06 December 2013

Updated Current Affairs October 2013


INTERNATIONAL
Gambia Decided To Withdraw From The Commonwealth
The Gambia is on 2 October decided to withdraw from the Commonwealth, 48 years after joining. Gambian, a West African country joined the Commonwealth of Nations in 1965.The last country to be withdrawn from the Commonwealth group was Zimbabwe in 2003.The Commonwealth of Nations is a voluntary association of 54 countries, many of them former territories of the British Empire. It was established in 1949.
China and EU Signed Bilateral Currency Swap Agreement
China and the European Union signed a 350 billion yuan (45 billion euro) currency swap agreement on 10 October.The agreement signed between the People’s Bank of China and the European Central Bank (ECB), aims to support bilateral trade and protect financial stability.
US and Vietnam Signed Nuclear Trade Agreement
The US and Vietnam have on 10 October signed a agreement on civilian nuclear power that will allow american firms in to the market and commits the vietnamese to not producing ingredients for aotmic weapons.U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and his vietnamese counterpart signed the “123 agreement ” at the East Asian Summit in Brunei .
Mulatu Teshome Elected New President of Ethiopia
Ethiopia’s parliament on 7 October elected Mulatu Teshome as the country’s new president for a six-year term. Mulatu Teshome will replace Girma Wolde Giorgis, who first took the post in 2001 and was re-elected in 2007.Mulatu Teshome was elected at a joint session of the House of Peoples Representatives (HPR) and the House of Federation (HoF). Mulatu Teshome is the Fourth president of Ethiopia.
Five New Members Elected To UN Security Council
The UN General Assembly on 18 October elected Chad, Chile, Lithuania, Nigeria and Saudi Arabia to a two-year term in the UN Security Council.Saudi Arabia rejected its seat on the United Nations Security Council because of the failure of the international community to end the war in Syria and act on other Middle East issues.The New Council members will replace Azerbaijan, Guatemala, Morocco, Pakistan and Togo.The new members will assume their posts on 1 January 2014 and serve through the end of 2015.The 15 Members of  the Security Council has five veto-wielding permanent members — the United States, Britain, France, Russia, and China — and 10 nonpermanent members.
Social Democratic Party Won Czech Republic Elections
The CSSD Social Democratic Party has won the parliamentary elections held in the Czech Republic with 20.5 percent of the vote.The office of statistics in Prague announced on 26 October.Coming in third was the KSCM Communist Party, with 15 percent, while the the party that was in power until recently, the liberal Top 09, was left with 11.9 percent.Also finding a place in the 200-seat parliament was the liberal ODS party, which crashed from 20 percent in 2010 to 7.7 percent this time out.The conservative Christian Democrat KDU-SCL with 6.8 percent, and the new Dawn of Direct Democracy party of the senator and businessman of Japanese origin, Tomio Okamura, with 6.9 percent.

INDIA & WORLD
India To Reach 160 cr Population By 2050
On 2 October According to the French Institute of Demographic Studies (INED) survey report, India will be a country of 160 crore population by 2050.Then, China, currently world No 1 with 130 crore, will become No 2 with 130 crore people.The total world population is projected to rise to 9.7 billion in 2050 from the current 710 crore.Besides, China and India, currently, the world’s most populous countries are: the US 31 crore, Indonesia 24.8 crore and Brazil 19.5 crore.According to the report, the projected population of other countries in the world by 2050  will be :- Nigeria 44 crore, US 40 crore, Indonesia 36 crore, Pakistan 36 crore, Brazil 22 crore, Bangladesh 20 crore, Congo 18crore, Ethiopia 17 crore, Philippines  15 crore, Mexico  15 crore, Russia 13 crore, Tanzania 12 crore, Egypt 12 crore, Uganda 11crore, Vietnam 10 crore, Iran 9.9 crore, Japan  9.7 crore, Kenya 9.7 crore, Turkey  9.3 crore, Iraq 8 crore, UK 7.9 crore, Germany 7.6 crore, France 7.2 crore.
Bangladesh and India Inaugurated Joint Power Transmission Plant
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on 5 October jointly inaugurated the India-Bangladesh Grid Inter-connection at Bheramara in Bangladesh.The joint venture was launched through video-conferencing. The transmission line and the HVDC station in Bheramara provide a safe and reliable interconnection of the power grids of our two countries, which will enable supply of 500 MW of power from India to Bangladesh.Both the Prime Ministers also jointly laid the foundation stone for 1320 megawatt Maitri Thermal Power Project, being developed by Bangladesh-India friendship power-company which is a joint venture of India’s NTPC and Bangladesh Power Development Board.
Global Hunger Index Report 2013
The 2013 Global Hunger Index (GHI), released on 14th October 2013 by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Welthungerhilfe, and Concern Worldwide- revealed that 842 million people were chronically under nourished across the world.South Asia continued to have the maximum number of hungry people in the world, followed by sub-Saharan Africa.India has moved from 65 to 63 in the Global Hunger Index, making a marginal improvement since 2012, but continues to suffering far behind other emerging economies.
Global Slavery Index – 2013
The Australia-based rights organisation Walk Free Foundation (WFF) on 17 October released its first ‘Global Slavery Index – 2013, ranking 162 countries on the number of people in slavery and bondage per capita and the absolute number of slaves.According to the report , About 14 million Indians are living in conditions of modern-day slavery, nearly half of 30 million across the world.The ten countries on the list, which follow India (13,956,010)  , are:-  China (2,949,243), Pakistan (2,127,132), Nigeria (701,032), Ethiopia(651,110),Russia(516,210), Thailand(472,811), Democratic Republic of Congo (462,327), Myanmar (384,037), and Bangladesh (343,192).Mauritania has the highest proportion of people in slavery, with many people inheriting slave status from their ancestors.Haiti came second in the index, with about one in 10 children trapped in an exploitative system of child labor.The survey revealed that 72 percent of people in modern slavery lived in Asia.The WFF defines modern slavery as something which includes slavery itself along with other slavery-like practices such as forced marriage, debt bondage, forced labour and human trafficking.The Foundation’s estimate of 29.8 million slaves worldwide is higher than other attempts to quantify modern slavery. The UN estimates almost 21 million people are victims of forced labour.
India and China Signed Border Defence Cooperation Agreement
India and China have signed a Border Defence Cooperation Agreement (BDCA) to maintain peace and tranquility on the Line of Actual Control.The agreement is one of the nine MOUs/agreements signed by the two countries on 23 October.The agreements were signed after the bilateral talks between Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in Beijing.The other 8 agreements/Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) were :-
(i) MoU on Nalanda University (ii) MOU to Strengthen Cooperation on Trans-Border Rivers (iii) Cultural Exchange Programme 2013-15 (iv) MoU on Cooperation in Road Transport and Highways (v) MoU on Power Equipment Service Centres in India (vi) Agreement between Delhi-Beijing on Establishment of Sister City Relationship (vii) Agreement between Bengaluru – Chengdu on Establishment of Sister City Relationship (viii) Agreement between Kolkata – Kunming on Establishment of Sister City Relationship.
1.3 Million People Died of  Tuberculosis (TB) Worldwide in 2012
The  “Global tuberculosis report 2013 released by World Health Organization (WHO) on 23 October.According to the report , Tuberculosis (TB) killed 1.3 million people worldwide in 2012, while India alone accounted for 26 per cent of total TB cases globally.The report found that global TB deaths decreased to 1.3 million in 2012, which is 100,000 less than the previous year.Approximately 75 per cent of total TB deaths occurred in the African and South-East Asia Regions in 2012. India and South Africa accounted for about one-third of global TB deaths.The report also found that the number of people ill with TB fell to 8.6 million in 2012.The largest number of incident cases in 2012 were India (2.0 million-2.4 million), China (0.9 million-1.1 million) and South Africa (0.4 million-0.6 million).The majority of TB cases worldwide in 2012 were in the South-East Asia (29 per cent), African (27 per cent) and Western Pacific (19 per cent) regions.

NATIONAL
Union Cabinet Decided to Withdraw Ordinance and Bill Relating to Representation of People’s Act
Union Cabinet on 2 October decided to withdraw the ordinance on convicted lawmakers, as well as the Bill that sought to amend the Representation of the People Act.The Union Cabinet had approved on 24 September 2013.The ordinance, once promulgated, will allow the convicted MPs or MLAs to continue in office if their appeal is admitted by a higher court within 90 days of conviction by the trial court.The Ordinance which sought to negate the Supreme Court order of 10 July 2013 which ruled that any lawmaker would stand immediately disqualified if convicted by a court.
CCEA approves Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA)
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) , a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) on 3 October for reforming the state higher education system.During the 12th Plan period, 80 new universities would be created by converting autonomous colleges/colleges in a cluster to State universities. 100 new colleges, including professional/technical colleges would be set up and 54 existing colleges would be converted into model degree colleges.In the 12th Plan period, RUSA would have a financial outlay of 22855 crore Rupees, out of which 16227 crore Rupees will be borne by the Centre.Apart from this, allocation of 1800 crore Rupees in the 12th Plan for the existing scheme Sub-Mission polytechnics would also be subsumed in RUSA.Centre-State funding would be in the ratio of 90:10 for North-Eastern States, Sikkim, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand and 65:35 for other States and Union Territories.RUSA will be a new Centrally Sponsored Scheme spread over two plan periods, for improving access, equity and quality in the state higher education system.
64,000 Married Men Commit Suicide Every Year In India
On 3 October According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) statistics revealed more incidences of suicide by married men than by married women.
Highlights of the Report  :-
* The alleged misuse of section 498 A of IPC is leading to a rise in men’s suicides in the country.A report of the National Crime Records Bureau(NCRB) has pointed out that nearly 64,000 men are committing suicide every year due to this section.
*  In 2012 approximately 64,000 married men committed suicide vis-a-vis 32,000 married women.
* As per the Survey , In West Bengal the number of cases under the section has grown exponentially at the rate of 11 per cent in the last two years but the conviction rate has dropped to just 4.4 per cent from 6.3 per cent earlier.The state accounts for 1.06 lakh cases recorded.
Cabinet Approves National Identification Authority of India Bill
The Union Cabinet on 8 October approved the National Identification Authority of India Bill that will give statutory status to the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).The new law will provide for the creation of a National Identification Authority of India ,which will oversee implementation of the Aadhaar project.The bill will give legal backing to Aadhaar, the project which aspires to give every Indian a uniquely identifiable number based on biometrics.Besides giving statutory status to the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), the Bill seeks to provide legal backing to Aadhaar, which is used to disburse subsidies.Adhaar is a unique Identification number issued by UIDAI to individuals for the purpose of establishing unique identification of every single person. It serves as the proof of identity and address anywhere in India.Aadhaar is a 12-digit number.
Land Acquisition Act To Come into effect from 2014 January 1
Union Minister for Rural Development Jairam Ramesh on 15 October announced the 2013 Land Acquisition Act would come into force on January 1, 2014.The new law received the assent of the President on 27 September 2013.Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh took the decision after consideration of another view, particularly from state governments, that the Act replacing a 119-year-old legislation should be notified from April 1, 2014.

