Current Affairs

Current Affairs
11th November 2012 to 7th January 2013
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Novemb er 2012
Current Affairs
11th to 19th
Bilateral & International Developments IndiaChina
India has started stamping its map on visas issued in China in response to Chinas decision to stamp its passports with maps depicting Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin as part of the Chinese territory. Beijing began issuing new electronic passports and, as per the standard practice governing all maps printed in China in recent years, it included Aksai Chin, Arunachal Pradesh and disputed islands in the South China Sea in the map outline on the pages. The map outline however does include the disputed East China Sea islands over which relations between China and Japan have strained in recent months.
IndiaMyanmar
India has notified 22 additional items including agricultural tools, bicycles, coal and garments in the list of items for border trade with Myanmar. 22 new items have been added to the existing list of 40 tradable items taking the number of total tradable items to 62 for border trade. The other new items include edible oil, electrical appliances, steel products, medicines, tea, beverages, motor cycles and spare parts, semi precious stone, sewing machines and three wheelers/cars below 100cc.
PM Manmohan Singhs meeting with Wen Jiabao

Prime Minister and Prime Minister Wen Jiabao had a very fruitful and detailed meeting on 19th November. The overall perspective of the discussions between the two Prime Ministers was that there is enough space for both China and India to develop and side by side they can expand cooperation and build new areas of cooperation. Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh endorsed the views of the Prime Minister of China. The economic engagement was given a great deal of importance by the Prime Minister in his remarks. He noted that there would be a Strategic Economic Dialogue at the end of November. This will be a dialogue held between two teams led by the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission from the Indian side and the Head of the National Development and Reform Commission on the Chinese side.
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Current Affairs
Novemb er 2012
11th to 19th
It was also noted by the two Prime Ministers that on global issues there had been a great deal of dialogue and working together in international fora. As regards Indian exports, Prime Minister emphasized the need for greater market access for Indian exports particularly in areas such as services, IT and pharma. In reference to people-to-people contacts, emphasis was placed on science and technology, the Chinese contribution to the Nalanda University revival and on the encyclopedia of culture which is an ongoing work between the two countries. The two leaders also shared the importance of using the EAS as a forum for accelerating economic development and enhancing economic interests of all the countries.
At the invitation of His Excellency Mr. Pranab Mukherjee, President of the Republic of India, Mr. Hamid Karzai, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, paid a state visit to India from November 913, 2012. During the visit to Mumbai, the President of Afghanistan attended a Business Meet on November 10, 2012 where leading business leaders of India participated. He delivered the prestigious Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Memorial lecture organized by the Indian Council of Cultural relations (ICCR) in New Delhi on November 12, 2012. Afghanistan and India have had a long shared history going back over millennia. The two countries are natural strategic partners by virtue of geography and a common vision of peace and cooperation in the region. The two countries have built up extensive, mutually beneficial relations in all fields. The strong ties have been manifested in recent times in the form of a robust Strategic Partnership Agreement signed between the two countries in October 2011. The President of Afghanistan held delegation-level discussions with Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, on bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest and relevance. The Prime Minister assured the President of Afghanistan of Indias support as Afghanistan completes the crucial period of transition by 2014 and, reiterated the continuation of Indias support in the period beyond transition. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the full implementation of the Agreement in all areas, including the expansion of political, security, economic and cultural cooperation. The two sides noted that the Strategic Partnership Agreement underlines the multifaceted ties between two countries and has drawn its inspiration and strength from the warmth and resilience of our historical people-to-people ties. The two sides welcomed the steps taken towards the promotion of business links between Afghanistan and India, and were supportive of Indian efforts at encouraging investment in Afghanistan through the Delhi Investment Summit on Afghanistan, held in Delhi on June 28, 2012. The two sides also reviewed the implementation of Indian development and reconstruction projects in Afghanistan and were appreciative of their contribution to the development of Afghanistan. Both sides acknowledged the importance of regional cooperation and connectivity which could assist in Afghanistans political and economic progress.
State visit of Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai
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They welcomed the Indian stewardship of the two commercial Confidence Building Measures under the Istanbul process that seeks to inspire new trust and confidence in the region by acknowledging and capitalizing on Afghanistans position at the Heart of Asia. The two sides also discussed the potential of the Chahbahar port in helping expand trade and transit opportunities and providing alternative transport routes for the prosperity and development of Afghanistan and the region. The two sides signed the following documents during the visit: (i) Memorandum of Understanding on Small Development Projects (SDPs) up to US $ 100 million; (ii) Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of development of Coal Mineral Resources; (iii) Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the field of Fertilizer; (iv) Memorandum of Understanding for Cooperation in Youth Affairs.
India Belarus
Dr. Mikhail Myasnikovich, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus, paid a working visit to India on 13-14 November 2012. The Prime Minister of Belarus was the guest of honour at the inauguration ceremony of the 32nd India International Trade Fair 2012 in New Delhi. Prime Minister Myasnikovich, accompanied by the Minister of Commerce and Industry of India, Shri Anand Sharma, inaugurated the special pavilion of the Republic of Belarus at the India international Trade Fair. Belarus has been designated Indias partner country at the Trade Fair this year and more than 60 Belarusian companies and organisations are participating in the Fair, showcasing their scientific and technological prowess. A Joint India-Belarus Business Forum was organised on the occasion by Indias apex chambers of commerce and industry, CII, FICCI and ASSOCHAM. Three business level contracts were concluded and bilateral documents in the fields of energy, fertilisers, pharmaceuticals, education, media and information technology were signed in the presence of the Prime Minister of Belarus. India and Belarus reviewed the progress in bilateral cooperation and agreed to intensify dialogue and cooperation in the trade, economic and industrial spheres and focus on the areas of fertilisers, pharmaceuticals, science and technology, information technology, education, culture and sports. Both sides agreed to expeditiously resolve outstanding issues of bilateral trade and promote two-way investment flows and the setting up of joint ventures. Both sides also exchanged views on a number of regional and international issues of mutual concern and agreed to continue their close cooperation at international and multilateral fora.
India Myanmar : Aung San Suu Kyis visit to India

Myanmars Opposition leader and Nobel laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on 15, November and discussed a variety of issues, including the national reconciliation process under way in Myanmar. At the half-hour meeting, Dr. Singh expressed his happiness in receiving Ms. Suu Kyi and appreciated the progress made by her and President Thien Sien. At the meeting, which was held without aides, the leaders agreed on the need to have greater cooperation between the parliaments and judiciaries of the two countries.
Current Affairs
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Later in the day, delivering the Nehru Memorial Lecture on the 123rd birth anniversary of the first Prime Minister, Ms. Suu Kyi spoke about the influence of Indian leaders, including Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, the principles that guided Indias freedom struggle and how they inspired her as she continued to strive for a democratic Myanmar. Throughout her speech, Ms. Suu Kyi linked Nehrus experiences to her own and reflected on the parts of their lives that were spent as political prisoners. Ms. Suu Kyi also spoke of her ties to India, where she received her education and the time she spent as a fellow at the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies between 1987 and 1988 with her husband.
India Japan : SSA and MoC signed

The Governments of India and government of Japan signed two crucial agreements on 16 November at Tokyo. The conclusion and signing of these agreements are expected to further enhance and strengthen the India-Japan Strategic and Global Partnership. The social security agreement (SSA) will immediately benefit about 30,000 citizens of both countries about 22,000 Indians working in Japan and about 8,000 Japanese employed in India whose social security contributions wont be deducted in both countries. While the SSA will benefit a few thousands, the Memorandum on Cooperation (MoC) has strategic significance. The resolve to cooperate in rare earths was expressed during Dr. Singhs visit to Tokyo in 2010 at the time when China, the worlds biggest repository of rare earths, decided to cut off their exports to Japan following a territorial dispute. Since then, several rounds of discussions have been held between Toyota Tsusho and Indian Rare Earths Limited for a joint project to refine rare earth minerals in India and export them to Japan. Preliminary talks had indicated an export figure of about 5,000 tonnes of rare earths that will be used mainly in mobile phone and automobile sectors. Japan has in the past imported all its rare earth requirements from China but has been scouting for alternatives after political turbulence hit its ties with Beijing. For instance, Sumitomo has tied with the Kazakh company Kazatomprom for mining in eastern Kazakhstan.
India Maldives: EKUVERIN 2012

The fourth Joint Military Training Exercises between the Indian Army and the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) - EKUVERIN 2012 - was being held in Belgaum, India from 1225 November 2012. A total of 45 personnel from the MNDF are taking part in the exercises along with the personnel from the Indian Army. The bilateral annual exercises, which commenced in 2009 in Belgaum, are alternately held in India and Maldives. The aim of the exercises is to enhance the close military cooperation between the two countries. Defence ties between India and Maldives have continued to expand and strengthen over the years. In April 2012, both countries, along with Sri Lanka, held joint Coast Guard/Naval
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exercises DOSTI XI - off the coast of Male (Maldives) to strengthen the bonds of friendship and enhance mutual operational capability and cooperation in the region.
Morsys power grab

Egyptian President Mohamed Morsys decree that endows him with sweeping powers has initiated violent clashes across Egypt.
Bolstered by rising international stature after his vital contribution in brokering a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, Mr. Morsy had armed himself with impregnable powers, immune to the intervention by Egypts courts. His constitutional decree makes it impossible for the judiciary, to dissolve Egypts controversial constitutional-drafting assembly that critics say is dominated by pro-Islamists. With his latest move, the President has taken on the judiciary, which, in the view of his supporters, had become a major stumbling block in the drafting of a new constitution.
New BBC Chief

