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Current Affairs, November 2012National NewsGSAT – 10 launched successfully: India’s heaviest (3.4 tonnes) satellite GSAT – 10 was launched from Kourou, French Guiana on September 29, 2012. It will boost telecommunications and direct to home broadcasting. As ISRO cannot launch satellites of such mass on its own vehicles, so GSAT – 10 launched on European Ariane – 5 rocket. The satellite and launch fee cost India Rs. 750 crores. Delivery of Admiral Gorshkov to be delayed further:As per the information revealed by Indian Navy on September 18, 2012 the delivery of the Russian Aircraft carrier has been further delayed by several months. The aircraft carrier to be renamed INS Vikramaditya was originally meant to be delivered to India in 2008. The handing over was later postponed to December 2012. Now the delivery would be possible only by the second half of 2013. Admiral Gorshkov, was one of the last of its class, built by erstwhile Soviet Union, and it had been lying idle since 1996.India and Russia, signed a contract in 2004, for the repair and overhaul of the carrier. The initial $947 million was later fixed at $ 2.3 billion, despite India’s protests against the huge hike. Cause of delay: The delay is due to the technical troubles that were detected during its sea trials. 3 of its 8 boilers were detected to be malfunctioning. According to the Russian media the 3 boilers were malfunctioning because the engineers avoided using asbestos on India’s insistence, for protection against heat. The ship will now undergo repair work at Sevmash Shipyard in Russia. The latest setback to the delivery of the carrier, will delay Indian Navy’s plan to have a carrier battle group each on the east and west coast.At the moment, Indian Navy has INS Virat, which is the only aircraft carrier, but it is too in its last phase of service. Agni III and AGNI IV test fired successfully:The surface to surface Nuclear capable Agni III missile was successfully test fired for its full range of 3,000 Km from the wheeler island off the Odisha coast on September 21, 2012.Earlier on September 19, 2012 India successfully flight tested Surface to Surface Agni IV for its full range of 4,000 Km.India and Pakistan ink liberal Visa agreement:India and Pakistan signed a liberal Visa agreement on September 8, 2012. The agreement was signed by External Affairs Minister Mr. S. M. Krishna and Pakistan’s interior Minister Mr. rehman Malik.a) The new Visa regime is the 1st major overhaul since 1974.b) It eases travel restrictions for businessmen and group tourism.c) It is now that persons above 65 years of age will now be issued Visa on arrival.d) The new Visa regime also sets up a time frame for issuing Visas. Earlier, indefinite time could be taken to issue a visa, but now a 45 day period have been decided for deciding on an application.e) Visas will continue to be city specific. But in place of earlier 3 cities, applicants will now be able to go to 5 cities in one visit.Foreign direct investments allowed in multi brand retail:In an attempt to put country’s economy back on growth track, the UPA government on September 14, 2012 allowed 51% FDI in multi – brand retail. This will allow global retail giants like WALMART, TESCO, CARREFOUR to open stores in India.The measures drew a strong protest from UPA’s ally trinamool congress, with its leader Ms. Mamta Banerjee withdrawing support from UPA government and pulling its 6 ministers out of it. Opposition parties like BJP and Left also termed the government’s action as unfortunate. ISRO scores a century:In its historic 100th mission, ISRO launched PSLV – C21 from Sri Harikota, Andhra Pradesh and successfully placed two foreign satellites, SPOT 6 (France) and PROITERES (Japan) in orbit. ISRO also sent its own payload called “MINI – RESINS”. India and China agree to work together for peace in Asia-Pacific region:[Chinese defense minister General Liang Guanglie’s visit to India, September 2 – 6, 2012]In a significant development India and China had agreed to work together for peace and stability in Asia – Pacific region. The two sides reached the decision during the India visit of Chinese defense Minister General Liang Guanglie from September 2 – 6, 2012. He held talks with his Indian counterpart Mr. A. K. Antony on various issues of regional importance. The two sides also agreed to enhance and maintain peace along the border. They also decided to conduct the next round of joint military exercises at the earliest.Geneal Liang Guanglie said that India and China should make most of the opportunities presented by “the year of friendship and co operation”, i.e., 2012. It was announced that the two countries would strengthen exchanges in personnel training, academic research and co – operation between educational institutions of both the countries. India – Tajikistan Sign 6 pacts:On September 3, 2012 the two countries signed 6 pacts when Tajik President Mr. Emomali Rahmon visited India. The pact included key areas of business and trade, health care, culture, sports and education. India will set up an IT center of excellence, an e network including tele education and tele medicine, medical centers and language laboratories in Tajikistan. India will also enhance training slots for Tajik nationals, under the Indian technical and Economic co – operation training program.Besides, India has also agreed to provide agricultural machinery to Tajikistan. INTERNATIONAL