Daily Current Affairs: 2013

Monday, 16 December 2013

Daily Current Affairs 17/12/2013

DMK rules out alliance with Congress for next year's Lok Sabha polls.

• Government confident of passing Lokpal Bill in the Rajya Sabha in the current session.

• Mortal remains of Sis Ram Ola to be consigned to flames with full state honours at his native village in Rajasthan today.

• At least 36 people killed in air raids in the Syrian city of Allepo.

• Vijay Diwas to commemorate India's victory over Pakistan in 1971 war being observed today.

• In Sports, Germany lift the Men's Junior Hockey World Cup for a record sixth time; Beat France, 5-2.

National Games of Various Countries.

USA - Baseball.
Spain - Bull Fighting
Canada - Ice Hockey.
New Zealand - Rugby Union.
India - Hockey.
Pakistan - Hockey.
Bangladesh - Kabbadi.
Srilanka - Volley ball.
Russia - Football and Chess.
China - Table Tennis.
Brazil - Football.
France - Football
England - Cricket
Japan - Judo.
Australia - Cricket.
Malaysia - Badminton
Scotland - Rugby Football
Indonesia - Badminton
Bhutan - Archery.
Switzerland - Shooting and Gymnastics
Turkey - Wrestling and Jereed

Wednesday, 11 December 2013

Top 10 News 12/12/2013

1. The Union Road Transport and Highways (RTH) ministry has approved road construction of 6,418 km under Special Accelerated Road Development Project-North East for implementation of Phase A and the Arunachal Pradesh package of roads and highways.

2. Finance Minister P. Chidambaram said the government will not compromise on fiscal consolidation, and will contain fiscal deficit and bring it down to 3 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) by the financial year 2016-17.

3. India's exports grew by 5.86 per cent in November to USD 24.6 billion, while imports dipped to the lowest level in more than two and a half years, helping narrow the trade deficit.

4. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe were named "Asians of the Year" for 2013 by Singapore's Straits Times, which urged them to reach out to each other to avert a conflict.

5. First Trajectory Correction Manoeuvre of India's maiden mission to Mars was carried out successfully by ISRO scientists on spacecraft.

6. Nearly 230 million children under the age of five around the world have never had their birth registered, which often means they will be barred from education, health care and social security, the UN children's agency said.

7. In a blow to gay rights activists, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutional validity of the penal provision making gay sex an offence punishable with upto life imprisonment.

8. Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani education activist who fearlessly took on the Taliban, has been conferred the 2013 UN Human Rights Prize.

9. The Reserve Bank said India's economy would grow about 5 per cent in this financial year while the current account deficit would be below 3 per cent of GDP.

10. Railways have carried 677.56 million tonnes (MT) of freight traffic during April-November, registering a growth of 4.72 per cent from the same period last year.

Sunday, 8 December 2013

Top 10 news 9/12/2013

1. BJP inched towards wresting power in Delhi after 15 years with Congress pushed to the third position with a single digit tally by debutant AAP which has made a dent in strongholds of the ruling party.

2. Sheila Dikshit, Delhi's chief minister for 15 years, resigned after the Congress was routed in assembly elections, with she herself set to lose to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal.

3. To further ring-fence its jurisdiction from any attempts of round-tripping and money laundering activities, Mauritius has agreed to include a 'limitation of benefits (LOB)' clause in its revised tax treaty with India.

4. Clocking a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20 percent, India's health insurance premium is likely to cross Rs 32,038 crore by 2016-17, from Rs 13,092 crore recorded in 2011-12, on th back of rising income levels and health insurance premium, says an Assocham study.

5. US President Barack Obama warned that an "ideal" agreement to eliminate "every nut and bolt" of Iran's disputed nuclear programme was not a realistic goal.

6. The Law Ministry and the Planning Commission have backed an Oil Ministry proposal to allow Reliance Industries to almost double the price of gas from April.

7. State-owned Dena Bank plans to open its first overseas office in London by the end of this month.

8. Greece's parliament has approved a tough budget for next year, including further spending cuts of 3.1 billion euros (USD 4.2 billion), aimed at ending the country's deep recession.