STATES
Gujarat Lokayukta Aayog Bill 2013 Passed By State Assembly
The Gujarat Lokayukta Aayog Bill 2013 has been passed by state Assembly on 1 October after it was returned by Governor Kamla Beniwal. The Governor had on September 2 returned the Lokayukta Aayog Bill 2013 passed by the Assembly in April, 2013.
Foundation Stone Laid For First Mega Food Park In Uttar Pradesh
Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing, Government of India Dr. Charan Das Mahant laid the foundation stone on 8 October for establishment of Shaktiman mega Food Park (the first in the north India) in Jagdishpur of Amethi district in Uttar Pradesh.The Shaktiman Mega Food Park was set up with assistance under the programme Scheme of Mega Food Parks.It will be developed with the assistance of Aditya Birla Group.The Park will have most-modern infrastructure and facilities for food processing.
President Gave Assent To Uttarakhand Lokayukta Bill
The President of India Pranab Mukherjee on 17 October 2013 gave his assent to the Uttarakhand Lokayukta Bill ,which will bring the chief minister among others under the ambit of the ombudsman, with a provision of punishment up to life imprisonment.With this Uttarakhand Lokayukta Bill became an Act.The main objective of the Lokayukta Act was to curb corruption in the Uttarakhand state.The Bill was unanimously passed by the Uttarakhand Assembly on October 2011.
Assembly Elections Schedule Announced For Five States
The Election Commission on 4 October announced the schedule for Assembly Elections to be held in five states, namely Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Mizoram will be held between 2013 November 11 and 2013 December 4.The counting of votes will be held for Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh on 8 December 2013.The Election Commission on 23 October changed the Mizoram assembly election schedule by advancing the polling on November 25 and postponing the counting by a day to December 9.As per the Supreme Court direction a ‘None of the Above’ button (the option of rejecting all candidates) would be provided in electronic voting machines in the polls.Over 11 crore electorate in all five states.630 Assembly seats in total in five states.
Five States Election Schedule as Announced by the Election Commission :-
* Chhattisgarh- 11 Nov 2013 (Phase I), 19 Nov 2013 (Phase II) – (90-member state assembly)
* Madhya Pradesh- 25 Nov 2013 -  (230-member state assembly)
* Rajasthan- 1 Dec 2013 – (200- member state assembly)
* Delhi- 4 Dec 2013 – (70- member state assembly)
* Mizoram- 25 Nov 2013 – (40- member state assembly)
Himachal Becomes 2nd State After Haryana To Introduce NVQF
Himachal Pradesh on 26 October has become the second state after Haryana to introduce Centre’s National Vocational Qualitative Framework ( NVQF) Scheme.The scheme has been implemented by the All India Technical Education Council and the National Skill Development Council. As per the scheme, 70 skill development councils will be established and each council will be given specific trades. The scheme was being implemented for students of Class IX to Class XI and every student has to clear four levels to get the certificate.
Gujarat CM Laid The Foundation Stone Of Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel’s Statue
Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on 31 October laid  the foundation of the Statute of Unity-a 182-metre tall statue (World’s largest statue) of  India’s first Home Minister and iron man Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his 138th birth anniversary at Sardar Sarovar Dam site in Bharuch district in Gujarat.The Statue of Unity will be double of the height of the Statue of Liberty (93 metres) in the USA.This Statue , which is being constructed at a cost of Rs. 2,074 crore, will be double of the height of the Statue of Liberty (93 metres) in the USA.The statue is to be built on an island called Sadhu Bet on the river Narmada in Gujarat.The ‘Spring Temple Buddha’ statue in China is the closest rival at a height of 153 metre.

CONFERENCES
23rd ASEAN Summit Held in Brunei Darussalam
The 23rd ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) summit was held in Brunei Darussalam on 9 – 10 October 2013.The theme of the summit is “Our People, Our Future Together”.The leaders of 10 ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) member countries discussed on ways to consolidate these gains to meet the 2015 target of having an economically integrated, politically cohesive and socially responsible ASEAN Community and to ensure ASEAN’s place in the global community of nations by 2015 and beyond.One of the highlights of the ASEAN Summit in Brunei was the turn-over of the Chairmanship to Myanmar who for the first time assumes leadership of this regional organisation beginning 1 January 2014.The 10 ASEAN nations are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Laos, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was established in 1967.

AWARDS & HONOURS
Malala Yousafzai Won EU’s Sakharov Human Rights Prize 2013
Pakistani schoolgirl and campaigner Malala Yousafzai, who was shot in the head by the Taliban, has won the European Union’s (EU) Sakharov human rights prize 2013 on 10 October .In 2012 the award went to detained Iranians, lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh and film maker Jafar Panahi, to honour those standing up for a better Iran.The Sakharov Prize for free speech is awarded by the European Parliament annually in memory of Soviet physicist and dissident Andrei Sakharov.Previous winners include former South African president Nelson Mandela and former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan.
M.S Swaminathan Gets ‘ Indira Gandhi National Integration Award ‘
Eminent agricultural scientist Dr. M.S Swaminathan, known as the father of Green Revolution, on 10 October selected for the Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration for the year 2012.Previous recipients of the Award are Aruna Asaf Ali, P N Haksar, M S Subbulakshmi, A P J Abdul Kalam and Shankar Dayal Sharma and Rajiv Gandhi (posthumously).The Indian national congress, in its centenary year 1985, instituted an Indira Gandhi award for national integration to give recognition to outstanding contribution to this cause by distinguished individuals or institutions.
2013 Nobel Prize Winners
The Nobel Prize winners of 2013 in the different categories were announced in the month of October 2013. Nobel Prizes are announced by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences every year in the memory of Alfred Nobel.The categories were the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, the Nobel Prize in Physics, the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences, The Nobel Literature Prize and The Nobel Peace Prize.Swedish industrialist, inventor, and armaments manufacturer Alfred Nobel established the prizes in 1895.The prizes in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature, and Peace were first awarded in 1901.The related Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences was created in 1968.The prize is awarded on December 10 in Oslo City Hall each year.The value of each prize is 1.2 million US Dollar.
The Nobel Prize winners of 2013 in the different categories were as follows:-
Medicine :- James Rothman and Randy Schekman of US as well as German-born Thomas Suedhof won the 2013 Nobel Prize for Medicine and Physiology .They were awarded for their groundbreaking work on how the cell organises its transport system. James Rothman, Randy Schekman and Thomas Suedhof work at the US universities.The three of them discovered the complex transport system in the human body which makes the delivery of the life-saving proteins and molecules at right place and right time. James Rothman, Randy Schekman and Thomas Suedhof work at the Yale University, University of California and Stanford University respectively.
Physics :- Peter Higgs, United Kingdom and Francois Englert , Belgium jointly awarded Nobel Prize for Physics.They were awarded for the theoretical discovery of a mechanism that contributes to our understanding of the origin of mass of subatomic particles.Their contribution forms the cornerstone of modern particle physics.Higgs and Francois Englert discovered a quantum field which is a distribution of energy, throughout the universe. It is a field with special properties. When the field is disturbed, waves travel through it. The dimmest possible wave is called a particle in the field. They called this field as Higgs field. In the Higgs field particles are called as Higgs Boson.
Chemistry :- Michael Levitt, a British and US citizen of Stanford University, US-Austrian Martin Karplus of Strasbourg University and US-Israeli Arieh Warshel of the University of Southern California share The Nobel Prize in Chemistry.They were awarded Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2013 for the development of multi scale models for complex chemical systems.
Literature :- Canada’s Alice Munro won the Nobel literature prize for her short stories that focus on the frailties of the human condition, becoming just the 13th woman to win in the history of the coveted award.The Swedish Academy honoured Munro as a master of the contemporary short story. She won the Man International Booker Prize in 2009 for a body of work.She won the Giller Prize twice, for The Love of a Good Woman in 1998 and Runaway in 2004.
Economics :- The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences decided to award The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel for 2013 to Eugene F. Fama, Lars Peter Hansen and Robert J. Shiller for their empirical analysis of asset prices.The three American Economists awarded for their work on creating a deeper knowledge of how market prices move.
Peace :- The Nobel Peace Prize for 2013 has been awarded to the Organisation for the Prevention of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) for its extensive efforts to eliminate chemical weapons.The Hague-based OPCW was founded in 1997 to implement the Chemical Weapons Convention signed on January 13, 1993.The organisation is presently involved in destroying Syria’s stockpiles of chemical weapons – the first time the OPCW has worked in a war zone.This marks the second consecutive year an organisation has won the prestigious award. Last year’s award went to the European Union.
Eleanor Catton Wins 2013 Man Booker Prize
New Zealand author Eleanor Catton at the age of just 28 years, became the youngest ever winner of the ‘ 2013 Man Booker Prize ‘ for her novel ” The Luminaries ” on 15 October at the London’s Guildhall.Her 832-page novel The Luminaries is the story of 19th-century goldfields, which won 50000 Pound Man Booker Prize 2013 along with a trophy, and Emmanuel Roman.The Luminaries is also the longest work to win this prize in the history of 45 years of Man Booker Prize.The Luminaries is the longest ever book to win this Prize, beating Hilary Mantel’s 672-page Wolf Hall which received the Man Booker Prize 2009.
Lata Mangeshkar Honoured With The First ” Yash Chopra Memorial Award”
Legendary singer and Bharat Ratna awardee Lata Mangeshkar has been honoured with the First Yash Chopra Memorial Award.The Award carries a cash prize of Rs 10 lakhs (One million) and a citation was presented by the Union Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting Manish Tewari at a star studded function in Mumbai on 19 October.The award is a tribute to the legendary filmmaker Yash Chopra on the eve of his first death anniversary.Yash Chopra the memorial award will be given annually to people in recognition of their outstanding contribution in the field of art and culture.The Yash Chopra Memorial Award has been instituted by the TSR Foundation of T. Subbarami Reddy.
Aung Suu Kyi Received EU ‘ Sakharov ‘ Prize After 23 years
Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi  was on 22 October presented with the European Union’s Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought at Strasbourg, France.She was chosen by the European Parliament in 1990.The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought announced by the European Parliament in 1990 when she was under house arrest.The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, named after Soviet scientist and dissident Andrei Sakharov, was established in December 1988 by the European Parliament as a means to honour individuals or organisations who have dedicated their lives to the defence of human rights and freedom of thought.