BBC has appointed Tony Hall, the head of the Royal Opera House as its new director general. Hall is credited with helping turn round the Royal Opera House, which had been in crisis before he joined as chief executive, and also the Cultural Olympiad, which had been in similar difficulties.
Tony Hall
Tony Hall, has been chief executive of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden since 2001. His initial career was spent at the BBC, where he became Director of News in 1993. From March 2013, Hall will be Director-General of the BBC.
Israel Hamas agree for truce

Israel and Hamas agreed on a truce ending a week of violence in and around the Gaza Strip that killed more than 150 people. The agreement came after a day of shuttle diplomacy led by Ms. Clinton and U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. Israel launched its offensive on November 14 with the targeted killing of a Hamas military chief. Since then, 148 Palestinians and five Israelis have been killed.
Prison uprising in SriLanka

Heavily-armed commandoes of the Sri Lankan Army seized control of the over-crowded city prison where a seven-hour standoff between prisoners and the security forces left at least 27 dead and more than 40 injured.
Current Affairs
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Welikada witnessed a prisoner uprising in January this year. Vavuniya and Galle prisons too have witnessed clashes in the recent past, raising fundamental questions over jail management systems. This is the worst prison uprising in Sri Lanka in the recent past, and was devoid of any ethnic linkages unlike the riots in Black July of 1983. This time it was a surprise check to detect prohibited substances in prison wards that led to resentment. The inhumane manner in which the Special Task Force (STF), a para-military force, carried out the operation led to prisoners getting agitated. According to the Indian High Commission, the 34 Indian convicts and the five remand prisoners in Welikada prison were safe.
Waseela-e-Taleem
To show Pakistans commitment to Ms. Yousafzais dream of educating the 32 million out-ofschool girls across the world. The federal government launched the Waseela-e-Taleem programme to educate three million children, especially girls, from the poorest of poor families. Mr. Zardari said the programme seeks to reinforce the idea that Ms. Yousafzai represents. According to the President, the observance of Malala Day by the international community was a demonstration of the realisation that the attackers of Ms. Yousafzai would not stop at Pakistan and would threaten the whole world.
CPC to deal with housing issues

Top Communist Party of China (CPC) officials pledged to expand the construction of lowincome housing and to provide more support to a job market facing pressures from a continuing slowdown, amid growing public concerns about widening social inequality in the country. Jiang Weixin, who heads the Ministry of Housing and Urban-rural Development, told reporters that the government plans to build at least five million units of homes next year. Mr. Jiang acknowledged the problems affecting the provision of housing, starting with widespread complaints about a lack of transparency in the allocation of low-income homes. China plans to build 36 million units under the current Five-Year Plan (2011-15). In the first year of the plan, the government built 10 million units at a cost of around $ 200 billion. According to China Development Research Foundation report, an official think-tank, local governments were shirking their responsibilities of building low-income housing projects. Recent audits conducted by the central government found that close to three billion Yuan allocated for low-income housing developments had been diverted for other projects.
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National Coalition for Opposition and Revolutionary Forces
A 60-member National Coalition for Opposition and Revolutionary Forces was formed after several days of heated negotiations in Doha. The new body effectively diminishes the influence of the Syrian National Council (SNC), which now has 22 members in the coalition.
The Americans hope that the set-up, which supposedly better represents the opposition inside Syria, would help remove some of the pillars of social support for Mr. Assad. The coalition has a perceptible Islamist accent, mirroring the sharp contrast with the secular government, rooted in Baathist ideology, of Mr. Assad. Moaz Khatib, a former imam of the Umayyad mosque in Damascus is the coalitions new leader. Several members of the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood occupy important positions in the coalition. The opposition hopes that with the show of unity, more funds from the West and the Arab League would flow into its coffers.
U.N blames itself

An internal United Nations report has blamed its officials who were part of its Mission in Colombo for failing the U.N in its mandate to protect civilians in the final months of Sri Lankas Elam War. A report by the U.N. Secretary Generals Panel of Experts on Sri Lanka had held that upwards of 40,000 civilians perished, trapped between the governments deliberate artillery shelling of no fire zones, and the Tamil Tigers refusal to let them out of their control. The report details how the U.N. failed to publicize authoritative data about the human toll as casualties rose. It criticizes a decision to withdraw U.N. staff from zones where much of the killing later took place, because Colombo said their safety could no longer be guaranteed.
Current Affairs
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Bilateral, International, Science & Tech Developments Nehru Museum being planned by a China city
A Chinese city has announced plans to open a museum to commemorate a visit by Jawaharlal Nehru to China in the autumn of 1939.
India China joint economic strategy

The planning commissions of the two Asian countries signed as many as 11 MoUs worth $5 billion allowing market access to financial institutions in either country to boost investment and expand commercial operations. Both India and China decided to increase their cooperation to cope with the global situation and pursue common interests in international monetary and financial systems; stabilise the volatility in global commodity markets; work towards sustainable development and climate change goals; and ensure food and energy security. They also agreed on conducting joint studies on issues of mutual interest focusing on benefits of best practices and information exchanges and skills development, among other sectors. An MoU gives India a toehold in the IT sector, which is one among the focus areas for increasing its presence in the Chinese economy. The National Development and Reform Commission of China also signed an MoU with the Bureau of Energy Efficiency. Indian Railways and its Chinese counterpart signed a MoU, marking the beginning of cooperation between the two public sector heavyweights. IT major NIIT signed an $800 million deal with the Province of Hainan for setting up an IT technology park to add to its operations in China. An agreement was also signed between NASSCOM and China Software Industry Association (CSIA) for enhancing cooperation in IT and ITES sectors. An MoU was signed between Reliance Power and Guangdone Mingyang Wind Power Industry Group Co for a 2,500 MW renewable energy project Lanco Group pact with CDB for the Anpara Phase-II Power projects (4X660MW); and, another Lanco MoU, with Zhejiang Feida for the Amarkantak Power project. Another MoU deals with Zhongtian S&T manufacturing electric conductors and transmission lines in Andhra Pradesh for $20 million. The Uttam Galva Steel has given the engineering, procurement and construction contract for Phase II of a steel plant to China Metallurgical Group Corporation Overseas Ltd.
Chongqing, a municipality in Southwest China plans to mark Nehrus visit to the city by opening a museum at the site of the old Indian Embassy residence building, which is a protected heritage site at present.
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The final MoU is for multi-city Waste to Energy projects on a build operate and transfer basis between Ramky Enviro Engineers and Sanfeng Environmental Industries. Initially the project will take off in New Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad and Chennai at an investment of $384 million.
J-15
With the carrier borne fighters of the PLAN (Peoples Liberation Army Navy) launching itself from the Liaoning aircraft carrier, Chinas first carrier borne J 15 fighter announced its arrival. J-15 fighter features large combat radius, good maneuverability and great bomb carrying capacity. It can carry such precision-strike weapons as anti-ship missile, air-to air missile, air-to ground missile and precision guided bomb according to multiple operations. Nicknamed Flying shark, it has abilities similar to that of Russias Sukhoi Su 33 and the USF/A 18 Hornet. According to Sun Cong, chief designer of the J-15 fighter, it is a multi purpose carrier borne fighter designed and developed on the basis of Chinas 3rd generation fighter technologies. Equipped with two high-power engines, the J 15 fighter has foldable wings. With such newly designed systems as high lift device, landing and takeoff gear and arresting hook, J 15 has the flight features required for aircraft carrier deck landing.
Iron Dome
Iron Dome is a missile-defense system developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd., an Israeli military contractor, in collaboration with the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). It is designed to intercept incoming rockets, longrange artillery and aircraft, and destroy them in the air before they reach populated areas.
Working
Iron Dome has three components; the Detection and Radar installation, Battle Management and Weapons control (BMC), and the Missile Firing Unit. The radar system detects enemy rockets or shells when they are launched. The BMC calculates the trajectory of the rocket and where it is expected to hit. The BMC is capable of tracking and firing at multiple targets at the same time. If the incoming rocket is headed to a sparsely populated area Iron Dome will leave it alone. But on the contrary if the shell or rocket is on a path to strategic location, Iron Dome launches a Tamir missile (interceptor missile ) that can intercept and destroy it.
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The system also figures out the right location to intercept the incoming rocket along its path, to try and avoid debris falling on populated areas. When the Tamir nears its target, the missiles own onboard radar takes over to take it as close as possible to the incoming rocket. The warhead it carries explodes, destroying both the Tamir and the incoming target. The Iron Dome installations can be moved by a truck if required, and typically have a radar unit controlling three launchers. Fully loaded, each launcher can contain 20 missiles.
Hatf V
The missile can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads upto a range of 1,300 km. The missile derives its name after the Turkish ruler Mohammed Ghauri. Ghauri is said to be based upon technology obtained from the North Korean No-dong 1 and 2. The missile uses a single-stage liquid propellant engine, which may be the missiles greatest disadvantage, since liquid-fuelling considerably increases launch preparation time and poses storage and transportation problems.
India Sweden
India and Sweden signed a Social Security Agreement in New Delhi on 26 November 2012. This agreement will help both India and Sweden in more investment and work opportunities for their respective nationals. Around, 156 Swedish companies are operating in India and expressed the hope that this agreement will encourage Swedish people to come in huge numbers to India. India is the first Asian country with which Sweden has signed this type of agreement.
Benefits of SSA for India

