantees.The decision was the result of downgrades to Frances and Austrias ratings fromAAA since they served as top-level guarantors of the European Financial Stability Facility,

S&P said in a statement.

Govt. set to allow FDI in domestic airlines

In a major relief to financially distressed Indian airlines, the government on 17 Jan. 2012 saidforeign airlines would soon be allowed to acquire up to 49% stake in them.

Chinese Banks lend $1.18 bn to Reliance Communications

Chinese state banks lend debt-laden Reliance Communications (Rcom) $1.18 billion to repayforeign currency convertible bonds worth Rs 6,125 crore ($1.18 billion) on 17 Jan. 2012.

India ranked behind Pakistan, Bangladesh

India has been ranked as 132 behind Pakistan and Bangladesh in 2012 in the World Bankslatest Ease of Doing Business rankings. India has moved up seven points to 132 this year,from 139 last year.

Rupee undervalued 61% : Big Mac Index

The Indian rupee is the most undervalued currency, trading at around 61% below its actualprice against the dollar according to The Economists Latest Big Max Index. The Indexmeasures the effective purchasing power of different currencies by looking at how much McDonalds popular burger costs in various countries.


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Iran explores buying more goods from India

Iran is considering stepping up its purchases from India to obtain a more balanced trade andreduce the payments problem faced by the two countries in setting payments for crude importby India in the wake of fresh sanctions from the US.

Centre plans to boost up textiles sector

The government is planning to give incentives to the textiles sector with retrospective effectas it seeks to revive Indias second largest manufacturing sector burdened with sickness, debtand declining demand.

World Bank cuts Global GDP forecasts

The World Bank on 18 Jan. 2012 warned the developing countries of the upcoming recessiondanger. It cut its forecast for growth in developing economies to 5.4% for 2012 from itsprevious forecast of 6.2% saying expansion in Brazil and India and to a lesser extent Russia,South Africa and Turkey had slowed already.

States want to hike professional tax

In a Budget wish list presented to finance minister Pranab Mukherjee, finance ministers ofstates on 18 Jan. 2012 demanded that the government should allow them to tax topprofessionals more and lift the ceiling from the current 2,500 a year.

Centre urged to give funds directly to States

Majority of States have favoured the Rangarajan Committees recommendations on doingaway with the current system of classification of expenditure into Plan and Non-Plancategories on 18 Jan. 2012. They have also agreed that the BK Chaturvedi Group report on

Centrally sponsored schemes should be implemented. Mr. Sushil Kumar Modi, Chairman ofthe empowered Committee of States Finance Ministers, asked the Centre to give funds to thestates directly for various social sector schemes.

Small And Medium Units Urged

SMEs (small and medium enterprises ) in the country used to work more closely with specialeconomic zones to gain from the facilities extended .

Banks Want Tax Compliance Norms

Banks have moved the finance ministry to ease the procedure relating to the compliance

being faced by depositors to the senior citizen and economically weaker categories . sayingthat pan in forms 15G/15H should not be mandatary .

Center Mulls Textiles Sops With Retrospective Effect

The Government is planning to give incentives to the textiles sectors which are burdenedwith debts.No ,subsidy scheme was given for these campanies in 201011 .Companieswhich were deprived for benifit last year will be covered under the changed rule .

LIC Crosses One Million Mark

The Life Insurance Corporation of Indai has crossed the one million mark in cumulative lives

under its health Insurance segment.


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LIC Launching Jeevan Ankur

Life Insurance Corparation of India is launching a new plan . Lic s Jeevan ankur on 23 rdJan 2012 to meet the educational and other needs of the child .

China To Rescue UK Economy

Chinas fastest growing economic presence in Britan to rescue the UK economy the chinainvestment corporation (CIC) has bought a 8,6% stake in Thames water,which is Britansslargest water and sewerege company .

The production target for worlds largest coal produce coal India ( C I L) is likely to be fixedat 46.4 million tones mt for the 2012-2013 financial year.

4 Pharma FDI Plans Okayed

For money inflow intact, the government has cleared forms foreign direct investmentproposals in pharmaceutical space , dispelling fears that the recent change in rules willeffectively kill foreign investments in the sector.The foreign investment promotion board ( FI P B ) examines proposals that are in approval route on merit .

Tata Power In Talks To Buy 15 % Stake in MEC Coal

The Tata group already owns 30 % in mines promoted by the Bakrie group one of theIndonesias biggest house.Tata company plans to secure coal supplies from Indonesia toreduce power generation costs .If the deal goes on it will be the second time buying a stake inIndonesia coal mines .