SPORTS & GAMES
Sports Ministry Announced HRD scheme In Sports
Government of India, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports have revised the existing ‘Scheme relating to Talent Search & Training’ and renamed it as ‘Scheme of Human Resources Development in Sports’. This was announced by the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Jitendra Singh on 1 October.The scheme intends to award fellowships and scholarships, besides providing financial grants to a number of projects in order to develop one of the top 10 sporting nations in the country.
Mumbai Indians Won 2013 Champions League Twenty-20
Mumbai Indians won the 2013 Champions League Twenty-20 title after defeated Rajasthan Royals by 33 runs in New Delhi on 6 October.This was the second Champions League Twenty-20 title for Mumbai Indians.The Mumbai Indians secured the Champions League Twenty20 title in 2011 after defeated Bangalore Royal Challengers.Harbhajan Singh gets Man of the Match.Dwayne Smith, in the meanwhile, was declared Champion of the Series.This was the last T-20 match of Sachin Tendulkar and Royals skipper Rahul Dravid after they both announced their retirement from T-20 format.
China Open Tennis Tournament 2013 Winners
Women’s Singles :- Serena Williams (U.S) won the China Open Tennis Tournament women’s singles title on 6 October at the National Tennis Stadium in Beijing, China.Williams defeated Jelena Jankovic of Serbia in the final.It was her 10th title of the year.
Men’s Singles :- Novak Djokovic (Serbia) won his fourth China Open Men’s Singles title in five years ,after defeated Rafael Nadal (Spain) in the final.Novak Djokovic won the same tournament earlier in 2009, 2010 and 2012.
Women’s Doubles :- Sania Mirza won the China Open tennis doubles title with Cara Black of Zimbabwe on 5 October in Beijing.They defeated Vera Dushevina of Russia and Arantxa Parra Santonja of Spain in the final.It is fifth title of the season for Sania Mirza and 19th overall.
Men’s Doubles :- Belarus’ Max Mirnyi and Romania’s Horia Tecau have won the men’s doubles title.They defeated Italian pair Fabio Fognini -Andreas Seppi in the final.
Sachin Tendulkar Announced Retirement From Test Cricket
India legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar on 10 October announced his decision to retire from Test cricket after playing his landmark 200th Test match against the West Indies in November 2013. Previously, Sachin Tendulkar announced retirement form one day cricket on 23 December 2012 and from Twenty20 cricket format on 26 May 2013.The Sachin Tendulkar made his Test debut against arch-rival Pakistan at Karachi in 1989. He is the only batsman to score 100 international centuries — 51 in Tests and 49 in ODIs.His 198 Test appearances yielded 15,837 runs at an average of 53.86.From his 463 ODI matches, he had, under his belt, a whopping 18,426 at an average of 44.83.
Virat Kohli Becomes Fastest Indian To Score Century In ODIs
Virat Kohli has added another feather to his illustrious cap scoring a century off only 52 deliveries, thus becoming the fastest Indian to score a One-Day International (ODI) century.This is the seventh fastest century in ODI cricket.He achieved the feat against Australia in the second ODI at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on 16 October.Kohli broke Virender Sehwag’s 60-ball century which was scored against New Zealand at Hamilton in 2009. Kohli’s knock at Jaipur was punctuated by eight boundaries and seven sixes.
North and South Zone Declared Joint Winners of Duleep Trophy
North Zone and South Zone were declared joint winners of the Duleep Trophy 2013-14 after the fifth day’s play of the final match was called off due to bad weather in Kochi on 21 October .Only 10 overs, on the second day on 18 October were possible in the five-day match as wet ground conditions at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium due to persistent rain played spoilsport.It was the fourth instance in the history of Duleep Trophy when the title has been shared.
Sebastian Vettel Wins 4th F1 Title at Indian Grand Prix
German Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel won the Indian Grand Prix on 27 October at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida ,Uttar Pradesh.He becomes the youngest ever racer to win Formula one Championship four times in a row.Mercedes Nico Rosberg (GER) finish second followed by Romain Grosjean (FRA) of Lotus in third place.Only two drivers before Vettel have won four straight titles – Juan Manuel Fangio from Argentina and German great Michael Schumacher. Frenchman Alain Prost is another driver who has won four titles but he did not win those in a row and Vettel is now youngest quadruple champion at the age 26.At present he is the world champion as he won the Championship in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 .

ECONOMY
Mumbai 72nd Rank On Global Financial Centre Index
On 1 October Mumbai has slipped six places to 72nd rank, the bottom 10, on the Global Financial Centre Index (GFCI), while London has retained its top slot.Mumbai is the only Indian city to find a place on this bi-annual list of 80 financial centres globally and was ranked 66th in its previous edition published in March this year.In the top-five, London is followed by New York, Hong Kong, Singapore and Tokyo.Others in the top 10 are: Zurich (6th), Boston (7th), Geneva (8th), Frankfurt (9th), Seoul (10th).Although New Delhi, the country’s political hub, was added the GFCI questionnaire recently, it is “yet to acquire sufficient assessments to be included in the index”.
India Ranks 78th On Human Capital Index
According to the global Human Capital Index , India has been placed at a low 78th slot on a global Human Capital Index, which ranks countries on the basis of economic potential of their labour force, while Switzerland has topped the ranking. According to the list of total 122 countries released on 1 October by the Geneva-based World Economic Forum (WEF), India has been ranked lower than three of its BRICS peers — China (43rd), Russia (51st) and Brazil (57th), while South Africa is placed at 86th place.
India Tops Foreign Remittances Recipients List
The World Bank report entitled ” Migration and Remittance Flows: Recent Trends and Outlook-2013-16 ” released on 2 October revealed that India emerged as the largest recipient of foreign remittances among developing economies in 2013.In 2013 Non-Resident Indians (NRI) sent a record 71 billion Dollars home compared to 70 billion dollars in 2012. According to a Word Bank report NRIs are estimated to remit up to 85 billion dollars a year by 2015.India (with an estimated 71 billion Dollars) continued to top the remittances list in 2012 while China is placed a close second with $66 billion expected migrant remittances in the same year.The  Philippines (26 billion Dollars) got third place in the list.Globally, the world’s 232 million international migrants are expected to remit earnings worth 550 billion Dollars in 2013 and over 700 billion Dollars by 2016.Remittance is the act of transmitting money to a distant location to fulfill an obligation. International remittances are transfers of funds by foreign workers—remitters—who are living and working in other countries typically to their families who are still living in their home countries.
World Bank cuts India’s 2013-14 GDP forecast to 4.7%
The World Bank on 16 October slashed India’s economic growth forecast for the current financial year to 4.7 percent from an earlier projection of 6.1 percent.In April, the World Bank had projected India’s GDP would grow at 6.1 percent in the current financial year and at 6.7 percent the following year.
Four Indians in Fortune’s List of 50 Most Powerful Women in Business
On 20 October Four Indians led by ICICI Bank CEO Chanda Kochhar have made to Fortune magazine’s global list of top-50 women business leaders, while PepsiCo chief Indra Nooyi has been ranked second in a similar list for the US.Kochhar has been ranked fourth, followed by National Stock Exchange chief Chitra Ramkrishna at 17th, Axis Bank’s Shikha Sharma at 32nd and HSBC’s Naina Lal Kidwai at 42nd place among the Indians on the international list of most powerful women in business.Kochhar, Managing Director and CEO of India’s largest private sector bank, has moved up one position from her fifth position on the 2012 list, while NSE’s Ramkrishna has made it to the list for the first time.This list is topped by Brazilian energy giant Petrobras’ CEO, Maria Das Gracas Foster, followed by Turkish conglomerate Sabanci Holding’s Guler Sabanci at the second and Australian banking giant Westpac’s CEO Gail Kelly at the third.
RBI increases Repo Rate By 25 Basis Points
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 29 October released the Second Quarter Review of Monetary Policy 2013-14.According the released statement by the RBI, the Repo rate increased by 25 basis points from 7.5 percent to 7.75 percent.
The highlights of the Second Quarter Review of Monetary Policy 2013-14 :-
* RBI reduced the marginal standing facility (MSF) rate by 25 basis points from 9.0 percent to 8.75 percent with immediate effect.
* RBI also increased the policy repo rate under the liquidity adjustment facility (LAF) by 25 basis points from 7.5 percent to 7.75 percent with immediate effect.
* Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) unchanged at 4 Percent
* RBI downward FY14 GDP growth to 5 percent from 5.7 percent.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
India Successfully Test Fired Nuclear Capable ‘ Prithvi-II ‘ Missile
India on 7 October test-fired its indigenously developed nuclear-capable Prithvi-II missile with a strike range of 350 km from Chandipur Integrated test range in Odisha.India on 8 October successfully test-fired for the second time Prithvi-II missile from a test range at Chandipur.The surface-to-surface missile was test fired from a mobile launcher.The Prithvi II missile inducted into India’s Strategic Forces Command in 2003, the Prithvi II missile is the first missile to be developed by DRDO under India’s Integrated Guided Missile Development Program.It is capable of carrying 500 kg to 1000 kg of warheads and thrusted by liquid propulsion twine engines, uses advanced inertial guidance system with manoeuvring trajectory.The last user trial of Prithvi-II was successfully carried out from the same base on 12 August 2013.
Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel INS ‘ Sunayna ‘ Commissioned
INS Sunayna, the second of the Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel class of ship, was on 15 October commissioned by Vice Admiral Satish Soni, Flag Officer Commanding in Chief Southern Naval Command.The ship was designed and built by the public sector Goa Shipyard.INS Sunayna will strengthen the Indian Navy capability to safeguard the maritime interests.Two diesel engines propel INS Sunayna and enables it to achieve speeds in excess of 25 knots. The ship also has an automatic power management system and is fitted with the latest Navigation, Communication and Electronic Support Systems.The ship is equipped with the most advanced communication, navigation and electronic warfare equipment besides a 76-mm SRGM (Super Rapid Gun Mount), and close-in weapon system (CIWS). The vessel also has the ability to embark an advanced light helicopter (ALH) or a Chetak search and rescue helicopter.
Scientist Developed World’s First Fully Bionic Man
In the month of October 2013 Scientists have developed the world’s first robot human (Bionic man) made entirely of prosthetic parts.The bionic man can walk, talk and has a beating heart.Bionic man was assembled from prosthetic body parts and artificial organs donated by laboratories around the world.The bionic man also has a nearly complete set of artificial organs including an artificial heart, blood, lungs (and windpipe), pancreas, spleen, kidney and functional circulatory system.He also sports a cochlear implant, speech recognition and speech production systems. He lacks a few major organs including liver, stomach and intestines, which are too complex to replicate in a lab. His brain can mimic certain functions of the human brain and he has a retinal prosthesis.Roboticists Rich Walker and Matthew Godden of Shadow Robot Co in England developed the bionic man.The robot was modeled in some physical aspects after Bertolt Meyer, a social psychologist at the University of Zurich in Switzerland, who wears one of the world’s most advanced bionic hands.The total cost for development of the robot is around 1 million US Dollars.
Chinese Scientists Developed Bird Flu Vaccine
Chinese scientists announced on 25 October they had successfully developed the vaccine for the H7N9 bird flu virus.This is the first influenza vaccine ever developed by Chinese scientists.The vaccine has provided important technical support to battle the new flu strain, making contribution to the H7N9 flu virus epidemic control all over the world.
World’s Most Powerful ‘ MRI ‘ Scanner Developed
Scientists have developed the world’s most powerful MRI scanner – strong enough to lift a 60 metric tonne battle tank.The imager’s superconducting electromagnet is designed to produce a field of 11.75 Teslas, making it the world’s most powerful whole-body scanner. Most standard hospital MRIs produce 1.5 or 3 Teslas.The development of the scanner, known as Imaging of Neuro disease Using high-field MR And Contrastophores (INUMAC), has been in progress since 2006 and is expected to cost about USD 270 million.

