Current Affairs in 2012

International Current Affairs

• Fukushima nuclear crisis was a man-made disaster, says report
  Fukushima nuclear power plant meltdown March 2011 was caused by mix of man-made error nor the natural disaster which was being blamed earlier, says an investigation report, tabled on Thursday in the parliament.
• LeT is more dangerous than Al Qaeda, says US expert
  With its Pakistani backers, the notorious out fit Lashkar-e-Taiba (Let) has probably become the most dangerous terror group Al Qaeda is on ropes.
• Russia's Krasnodar region flooded, 171 dead
  171 people including four children aged between 1 and 12 have been reported dead in the floods of Russia's Krasnodar region, reported natural disaster, RIA Novosti.
• The 7 Habits... author Stephen Covey dies at 79
  The author of popular self-help book 'The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People' StephenR. Covey died at the age of 79 on Monday in Idaho due to complications originated from a bicycle accident in April.
• Madiba - Nelson Mandela turns 94
  Madiba or Nelson Mandela is celebrating his 94th birthday today. On this occasion Former US President Bill Clinton paid a surprise visit to him at his home in village Qunu.
• Aung San Suu Kyi to receive Congressional Gold Medal - highest US award
  Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi will be awarded with the Congressional Gold Medal, which is the highest US award.
• Heaviest rain in 61 years kills 37, thousands evacuated: China
  Toll of the dead bodies recovered since Saturday has increased to 37 and is likely to increase further said the Beijing municipal government.
• Obama: World's most popular president...of course on twitter
  Now there is some good news for US President Barack Obama, he has left behind all the famous head of governments of the world, of course on the social site twitter.