R B I Cuts C R R Rates

The Reserve Bank of India on 24 th Jan 2012 cut the cash ratio by 50 basis points from 6% to5.5 % with effect from 28 th Jan 2012 , which would release Rs 32,000 crore in the financialsystem . keeping all other unchanged repo rate at 8.50 % . GDP growth from 7.6% to 7 %now .With the RBI holding back on cutting interest rates due to increased inflation risk fromglobal crude , oil prices, the lingering impact of rupee depreciation .CRR cuts would bringliquidity and help in sensex up .

IndiaSrilanka Bilateral Trade Surges by 70 %

Trade between India and Srilanka surged by more than 70 % in 2011over the pastyears touching all time high of $ 5 billion .

Solar Powered A T M s In Rural Areas

Innovation which makes a difference to peoples lives in the Indain context is verydifferent .The company Vortex placed in Chennai helping the banks by solar powered A TMs installed in rural places .Where as conventional ATMs requires 50 watts of powereveryday while Vortexs machines require just 70 watts power to work .

India Signs International Tax Treaty

The government had made another move to get information about black money stashed awayfrom the country .India had signed the multilateral convection on mutual administrativeassistance regarding tax matters , that promotes international cooperation .India and othercountries joined to ensure that individuals and multinational enterpries pay right amount of


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tax ,at the right place .Which is based on international standards of transparency andexchange of information .

Samsung India To Exit From Window AC Market

Indias largest consumer durable firm Samsung India Electronics had decided to exit fromwindow air conditioners segment from the year 2012 .And completely focusing on fast

growing split air conditioners market ,due to the window AC market is shrinking significantly.

TCS Opens New Facililty In Silicon Valley

The I T major (TCS) Tata Consultancy Services has opened a new facility in U S , It willserve as the world wide headquaters of the companys mobility solution units .And whichaims to bring the benifits of emerging technologies such as big data , analyties and mobilityto enterprises across all industries .

C A G to Audit In States

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India ( C A G ) has decided to audit the spending ofall states under the National Rural Health Mission (N H R M ) Scheme .After hearing a Rs5,754 , crore NRHM scam in Uttarpradesh . The CAG will conduct independent audits ofthe scheme in 17 other states to ascertain losses to exchequer . The ministry has writtenletters to states, asking them to cooperate with their accounts generals.

Excise Duty ,Service Tax May Be Hiked In The Upcoming Budget

To revive Indian economy ,impacted by the global slowdown , the government had providedthree fiscal stimulus packages starting from Dec 7,2008 the government had brought downexcise duty from 14 % to 10 % to miligate the impact of the global financial crises .The duty

was further cut to 8 % on Feb 24, 2009 . On Feb 26 2010 rolled back the cut partially . Theexcise duty and service tax may be hiked by 2% in the upcoming budget . Government isthinking that entire cut be rolled back . When industry is down and demand is depressed ,raising duties may further hurt growth .There will be fiscal deficit likely to be 5.6 % to 5.1% .in 2011-2012 .

Economic Growth Revised Down By 8.5% To 8.4 %

The central Statistics office on 31 st Jan 2012 lowered its estimate for the countrys grossdomestic product (GDP) growth in 2010-2011 to 84 % from 8.5 % earlier , The grossnational income grew 7.9 % in 2010-2011 .GDP growth in Agriculture sector is 7% .GDP

growth in service sector grew up by 9.3 % . GDP growth in financial savings reduced from12.9% to 10 % .GDP growth in private cooperate sector down by 8.2 % to 7.9 % .GDPgrowth in saving of public sectors increased from 0.2 % to 1.7 % .The gross demostic capitalformatiom at current prices increases from Rs. 23.64 lakh crore to 26.92 lakh crore in 2010-2011.The rate of capital formation stood at 35.1 % in 2010-2011 low down than earlieragainst 36.6 % in 2009-2010 . These are the latest revisions ,part of quick estimates of ofnationalincome ,cunsumtion expenditure ,saving and capital information released by centralstatistics office .


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RBI lowers Export Figures by $ 6 B, surprises Economists

The Reserve Bank of India ( RBI ) has revised its export numbers downwards by $6 billion inits balance of payments statement for the first quarter ( AprilJune ) of the fiscal indicatingmassive over statement in the countrys export numbers.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Challenging Iran begins 12 with N fuel rod feat, missile test

Iranian scientists have produced the nations first nuclear fuel rod, a feat of engineering theWest has doubted Tehran capable of, the countrys nuclear agency said on 1 January 2012.