PERSONS IN NEWS
A) APPOINTMENTS
Arundhati Bhattacharya Takes Charge As First Woman Chief of  SBI
Arundhati Bhattacharya on 7 October took over as the new chairperson of the State Bank of India (SBI). She is the first woman to be appointed to the top job at the country’s largest lender.She succeeds Pratip Chaudhuri who retired on 30 September 2013.She will hold the post for a period of three years in this 207-year-old bank.This is the first time that an SBI chief will get a three-year tenure —  the first time that any SBI chairperson is getting such a fixed term— irrespective of when the person will retire.Bhattacharya is the bank’s 24th chairperson of  State Bank of India (SBI).Earlier, she was managing director and chief financial officer of SBI.She also holds the distinction of becoming the first woman managing director of SBI in 2013 August. She joined SBI in 1977 as a probationary officer and has served in various positions, including head of SBI Capital Markets Ltd, the bank’s investment banking unit.
Janet Yellen Nominated as Head of US Federal Reserve Board
US President Barack Obama has on 9 October nominated Federal Reserve Board vice-chair Janet Yellen to be the next head of the Federal Reserve Board.Janet Yellen replaced Ben Bernanke as Chair of the Federal Reserve Board.Janet Louise Yellen took office as Vice Chair of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System on 4 October 2010, for a four-year term.Janet Yellen is the first woman to lead the Federal Reserve Board and also the first Democrat to head the Board since 1979.
Pakistan Appoints Ibne Abbas new Envoy To India
Pakistan has appointed on 9 October Syed Ibne Abbas as its new high commissioner to India replacing Salman Bashir.Previously Syed Ibne Abbas served as the Director of Kashmir Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.He also acted as the Director General of the South Asia division.
Arunendra Kumar Appointed as new Chairman of  Railway Board
The Railways on 16 October  appointed acting Chairman of the Railway Board Arunendra Kumar as the head of the Board.Arunendra Kumar, the Mechanical Member, was holding additional charge of Chairman, Railway Board (CRB) after the retirement of Vinay Mittal on June 30.
Air Marshal Arup Raha Appointed as new IAF Chief
Air Marshal Arup Raha has been appointed on 29 October as the next chief of the Indian Air Force (IAF).He will take over as the next chief of the Indian Air Force on December 31, 2013 after the retirement of Air Chief Marshal N A K Browne.Air Marshal Raha is currently  serving as the IAF vice-chief.He joined IAF in December 1974 in the Fighter Stream.During a career spanning over 39 years, he has held various command, staff and instructional appointments in the force.He has served as Air Attache at the Indian embassy in Ukraine and commanded the Central Air Command and the Western Air Command.
B)RESIGNS
Goa Lokayukta Justice B Sudershan Reddy Resigned
Goa Lokayukta justice B Sudershan Reddy has resigned from his post citing personal reasons on 17 October.Sudershan Reddy former judge of the Supreme Court was appointed as the Lokayukta on March, 8, 2013. Mr. Reddy, the first ever Lokayukta of the state, assumed charge in March 2013.
C)DEATHS
US Thriller Author Tom Clancy Died
Tom Clancy, the writer known for thrillers, especially The Hunt for Red October and Patriot Games, died in Baltimore, US on 1 October .He was credited with 17 New York Times bestsellers and had launched into the career of writing with the help of the then US president Ronald Reagan.Clancy arrived on best-seller lists in 1984 with “The Hunt for Red October.”Tom Clancy was born on 12 April 1947 in Baltimore, US.He was an American author who was best known for detailed espionage as well as military sciences stories set during and after the time period of the Cold War.
Legendary Singer Manna Dey Died
Legendary singer Manna Dey has died on 24 October in Bangalore.His original name was Prabodh Chandra Dey but he was nicknamed Manna.He began his playback career with the film ‘Tamanna’.He debuted in the film Tamanna in 1942, and went on to record more than 4000 songs during 1942-2013. The Government of India honoured him with the Padma Shri in 1971, the Padma Bhushan in 2005 and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2007.
D)VISITORS
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Visited Russia
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Visited Russia on 20 – 21 October 2013.During the visit , Prime Minister Manmohan Singh attended the 14th India-Russia Annual Summit with President Vladimir Putin at Moscow.They discussed priority areas of bilateral cooperation and noted common positions on current international and regional issues.Both nations agreed to expeditiously finalise the General Framework Agreement and the Techno-Commerical Offer for for Units- 3 & 4 of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant.India and Russia pitched for implementation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) quota reforms latest by January to give more representation to the emerging economies in the multilateral institution. India currently has a voting share of 2.44 per cent in the Washington-based IMF. US has the highest voting share of 17.69 per cent.Minister Manmohan Singh was conferred an Honorary Doctorate by the prestigious Moscow State Institute of International Relations.He became the first Indian to receive an honorary doctorate from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations.
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Visited China
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Visited China from 22 – 24 October 2013.During his three day visit , Manmohan Singh held bilateral talks with Chinese premier Li Keqiang in Beijing .After the talks , both nations signed a border defence cooperation agreement and several other agreements to focus on growth and strengthening of relationship between the two sides.The exchange of visits by the prime ministers within the same calendar year was the first since 1954. Premier Li Keqiang had visited India in May 2013. India and China agreed to study the possibility of setting up an economic corridor spanning the two nations and covering Bangladesh and Myanmar.
E)MISCELLANEOUS
‘ Google ‘ Tops World’s Best Multinational Work Places List
According to the human resources consultancy ‘Great Place to Work Institute’ latest survey , Internet giant Google has emerged as the world’s best multinational company to work for, followed by software developer SAS Institute and network storage provider NetApp in the second and third place, respectively.Software giant Microsoft was ranked fourth.There is no India-based company in this list and all 25 firms are either American or European.
Indian-American Emily Shah Crowned ‘ Miss New Jersey USA 2014 ‘ Title
Eighteen-year-old Indian-American Emily Shah has won Miss New Jersey USA 2014 title.Emily Shah, a resident of Edison, home to a large Indian-American community, was crowned on 20 October at a glittering ceremony in Parsippani , a small hill township in the state.Emily Shah would now compete for Miss America and Miss Universe titles.

PLACES  IN  NEWS
Archaeologists Discovered 3,300-year-old Ancient City In Iran
Archaeologists on 2 October have discovered an ancient city called ‘Idu ‘, that thrived between 3,300 and 2,900 years ago, hidden beneath a mound in the Kurdistan region of northern Iraq.Located in a valley on the northern bank of the lower Zab River, the remains of the city Idu, are now part of a mound created by human occupation called a tell, which rises about 32 feet above the surrounding plain.
World’s Largest Hindu Temple To Come Up In Bihar
The world’s largest Hindu temple named ” Virat Angkor Wat Ram Mandir ” with a towering height of 405 feet , will be built in Bihar.The proposed Virat Ramayan Mandir, at Janki Nagar near Kesaria in West Champaran district, about 125 km from Patna, will stand almost double the height of world-famous 12th century Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia, which is 215 feet high.The temple is to be built at a cost of over Rs.500 crore.

ABBREVIATIONS
BPCL  -  Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited
AAA   -  Asian Athletics Association
CITU  -  Centre of Indian Trade Unions
EVM  -  Electronic Voting Machine
ERDA  -  Energy Research and Development Administration
FEMA  -  Foreign Exchange Management Act
GFCI  -  Global Financial Centres Index
GIC  -  General Insurance Corporation
MNC  -  Multi National Corporation
NASA  -  National Aeronautics and Space Administration
OPEC  -  Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries
WEF  -  World Economic Forum

BOOKS IN NEWS
Autobiography of Malala Yousafzai entitled ‘ I am Malala ‘ Released
The autobiography of Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani schoolgirl who was shot by the Taliban for supporting girls’ education released on 8 October in London.Malala Yousafzai’s story is detailed in  I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and was Shot by the Taliban, co-written with British journalist Christina Lamb, and tells of the day two Taliban gunmen boarded her school bus on 9 October 2012, and shot her in the head.The autobiography talks about Yousafzai’s life as an activist under the Taliban’s brutal rule in northwestern Pakistan in the mid-2000s, when the group banned female education and bombed local schools.