9. Capital market regulator Sebi has ordered 33 entities to appear before it with regard to probes into various irregularities, after they were found untraceable.

10. The recent passage of the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) Act 2013 will spur growth potential of the investment corpus of the pension sector to over $1 trillion by the turn of 2025, according to a report by EY-CII.

Daily Current Affairs 9/12/2013

Miss Venezuela, Alyz Henrich became Miss Earth 2013

Alyz Henrich, the Miss Venezuela has been crowned with the pageant of Miss Earth 2013 at the Versailles Palace, Philippines.

Ali Osman Taha resigned as Vice President of Sudan

The Vice President of Sudan, Ali Osman Taha resigned from his office to pave way for the new Government.

Armed Forces Flag Day Observed Throughout the Country

Armed Forces Flag Day was observed across India on 7 December 2013. The day is observed on 7 December every year in India, since 1949.

International Civil Aviation Day observed on 7 December

International Civil Aviation Day was observed on 7 December 2013 to highlight the importance of civil aviation for social and economic development.

Jordan elected to UN Security Council as a Non-Permanent Member

UN General Assembly elected Jordan to the UN Security Council as a non-permanent member on 6 December 2013 to replace Saudi Arabia.

Ahmet Uzumcu re-appointed as OPCW Director General

Ambassador Ahmet Uzumcu was re-appointed as the OPCW Director-General at the 18th Session of the Conference of State Part.

All unfilled munitions by Syrian Government have been destroyed: OPCW

The Joint Mission has now verified that all Category 3 (unfilled) munitions declared by the Syrian Arab Republic have been destroyed.

Government of India Modified FDI Policy for unlisted Companies

The Government of India on 6 December 2013 modified the FDI policy allowing unlisted companies to directly list on stock exchanges abroad.

South Korea and US agreed to join hands to denuclearize North Korea

Vice President of US and the President of South Korea agreed to join hands to denuclearize North Korea.

Ministerial Panel recommended bailout package to Sugar Industry

A ministerial panel has recommended a bailout of 7200 crore rupees to sugar mills. The loan will be provided to pay off the arrears of cane grower.

9th WTO Ministerial Conference concluded at Bali, Indonesia

The 9th WTO Ministerial Conference was concluded on 6 December 2013 at Bali, Indonesia by agreeing the revised draft of Bali Package.

Sri Lanka to set up 8 economic zones across country

Sri Lanka’s Board of Investment has announced plans to start eight export processing and industrial zones across the country.

WTO revises Bali draft to address India's concern on Food Security

The World Trade Organization on 6 December 2013 agreed to allow countries to provide subsidy on staple food crops without any threat of punitive action.

8th Asia Gas Partnership Summit held at New Delhi

The 8th Asia Gas Partnership Summit (AGPS) was held from 3 to 4 December 2013 at New Delhi.

New Word A Day 9/12/2013

Que: Is the word "Enigma", an enigma?

MALINGER

Pronounced:

Ma-leen-ger

Synonyms:

Shirk; loaf; dodge

Definition:

Pretending to be sick to get out of doing work.

Sentence:

I knew he would malinger because he pretended to sneeze.

Memory Trick:

Mal - linger

Mal (reminds of) mal or bad

Linger (reminds of) linger or to hang around

We pretend to be mal because we want to linger.

MAL LINGER

Ans: It is, if you did not know what Enigma means. An enigma is a riddle. "The pyramids are an enigma. No one knows how they were made."

Saturday, 7 December 2013

New Word A Day 8/12/2013

The zenith is the highest point.

ZENITH

Pronounced:
Zee-nif

Synonyms:
Crest; climax; apex;

Definition:
Peaking at the highest point.

Sentence:
The zenith of your career is getting praise from your peers.

Memory Trick:
Zen - ith
Zen (reminds of) Zen
Zen is the highest state.

ZEN

There is a canon, in your house. You tell me, not to leave towels, on the floor. I take a shower. Why do I, follow your orders

A canon is a collection of rules. Your rule is to pick up towels, after a shower.