National

• Delhi HC orders to call off 58-days long AI pilots’ strike
  The Delhi High Court on Tuesday cited Air India's 58-days long strike illegal and ordered them to call off their strike immediately and unconditionally and returned on duty within 48-hours.
• Pranab's nomination for presidential poll accepted
  The cloud over the validity of Pranab Mukherjee's nomination papers has been cleared after Tuesday evening when returning officer found it valid.
• Cabinet approves Kochi Metro Rail Project
  The union cabinet Wednesday approved to an ambition Metro Rail Project in Kochi city of Kerala that would approximately cost to Rs.5,181.79-crore
• Agitation against land acquisition in Jharkhand turns violent
  The agitation against the acquisition of land for the construction of an Indian Institute of Management, an Indian Institute of Technology and a law university on the outskirts of Ranchi, the capital city of Jharkhand has turned out to be violent, officials said.
• Antony set to sent back trainee Lankan airmen
  Amid pressure upon the centre from all political parties of Tamil Nadu, Union Ministry of Defence (MoD) has reportedly decided to send back nine Lankan trainee airmen to Lanka
• Dalai Lama celebrates 77th birthday in Dharamsala
  Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama celebrated his 77th birthday in Dharamsala amidst the presence of thousands of Tibetan in exiles and foreigners.
• Jagdish Shetter new CM of Karnataka, Gowda resigns
  Ultimately Jagdish Shetter declared as the new chief minister of Karnataka by BJP and replaced present chief minister D.V. Sadanand Gowda.
• New railway tatkal scheme to be effective from today
  The new rules for railways tatkal ticket booking will be effective from today, July10 owing to the large number of complaints by the passengers not getting tatkal tickets. The new tatkal rule will allow the passengers to book their tatkal tickets from 10 am in the morning till noon for the train leaving next day
• Nuclear capable Agni-1 ballistic missile test fired successfully
  India achieved another milestone when it test fired it’s indigenously developed nuclear-capable surface-to-surface Agni-I missile.
• Cabinet approves two-lane road project in UP
  The Union Cabinet Thursday approved a proposal of developing a 166.40 km long 'two lane with paved shoulders' road project in the 'Rai Bareilly - Jaunpur' section of National Highway - 231 (NH-231)
• Prez Polls: Sonia to host lunch; TMC to attend
  A day before the presidential polling, United Progressive Alliance (UPA) President Sonia Gandhi is organising a luncheon for all Members of Parliament (MPs) of the ruling alliance and other supporting parties aiming to facilitate greater interaction among them that can pave the victory way to UPA's candidate Pranab Mukherjee
• India all set to choose its 13th President today
  India will choose its 13th President today after the voting that is to take place Thursday morning from 10 am. A significant number of eligible 4,896 lawmakers- 776 MPs and 4,120 MLAs will vote to elect the President in Parliament and state assemblies.
• Air India Management pilots disagree in court
  A state of conflict arose on Wednesday when the Air India management and pilots disagreed in the Delhi High Court on the issue of composition of a panel proposed to for the consideration of reinstatement of 101 pilots sacked during a recently held strike.
• Pak court rejected 26/11 Mumbai terror attack 2008 report
  In a major setback to India, which is seeking to prosecute seven Pakistani accused involved in 26/11 Mumbai Terror attack 2008 in which 166 people died including foreigners, a Pakistani anti-terrorist court (ATC) of Rawalpindi court Tuesday rejected a report submitted by the commission on the Mumbai terror attack case, a media report said
• Cabinet clears 'Rape law amendment'
  The union cabinet Thursday gave its nod to replace the term 'rape' with 'sexual assault' in the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2012 in order to widen the scope of this heinous crime
• India in 3rd position in global condom use survey
  India is now among the top three nations of the world to follow safe sex according to a new survey. Approximately 71 percent of total Indians polled during the survey committed they used condoms last time while having sex. The two countries ahead of India in having safe sex are Hong Kong (73 percent) and China (77 percent), the Sun reported.
• Kerala CM calls for increasing investment in infrastructure project 
  Appealing to investors and industries to change mindset about Kerala, Chief Minister of state Oommen Chandy Friday stressed on the need to increase investment in infrastructure projects in the state
• Violence on rise against women for choice of marriages and relationship
  According to Association for Advocacy and Legal Initiatives (AALI), which advocates the women's to choice of marriages and relationship, finds that in most cases the police and the legal system stood against the women. AALI sources say that Opposition from the community is expected in cases of inter-caste or inter-religious marriages. But the real problem is when the police and the lower judiciary ignore and violate basic legal and constitutional provisions.
• Adarsh Society land is assets of defence ministry: Antony
  Union Defence Minister A.K.Antony has said that the land on which controversial Adarsh Society stands is belongs to defence ministry and it has nothing to do with Maharashtra government.
• Assam communal clash: 9 killed in Kokrajhar, curfew imposed
  A curfew has been imposed at Assam’s Kokrajhar district after communal clash held since Thursday in which nine persons including women and minors were killed in communal clash.
• Akhilesh Yadav restores seven district names, Amethi rechristen as Gauriganj
  Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav today rechristened the names of eight districts which were earlier changed by former Chief Minister Mayawati
• INA legend Lakshmi Sehgal dies at 97
  Lakshmi Sehgal, an INA legend and a close associate of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, passed away here Monday in Kanpur.
• GNLA-ULFA camp busted in Meghalaya
  Security forces have busted a joint training camp of the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) and the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) in the Garo Hills region in western part of Meghalaya, police said Tuesday
• A new compound may regenerate vision in humans
  A new discovery is going to prove boon for the people with visual disability. Researchers have found an improved version of a newly discovered chemical that may enable people with degenerative blindness to see again.
• ND Tiwari is Rohit's biological father
  Delhi high court has revealed that ND Tiwari is biological father of Rohit Shekhar. The court said that the ND Tiwari and Ujjwala Sharma are biological father and mother of Rohit Shekhar.
• Anna launched book "Swaraj", written by Kejriwal
  Amid the indefinite fast launched by Anna Hazare at the Jantar-Mantar, there was a moment to relax when he launched a book named "Swaraj"
• Tamil Nadu Express Fire: Railway Minister announced Rs. 5 lakh ex-gratia to kin to the dead victim
  The Railway Ministry has announced an ex-gratia of Rs.5 lakh for each of the families of the deceased and Rs.1 lakh to the seriously injured in the fire that broke out in a coach of the Chennai-bound Tamil Nadu Express near Nellore early on Monday
• Tamil Nadu Express caught fire; over 35 fears dead
  At least 35 passengers were killed and 25 injured when a coach of the Chennai bound Delhi-Chennai Tamil Nadu Express caught fire near Nellore in Andhra Pradesh early Monday, officials said

Business and Economy Current Affairs

• India witness significant rise in Visa on Arrivals in June 2012
  The number of Visa on Arrivals (VoAs) recorded a significant increase of more than 12 percent in June this year in comparison to the same period last year, officials said Wednesday. According to the data of ministry of tourism, a total number of 864 VoAs were issued last month as compared to 770 VoAs that were issued during the month of June last year, thus registering a positive growth of 12.2 percent.
• India will soon return on high growth path: Chidambaram
  India will soon return on high growth path', said Union Home Minister P Chidambaram who may be restored as Finance Minister before beginning of Monsoon season of Parliament as it is speculated in media
• Eurozone's debt crisis to continue longer
  Europe's ongoing debt crisis has been prolonged and still consistent due to the failure to tackle the region's fundamental structural problems, South Korea's finance minister said Friday.
• SBI waives minimum balance for saving accounts for all users
  In a bid to attract higher number of customers, country's largest lender, State Bank of India (SBI), Tuesday announced to withdraw mandatory barrier of minimum balance requirement in saving bank accounts for all customers
• Infosys declares it's Q1 result; but cut 2013 outlook
  India's second largest Information Technology giant Infosys Technologies Ltd. declared its first quarter (Q1) result for fiscal year (FY) 2012-13 reporting a net profit of Rs. Rs.2,289 crore (US$22.89 billion), a 33% year-on-year (YoY) growth
• Tata Steel turns to Asia and Africa for growth
  With the ongoing Euro crisis and a steep decline in the European demand Tata Steel is now turning to Asia and Africa for growth prospect
• Bank rate intact, RBI cuts SLR by 1%
  Analysing higher inflation rate and worsening economic situation, the Reserve Bank of India, India’s master bank second time in the line since after June today has made no changes in bank rates except 1% cut in Statuary Liquidity Ratio (SLR) - the amount of deposits banks park in government bonds - by 1%
• Bata India announces excellent growth for second quarter of 2012
  India's leading footwear manufacturer Bata India Limited, today announced its excellent financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2012.

