Contains :
1. International Awareness
2. National Awareness
3. States News
4. Confrences
5. Sports and News
6. Awards and honors
7. Persons In News
8. Important dates
9. Books and Authors
10. Science and technology
11. Economy News


Here you will get updates of this topics regularly
we start with first five

INTERNATIONAL

Mahama Re-elected as Ghana’s President : On 10 December Ghana’s incumbent President John Dramani Mahama of the ruling
National Democratic Congress (NDC) has won the country’s presidential election.Mahama took 50.70 percent of the total valid votes
cast, while his closest challenger, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) obtained 47.74 percent.With
his re-election, Mahama becomes the fourth president to be elected under the Forth Republic.He had served as Ghana’s vice
president since 2009.
UN, Pakistan Launched ‘Malala Fund’ : Pakistan joined forces with the United Nations on 10 December 2012 to launch a fund
aimed at boosting girls’ education throughout the world.The fund is named for Malala Yousafzai, the 15-year-old Pakistani girl.
Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari also announced a $10-million donation for a global war chest to educate all girls by 2015 set
up in the name of Malala Yousafzai for campaigning for girls’ education.
Shinzo Abe Elected As Japan’s New PM : The former Prime Minister and the Leader of LDP Shinzo Abe elected as a Prime
Minister with a clear victory over the Prime Minister and leader of the Democratic Party of Japan(DPJ) Yoshihiko Noda in the
Parliamentary Elections on 26 December 2012.The lawmakers in Japan voted in favour of Abe by 328 votes. Opponent Banri
Kaieda, the newly chosen leader of DPJ received merely 57 votes.
Jacob Zuma re-elected as South Africa’s President: South Africa’s ruling African National Congress on 18 December 2012 reelected
President Jacob Zuma as the party chief with a thumping majority. Mr.Zuma received the support of over 75 per cent of thetotal voting delegates at the ANC National Conference held in Bloemfontein. Juma was Deputy President of South Africa from 1999
to 2005
Park elected South Korean President : Park Guen-hye, the daughter of former military dictator Park Chung-hee, beat her
opponent on 19 December 2012 in the South Korean presidential elections. Park is the country’s first woman President. She is the
former head of the ruling Conservative Saenuri Party, had secured the necessary votes and defeated Moon Jae-in, of the
Democratic United Party.
Pak Cleared Anti-terror Bill : On 20 December Pakistan’s National Assembly passed a bill that will give intelligence and
security agencies sweeping powers to conduct surveillance and collect data from SMS’s and emails.The National Assembly or lower
house of parliament approved the “”Fair Trial Bill 2012 “” after incorporating amendments proposed by the main opposition PML-N
and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, which is part of the ruling coalition led by the Pakistan People’s Party.
U.S. House Passed Defense Bill : On 20 December US (United States) House of Representatives passed the Defence
Authorization Act of 2013. The bill authorizing 633.3 billion – dollar in defense spending for 2013, easing limits on satellite exports
and providing more Marines for embassy security.
Napolitano Dissolved Italian Parliament : On 22 December Italian President Giorgio Napolitano dissolved Parliament following
the resignation of Prime Minister Mario Monti. Italian Government under the leadership of Mario Monti brought forward a series of
austerity reforms backed by EU and business leaders.
Morsi signed on Egypt’s New Constitution : On 25 December Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi signed into law a new
Islamist-drafted constitution. He signed a declaration enforcing the charter late after the official announcement of the result of a
referendum approving the basic law. Two-thirds of the members of the 270-seat council were elected earlier this year in a vote in
which only 12 per cent of registered voters participated. The remaining 90 were appointed by Mohamed Morsi, the Islamist
president.
Pakistan Recognised the Republic of Kosovo : On 26 December Pakistan Government officially recognised Kosovo as an
independent state, almost five years after it declared independence from Serbia on 17 February 2008. Pakistan is the 98th country
among the 193 U.N-member states to recognise Kosovo .Kosovo is a small south east European state lies between Albania,
Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro.
