11 July 2013 Current Affairs
Iran Secret Nuclear Site Discovered By MEK
On 11 July the paris based militant group organisation of the People’s Mujahedin of Iran (MEK) has discovered credible evidence of a secret new nuclear site, gathered over a year by 50 sources in various parts of the regime.The codename of the project is ‘Ma’adan-e Sharq’ (literally ‘the mine of the east’) or ‘Project Kossar’.This site is hidden in a series of tunnels under a mountain near the town of Damavand.The Paris-based militant group MEK alleges that the site has existed since 2006, with the first series of subterranean tunnels and four external depots recently completed.
US Drone Successfully Lands On Aircraft Carrier
U.S. Navy officials have successfully landed a remotely controlled drone on an aircraft carrier, long considered the most challenging feat in naval aviation. The U.S. Navy released video showing an unmanned Northrop Grumman X-47B aircraft nicknamed Salty Dog 502 landing on 10 July 2013 on the deck of the USS George H.W. Bush sailing in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of the southeastern United States.The craft landed following a flight from the Patuxent River Naval Air Station in the the southeastern state of Virginia. The X-47B has a 3,200-kilometer range and can carry the equivalent of two precision-guided bombs. It improves the prospects of a long range, radar evading, unmanned reconnaissance and strike aircraft.
Shane Warne Inducted into the ” ICC Cricket Hall of Fame “
On 11 July International Cricket Council (ICC) announced that Shane Warne, former Australian spinner would be inducted into the ICC cricket hall of fame on 19 July 2013 at Lord’s during the Ashes Test series between Australia and England.Warne becomes the 69th male member of the Hall of Fame, and joins fellow 2012-13 inductees Brian Lara of the West Indies, England’s Enid Bakewell and former Australia team-mate Glenn McGrath in being recognised by the ICC and the living members of the Hall of Fame.He played for Australia in 145 tests between 1992 and 2007. He claimed 708 test wickets with a strike rate of 25.41. He was the first bowler to take 700 test wickets.He was the part of the Australian cricket team that won the World Cup in 1999 at Lord’s against Pakistan.
France and Switzerland Signed New Inheritance Tax Agreement
On 11 July France and Switzerland have signed an agreement on inheritance tax as part of an amended double taxation agreement. Paris hopes will help it bring in more money.Under the agreement inheritances would be taxed based on where the recipient resides, not where the deceased lived, as used to be the case.
15th India – Vietnam Joint Commission Meeting
15th India-Vietnam Joint Commission Meeting was held in New Delhi on 11 July.The meeting was co-chaired on the Vietnam’s side Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and on the Indian side by India’s External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid .In the meeting both nations discussed the strengthening of strategic partnership which included an exchange of a co-operative agenda on bilateral relations.At the end of the meeting, we signed the Agreed Minutes of the JCM and witnessed the signing of an Agreement on the US$19.5 million LOC for setting up Nam Trai-IV hydropower project and Binh Bo Pumping station by CMD, Exim Bank and the Vietnam Vice Minister of Finance.
Cabinet Approved For Aviation, Women Varsities In Raebareli
On 11 July the Union cabinet has approved two universities for Raebareli, the parliamentary constituency of Congress president Sonia Gandhi in Uttar Pradesh.Raebareli will get the first ever all-women university and first national aviation university in the country.National University for Women in Uttar Pradesh by the name of “The Indira Gandhi National University for Women”.This will be the first university of the country to be established exclusively for women.The cost involved is Rs.500 crore.National Aviation University (NAU) in the name of “Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University ” at the District of Rae Bareli in the State of U.P. as a Central University.The ‘Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University‘ will be established as a Central University and as an autonomous body under the administrative control of Ministry of Civil Aviation in Rae Bareli District of U.P. with an estimated Central Government’s funding of Rs. 202 crore in 12th Plan period. Both universities bills will be introduced in the coming Monsoon Session of Parliament.
Govt Approved Proposal To Establish Civil Aviation Authority
On 11 July The government cleared a proposal to replace Directorate General of Civil Aviation(DGCA) with a new aviation regulator with full operational and financial autonomy.The new regulatory body would be called the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and it would replace the DGCA.
Union Cabinet Approved Construction Of ‘ NCRTC ‘
On 11 July the Union Cabinet has approved to set up the National Capital Region Transport Corporation Ltd (NCRTC) and run a regional rapid transit system (RRTS) in the national capital region (NCR).The three prioritized corridors to be taken up by NCRTC initially are as follows:- Delhi-Sonipat-Panipat , Delhi-Gurgaon-Alwar,Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut
China – Russia “Joint Sea-2013” Naval Drills
Chinese and Russian naval forces “Joint Sea-2013” drills was held from 6th to11th July in the Sea of Japan.In the Joint exercises China used seven warships, included a guided-missile destroyer with Aegis-type radars that track and guide weapons to destroy enemy targets, and missile frigates with antisubmarine abilities.The Russian lineup included the flagship of its Pacific fleet, the guided-missile cruiser Varyag, and a Kilo-class submarine.The six-day maneuvers focused on joint maritime air defense and the defense of marine traffic arteries, with exercises involving joint escorts, marine search and rescue operations, anti-submarine tactics and anti-hijacking tactics.They were the ninth bilateral and multilateral joint military exercises carried out by the Chinese and Russian militaries.
Luxembourg’s PM Jean-Claude Juncker Resigned
On 11 July Luxembourg’s long-serving Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker has resigned from his post ,following a spying scandal involving illegal phone-taps and other illicit activities.Jean-Claude Juncker is a Luxembourger politician, 23rd and current Prime Minister of Luxembourg since 20 January 1995.