INTERNATIONAL
Taiwan and Singapore Signed Free Trade Agreement
Taiwan signed a free trade agreement with Singapore on 7 November in
Taipei, the capital of Taiwan.It is first trade agreement Taiwan has
signed with a member of the Association of Southeast Nations.Singapore
is Taiwan’s fifth-largest trade partner and fourth-largest export
market, with bilateral trade totalling US$28.2 billion in 2012.
U.S. named Nigeria’s Boko Haram ‘Terrorist’ Group
The US State Department has on 13 November officially designated Boko
Haram, the Nigerian Islamist group responsible for the 2011 bombing of
the UN headquarters in Abuja, as a “foreign terrorist organisation”. The
designation is significant because it directs US law enforcement and
regulatory agencies to block business and financial transactions with
Boko Haram, which is fighting to impose Islamic law in northern Nigeria
and has ties to al Qaeda. Boko Haram means “Western education is
sacrilege”.
Abdullah Yameen Elected as President of Maldives
Abdulla Yameen, the candidate of Progressive Party , has been elected
as president of the Maldives on 16 November .In the presidential
election, Yameen defeated Mohamed Nasheed of Maldivian Democratic Party
with a margin of six thousand votes.Yameen secured 51.39 percent (1 lakh
11 thousand) of votes, whereas Mohamed Nasheed received 48.61 (1 lakh 5
thousand votes).Yameen is an economist and the half-brother of Maumoon
Abdul Gayoom, the former autocratic ruler, who ruled Maldives for 30
years.
Iran and P5+1 Group of Nations Signed The Historic Nuclear Deal
Iran and P5+1 group of Nations reached a breakthrough deal on 24
November 2013 to curb Iran’s nuclear programme in exchange for limited
sanctions relief.An agreement to this effect was signed at UN
Headquarters in Geneva on 24 November 2013 between the Chief negotiator
for the six nations, Catherine Marie Ashton and Iranian Foreign Minister
Mohammad Jawad Zarief. The interim deal for six months is intended to
give time and space to the international community to work towards a
comprehensive agreement.After four days of negotiations, representatives
of P5+1 group of nations – the US, the UK, Russia, China, France and
Germany – reached an agreement with Iran.The deal is intended as the
first step in a six-month process aimed at a permanent resolution to the
decade-old global impasse over Iran’s nuclear programme, and heading
off the threat of a new war in West Asia.
INDIA & WORLD
India Ranked 7th In Expat Quality Life
According to the research survey commissioned by HSBC Expat and
conducted by independent research company YouGov , India is placed
seventh out of 37 in a list of countries ranked in terms of expat
quality of life.Thailand tops the list which is dominated by Asian
countries with mainland China, Singapore and Taiwan are ranked 3rd, 6th,
and 8th places respectively.Others in the top 10 include Bahrain (2nd),
Cayman Islands (4th), Australia (5th), Spain (9th) and Brazil
(10th).The results show Asia to be the leading destination for expat
quality of life, with the region also emerging as an expat social
hotspot.The survey report was released on 4 November.
India and Kuwait Signed Five Agreements
India and Kuwait on 8 November discussed collaboration in
petrochemicals, and Kuwaiti investments in infrastructure in India as
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh held bilateral talks with Kuwaiti Prime
Minister Sheikh Jaber al-Mubarak al-Hamad al-Sabah in New Delhi.After
the bilateral talks , five agreements were signed including an agreement
on the transfer of sentenced persons, cooperation in the field of
sports and youth affairs and exchange of cultural and information
programmes, besides cooperation in the field of education.
India and Japan Decided To Strengthen their Cooperation in the Maritime Sector
India and Japan have decided to further strengthen their cooperation in
the maritime sector as a part of the overall robust bilateral
relations.The two countries on 9 November agreed to enhance their
interaction through the existing forums and through port-to-port
exchanges.These issues came up for a discussion between the Union
Minister of Shipping Shri G.K. Vasan, and Akihiro Ohta , Minister of
land, Industries and Transport & Tourism, Government of Japan.
