There Was No Violation of the Olympic Charter in Elections: Indian Olympic Association
Facing threats of disassociation from the parent body, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) clarified on 1 December 2012 that there was no violation of the government guidelines or Olympic Charter during the election process. It also mentioned that there should be no action from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) against it. The acting chief of IOA made it clear that the Election Commission comprising of the retired judges of High Court did not find any violation of the rules in the elections which are scheduled to take place on 5 December 2012. The acting chief made clear that none of the three codes- Sports Code, the Delhi High Court order or the Olympic Charter, were violated. Also, the chief mentioned that no nominations were rejected by Election Commission. In the letter, IOC cleared that it will be proposing disassociation of IOA in the Executive Board Meeting to be held on 4-5 December 2012, in case IOA was proceeding with the elections under the Sports Code of the Government. However, IOA cleared that the Government was not interfering and that the election process was being conducted as per the IOA Constitution as well as Olympic Charter.
Supreme Court Issued Guidelines to Curb Eve Teasing At the Public Places
Supreme Court on 30 November 2012 issued certain guidelines in order to put a halt to eve-teasing. SC termed eve-teasing consequences disastrous and also directed the government that women cops in plain clothes should be deputed at the public places.The state governments as well as the union territories are ordered by the Supreme Court to depute female police officers in plain clothes at the public places such as metro stations, bus stands, railway stations, shopping malls, beaches, parks, worship places, cinemas as well as public service vehicles. This has been done to monitor as well as supervise the incidents of eve-teasing.This was important because there is no uniform law in order to deal with eve-teasing. The court passed 26-page judgement in which it was mentioned that eve teasing could be curbed with little efforts and the consequences could be disastrous in case it is left unchecked. Also, the court concluded that eve teasing could lead to violation of the fundamental rights which are guaranteed under constitution. The SC laid down these guidelines in its judgement, setting aside verdict of Madras High Court. Madras High Court had reserved the judgement of Central Administrative Tribunal in which it upheld the dismissal of a police cop who misbehaved with a married woman on 9 July 1999.Apart from deputing female police officers in plain clothes, the Union Territories and state governments will also have to install the CCTV in the strategic positions.Also, the sign boards with caution would be exhibited at the public places.
Infosys Decided Shifting Its American Shares From Nasdaq to NYSE
Infosys decided to transfer listing of American shares of the company from Nasdaq to NYSE or New York Stock Exchange, which is partner of the Paris as well as London exchanges. The trading market of NYSE known as NYSE Euronext, enables the European investors trading easily in the American shares of Infosys through the European exchanges. The European investors of Infosys were requesting the company to simplify the mechanism of trading for them in Infosys’s shares. As of now, the difference in timezone makes it difficult for the European traders to function. NYSE Euronext would enable these investors a mode of faster as well as efficient trading. Nasdaq, on the other hand, does not have such kind of arrangement.The act would enable Infosys to imporve branding in European markets as well because this would give them greater visibility in local markets. Over past few years, the 7 billion US Dollar Infosys had been investing in Europe significantly with special focus on France as well as Germany. Even though UK remains a stronger market for the IT companies of India, but US accounts for around 64percent revenues of Infosys and Europe accounts for 22 percent.
Europe is becoming strategic market for Infosys. The act would empower the investor base and will also help European investors in increasing access to Infosys’s stock. Global investors would find a broadened trading window.
Core Sectors of Indian Economy Grew By 6.5 Percent in October
Eight core sectors of the Indian Economy grew by 6.5 percent, the eight-month high in October 2012-2013 in comparison to 0.4 percent in same time period last year, the official data revealed on 30 November 2012. The sectors which weight approximately 38 percent in Index of Industrial Production (IIP) increased by seven-month high in September by 5 percent and 2.3 percent in August.However, the growth of core sector is not dependent on the data of industrial production. For instance, inspite of the higher growth in core sector, the industrial production contracted around 0.4 percent in September. A lot of things are dependent on the capital goods segment which showed consistent contraction.The official data revealed that the eight main industries of the Indian economy- steel, electricity, coal, crude, cement, natural gas, refinery products and fertilisers grew 3.7 percent in initial seven months of 2012-2013 fiscal year against 4.3 percent in the same period in 2011-2012 fiscal year.Output of the coal showed regular growth with 10.9 percent. However, on the monthly basis, it was lower when compared with 21.4 percent in September. Refinery products, steel as well as cement contributed towards the strong economic growth with 20.3 percent, 5.9 percent and 6.8 percent respectively.Natural gas as well as crude oil remained in contractionary zone. Crude oil witnessed a fall in the growth consecutively for fifth month at 0.4 percent in comparison to 1.7 percent in September. Production of natural gas on the other hand, decreased by 14.9 percent.