For short term contract up to two years, no social contribution would need to be paid under the Swedish law by the detached workers provided they continue to make social security payment in India. The benefits will be available even when the Indian company will send its employees from another country. Indian workers (including those who are self employed) shall be entitled to the export of the social security benefit if they relocate to India after the completion of their service in Sweden.
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The Hatf V aka Ghauri is a medium-range ballistic missile developed by Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) of Pakistan.
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The period of contribution in one contracting state will be added to the period of contribution in the second contracting state for determining the eligibility of social security benefits.
India United Kingdom

The 8th meeting of the India - UK Joint Working Group (JWG) on Counter Terrorism was held on November 20, 2012 in New Delhi.
Both countries shared their respective threat assessments and informed each other of the measures taken by their respective governments to strengthen counter terrorism policies and structures. India and UK also discussed the follow up on the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. The two countries also exchanged views on international developments, coordination in international fora and their bilateral cooperation in the area. The next JWG meeting will be held in UK in 2013.
India votes against UN Resolution to ban death penalties

India on 20 November 2012 voted against the nonbinding draft resolution of UN General Assembly that proposed for putting an end to death penalty. 110 nations voted in the favour, while 36 members withdrew. The resolution called the nations to gradually hamper the use of death penalty and not to impose them for offences which are committed by pregnant women or people below 18 years of age. The resolution also called to decrease the offences for which capital punishment is imposed. Explaining its position India said that every state has its sovereign right for determination of the legal system. Apart from India, other nations that voted against the resolution include China, Korea, Bangladesh, Japan, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Libya, Kuwait and US.
Aflibercept
Scientists in the last week of November 2012 developed a new drug called Aflibercept for stopping the cancerous cells from multiplying. The new drug compels the cancerous cells to sleep which in turn stops them in multiplying. The drug is said to trick the tumours for becoming inactive by swapping the molecular switches in cancer structure so that there is no multiplication of the cancerous cells. Aflibercept is given as 30-minute infusion with chemotherapy. For the moment, it is found in US only. Europe would soon approve the drug for cancer treatment.
ASEAN India Summit

The tenth ASEAN - India Summit that was held at Peace Palace, Phnom Penh, Cambodia concluded on 19 November 2012.
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The summit was chaired by the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia and attended by the leaders of the ten Member states of ASEAN + Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Few commemorative activities were discussed like meeting between Heads of Space Agencies, Ministerial level meetings in tourism, environment, agriculture, new and renewable energy, and the sending of Sail Training Ship Sudarshini on an expedition to ASEAN countries.
Excellent works of the ASEAN-India Eminent Persons Group (EPG) in production of a good and concise report was also commended at the summit. Security, peace and stability of the region, along with strengthening of the maritime cooperation via existing mechanism of were recognized and stressed upon. Both the parties adopted of the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration and emphasized to contribute supports on realization of the ASEAN Community based on the decided rules of law, democracy, promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. India will be supporting the ASEAN Community building efforts by Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) in which India will play a role in establishment of the Entrepreneurship Development Centres (EDCs) and Centres for English Language Training (CELTs) in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and VietNam. India made a commitment of supporting the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) and connectivity with the wider East Asia Region for establishment of the linkage between the ASEAN and South Asia. The announcement also cleared that India-Myanmar-Thailand highway that is backed by the U.S., which would be operational by 2016 and would act as the Gateway for North East India to South-East Asia. The same announcement also cleared the fact of the alternative route that would connect the central or North Myanmar with Guwahati and Hanoi. Both, ASEAN and India looked forward for better connectivity of the region via highways and made decisions on early construction of new India-Myanmar-Laos-Viet Nam-Cambodia Highway. It also decided about the extension of the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway to Laos and Cambodia. Both parties also agreed to work together to respond to the issues of climate change and natural disasters.
Palestine becomes an observer state

The United Nations General Assembly voted emphatically to welcome Palestine as an observer state. The resounding success of the Palestinians was highlighted by the voting pattern: 138 states, including BRICS grouping Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa voting in favour, and 41 nations deciding to abstain. The Palestinians can now participate in General Assembly debates, and in future, haul Israel into the International Criminal Court on possible charges of war crimes. Though there was a wave of tumultuous celebrations in the Palestinian territories Israel and United States though responded negatively to the U.N. vote.
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Discussions were also held on 2nd ASEAN-India Business Fair and Business Conclave, ASEANIndia Car Rally and implementing the Plan of Action and the ASEAN-India Partnership for Progress, Peace and shared Prosperity (2010-2015).
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ASEAN Summit 2012
About ASEAN
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations was established on 8 August 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand, with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration) by the Founding members of ASEAN, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. ASEAN was preceded by an organization called the Association of Southeast Asia, commonly called ASA, an alliance consisting of the Philippines, Malaysia and Thailand that was formed in 1961. ASEANs aims include enhancing economic growth, social development and cultural relations among its member countries, protection of regional peace and stability, and opportunities for member countries to discuss differences peacefully.
ASEAN Community
The ASEAN Vision 2020, adopted by the ASEAN Leaders on the 30th Anniversary of ASEAN, agreed on a shared vision of ASEAN as a concert of Southeast Asian nations, outward looking, living in peace, stability and prosperity, bonded together in partnership in dynamic development and in a community of caring societies. At the 9th ASEAN Summit in 2003, the ASEAN Leaders resolved that an ASEAN Community shall be established. At the 12th ASEAN Summit in January 2007, the Leaders affirmed their strong commitment to accelerate the establishment of an ASEAN Community by 2015 and signed the Cebu Declaration on the Acceleration of the Establishment of an ASEAN Community by 2015. The ASEAN Community is comprised of three pillars, namely the ASEAN Political - Security Community, ASEAN Economic Community and ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community. Each pillar has its own Blueprint, and, together with the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Strategic Framework and IAI Work Plan Phase II (2009-2015), they form the Roadmap for and ASEAN Community 2009-2015.
Issues discussed
The 21st ASEAN Summit, with the theme of ASEAN: One Community, One Destiny held in Phnom Penh, on 18th November 2012, was chaired by Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo HUN SEN, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, as Chair of ASEAN, in 2012. The issued deliberated include The Progress Report on the Implementation of Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity, Phnom Penh Statement on the Adoption of ASEAN Human Rights Declaration, and various regional and international issues. A Leaders Statement on the establishment of an ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center (ARMAC) was also issued during the summit. Le Luong Minh- the candidate from the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam was appointed as the upcoming Secretary General for ASEAN for the next five year term by the ASEAN Head of States. The nomination was done on the basis of alphabetical rotation plan for next five year that would start from January 2013 and end in December 2018.
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Bilateral, International, Science & Tech Developments Spaun
Software engineers and neuroscientists at University of Waterloo, Canada said that they have developed a closest model of the functioning human brain, known as Spaun which is advanced enough for passing the basic IQ tests. This virtual brain which functions on the supercomputer comprises of a digital eye, which can be used for visual input. It also has a robotic arm which can be used for drawing the response. Spaun or Semantic Pointer Architecture Unified Network comprises of 2.5 million simulated neurons which enables the brain to perform multiple tasks. The tasks which this artificial brain can perform range from answering the questions to copy drawing as well as fluid reasoning.
Champ
US aircraft manufacturer Boeing claimed that a new missile codenamed Champ can permanently blackout the electronics of the country without causing any harm to its people. The missile makes use of electromagnetic pulses so as to target the buildings. In the experiment, the missile went flying over Utah Test and Training Range. During the flight, the missile made all the computers of the military in Utah futile. It is also thought that this missile could possibly break through the caves as well as bunkers. Champ or Counter-Electronics High Power Microwave Advanced Missile Project is the first of its kind missile test with the capability of electromagnetic pulse. Scientists believe that the missile equipped with the electromagnetic pulse cannon can create a concentrated beam of energy, resulting in voltage fluctuations in the electronic equipment, turning them useless before the fluctuation protectors can react.
India-Germany
Mysore Zoo and Leipzig zoo of Germany signed a MoU as per which four sloth bears will be transported to Germany. Leipzig zoo in Germany is known for its management of the endangered nocturnal mammal. In return to transportation of these sloth bears, India will get access to knowledge and understanding of handling these bears.
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UN asks Israel to open nuclear facilities
The U.N. General Assembly approved a resolution calling on Israel to quickly open its nuclear programme for inspection and backing a highlevel conference to ban nuclear weapons from West Asia which was recently cancelled. The resolution, approved by a vote of 174-6 with six abstentions, calls on Israel to join the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty and open its nuclear facilities to inspection by the International Atomic Energy Agency. Israel, U.S., Canada, Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau voted against the resolution. The Arab proposal to create a weapons-of-mass-destruction-free zone in the West Asian region, and to pressure Israel to give up its undeclared arsenal of perhaps 80 nuclear warheads, was endorsed at an NPT conference in 1995 but never acted on.
India-Afghanistan
Afghan military commanders and intelligence officials have begun urging India to provide direct military assistance to the countrys armed forces. Key equipments sought, include medium trucks that can carry 2.5-7 tonne cargos, bridge-laying equipment and engineering facilities. India was asked to consider the possibility of supplying light mountain artillery, along with ordnance, and to help Afghanistan build close airsupport capabilities for its troops. The requests followed fierce fighting along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border that raged from July to September, in which both sides used their artillery. It is feared that Afghanistan may be unable to hold together in the face of renewed jihadist assault in the run-up to the countrys Presidential election. Indias military relationship with Afghanistan could leave Pakistan fuming which has long worried that Afghanistan could be used as a base for aggression by India. Islamabad has, in the past, alleged that Indias intelligence services are using Afghanistan to back secessionists in Balochistan, as well as jihadists fighting the Pakistani state.
NASA to send new rover to Mars