India-Ukraine Inter-Governmental Commission Held In New Delhi
The fifth session of India-Ukraine Inter-Governmental Commission on
Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological, Industrial and Cultural
Cooperation held in New Delhi on 13 November.The Commission was chaired
by E. Ahamed, the Minister of State for External Affairs.The Ukrainian
delegation was led by Mr. Ihor Mykolayovych Prasolov, Minister of
Economic Development and Trade of Ukraine.During the session current
status and future prospects of cooperation in trade and investment,
heavy/light industry, fertilizers, pharmaceuticals and healthcare,
mining and metallurgy, science and technology, energy (coal, nuclear),
transportation, agriculture and food processing, education, culture and
tourism were reviewed.The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers,
Government of India, and the State Administration of Ukraine on
Medicinal Products signed the Memorandum of Understanding for
Cooperation in Joint Ventures and Research and Development in
Pharmaceuticals and Bio-pharmaceuticals.
US exempts India, China From Iran Oil Sanctions
The US has on 29 November exempted some countries, including India and
China, from the tough Iranian sanctions for reducing their dependence on
Iranian oil. Secretary of State, John Kerry announced in a statement in
Washington that other countries which have significantly reduced the
purchases of Iranian crude oil are the Republic of Korea, Turkey, and
Taiwan and these have qualified for an exception to sanctions under the
National Defence Authorisation Act.This move came after the decision
made by US President Barack Obama that there is sufficient supply of
non-Iranian oil for countries to continue to reduce import of oil from
Iran.This is the fourth time that these countries have qualified for an
NDAA exception as a result of their continued significant reductions in
the volume of crude oil purchases from Iran or their end to such
purchases.
NATIONAL
Medical Council of India Reconstituted
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of India on 6 November
reconstituted the Medical Council of India (MCI) with 68 members as per
provisions contained in the Indian Medical Council(Amendment) Second
Ordinance, 2013.Among the 68 members of the Council, 29 members will
represent the Universities/ Health Sciences Universities, 23 members
will be nominated by the Central Government in consultation with the
States, eight members will be nominated by the Centre, seven members
will representing the Registered Medical Graduates of the states, and
one member will be nominated by the Central Government representing the
UT Administration of Daman and Diu. All the members would hold office
for four years.
National Portal On Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Launched
Union Minister of Minority Affairs K Rahman Khan on 11 November
launched a National Portal on Maulana Abul Kalam Azad .The portal was
inaugurated to mark 125th birth anniversary of the great national
leader- Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.This portal is an initiative to digitise
the heritage of the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, and make his life and
legacy available online. Along with a biographical account on Maulana
Azad, the portal contains titles and information on over 20 books
written by Maulana Azad, in Urdu and English, as well as information on
over 45 books written on Maulana Azad in Urdu, Hindi and English.
India Poised To Become The Largest Provider Of Global Talent
According to the Ficci-EY Report on ‘ Higher Education in India: Vision
2030 ‘ released on 13 November , India is poised to become the largest
provider of global talent with one in four graduates in the world a
product of the Indian system.The report further outlines that by 2030,
the emergence of a robust higher education system would enable India to
augment its gross enrollment ratio (GER) to 50%, with a student
enrollment of more than 70 million across the higher education system;
reduce disparity in GER to 5 percentage points across states, gender and
various social groups and emerge as a better informed and evolved
society, leading to improved social indicators including better health
and sanitation, life expectancy, and law and order.India would also
emerge among the top 5 countries in the world in terms of research
output, with an annual R&D spend of US$140 billion; have more than
20 universities among the global top 200 and become a global destination
for higher education.
Government Released Postage Stamps On Sachin Tendulkar
Union Law Minister Kapil Sibal on 14 November released specail edition
postage stamps on cricketer Sachin Tendulkar at a felicitation ceremony
to mark his 200th and final cricket test match at the wankhede stadium
in Mumbai.Tendulkar is the second living person after Mother Teressa to
get a postage stamp in his honour.
