RAPID GK SERIES 14

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">1. The Father of Indian Industry is<br /> 2. The Shakespeare of India is<br /> 3. The Other name of this Country is Emerald Island<br /> 4. The Granite City of the World is<br /> 5. India’s First Newspaper is<br /> 6. This Lady Freedom Fighter is the founder of the Newspaper called ‘New India’ is<br /> 7. He is the founder of Mughal Emperor<br /> 8. This is the First Bank which was established in India<br /> 9. The Unit of Time is<br /> 10. He is the First Governor of Reserve Bank of India<br /> <br /> <strong>ANSWERS</strong><br /> <br /> 1. Jamshedji Tata<br /> 2. Kalidas<br /> 3. Ireland<br /> 4. Abardeen, Scotland<br /> 5. Bengal Gazette<br /> 6. Annie Besant<br /> 7. Babur<br /> 8. Bank of Hindustan<br /> 9. Second<br /> 10. Sir Smith</div>

RAPID GK SERIES 14

1. The Father of Indian Industry is 2. The Shakespeare of India is 3. The Other name of this Country is Emerald Island 4. The Granite Cit...

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LS begins discussion on Judicial Standards & Accountability Bill, 2010

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Lok Sabha is now discussing the Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill,2010.</span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">The Bill seeks to create a mechanism to increase the accountability of the Supreme Court and High Court Judges. It will pave the way for inquiring into their individual complaints and recommend appropriate action.</span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">The Bill, moved by the Law Minister Salman Khurshid for consideration and passage in the house, is also aimed to have a mechanism to declare assets and liabilities of Judges, strengthening the independence of Judiciary. </span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">The Bill further provides for setting up of the National Judiciary Oversight Committee to monitor the behaviour of the Judges. It seeks to repeal the Judges Inquiry Act, 1968 while retaining its basic features.</span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">The Minister also introduced a Constitutional Amendment Bill to raise the retirement age of High Court Judges including the additional and acting Judges of these Courts from 62 to 65 years. </span></span><br /> </li> </ul></div>

LS begins discussion on Judicial Standards & Accountability Bill, 2010

Lok Sabha is now discussing the Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill,2010. The Bill seeks to create a mechanism to increase the...

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EC asks parties in poll bound states to avoid cash transactions

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">The Election Commission has written to all political parties asking them to avoid cash transactions and instruct their cadres not to carry huge cash during the assembly elections in five states.   </span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">The Commission has written a letter to this effect to all recognized political parties in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Goa and Manipur to curb money power during elections.    </span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">The Commission has advised candidates to open separate bank accounts for their election expenses and to make all election expenses through the said bank accounts</span></span><br /> </li> </ul></div>

EC asks parties in poll bound states to avoid cash transactions

The Election Commission has written to all political parties asking them to avoid cash transactions and instruct their cadres not to carr...

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Japan keen to strengthen economic ties with India

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Japan has expressed its keenness to strengthen economic ties with India.</span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Ahead of delegation level talks with the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh later this evening, Mr. Yoshihiro Noda said that he will hold wide ranging talks with his Indian counterpart on political, economic and security issues in his summit meeting.</span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">The two countries are expected to sign a currency swap deal worth ten billion US dollars. Japan is also expected to announce an investment of 4.5 billion dollar investment for Delhi-Mumbai industrial corridor project.</span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Indo-Japan Civil Nuclear Cooperation is at the centre of talks between the two leaders .</span></span><br /> </li> </ul></div>

Japan keen to strengthen economic ties with India

Japan has expressed its keenness to strengthen economic ties with India. Ahead of delegation level talks with the Prime Minister Dr. ...

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Somali Pirates hijack Italian cargo ship with 18 crew including Seven Indians

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Somali Pirates hijacked an Italian cargo ship with 18 crew including Seven Indian seafarers off the coast of Oman.   </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">    </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">The 18 member crew consists of six Italians, five Ukrainians and seven Indians. The incident took place when the ship, Enrico Ievoli , carrying a cargo of caustic soda from the United Arab Emirates was on its way to Turkey in the Mediterranean sea.</span></span><br /> </li> </ul></div>

Somali Pirates hijack Italian cargo ship with 18 crew including Seven Indians

Somali Pirates hijacked an Italian cargo ship with 18 crew including Seven Indian seafarers off the coast of Oman.        The 18 memb...