NASA has announced plans to send a new robotic explorer to Mars in 2020. The announcement came a day after NASA released the results of the first soil tested by the Curiosity rover, which found traces of compounds like water and oxygen that are required for life. The 2020 rover is going to help NASA in preparing for its eventual goal of bringing samples from Mars back to Earth. The unmanned rovers chassis and landing system will be based heavily on NASAs 2.5 billion dollar Curiosity rover.
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The 2020 Curiosity Rover launch would allow NASA to keep contributing to two European-led Mars missions- the Trace Gas Orbiter and the ExoMars rover which is scheduled to lift off in 2016 and 2018, respectively. NASA also plans to send a craft dubbed InSight to determine whether the planets core is solid or liquid like Earths. The 2020 mission is just another step toward being responsive to high-priority science goals and challenge of sending humans to Mars orbit in the 2030s.
Typhoon in Philippines
Southern island of Mindanao was the worst hit. With the central winds at a speed of 120 km/h Typhoon Bopha swept away the dive spots as well as beach resorts on Palawan Island on 5 December 2012. Typhoon Bopha is also known as Pablo in Philippines. Every year, around 20 typhoons hit northern and central Philippines. Typhoon Bopha followed the same route like that of Typhoon Washi which had come a year ago. Typhoon Bopha was much stronger than Typhoon Washi but because of the early warnings, many lives have been saved now. Washi had come almost a year ago.
Anti collision device for railways

Hyderabad Batteries Limited (HBL) developed a new anti collision safety device which can ensure safe travelling and fewer accidents. The device is based on a combination of railway signalling data with radio communications, global position, radio frequency identification devices, software and logic. It was HBL Power Systems which reacted first to the expression of interest floated by the Research, Design and Standards Organisation of the Indian Railways to develop an anticollision device in August 2008. The system is designed to automatically bring trains to a halt when collision-like situations arise or when the red signal is violated. In September 2012, a train collision avoidance system (TCAS), tested in real time on a track near Tandur, in the South Central Railway demonstrated the viability of the system. During the trials, the effectiveness was demonstrated for prevention of head-on collisions; rear-end collisions, over-speeding of trains and disregard for red signal. The new anti collision device had essential features of both automatic train protection and collision prevention in one solution.
Dave Brubeck
Dave Brubeck, the renowned Jazz pianist died on 5 December 2012 due to heart failure. His experiments in style as well as rhythm won him a million jazz fans. He had also won various awards during his career which spanned over six decades. The Library of Congress designated him as the Living Legend. The 1959 album called Time Out was the first million-selling Jazz album of the modern times.
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Typhoon Bopha the strongest ever tropical cyclone to hit Philippines has left 379 missing and almost 325 dead.
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Internet freedom not to be controlled
The head of the UN telecommunications body, Hamadoun Toure made it clear that the freedom of the Internet will not be controlled. The World Conference on International Telecommunications had started off in Dubai on 3 December 2012 in order to review the regulations which were reached in 1988.
Mr. Toure opined that freedom of expression in modern world today could not be curtailed. Google had already voiced its warnings about serious consequences that would happen in case the member states proposals about the Internet were approved at the meet. The issue about permission of censorship on legal content was also included.
i pad mini
Apple, on 7 December 2012 launched its iPad mini and fourth-generation iPad in India. The i Pad mini has a 7.9-inch touchscreen, display, FaceTime HD, and iSight camera and is available at a starting price of 21900 rupees for the 16GB WiFi-only version. The fourth-generation i pad is Compatible with 4G networks and has 9.7-inch touch screen with Retina display technology and runs on an A6X dual-core processor. Apple said that the new iPad mini is 23 percent thinner and 53 percent lighter than the third generation iPad. Apple is also set to launch Apple TV in India and is working at its launching. Apple TV in its current form is a miniature box that brings iTunes to the television as well as enables users to connect their iOS devices wireless to their television and stream content or play games.
Corruption Perception Index

India ranked 94th out of 176 countries in Transparency Internationals 2012 Corruption Perception Index (CPI) released on 5 December 2012. Denmark topped the list and was followed by Finland and Switzerland. Somalia and North Korea shared the dubious distinction of occupying the last position. The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) has been developed by Transparency International as a composite indicator that measures perceptions of corruption in the public sector. Transparency International arrives at this Index by pooling corruption related data of multiple institutions and organizations like World Bank, the World Justice Project, etc.
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Know the background: Democratic Republic of Congo
The national boundary of Democratic Republic of Congo was formed in 1885 when it was awarded to King Leopold II of Belgium as his private property. King Leopold II ruled Congo for over two decades and made huge profits. He used the civilians of Congo as slaves or forced labourers to exploit resources like ivory and rubber.
Congo has been a victim of geo strategic conflict since 1885, primarily for its rich natural resources. The existing crisis in Congo can be linked to lack of governance, ambitions of many armed outfits and Congos neighbouring countries to utilize these resources. The minerals of Congo are irreplaceable and vital ingredients of various industries like electronics industry, jewel industry and aerospace industry. The rule of Leopold II ended after 23 years in 1908. The next 52 years of Congo witnessed colonial rule by Belgium and further exploitation of its resources. On 15th August 1960, Congo became a free country with the name Republic of Congo, but unlike other newborn nations of that time, the hardships of Congolese were set to go from bad to worse. In 1960, the nationalist, pro independence MNC (Mouvement National Congolais) party of Patrice Lumumba won the elections and Mr. Lumumba became the Prime Minister. Lumumba had to form an alliance with the ABAKO (Alliance des Bakongo) party led by Joseph Kasavubu and he was appointed as the President. Immediately after Independence the provinces of Katanga and Kasai, demanded secession and carried out violent activities against the new government. On 5, September President Kasavubu removed Lumumba from office and the political scenario of Congo became turbulent. Taking advantage of the political uncertainty, Joseph Mobutu Chief of Congo army, created a rebellion within the armed forces. After Mobutus coup of 1965, name of the country was changed to Democratic Republic of Congo and in 1971 he renamed it as Republic of Zaire 1965 1997 : Three decades of dictatorship under Joseph Mobutu. Mobutu was a ruthless plunderer, worse than Leopold II. He made huge fortunes for himself. Mobutu could acquire wealth of over $ 1 billion.
In the meantime somewhere else