COMMITTEES
Mukul Mudgal Committee Submitted Report on Cinematograph Act
The Empowered Committee headed by Mukul Mudgal, retired Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court submitted its report on 9 October to Information and Broadcasting Minister, Government of India.The committee was appointed to examine issues of certification under the Cinematograph Act, 1952 and give recommendations.The committee was constituted by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on 4 February 2013.The committee revisited major areas of concern and has made key recommendations on issues such as: Advisory Panels; Guidelines for certification and issues such as portrayal of women, obscenity and communal disharmony; Classification of Films; Treatment of Piracy; Jurisdiction of the Appellate Tribunal; and Review of the provisions of the Cinematograph Act, 1952.Apart from giving its recommendations, the committee has also proposed a draft Cinematograph Bill.
Kirit Parekh Committee on Pricing of Diesel, Petrol & LPG Submits Report
Kirit Parikh committee on advising Pricing Methodology for Diesel, Domestic LPG and PDS Kerosene submitted report to the Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry on 30 October.The committee in its report recommended a price increase of 5 Rupees per litre in diesel, 4 Rupees per litre in kerosene, and 250 Rupees in LPG cylinder with immediate effect.The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on 12 June 2013 constituted an Expert Group to advice on Pricing Methodology for Diesel, Domestic LPG and PDS Kerosene.The panel was headed by planning commission member Dr. Kirit S. Parikh.

IMPORTANT DAYS AND DATES
United Nations Day Observed Across the World on 24 October
The United Nations Day was observed across the world on 24 October 2013. The UN Day is observed to mark the anniversary of entry into force in 1945 of the UN Charter. The founding document was ratified on this day by its signatories, including the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. With this, the United Nations came into being officially. 24 October is celebrated and observed as the UN day since the year 1948. In the year 1971, the UN General Assembly recommended that this day should be observed as the public holiday by the Member States.
World Food Day Observed Every Year on 16 October
World Food Day celebrated on 16 October every year across the world since 1981. The main objective of the World Food Day is to strengthen national and international solidarity in the struggle against hunger, malnutrition and poverty and draw attention to achievements in food security and agricultural development.The Theme of the World Food Day 2013 is Sustainable Food Systems for Food Security and Nutrition.
Source: FreeJobAlerts

Updated Current Affairs September 2013


INTERNATIONAL
Tony Abbott is Australia’s new Prime Minister
Tony Abbott , Leader of the Liberal Party elected as the Prime Minister of Australia on 8 October.Liberal Party won the 44th Parliamentary elections. Liberal Party defeated the in-power Labor Party in the general elections held on 7 September 2013 to return back in power as the Liberal-National coalition for the first time in six years.With this win, Tony Abbott the leader of the Liberal-National Coalition will become the Prime Minister of the Country and successor of Kevin Rudd of the Labor Party.The coalition won 88 seats in the 150 seat Parliament. The ruling Labor Party was successful in winning 57 seats.
US and Russia Agreement on Removing Chemical Weapons on Syria
The United States and Russia have on 14 September agreed on a framework for removing chemical weapons from Syria .The break- through was announced after three day talks between the US Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Geneva.The USA and Russia have agreed that Syria’s chemical weapons must be destroyed or removed by mid-2014. USA outlined a six-point framework under which Syria must hand over a full list of its stockpile within a week.
European Union Pledges 650 million euros To Somalia
The European Union has pledged 650 million euros ($868 million) in aid to Somalia to back a three-year reconstruction plan aimed at building on fragile security gains in the country.International donors met in Brussels on 16 September to approve Somalia’s “New Deal.”International donors pledged 1.8 billion euros for Somalia.
232 Million Global Migrants Living Abroad World Wide
On 12 September According to the new figures from the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN-DESA) showed that 232 million people, or 3.2 percent of the world’s population, live abroad worldwide, compared with 175 million in 2000 and 154 million in 1990.With more people than ever living abroad, Asia sees the largest increase of international migrants in the past decade, and the US remains the most popular destination.New figures from the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN-DESA) showed that 232 million people, or 3.2 percent of the world’s population, live abroad worldwide, compared with 175 million in 2000 and 154 million in 1990.The new estimates include breakdowns by region and country of destination and origin, and by sex and age. The north, or developed countries, is home to 136 million international migrants, compared with 96 million in the south, or developing countries.
Egyptian Court Bans Muslim Brotherhood
The Egypt court on 23 September has banned the Muslim Brotherhood from carrying out any activities in the country.The court also ordered the seizure of any assets held by the Brotherhood, estimated by the interim military-backed government to have more than a million members.The administrative court gave the ruling after a lawsuit was filed by the leftist Tagammu Party to review the Islamist group’s status as a non-governmental organisation.

INDIA & WORLD
3rd India – Republic of Korea Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue Held In Seoul
The 3rd India – Republic of Korea (ROK) Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue (FPSD) was held in Seoul on 2 September .The Indian side was led by Mr. Ashok K. Kantha, Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Republic of Korea (ROK)  side was led by First Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Kim Kyou-hyun.Both nations discussed ways to further expand and deepen their Strategic Partnership. They undertook a comprehensive review of bilateral ties, including in the fields of economic collaboration, defense and security cooperation, cultural exchanges and people-to-people contacts.They agreed to step up cooperation in the spheres of maritime and cyber security.It was agreed that the 4th India-ROK Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue will be held at New Delhi at a mutually convenient time in 2014.
Government Approves India-Abu Dhabi Air Services Agreement
The India-Abu Dhabi bilateral air services agreement, which ran into controversy following the Jet-Etihad deal, was approved by the Government of India on 2 September enabling their airlines to fly 50,000 seats each week, up from the current level of 13,700.The agreement received post-facto approval of the Union Cabinet at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in NewDelhi
7th India-Laos Joint Commission Meeting Held In Vientiane
The 7th India-Lao Joint Commission Meeting on bilateral cooperation was held in Vientiane on 9 September.In the meeting Indian side was led by External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid and the Laos side was led by Dr. Thongloun Sisoulith, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs.An Agreement under Line of Credit for four Irrigation Projects in three provinces in the Lao PDR for 30.94 million US dollars was signed and conversion of another Line of Credit to substitute the Nam Boun-2 hydro power plant by the extension of transmission lines to Thasala-Laksao amounting to 35.25 million US dollars was approved. The projects will contribute to socio-economic development in Lao PDR.The two nations identified agriculture, defence, ICT, culture, education, health, trade and investment promotion, mining as priority areas of cooperation between the two countries that would give further impetus to bilateral relations.
India, Japan Signed Statement To Study LNG Pricing
India and Japan on 9 September signed a statement on conducting a joint study on the pricing of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) with an aim to form a transparent and globally competitive LNG price in the Asia Pacific market.India’s Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Veerappa Moily and Japanese Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry Toshimitsu Motegi signed the joint statement in Tokyo.
India – China Agreed To Enhance Cooperation In Media Sector
India and China on 16 September have agreed to initiate steps to include media cooperation as part of 2014 celebrations being observed to commemorate “Friendly Exchanges” between the two countries.The agreement was a part of the first meeting of the India-China Media Forum being held in New Delhi. The meeting took place between Manish Tewari, Minister for Information & Broadcasting of India and Cai Ming Zhao, Minister of State Council Information Office of China.
India and US signed First Commercial Agreement Under Nuclear Deal
Five years after India and the US signed a landmark civil nuclear deal, the two countries have clinched the first commercial agreement on civilian nuclear power cooperation.President Barack Obama announced the agreement on 27 September after his meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the White House Oval Office.India’s nuclear operator NPCIL (Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited) and US firm Westinghouse have signed an agreement that will pave the way for setting up an atomic plant in India.

NATIONAL
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Launched ‘ Gandhi Heritage Portal ‘ In NewDelhi
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on 2 September launched the ‘ Gandhi Heritage Portal ‘ in New Delhi.The Gandhi heritage Portal is set up to preserve, protect and disseminate original writings of Gandhiji.The Gandhi Heritage Portal is a technology-driven initiative aimed at making Gandhiji accessible all over the world on an electronic platform. It would be one of the most authentic open source archives on the life and work and thought of Mahatma Gandhi.
3rd All India Survey on Higher Education Launched
On 3 September Minister of State for Human Resource Development Jitin Prasada launched the third All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE)-2012-13 .The survey was initiated in the year 2011 to prepare a robust data-base on higher education.Data for the year 2010-11 was collected during the first year of the survey.Keeping in view the usefulness of data collected during the very first year, Ministry has decided to make this survey an annual exercise of data collection in higher education sector. The survey covers all the Higher Education (HE) Institutions of the country including Universities, Colleges, and Stand-Alone Institutions.The main items of data collection under survey are Basic details, Programme details, Teaching & Non-Teaching Staff, Student Enrolment, Examination Results and Scholarships.
Judicial Appointments Commission Bill Passed In Rajya Sabha
The Rajya Sabha on 5 September passed the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill, which seeks to scrap the collegium system of appointing judges to higher courts.The bill, which entails Constitutional amendment, seeks to set up a Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) to recommend appointment and transfer of Supreme Court and High Court judges.
Lok Sabha Passed Bill To Set Up First National Aviation University
Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University Bill, 2013 was passed by the Lok Sabha on 6 September.The purpose of the bill is to establish the first-ever national aviation university in India, called Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University, which is named after Rajiv Gandhi. The University would train the cabin crew, pilots as well as aircraft engineers.The proposed university would come up at Sonia Gandhi’s constituency of Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh.
Cabinet Committee On Economic Affairs Approved Proposal For Restructuring SJSRY
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on 3 September approved the proposal for restructuring of the centrally sponsored Scheme of Swarna Jayanti Shahari Rozgar Yojana (SJSRY) in the 12th Plan and as the National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM) with an allocation of approximately Rs. 6,405 crore.The mission of National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM) is reduction of poverty and vulnerability of the urban poor households by enabling them to access gainful self-employment and skilled wage employment opportunities.The mission will also aim at providing shelter equipped with essential services to the urban homeless in a phased manner.
President Gave Assent To Land Acquisition Bill
The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill 2013,has received the assent of the President of India on 27 Septmeber.The bill has now become law.The Lok Sabha passed the bill on 29 August 2013 and Rajya Sabha passed the bill on 4 September 2013.The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Law, 2013, replaces a British-era law of 1894. It provides for fair compensation to owners whose land is taken over, brings transparency to the process and lays down measures for rehabilitation of those displaced.

