Prashant Mavani, is an expert in current affairs analysis and holds a MSc in Management from University of Surrey (U.K.).

Transcription

1 Prashant Mavani, is an expert in current affairs analysis and holds a MSc in Management from University of Surrey (U.K.). Above all he is a passionate teacher.

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6 Deadliest terrorist attack in Somalia killing more than 300 Mogadishu has seen a number of attacks and suicide bombings al-shabaab and al-qaeda: allied groups Al-Shabaab had retreated from Mogadishu in August 2011 following intense joint offensives led by the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and the Somalian federal government. logistical support from the U.S. government Somalia must immediately work towards building a sense of civic solidarity: it is a clan-driven society. It was the long spell of anarchy that enabled al-shabaab to attain a position of prominence. The state of civil war prevented the conduct of elections through universal adult franchise Somalian President seems to carry a positive reputation among the people. It is vital that he capitalises on this beginning.

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8 Pakistan s decision to withdraw terror charges against Hafiz Saeed Mastermind of the November 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai Last week the government said it was not including charges of terrorism Saeed s house arrest this year appeared to have been prompted by a tough message from the U.S. government. It was also effected to avoid sanctions by the UN s body on terror funding, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), which has been conducting a review of Pakistan s actions this year. 2002: LeT was first designated a terror group by the UN Security Council International declarations on terrorism will carry little weight. Pakistan s Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif held that Saeed was a liability. An open challenge to India, the U.S. and the international community. The next round of the FATF, which is due at the end of this month, must be used to send a tough message to Pakistan.

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10 Among other things, one factor that stands out is the steady and sharp decline in the investment rate. Public, Private (corporate and household) Policy initiatives must be directed towards raising private investment. The solution to the current slowdown in growth: reviving private investment recapitalising banks to enable them to lend more speedy completion of stalled projects. The golden rule which the U.K. wanted to follow set no limit on fiscal deficit. But borrowing was limited to only financing capital expenditures. The implication is revenue deficit will be nil. We are far from this. Fiscal policy can at best play a role in creating the appropriate climate. Fiscal prudence is one of the elements in sustaining growth over an extended period. The fiscal deficit rules that we have evolved are consistent with the level of savings and the demands of the various sectors on those savings. Even to maintain government expenditures at the budgeted levels, there will be a slippage in the fiscal deficit budgeted because of the likely fall in revenues. The slippage in fiscal deficit by a few decimal points may not matter but any aggressive attempt to widen the fiscal deficit will land us in problems.

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12 The principal lesson for trial judges is that one cannot go by presumptions and assumptions. There will always be gaps to fill, and you cannot lambast an investigator for not getting all facts to the table. Only dishonest suppression of facts is culpable. Some blatant mistakes were in fact committed by the U.P. Police, which did the first investigation before handing it over to the CBI. The most serious of these was the failure to protect the scene of crime, and allowing free access to it to all and sundry. The episode reveals the police s inadequacy in investigation work. There are very few takers for this branch of policing because it calls for a thorough knowledge of procedural law and familiarity with advances in technology. It is on record that three successive CBI Directors oversaw the case. At the end of all this, we are not an inch closer to the truth.

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14 The U.S. s decision to quit UNESCO is an attempt to reassert geopolitical influence in West Asia. The UNESCO, which designates world heritage spots, accorded recognition in 2011 to Palestine as its 195th member. USA slashing funds: amounting to about a quarter of UNESCO s annual budget. While most of Hebron is under Palestine administration, the core of the shrine is surrounded by Israeli military guards. While Israel has also followed the U.S. lead, it would nevertheless be hasty to view Washington s exit from the UNESCO as a point of no return. The Reagan administration walked out of the body, objecting to its perceived Soviet slant, only for the U.S. to return during the presidency of George W. Bush, at the peak of U.S. world dominance. As globalisation accentuates the need among communities to amplify historical and cultural identities, the challenge could only intensify further.

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16 The RSS chief, Mohan Bhagwat, recently said in Hyderabad that our legal system should be based on the ethos of society. No one generation has a monopoly on wisdom. Humans are fallible but do learn from experience and thus must be empowered to change the Constitution as per the exigencies of time. Amendments are good if they reflect the evolution and maturity of constitutional democracy. A 13-judge Bench of the Supreme Court in the Kesavananda Bharati case (1973) laid down that the basic structure of the Constitution cannot be altered. At what point of time a nation drafts a constitution. This is usually when there is a break from the past, such as independence from a colonial power, partition of the country or merger of the country, or a revolution. A Constitution sets the agenda for the future. It should look forward, not backward. Many of our leaders had gone to Western countries and studied the concepts of liberty and individualism. Individualism is the central theme of most fundamental rights. Fundamental rights and fundamental duties are not co-relative. 42nd amendment in the non-binding Directive Principles Saying that the Constitution was not originally secular or socialist is wrong. Minority rights were another subject on which we were clear from the beginning. The apex court has repeatedly held that these rights too are part of the basic structure and cannot and must not be tampered with.