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Annual tiger census from next year

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">The National Tiger Conservation Authority, NTCA, has decided to conduct an annual tiger census from next year. It will start in all 39 tiger reserves of the country.</span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">This  census will continue in tandem with the ongoing every four years census. </span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">The  objective of an annual exercise is to ensure that the field staff remains on alert regarding tiger population. </span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">The  Authority will also provide 35 lakhs rupees to each tiger reserve for this project.</span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;"> </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">For this census operation, a two-day regional training workshop has also been organized by NTCA at the Panna Tiger Reserve in Madhay Pradesh.</span></span><br /> </li> </ul></div>

Annual tiger census from next year

The National Tiger Conservation Authority, NTCA, has decided to conduct an annual tiger census from next year. It will start in all 39 ti...

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LS passes Whistle blowers' Protection Bill, 2011

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Whistle blowers' Protection Bill, 2011 was passed by the Lok Sabha last night. It seeks to provide for setting up a regular mechanism to encourage persons to disclose information on corruption or wilful misuse of power by public servants, including ministers. </span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">The Bill also seeks to provide adequate protection to persons reporting corruption or wilful misuse of discretion that causes demonstrable loss to the government or commission of a criminal offence by a public servant. </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">       </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">While the measure sets out the procedure to inquire into the disclosures and provides adequate safeguards against victimisation of the whistle-blower, it also seeks to provide punishment for false or frivolous complaints.</span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Major amendment cleared by the Cabinet is the inclusion of ministers, MPs, defence services, intelligence agencies, bank officials and PSUs under the ambit of the bill. The Special Protection Group has been kept out of the ambit of the Bill.</span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">One of the recommendations of the Committee to include higher judiciary (Judges of Supreme Court and High Courts) has been rejected. </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;"> The definition of competent authority to which a complaint can be made, has also been expanded.  </span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">For complaint against a Union Minister, the competent authority is the Prime Minister; for MPs, Lok Sabha Speaker or Chairman of Rajya Sabha; for lower court judges, the High Court of the state; for central or state government employees, CVC or state vigilance commissions.  </span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">It provides for punishment for revealing the identity, either negligently or with malafide intention, of the person who reports matters regarding corruption by a public servant.</span></span><br /> </li> </ul></div>

LS passes Whistle blowers' Protection Bill, 2011

Whistle blowers' Protection Bill, 2011 was passed by the Lok Sabha last night. It seeks to provide for setting up a regular mechanism...

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Iran threatens to close Strait of Hormuz

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">The Iranian Vice President Ali Rahimi has warned that the Strait of Hormuz will be closed off to oil shipments if the West increases sanctions against his country.</span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">The statement has come at a time when Iran is conducting naval war games near the Strait of Hormuz.    </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">      </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">More than a third of the world’s tanker-borne oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz.</span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Iran is the second largest producer and exporter of oil after Saudi Arabia in the region.</span></span><br /> </li> </ul></div>

Iran threatens to close Strait of Hormuz

The Iranian Vice President Ali Rahimi has warned that the Strait of Hormuz will be closed off to oil shipments if the West increases sanc...

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E-governance project helps check pension fraud

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Mandya, a thriving agricultural town till the late 1980s, is set to change with the state government along with the Reserve Bank of India and IT services firm Ventura Infotech digitising the entire pension records and issuing smart cards to pensioners to plug the leakage.         </span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">It is perhaps one of the biggest financial inclusion projects where technology can come to aid of thousands of old and poor farmers, widows and other rural pensioners. But that's only the first part.      </span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">For the last-mile authentication and financial transaction, the state government has tied up with a Karnataka-based private bank. A bank correspondent will now be sent to each pensioner's house with a card-reader where the pensioner would swipe his smart card and give his thumb impression. </span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Once the bank receives the data at its central server, the amount would be credited to the pensioner's bank account. The system is expected to fight ground-level corruption by cross-checking the pensioner's identity against multiple database, making it difficult for any single agency or person to log false information. </span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">The initial phase has already begun at Mandya Taluk where 52,000 beneficiaries have been photographed for smart card delivery and bank account opening. Physical verification of all pensioners eligible for benefits will now begin in the rest of the district.       </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">    </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Once successful, the project will be carried out in Bellary, Gulbarga and Chamrajnagar. The e-governance project is not the only technology pilot happening in Mandya. Last February, IBMResearch, the R&D division of IBM, started pilot projects for one of its initiatives called the Spoken Web in Mandya. </span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">According to IBM, the project aims to connect "billions of people without sufficient literacy, without regular access to a computer" with a voice-driven Internet that can be accessed through mobile phones. </span></span><br /> </li> </ul></div>

E-governance project helps check pension fraud

Mandya, a thriving agricultural town till the late 1980s, is set to change with the state government along with the Reserve Bank of Indi...