STATES
Kannur Declared First Zero Landless District in the Country
Union Minister for Rural Development Jairam Ramesh on 1 November
declared Kannur in Kerala as the first zero-landless district in the
country.Kannur District Authorities provided land to as many as 11118
beneficiaries, including 85 families belonging to the Scheduled Tribes
category.The prestigious Zero Landless programme of the United
Democratic Front was flagged off by Congress president Sonia Gandhi in
October 2013.
RAF Academy of Public Order inaugurated in Meerut
Ministry of Home Affairs on 9 November inaugurated RAF Academy of
Public Order in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. This academy will train personnel
of Rapid Action Force along with selected members of other paramilitary
forces and civil police. Public administration, riot control, crowd
management, disaster management, human rights, media management and
first aid to the victims are some of the core issues on which focussed
training will be provided to troupes. Besides, security persons moving
on to peace missions under the United Nations, will also be provided
necessary training in the Academy.
India’s First Private Rapid Metro Service Started Operation From Gurgaon
Rapid MetroRapid Metro-India’s First Private Metro service started
operation from Gurgaon, Haryana on 14 November.Rapid Metro is India’s
first fully privately financed Metro system connecting NH-8 to Delhi
Metro via Cyber City, Gurgaon.Rapid Metro, with an elevated route and
six stations with a frequency of every four minutes, can carry 800
passengers in each trip. The 5.1 km long route covers six
stations-Sikanderpur, Phase-2, Belvedere Towers, Cyber City, Moulsari
Avenue and Phase 3. The Rapid Metro is using a common ticketing system
with Delhi Metro.Rapid Metro is a metro rail system in the Indian city
of Gurgaon, Haryana, linked with the Delhi Metro system’s Yellow Line.
Built and operated by Rapid MetroRail Gurgaon Limited (RMGL), the system
is India’s first fully privately financed metro.
Union Cabinet Approved For Legislative Council In Assam
Union Cabinet on 28 November 2013 approved a proposal to create a
Legislative Council in Assam.According to the Article 169 of
Constitution of India, Parliament can create or abolish the Legislative
councils in States.According to the proposal, the Legislative Council
will have 42 members. As per Article 171 of the Constitution, the total
number of members in the Council of a state having such a House shall
not exceed one third of the total number of members in the Legislative
Assembly of that state.
CONFERENCES
Delhi To Host 12th Edition Of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2014
The 12th edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention to be
held in Delhi from 7th to 9th January 2014 .The theme of the convention
is -Engaging Diaspora – Connecting across Generations- with a special
focus on the younger generation.One of the focus areas of the PBD this
year is a Youth PBD on 7th January 2014 to open new horizons of a strong
network of young overseas Indian.This was announced by Shri Vayalar
Ravi, Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs on 5 Novemeber 2013 in New
Delhi.
AWARDS & HONOURS
Bihar Health Worker Martha Dodray Gets ‘ UN ‘ Award For Polio Work
Martha Dodray, a health worker from Bihar on 6 November won the global
UN Award for her commitment and dedication to eradicate Polio in
India.United Nation has conferred the UN Frontline Workers Global
Leadership Award to Martha Dodray.The award was given in recognition of
the roles to individuals, organizations, and corporations played in
supporting the work of the United Nations’ to advance global peace,
justice, and prosperity. The United Nations Foundation and the United
Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA) honored recipients of the 2013
Global Leadership Awards at the annual Global Leadership Dinner in New
York City.
Indian-American Doctor Rahul Jindal Gets Prestigious US Award
An Indian-origin doctor ,Eminent transplant surgeon and philanthropist ,
Rahul Jinda has been selected for prestigious “Outstanding American by
Choice” award for his valuable contribution to US health sector.He was
honoured by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) at the
Women in Military Service for America Memorial at Arlington National
Cemetery in Virginia on 13 November .The initiative recognises
naturalised citizens who have made significant contributions to both
their community and their adopted country.Jindal, who recently received
the Leadership Award from the International Leadership Foundation, has
been appointed the Commissioner on Service and Volunteerism.