17 It s dynasty vs growth: Modi Prime Minister Narendra Modi has dared Congress to fight the upcoming Gujarat assembly elections on the development plank rather than mocking it. Assuring businessmen and trading community of Gujarat, Mr Modi said, GST is a completely new system being implemented for the first time in the country. He said, the Government is making all efforts to remove any discrepancy in implementing GST. Lashing out at Congress for opposing GST, the Prime Minister said Congress is also one of the partners in GST as all the decisions taken regarding GST are taken by GST Council which comprises Chief Ministers of Congress led states as well. State Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on the occasion announced zero percent interest on farm loans upto 3 lakh rupees to 25 lakh farmers of the state. He said, the interest will be compensated by both the central and state Government. The decision will put the burden of 700 crore rupees on state exchequer.

18 With stealth ship, India in elite group INS Kiltan was commissioned into the Indian Navy today. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman commissioned the indigenously-built anti-submarine warfare stealth corvette at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam. The ceremony was also attended by Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba and a host of other dignitaries. Speaking on the occasion, Ms Sitharaman said, INS Kiltan strengthens India's defence system and will be a shining armour in the 'Make in India' programme as it has been built totally indigenously. INS Kiltan is the latest indigenous warship after Shivalik Class, Kolkata Class and sister ships INS Kamorta and INS Kadmatt to have joined the Indian Navy's arsenal.

19 Food processing may see $10 bn investment World Food India Expo The Centre today said that Food Processing Industries will generate one million jobs in the next 3 years. Food Processing Industries Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal said, India is poised to attract an investment target of roughly 10 billion dollar in food processing sector. She said, India can become the global food factory for the entire world, if the infrastructure in the sector is developed fully. Ms Badal said, making India self-reliant in food processing sector is a necessity for the entire world. She said, India is the second largest producer of food, leader in milk, fruits and vegetables, cereals and marine products and there is a huge potential with 127 agro climatic zones and proximity to food importing nations. Ms Badal said the government is making all efforts to ensure food safety and security across the country.

20 Himachal Pradesh Election The notification for the single-phase Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections has been issued. On the first day of nomination for the state assembly elections, no nomination was filed today. The last date for filing of nomination is 23rd of this moth. Scrutiny of nominations will take place on the 24th. Polling will be held on the 9th of next month, while the counting of votes will be taken up on 18th of December. Chief Electoral Officer Pushpender Rajput said, voter-verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) machines will be used in all polling booths for the first time in the polls. Two major political parties - BJP and Congress - are yet to announce their candidates for the 68-member Assembly.

21 Inflation at wholesale level slows to 2.6% in September Wholesale inflation fell to 2.6 per cent in September as prices of food articles, led by vegetables, softened. Inflation, based on the wholesale price index had soared to a four-month high of 3.2 per cent in August. It was 1.36 per cent in September last year. The government data released today, showed that inflation in food articles reduced to 2.04 per cent in September, as against 5.75 per cent in August on an yearly basis. Inflation in vegetable prices cooled to per cent in September, as against a high of per cent in the previous month. Onion prices, however, continued to rule high with per cent increase in September. Meanwhile, the Centre today extended the date of stock limit of onion from 31st of this month till 31st of December to check the hoarding of onion. Minister for Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs Ram Vilas Paswan in a tweet said, States have been requested to ensure the availability of onion for consumers at reasonable price during the festive season.

22 Iran Nuclear Deal The European Union today reaffirmed its support for a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers despite sharp criticism of the accord by US President Donald Trump. It also urged U.S. lawmakers not to reimpose sanctions on Tehran. Mr Trump defied both U.S. allies and adversaries on Friday by refusing to formally certify that Tehran is complying with the accord, even though international inspectors say it is, and said he might ultimately terminate the agreement.

23 Questions 1. What are the main objectives of the South Asian Satellite? 2. What is the difference between a Strait and Isthmus? Give 1 example of each. 3. Usutu Virus originated from Australia continent. True or False? Justify

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