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China to build world’s highest airport in 2012

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">China will construct the world's highest-altitude airport next year in Tibet, which will the sixth in the strategic Himalayan region.</span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">The airport, planned at an altitude of 4,436 meters in Nagqu prefecture, will be 102 meters higher than Bamda Airport in Tibet's Qamdo prefecture , currently the world's highest</span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">The airport will cover an area of up to 660 acres.</span></span><br /> </li> </ul></div>

China to build world’s highest airport in 2012

China will construct the world's highest-altitude airport next year in Tibet, which will the sixth in the strategic Himalayan region....

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EU to charge green tax from airlines

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">The European Union plans to charge a green tax on flights to the US from Jan 1. </span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">The move is part of a carbon-trading rule on airlines using EU airports. A family of four now faces an extra charge of 80 pounds to fly to the US after the Brusselsruling on carbon emissions. </span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">The EU carbon-trading rule is designed to curb emissions of carbon dioxide from aircraft engines. Each airline will be allocated pollution permits slightly less than its average emissions record for previous years. </span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">If it exceeds its limit it can buy permits from other airlines that have emitted less than allowed and have leftover permits to sell. </span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">The aim is to persuade or force airlines to emit less carbon by upgrading their fleets or becoming more efficient.</span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">All revenue derived by the EU from the programme will go towards fighting climate change.</span></span><br /> </li> </ul></div>

EU to charge green tax from airlines

The European Union plans to charge a green tax on flights to the US from Jan 1.  The move is part of a carbon-trading rule on airline...

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Obama, Hillary Clinton again top most admired list

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">President Barack Obama and secretary of state Hillary Clinton continue to be named by Americans as the most Admired Manand most admired woman living today in any part of the world. </span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">While Obama has been the most admired man four years in a row Clinton has been the most admired woman each of the last 10 years, according to a new Gallup poll, leading public opinion pollster. </span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">The top five most admired men also include George W Bush, Bill Clinton, Billy Graham, and Warren Buffett, while Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Obama, Sarah Palin, and Condoleezza Rice round out the top five Most Admired women. </span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Hillary Clinton has now topped the list of most admired women a total of 16 times since 1993, finishing second in 1995 and 1996 to Mother Teresa and in 2001 to Laura Bush. </span></span><br /> </li> </ul></div>

Obama, Hillary Clinton again top most admired list

President Barack Obama and secretary of state Hillary Clinton continue to be named by Americans as the most Admired Manand most admired w...

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American teenager becomes youngest to climb 7 summits

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">A California teenager has become the youngest person to successfully climb to the summit of the seven tallest mountains on Earth's seven continents. </span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Fifteen-year-old Jordan Romero's mother, Leigh Ann Drake, has confirmed her son called her after he reached the top of Mt Vinson Massif in Antarctica. </span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">The teen beat the record previously held by 16-year-old British climber George Atkinson.</span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">At age 10, Romero climbed Mt Kilimanjaro in Africa, and at age 13 he climbed Mt Everest in Asia.</span></span><br /> </li> </ul></div>

American teenager becomes youngest to climb 7 summits

A California teenager has become the youngest person to successfully climb to the summit of the seven tallest mountains on Earth's se...

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Kim Jong-il state funeral held in North Korea

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div id="5349" style="display: block;"> <ul><li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">North Korea has begun two days of funeral services for late leader Kim Jong-il with a huge procession in the capital, Pyongyang.</span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Footage showed tens of thousands of soldiers with their heads bowed as a giant portrait of Mr Kim was carried slowly through the streets</span></span><br /> </li> </ul></div></div>

Kim Jong-il state funeral held in North Korea

North Korea has begun two days of funeral services for late leader Kim Jong-il with a huge proces...