‘ RGIA ‘ wins ‘ Best Cargo Airport Award
Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) in Hyderabad being managed by
GMR Group has been adjudged the ‘Best Cargo Airport of The Year’ at the
recently concluded 40th Annual Convention of Air Cargo Agents
Association of India (ACAAI) held at Jaipur.This is the second year in a
row that RGIA has won the accolade for its cargo operations.
CSIR Scientist Rajesh S. Gokhale Gets ‘ Infosys Prize 2013 ‘
The Infosys Prize 2013 in Life Sciences is awarded to Dr. Rajesh S.
Gokhale, Director, CSIR-Institute of Genomics & Integrative
Biology,on 13 November for his work in the field of lipid metabolism in
tubercle bacilli.Each year two million people are infected and die of
tuberculosis (TB) and there will be 10 million new patients every year.
Dr. Gokhale discovered biochemical networks and new paradigms necessary
for the synthesis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) cell envelope coat
that makes these bacteria escape host immune systems.
Prof. CNR Rao and Sachin Tendulkar Selected for ‘ Bharat Ratna ‘ Award
The Government of India on 16 November decided to confer, the ‘ Bharat
Ratna ‘, the highest civilian award on eminent scientist Prof CNR Rao
(Chintamani Nagesa Ramachandra Rao) and cricket player Sachin Tendulkar.
Sachin Tendulkar :-
Sachin will the youngest recipient of the award.He is also the first
sportsperson to be chosen for the honour.He will also become the ninth
person from Maharashtra to join the exclusive club of 43 Bharat Ratna
awardees till date, which includes a galaxy of presidents, prime
ministers, Nobel laureates, scientists and artistes.The award was
announced hours after Tendulkar retired from international cricket
following India’s victory over the West Indies in a Test in Mumbai on 16
November.Tendulkar received the Arjuna Award in 1994 for outstanding
sporting achievement, the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award in 1997, India’s
highest sporting honour, and the Padma Shri and Padma Vibhushan awards
in 1999 and 2008, respectively, India’s fourth and second highest
civilian awards.
Prof CNR Rao :- He is the third
scientist to be awarded the highest civilian award– Bharat Ratna, a
crowning glory of his inexorable list of outstanding achievements.Before
Rao, C V Raman and former President A P J Abdul Kalam were bestowed
with the award.Rao, founder of the Bangalore-based Jawharlal Nehru
Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, has served as Chairman of the
Scientific Advisory Council to Prime Minister under different regimes, a
manifestation of immense faith different governments have placed in
him.A renowned scientist and an institution builder, Rao has worked
mainly in solid-state and structural chemistry.He was also conferred
with Padma Shri and Padma Vibhushan by Government of India and Karnataka
Ratna by the Karnataka State Government.He was awarded the Hughes Medal
by the Royal Society in 2000, and he became the first recipient of the
India Science Award, instituted by the Government of India, for his
contributions to solid state chemistry and materials science, awarded in
2004.He has become the first Indian to reach the h-index of 100,
reflecting the enormity of the body of his published research work.
*
Rao, a Kannadiga and Sachin, a Maharashtrian have got India’s highest
civilian award together.After engineering genius Sir M Vishweshwaraiah
and the Hindustani music great Pt. Bhimsen Joshi, CNR Rao is the third
Kannadiga to get Bharat Ratna. Sachin is the 6th Maharashtrian to get
the same honour.
SPORTS & GAMES
Sebastian Vettel Won Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix 2013
Red Bull Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany won the Abu
Dhabi Formula 1 Grand Prix on 3 November at the Yas Marina circuit, Abu
Dhabi.Vettel’s team-mate Aussie Mark Webber finished with second
position, with Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg of Germany finishing
third.Sebastian Vettel won the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix for the second time
in his career. (First time is in 2009). This victory has drawn Vettel
level with compatriot Michael Schumacher’s mark of seven successive
wins.