Palestinian Authority to be Named ‘State of Palestine’ : On 7 January Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has
signed a decree changing the name of the Palestinian Authority to the “”State of Palestine,”" according to the organization’s official
news agency.
Pakistani Supreme Court Orders Arrest of Prime Minister : On 15 January 2013 Pakistan’s Supreme Court ordered the arrest
of the prime minister in connection with a corruption case linked to power projects. The Supreme Court gave authorities 24 hours to
arrest Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf and 16 others.This is the first in the history of Pakistan to arrest a Prime Minister. The
orders of the Court came following the allegations in connection with a corruption case linked to power projects, done during his
office of the Water and Power Minister.
Obama Signed 23 Executive Orders on Gun Safety : On 16 January President Barack Obama announced 23 executive actions
on gun control laws, making them stricter,which would come into effect immediately after his signatures. One of these measures
include requiring the target shooters to keep their guns locked and also to ban military-style assault weapons, high capacity
magazine as well as to make the background check mandatory.Obama announced that this was his attempt to keep children safe,
keeping in view the massacre of Newtown where 20 first grade children along with six adults were killed.
140 Nations Agreed On Global Mercury Limits : On 19 January , More than 140 nations have agreed on the first legally binding
treaty to curb mercury pollution.Delegates at UN discussed in Geneva approved measures to control the use of the highly toxic
metal, which is widely used in chemical production and small-scale mining, in order to limit mercury emissions.The governments
agreed to ban the production, export and import of a range of products containing mercury by 2020.The treaty has been discussed
for four years, but it is only now that the negotiators agreed over the final version of the document. The treaty, known as the
Minamata Convention on Mercury, provides controls and reductions across a range of products and processes where mercury is
used, released and emitted.
Milos Zeman Elected as Czech Republic new President : On 25 January A leftist candidate Milos Zeman won the Czech
Republic’s first presidential election decided by direct vote.Milos Zeman, a former prime minister and head of the Citizens’ Rights
Party, won with 54.8% of the vote.He defeated Karel Schwarzenberg, an aristocratic foreign minister with the TOP09 party, who
garnered 45.2%.Zeman replaces Vaclav Klaus, who must step down after serving the maximum of two terms.
UK, Afghan, Pakistan Leaders Hold Talks in Britain : On 4 February The leaders of Britain, Afghanistan and Pakistan pushed
for the Taliban to come to the table for peace talks to end Afghanistan’s protracted conflict and gave themselves a six-month
deadline to get a deal.British Prime Minister David Cameron hosted Afghanistan’s President Hamid Karzai and Pakistan’s President
Asif Zardari for trilateral talks on Afghanistan’s floundering peace and reconciliation process

UNICEF Syria Crisis Humanitarian Situation Report : On 8 February According to the UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund
)Syria Crisis Humanitarian Situation Report, The vaccination effort in collaboration with the Ministry of Health is well underway, with
over 53,000 children receiving measles vaccinations, over 44,000 receiving vitamin A supplements, and over 10,000 polio doses
administered.
Pakistan to Renamed Sindh Province to ‘Sind’ : On 12 February 2013, the Sindh Assembly approved a bill to rename the
southern Pakistani province as Sind.The assembly approved the Sindh Laws Amendment Bill of 2012, whereby the letter “h” will be
removed from the name of the province.
Russia Rejected U.S. Nuclear Warheads Proposals : On 14 February Russia rejected U.S. president Barack Obama proposals ,
which deployed nuclear warhead delivery systems including bombers, missile launchers and nuclear submarines – a cut of about
60%.In 2010 Russia and the United States signed on “New START” agreement.The New Start treaty limits each side to no more
than 800 deployed nuclear warhead delivery systems including bombers, missile launchers and nuclear submarines – a cut of about
50%.