In September as well, it decreased 14.8 percent. Production of natural gas has continued to contract for more than a year now.Initially, in February 2012, all these sectors grew at a faster speed of 6.9 percent.The production of cement decreased from 13.8 percent in September to 6.8 percent.Generation of electricity, on the other hand increased by 5.2 percent after this segment saw a decrease in previous three months. Fertilisers indicated positive growth of 2 percent after 5.7 percent growth in September.
Newly Discovered Colourful Species of Fish Named After US President Obama
A recently discovered colourful, freshwater species of fish known as Darters, was named after the re-elected US President Barack Obama in the first week of December 2012. The species of fish was named so because of Obama’s global vision towards environment conservation as well as protection.Five new colourful, freshwater fish species was discovered in the eastern North America in river drainages and they were named after 4 US presidents and vice-president. This species of fish has bright blue and orange colours. Darters are known as the tiniest members belonging to the family of perch. They have the ability to move under, into or around the rocks as well as sediments on beds of fast-moving and clean waterways.Around 200 species of Darter have been discovered as of now and most of these live in rivers as well as creeks of eastern Tennessee and northern Alabama. They are known as the most assorted species of native fishes of North America.
EPFO (Employees Provident Fund Organisation) launched its e-Passbook Portal
Employees Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) on 30 November 2012 launched its e-Passbook portal for its members to access their accounts online. The facility will be available on the website- www.epfindia.gov.in. The members will now be able to download their e-passbook each month, if they are active and Electronic Challan-cum-Return is being uploaded by their employer.The facility, however, will not be available for members under exempted establishments under the EPF Scheme 1952 (as the fund details are maintained by the Trust) and inoperative members. Under the e-Passbook service, only one registration will be allowed against one mobile number, and a member can download the passbook for only one account number under one establishment.
The temperature variations at the shallow levels under the surface of Earth are influenced by the topography and this in turn enabled the team of researchers to find out about the important natural excavation of this wonder of the world. The research found out that Grand Canyon was carved to around some hundred metres of the modern depth around 70 million years back.
NASA’s Mercury-orbiting probe discovered ice on the planet
Scientists of NASA have discovered a huge mass of ice at Mercury’s North Pole on 29 November 2012. Mercury is the planet closest to the Sun. These findings come from the Mercury-orbiting probe of NASA, Messenger. Frozen water is found in the North Pole regions of Mercury which are always found in shadows and mainly affects the craters. It is supposed that the south pole of mercury also has ice but there is no hard and fast data which supports this. Messenger orbits closer to the North Pole than South Pole.Scientist from the Johns Hopkins University opined that if all this is added, the total amount of ice comes out to be 100 billion to 1 trillion metric tons. The only thing that is uncertain is how deep it lies.It is thought that the ice is approximately 1.5 feet or 0.5 metres deep or possibly, around 65 feet deep as well. The amount of ice found at Mercury is enough to bury the area the size of Washington D.C. by around 2.5 miles deep. The radar measurements analysed from Earth had suggested existence of ice on Mercury’s poles for two decades. Because of the Messenger, the results have been confirmed now. The water, it seemed, came from impacting comets and possibly even the asteroids. Ice was found at Mercury’s surface and also buried under the dark organic material.It is very important to note that presence of ice on Mercury does not necessarily indicate that there is a possibility of life on Mercury. But it is evidence that Mercury might support life, considering the presence of water on its surface. Over the years, Mercury has also become a subject of astrobiological interest.
About Messenger
Messenger was launched back in 2004. It is a NASA spacecraft orbiting around Mercury. The observations through NASA’s Messenger will continue in the next year as well.
Facing threats of disassociation from the parent body, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) clarified on 1 December 2012 that there was no violation of the government guidelines or Olympic Charter during the election process. It also mentioned that there should be no action from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) against it. The acting chief of IOA made it clear that the Election Commission comprising of the retired judges of High Court did not find any violation of the rules in the elections which are scheduled to take place on 5 December 2012. The acting chief made clear that none of the three codes- Sports Code, the Delhi High Court order or the Olympic Charter, were violated. Also, the chief mentioned that no nominations were rejected by Election Commission. In the letter, IOC cleared that it will be proposing disassociation of IOA in the Executive Board Meeting to be held on 4-5 December 2012, in case IOA was proceeding with the elections under the Sports Code of the Government. However, IOA cleared that the Government was not interfering and that the election process was being conducted as per the IOA Constitution as well as Olympic Charter.
