Today's GK(15-9-13)

President of Republic of Liberia Ellen Johnson Sirleaf visited India

The President of the Republic of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf paid an official visit to India since 9 September 2013 to 13 September 2013 at the invitation of the President of India. During this visit, India and Liberia held discussions on bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest with the Prime Minister of India.

On 12 September 2013, the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for the year 2012 was conferred upon President Sirleaf. The Prize was awarded to her for serving as an example and inspiration to women in Africa and beyond and for ensuring the return of peace, democracy and development in Liberia.

The following agreements were signed during the visit:
a) Agreement on Establishment of Joint Commission between India and Liberia
b) MoU between Foreign Service Institutes of India and Liberia
c) MoU on cooperation in the field of Oil and Gas between India and Liberia
d) Agreement between Exim Bank and Government of Liberia for a Line of Credit of 144 million US dollars for funding a power transmission and distribution project in Liberia

USA and Russia agreed on the Process of dismantling Syria's Chemical Weapons

The United States and Russia on 14 September 2013 agreed on the process of dismantling Syria's chemical weapons arsenal. 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.  If Syria fails to comply, the deal could be enforced by a UN resolution backed by the threat of sanctions or military force.

 The USA-Russia deal sets a deadline of mid-2014 for dismantling of Syria’s chemical weapons and an outline for compliance of requirements by Syria. It also has a clause stating that in case Syria falls short of its commitments, both Russia and the United States would jointly seek review at the United Nations Security Council. USA stated that in case of non-compliance US and Russia might request a Security Council resolution under Chapter 7, which can authorize both military and non-military sanctions.

The agreement did not include any automatic use of force if Damascus fails to comply. It added that violations by Syria would be referred to the UN Security Council for review which if approved, would take the required concrete measures.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the US-Russian deal on Syria's chemical weapons and hoped it will lead to efforts to end the appalling suffering of Syrians.

Siddiqa Parveen of India declared the World's Tallest Woman

An Indian woman from south Dinajpur in West Bengal was declared the world's tallest woman. Siddiqa Parveen received the title from the Guinness World Records. This was announced in the new record book launched in the second week of 2013 in London. The entry said, the tallest woman living is Siddiqa Parveen, who was measured to be at least 7 feet 3.5 inches. The doctor estimates her standing height to be at 7 ft 8 inches.

India already holds the record for being home to the world's shortest woman. Standing at 24.7 inches, Jyoti Amge has held the Guinness world record title for Shortest Living Woman since her 18th birthday on 16 December 2011.

Sri Lankan President inaugurated the Train Service to the Northern Province

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa on 14 September 2013 inaugurated the train service, built by the Indian Railways, to the Northern Province. The crucial rail line to the war-torn Northern Sri Lanka was destroyed 23 years ago. It has been rebuilt by IRCON, a subsidiary of Indian Railways, with full grant assistance from the Indian government. The rail line is crucial for rebuilding the economy of the war devastated Jaffna peninsula, as it will provide a fast link to the economic hub of Colombo. A state-of-the-art signaling and telecommunication system has been installed at all level crossings for maximum safety.

The re-construction of the northern railway line and the return of the popular Yal Devi Express train from Colombo to Killinochchi signals the end of dark days for war-torn Jaffna peninsula, when it was totally cut-off from rest of the country.

With this inauguration, President Mahinda Rajapaksa became the first commuter since 1990 to travel on this inter-city express train when he boarded it at the northern city of Killinochchi. Speaking on the occasion, Indian High Commissioner Y K Sinha congratulated the engineers of Indian Railways for completing the work on schedule by overcoming a number of formidable challenges. The line will be extended to Jaffna by April next year.

Syria's Opposition National Council elected Ahmad Toameh as its Interim Prime Minister

Syria's opposition National Coalition on 14 September 2013 elected Ahmad Toameh as its interim Prime Minister to run the regions in the country under rebel control. A moderate Islamist and a dentist by profession, 48 year old Toameh replaces Ghassan Hitto who resigned in July 2013 since he was not able to form a cabinet due to the division among rebel factions.

The Syrian Opposition National Coalition also has a new chief, Ahmad Al-Jarba who took over in July 2013. Ahmad Toameh received 75 votes, with 10 voting against him and 12 representatives filing blank ballots.

Ahmad Al-Jarba is the new chief of the Syrian Opposition National Coalition. He took over in July 2013. He led the National Council since early July 2013 by Ahmad al-Jarba, a tribal chief and veteran dissident who fled abroad in August 2012 after being released from a second stint in the regime's jails.

World's Oldest Man Salustiano Sanchez-Blazquez died at the Age of 112

The Guinness World Records stated that former musician and coal miner Salustiano Sanchez-Blazquez of Spain certified as the world's oldest man died at the age of 112 on 13 September 2013.
Sanchez-Blazquez died at a nursing home in Grand Island, New York. He became the world's oldest man when Jiroemon Kimura died in June 2013 at the age of 116. He was born on 8 June 1901 in village of El Tejado de Bejar, Spain. He was known for his talent on the dulzaina( a double-reed wind instrument). He played dulzaina at weddings and village celebrations. He moved with his older brother Pedro and a group of friends to Cuba to work in the cane fields.

The world's oldest person is a woman, 115-year-old Misao Okawa of Japan. Arturo Licata of Italy is now the leading candidate to be officially recognized by Guinness as the current world's oldest man. He is 111 years old.

Agni-5 Successfully Test Fired from Chandipur Test Range

India’s most deterrent nuclear capable ballistic missile, Agni-5 was successfully test fired from Chandipur Test Range in Balasore district off Odisha coast on 15 September 2013. 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 complex missile weighs about 50 tons and is 17.5 meters long.

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.

The versatile missile system has the capacity to be launched from a road mobile vehicle or even from a special railway bogey where it can be kept hidden and moved around at will.
 Agni-5 can be a very fast reacting missile which is a major asset for response to a nuclear strike.

After about half a dozen successful tests, this latest missile system will be ready to be inducted into the arsenal of India's strategic forces.