2nd September 2013 - Current Affairs Updates
International Affairs
- As the world’s leading economies prepare to meet this week in Russia, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has called on countries to show leadership and commitment to achieve a sustainable future.
- After nearly a gap of three years, India and Japan will resume their negotiations on the civil nuclear pact tomorrow in Tokyo where the officials, directed by their respective leaders to accelerate the talk process towards an early conclusion, will meet for the fourth round.
- India and South Korea today discussed the potential for space and nuclear cooperation, upgrading of the bilateral trade and economic ties and collaboration in defense production.
National Affairs
- Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today launched a portal aimed at making Mahatma Gandhi "accessible all over the world". This portal has been set up to preserve, protect and disseminate his writings.
- Jammu and Kashmir government has launched mobile medical units in three mountainous districts to cater to the rural population.
- The Karnataka government is drawing up a Rs 2,100 crore project with loan assistance from Asian Development Bank, to develop and upgrade eight city clusters around Bangalore to woo investment and ease the load on the State capital.
- The Finance Ministry has issued tax demand notices of at least Rs 240 crore to some private companies and individuals who were involved in the conduct of 2010 Commonwealth Games-related projects here after the CVC detected huge tax evasion.
- The National Green Tribunal Monday stepped in to ban sand mining from river beds across India without prior environmental approval, saying illegal extraction of sand was leading to huge monetary and environmental losses.
Science and Technology
- Giving a major thrust to Indian Air Force’s capability to swiftly move troops and tanks to battle fronts, Defence Minister A K Antony today formally inducted its biggest 70-tonne C-17 heavy-lift transport aircraft into service at the Hindon Air Base.
- SupremeCourt issues notice to Centre on plea to stop use of pentavalent vaccine on children to prevent diseases like measles,whooping cough.
Appointments
- S Bal Shekar, Secretary in the Lok Sabha secretariat, has been asked to perform the duties of the Lok Sabha Secretary General after TK Vishwanathan relinquished his office on August 31.
- Justice NuthalapatiVenkataRamana, judge of Andhra Pradesh High Court sworn-in as Chief Justice of Delhi High Court.
Awards and Honors
- Founder of Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti Dr D R Mehta (social service), Jasdev Singh (commentary), Pandit Ramnarayan (Sarangi player), late Nagendra Singh (law), late Kailash Sankhla (environment protection), late Hasrat Jaipuri (Art and Culture) and late Gavri Devi (Maand singer) have been presented with Rajasthan Ratna awards.
- Two ITBP officers Prem Singh and Hira Ram have been awarded Tenzing Norgay national adventure Award by President Pranab Mukherjee on the occasion of national sports day.
- N. N. Vohra, Governor Jammu and Kashmir, presented the President’s Police Medals for Gallantry and Distinguished and Meritorious Services to 90 Police officers and men at an impressive Investiture Ceremony held at Raj Bhavan today.
Economy
- State Bank of India (SBI) today said it has raised its stake in its Indonesian subsidiary to 99 per cent.
- According to a Qatar National Bank's (QNB) report, the assets of top 10 Gulf banks rise16% in one year to end June 2013 to USD 743 billion.
- Bhutan seeks investments from India in different sectors such as infrastructure, power, education, healthcare, IT and financial services to further enhance economic ties between the two countries.
- State-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) and Essar Oil have been shortlisted to bid for development of Iraq's USD 4.4 billion Nassiriya oil field and the construction of a new 300,000 barrels per day refinery.