Supreme Court Issued Guidelines to Curb Eve Teasing At the Public Places
Supreme Court on 30 November 2012 issued certain guidelines in order to put a halt to eve-teasing. SC termed eve-teasing consequences disastrous and also directed the government that women cops in plain clothes should be deputed at the public places.The state governments as well as the union territories are ordered by the Supreme Court to depute female police officers in plain clothes at the public places such as metro stations, bus stands, railway stations, shopping malls, beaches, parks, worship places, cinemas as well as public service vehicles. This has been done to monitor as well as supervise the incidents of eve-teasing.This was important because there is no uniform law in order to deal with eve-teasing. The court passed 26-page judgement in which it was mentioned that eve teasing could be curbed with little efforts and the consequences could be disastrous in case it is left unchecked. Also, the court concluded that eve teasing could lead to violation of the fundamental rights which are guaranteed under constitution. The SC laid down these guidelines in its judgement, setting aside verdict of Madras High Court. Madras High Court had reserved the judgement of Central Administrative Tribunal in which it upheld the dismissal of a police cop who misbehaved with a married woman on 9 July 1999.Apart from deputing female police officers in plain clothes, the Union Territories and state governments will also have to install the CCTV in the strategic positions.Also, the sign boards with caution would be exhibited at the public places.
Infosys Decided Shifting Its American Shares From Nasdaq to NYSE
Infosys decided to transfer listing of American shares of the company from Nasdaq to NYSE or New York Stock Exchange, which is partner of the Paris as well as London exchanges. The trading market of NYSE known as NYSE Euronext, enables the European investors trading easily in the American shares of Infosys through the European exchanges. The European investors of Infosys were requesting the company to simplify the mechanism of trading for them in Infosys’s shares. As of now, the difference in timezone makes it difficult for the European traders to function. NYSE Euronext would enable these investors a mode of faster as well as efficient trading. Nasdaq, on the other hand, does not have such kind of arrangement.The act would enable Infosys to imporve branding in European markets as well because this would give them greater visibility in local markets. Over past few years, the 7 billion US Dollar Infosys had been investing in Europe significantly with special focus on France as well as Germany. Even though UK remains a stronger market for the IT companies of India, but US accounts for around 64percent revenues of Infosys and Europe accounts for 22 percent.
Europe is becoming strategic market for Infosys. The act would empower the investor base and will also help European investors in increasing access to Infosys’s stock. Global investors would find a broadened trading window.
Core Sectors of Indian Economy Grew By 6.5 Percent in October
Eight core sectors of the Indian Economy grew by 6.5 percent, the eight-month high in October 2012-2013 in comparison to 0.4 percent in same time period last year, the official data revealed on 30 November 2012. The sectors which weight approximately 38 percent in Index of Industrial Production (IIP) increased by seven-month high in September by 5 percent and 2.3 percent in August.However, the growth of core sector is not dependent on the data of industrial production. For instance, inspite of the higher growth in core sector, the industrial production contracted around 0.4 percent in September. A lot of things are dependent on the capital goods segment which showed consistent contraction.The official data revealed that the eight main industries of the Indian economy- steel, electricity, coal, crude, cement, natural gas, refinery products and fertilisers grew 3.7 percent in initial seven months of 2012-2013 fiscal year against 4.3 percent in the same period in 2011-2012 fiscal year.Output of the coal showed regular growth with 10.9 percent. However, on the monthly basis, it was lower when compared with 21.4 percent in September. Refinery products, steel as well as cement contributed towards the strong economic growth with 20.3 percent, 5.9 percent and 6.8 percent respectively.Natural gas as well as crude oil remained in contractionary zone. Crude oil witnessed a fall in the growth consecutively for fifth month at 0.4 percent in comparison to 1.7 percent in September. Production of natural gas on the other hand, decreased by 14.9 percent.
In September as well, it decreased 14.8 percent. Production of natural gas has continued to contract for more than a year now.Initially, in February 2012, all these sectors grew at a faster speed of 6.9 percent.The production of cement decreased from 13.8 percent in September to 6.8 percent.Generation of electricity, on the other hand increased by 5.2 percent after this segment saw a decrease in previous three months. Fertilisers indicated positive growth of 2 percent after 5.7 percent growth in September.
Newly Discovered Colourful Species of Fish Named After US President Obama
A recently discovered colourful, freshwater species of fish known as Darters, was named after the re-elected US President Barack Obama in the first week of December 2012. The species of fish was named so because of Obama’s global vision towards environment conservation as well as protection.Five new colourful, freshwater fish species was discovered in the eastern North America in river drainages and they were named after 4 US presidents and vice-president. This species of fish has bright blue and orange colours. Darters are known as the tiniest members belonging to the family of perch. They have the ability to move under, into or around the rocks as well as sediments on beds of fast-moving and clean waterways.Around 200 species of Darter have been discovered as of now and most of these live in rivers as well as creeks of eastern Tennessee and northern Alabama. They are known as the most assorted species of native fishes of North America.