Friday, 6 December 2013

Daily Current Affairs 7/12/2013

1. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh asserted that the Congress party would approach the 2014 Lok Sabha polls with self-confidence, irrespective of the poll projections of the just concluded elections in five states.

2. Nelson Mandela, South Africa's first elected black president and a global anti-apartheid icon died, at his home in the suburb of Houghton in Johannesburg, following a lengthy illness. He was 95.

3. Pakistani teenage activist Malala Yousafzai, who survived a Taliban assassination attempt last year, has been awarded the 2013 UN Human Rights Prize, an honour previously given to icons like late Nelson Mandela in recognition of outstanding achievement in human rights.

4. Centre decided to release the first tranche of assistance of Rs 300 crore towards relief and rehabilitation of the people hit by severe cyclonic storm Phailin in Odisha, a day after CPI(M) attacked the UPA government for not disbursing a single paisa so far.

5. Narendra Kothari, currently CEO of SAIL’s Burnpur plant, will take over as the new Chairman and Managing Director of State-run iron ore producer NMDC, which has been running without a full-time head for the last two years.

6. Investors are no longer required to pay stamp duty relating to agreements on demat account under the new guidelines introduced by market regulator SEBI, a move that will help save costs during registration with the securities market.

7. The Supreme Court agreed to hear CBI’s plea challenging the Gauhati High Court order declaring the agency as “unconstitutional”.

8. Sri Lanka’s Board of Investment has announced plans to start eight export processing and industrial zones across the country.

9. Kenyan politicians have adopted amendments to a controversial media Bill despite an opposition walk out and international concern about press freedom.

10. The Election Commission, in preparation for the 16th Lok Sabha polls due in April-May 2014, has asked Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) of all States to update the necessary data and electoral rolls, officials in Agartala said.

Daily Current Affairs 7/12/2013

नहीं रहे दक्षिण अफ्रीका के 'गांधी' Nelson Mandela

नहीं रहे दक्षिण अफ्रीका के 'गांधी', 95 साल की उम्र में नेल्सन मंडेला का निधन

जोहांसबर्ग: दक्षिण अफ्रीका के पहले अश्वेत राष्ट्रपति नेल्सन मंडेला का निधन हो गया। यह जानकारी राष्ट्रपति जैकब जुमा ने गुरुवार रात दी। मंडेला 95 वर्ष के थे।

बीबीसी के मुताबिक, फेंफड़े में संक्रमण की वजह से उन्हें तीन माह तक अस्पताल में रहना पड़ा था, जिसके बाद उन्हें उनके घर में ही गहन चिकित्सा सुविधा के दायरे में रखा गया था। जुमा ने राष्ट्रीय टेलीविजन पर वक्तव्य जारी कर कहा मंडेला नहीं रहे। हमारे देश ने एक महान बेटे को खो दिया। जुमा ने कहा कि मंडेला को राजकीय सम्मान के साथ विदाई दी जाएगी और राष्ट्रीय झंडा झुका रहेगा।

सूत्रों के मुताबिक मंडेला का शव प्रिटोरिया स्थित कब्रिस्तान ले जाया जाएगा और अंतिम संस्कार शनिवार को होने की संभावना है। नोबेल पीस प्राइज से सम्मानित मंडेला विश्व के श्रेष्ठ नेताओं में थे। वह 2004 में राजनीति से सन्यास लेने के बाद से सार्वजनिक स्थान पर बेहद कम नजर आते थे। उन्हें 2010 में दक्षिण अफ्रीका में आयोजित फुटबॉल विश्वकप में आखिरी बार सार्वजनिक स्थान पर देखा गया था।जुमा ने कहा कि मंडेला को उनकी इंसानियत ने महान बनाया था। हमने उनमें वह देखा है, जो हम खुद में चाहते थे। देशवासियों मंडेला ने हमें साथ लाया और हम साथ में उन्हें अंतिम विदाई देंगे।

अपने आप को नेल्सन मंडेला से प्रेरणा लेने वाले लाखों लोगों में से एक बताते हुए अमेरिकी राष्ट्रपति बराक ओबामा ने दक्षिण अफ्रीकी रंगभेद विरोध के प्रणेता के निधन पर शोक जताया और कहा कि दुनिया को उनके जैसा नेता दोबारा नहीं मिल सकता।

Daily Current Affairs 6/12/2013

1. Prime Minister calls for bridging rural-urban divide in telecommunications; says government is committed to increase rural tele-density to 70% by the year 2017 and 100% by 2020.