Indian Men’s Hockey Team Qualified For Hockey World Cup 2014
Indian men’s team has qualified for the Rabobank Hockey World cup 2014
to be held at The Hague, Netherlands. International Hockey Federation
(FIH) confirmed the India’s berth in a official press release at
Switzerland. Australia success at Oceania Cup on 3 November confirmed
latest teams for world cup 2014.The Rabobank Hockey World Cup will be
held from 31 May to 15 June 2014.
Novak Djokovic Won Paris Masters Title
Novak Djokovic of Serbia won the Paris Masters Tennis Title on 3
November at Paris, France.He defeated David Ferrer of Spain in the
final.It is the first time Djokovic, the 2009 Paris Masters champion,
has won back-to-back Masters Series events since his successive triumphs
in Rome, Madrid and Montreal in 2011.This Paris Master title was Novak
Djokovic’s 40th career title and sixth title in 2013.
Yuki Bhambri Won Traralgon Challenger Title
Indian Yuki Bhambri won the ATP men’s singles title of Traralgon event
in Australia on 4 November .He defeated Bradely Klahn of America in the
final.It was his first ATP Challenger level singles title of the season
and second of his career .
India To Host Men’s Hockey World Cup In 2018
India will host the men’s section of the hockey World Cup in 2018, the
International Hockey Federation (FIH) announced on 7 November .The
finals will be played from 1 to 16 December 2018.Also, England will host
the Women’s World Cup of hockey from 7-21 July, 2018. India last hosted
the World Cup in New Delhi in 2010 , while the 2014 edition of Hockey
World Cup would be played in The Hague, Netherlands.Hockey’s World Cup
is held every four years and is second only to the Olympics in
significance.
Heena Sidhu Won Pistol Gold In World Cup Shooting
Shooter Heena Sidhu created history by becoming the first pistol
exponent from India to win a gold medal at the ISSF World Cup finals on
10 November in Munich, Germany .In the Women’s 10-metre Air Pistol
event final, She defeated World Champion Zorana Arunovic of Serbia to
bag her first Gold.The earlier gold medallists in this competition were
Anjali Bhagwat (2002) and Gagan Narang (2008) in small bore rifle
shooting.
Sebastian Vettel Won United States Grand Prix 2013
Red Bull Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany on 17 November
won United States Grand Prix.France’s Romain Grosjean in Lotus was
second with Red Bull’s Mark Webber took the third place.This was his
eighth successive race of Vettel in a season. With this win he succeeded
ahead of Michael Schumacher’s previous record of winning seven races in
a row in the same season, which was set in 2004.This was also vettel’s
12th win of the season.
ECONOMY
India Will Be World’s 3rd Largest Economy By 2030
According to the Standard Chartered’s Super-Cycle Report released on 6
November , India will world’s third largest economy by 2030 , behind
China and the USA, adding that the world is in the midst of an economic
super-cycle.A super-cycle is a period of historically high global
growth, lasting a generation or more, driven by opening up of new
markets, increasing trade, high rates of investment, urbanisation and
technological innovation.India is likely to be the third largest economy
with a GDP size of $15 trillion by 2030.China with a GDP of $53.8
trillion is projected as the biggest economy, followed by the US at
$38.5 trillion.
World’s 6th Largest Number Of Billionaires In India
According to the ‘ World Billionaire Census 2013 ‘ released on 6
November , India has more number of billionaires than France, Saudi
Arabia, Switzerland and Hong Kong and is home to the sixth largest group
of super rich population in the world.Moreover, the country’s financial
capital Mumbai with 30 billionaire, is among the top 5 ‘billionaire
cities’ globally, which was topped by New York that is home to 96
billionaires.Hong Kong, Moscow and London make the top five with 75, 74
and 67 billionaires respectively.Notwithstanding the number of
billionaires in India having decreased between July, 2012 and June,
2013, India still enjoys a decent 6th position in the top 10 league with
103 billionaires.This list was topped by United States with 515
ultra-rich people, three times more than in China, which ranks second
with 157 billionaires.Germany, United Kingdom and Russia make the top
five countries with a billionaire population of 148, 135 and 108
respectively.