Rafael Correa Re-elected for 3rd term as Ecuador’s President : On 17 February Ecuadoreans president Rafael Correa has
been re-elected for a third term with more than 50 percent of votes in his favour.As per the results, Rafael Correa got 56.7 percent
while his closest competitor Guillermo could secure only 23.3 percent.Correa is a socialist leader who was first elected in 2006
December and he was sworn in on 15 January 2007 as the 56th president of Ecuador.Correa was re-elected to a second term in
2009.
Pakistan Hands Over Strategic Gwadar Port To China : On 18 February Pakistan and China signed an agreement to hand over
control of the strategic Gwadar port on the Arabian Sea to a Chinese company.Under the agreement for transfer of concession
rights, the deep sea port will remain the property of Pakistan while the Chinese company will share profits from its operation. China
Overseas Port Holdings Limited will fully assume responsibility for Gwadar port in Balochistan province.
Israel’s Netanyahu Announced Coalition Deal with Tzipi Livni : On 19 Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has announced a
coalition deal with former Foreign Minister and the rival centrist Hatnua Party Chairwomen Tzipi Livni, at Jerusalem. Under the deal
agreement, Livni will serve as the new Justice Minister and will oversee the peace efforts with the Palestinians.Tzipi Livni is an
Israeli Politician and the first women to be the leader of opposition in Israel. She is the leader of the new centrist party, Hatnuah.
She served Israel as its Foreign Minister from 2006 to 2009.
Russia and Brazil Signed on Defence Cooperation Agreements : On 20 February Russia and Brazil signed a Defence, Energy
and Agricultural agreements .Brazil agreed to negotiate the purchase of Russian anti-aircraft missile batteries on the condition that
Russia transfer the technology to Brazilian defense companies without restrictions.The agreements are signed by Russian Prime
Minister Dmitry Medvedev and Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff .
Nicos Anastasiades Elected as Cyprus New President : On 24 February the centre-right DISY (the Democratic Rally) party
leader Nicos Anastasiades, has won the presidential elections of Cyprus with 57.5 percent votes.Nicos Anastasiades had a very easy
going victory over Communist-backed Stavros Malas who secured 42.5 percent votes in the election.
Raul Castro re-elected for Second Term as Cuba’s President : On 25 February Raul Castro has been re-elected as Cuba’s
president officially to his last five-year term.The National Assembly of People’s Power approved, in the capital Havana, Army
General Raul Castro Ruz as president of the Council of State, and elected Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez, as its first vice
president.Raul Castro became interim president when his brother, revolution icon Fidel, took ill in 2006. He then formally became
president in 2008.
UN Imposed New Sanctions on North Korea : On 7 March The UN Security Council approved a new regimen of sanctions
against North Korea for conducting an underground nuclear test recently, imposing penalties on North Korean banking, travel and
trade in a unanimous vote that reflected the country’s increased international isolation. The resolution, which was drafted by the
United States and China, was passed in a speedy vote hours after North Korea threatened for the first time to launch a pre-emptive
nuclear strike against the United States and South Korea.
Obama Signed ‘ Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act 2013 ‘ : On 8 March the US President, Barack Obama signed
the reauthorization of the ‘Violence Against Women Act 2013′ on the eve of International Women’s Day. The Violence Against
Women Act was first passed in 1994. Reauthorised since then, the new Act offers support to the organisations which serve to the
victims of domestic violence.
Uhuru Kenyatta Won Kenya Presidential Election : On 9 March In Kenya, Deputy Prime Minister Kenyatta has won presidential
election with a slim margin of 50.03 percent of votes. He defeated his rival Raila Odinga.
Japan & Ten EU Countries Exempted from US ‘Iran Sanctions Act’ : On 13 March The US has renewed the exemptions for
Japan and ten European Union countries from tough American sanctions imposed on nations buying oil from Iran.The third sixmonthly
exemption to Japan, under the Iran Sanctions Act.The 10 European Union countries, Belgium, the Czech Republic, France,
Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, and the UK, have also qualified for a renewal of the exemption from sanctions
because they have not purchased Iranian oil since July , 2012.

