Latest Current Affairs July 2014

Current Affairs 1'st July 2014

National Doctors’ Day Observed Across India on 1 July 2014

National Doctors’ Day was observed across India on 1 July 2014 to honour legendary physician Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy.The celebrations highlight the contributions and value of medical fraternity in society. Bidhan Chandra Roy was born on 1 July 1882 in Patna and died on 1 July 1962. He was a legendary physician who also served West Bengal as its second Chief Minister from 1948 to 1962. The B.C. Roy National Award was instituted in 1976 for work in the area of medicine, politics, science, philosophy, literature and arts.

Malala Yousafzai Won Liberty Medal – 2014

Pakistani child activist Malala Yousafzai has been conferred on the 2014 Liberty Medal from the National Constitution Centre in Philadelphia. She is the youngest recipient in the medal’s 25-year history. Polish Solidarity founder Lech Walesa was the inaugural recipient of the annual honour in 1989.  Since then, recipients of this award included Muhammad Ali, former President Jimmy Carter, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

SBI launches digital touch banking branches

State Bank of India has launched six digital branches across the nation, as part of its programme to offer next generation banking solutions to the mobile and internet-savvy customer base.These branches are located in Mumbai, Bangalore,Chennai and Ahmedabad, besides Delhi. One of such branches in Delhi was inaugurated this morning by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.

Former Haitian President Leslie Manigat died at 83 

Former Haitian president Leslie François Manigat died at the age of 83.

US named a mountain in Antarctica after an Indian-American scientist, Akhouri Sinha 

A mountain in Antarctica named as Mt. Sinha after an eminent Indian-American scientist, Akhouri Sinha by the US.

India announced new liberal visa policy for Afghanistan nationals. 

Third edition of Ladakh International Film Festival held in Leh.

Current Affairs 2'nd July 2014

Meghalaya Governor Takes Additional Charge of Nagaland

Meghalaya Governor Krishan Kant Paul  on 2 July took over the additional charge as the 18th governor of Nagaland following the resignation of Ashwani Kumar from the post on 25 June 2014.

Ram Naresh Yadav  Sworn In As Chhattisgarh Governor

Madhya Pradesh Governor Ram Naresh Yadav was sworn in as Chhattisgarh Governor on 2 July. Ram Naresh Yadav has taken over the additional charge of the Chhattisgarh state following the resignation of former Governor Shekhar Dutt.
Shah Rukh Khan Conferred with Knight of the Legion of Honor 

Shah Rukh Khan was conferred with top French civilian award Knight of the Legion of Honor.

Sujit Choudhry became the first Indian-American dean of Berkeley Law School 

Sujit Choudhry became the first Indian-American dean of the University of California, Berkeley

Bor Wildlife Sanctuary of Maharashtra to be the country's 47th Tiger Reserve 

MoEF has approved proposal of Maharashtra Government to notify Bor Wildlife Sanctuary as 47th Tiger Reserve of India and sixth of the state.

Rajasthan Government declared Camel as the State animal 

Rajasthan Government declared Camel as the State animal to check the declining number of camels in the state.

Current Affairs 3'rd July 2014

Union Government Introduced Four New Vaccines

Union Government introduced four new vaccines as part of India’s Universal Immunization Programme (UIP). These include vaccines against rotavirus, rubella and polio (injectable),along with an adult vaccine against Japanese encephalitis. The adult vaccine against Japanese encephalitis will be introduced in districts with high levels of the disease (in 179 endemic districts in 9 states).The aim of introduction of these lifesaving vaccines is to ensure that the benefits of vaccination reach to all sections of the society, regardless of social and economic status.

DY Patil Appointed WB’s Acting Governor

President Pranab Mukherjee on 3 July appointed Bihar Governor Dr. D.Y. Patil as the acting Governor of West Bengal, following M.K. Narayanan’s resignation. The President has accepted the resignation of Shri M K Narayanan as Governor of West Bengal and has appointed Dr. D.Y. Patil, Governor of Bihar to discharge the functions of the Governor of West Bengal, in addition to his own duties.Narayanan resigned on June 30 after being prodded by the new NDA government to quit.

Michelle Howard became first female four-star admiral in US Navy

Michelle Howard became the first female four-star admiral in US Navy. She is the first women admiral in 236 year old history of US Navy.
Former French President Sarkozy charged with corruption and influence peddling 

Former French President, Nicolas Sarkozy has been charged with corruption and influence peddling after being questioned in Paris suburb.
Swamy Goud elected as Chairman of Telangana Legislative Council

Swamy Goud, TRS party, was elected as chairman of the Telangana Legislative Council.

NASA launched Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 to track Carbon Dioxide 

NASA on 2 July 2014 launched Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2),a satellite designed to track carbon dioxid

Current Affairs 4'th July 2014

Japan Issued Multiple Entry Visas To Indians

Japan issued multiple entry visas for short term stay to Indians. The visas will allow Indian visitors to spend up to 15 days on a visit and the visas are likely to be valid for three years. The decision will increase the number of Indian tourists to Japan and improve convenience in business activities and further development of bilateral exchanges between the two countries.

