o Wednesday, July 8 2009
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WiwwiAuthor-of-the-Day: Vikram seth
M.P. Birla memorial award 2009 for Madhavan Nair
Obituary: Robert McNamara
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G8 Summit begins : Concerns over Economic slowdown
Amidst concerns of the global slowdown,the leaders of the world's most developed countried met at L'Aquila, in the region devastated by an earthquake in April, urging fellow world leaders to avoid
complacency about the prospects for growth, jobs and investment
India and G8: PM had gone to Italy to attend the Summit meeting of the G-8 and G-5 countries being hosted in the city of L’Aquila on July 9-10 by the Italian Presidency of the G-8. He will also attend a meeting of the leaders of the G5 group of countries (Brazil, China, India, Mexico and South Africa). This will be an occasion for projecting India’s views on major global issues relating to the world economic and financial crisis and its impact on development, food security, energy security and climate change, international trade negotiations and reform of international institutions. As part of the G-8 related events, PM wi
ll also participate in the meetings of the Major Economies Forum on Trade Matters and Climate Change, as well as a meeting on food security being organized by Italy with the participation of several African nations. The global financial and economic slowdown that we are witnessing is particularly detrimental for the development objectives of developing countries such as India. This has not been a crisis of our making, but we have had to bear its consequences. The slowdown in the advanced economies has affected our exports, strengthened protectionists sentiments and impacted credit and capital flows. We would therefore like to see a concerted and well coordinated global response to address systemic failures and to stimulate the real economy. In the longer run, we would like to see a much higher level of stability and sustainability in the growth patterns of the developed world, and in international financial governance. The issues of food security, energy security and climate change are closely interlinked. They have to be approached as a single undertaking if we are to give meaning to the concept of sustainable development. Climate change will be an important subject of discussion. It is the developing countries that are the worst affected by climate change. What we are witnessing today is the consequence of over two centuries of industrial activity and high consumption lifestyles in the developed world. They have to bear this historical responsibility. India will actively participate in the international negotiations on climate change within the framework of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Bali Action Plan.
During his visit, he will look forward to having bilateral meetings with the leaders of Italy, Angola, Germany, Japan and the UK.
Fresh protests in China: Thousands arrested
Violence spear
ds outside the city of Urumqi as protestors defy police two days after nearly 160 people were killed in the ethnic violence. In spite of tear gas fired by the police protestors refused to disperse.
Fringe Benefit Tax to be abolished: Union Budget 2009
Highlights of the union budget
The Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee tabled the Budget 2009-10 in the parliament while promising that the government would return to fiscal responsibility targets "at the earliest".
Total spending in the 2009-10 budget will rise to 10.2 trillion rupees, up 36 percent from 2008-09.
The markets had been expecting the fiscal deficit in the 2009-10 budget presented in the parliament today to rise to as high as 6.5 percent of GDP, from a previous government target of 5.5 percent.
Riots in Western China: 129 people killed and Thousands injured
The riots broke out Sunday afternoon in a large market area of Urumqi, the capital of the vast, restive desert region of Xinjiang, and lasted for several hours before riot police officers and paramilitary or military troops locked down the Uighur quarter of the city, according to witnesses and photographs of the riot.
Moscow Summit: Russia US arms deal
Russia and the United States have agreed the text of an outline deal on 
cuts to nuclear weapons that U.S. President Barack Obama is expected to announce with Kremlin chief Dmitry Medvedev, a Russian Foreign Ministry source was quoted as saying on Monday by the Interfax news agency.