A brutal civil war had commenced in the central African nation of Rwanda. In Rwanda there were two prominent ethnic groups; the majority Hutus and the minority Tutsis. In 1990, Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), a Tutsi rebel group attacked northern Rwanda in order to overthrow the Hutu led government of Juvenal Habyarimana. The Hutu government was supported by France whereas RPF was supported by Uganda. A ceasefire was declared in 1993 and The Arusha Accords was signed between the government
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In addition to ivory and rubber the Belgians could trace huge deposits of Diamond, Copper, Gold, Cobalt, Manganese and Iron.
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of Rwanda and Rwandan Patriotic Front. Despite heightened tensions, there was hope; hope that peace and normalcy would return to the African country. But on 6 April 1994, the presidential jet carrying Habyarimana was shot down. This act paved the way for a genocidal mass slaughter resulting in the death of almost 800,000 people. Various Hutu groups conducted serious human right violations against minority Tutsis. Thus the Arusha Accords had failed; the Rwandan Patriotic Front re - launched their attack; Rwandan army was defeated and RPF seized the control of the country.
Back to Congo
The defeated Hutu forces and 1000s of Hutu refugees fled to Zaire and set up refugee camps along the eastern part of that country. But the Hutu militias who were present among the refugees launched an offensive against the Tutsis of Congo. An invasion of Congo by the combined armies of Rwanda and Uganda followed. Though their primary intention was to overthrow the Mobutu government, the ultimate objective was to exploit the mineral wealth of Congo. This war came to be known as First Congo War. Mobutu had the support and patronage of US and the west during the years of Cold War as he was primarily anti communist. The west preferred a dictator like Mobutu over a nationalist like Patrice Lumumba. But Mobutu was not required after the disintegration of USSR and was abandoned. After the exit of Mobutu, Laurent-Desire Kabila an ally of Rwanda and Uganda became the new President of Congo. Kabila was suspicious of the foreign troops present in his country; he doubted whether they would carry out a coup against him. Eventually Kabila asked the foreign troops to return to their home countries. But Rwanda launched a new Tutsi led rebel military movement called the Rassemblement Congolais Pour La Democratie (RCD) while Uganda launched another rebel movement called the Movement for the Liberation of Congo (MLC), led by the Congolese warlord Jean-Pierre Bemba. Both the rebel movements joined hands with Rwandan and Ugandan armies and waged a war against Congo, which came to be known as Second Congo War. After the death of the President, his son Joseph Kabila came to power. He initiated peace talks with the rebel groups and a peace accord was signed in which he was to share power with the rebels. Elections were held on 29 October 2006, which Kabila won with almost 70% of the votes and thus became the President. The rebels were integrated in the Congolese army, but Laurent Nkunda a former rebel of RCD defected from the army with few troops and formed the National Congress for the Defence of the People (CNDP), which began an armed struggle against the Kabila government. On 23 March 2009, the CNDP signed a peace deal with the Joseph Kabila government, where it became a political entity. In 2012, a leader of the CNDP, Bosco Ntaganda and few troops of his mutinied, and formed March 23 Movement (M23 rebel group) claiming a violation of the treaty. In November 2012, M23 captured Goma, thereby displacing large number of people. And the battle continues.
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Final Analysis
The future of Congo lies in the hands of Congolese citizens. There is a strong urge for democracy among the citizens of Congo, an urge to reshape the contours of their future. The role of the International community in general and African Union in particular is to create the necessary space for the citizens of Congo to rebuild their lives. The huge wealth of mineral resources in Congo belongs entirely to the citizens of Congo. US, UK and UN must prevent Rawanda, Uganda and other neighbouring countries of Congo from exploiting its resources. Congo is part of the second largest rainforest in the world. This makes Congo all the more important in the battle against climate change.
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Bilateral, International, Science & Tech Developments India-Ukraine
India and Ukraine on 10 December 2012 signed five agreements in New Delhi to enhance cooperation in areas of defence, nuclear technology, Science and Technology and to eliminate bottlenecks in trade and commerce. Both the countries also agreed to raise their bilateral cooperation to comprehensive partnership level. The agreements and their features are as follows : 1. Agreement on Defence )) Will provide a framework for expanding technical cooperation in military. )) Envisages mechanisms to be set up for promoting defence cooperation. )) Will pave the way for joint research and development in the future. 2. Agreement on Science and Tech )) Envisages regular meetings of a joint committee, exchange of scientists and holding of seminars. )) Envisages joint research programmes and contacts between scientific organizations 3. Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Civil and Commercial Matters )) Provides for reciprocal arrangements for service of summons, execution of decrees. Eases legal procedures in the field of consular affairs. 4. Agreement for Exchange of Technical Information and Co-operation on Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection )) An agreement for the above mentioned was signed between AERB State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine. )) Envisages cooperation in important regulatory activities, including legislative regulations, safety guides and technical criteria on nuclear safety. 5. MoU between the Bureau of Indian Standards and the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, Ukraine )) A MoU in the Field of Standardisation, Conformity Assessment and Quality was signed between the Bureau of Indian Standards and the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of Ukraine. )) Envisages enhanced economic engagement through elimination of technical barriers to trade.
Explosives-Detection Device
Scientists from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) developed a laser device quicker and sensitive than any other explosives-detection device. The device is pulsed and is based on quantum laser & cavity ring-down spectrometer.
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The device is capable of sniffing the travel bags on conveyer belt and alarming the officials if explosive vapours are found from the bag or any other material. The device could be used for replacing the security checks at airport which include complete scan of the body or bomb sniffer dogs. The device makes use of mirrors in order to continuously pass through vapour, which in turn offers more accuracy in measurements.
The Romanis
They were known as gypsies in the 16th century because they were believed to have come from Egypt. Genetic scientists have found that the Romanis first came through the Balkans and began moving outwards from there 900 years ago. These nomads also suffered centuries of discrimination, including extermination by 20thcentury fascist regimes including those of Hitler and Stalin.
Net treaty
Envoys from 90 nations signed the first new U.N. telecommunications treaty but the U.S. and other Western nations refused to join after claiming it endorses greater government control over cyberspace. The negotiations pitted the Wests desire to preserve the unregulated nature of the Net against developing countries yearning for better Web access and states such as Iran and China that closely filter cyberspace. More than 20 countries joined the U.S. on Friday in refusing to sign the protocols by the U.N.s International Telecommunications Union, claiming it could be used by authoritarian states to justify further crackdowns on cyberspace. But countries including Iran, China and African states insist the governments should have a greater sway over Internet and seek to break a perceived Western grip on information technology. They also favour greater international help to bring reliable online links to the worlds least developed regions. In the end, 55 did not sign, including the U.S.-led bloc of more than 20 nations and others needing home country approval. The remainder did not have high-ranking envoys in Dubai.
Unha-3 Rocket
North Korea launched a long-range rocket Unha-3 on 12 December 2012 despite international opposition and growing tensions in the region delivering a satellite Kwangmyongsong-3 into orbit.
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According to a latest study, Romani, Europes largest minority group began their migration from Northern India to Europe 1,500 years ago, much before than previously thought.
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Unha-3 is the second version of satellite Kwangmyongsong-3 which is lifted off from the Sohae Space Center by carrier rocket. The UN Security Council condemned North Koreas rocket launch in a short statement following an emergency meeting, saying that an appropriate response is being considered.
India-Pakistan
India and Pakistan operationalized the new Visa Agreement in New Delhi during the visit of Pakistan interior minister A. Rehman Malik to India. But the Visa-on-Arrival will come to effect from 15th January, 2013 and the Group Tourist Visa from 15th March, 2013.
Main features of the Visa Agreement are:

Places of visit allowable increased from three to five places In exceptional cases visitor visa for one year could be issued in the past.
Now provision made for issue of visa upto two years in following cases:
Persons above 65 years of age, national of one country married to national of the other country and children below 12 years accompanying parents in above mentioned. Visa on Arrival can be granted at Attari/Wagah check-post to persons more than 65 years of age for 45 days with single entry effective from 15thJanuary, 2013. Exemption from Police Reporting for Business visa granted to businessmen with an annual income above Pak Rs. 5 million or equivalent or annual turnover above Pak Rs. 30 million or equivalent. Group Tourist Visa for 30 days may be issued for travel in groups, with not less than 10 members and not more than 50 members in each group, organized by approved tour operators/travel agents effective from 15th March, 2013. Now entry and exit from different designated Immigration Check Posts can be allowed, if indicated in application. However, exit from Wagha/Attari on foot cannot be accepted unless the entry was also on foot via Attari/Wagah.
India-Russia
The Central Zoo Authority of India approved exchanging white tigress from the Delhi Zoo for a pair of puma, panther or mountain lion, from the Krasnoyarks Park of flora and fauna, Roev Ruchey, Russia. The Puma pair would be among other foreign species such as South American jaguars as well as grey kangaroos which are present at National Zoological Park, New Delhi. The approval was finalised between India and Russia during 3rd meeting of sub-group on leopard/tiger conservation held in Moscow back in September 2012.
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Microbe led extinction
The researchers have found out that a microbe led to the extinction of more than 90 species on Earths surface 251 million years ago. When a group of researchers analysed genome of Methanosarcina - a methanogen which is accountable for most of the biogenic methane on Earth today, it was discovered that microbe acquired this ability around 231 million years ago.
Methanosarcina needs huge amount of nickel for producing methane. On going back to sediment cores, the researchers discovered that the level of nickel grew exactly 251 million years. This might have happened because the Siberian lavas had nickel in large amounts.
Know the background Mali crisis

Introduction
Republic of Mali is a landlocked country in West Africa. Its size is just over 1,240,000 square kilometres with a population of over 14.5 million. The capital of Mali is Bamako. Malis main economic activity is agriculture. The workers annual salary is approximately around US $1,500. Mali has its own constitution. The constitution provides for separation of powers among the executive, legislative, and judiciary. The system of government can be described as semi-presidential. Executive power is with the president, who is elected to a five-year term by universal suffrage and is limited to two terms.
Origin of the crisis