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China gets approval for Afghanistan oil exploration bid

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">China has gained potential access to millions of barrels of oil after it won approval for oil exploration and extraction in Afghanistan.</span></span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;"> </span></span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">The country's cabinet approved a deal to allow China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) to develop oil blocks in the Amu Darya Basin.<strong> </strong></span></span><br /> <br /> </li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">The basin is estimated to hold around 87 million barrels of oil.</span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;"><strong></strong></span></span><br /> </li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">The deal comes as China is looking to expand its oil resources in wake of a growing domestic demand.</span></span></li> </ul></div>

China gets approval for Afghanistan oil exploration bid

China has gained potential access to millions of barrels of oil after it won approval for oil exploration and extraction in Afghanistan. ...

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Path Is Cleared for Yemeni Leader to Get Care in U.S.

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div id="5351" style="display: block;"> <ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">The Obama administration has decided in principle to allow the embattled president of </span><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Yemen</span><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">, </span><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Ali Abdullah Saleh</span><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">, to enter the United States for medical treatment, subject to certain assurances.</span></span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;"> </span></span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">But those conditions — including a proposed itinerary — have not yet been submitted to the American Embassy in Yemen</span></span></li> </ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div></div></div>

Path Is Cleared for Yemeni Leader to Get Care in U.S.

The Obama administration has decided in principle to allow the embattled president of  Yemen ,  Al...

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Argentine president Cristina Fernandez has cancer

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Argentina's President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner gives a thumbs-up after being sworn-in in Buenos Aires </span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Cristina Fernandez will be operated on for thyroid cancer in January, a government spokesman said on December 27, 2011. The carcinoma has not metastasized</span></span><br /> </li> </ul></div>

Argentine president Cristina Fernandez has cancer

Argentina's President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner gives a thumbs-up after being sworn-in in Buenos Aires  Cristina Fernandez w...

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India on track for $25 billion trade with Japan by 2014

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;"><span>Japanese Prime Minister </span><span>Yoshihiko Noda</span><span> called for greater </span><span>economic relations</span><span> between two of Asia's largest economies, after India's trade minister said </span><span>bilateral commerce</span><span> was on track to reach a relatively low $25 billion by 2014. </span></span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">India and Japan enjoy warm diplomatic ties, but at a paltry $15 billion, bilateral trade in 2010 was less than 5 percent of Japan's commerce with China. </span></span><br /> </li> </ul></div>

India on track for $25 billion trade with Japan by 2014

Japanese Prime Minister  Yoshihiko Noda  called for greater  economic relations  between two of Asia's largest economies, after India&#...

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India to get Russian nuclear attack sub in days’

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Indian Navy is set to receive a major boost when the much-awaited Russian 'Nerpa' nuclear attack submarine would join its fleet "in the next few days" on a 10-year lease worth USD 920 million.   </span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">The Akula-II class Nerpa nuclear submarine has finished sea trials and is now ready to be leased to the Indian navy in the next few days.</span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">The submarine, capable of remaining underwater for months will be rechristened as 'INS Chakra' and it would be for the first time in more than two decades that the Indian Navy would have a nuclear attack submarine. </span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">When Russia makes the delivery, it will make India only the sixth operator of nuclear submarines in the world.</span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">The ten-year lease is worth USD 920 million</span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">The submarine deal had figured during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Russia earlier this month. </span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">The Nerpa, an Akula II-class attack submarine, had originally been scheduled for delivery in 2008 </span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">The Akula-II class submarines are equipped with 28 nuclear-capable cruise missiles with a striking range of 3,000 km. The Indian version is reportedly expected to be armed with the 300-km Club nuclear-capable missiles. </span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">India had funded the completion of the Nerpa nuclear submarine at Amur Shipyard before the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. </span></span><br /> </li> </ul></div>

India to get Russian nuclear attack sub in days’

Indian Navy is set to receive a major boost when the much-awaited Russian 'Nerpa' nuclear attack submarine would join its fleet &...

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Shyamlal sets record in national weightlifting meet

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;"> Shyamlal M of SSCB has set a record by lifting 188 kg in clean and jerk in men`s 94 kg category in the National Weightlifting Championship on his way to winning the title and three gold medals.    </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">        </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Shyamlal broke the earlier record set by Sukhwinder Singh of Punjab in the same category in 2009.   </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">    </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;"> </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">He also stood first in snatch by lifting 158 kg and 338 kg overall.</span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">In the 69 kg women category, Monika Devi of Jharkhand stood first in snatch (99 kg), clean and jerk (116 kg) and total (215 kg) and bagged three gold medals. </span></span><br /> </li> </ul></div>

Shyamlal sets record in national weightlifting meet

 Shyamlal M of SSCB has set a record by lifting 188 kg in clean and jerk in men`s 94 kg category in the National Weightlifting Championsh...

