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Current Affairs for IAS Exams - 13 July 2015

Current Affairs for IAS Exams – 13 July 2015

:: India & world ::

India, Kyrgyzstan plan anti-terror pact

Voicing grave concern over the rising trend of extremism and terrorism the world over, India and Kyrgyzstan on Sunday signed four agreements including one to boost defence cooperation and hold annual joint military exercises.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who arrived here on Saturday night as part of his eight-day six-nation tour of Central Asia, emphasised the need to combat terrorism and extremism which he described as a threat without borders.
The agreements include those on defence cooperation and culture. An MoU each was signed for cooperation between the Election Commissions of the two countries and on cooperation in the sphere of Standards, a move that will help economic relations.
A joint statement released later said both sides “expressed grave concern at the rising trend of extremism, radicalism and terrorism in the region and whole world”.

Secularism lauded

It said the Indian side highly appreciated the steps taken by the Kyrgyz government in combating terrorism and in retaining the secular character of Kyrgyz society.
The Prime Minister underlined that his visit to all five countries in the region “demonstrates the importance that we attach to a new level of relationship with Central Asia. Kyrgyzstan is a key part of that vision”.
Noting that the bilateral defence ties are strong, he said a joint exercise Khanjar 2015 has just been completed.

Support for U.N. seat

Thanking Kyrgyzstan’s “strong support” to India’s candidature for permanent membership in an expanded United Nations Security Council, Mr. Modi sought Mr. Atambaev’s support for early completion of the reforms in the world body.

China troubles are not good news for India: Assocham

Economic troubles for China will not be great news for India, which cannot be in ‘sweet spot’ as there would be more negatives than positives from the ripples of a Dragon dragging the shaky world economy, Assocham has warned.
“While it is true that fall in commodity prices, linked to China’s slow demand, is a positive for India, the development is not all that positive for a host of metal and iron ore producers such as SAIL, Tata Steel, NMDC and upstream oil producers.
A sharp fall in iron ore, steel and copper prices has equally hit the Indian manufacturers as any other company in the world,” said an Assocham paper, which analysed the impact of the problems in China on Indian economy.
If a bubble-like situation erupts from China, the impact will be seen all around the world to which the Indian economy is too well entrenched into, the Assocham paper has pointed out. China is number one merchandise trader in the world with over $4.16 trillion worth of trade, followed by the U.S. with $3.9 trillion. “If there is a shake-out, a slew of sectors in the global markets, which get their sizeable chunk of revenue from China - tourism, hotels, education, health, and others - will feel the immediate impact.
With $94 billion imports and barely $12 billion exports, India runs a huge trade imbalance with China, the paper has added.

‘SCO can help ease India-Pak. tensions’ (Register and Login to read Full News..)

:: Sports ::

Sania’s another achievement

This is where it all began for me 12 years ago. In 2003, I won the girls' doubles title (with Alisa Alisa Kleybanova of Russia). Saturday's win was, in many ways, a fulfilment of my evolution as a tennis player. Prior to this victory, I had won the French Open, the Australian Open and the US Open (at the senior level). The only trophy missing was Wimbledon. Besides, until last (Saturday) night, I had not won a Grand Slam title in women's doubles.
Despite being down, Martina and I were very positive and were thoroughly enjoying the experience of performing on Centre Court. We kept reminding each other that it was just a question of one break and we did manage to break back. That shifted the momentum in our favour. It is moments like these that make all the pain and hard work seem worthwhile.

Sania's Slams Year Event Championship Partner

2015 Women's Doubles Wimbledon Martina Hingis
2014 Mixed Doubles US Open Bruno Soares
2012 Mixed Doubles French Open Mahesh Bhupathi
2009 Mixed Doubles Australian Open Mahesh Bhupathi

DID YOU KNOW?

Sania had won the women's doubles junior Wimbledon championship with Russian partner Alisa Kleybanova in 2003.

Djokovic wins Wimbledon

Novak Djokovic again revealed the true depth of his steely core to grind Wimbledon idol Roger Federer's hopes of a record eighth title into Centre Court's baseline dust on Sunday.
With a sell-out crowd urging Federer to scale the same dizzy heights he reached in eclipsing Britain's Andy Murray in Friday's semi-final, Djokovic shrugged off losing a stomach-churning second-set tiebreak to prevail 7-6(1) 6-7(10) 6-4 6-3.
After swiping away a forehand winner to end a two hour 56 minute contest that crackled into life midway through but then fizzled out, top seed Djokovic roared to the grey London sky before kneeling down and nibbling some of the cherished turf.
For the second year running in the All England Club's showpiece final Federer played majestically but could not break down the defences of the game's ultimate warrior.
World number one Djokovic now has three Wimbledon titles, the same as his coach Boris Becker, and moves above the likes of Andre Agassi, Jimmy Connors, Ivan Lendl and Ken Rosewall in the all-time list of grand slam collectors.