Roger Federer wins his sixth Wimbledon title
Federer
earned his record 15th grand slam in Wimbledon’s
Serena Willams wins the Wimbledon Finals against her elder Sister Venus Willams
Serene willams beat Venus Willams to grab the Wimbledon women's singles.Serena Williams claimed her third Wimbledon singles title with a 7-6, 6-2 victory over sister Venus in the women's final. The victory was Serena's sixth over her sister in nine grand slam final meetings. It was the fourth time the sisters had met in a Wimbledon final
No hike in Passenger fares, freight charges :Union Railway Budget 
Highlights of the Railway Budger
Union Minister for Railways Ms Mamata Banarjee presented the 15th Railway Budget in the Parliament today. Passengers would get more ameneties and facilities in the stations would be improved
Economic growth decelerated in 2008-09 to 6.7 per cent: Economic Survey 2008
Highlights of Economic survey 2008
Concerns about job loses featured in the Economic Survey 2008, 
presented in the parliament today. The Economic Survey of India is published by Central Statistical Organization and contains of general economic health of the country. It focusses on various micro and macro economic sectors with complete statistical data and analysis. Highlights of Economic Survey 2008-2009 will be made public after being presented in the parliament. The Union Budget 2009 -2010 will be announced on 6th July 2009.
Delhi High Court decriminalises Homosexuality
In a highly controversial ruling Delhi High Court pronounced that outlawing homosexuality was a "violation of fundamental rights" (right to equality), while the process of repealing Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code is being discussed by the PM along with other Senior Cabinet Ministers.
Section 377. Unnatural offences
Whoever voluntarily has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal, shall be punished with 1[imprisonment for life], or with imprisonment of either description for term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.
Explanation. -Penetration is sufficient to constitute the carnal intercourse necessary to the offence described in this section
1. Subs. by Act 26 of 1955, sec.117. and sch., for "transportation for life" (w.e.f. 1-1-1956).
The court said that a statute in Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, which defines homosexual acts as "carnal intercourse against the order of nature" and made them illegal, was an "antithesis of the right to equality".
US Marines Offensive Attacks Against Taliban Bases in Afghanistan
Code named Operation Khanjar, or Strike of the Sword, by the US Marines the attacks are intended to seize virtually the entire lower Helmand River valley, the heartland of the Taliban insurgency and the world's biggest opium poppy producing region
Liberhan Commission on Demol
ition of Babri Masjid submits report
The report of the Liberhan commission will be examined by the Home Ministry before being placed in the Parliament. A working group will be set up for preparing Action Taken Report.
U.S troops withdraw from Iraqi cities
Iraq celebrated the withdrawal of American troops from its cities with parades, fireworks and a national holiday on Tuesday as the prime minister trumpeted the country’s sovereignty from American occupation to a wary public.
Supreme Court notice to UP Govt. & Chief Minister Mayawati
SC has asked UP Govt and the CM to repsond within four weeks against
the allegations of public spending for erecting statues of her self and the party founder Kanshi Ram.
A vacation Bench of Justice Dalveer Bhandari and Justice A.K. Ganguly recorded the allegations of petitioner Ravi Kant and asked the respondents to show cause.
The petitioner alleged that the total money used by Ms. Mayawati, from the budget for 2008-09 and 2009-10, for such projects was Rs. 2,000 crore. He said, according to the information obtained under the Right to Information Act, 60 statues of elephant, the election symbol of Ms. Mayawati’s Bahujan Samaj Party, were installed at a cost of Rs. 52.20 crore by misusing public funds. Such expenditure violated the various circulars of the Election Commission. Senior counsel U.U. Lalit, appearing for the State government, said there was no diversion of funds.