Azim Premji Tops India Philanthropist List
According to the China-based Hurun Report Inc ‘ HurunIndia Philanthropy
List – 2013 ‘ released on 13 November , Wipro chief and IT tycoon Azim
Premji tops the list of Indian philanthropists with donations amounting
to Rs8,000 crore in the past year.Shiv Nadar , chairman of HCL group, is
the second highest contributor in the list with a donation of Rs.3,000
crore.Hurun India Philanthropy List is a ranking of 31 Indians who
donated more than Rs.10 crore cash or cash equivalent during Apr 1, 2012
to March 31, 2013.
Three of Indian Origin Among Africa’s 50 Richest
Three persons of Indian-origin are among the 50 richest people in
Africa, according to a list released by Forbes magazine on 14
November.Vimal Shah , Sudhir Ruparelia and Naushad Merali figure in the
list which has been topped by Aliko Dangote who has a networth of USD
20.8 billion and is the largest cement manufacturer in sub-Saharan
Africa.Vimal Shah is a newcomer on the list and ranks 18 with a networth
of USD 1.6 billion .Ruparelia ranks 24 on the list and has a networth
of USD 1.1 billion.On the 48th spot is Merali with a networth of USD 430
million.
Prime Minister Inaugurates India’s First ‘ Bharatiya Mahila Bank ‘
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson, Sonia Gandhi Jointly
inaugurated India’s first all-women bank, Bharatiya Mahila Bank (BMB)
in Mumbai on 19 November , marking the 96th birth anniversary of former
Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.This first branch of BMB was inaugurated at
Air India building at Nariman Point in Mumbai.The main objectives of
the bank will be to focus on the banking needs of women and to promote
their economic empowerment. The bank will commence operations with an
initial capital of one thousand crore rupees.The new Bharatiya Mahila
Bank, with the tagline ” Empowering Women, Empowering India ,” is due to
have 25 branches by next March and 771 total branches over a seven-year
period.The Union Cabinet cleared the proposal for setting up of
all-women bank on August 2013.The Reserve Bank of India gave its
in-principal approval for the Bharatiya Mahila Bank in June 2013 and the
banking company was set up.The Union government approved 1000 crore
Rupees seed capital for the women-focused public sector bank, announced
by Union finance minister P. Chidambaram in his 2013-14 budget speech.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Pakistan Successfully Test-Fires Short Range ‘ Hatf IX ‘ Missile
Pakistan on 5 November successfully test fired Hatf IX (Nasr) missile, a
short range surface to surface missile that has a range of
60-kilometres.The test fire was conducted with successive launches of 4 x
missiles (Salvo) from a state of the art multi tube launcher.Nasr, with
a range of 60 Kilometer and in-flight maneuver capability is a quick
response system, with shoot and scoot attributes.The missile has the
capability to carry nuclear weapons.
Indian Navy Inducts Advanced Jet Trainer ‘Hawk 132′
Indian Navy on 6 November inducted the fourth generation advanced jet
trainer aircraft ‘Hawk 132′, which has led to a jump in the operational
versatility.”‘Hawk 132′ was inducted into the Navy at a ceremony held at
the Naval Air Station INS Dega at Visakhapatnam,Andhra Pradesh.The
aircraft was built by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) with
Transfer of Technology from M/s British Aerospace, UK.’Hawk 132′ is
equipped with advanced and reliable navigation systems and has the
capability to deploy an impressive array of weaponry including
air-to-air missiles, air-to-ground rockets, bombs and guns.It can also
carry two extra fuel tanks under the wing, which extends its
considerable strike range.”‘Hawk 132′ is a proven aircraft operating
with over 24 nations around the world.The induction of this highly
capable aircraft will provide the much needed fillip to the training of
combat pilots in the Navy by bridging the gap between basic flying
training and advanced fighter flying.