Nasa probe on track, reaches Moon orbit

Grail, 110th Mission to Earths Satellite, will help understand Lunar enigma better.As planetEarth rang in the new year, a different counter sown was happening at the moon. After a 31/2 month journey, a Nasa spacecraft flew over the Moons South pole, fired its engine anddropped into orbit on 1 January 2012 in the first of two backtoback arrivals over the newyear weekend.

A massive star called VFTS 102 is the fastest star that rotates at the rate of million milles perhour100 times faster than our Sun was found to date.

Iran tested successfully two missiles that can chase 200 kms target in the Strait of Hormutzon 2 January 2012.

RE60, Bajajs 4-wheeled vehicle, launched

Indias Bajaj Auto Ltd launched its first-ever four-wheeled vehicle RE60 on 3 January 2012saying the RE60 would target commercial users and three-wheeled vehicle owners in India..

Below Antarctic sea, a lost world of unknown species

British Scientists have discovered what they claim is a lost world of unknown speciesnearly 8, 000 feet deep on sea floor off the coast of Antarctica- kept alive by underseavolcanoes.

The stem cells that can produce different cells in an eye were identified by Nural stemcellsInstitute of Regenerative Research Foundation Scientist Sally Temple on 5 January 2012.

AIDS vaccine for monkeys raises hopes for humans

Scientists in Washington have developed a new vaccine that partially protects monkeys froman infection much similar to HIV, a breakthrough which they say could be a new weapon inthe battle against AIDS. Hydrogendriven threewheelers.

The world got its first fleet of hydrogenfuelled threewheelers on 9 Jan. 2012 whenseven vehicles were unvieled at the ongoing Auto Expo 2012 in New Delhi. Called HyAlfa, the three wheeler is almost zero-emission vehicle while its fuel consumption issubstantially lower as compared to 1kg of hydrogen giving 80 km mileage.The three-wheelers have been developed under a project DelHy 3W, of the United Nations IndustrialDevelopment organisation ( UNIDOs ) Internal Centre for Hydrogen Energy Technologies (


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UNIDO-ICHET ) in association with Mahindra & Mahindra and IIT Delh, besides beingsupported by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy ( MNRE ).

Acer unveils worlds thinnest laptop. The Taiwan-based computer titan Acer unveiled theworlds thinnest laptop in Las Vegas on 9 January 2012.

New earthworm species discovered in Port Blair

Pointing to the rich biodiversity of the Andaman and Nicobar islands , a team of researchersfrom Thiruvanthapuram has identified a new species of earthworm on 10 January 2012. Thespecies has been named Moniligaster ivaniosi" .

Two more planets orbiting binary stars discovered

Kepler-34 b, Kepler-35 b binary star systems have low-density gas plannets orbitingthem..More than 700 planets orbiting a star ( extrasolar planets ) have been discovered tilldate. But a planet orbiting two stars was more in the realms of fiction recently. Scientists on11 January 2012 discovered two circumbinary planets Kepler34 b and Kepler35 b

orbiting binary stars.

Morocco Rocks Come From Mars

Scientists have cliamed that chunks of a meteorit which fell in Moracco last Jully 2011 werefrom Mars .which happened once in every fifty years .

World Smallest 3D Map Created . Scientists have created a miniature world map which hasnow been accepted by the Guinness World Record as the worlds smallest 3D map .A mapwhich can only seen through a microscope .

11 Solar Systems . NASA s kepler telescope has discovered 26 new planets spread among 11

solar systems.

PERSONS IN NEWS

A) Appointments

A P K Reddy has been appointed as the new president of the AP Smallscale IndustrialSocieties Federation on 3 January 2012.

Yahoo appoints Paypals Scott Thompson as new CEO 4 months after firing Carol Bartz on 4

January 2012.

Muralidharan takes charge as Coast Guard Chief. ViceAdmiral M P Muralidharan hastaken charge as the 19th Director General of the Indian Coast Guard on 6 January 2012.

Farida Group Chairman, Raffiq Ahmed was appointed as the new President of Federation ofIndian Exports Organisation ( FIEO ) on 7 January 2012

T.G. Venkatesh elected chief of APBAMinister for Minor and Lift Irrigation T.G. Venkatesh has been elected the new president ofAndhhra Pradesh Badminton Association ( APBA ) on 8 January 2012.


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B D Park is Samsung Indias new MD. Consumer Electronics and mobile phone majorSamsung India Electronics on 9 Jan. 2012 announced the appointment of BD Park as its newmanaging director and the president and CEO of its South-West Asia operations.