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<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">A Russian court rejected a petition seeking a ban on translation of Bhagavad Gita on account that it is "extremist literature" and promotes "social discord". </span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva; text-align: justify;">The court in the Siberian city of Tomsk began decided in favour of the translation by the founder of the international Hare Krishna movement. </span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva; text-align: justify;">The case filed by state prosecutors in Tomsk claimed that the renowned translation of the text, titled "Bhagavad Gita As It Is" is "extremist literature" and should join Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf on a list of banned books.</span> </span></div></li> </ul><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">"Bhagavad Gita As It Is" -- first published in 1968 -- is a translation of and commentary on the original text by Swami Prabhupada, the founder of the international Hare Krishna movement, ISKCON. </span></span><br /> </li> </ul></div>

A Russian court rejected a petition seeking a ban on translation of Bhagavad Gita on account that it is "extremist literature" ...

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Law to curb money laundering to go global, tougher

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div id="5357" style="display: block;"> <ul><li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">The Government tabled the Prevention of Money-Laundering (Amendment) Bill, 2011, in the Lok Sabha</span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">. It seeks to introduce the concept of a “corresponding law” to link the provisions of Indian law to those of other countries and to provide for transfer of the proceeds of foreign predicate offence committed in any manner in India.</span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">The Bill enlarges the definition of money-laundering to include concealment, acquisition, possession and use of proceeds of crime as criminal activities and to remove the existing limit of Rs. 5 lakh in fine.</span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">The Bill provides for attachment and confiscation of the proceeds of crime even if there is no conviction so long as it is proved that money-laundering has taken place and the property in question is involved in the crime. It confers powers on the director of reporting entities, such as banks, financial institutions and intermediaries, to call for records of transactions or any additional information that may be required for prevention of the crime and to make enquiries for non-compliance with reporting obligations.</span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">The Bill proposes to make the reporting entities and their designated directors on the board and employees responsible for acts of commission and omission. The reporting entities need to maintain a record of all transactions, including information for reconstructing individual transactions. These entities will maintain records of documents in proof of the identity of their clients and beneficial owners as well as account files and business correspondence.</span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">The PMLA, 2002, was aimed at preventing money laundering and confiscating property derived from, or involved in, the crime. It was amended in 2005 and 2009 to remove the difficulties in its implementation.</span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;"><br /> </span></span><br /> </li> <li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva; text-align: justify;">The Bill also provides for appeal against the orders of the Appellate Tribunal in the Supreme Court, instead of in the High Court as mandated by the existing laws. A person aggrieved by the Tribunal's decision or order may file an appeal within 60 days of the date of communication of the order. The court may allow the appeal to be filed within a further period not exceeding 60 days, if it is satisfied that the applicant has been prevented by sufficient cause from appealing within the stipulated period</span></span></li> </ul></div></div>

Law to curb money laundering to go global, tougher

The Government tabled the Prevention of Money-Laundering (Amendment) Bill, 2011, in the Lok Sabha...

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India, Thailand to accelerate extradition treaty

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Thailand and India are aiming to accelerate pacts to ensure that Bangkok does not remain a magnet for fugitives</span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">The two sides also held talks on connecting mega ports being built in Myanmar and Thailand with Indian ports</span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;"> The  two sides were keen on accelerating negotiations on transfer of sentenced persons and an extradition treaty.</span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">At present, the India-Thailand Joint Working Group on Security Cooperation looks into transnational crimes, counter terrorism and criminal justice matters. </span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Thailand Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra who will be the chief guest at the Republic Day parade.</span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Accelerating  the India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway besides focussing on connecting Indian ports with two mega port projects — Myanmar's Dawei Port and Pak Bara in Thailand — where Thai companies are investing in a big way.</span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">The  Early Harvest Scheme of the proposed Free Trade Agreement had already led to near doubling of bilateral trade, making India Thailand's 17th largest trading partner.</span></span><br /> </li> </ul></div>

India, Thailand to accelerate extradition treaty

Thailand and India are aiming to accelerate pacts to ensure that Bangkok does not remain a magnet for fugitives The two sides also hel...

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