The crisis in Mali can be traced back to 1962 when the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA), an organization fighting to make Azawad (Northern Mali) an independent homeland for the majority Tuareg people, intensified the agitation. During the days of Arab Spring, there was a huge inflow of weaponry which led to the arming of the Tuaregs. The MNLAs leader Bilal Ag Acherif said that the responsibility was on Mali government to give the Tuaregs their self-rule or they would take it themselves.
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This date is closer to the time when mass extinction took place.
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Another Tuareg-dominated group, the Islamist Ansar Dine, initially fought with the MNLA against the Mali government. But the objective of Ansar Dine was the imposition of sharia across Mali.
The Rebellion
The first attacks of the rebellion took place in Mnaka, a town in eastern Mali, on 16 and 17 January 2012.
The following days witnessed the capture and recapture of various cities by the rebels and the army. Mali government launched fully fledged air and land attacks to take back the captured areas. The rebels reached about 125 kilometers away from Timbuktu and then in the towns of Dir and Goundam. Ansar Dine claimed control of the Mali-Algeria border.
NOTE
Timbuktu, is a town in the West African nation of Mali situated 20 km north of the River Niger on the southern edge of the Sahara Desert. It is the capital of the Timbuktu Region, one of the eight administrative regions of Mali.
The Coup
On 21 March, soldiers dissatisfied with the course of the conflict attacked Defense Minister Sadio Gassama. Later that day, the dissatisfied soldiers attacked the presidential palace, forcing President Tour to escape. The mutineers formed National Committee for the Restoration of Democracy and State (CNRDR), and announced that they had suspended Malis constitution and taken control of the nation. The mutineers cited the Presidents poor handling of the rebellion and the poor state Malian Army as their reasons for the coup. The coup was condemned by the UNSC, the African Union, and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The ECOWAS threatened to freeze the accounts of Mali and members of CNRDR. The U.S, the World Bank, and the African Development Bank suspended development aid funds to Mali. An agreement was reached between the CNRDR and ECOWAS negotiators on 6 April, in which both Sanogo - CNRDR chief and Toure were to resign, sanctions were to be lifted, the mutineers be granted amnesty, and power to go to National Assembly of Mali Speaker Diouncounda Traor. Following Traors inauguration, he declared a war to the finish on the Tuareg rebels unless they released their control of northern Malian cities. During the uncertain times of the coup, the Taureg rebels intensified their offensive.
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On 6 April, stating that it had secured all its territory, the MNLA declared independence from Mali. However, the declaration was rejected as invalid by the African Union and the European Union. But these rebel groups couldnt remain united for long and soon found themselves confronted against each other. Ansar Dine rebels violently suppressed a protest by 500 women and children against the imposition of Sharia. Protests broke out on 26 June in Gao, the majority of whose people are not Tuaregs but rather sub-Saharan groups such as the Songhay and Fula. On 26 June, The MNLA was driven from the city and also from Kidal and Timbuktu. But, the MNLA stated that it will continue to maintain armed forces and control rural areas of the region. In October 2012, the MNLA got back the control Menaka. On 19 November, MNLA lost Mnaka,, with dozens of fighters from both sides and civilians killed. Recently the soldiers arrested Malis Prime Minister Cheick Modibo Diarra and ordered him to resign.
Final Analysis
There is a wide spread demand for foreign military intervention in Mali. But with the examples of Libya, Iraq and Afghanistan at our hand this could only make matters worse. All stakeholders like AU, ECOWAS, UNSC and most importantly the Mali citizens must come together to design a stable and nonviolent future. Talks rather than bullets must be the order of the day.
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The protestors opposed the Tuareg rebels and the partition of Mali.
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National, Bilateral, International, Science & Tech Developments Park, the new South Korean President
South Korea elected its first woman President, handing a historic victory to conservative ruling party candidate Park Geun-hye, daughter of a former military ruler. The election was largely fought on domestic economic issues, with both candidates offering similar policies. The election was seen as a referendum on the legacy of Ms. Parks father, Park Chung-Hee. More than three decades after Park Chung-Hee was assassinated, Park remains one of modern Koreas most polarising figures. Admired for dragging the country out of poverty and reviled for his ruthless suppression of dissent during 18 years of military rule.
Olivia Culpo
Olivia Culpo, a 20-year-old Rhode Island native, beat 88 others to be crowned as Miss Universe 2012 at a gala ceremony in Las Vegas. Ms. Culpo was crowned by 2011 winner Leila Lopez of Angola during the competition that lasted for two hours. Indias Shilpa Singh made to the top 16 spot.
Taliban wants new

Afghanistan constitution
Afghanistans Taliban has called for a new constitution as a pre-condition for it joining the nations fledgling peace process, according to a declaration issued at a meeting in France. The meeting was organised by the Foundation for Strategic Research (FRS) near Paris. The talks come against a background of accelerating efforts to draw the Taliban and other opponents of President Hamid Karzai into negotiations on how Afghanistan will be run after Western troops withdraw at the end of 2014. Mr. Karzais government has drawn up a roadmap for peace which involves persuading the Taliban and other militant groups to agree to a ceasefire as a prelude to becoming peaceful players in the countrys nascent democracy.
Companies Bill, 2011

The main objective of the legislation is to make India a safe and attractive destination for investment and to do away with inspector raj on companies.
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As per the bill, special courts would be set up for speedy trials. The law would make India the first country to mandate corporate social responsibility (CSR) through a statutory provision. Under the new legislation, companies will be encouraged to create employees welfare fund. The law provides that remuneration of a director of a company should not be more than 5 per cent of the net profit. Under the new law, the CSR spending would be the responsibility of companies like their tax liabilities. The Bill, with 470 clauses, seeks to make CSR spending compulsory for companies that meet certain criteria. Firms having Rs.5 crore or more profits in the last three years have to spend on CSR activities. One of the major proposals is that companies have to mandatorily spend 2 per cent of their average net profit for CSR activities. If companies are unable to meet the CSR norms, they will have to give explanations. In case, the companies are not able to do the same, they have to disclose reasons in their books. Otherwise, they would face action, including penalty. The new legislation also limits the number of companies an auditor can serve to 20 besides bringing more clarity on criminal liability of auditors. There are proposals for annual ratification of appointment of auditors for five years and introduction of a new Clause related to offence of falsely inducing banks for obtaining credit. The legislation mandates payment of two years salary to employees in companies which wind up.
P-8I maritime surveillance aircraft

The Navy received the first of the eight P-8I maritime surveillance aircraft it is to get from Boeing. India had signed a deal worth over $2.1 billion with the American firm in January 2009 for procuring the long-range surveillance aircraft, which are equipped with anti-submarine weaponry. The first plane was handed over to Indian personnel by the company in Seattle. It will be used for training the crew. P-8I is a derivative of Boeing 737-800 long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft and antisubmarine warfare aircraft. It is expected to replace the Navys Russian Tupolev Tu-142M maritime surveillance turboprop. The plane is an Indian variant of the P-8A Poseidon that Boeing is developing for the U.S. Navy. India requires aircraft able to patrol the vast stretches of the Indian Ocean. The Navys contract with Boeing included an option for four additional aircraft along with warfare, intelligence and surveillance systems, as well as training and maintenance support.
Chhattisgarh State Food Security Act

The Chhattisgarh State governments Food Security Act passed on 21st December goes further than the UPAs bill by extending food security to nearly 90% of the States population.
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The Chhattisgarh Act clearly states that the entitlements shall be on household basis with a family size of 4.47 in rural and 4.79 in urban areas. The Chhattisgarh government has declared as Antyodaya households all families of vulnerable social groups including tribal groups, widows or single women, terminally ill persons, physically challenged persons, elderly-headed households with no assured means of subsistence and persons freed from bonded labour. Pregnant women, lactating mothers, malnourished children, children between six months and 14 years and all students in hostels or ashrams will get mandatory subsidized food grains. The Chhattisgarh Act provides for exclusion of all households that are income tax payees. In non-scheduled areas all such households that own more than 4 hectares of irrigated land or eight hectares of non-irrigated land have been excluded from the Act. In addition, in urban areas all such households that own a pucca house (concrete roof) of carpet area of more than 1,000 sq ft and are liable to pay property tax have been excluded. By this yardstick the government estimates exclusion of 10 per cent households and a reduction of eight per cent in Above Poverty Line households who are currently beneficiaries.
Justice Swatanter Kumar

Justice Swatanter Kumar has taken over as chairperson of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), to decide on cases relating to environmental protection, and conservation of forests and natural resources. He is the first Supreme Court judge to preside over the Tribunal which was, till now, functioning without a full-time chairperson.
Baby picture
Astronomers have released a baby picture of the Universe. The all-sky image draws on nine years worth of data from a now-retired spacecraft dubbed the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP). WMAP launched in 2001 and from its perch a million km away from Earth (in the direction opposite the Sun) had scanned the heavens, mapping out the afterglow of the hot, young universe with unprecedented accuracy. The image maps the temperature of the radiation left over from the Big Bang, at a time when the Universe was only 375,000 years old. It shows a temperature range of plus-or-minus 200 micro Kelvin, with fluctuations in the socalled cosmic microwave background radiation appearing here as colour differences. The spacecraft has been instrumental in pushing forward cosmological theories. Among other revelations, the data revealed a much more precise estimate for the age of the Universe 13.7 billion years and confirmed that about 95% is composed of dark matter and dark energy. The data also helped scientists nail down the curvature of space to within 0.4 per cent of flat, and pinpoint the time when the Universe began to emerge from the cosmic dark ages about 400 million years after the Big Bang.
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The probe retired two years ago, and the WMAP science team is now releasing its final results, based on a full nine years of observations.
Turkey lifts veto

Turkey has agreed to lift its veto on non-military cooperation between the alliance and Israel which it imposed over a deadly raid on a Turkish aid ship to Gaza in 2010. The decision to renew NATO links came at a December 4 meeting in Brussels of the 28-member alliance. In return, several NATO allies of Israel agreed to drop a veto against cooperating with Turkeyfriendly countries, notably in the Arab world. Turkey will agree to Israeli involvement in certain NATO activities but will maintain its ban on joint military manoeuvres, and Ankara reserves the right to bar activities with Israel on its own soil. The agreement comes after NATO agreed in early December to deploy Patriot anti-aircraft missiles along the Turkish border with Syria.
Arms trade treaty conference in March

The U.N. General Assembly voted overwhelmingly to hold a conference in March to try to reach agreement on a U.N. treaty to regulate the multibillion-dollar global arms trade. The resolution will bring the 193 U.N. member states back to the negotiating table following their failure to reach agreement on a treaty in July. The draft treaty under consideration does not control the domestic use of weapons in any country, but it would require all countries to establish national regulations to control the transfer of conventional arms and to regulate arms brokers. It would prohibit states that ratify the treaty from transferring conventional weapons if they would violate arms embargoes or if they would promote acts of genocide, crimes against humanity or war crimes. The draft says a country must evaluate whether the weapon would be used to violate international human rights or humanitarian laws or be used by terrorists, organised crime or for corrupt practices. There has never been an international treaty regulating the estimated $60 billion global arms trade. The co-sponsors of the resolution Argentina, Australia, Costa Rica, Finland, Japan, Kenya and Britain welcomed adoption of the resolution and urged all countries to work in a constructive spirit to make the March conference a success.
Worlds longest high-speed rail route