2. Sushma Singh, the seniormost Information Commissioner, will be the next Chief Information Commissioner of India and will succeed Deepak Sandhu, who completes her term.

3. India is working to set up an energy efficient power transmission line (HVDC) with Nepal and Bhutan as part of its energy security plans, External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said.

4. Less than a year after its term at the UN Security Council ended, India has again put in its candidature for a non-permanent member seat at the UN high table for 2021-2022 after Afghanistan withdrew in its favour.

5. Pulitzer Prize winning Indian-American author Jhumpa Lahiri's new novel, "The Lowland", set in Kolkata of the 1960s, has been listed fourth in Time magazine's top ten books of fiction in 2013.

6. Reflecting macroeconomic challenges over the next 12 months, Moody's expects challenges for Indian non-financial corporates to continue in 2014.

7. ACME Cleantech Solutions, an energy generation, management and conservation company, announced that it would partner French renewable energy major EDF Energies Nouvelles (EDF EN) to set up large scale solar projects in India.

8. Drug major Cipla said its wholly owned subsidiary has acquired Croatia based firm Celeris d.o.o, distributor of its products in that country.

9. The European Commission approved Microsoft’s nearly 5.5 billion euro takeover of the mobile phone business of Finland’s Nokia which once dominated the global industry.

10. America's secretive National Security Agency is collecting nearly five billion cell phone records a day about the precise locations of individuals, including non-US citizens, a media report said.

Thursday, 5 December 2013

Top 10 News 5/12/2013

1. The Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Anand Sharma addressed the Plenary Session of the 9th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) at Bali.

2. Telangana Raashtraamithi (TRS) opposes the creation of Rayal Telangana state; demands formation of telangana in the line with congress working committee's decision.

3. The British city of Leicester has got its first Indian visa centre after twenty years of campaigning, a media report said.

4. The Karnataka legislative Assembly passed the Essential Services Maintenance bill.
5. India has approved thirty nine projects for Bhutan at the second round of talks on the 11th plan held in New Delhi.

6. Vice President Hamid Ansari, Aam Admi Party Chief Arvind Kejriwal and Delhi's Chief Electoral Officer Vijay Dev were among the first few to cast their votes in the Delhi Assembly election.

7. India's services sector activity witnessed a moderate improvement in November over the previous month, even while indicating the fifth successive monthly contraction, an HSBC survey said.

8. Reliance Life Insurance Company (RLIC) announced their tie up with all five designated insurance repositories to provide life insurance policies in electronic form across all its products.

9. While growing numbers of Americans believe that US global power and prestige are in decline, top foreign policy experts think China and India will be more important US allies in the future.

10. Pop star Katy Perry has been appointed as UNICEF's newest Goodwill Ambassador, joining a list of icons like Indian actor Amitabh Bachchan and English footballer David Beckham.

Daily Current Affairs 5/12/2013

BRAZUCA, The official 2014 FIFA World Cup Match Ball was unveiled

Brazuka, the official 2014 FIFA World Cup match ball was unveiled on 3 December 2013 by manufacturers Adidas.

Oxford Scientists Developed Malaria Vaccine

Oxford scientists recently developed a novel new Malaria Vaccine which can protect against the deadly mosquito-borne disease.

International Volunteer Day Observed on 5 December

The International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development was observed across the world on 5 December 2013.

OPEC Decided to maintain the same oil output for 2014

Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries on 4 December 2013 decided to maintain the same oil output at 30 million barrel per day for the year 2014.

Maharashtra Cabinet approved for setting up Sugarcane Control Board

The Maharashtra cabinet on 4 December 2013 approved the setting up of a Sugarcane Control Board in the state.

India Ranked 94th on Global Corruption Perception Index 2013

India was ranked 94th on Global Corruption Perception Index 2013, which was released by Transparency International on 3 December 2013.