NGRI gets new Director

Prof. Mrinal K. Sen has been appointed as the new Director of the National Geophysical

Research Institute ( NGRI ), a part of the Council of the Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR ) on 10 January 2012.

UTIMF gets an interim chief

Imtaiyazur Rahman has been appointed as the interim chief executive officer of UTI MutualFund, the fifth largest fund house in India by assets under management ( AUM ).

B) Resigns

VS Achuthanandan offers to resign as Opposition Leader

Stung by the allegations of corruption and a vigilance FIR registered against him, formerKerala CM and CPM leader VS Achuthanandan has offered to quit the post of Oppositionleader in the State Assembly on 13 January 2012.

Pawar To Make Retirement . National Congress Party ( N C P ) Cheif and Marathastrongman Sharad Pawar has annouced that , he will not contest the next Loksabha electionand make way for younger leadership . he will be copleting his 45 yrs in politics .

C) Deaths

Dancer who brought Bharatnatyam to Maos China dies

Chinese dancer Zhang Jun, who brought Bharatnatyam and Kathak to Maos China in the1950s and inspired thousands to follow her passion for classical Indian culture over acelebrated five decade-long teaching career , passed away in Beijing on 10 January 2012 aftera long battle with cancer. She was 79.

Indias 1st woman photo journalist passes away . Homai Vyarawalla, the countrys firstwoman photojournalist died in Vadodara on 15 January 2012.

Indais Water man Passes Away

Dr .C.H.Krishnamurthy Rao, chairman 7 managing director of Chemfab Alkalies Ltd passes

away on 20 th Jan 2012 .he was known as water man.

Deputy Cheif Minister Passes Away. Former Deputy cheif minister c.Jaganatharao passesaway on 23 rd Jan 2012 .

Intellectual Writer Died. Sukumar Azhikode , award winning writer , scholar and probaly themost influential gandhian died on 24th Jan 2012 .

M . O . H Farook Passes Away . kerala Governor and three times Puducherry Cheif Ministerand M P M. O .H Farook died in chennai on 26 th Jan2012.

First Music Arranger Died . India s first music arranger Anthony Prabhu Gonsalves deid on

18 th Jan 2012 .


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D) Visitors

Pak army Chief leaves for China

pakistan Army Chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani went to China on a five day official visitto China at the invitation of the Chinese leadership on 4 January 2012.

Saudi Arabia Minister of Commerce, Taffic Bin Fazhan AlRabia, who is on a visit to Indiamet Union Minister of Commerce & In dustry, Anand Sharma. Trade between both thecountries exceeded Rs. 2,500 crore dollars in the year 201011.

Trinidad PM visit to India

Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar visited India on 6 January2012. Both the countries agreed for 5 Pacts.

Bangladesh PM in Tripura

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheik Hasina visited Tripura on Jan 11, 2012. She met Tripura

Chief Minister Manik Sarkar. She has been invited to receive an honourary doctorate fromTripura Univesity. This is the first visit by a Bangladesh Prime Minister to Tripura, which

played an important role in Bangladeshs War of Liberation in 1971. She also addressedIndia-Bangladesh Business Meet, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry ( CII )and the Federation of Bangladesh chambers of Commerce ( FBCCI ) in association withgovernment of Tripura.

Nepal Deputy PM on a 4-day visit to India

Nepal Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar has been on a 4-day visit to Indiato hold talks on security issues. During his stay in New Delhi, Mr Gachhadar, who is also the

countrys Home Minister, will meet his Indian Counterpart Mr P Chidambaram, and DefenceMinister, Mr A K Antony, among others.

Visit Of InBer CEO CarlorBrito To India

The worlds largest brewer AB InBER , Carlos Brito has been visited to India in the last weakof Jan 2012 .Brito now heads the joint exiting making him one of the top 30 global CEOsin the world .

Thailand P M Visits India

Thailand Prime Minister Yingluck Shina Watra has visited India 25 th Jan 2012 . she will be

our cheif guest for 63 rd Republic Day celebrations at red fort.

1.5 Lakh Indains Visited Srilanka In 2011

In the period from Jan to Nov in 2011, 1.5 lakh Indian people has been visited Srilanka out ofthe total of about 6.5 lakh tourists ,and the numbers from India are expected to reach an alltime high due to the International Criket committie s Twenty-20 World Cup being held inSrilanka this year .

E) Miscellaneous

$376 m Stock Award for Cook. The one-time stock award worth for Apples CEO is the

largest given by a company in a decade.