Yemnia Airplane crashes in Indian Ocean
The flight, carrying 142 passengers and 11 crew members, according
to Yemenia, originated in Paris and made stopovers in Marseilles and Sana’a. Most of the passengers were of Comorian origin from France, the airline said. The Comoros Islands are an archipelago located off the southeastern coast of Africa, northwest of Madagascar
Sharp rise in confirmed cases
of Swine Flu :
A (H1N1) influenza cases in the country have reache almost 100 confirmed cases as four more suspected patients tested positive. The signs of infection with swine flu are similar to other forms of influenza, and include a fever, coughing, headaches, pain in the muscles or joints, sore throat, chills, fatigue and runny nose. Diarrhea and vomiting have also been reported in some cases
Political Turmoil in Honduras: Curfew imposed overnight : Roberto Micheletti to be the Interim President of Honduras
Article 239 of Honduran Constitution, forbids any former chief executive from being re-elected President, states that any citizen (including the president) who proposes reforming this law, and any others who support such a person directly or indirectly, are to immediately "cease carrying out" any public charge. There is no constitutional process for impeachment or removal of a president. Manuel Zelaya was elected for a non-renewable four-year term in 2006
Manuel Zelaya, Honduras Presiden
t Arrested in a Military Coup
Honduras President was arrested by soldiers and taken into exile in a military coup-d'etat. US President Obama has expressed concerned on the events occuring in Honduras
Obama against trade restrictions in the Energy Bill
At a time when the economy worldwide is still deep in recession and we’ve seen a significant drop in global trade,” Mr. Obama said, “I think we have to be very careful about sending any protectionist signals out there"
Climate change bill passed in US House of Representatives
The new legislation in US is intended to reduce the emissions by 17% from 2005 by 2020.The bill seeks to introduceintroduce a carbon trading system and and force a shift from fossil fuels to renewable sources.
" We are Surprised at Mr Obama" : Iran President Mahmoud Ahmedinaj
Iran's hardline president lashed out anew at the United States and President Barack Obama on Saturday, accusing him of interference and suggesting that Washington's stance on Iran's postelection turmoil could imperil Obama's aim of improving relations. Obama rejects the demands and reminds the Iran President of his "obligations" towards the people
Obama invites Singh to White House
PM meets US National Security Adviser James L Jones in New Delhi 
who conveyed the invitation to Singh during a meeting.The next G-20 Summit is scheduled to be held in Pittsburgh in the second half of September and Singh is likely to attend it. General Jones had conveyed President Obama’s commitment to “expanding bilateral relations in all areas, and the importance attached by the U.S. Administration in working with India in shaping events in the twenty first century at the regional and global level.”
G8 Outreach Meeting: Indo-Pak Foreign Ministers to meet in Treiste,Italy
A head of the bilateral meeting of foreign secretaries of India and Pakistan in the Non-aligned summit in Sharm-el-Shaikh, Egypt in mid-July, the External Affairs ministers of India and Pakistan would meet on the sidelines of a G8 Outreach meeting in Trieste, Italy .Meanwhile Pakistani Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Malik Amad Khan too has said, "no Pakistani national would be handed over" to India
" No foul play" in Micheal Jackson's Death: Los Angeles County Coroners
G8 Condems North Korea's Nuclear tests and post election violence in Iran
Trieste, Italy: Foriegn ministers from the world's main industrialised countries have issued a statement "deploring" post-election violence in Iran.
Sodium Salts detetected in Saturn
Scientists working on NASA's Cassini mission have detected sodium salts in ice grains of Saturn's outermost ring. Detecting salty ice indicates that Saturn's moon Enceladus, which primarily replenishes the ring with material from discharging jets, could harbor a reservoir of liquid water -- perhaps an ocean -- beneath its surface.
Pak President Asif Ali Zardari asks US for Drone Technology
Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari today asked the US to give his country the drone technology to boost its capability to take on the Taliban as he expressed concern about missile strikes on its soil, two days after attacks killed over 80 people in Waristan.
CCEA approves an increase of about Rs 25 a quintal in the minimum support price for sugarcane for 2009-2010
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the Statutory Minimum Price (SMP) of sugarcane for 2009-2010 sugar season at Rs.107.76 per quintal of sugarcane where the recovery rate is higher than 9.5% a premium of Rs.1.13 for every 0.1 percentage point increase in recovery will be given.
The SMP of sugarcane for 2008-2009 sugar season was Rs.81.18 per quintal linked to a basic recovery of 9% subject to a premium of Rs. 0.90 for every 0.1% increase in the recovery above that level.
Iran entering a new Phase : Indo-Iran relations
FDI ON HIGHER EDUCATION