NEWSPakistan developing tactical Nuclear Weapons: In a report released on September 26, 2012. The American federation of scientists said that Pakistan was developing Nin – Strategic or tactical nuclear weapons to catch up with India in conventional capabilities. The report identifies following 5 countries which either have or are developing non – strategic nuclear weapons:1) Russia 2) USA3) France4) China5) PakistanTo back its claims, the report specifically cites the Nasr missile in Pakistan’s armoury. It says that the nuclear capable missile is intended to be used against invading Indian troops as Pakistan lacks the conventional capability to check such an invasion by India. Nasr is a 60 Km range ballistic missile and could b launched from a mobile launcher. Syrian opposition holds meet to seek peaceful solution to the crisis:Members of Syrian opposition held a meeting in capital Damascus on September 23, 2012. The participants of the meeting called for a peaceful end to President Bashar Al Assad’s rule. The national coordination body said that a peace treaty between the regime forces and the opposition could pave the way for political change and eventually a true democracy. At the meeting Russia said that the main goal was to put an immediate end to the violence in Syria. This was backed by many and it was also discussed that a peaceful political solution is also necessary. The meeting was significant because it was held with full knowledge of President Bashar Al – Asad, which indicated his willingness to see a political solution to the crisis. China commissions its first Aircraft Carrier – LIAONINGU:China commissioned its first aircraft carrier LIAONING on September 25, 2012. The 300 meter long aircraft carrier is an upgraded version of erstwhile soviet carrier Varyag which China purchased from Ukraine. It has a displacement of 60,000 tonnes, a speed of 30 Knots and it can house 50 Aircrafts. China has now become the 10th nation in the world to have an aircraft carrier, which has given country’s already potent defense abilities a new thrust. Afghanistan bans Pakistani Newspapers:In a significant development Afghanistan on September 21, 2012 banned all Pakistani newspapers from entering the country. This is done with a view to blocking the Taliban from influencing public opinion in the country. The order issued by the Afghanistan’s interior ministry added to the tension between the two countries. The ministry in a report stated that the Pakistani newspapers were a source of Talibani propaganda. It was highlighted that the news items were not based on reality and were creating concerns for Afghans living in eastern provinces. Japan plans to be nuclear free within 30 years:Japan has unveiled its plans to end its reliance on nuclear energy within 30 years. The decision came in backdrop of sever meltdown at the Fukushima nuclear power plant, which followed the devastating Tsunami and earthquake in March 2011. Now, apart from Germany and Switzerland, Japan is the country which had decided to turn away from the nuclear power. Japn will be shutting down all 50 of its nuclear reactors by 2040. Japan was the world’s 3rd largest user of nuclear energy before the Fukushima disaster struck. At that time, the country was actually planning to hike nuclear energy share in total energy pool to 50% by 2030. However, the Fukushima disaster sent the Shockwaves among the proponents of nuclear power, as radioactive material spread in to the atmosphere, food and water became contaminated and 1, 60, 000 people have to be evacuated. Now the new strategy is to reduce the dependence on nuclear energy before altogether doing away with it. The new plan also emphasizes on developing sustainable ways of using fossil fuels. GKAnniversaries and Days:Children’s day = November 14 (also the diabetes day)National Epilepsy day, International = November 17Students dayWorld Hello day, World TV day = November 21International day of solidarity = November 29with Palestinian people Appointments:1) New CJI = Altamas Kabir (He succeeds Mr. S. H. Kapadia)2) New envoy to Israel = Mr Jaideep Sarkar (Private secretary to PM and Joint Secretary to external Affairs Ministry)3) New Chairman of PTI (Press trust of India) = Mr. R. LaxmipathyDefence: India successfully test fires AGNI 3 and AGNI 4 missiles for ranges of 3000 Km and 4000 Km respectively.Honours and Awards:1) Saraswati Samman for 2011 conferred on noted Tamil Scholar A. A. Manavaln. 2) Feroz Gandhi Sadbhavna Award = Mr. Shiv Bhatia (Media dvisor to Haryana Chief Minister) 3) Nobel peace winner Myanmar’s democracy activist “Aung San Suu Kyi” received US Congressional highest honour, the Congressional Gold Medal on September 19, 2012, the highest civilian award in US.Sports:1) Japan Open (Badminton) = Men’s Single = Lee Chong Wei (Malaysia)Women’s Single = Tai Tze – Ying (Taiwan)2) WBC Heavy weight Championship = Vitali Klitschko (Ukraine)3) Women SAFF title (football) = India4) Nehru Cup Football Tournament = India (defeated Cameroon) 5) US Open 2012:Men’s Singles = Andy Murray (Britain) defeated Novak Djokovic (Serbia) Women’s Singles = Serena Williams (USA) defeated Victoria Azarenka (Belarus)6) Singapore Grand Prix, 2012 = Sebastian Vettel (Red bull, Germany) Italian Grand Prix, 2012 = Lewis Hamilton (Mc laren, Britain) Belgian Grand Prix, 2012 = Jenson Button (Mc laren)7) 2014 FIFA World Cup Mascot = Armadillo ................
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