India-Afghan Innovation Partnership Fair opened in Kabul

The first ever India-Afghanistan Innovation Partnership Fair opened in Kabul, Afghanistan on 3 December 2013.

Prime Minister dedicated GAIL India Ltd's 1000 km Dabhol-Bangalore Natural Gas Pipeline to Nation

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on 3 December 2013 dedicated GAIL India Ltd's 1000 km Dabhol-Bangalore natural gas pipeline to the Nation.

RBI eased Companies' Foreign Funding Norms for Infra Projects

Reserve Bank of India on 3 December 2013 eased norms for companies raising foreign funds for infrastructure projects.

मुद्रा एवं बैंकिंग से जुड़े अहम तथ्य 5/12/2013

• भारत का सबसे बड़ा व्यापारिक बैंक है- स्टेट बैंक ऑफ इंडिया

• 'इम्पीरियल बैंक' पहले का नाम है- स्टेट बैंक ऑफ इंडिया का ।

• पूर्ण रूप से पहला भारतीय बैंक है- पंजाब नेशनल बैंक ।

• रिजर्व बैंक ऑफ इंडिया का राष्ट्रीयकरण हुआ- 1 जनवरी, 1949 ई. में ।

• भारत का केंद्रीय बैंक है- रिजर्व बैंक ऑफ इंडिया (RBI)

• भारत में राष्ट्रीयकृत बैंकों की कुल संख्या है- 19

• एक्सिस बैंक लि. (UTI) का पंजीकृत कार्यालय है- अहमदाबाद में ।

• भारत में औद्योगिक वित्त की शिखर संस्था है- भारतीय औद्योगिक विकास बैंक (IDBI)

• बीमा नियामक एवं विकास प्राधिकरण (IRDA) विधेयक पारित हुआ- दिसंबर, 1999 ई. में ।

• वह दर, जिस पर वाणिज्यिक बैंक RBI से अल्पकालीन ऋण प्राप्त करते हैं, कहलाता है- रेपो दर ।

• अल्पकालिक साख एवं दीर्घकालिन साख उपलब्ध कराने वाला संगठन है- क्रमश: मुद्रा बाजार एवं पूंजी बाजार ।

• भारत में अनुसूचित वाणिज्यिक बैंकों की सबसे अधिक शाखाएं हैं- उत्तर प्रदेश में ।

• बैंकों में ग्राहक सेवा सुधारने के लिए सुझाव देने वाली समिति है- गोइपोरिया समिति ।

• शेयर घोटाला की जांच के लिए गठित समिति थी- जानकीरमन समिति ।

• भारतीय प्रतिभूति एवं विनिमय बोर्ड (SEBI) की स्थापना हुई- अप्रैल, 1988 ई. में ।

• 'BSE-200' शेयर मूल्य सूचकांक है- मुंबई (भारत) का ।

• HDFC बैंक तथा IDBI बैंक का मुख्यालय है- क्रमश: मुंबई और इंदौर ।

• ICICI बैंक तथा भारतीय रिजर्व बैंक का मुख्यालय स्थित है- क्रमश: बड़ौदा तथा मुंबई में ।

• 'भारतीय पर्यटन वित्त निगम' की स्थापना की गई थी- 1989 ई. में ।

• सहकारिता को सरकारी नियंत्रण से मुक्त करने वाला भारत का राज्य है- आंध्र प्रदेश

• भारत की सबसे बड़ी म्यूचल फंड संस्था है- भारतीय यूनियन ट्रस्ट (UTI)

• विनिवेश कमीशन (स्थापना-1996 ई.) के प्रथम अध्यक्ष थे- जी वी रामकृष्णन ।

• भारत में मनीऑर्डर प्रणाली की शुरुआत की गई - 1980 ई. में ।

• भारतीय रुपयों का अब तक अवमूल्यन हो चुका है- तीन बार (1949, 1966 एवं 1991 ई. में )

• एक रुपए का नोट तथा सिक्के का निर्गमन करता है- वित्त मंत्रालय (भारत सरकार )