STATES
Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare Launched New Health Initiatives For Assam
Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Ghulam Nabi Azad on 1 September launched several new health initiatives worth Rs.500 crores under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) for the strengthening of healthcare services in Assam.The new initiatives are – Free Generic Drug Service, Rashtriya Bal Swasthya karyakram (RBSK), National Iron Plus Initiative, Fleet of 359 New Ambulances for National Ambulance Service.Ghulam Nabi Azad also inaugurated Mother and Child Tracking System Call Centre and Tele-Radiology Project under NRHM.
Himachal Pradesh Scrapped Palchan-Rohtang Ropeway Project
Himachal Pradesh cabinet on 4 September decided to cancel construction of Palchan-Rohtang ropeway project in Kullu district. The proposed project was planned to transport around 9000 visitors between Palchan and Rohtang daily to decongest the Manali-Leh road. There is a huge rush of tourists between May and July every year.
Kerala Government Launched ‘ E-Payment ‘ Facility
The Kerala Government has launched on 5 September an “e-payment facility” system enabling people to pay various utility bills and access Government department services online.The payment of Utility bills of Kerala State Electricity Board, Kerala Water Authority, BSNL and university fees could be done through the gateway using credit and debit cards of 66 banks identified for the scheme.One can avail the service at all Akshaya e-centers of the government which would act as decentralized information hubs and service delivery points.
MP Government Decided To Constitute State Disaster Emergency Response Force
The Madhya Pradesh Government on 10 September decided to constitute a State Disaster Emergency Response Force to deal with any calamity more effectively and provide immediate relief to affected persons.Initially, the State Disaster Emergency Response Force will be set up in Bhopal, Indore, Gwalior and Jabalpur districts.100 jawans will be deployed in each of these districts.
Union Government Approved 1000 crore Proposal To Develop J&K sports
The Union Government of India on 16 September approved a special package 1000 crore Rupees to strengthen sports infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir .The objective of the special package is construction of new stadiums and sports fields across the state.The Jammu and Kashmir Government made a policy under which every block in the state will be provided with both indoor and outdoor sports complexes. Every panchayat in the state will be provided with a sports field, and the government will also upgrade the already available sports equipments.
Prime Minister Manmohan Laid The Foundation Stone For New Airport In Rajasthan
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on 21 September laid the foundation stone for a new airport at Kishangarh town in Ajmer District, Rajasthan.Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singhon also announced that small destinations in the country will have air connectivity with a network of more than 100 airports, planned to meet the expected passenger load capacity of 30 crore, by 2020.The first such airport will come up in Kishangarh town in Rajasthan’s Ajmer district, the airport which is scheduled to get operational by 2016.

CONFERENCES
8th G-20 Summit Held In Saint Petersburg
The eighth G20 Summit was held at St. Petersburg , Russia on 5 – 6 September 2013.The G20 nations discussed ways to ensure economic growth and financial stability, create jobs and combat unemployment, stimulate investment and promote multilateral trade, international development and anti-corruption. The members of the Group of Twenty (G-20) are: Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Great Britain, Germany, European Union, India, Indonesia, Italy, Canada, China, Mexico, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, USA, Turkey, France, South Africa, Republic of Korea, and Japan. The presidency of the G20 rotates annually among its members.During the summit, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh focused on the ongoing economic crisis and urged the G-20 nations to pay more attention to their monetary policies.The 2014 G-20 Australia summit will be the ninth meeting of the G-20 heads of government.It will be held in Brisbane, the capital city of Queensland, Australia, on 15-16 November 2014 .In a 27-page declaration adopted at the end of the two-day Summit , the group of 20 industrialised and major emerging economies also reaffirmed its commitment to roll back new protectionist measures.
Important Points of G-20 Leaders’ Declaration :-
* Recognising the risk of economic slowdown and weakening trade posed by protectionism, the G20 has decided to extend until the end of 2016 its standstill commitment to further progress in removing barriers and impediments to global trade and investment.
* G-20 Leaders endorsed an ambitious action plan to change national tax rules that encourage multinational companies to shift their profits to low- or no-tax jurisdictions, allowing them not to pay tax on much of their income.
* The declaration committed itself to cooperate to ensure that policies implemented to support domestic growth also support global growth and financial stability and to manage their spillovers other countries.
* It noted that the most urgent need is to increase the momentum of the global recovery, generate higher growth and better jobs while strengthening the foundations for long term growth and avoiding policies that could cause the recovery to falter or promote growth at other countries’ expense.
* Agreeing on the Action Plan, the leaders said cross-border tax evasion and avoidance undermine public finances and trust in the fairness of the tax system.
* The Summit also shared Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s views on the need for orderly exit from the monetary stimulus undertaken in the context of 2008 economic crisis.

AWARDS & HONOURS
Zubin Mehta Received Tagore Award
World acclaimed orchestra conductor Zubin Mehta was conferred the prestigious Tagore Award for Cultural Harmony on 6 September by President Pranab Mukherjee in New Delhi.The award carries an amount of One Crore Rupees, a citation in a scroll, a plaque as well as an exquisite traditional handicraft/handloom item.He is the second recipient after sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar.
Amitabh Bachchan Honoured With ‘ 2013 Global Diversity’  Award
Veteran Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan was conferred with the ‘ 2013 Global Diversity Award ‘ at the House of Commons in the Palace of Westminster, Britain on 11 September.Speaker of the House of Commons, Rt Hon John Bercow MP, presented the award to Amitabh Bachchan.Bachchan, who has acted in more than 180 films, was voted the greatest star of the millennium in a 1999 BBC poll.France’s highest civilian honour, the Knight of the Legion of Honour, was conferred upon him by the French Government in 2007 for his exceptional career in the world of cinema and beyond.
Indian Freedom Fighter Gets ‘ House of Commons Award ‘
On 11 September An Indian freedom fighter was posthumously conferred a ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ at UK’s House of Commons for his contribution during India’s independence movement and its journey afterwards.Britain’s Minister for Business Engagement with India Gregory Barker and Virendra Sharma, Chair of the Indo-British All Party Parliamentary Group jointly presented the award to late Jawaharlal Darda’s son, Vijay Jawaharlal Darda, MP and Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of Lokmat, the most widely circulated Marathi language newspaper.
John Abraham Honoured With ‘ Pride of the Nation Award ‘
Bollywood actor John Abraham has been conferred with the Pride of the Nation award on 16 September for his attempt to raise the sensitive issue of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination through his role as a RAW agent in Madras Cafe.The award was presented by Anti Terrorist Front chairman Maninderjeet Singh in New Delhi. All-India Anti-Terrorist Front (AIATF) is an anti-terrorist organisation led by Maninderjeet Singh Bitta.In Madras Cafe film John Abraham made a courageous attempt to unravel the conspiracy behind the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi. The film “Madras Cafe” is set in the late 80s and early 1990s, during the time of Sri Lankan civil war and the assassination of then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
Malala Yousafzai Received ‘Amnesty ‘ International Award
Pakistani education rights activist, Malala Yousafzai has been named as the recipient of 2013 Amnesty International’s highest award.Malala received Amnesty International’s Ambassador of Conscience Award along with American singer and human rights activist Harry Belafonte at ceremony on 17 September in Dublin, Ireland.The Ambassador of Conscience Award is the human rights group’s highest honour, recognizing individuals who have promoted and enhanced the cause of human rights through their life and by example.She made her first public appearance on 12 July 2013, her 16th birthday, when she delivered a speech at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
President of India Presented National Communal Harmony Awards For The Year 2011 & 2012
The President of India Pranab Mukherjee presented the National Communal Harmony Awards for the year 2011 and 2012 at a function in New Delhi.
National Communal Harmony Award for 2011: - Odisha’s MD Janab Haji Abdul Bari and Mizoram’s Khamliana jointly awarded for the year 2011 individual category. Both are social activists.
National Communal Harmony Award for 2012:- The Foundation for Amity and National Solidarity, Delhi awarded for Organisational category. The foundation formed in 1984.The Foundation works for spreading amity and communal harmony.
Bunker Roy and Malala Yousafzai Received Clinton Global Citizens Awards
India environmentalist Bunker Roy and Pakistan’s teenage education activist Malala Yousafzai on 23 September 2013 declared as winners of the Clinton Global Citizens Awards for the year 2013. Roy is the founder of the Barefoot College, which has been providing solutions to problems in rural communities for more than 40 years.Malala Yousufzai has co-founded Malala Fund with the intension to continue support for universal access to education.They received these awards during Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting on 24 September in New York City.The Clinton Global Citizen Awards were launched in 2007 to honour outstanding individuals for their visionary leadership, demonstrated impact, and sustainable and scalable work in solving global issues.

SPORTS & GAMES
US Open Tennis Tournament 2013 Winners
Women’s Singles :- On 8 September Serena Williams (U.S) won the US Open Tennis Tournament 2013 Women’s singles title after defeated Victoria Azarenka of Belarus in the final at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York.With this win Serena Williams secured her fifth US Open title and 17th Grand Slam title of the overall career.
Men’s Singles :- Rafael Nadal (Spain) won the 2013 men’s singles U.S. Open title after defeated Novak Djokovic (Serbia) in the final.It is Nadal’s second US Open title, and his 13th Grand Slam.
Women’s Doubles :- Czech duo Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka won the U.S. Open women’s doubles title after defeated Australia’s Ashleigh Barty and Casey Dellacqua in the final.
Men’s Doubles :- The pair of Leander Paes of India and Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic won the doubles title after defeated Alexander Peya of Austria, and Bruno Soares of Brazil in the final .Leander Paes has earlier won the US open title two times .Now Paes has 14 major titles in his cupboard, including six mixed doubles trophies.
Tokyo To Host 2020 Summer Olympics
On 7 September Tokyo has been chosen to host the 2020 summer Olympic Games by the event’s organising committee, beating out Istanbul and Madrid in the final vote tally.Japan won the right to host Olympic Games for the second time. It had previously hosted the Games in 1964.
Wrestling Selected for 2020 Olympic Games
Wrestling regained entry into the Olympic Games program on 8 September after the International Olympic Committee selected the sport for inclusion in the 2020 and 2024 Games over bids from squash, baseball and softball.IOC at its 125th session held in Buenos Aires, Argentina decided to include wrestling in the 2020 Olympics in addition to the 25 core sports.Wrestling, squash and baseball/softball were in contention for being included as an additional sport in the 2020 Olympics.
Afghanistan Won SAFF Championship 2013
Afghanistan, for the first time in its history, won the trophy of  South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship 2013 defeated India 2-0 in the final held at Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu on 11 September. India has won the championship six times (1993, 1997, 1999, 2005, 2009, 2011).The next edition of the SAFF Championship will be held in India in 2015.
Mohameddan Sporting Won Durand Foot Ball Cup
Kolkata’s Mohammedan Sporting club won the 126th Durand Foot ball tournament on 19 September as it defeated ONGC 2-1 in the final at the Ambedkar Stadium in New Delhi.They have lifted the cup after 73 years having won it back in 1940.The Durand Football Tournament was started at Simla in the year 1888 by Sir Henry Mortimer Durand, who was then, the Foreign Secretary to Government of India. Durand is the third oldest football tournament in the world and oldest in Asia and India.
Sania Mirza Wins Pan Pacific Open Doubles Title
Sania Mirza of India and Cara Black of Zimbabwe won the Toray Pan Pacific Open tennis championship women’s doubles title after defeated Hao-Ching Chan (Chinese Taipei) and Liezel Huber (USA) in the final at Tokyo on 28 September .This was Sania’s fourth title of the season.
India Won Sultan of Johor Cup Hockey Tournament 2013
India defeated Malaysia 3-0 to win 3rd Under-21 Sultan of Johor Cup hockey tournament in Johor Bahru on 29 September .The goals from the Indian side were scored by Amon Mirash Tirkey (22nd), Affan Yousuf (52nd) and Manpreet Singh (64th).