Pakistan Parliament Completes Full 5 Year Term : On 16 March Pakistan’s Parliament has made history by becoming the first
National Assembly in the country’s history to complete a full term of five years, with the conclusion of the House’s 50th session,
setting the stage for the holding of elections.Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari announced that general elections would be held on
11 May 2013.
Cyprus Gets New Bailout Deal : Cyprus secured a 10 billion ($16.2 billion) bailout from its international creditors on 24 March
2013.Eurozone finance ministers had also approved a new bailout plan for Cyprus, putting an end to uncertainties over the fate of
the Mediterranean island country in the euro area.The new bailout program includes deep restructuring of the country’s two biggest
banks, Bank of Cyprus and Popular Bank of Cyprus.Under the new agreement, all bank deposits under •100,000 will be secured and
guaranteed by the state.
South Africa, China Sign Deals To Boost Cooperation : On 26 March South African President Jacob Zuma and his Chinese
counterpart Xi Jinping met in Pretoria ahead of the fifth BRICS Summit.The two leaders signed a number of agreements, focusing
on trade, tourism, education and social cooperation.The two sides agreed on future collaboration on research and development
initiatives, manufacturing, marketing and the construction of cross-border infrastructure throughout the continent.
North Korea Declares ‘State of War’ with South Korea : On 29 March North Korea declared that it had formally entered a
“state of war” with South Korea.The announcement was made in a joint statement attributed to all government bodies and
institutions.The two Koreas have thus technically remained at war for decades.
China, Russia, Pakistan discuss Afghanistan situation : Officials from China, Russia and Pakistan on 3 April 2013 held talks on
the issue of coordination between their positions on Afghanistan.The officials from three nations backed the Shanghai Cooperation
Organisation (SCO) that is grouping to play a great role in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of NATO Forces in 2014. These talks
were held to enhance coordination. The talks followed a similar meeting India, China and Russia held in Moscow recently, reflecting
the delicate balancing act — and increasingly complicated regional dynamics — as different countries look to push their interests in
the lead up to 2014.
Malaysia PM Dissolves Parliament : On 3 April Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has dissolved the Parliament ahead of a
general election.This dissolution will pave the way for the 13th general election.The elections have to be held before June 2.The
Barisan Nasional coalition that has ruled Malaysia since independence in 1957 is expected to face a stiff challenge in the polls from
the opposition three-party Pakatan Rakyat (People’s Pact).
Tammam Salam named as Lebanon new Prime Minister : On 6 April well-known Sunni lawmaker Tammam Salam has been
named Lebanon’s new prime minister , after receiving overwhelming parliamentary support.His appointment comes after previous
prime minister Najib Mikati resigned and effectively brought down his Hezbollah-dominated government.
China, Australia Signed Direct Currency Exchange Agreement : On 10 China and Australia have signed a currency swap
agreement in a bid to promote bilateral trade and investment.The agreement makes the Australian dollar the third major currency
to directly trade in China’s mainland foreign exchange market, after the US dollar and the Japanese yen.Australian Prime Minister
Julia Gillard discussed bilateral security issues with China’s President Hu Jintao.
China Pledges $548 million Aid To Cambodia : On 10 April China has pledged $548 million in aid to Cambodia for infrastructure
and irrigation systems.Agreements covering $500 million in soft loans and $48 million in grants were signed during Cambodian
Prime Minister Hun Sen .
Nepal Peace Process Ends : On 13 April Nepal’s much delayed peace process with end of the decade long civil war has finally
reached conclusion.Though the peace process had started on 2006, the Special Committee was formed in 2008 to oversee the army
integration process.The last meeting of the cross-party Special Committee decided to accept application of 47 Maoist combatants to
quit the Nepal Army training.
Nicolas Maduro Wins Venezuelan Presidential Election : Nicolas Maduro,Socilist Party member who became Hugo Chavez’s
protege, was declared the winner of Venezuela’s presidential election on 14 April 2013.Maduro secured 50.8% of votes while
opposition candidate Henrique Capriles Radonski won 49.0%.Maduro got 3 lakhs votes of majority than Henrique.