EPFO (Employees Provident Fund Organisation) launched its e-Passbook Portal
Employees Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) on 30 November 2012 launched its e-Passbook portal for its members to access their accounts online. The facility will be available on the website- www.epfindia.gov.in. The members will now be able to download their e-passbook each month, if they are active and Electronic Challan-cum-Return is being uploaded by their employer.The facility, however, will not be available for members under exempted establishments under the EPF Scheme 1952 (as the fund details are maintained by the Trust) and inoperative members. Under the e-Passbook service, only one registration will be allowed against one mobile number, and a member can download the passbook for only one account number under one establishment.
Immigration to Britain Witnessed Biggest Fall in 20 Years
Immigration into Britain saw the deepest dip in 20 years, the official figures revealed. In 2011, 536000 foreigners migrated to live in UK, which is 42000 lower than in 2010. This drop is said to be the biggest and deepest because immigration dropped down by 61000 during the recession of 1991. Numbers of people entering UK were lowest since the year 2004 when thousands of European workers were permitted to work here. The basic reason why this number sank was because of the dramatic reduction in the number of people coming on student visas. In terms of percentage, the net immigration figure went down by 25 percent from 242000 to 183000. The number of students who come for joining courses in UK colleges sank by 67 percent. In the meanwhile, the students coming down for English Language schools dropped by 76 percent. Nevertheless, the foreign students who go to UK varsities increased by 1 percent. Ministers of UK called this drop as a crucial step towards achieving the aim of government in reducing immigration to what it was in 1990s.
US Grand Canyon Is Actually 65-70 Million Years Old: Researchers
US Grand Canyon, one among the seven natural wonders of world, is in reality 65 million years old than what was thought, revealed a study conducted by the University of Colorado Boulder. This means that Grand Canyon might have been there at the time of dinosaurs as well. In the previous estimates of the age of Grand Canyon, it was found that it was 5-6 million years old depending upon the age of gravel-washed downstream by the Colorado River. Researchers nevertheless believe that it was created around 70 million years ago when dinosaurs had existed on Earth. The researchers made use of radioactive decay as well as thermal dating in order to find out the age of Grand Canyon. In the study, the radioactive decay of thorium as well as uranium atoms was exploited into the helium atoms in phosphate mineral called apatite. The helium atoms remained locked inside the apatite grains when they cooled and contracted to surface when Grand Canyon was carved. Hotness of the apatite determined that fewer helium atoms were there within it, which enabled researchers to find out thermal history of this area. The temperature variations at the shallow levels under the surface of Earth are influenced by the topography and this in turn enabled the team of researchers to find out about the important natural excavation of this wonder of the world. The research found out that Grand Canyon was carved to around some hundred metres of the modern depth around 70 million years back.
Jeff Zucker named CNN's New Chief Executive
The former NBC Universal chief Jeff Zucker has been named president of CNN Worldwide on 29 November 2012.Jeff Zucker is going to lead a large and profitable news organization with 23 separate businesses worldwide that has come to be defined by problems at the flagship U.S. network, particularly in prime time.He will succeed outgoing CNN chief Jim Walton starting in January 2013.Zucker started his 25-year career with NBC as a researcher for NBC Sports’ coverage of the 1988 Summer Olympic Games and rose to president and chief executive officer of NBC Universal. He was named executive producer of Today in January 1992; under his eight-year leadership, the program was the most-watched morning news show and the most profitable program on television.NASA’s Mercury-orbiting probe discovered ice on the planet
Scientists of NASA have discovered a huge mass of ice at Mercury’s North Pole on 29 November 2012. Mercury is the planet closest to the Sun. These findings come from the Mercury-orbiting probe of NASA, Messenger. Frozen water is found in the North Pole regions of Mercury which are always found in shadows and mainly affects the craters. It is supposed that the south pole of mercury also has ice but there is no hard and fast data which supports this. Messenger orbits closer to the North Pole than South Pole.Scientist from the Johns Hopkins University opined that if all this is added, the total amount of ice comes out to be 100 billion to 1 trillion metric tons. The only thing that is uncertain is how deep it lies.It is thought that the ice is approximately 1.5 feet or 0.5 metres deep or possibly, around 65 feet deep as well. The amount of ice found at Mercury is enough to bury the area the size of Washington D.C. by around 2.5 miles deep. The radar measurements analysed from Earth had suggested existence of ice on Mercury’s poles for two decades. Because of the Messenger, the results have been confirmed now. The water, it seemed, came from impacting comets and possibly even the asteroids. Ice was found at Mercury’s surface and also buried under the dark organic material.It is very important to note that presence of ice on Mercury does not necessarily indicate that there is a possibility of life on Mercury. But it is evidence that Mercury might support life, considering the presence of water on its surface. Over the years, Mercury has also become a subject of astrobiological interest.
About Messenger
Messenger was launched back in 2004. It is a NASA spacecraft orbiting around Mercury. The observations through NASA’s Messenger will continue in the next year as well.
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