Carbon Dioxide Levels Pollution Levels Hit Record High In 2012
According to the United Nations (UN) weather agency World
Meteorological Organization (WMO) latest report released on 6 November ,
the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere reached a record-breaking
high in 2012.The report found the greenhouse gas measure at 393.1 parts
per million in 2012, exceeding the 350 parts per million that some
scientists and environmental advocates have pegged as the maximum safe
limit. The 2012 levels were an increase of 2.2 parts parts per million
from the previous year.The U.N. weather agency predicts worldwide
pollution levels will surpass 400 parts per million by 2016.
3D Printer Creates World’s Smallest Working Human Liver
In the month of November 2013 , A group of US scientists have created
the world’s smallest human liver which can survive for 40 days and works
like the real thing – using a 3D printer.The mini-livers, made by
California-based medical research company Organvo, are just half a
millimetre deep and four millimetres wide but can perform most of the
functions that a real liver can.The printer builds up 20 layers of
hepatocytes cells, which carry out liver functions, along with two major
types of liver cell. It also adds cells from the lining of a blood
vessel. This allows the liver cells to receive nutrients and oxygen.
NASA Releases Natural Color Portrait Of Saturn
NASA has released the first natural-color image of Saturn from space
showing the planet, its moons and rings, as well as the planets Earth,
Venus and Mars.The new panoramic image of the Saturn system, taken by
NASA’s Cassini spacecraft, shows the view, as human eyes would see it.
It was unveiled at the Newseum in Washington on 12 November.The
spacecraft’s imaging team processed 141 wide-angle images to create the
single panorama mosaic, which sweeps across 404,880 miles of Saturn and
its inner ring system.
World’s First Green Helicopter Tested in Germany
The world’s first green helicopter which is noiseless and emission-free
has been successfully tested in Germany on 17 November.The helicopter,
named Volocopter, developed by the German company e-volo, two seat
prototype made it earlier voage in kalsruhe, Germany.The volocopter uses
eighteen electrically driven rotos propel instead of one combustion
engine which is environmentally friendly and emission-free.The emission
free Volocopter is a vertical take-off and landing manned aircraft,
with rich features and incredibly quiet sound, absolutely no noticeable
vibrations, new spring strut landing gear and extremely calm rotor
plane that replace conventional aircraft .
PERSONS IN NEWS
A) APPOINTMENTS
Usha Sangwan First Woman Managing Director of Life Insurance Corporation
Usha Ananthasubramanian is first Bharatiya Mahila Bank CMD
R. Banumathi Appointed Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court
Justice A.P.Shah is the new Chairman of Law Commission of India
Five Central Information Commissioners Appointed To CIC
B)RESIGNS
PFRDA Chairman Yogesh Agarwal Resigned
C)DEATHS
Legendary Pakistani Folk Singer Reshma Died
British Nobel Laureate Author Doris Lessing Died
D)VISITORS
Kuwait’s Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Visited India
E)MISCELLANEOUS
Miss Venezuela Gabriela Isler Won ” Miss Universe 2013 Title “
Malala, Malia Obama Among ‘ Times ‘ Influencial Teens List
PLACES IN NEWS
One World Trade Center is Tallest Building in US
ABBREVIATIONS
BPCL - Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited
AAA - Asian Athletics Association
CITU - Centre of Indian Trade Unions
EVM - Electronic Voting Machine
ERDA - Energy Research and Development Administration
FEMA - Foreign Exchange Management Act
GFCI - Global Financial Centres Index
BOOKS IN NEWS
Vice President Released a Book on India’s Nuclear Energy Programme
Indian Vice President Mohammad Ansari released a book entitled “India’s
Nuclear Energy Programme : Future Plans, Prospects and Concerns” edited
by Prof. R. Rajaraman at a function organized by Indian National
Science Academy (INSA) in New Delhi on 7 November.The book is aimed at
creating the public opinion on nuclear energy.
COMMITTEES
Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai Committee To Deal with Sexual Harassment Complaints
IMPORTANT DAYS AND DATES
National Education Day of India Observed Across the Country on 11 November
National Press Day observed on 16 November