• करेंसी नोटों (5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 तथा 1000 रु.) का निर्गमन करता है- भारतीय रिजर्व बैंक (RBI)

• 20 रु., 100 रु., तथा 500 रु. के नोट छपते हैं- बैंक नोट प्रेस देवास में ।

• 10 रु., 50रु., 100 रु., 500 रु., तथा 1000 रु. के नोट छपते हैं- करेंसी नोट प्रेस नासिक में ।

• भारत में सिक्का उत्पादन होता है- टकसाल में ।

• 'नास्डैक' है- अमेरिकी शेयर बाजार ।

• भारत का पहला मोबाइल बैंक (लक्ष्मी वाहिनी बैंक) स्थित है- खरगोन (मध्यप्रदेश) में ।

• भारत में पहला तैरता हुआ ATM कोच्ची में खोला गया है- स्टेट बैंक ऑफ इंडिया द्वारा ।

• राष्ट्रीय स्टॉक एक्सचेंज(NIFTI) की स्थापना की संस्तुति 1991 ई. में की थी- 'फेरवानी समिति' ।

• शेयर होल्डरों के स्टॉक पर हुई कमाई को कहते हैं- लाभांश ।

• 'बैंको का बैंक' कहा जाता है- रिजर्व बैंक ऑफ इंडिया (RBI) को ।

• मुद्रा स्फीति में सबसे अधिक लाभ होता है- लेनदान को ।

• भारत में शेयर बाजार का मुख्य नियंत्रक है- SEBI (सेबी)

• भारतीय यूनियन ट्रस्ट (UTI) का 30 जुलाई 2007 से नाम बदलकर रखा गया है- एक्सिस बैंक लिमिटेड ।

• भारत सरकार ने सबसे पहले 14 बड़े व्यापारिका बैंकों का राष्ट्रीयकरण किया- 18 जुलाई 1969 ई. ।

• सरकार ने पुन: 6 बड़े व्यापारिक बैंकों का राष्ट्रीयकरण किया- 15 अप्रैल 1980 ई. को ।

• 'न्यू बैंक ऑफ इंडिया' का पंजाब नेशनल बैंक का विलय हुआ- 4 सितंबर 1993 ई. को ।

• अंतर्राष्ट्रीय बाजार में मुद्रा विनिमय दर निश्चित की जाती है- मुद्रा आपूर्ति और मांग द्वारा ।

• भारत में सबसे पहले पत्र-मु्द्रा का चलन हुआ था- 1806 ई. में ।

• भारत के सार्वजनिक ऋण प्रचालनों को संचालित करता है- RBI

• अर्थशास्त्र में निवेश का मतलब क्या है- शेयरों की खरीदारी ।

• ऐसा ऋण जो बट्टे पर दिया जाता है और सममूल्य पर प्रतिदेय हो, कहलाता है- शून्य कूपन बॉण्ड ।

• भारत में अपनी शाखा खोलने वाला पहला रूसी बैंक है- इन्कम बैंक ऑफ रसिया ।

• न्यूयार्क में स्थित सटॉक एक्सचेंज का नाम है- वॉल स्ट्रीट ।

• विश्व बैंक की आसान ऋण प्रदाता संस्था है- इंटरनेशनल डेवलपमेंट एसोसिएशन ।

• 10 रु. के नोट पर हस्ताक्षर होता है- RBI के गवर्नर का ।

• इंडस्ट्रीयल डेवलपमेंट बैंक ऑफ इंडिया (IDBI) शाखा है- भारतीय स्टेट बैंक का ।

• सिक्का के अलावे पदकों का भी उत्पादन होता है- मुंबई तथा कोलकाता के टकसाल में ।

• वह दर जिस पर केंद्रीय बैंक, अन्य बैंकों के प्रथम श्रेणी के बिलों की पुनर्कटौती करता है या ऋण देता है, कहलाता है- बैंक दर ।

• मूल्य सूचकांक में परिवर्तन की दर को कहा जाता है- मुद्रा स्फीति ।

• शब्द 'तेजड़िया' और 'मंदाड़िया' संबंधित है- स्टॉक एक्सचेंज से ।