China launched services on the worlds longest high-speed rail route; the latest milestone in the countrys rapid super-fast rail network.
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The 2,298-km line between Beijing and Guangzhou means passengers will be able to reach the southern commercial hub in just eight hours. Chinas high-speed rail network was only established in 2007 but has quickly become the worlds largest. The state-run China Daily newspaper said that the high-speed rail network is set to jump to 50,000 km by 2020, with four main lines running north and south and another four east and west.
Railway-based ICBM
Russia will restart production of railway-based intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM), with prototypes to be deployed by 2020. The new missiles will be half the weight of their decommissioned Soviet analogues, allowing them to fit into one railcar. The Soviet military deployed its first missile train in 1987, and had 12 of them by 1991. But by 2005 they had all been destroyed under the START II with the U.S. The treatys 2010 replacement, New START, does not prohibit the development of railway-based ICBMs. The railway-based system involved SS-24 Scalpel missiles that weighed 104 tonnes, required three locomotives to move, and were so heavy that they damaged railroad tracks.
From asteroid to space station

NASA scientists are planning to capture a 500,000 kg asteroid, relocate it and transform it into a space station for astronauts to refuel at on their way to Mars. As per reports, the White Houses Office of Science and technology will consider the USD 2.6 billion plan in the coming weeks as it prepares to set its space exploration agenda for the next decade. A feasibility report prepared by NASA and California Institute of Technology (Caltech) scientists outlined how they would go about capturing the asteroid. An asteroid capture capsule would be attached to an old Atlas V rocket and directed to the asteroid between the Earth and the Moon. Once close, the asteroid capsule would release a 50 ft diameter bag that would wrap around the spinning rock using drawstrings. The craft would then turn on its thrusters, using an estimated 300 kg of propellant, to stop the asteroid in its tracks and tow it into a gravitationally neutral spot. From here space explorers would have a stationary base from which to launch trips deeper into space. The feasibility is enabled by three key developments: the ability to discover and characterise an adequate number of sufficiently small near-Earth asteroids for capture and return; the ability to implement sufficiently powerful solar electric propulsion systems to enable transportation of the captured asteroid; and the proposed human presence in lunar space in the 2020s enabling exploration and exploitation of the returned asteroid. The technology would also open up the possibility of mining other asteroids for their metals and minerals.
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Pakistan recognizes Republic of Kosovo
Government of Pakistan on 24 December 2012 recognised Kosovo as an independent state, almost five years after it declared independence from Serbia on 17 February 2008. Pakistan thus became the 98th sovereign state to recognise Kosovo. Pakistan has also decided to make its ambassador to the Republic of Turkey in Ankara as ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the Republic of Kosovo. Kosovo declared full independence in September 2012 after the western powers overseeing Kosovo announced the end of their supervision of this Balkan nation.
Morsi signs new constitution

Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi on 25 December 2012 signed into law a new Islamistdrafted constitution which will help end political chaos and allow him to focus on fixing a weak economy. He signed a declaration enforcing the charter late after the official announcement of the result of a referendum approving the basic law, Egypts first constitution since Hosni Mubaraks overthrow. The passing of the constitution meant Egypt could now move to a new stage that should bring security and stability for the people. The body, known as the Shura council, will temporarily be able to pass laws until a new parliament has been elected within the next few months, after the adoption of an election law.
Next-Gen Spacesuit
NASA has developed new next-gen spacesuit called Z-1 Prototype Spacesuit and Portable Life Support System (PLSS) 2.0 for complex space ventures. The spacesuit can supply the astronauts with oxygen as well as provide protection to them from the extreme temperatures. The spacesuits used by NASA at present were designed in 1992 and were fabricated especially for the crews that boarded space shuttle task force as well as spent time in International Space Station (ISS). The entry into the new spacesuit is from the back and it can perform approximately all those functions that are also performed by the actual spaceship. The new spacesuits can get rid of the carbon dioxide, supply oxygen as well as provide protection to astronauts from extreme temperatures such as excessive cold or heat. The spacesuit is crafted out of various hard elements on the fabric. It also becomes flexible after being inflated. On the rear of the suit, astronauts may find the hatch and life support which would enable them to attach to rover or spacecraft. It has urethane-coated nylon as well as polyester layers which enable the astronauts to maintain pressure as well as get greater flexibility in torso and limbs.
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The spacesuit packs in itself water membrane evaporation cooler which cools the suit through same method like sweating. It does not use the recent technique that includes sublimator which works only in hard vacuum.
13th India-Russia Annual Summit

Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia visited India on 24 December 2012 to attend 13th IndiaRussia Annual Summit. During the visit the Russian President met the Prime Minister of India - Manmohan Singh and the President of India Pranab Mukherjee. During this visit of President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh reviewed the progress made in all the important areas of mutual cooperation, comprising sectors like energy, trade, high technology and military-technical cooperation. Both these leaders discussed on extending the special and privileged strategic partnership between the two countries. The other issues discussed were trade and investment, energy partnership, science and technology, education, cultural and humanitarian exchanges, ties in space, military-technical cooperation, international and regional issues, terrorism, disarmament and non-proliferation, Syria, Afghanistan, Iran, and sustainable development.
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National, Bilateral, International, Science & Tech Developments MobiCash Easy
State Bank of India has launched State Bank MobiCash Easy, a mobile wallet which offers facilities such as fund transfer, bill payment, balance inquiry, mini statement, mobile top-ups and DTH recharge. It is a pre-paid account accessible over mobile phones, enabling consumers to send remittances to any bank account, transfer funds to other wallets issued by SBI. At present, money withdrawal is not allowed, and the customer is not required to fulfill the Know Your Customer norm. The service, initially launched in Mumbai and Delhi, is available over Wallet Application and plain text SMS. SBI has tied up with a private service provider Oxigen for round-the-clock money transfer and other services. Targeted at migrant labourers who send money back home from SBI branches, the youth and those seeking to pay bills, SBIs mobile wallet is easy to use and SBIs customers and noncustomers can use this facility.
S. Ramakrishnan
S. Ramakrishnan, an accomplished engineer in rocketry and architect of the ISROs highly successful Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, took over as VSSC Director on December 31, 2012. Mr. Ramakrishnan was earlier Director, Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC). After he joined the ISRO in August 1972, he worked as a member of the SLV-3 project team under the leadership of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. Later, he joined the PSLV programme and was Project Director of several PSLV flights from 1996 to 2002. He played a big role in developing the PSLVs liquid propulsion stages. Under his leadership, the PSLV became an operational rocket and the weight of the satellites that it could put into orbit went up from 900 to 1,500 kg. He was Mission Director of the PSLV-C1, C2, C3 and C4 flights.
Velayat-91
Iran has held one of its most ambitious military exercises near the Strait of Hormuz to demonstrate that it has acquired credible answers to American and Israeli advancements in cyber and drone warfare. Iran said it successfully nullified a simulated cyber-attack against its military networks during the course of the exercise.
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The manoeuvre has wider strategic implications as it signals Irans absorption of lessons from earlier cyber-attacks, including the use of Stuxnet virus to impair the Bushehr nuclear power plant. In the wake of these attacks, Iran has raised military and cyber combatants to protect nuclear sites, oil and industrial facilities, communication networks and banking systems.
During Velayat-91, Iranian forces showcased a slew of missiles that can attack warships, missiles, aircraft and drones. These include the Raad air defence system that can knock out drones, fighter jets and cruise missiles at up to an altitude of 23 km. The Qader missiles, capable of targeting warships, and the long-range Nour surface-to-surface missile that can knock out advancing tank and infantry columns were also tested.
Postage Stamp on Year of Snake

China has launched a Postage Stamp for the upcoming Year of snake. The stamp shows a flowery and auspicious appearance. Wu Guanying , the designer of this Snake Stamp and has taken the idea of offering it a flowery and auspicious look from Ancient Chinese Story. Of the 12 Zodiac signs in Chinese Mythology Snake are the sixth Zodiac sign and is often considered to be an evil but at times as calm quiet. The latest stamp has a colourful snake that holds a golden pearl in its mouth, with a pink peony flower on its head, which signifies honour and riches.
Chinas tobacco control law

China is the worlds largest tobacco-producing and consuming country, with more than 300 million smokers and another 740 million people exposed to second-hand smoke, according to official statistics. But, only a few provinces and cities have enacted local legislation on public smoking bans, and no special law has been adopted at the national level. According to a recently released report Chinas top legislature is considering the countrys first national tobacco control law. During the NPCs plenary session in March, 90 NPC deputies submitted three bills on drafting a law on the prevention and control of tobacco hazards, according to the report from the Education, Science, Culture and Health Committee (ESCHC) of the NPC. China ratified the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in 2003, pledging measures to curb tobacco use. The central government has also pledged to introduce a public smoking ban in its 12th Fiveyear Plan (2011-2015) period.
Rangarajan Committee Suggestions