ECONOMY
Microsoft Decided To Buy Nokia’s Mobile Phone Unit and Services
Microsoft Corporation and Nokia Corporation on 3 September announced that both companies have decided to enter into a transaction whereby Microsoft will purchase substantially all of Nokia’s Devices & Services business, license Nokia’s patents, and license and use Nokia’s mapping services.Under the terms of the agreement, Microsoft will pay 3.79 billion Euros to purchase substantially all of Nokia’s Devices & Services business, and 1.65 billion Euros to license Nokia’s patents, for a total transaction price of 5.44 billion Euros in cash.Nokia Corporation is a Finnish multinational communications and information technology corporation (originally a paper production plant) that is headquartered in Espoo, Finland.Its principal products are mobile telephones and portable IT devices.Nokia owns a company named Nokia Solutions and Networks, which provides telecommunications network equipment and services.
India Now Has 7850 Ultra Wealthy Individuals
On 11 September According to the ” 2013 Wealth-X report “, India has 7850 UHNW (Ultra-High-Net-Worth) individuals in 2013 compared to 7730 in 2012 an increased of 1.6 percent. Out of these, 103 individuals have wealth of over USD 1 Billion dollars. The billionaire club has shrunk from 109 people in 2012 to 103 in 2013.Total combined wealth of billionaires also fell by 5.3 per cent $180 billion ($190 bn in 2012).A city-wise analysis shows that more than 90 per cent of India’s UHNW population live in top 10 cities including Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Pune, Gurgaon and Jaipur.Mumbai and Delhi, however, dominate with more than 50 per cent of the country’s UHNW population based in one of these two cities.
Cabinet Approved Buying $ 4.3 billion World Bank Bonds
The Union Cabinet on 12 September gave the go-ahead to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to invest $4.3 billion in special bonds of the World Bank as it would help in securing additional funding from the multilateral lending agency for infrastructure development projects.Under the arrangement, the Reserve Bank of India will subscribe to special private placement of bonds by the IBRD, a lending arm of the World Bank.
Indian Economy To Grow At 5.3% In 2013-14
The Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (of India) on 13 September 2013 released the report “ Economic Outlook 2013-14 “ in New Delhi.The economic growth forecast of India for the current fiscal 2013-14 was lowered to 5.3 percent from 6.4 percent projected earlier. The PMEAC had in April 2013 projected 6.4 percent growth for Indian economy for current financial year.RBI too had earlier lowered its growth projection for this fiscal to 5.5 percent from 5.7 percent.
Highlights of the of Economic Outlook India are as following : -
* The PMEAC expects the agriculture sector to grow by 4.8 percent in the current fiscal up from 1.9 percent, while the industrial growth has been pegged at 2.7 percent as against 2.1 percent in 2012-13.
*  Services projected to grow at 6.6%in 2013-14 as against 7.1% in 2012-13.
*  Referring to the external sector, the advisory council expressed hope that the Current Account Deficit (CAD) in 2013-14 will come down to 70 billion US dollars or 3.8 percent of GDP, from 88.2 billion US dollars or 4.8 percent a year ago.
* The trade deficit ,would come down to around USD 185 billion in 2013-14, against an estimated USD 195.7 billion in 2012-13.
* Between 2010-11 and 2012-13, the combined impact of higher net oil and net gold imports on the CAD (Current Account Deficit) was almost 57 billion US dollars or 3 percent of GDP.
* The CAD may go even below $ 70 billion in 2013-14 if the recent trends in exports and imports are maintained through the year.
*  Net Capital flows are projected to fall to USD 61.4 billion in 2013-14 against an estimated USD 89.4 billion in 2012-13 putting pressure on the country’s forex reserves.
RBI Increases Repo Rate By 25 Basis Points
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 20 September increased the repo rate or the short term lending rate by 25 basis points to 7.5 per cent from 7.25 per cent with immediate effect. This means that the Repo rate has been increased by 0.25 percent.The cash reserve ratio (CRR) remained unchanged at 4 percent.The RBI previously raised the repo rate in October 2011 by 0.25 per cent to 8.5 per cent.
‘ India Entertainment & Media Outlook 2013 ‘ Report Released
According to the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) – PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) ‘s latest report titled, ‘India Entertainment & Media Outlook 2013 ‘ was released on 13 September in New Delhi.
Highlights of the ‘India Entertainment & Media Outlook 2013 ‘ Report :-
* India’s entertainment and media industry to clock over INR 224, 500 crore by 2017: CII-PwC study forecast CAGR of 18% over 2012-17
* Now the size of the Indian M&E sector increased from about 805 billion INR in 2011 to almost 965 billion INR in 2012 representing an year-on-year growth of 20%.
* The television and print sectors dominate the industry with about 40% and 22% contribution to industry revenues respectively in 2012.
* Internet access now commands about 18% share and films 12% of industry revenues.
*  Internet access now commands about 18% share and films 12% of industry revenues.
* The print sector revenues are expected to increase at over 9% CAGR to reach 331 billion INR in 2017 from 212 billion INR in 2012.
* Year-on-year sectors such as internet access (30%), internet advertising (29%), gaming (19%), and music (15%) are expected to continue on their high growth trajectory.
* The radio sector is also expected to receive a fillip with the successful conclusion of Phase III licence auctions and it is expected to grow at a robust CAGR of about 16%.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Indian Air Force inducts its Biggest Transport Aircraft ‘ C-17 Globemaster III ‘
Union Defence Minister AK Antony on 2 September formally inducted IAF’s biggest 70-tonne heavy-lift transport aircraft ‘ C-17 Globemaster III ‘ into service at the Hindon Air Base near Delhi.The C-17 Globemaster III aircraft has been procured from the US under a deal expected to be over Rs.20,000 crore.The C-17, with a capability to carry around 70 tonnes of load and around 150 fully geared troops, will replace the Russian Il-76 as the biggest aircraft in the IAF inventory till now.The IL-76 has the capability to carry loads upto around 40 tonnes.The IAF has placed orders with the US for ten C-17 aircraft under the deal signed in 2011 and three of them have already been delivered.The US Air Force is scheduled to complete the delivery of all the 10 planes by the end of 2014.
NASA Launches Spacecraft To Study Moon Atmosphere
NASA’s Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE) mission was successfully launched by a Minotaur 5 (spin stabilised delivery version) rocket on 7 September from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.LADEE is a robotic mission that will orbit the moon to gather detailed information about the lunar atmosphere, conditions near the surface, and environmental influences on lunar dust.
World’s Largest Volcano Discovered Under Pacific Ocean
The world’s largest volcano has been discovered on 5 September by University of Houston researchers on the floor of the Pacific Ocean. The volcano, 1,600 kilometres east of Japan and called the Tamu Massif, is the size of the British Isles.At 310,000 sq km (119,000 sq mi) Tamu Massif is comparable in size to Mars’ vast Olympus Mons volcano – the largest in the solar system..The volcano consists of a vast single rounded dome in the shape of a shield, which is believed to have been formed 144 million years ago when it last erupted.Its top lies about 6,500 feet below the ocean surface.
Japan Launches New Epsilon Rocket
Japan’s Epsilon-1 rocket — the first in a new generation of space rockets and the country’s first rocket in 12 years — lifted off on 14 September from a space center on Japan’s southern main island of Kyushu.The rocket, 24 meters in height and 90 tons in weight, placed the Spectroscopic Planet Observatory for Recognition of Interaction of Atmosphere, or SPRINT-A, into its orbit about an hour after the launch. The telescope will be used to observe planets including Venus, Mars and Jupiter from its Earth orbit.The Epsilon is the first new rocket design for Japan since the H2A was introduced in 2001. The H2A remains Japan’s primary rocket but officials hope the Epsilon will lead to improvements in the more costly H2A program. Japan hopes to be more competitive in the international rocket-launching business.
India Successfully Test Fired Nuclear – Capable ‘ Agni V ‘ Long Range Missile
India’s most deterrent nuclear capable ballistic missile, Agni-5 was successfully test fired on 15 September from Chandipur Test Range in Balasore district off Odisha coast.Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Agni-5 can carry a single nuclear warhead of over 1000 kg and can strike with precision targets in China and Europe.The indigenously developed missile Agni-V is capable of striking a range of more than 5000 km. It is about 17 meter long and 2 metres wide with launch weight of around 50 tonnes.The first test flight of the Agni-5 on 19 April 2012 was a phenomenal success after which India joined the select club of the United States, Russia, France, Britain and China who have such capabilities. Agni-5 will give India the ability hit back or have second-strike capability even after a nuclear attack. The missile is India’s fastest-travelling object and the first one to cross the Equator when launched from India.In the Agni series, India at present has Agni-1 with 700 km range, Agni-2 with 2000 km range, Agni-3 and Agni-4 with 2500 km to more than 3500 range.
US Launches Unmanned Cygnus Cargo Ship To ISS
Orbital Sciences Corp launched the first flight of its unmanned Cygnus cargo ship on 18 September to the International Space Station, as NASA forges ahead with its plan to privatise US space missions.The Cygnus capsule, hitched to Orbital Science’s Antares rocket, blasted off from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility off Virginia’s eastern coast.Cygnus will ferry about 1,300 pounds (590 kilograms) of food, clothing and other cargo for the crew aboard the space station.
Iran Displays 30 Missiles With 2000 km Range
Iran paraded 30 missiles with a nominal range of 2,000 km on 22 September, the first time it had displayed so many with a stated capacity to hit Israeli targets.Iran displayed 12 Sejil and 18 Ghadr missiles at the annual parade marking the anniversary of the outbreak of the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war.The stated range of both missiles would put not only Israel but also US bases in the Gulf within reach.

