The Weekly Update consisting of Important News, Events, Facts and Achievements. Browse Regularly for Strengthening your General Knowledge, and staying abreast with what is happening around you.
National Political News:
1. Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has arrived in New Delhi on a 4 day visit. It is hoped that Sri Lanka’s tilt towards China by Former Sri Lankan President Rajapaksha will be reversed by Sirisena. Civil Nuclear agreement to expand defense and security ties signed following a meeting between PM Modi and President Sirisena.
2. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kashmir is bargaining hard with BJP over govt. formation in J&K after BJP debacle in Delhi assembly election. PDP wants a dialogue with Pakistan and separatists, removal of Armed Forces Special Power’s Act. (AFSPA) with in a year, no change in article 370 and free trade and travel between and Kashmir and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK).
3. The Swine flu tally over India increased to 600+.
The H1 N1 influenza A virus is defying its extinction inspite of advent of summer season and rising temperatures in most parts of India.
4. Corporate Espionage has hit the Coal, Power, Mines, Environment, Telecom and Petroleum ministries. Vital data and policies are being stolen from govt. ministries and then being passed off to the corporate sector in an over Rs.10,000 Crore scam.
Leading company executives of RIL, ADAG, ESSAR, Cairns and Jubilant Energy have been arrested in the case.
International Political News:
1. Myanmar i.e., erstwhile Burma flanking North East India has severe unrest in areas of its Shan province bordering China.
There are severe clashes between ethnic groups and Myanmar Army. The Myanmar Army is striking against the rebels also in this province. The residents of this Shan state are making an exodus to China. China has called for a peaceful resolution of the dispute.
2. Egyptian jets bomb ISIS targets in Libya after the release of a video showing beheading of 21 Egyptian Christians. Militant camps, training sites and weapon storage areas of ISIS Libya were hit in pre dawn strikes.
3. Cameroon Army has lost 5 of its soldiers in clashes with Boko Haram militants in northern Cameroon. Niger and Nigeria are also plagued by the Boko Haram militant problem.
4. In Eastern Afghanistan Taliban killed 28 Afghani nationals including policeman in suicide attacks. In Pakistan in another Taliban act, 6 person including 2 policeman were killed in a revenge attack hanging of Taliban militants.
Business News:
1. General Electric a $147 billion US conglomerate is enhancing its investments in manufacturing facilities in India for make in India program keeping railway modernization in view.
2. German companies BOSCH and Siemens are to pump in Rs.650 crore for enhancing their house hold appliances manufacturing facilities in India. Their current market share in the segment is 1% which they intent raising to 10%.
3. Coals Auctions yield Rs.1 lakh Crore to States including royalty over next 30 years.
4. Wholesale inflation index WPI was at –0.39% in January against 0.11% in the previous month on the back of softer oil prices.
Science and Technology:
1. India’s lunar probe Chandaryan has detected 2 billion tonnes of water ice at the lunar north and south caps from ancient comet collision.
Unmanned lunar probes have hunted the lunar surface for minerals and rare earth elements with unique magnetic and electro chemical properties.
2. The receding Kashmir Glaciers and the burning of charcoal stocks in the months of November to April to weather the cold season by the inhabitants on the ecology of the region.
Kashmir is covered by 3 mountains ranges that is 1. Shamasbari, 2. Pir Pangal and 3.the Great Himalayan range, with average annual snowfall of 10, 7.5 and 5.5 meters respectively between November and April. The great Himalayan range has the minimum snowfall having Sindh and Lider basins with least human population and stable glaciers.
The Glaciers on the two other ranges are fast disappearing because of the human population. These glaciers have 1600 nanograms of carbon per sq. meter in comparison to 500 only in Uttarakhand.
Sports:
1. In the World Cup Cricket Matches West Indies beat Pakistan by 150 runs at Christchurch, New Zealand to register their 1st win in the tournament. West Indies scored 310/6 in 50 overs and Pakistan replied with 160 all out in 39 overs.
2. Bangladesh defeated Afghanistan at Canberra by 105 runs.
3. England loose to New Zealand in a low scoring match. England scored 123 all out in 33.2 overs. New Zealand replied with 125 for 1 in 12.2 overs.