The Rangarajan Committee has suggested mandating a price of domestically-produced natural gas at an average of international hub prices and cost of imported LNG instead of the present mechanism of market discovery.
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The panel suggested first taking an average of the U.S., Europe and Japanese hub or market price and then averaging it out with the netback price of imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) to give the sale price of domestically-produced gas. The panel, said the PSC provided for arms length pricing and prior government approval of the formula or basis for gas pricing, subject to policy on natural gas pricing. The suggested formula will apply to pricing decisions made in future, and can be reviewed after five years. On the future exploration contracts, it said a close scrutiny of costs becomes critical for the government since there is incentive for contractors to book as cost expenses that do not reflect the true economic cost to the contractor. Stating that cost recovery is at the root of the problems experienced, it proposed to dispense with it, in favour of sharing of the overall revenues of the contractor, without setting off any costs. The committee has recommended extending the timeframe for exploration in future PSCs for frontier, deep-water (offshore, at more than 400 m depth) and ultra-deep water (offshore, at more than 1,500 m depth) blocks from eight years to ten years.
Agartala on the way to be a green city

Aiming to make Agartala an environmentally safe city, the Tripura government is preparing a report to make use of solar energy mandatory by owners of buildings. The present building rules would be changed to make use of solar energy compulsory in buildings to reduce dependence on conventional energy. The Agartala Municipal Council has made a Rs 452.32 crore-master plan to make Agartala a solar city. The Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy would bear 90 per cent of the cost and the remaining 10 per cent would be borne by the state government in the next three years. The Transport department has already introduced 70 Compressed Natural Gas -run buses and CNG kits would be fitted to those vehicles run either by petrol or by diesel.
Indias new Science, Technology Innovation Policy

The science, technology and innovation (STI) policy, 2013 seeks to create an ecosystem for innovative abilities. Aimed at faster, sustainable and inclusive development, it was unveiled by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during the centenary session of Indian science congress at Kolkatta on January 3. The 12-point STI policy seeks to raise the gross expenditure figure to 2 per cent from the present one per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in this decade by encouraging enhanced private sector participation.
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Highlighting the need for research and development, a 66 per cent rise in the number of full time equivalent personnel of this sector is also envisaged. The policy aims at encouraging women scientists, differently-abled persons and disadvantaged sections. The policy will seek to promote a scientific temper among the people. Enhancing skills for applications in science among the young in all social sectors, making careers in science, research and innovation attractive, and setting up world class research and development facilities are among the policys main features.
The STI policy aims to place the nation among the top five global scientific powers by 2012. This is expected to be done by doubling share of scientific publications from the present share of 3.5 per cent and quadrupling the number of papers to top 1 per cent journals. The policy also aims at linking contributions of the science, research and innovation systems with the inclusive economic growth agenda. It stresses on creating an environment for enhanced private sector participation in R&D, enabling conversion of R&D outputs into societal and commercial applications by replicating successful models as well as establishing of new public-private partnership structures.
Y.V. Reddy and 14th Finance Commission

The government announced the constitution of the 14th Finance Commission under the chairmanship of former RBI Governor Y. V. Reddy. The five-member panel is to submit its report by October 31, 2014. The Commission has been asked to suggest steps for pricing of public utilities such as electricity and water in an independent manner and also look into issues like disinvestment, GST compensation, sale of non-priority PSUs and subsidies. According to the Finance Minister the Commission would look into the need for insulating the pricing of public utility services like drinking water, irrigation, power and public transport from policy fluctuations through statutory provisions. The Commission, the Finance Minister said, would review the state of finances, deficit and debt levels of the Centre and States, keeping in view, in particular, the fiscal consolidation roadmap recommended by the 13th Finance Commission. Plus, the 14th Finance Commission would suggest measures for maintaining a stable and sustainable fiscal environment consistent with equitable growth.
Albert Namatjira and ghost gum trees

Ghost Gums, are evergreen trees mainly found in Central Australia. Ghost gums grow almost up to 20 metres in height and has white bark, which sheds occasionally in various seasons. A pair of ghost gum trees in Australias outback made famous in watercolours by Aboriginal artist Albert Namatjira have been destroyed in a suspected arson attack, just before they were due to be placed on a national heritage register.
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Namatjira is credited with bringing the native trees which are featured in Aboriginal Dreamtime stories and named for their white bark that glows in moonlight to wider public consciousness as a symbol of Australian identity. Born in the Northern Territory in 1902, Namatjira held his first exhibition in 1938 and painted for the next two decades, earning international acclaim before his death in 1959. Aboriginal stories have been passed down through generations to recount indigenous beliefs about the creation of the world and its creatures by totemic spirits in an era known as Dreamtime.
Black Beauty
According to scientists, a Martian meteorite containing 10 times more water than average could unlock clues to the Red Planets evolution from a warm, wet past to its current dry state. The meteorite designated NWA (Northwest Africa) 7034 and nicknamed Black Beauty, is a dark, fist-sized rock that landed in the Sahara Desert in 2011. Black Beauty is thought to be from the planets surface, not deeper inside, and to date from a crucial time in its evolution. Scientists believe NWA 7034 was formed from lava from a volcanic eruption on Mars around 2.1 billion years ago that cooled and hardened on the surface of the planet, possibly with the help of water. The abundance of water molecules in the rock about 6,000 parts per million, 10 times more than other known meteorites suggest water activity persisted on the Martian surface at that time, known as the Amazonian epoch.
Chinas new policy to boost public transport

China has came out with a new policy to boost usage of public transport, after Beijing, put into operation four subway lines with a combined length of 70 km whose addition makes the 16-line Beijing subway system the worlds longest. The new policy makes it mandatory for downtown areas of major cities to have bus stops every 500 metres. It also states that the use of public transport should account for 60 per cent of motor vehicle use. The policy includes incentives for operators, exempting all public transport vehicles from consumption tax, fuel and diesel subsidies and favourable electricity usage rates. In the next three years, the 16-line network will add one new line every year, with the total length of the system expected to reach 1,000 km by 2020.
Worlds largest solar telescope

Work on the worlds largest solar telescope is likely to commence in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir by the end of 2013.
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The telescope, with an aperture of two metres, is expected to be of great help in understanding the process of creation and decay of sunspots, apart from furthering cutting edge research on other fundamental processes taking place on the Sun. Once ready, it would be one of the few solar telescope facilities in the world with a capability to do both day and night astronomy. It would also fill the longitude gap between Japan and Europe. The innovative design and backend instruments would further enable observations with an unprecedented high spatial resolution that would provide crucial information on the nature of magnetic fields.
Internet and global warming

The researchers from the Centre for EnergyEfficient Telecommunications (CEET) and Bell Labs have claimed that internet video and associated cloud services including Information Communication and Technology, discharge more than 830 million tonnes of CO2 per year. Emission of the CO2 from the information and communication industry includes about 2 % of the global CO2 emission annually. The researchers have suggested measures like development of accurate model taking into account the energy use, data traffic and CO2 production in the networks as well as use of other elements in the ICT industry. They have also suggested three key factors that would help in reduction of the CO2 emissions from the ICT industry and these include usage of facilities, use of energy efficient equipment and use of renewable energy sources.
Know the background: Kachin Crisis

Kachin is a northern state of Myanmar. The region shares boundary with both China and India. Kachin state has an agrarian economy and the majority of population follows Christianity. The origin of Kachin crisis can be traced back to the Panglong Agreement of 1947. The Panglong Agreement was formulated between the then Burmese government and the people of frontier areas, whereby a separate Kachin state was to be created. Subsequently in 1948, Kachin state was formed out of Bhamo, Myitkyina and Putao districts.
Everything went on well until

On March 1962, Ne Win a Burmese politician and military commander seized power in a coup dtat and went on to become the Prime Minister. Ne Win was anti democratic and abolished the constitution and legislature. The ethnic Kachins who formed a majority of the Burmese army, withdrew from the army and formed the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) under the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), a political organization of Kachins. The state of Kachin enjoyed full independence for three decades with an economic setup based on smuggling, green stone (jade) trading, and morphine and heroin deals.
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In 1994, the Burmese army captured many green stone mines from KIO which led to violent clashes between the two groups. Subsequently, a peace treaty was signed according to which KIO was allowed to rule over Kachin, but under the supervision of Burmese army. But the peace treaty was alleged to be feigned and many smaller groups and factions were formed making the scenario all the more turbulent.
Since 2011
The battle between KIA and the Burmese army was re launched in 2011. According to various reports, the violence has led to the displacement of tens of thousands of innocent civilians. China has refused to entertain Burmese refugees and even forced them to go back despite brutal violence in Myanmar.
Final Analysis
The Kachin crisis is major stumbling block in Myanmars pursuit of true democracy. It has overshadowed the political restructuring of Myanmar initiated by Suu Kyi and Thein Sein. The refugee problem has grown out of proportion and the situation is getting deplorable. Being responsible neighbours, India and China must actively assist the efforts of UN. Dialogue is the only way forward and the government must persuade the rebel forces to respond to the dialogue process.
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Current Affairs

11th November 2012 to 7th January 2013

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PM Manmohan Singhs meeting with Wen Jiabao

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State visit of Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai

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India Myanmar : Aung San Suu Kyis visit to India

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India Japan : SSA and MoC signed

India Maldives: EKUVERIN 2012

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Morsys power grab

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New BBC Chief

Israel Hamas agree for truce

Prison uprising in SriLanka

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CPC to deal with housing issues

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U.N blames itself

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India China joint economic strategy

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Benefits of SSA for India

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India United Kingdom

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India votes against UN Resolution to ban death penalties

ASEAN India Summit

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Palestine becomes an observer state

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NASA to send new rover to Mars

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