New Zealand Approved Gay-Marriage Bill : On 17 April New Zealand’s parliament has approved the bill to legalise same-sex
marriage.New Zealand has become the first country in the Asia-Pacific region to do so. No other country in the Asia-Pacific region
allows gay marriage.Cheers and applause ring out in parliament building after 77 of 121 members vote to allow gay couples to
wed.New Zealand is now the 13th country to legalise gay marriage.
U.S Senate Rejects Gun Control Bill : On 18 April The US Senate has rejected a strong gun control bill.US Senators supported
the measure with just 54-46 votes , falling short of the 60 votes required to pass the amendment.The legislation was considered
the best hope for gun control sought by President Obama in the wake of the mass shooting at Newtown Elementary School last
year.Among them, a vote to ban assault weapons was rejected by 40 votes to 60, while a measure to limit the size of gun clips
received just 46 votes in its favor.
US House of Representatives Passed CISPA : On 18 April The US House of Representatives has passed the controversial Cyber
Intelligence Sharing and Protect Act (CISPA).The aim of CISPA is to fight with the cyber threats, by enabling the law enforcers to get access to the web data.This is the second time Cispa has been passed by the House.Senators threw out the first draft, saying it
did not do enough to protect privacy.Senators had earlier rejected the first draft of this bill on the grounds that it wasn’t providing
enough for protecting the privacy.
Napolitano Re-elected as Italy’s President : On 21 April Italy’s Parliament re-elected Giorgio Napolitano as the Italy’s
President for second 7-year term .Giorgio Napolitano will be the first Italian president to be re-elected to serve a second term.He
got 738 votes, far more than the 504 needed for victory.More than 1,000 national and regional lawmakers had convened to elect
the next Italian president, with the overwhelming majority of them ultimately backing Napolitano.The People of Freedom party of
former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi got second place in Italy elections.He is the first President of Italy to have been a member of
the Italian Communist Party and the first to be elected to a second term as President.Giorgio Napolitano is the 11th President of the
Italian Republic since 2006.
Horacio Cartes Elected as Paraguay’s new President : On 22 April Businessman Horacio Cartes of the Colorado Party has been
declared Paraguay’s new president.The electoral board announced that Cartes had 46.1 percent of the vote and his main rival
Senator Efrain Alegre of the ruling Liberal Party 36.9 percent.The conservative Colorados held Paraguay’s presidency for 60 years
until leftist former Catholic bishop Fernando Lugo was elected in 2008.
French Parliament Approved Gay Marriage Law : On 23 April France parliament approved a new law to allow gay marriage.
Parliament passed the bill by 331 votes for and 225 against.France has become the 14th country to allow gay marriage..
UK Approved Caste Discrimination Bill : On 25 April Britain has outlawed caste discrimination, after the House of Lords voted
for legal protection to be given to the most vulnerable, mainly in the Indian and Sikh communities.The UK now looks set to become
the first country in Europe to outlaw discrimination based on caste.
Cuba and Venezuela Signed 51 Cooperation Projects : On 28 April Cuba and Venezuela have signed at Havana accords for 51
joint projects worth two billion U.S. dollars.At the close of 13th Cuba-Venezuela Intergovernmental Meeting , Cuban President Raul
Castro and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced the deals for projects in such areas as education, health, sports, cultur,
food production, construction, transport, communications, energy and support of social missions.Havana and Caracas agreed to
jointly invest two billion dollars to develop these projects and also signed a memorandum to establish a bilateral medium- and longterm
economic agenda.The investment also covers joint ventures in vital and strategic economic areas in both countries.
Pakistan court bans Musharraf from contesting polls for life : A four-judge bench of the Peshawar high court headed by chief
justice Dost Muhammad Khan imposed the life ban while dismissing Musharraf’s appeal challenging the rejection of his nomination
papers for May 11 general election.The lifetime ban was imposed because Musharraf had abrogated the Constitution twice and
detained judges during the 2007 emergency.