PERSONS IN NEWS
A) APPOINTMENTS
Rakesh Sood Appointed as PM’s Special Envoy on Disarment and Non-Proliferation
On 1 September Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has appointed Rakesh Sood, India’s former Ambassador to Nepal, Afghanistan and France and the country’s first Ambassador in charge of Disarmament in Geneva, as his new Special Envoy for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation.Rakesh Sood is a recognised expert in his field and will be able to make a valuable contribution to the country’s foreign policy on security, non-proliferation and disarmament issues.
Deepak Sandhu Becomes The First Woman Chief Information Commissioner
On 5 September Deepak Sandhu became the first woman Chief Information Commissioner of the country.She was administered the oath of the office by the President of India, Pranab Mukherjee.Sandhu served in many key positions like Principal Director General (Media and Communications) in the Press Information Bureau, Director General of DD (News), Director General (News) All India Radio before taking over as Information Commissioner in 2009.
Kulkarni Becomes First Indian American State Judge In Northern California
On 6 September A leading Indian American lawyer, Sunil R Kulkarni, has become the first South Asian American state judge in Northern California with his appointment to Santa Clara County Superior Court.In 2010, Indian American Paul Singh Grewal was appointed a magistrate judge in US District Court for the Northern District of California.
Thomas Bach is new IOC president
Thomas Bach of Germany on 10 September has been elected as the new president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).Bach succeeds Jacques Rogge, the Belgian who is stepping down after 12 years.Bach is also the first gold medalist to become IOC president. He won gold in team fencing for West Germany in the 1976 Montreal Olympics.
Justice Prafulla Chandra Pant Appointed First Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court
On 19 September Justice Prafulla Chandra Pant has been appointed as the first Chief Justice of the newly established Meghalaya High Court.Justice Pant will succeed Justice T Meena Kumari whose term as the Meghalaya Chief Justice was over two months ago.Justice Pant is a judge of the Uttarakhand High Court.Born in Pithoragarh district of then undivided Uttar Pradesh, he joined the UP Judicial Service in 1976 and held different posts. After the creation of Uttarakhand, he was the first Secretary, Judicial, of the state.
Srinivasan Re-Elected As BCCI President For The Third Term
Narayanaswamy Srinivasan has been re-elected as the President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for a third term at its 84th annual general meeting (AGM) held at Chennai on 29 September. He was unanimously re-elected as the president of BCCI for the term of 2013-14.
Ranjib Biswal Appointed as new IPL chairman
Former national selector Ranjib Biswal on 29 September has been appointed as chairman of the Indian Premier League (IPL) during the Annual General Meeting of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) at Chennai.Prior to this appointment Ranjib Biswal was manager of the Indian Cricket team during the ICC World Cup 2011 and the ICC Champions Trophy 2013. He is also the head of Orissa Cricket Association.
B)RESIGNS
Rajasthan Minister Babulal Nagar Resigned
Minister of State for Food and Civil Supplies Babulal Nagar on 19 September resigned from the Rajasthan cabinet after being accused of raping a woman.
C)DEATHS
Audio Pioneer Ray Dolby of famed Sound System Died
Ray Dolby, the engineer who pioneered the noise reduction in audio recordings that produced clearer sound for music and cinema, died on 12 September in San Francisco.He was the founder of Dolby Laboratories.His works in noise reduction and surround sound has been appreciated across the world and have won recognitions too.Dolby moved his company to San Francisco in 1976 and in 1989 was awarded an Oscar for his contributions to cinema, which he shared with Dolby executive Ioan Allen.Dolby also was given music’s Grammy award 1995 and television’s Emmys in 1989 and 2005.
World’s Oldest Man Salustiano Sanchez-Blazquez Died
The world’s oldest man, a former musician and coal miner, Salustiano Sanchez-Blazquez has died at the age of 112 in Grand Island, New York on 13 September.Salustiano Sanchez-Blazquez was officially certified by Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest man.He was born on 8 June 1901 in Spain.
D)VISITORS
Liberia President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Visited India
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of the Republic of Liberia, visited India from 9 – 13 September 2013 .During this visit,President Sirleaf met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in NewDelhi and held delegation level discussions on bilateral, regional and international issues.Both sides noted that there still remained considerable potential for cooperation and agreed to enhance the partnership between the two countries in all areas of mutual interest.On 12 September 2013, the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for the year 2012 was conferred upon President Sirleaf.
E)MISCELLANEOUS
Malala Yousafzai  Inaugurates Europe’s Largest Library In UK
Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani schoolgirl shot in the head in a failed assassination attempt by the Taliban, on 3 September inaugurated Europe’s biggest public library in her newly adopted home of Birmingham in UK.The library of Brimingham was built with cost of 189-million pound ,while it has more than 200 public access computers,theatres ,an exhibition gallery and music rooms.
Zardari Becomes First Pakistani President To Serve Full Term
Pakistan’s president stepped down on 8 September 2013, after finishing his five-year term .Asif Ali Zardari is the first president in the history of Pakistani democracy to be democratically elected, serve his full term, and then step down.He served as the 11th President of Pakistan from 2008 to 2013.
Diana Became First Woman to Swim Across Florida Straits without Shark Cage
Diana Nyad, 64-year old American long-distance swimmer became the first person to cross Florida Straits from Cuba without any shark cage on 2 September 2013. This was her fifth attempt to cross the 110-mile (177-km) distance.Diana Nyad completed the 110-mile or 177-km distance.
Nina Davuluri Wins ‘ Miss America ‘ 2014 Title
Nina Davuluri, Miss New York, was crowned the new Miss America on 15 September in Atlantic City, New Jersey.Miss New York, Nina Davuluri, became the first contestant of Indian heritage and the second consecutive contestant from New York to win the Miss America pageant.She succeeds another Miss New York, Mallory Hagan, whose tenure was cut short when the pageant moved back to Atlantic City after a six-year stint in Las Vegas, where winners were chosen in January.Nina Davuluri from Syracuse, sashayed off with the tiara and the $50,000 scholarship cash.She is the first Miss America winner of Indian descent.
Megan Young Crowned Miss World 2013
Megan Young of Philippines was crowned Miss World 2013 at the Bali Nasa Dua Convention Center in Bali, Indonesia on 28 September.Miss France, Marine Lorphelin took second place, while Miss Ghana, Carranzar Naa Okailey Shooter ,came in third. Miss India World Navneet Kaur Dhillon finished among the top 20 finalists but couldn’t reach final ten. She won the title of Miss Multimedia.

PLACES  IN  NEWS
China Inaugurated World’s Highest Daocheng Yading Civilian Airport
China has opened the world’s highest civilian airport named ” Daocheng Yading” on 16 September in a restive and remote Tibetan region of southwestern Sichuan province.The Daocheng Yading airport in Ganzi prefecture in southwestern China is the world’s highest civilian airport.The region is a gateway to Tibet.Daocheng airport in Garzi, a heavily ethnic Tibetan part of Sichuan, is 4411 metres above sea level, and overtakes Qamdo airport in Tibet, which sits at 4334 metres above sea level, for the title of world’s highest.
Strong Earthquake Hits Pakistan
A major 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit southwestern Pakistan on 24 September, killed more than 350 people and damaged several houses near the epicentre in a remote part of Balochistan province. The quake, with its epicentre 69 km from Awaran, was originally measured at 7.4 on the Richter Scale by the US Geological Survey which later it revised to 7.8. Pakistan’s meteorological office gave the magnitude as 7.7.The 7.6 magnitude quake in 2005 killed at least 73,000 people and left several million homeless in one of the worst natural disasters to hit Pakistan.

ABBREVIATIONS
NCRB – National Crime Records Bureau
AISHE – All India Survey on Higher Education
MNIC -  Multi-purpose National Identity Card
IBRD -  International Bank for Reconstruction and Development
ICAO – International Civil Aviation Organisation
HDI -  Human Development Index
ESMA – Essential Services Maintenance Act
DRDO – Defence Research and Development Organisation
CTBT – Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty

BOOKS IN NEWS
” India and Malaysia : Interwined Strands” Book Released By Vice President of India
The Vice President of India M. Hamid Ansari on 9 September released a book entitled ” India and Malaysia: Intertwined Strands ” at New Delhi . The book is authored by former Diplomat Veena Sikri. The book is written for the Institute of South East Asian Studies (ISEAS), Singapore. It is a comprehensive book on a very useful subject of relationship between India and Malaysia.

COMMITTEES
Nachiket Mor Committee To Frame Vision For Financial Inclusion
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 23 September announced a 13-member committee, including former Citibank CEO Vikram Pandit and Axis Bank chief Shikha Sharma, to frame a clear and detailed vision for financial inclusion/deepening across the country.The Committee is headed by Nachiket Mor, Member on the RBI’s Central Board of Directors. The committee, which will submit its final report by December 31.Committee is to lay down a set of design principles that will guide the development of institutional frameworks and regulation for achieving financial inclusion and financial deepening in India.

IMPORTANT DAYS AND DATES
International Day of Peace Observed on 21 September
International Day of Peace observed on 21 September 2013 across the world to recognise the efforts of those who have worked hard to end conflict and promote peace. The International Day of Peace is also a day of ceasefire.The theme for the year 2013 is Education for Peace.Each year the International Day of Peace is observed around the world on 21 September. The UN General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples.The International Day of Peace was established in 1981 by resolution 36/67 of the United Nations General Assembly to coincide with its opening session, which was held annually on the third Tuesday of September.
World Rabies Day Observed on 28 September
World Rabies Day observed on 28 September 2013 across the world to raise awareness about the impact of rabies disease and to deliver the message that rabies is preventable.The theme for the year 2013 is Rabies: Understand it to defeat it.World Rabies Day is an initiative of Global Alliance for Rabies Control and the day started it in 2007 to create a global opportunity for people to focus on rabies prevention.The World Rabies Day is observed each year on 28 September- on the death anniversary of Louis Pasteur who developed the first efficacious rabies vaccine with his colleagues
Source: FreeJobAlerts
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