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Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook received a one-time stock award worth nearly $400 million, the largest given by a company in a decade on 10 January 2012.

Gilani not an honest man, says Pak SC. Pakistans Supreme Court on 10 Jan 2012 said PMYousaf Raza Gilani wasnot an honest man and slammed hid government for wilfuldisobedience while warning him that he could be removed from office if he does not take

action on corruption cases against president Zardari.Zardari flies to Dubai

Pakistan president Asif Ali Zardari flew out on a surprise trip to Dubai on 12 January2012. Although it was described as a one-day private visit, his sudden disappearance at atime of government military stand off triggered by memogate fuel speculation that he maynot return.

British royal faces 22-yr jail in Turkey over TV documentary

The Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson is reportedly facing more than 20 years in jail, after

Turkey authorities charged for breaching privacy" of orphans in the country by secretlyfilming them for a TV documentary.

Suu Kyi launches bid for Parliament. Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyilaunched her historic bid for a seat in Parliament on 18 Jan. 2012. The Nobel Peace Prizewinner is standing in April 1 by-elections.

PLACES IN NEWS

7.0 Magnitude Earthquake hits Japan

A strong earthquake with a strong magnitude of 7.0 struck heavily eastern and northern Japanon 1 January 2012, but there were dno immediate reports of injuries or damages or notsunami warning issued .

ABBREVIATIONS IN NEWS

AFSPAArmed Forces Special Powers Act

AMCAsset Management Company.

CIIConfederation of Indian Industry.

CRRCash Reserve Ratio.

FIUFinancial Intelligence Unit. . FDIForeign Direct Investment.

FIRFirst information Report.

NCMNational Commission for Minorities.

NCTCNational Counter Terrorism Centre .

NEETNational Eligibility cum Entrance Test.


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NIANational Investigation Agency .

NPANon Performing Asset.

NREGSNational Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme.

NTPCNational Thermal Power Corporation.

NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration.

SEBISecurities and Exchange Board of India.

SAILSteel Authority of India Limited.

FCCBForeign Currency Convertible Bonds.

WPIWholesale Price Index.

IPICOLIndustrial Promotion and Investment Corporation of Odisha Ltd .

UIDAIUnique Identification Authority of India .

IAMAI -Internet And Mobile Association of India .

FCCBForeign Reliant Iregated Area Development .Currency Convertible Deberture .

A P R P R PAndhra Pradesh Rural Powerty Reduction Project.

T R I AD - Tank Reliant Iregated Area Development .

I W A IInland Waterways Authority Of India

OECD -Organisation For EconomicCooperation and Development .

A I B E AAll India Bank Employees Association .

NREDCAPNew and Renewable Enenrgy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh .

JNNSM - Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission .

TRRAINTrust For Retailers and Retail Associates of India .

FIEOThe F ederation Of Indian Export Organisation .

MMRCA - Meduim Multi Role Combat Aircraft .

PHCGPublicis Healthcare Communications Group .

BOOKS IN NEWS

Visually challenged boy pens Novel

Inspired by author J.K. Rowlings Harry Potter and series , a visually challenged 18 year-oldViswanath Venkat Dasari from a formers family in Gokavaram of East Godavari District,

has spent seven years of his life and wrote a book Pharaoh and the King, a story based on


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Indian and Egyptian mythology. The book was published by Author House, UK. Priced at$19.95, the book was released in the United States and the United Kingdom.

COMMITTEES IN NEWS

The Supreme Courtappointed empowered committee heard the submission made by Keralaand Tamil Nadu on the Mullaperiyar Dam issue on 2 Jan 2012. Kerala complained to theempowered committee headed by former Chief Justice of India, Justice A S Anand that asurvey done by the expert panel last month was biased and the panel had supported TamilNadu during its inspection of the dam site.

A twomember export panel comprising C D Thatte and D K Mehta had visited the dam siteafter Kerala expressed fears in the wake of recent tremours in the area.

DAYS &DATESMarch 02Common Wealth Day .

March 08International Womens Day , International Literacy Day.

March 13World Kidney Day .

March 15Worlds Disabled Day , World Consumers Day.

March 08Ordnance Foctories Day.

March 21World Sleep Day ,World Forestry Day , International Day For The Eliminationof Racial Discrimination.

March 22World Day For Water.

March 23World Meterological Day .

March 24World TB Day , Internation Day For Achievers .

March 25International Day Of Remembrance .

March 26Bangladesh Day .

March 27World Drama Day .

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01 January 2012 Current Affairs Study Material