Latest Current Affairs February 2012

Latest Current Affairs

• Company Law Board returned the Petitions of Telenor and Unitech
• Delhi High Court quashed Petitions challenging Reservation for Woman and SC candidates
• Court: States and UTs to get approval from Environment Ministry for Mining Activities
• Sesa Goa Limited acquired Goa Energy Private Limited from Videocon Industries
• India and China decided to have Maritime Cooperation to Build Confidence
• Supreme Court appointed Justice HS Bedi as Panel head to Investigate Encounter Killings in Gujarat
• Komli Media acquired South East Asia's Largest Digital Media Network Admax
• US Court dismissed a Lawsuit filed against the Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa

National Current Affairs

Union Cabinet of India approved the Proposed Changes in the Motor Vehicle Act 1988which includes longer jail terms and higher fines for repeat traffic violations

• Supreme Court appointed Justice HS Bedi as Panel head to Investigate Encounter Killings in Gujarat
• The New Version of MGNREGA included more than 25 Agriculture and Allied Activities
• Supreme Court directed Government to implement the Interlinking of Rivers Project
• HRD Ministry Launched Portal for Implementation of NSIGSE

International Current Affairs

India and ADB signed Loan Agreement to Support Electricity Transmission Capacity in Assam

India and ADB Signed the third and last tranche of loan agreement  to support electricity transmission and distribution capacity in Assam

• India handed over 20 Million Dollars Standby Loan to Maldives
• US Court dismissed a Lawsuit filed against the Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa
• India and China decided to have Maritime Cooperation to Build Confidence
• North Korea agreed to suspend its Nuclear Programme in Return for US Food Aid

Economy Current Affairs

Buyback of Government Equity in Eight CPSEs permitted by Disinvestment Department

Department of Disinvestment listed eight CPSEs whose cash surpluses amount to more than Rs 55580 crore for the purpose of buy back under disinvestment norms

• Union Government decided to Boost Public Spending in the Health Sector to 2.5 per cent of GDP
• India’s Economic Growth Rate dipped to 6.1% in the October-December Quarter of 2011-12
• Fiscal Deficit stood at Rs 4.34 lakh crore, or 105% of the Total Annual Target in April-January 2011
• Output of Eight Core Segments which have 37.9% weight in IIP dipped to 0.5% in January 2012

Sports Current Affairs

Income Tax Department Stated BCCI owes Rs.371crore to it in Year 2009-10

The Income Tax department of India in a Right to Information reply on 19 February 2012 disclosed the tax amount pending with the BCCI

• Ricky Ponting announced Retirement from One Day Cricket
• Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina won Marseille Open Title
• South Africa defeated Indian Women Hockey team in the Final of Olympics Qualifier
• South African Jbe Kruger clinched his Maiden European Tour title

Environment and Ecology Current Affairs

River Diversion and Soil Erosion threaten Turtle Nesting

Erosion and diversion of Rushikulya river mouth in Odisha's Ganjam district are posing a serious threat to the annual mass nesting of the endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles

• Indian Black Eagle was Spotted after 90 Years in the Aravali Biodiversity Park
• Court: States and UTs to get approval from Environment Ministry for Mining Activities
• A New Scientific Study claimed that Life began on Land, not Sea
• Manas Wildlife Sanctuary received Four Rhinos from Kajiranga

Science and Technology Current affairs

Scientists developed a Vaccine to Treat Breast Cancer

Scientists developed a vaccine to treat breast cancer, using a patient’s own cells. To achieve this, Scientists enrolled 27 patients and separated specialised white cells using standard techniques

• Scientists transformed Skin Cells directly into Brain Cells
• Two Genes linked to Parkinson's identified by the Scientists
• Bird flu was less Deadly to Humans than Previously Thought
• DRDO Conducted Test of Interceptor Missile Successfully