Sports Current Affairs

• Euro 2012: Spain makes history, Torres recieves Golden Boot
  Spain thumped a 4-0 victory over Italy in the final of Euro Cup 2012 played in Ukrainian capital Kiev.
• Champion League T20 2012 from October 9-28, KKR, CSK, MI, DD to represent India
  Champion League T20 2012 will be played in South Africa from October 9 to 28.
• Wimbledon 2012: Mahesh and Bopanna knocked out, Still a chance for Leander
  Leander Paes and Radek Stepanek lost the third round match against Ivan Dodig and Marcelo Melo. Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna lost the second round match to Mikhael Elgin and Denis Istomin.
• Van Persie in full mood to leave Arsenal, Manchester City ready to bid £20 million
  Robin van Persie the present captain of Arsenal has made up his mind to bid adieu to the club and hence has decide not to sign a new deal with the club.
• Indian team declared for lanka tour: Tendulkar rested, Sehwag, Zaheer back
  Batting Maestro Sachin Tendulkar has been given rest for the ODI series to be played against Sri lanka in Sri lanka this July-August. However, flamboyant Virender Sehwag and fast bowler Zaheer Khan has been recalled for the series.
• Majestic Federer makes it again for the 7th time
  After a long wait of two and a half year, Roger Federer proved him again by winning his 7th Wimbledon title by defeating Britain’s Andy Murray 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4 in the finals on Sunday. After this win, it became his 17th career Grand Slam and returned to the No.1 ranking.
• Van Gaal appointed Dutch national team new coach
  The Dutch football association KNVB has roped in Louis van Gaal as the new head coach of the Netherlands national team.
• Brett Lee says goodbye to international cricket after 13 years of cricket
  Australian veteran pace bowler Brett Lee announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket today, Friday on 13th July. Earlier, the 35-year-old pacer had retired from Test cricket a year ago in February 2010 but continued playing for Australia in one-day matches and in the Twenty20 format. In his entire career of Test cricket Lee took a remarkable number of 310 wickets in 76 matches
• Yuvraj Returns: included in 30 probable of Twenty20 World Cup
  Yuvraj Singh who is working hard to make the grand comeback has been included in 30 probable list for the Twenty20 World Cup to be played in Sri Lanka in September-October 2012.
• Sahara India Pariwar to become one of the prime franchises of the 'Hockey India League'
  Major business conglomerate and a major promoter of sports in India, Sahara India Pariwar achived another milestone today after the announcement of becoming one of the prime franchisee of the 'Hockey India League' (HIL), an initiative of Hockey India.
• Santhi Soundarajan Asian Games Silver Medallist now a Bric Klin worker
  Santhi Soundarajan is a female Athlete who won a silver medal in the 800m at the Doha Asian Games in 2006. However she lost the medal and all her previous accolades and feats when she failed a gender test.
• Kapil Dev backs on BCCI's fold
  Former Indian Captain and First World Cup winner for India, Kapil Dev, who had broken the tie with Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) few years ago for joining as a board member in a private sponsored Indian Cricket League (ICL), has once again returned to his original kitty, BCCI President N Srinivas informed to media
• Match-fixing, Gambling and Doping are the main challenges before IOC: Jacques Rogge
  Besides doping, corruption, match fixing and gambling will be major challenges before International Olympic Committee (IOC), the international Olympic games governing body President Jacques Rogges said to a newspaper
• London Olympic: All set for the eye-catching mega opening ceremony
  The much awaited opening ceremony of London Olympic is all set to start which is ready to attract viewers from all parts of the world. It is expected to entire world will be near their TV set to watch the about 3 hour show for which many world famous personalities from their fields have joins hands
• London Olympic 2012: Narang Opens account for India, wins Bronze
  Ace rifle shooter Gagan Narang opened the medal count for India in the 2012 London Games by winning the bronze medal in the men's 10-metre air rifle event here Sunday.