Goa Governor B V Wanchoo Resigned

Goa Governor BV Wanchoo resigned from his post hours after he was quizzed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) as a witness in the AgustaWestland chopper deal scam. Earlier, the CBI had quizzed former West Bengal governor M K Narayanan in connection with the AugustaWestland chopper deal.

President Pranab Mukherjee joined on Twitter with @RashtrapatiBhvn

He is the first serving president of India to join Twitter.

ADB to provide equity investment of 50 million US dollars to ReNew Power 

ADB announced to provide 50 million US dollars of equity investment into Indian company, ReNew Power.

Current Affairs 5'th July 2014

Narendra Modi Inaugurated 240MW Uri-II Hydroelectric Project In J&K

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 240 megawatt Uri-II hydropower project in the mountains of Jammu and Kashmir.This Uri-II project will be able to   generate an estimated 1124 million units of hydel-energy annually from its four units of 60 MW each. The Uri-II project is the second power project on the Jhelum River   in Uri area and is close to the Line of Control (LoC) in Baramullah district of the state.

NABARD and SFAC signed a MoU for development of Small Farm Producers

NABARD and SFAC signed a MoU for development of Small Farm Producers.

Senegal President Macky Sall sacked Prime Minister Aminata Toure 

Senegal President Macky Sall sacked Prime Minister Aminata Toure.

Current Affairs 6'th July 2014

India To Become Third Largest Economy In World By 2030

India is set to become the third largest economy in the world by 2030, according to latest estimates by a PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) report. The London-head quartered accountancy giant said the rapid rise of the Indian economy with its young workforce would push it up from being the 10th largest economy in 2013 to the third largest by 2030, pushing the UK back into sixth place.

Novak Djokovic Won Wimbledon Men’s Singles Title

Novak Djokovic of Serbia on 6 July won the Men’s Wimbledon Tennis Open defeating Roger Federer of Switzerland. This is the second Wimbledon title for 27-year-   old, Djokovic and seventh career Grand Slam. Djokovic won his first Wimbledon title in 2011.

Petra Kvitova  Won Wimbledon women’s Singles Title

In the women’s single Petra Kvitova of Czech Republic won the Wimbledon Tennis Open defeating Canada’s Eugenie Bouchard

6th BRICS Summit to be held in Fortaleza, Brazil from 15-17 July 2014

The 6th BRICS summit will be the sixth annual diplomatic meeting of the BRICS, a grouping of major emerging economies that includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and   South Africa.It will be hosted by Brazil, as the first host country of the current five-year summit cycle, the host city will be Fortaleza.

Current Affairs 7th July 2014

Granville Austin (87),a distinguished scholar of India’s Constitution and a Padma Shri awardee, passed away in Washington.

Austin wrote two critically acclaimed political histories of the Indian Constitution – ‘The Indian Constitution: A Cornerstone of A Nation’ and ‘Working A Democratic Republic: The Indian Experience. 

President Appointed Governor For Mizoram and Nagaland

President Pranab Mukherjee appointed Governor for Mizoram and Nagaland and Gujarat.Governor of Gujarat, Kamla Beniwal was transferred and appointed as     Governor of Mizoram. Vakkom Purushothaman, the Mizoram Governor, transferred and appointed as Governor of Nagaland. Vakkom will continue to hold the      additional charge of the office of the Governor of Tripura. Margaret Alva, the Governor of Rajasthan, was given the additional responsibility of discharging the      functions as Governor of Gujarat, until regular arrangements for the office is made.

Supreme Court of India Ruled Shariat Courts Are illegal

The Supreme Court of India on 7 July ruled that Shariat courts are illegal and objected to Shariat court from passing orders against innocent person. It said that no          religion allows punishment of innocent and hence no Darul Qaza should give verdict on rights of a person, unless it is asked for by the person.

C Rangarajan Committee on Poverty presented its report to Union Government

Rangarajan committee submitted a report titled to Review the Methodology for Measurement of Poverty.

Current Affairs 8'th July 2014

India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her British counterpart Foreign Secretary of State William Hague, both sides decided to soon start negotiations for civil nuclear cooperation.

During a meeting between the India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her British counterpart Foreign Secretary of State William Hague, both sides decided to soon start negotiations for civil nuclear cooperation. Hague pushed for sale of its Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) despite its Eurofighter Typhoon losing out to France’s Rafale.

Union Railway Budget 2014-15

Union Railway Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda on 8 July 2014 presented his first Railway Budget in Parliament. This is the first rail budget presented by any Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) minister and it is also Sadanand Gowda’s first rail budget.
Highlights :-

1. No new increase in passenger fares and freight charges
2.  Bullet train on Mumbai-Ahmedabad Sector
3.  Diamond quadrilateral for high speed trains
4.  Plan to hike speed of trains to 160-200 km/hr in 9 sectors
5.  Online booking to support 7,200 tickets/minute; to allow 1.2 lakh users log in simultaneously
6. Women RPF Constables to escort ladies coaches; 4,000 women constables to be inducted
7. Feedback services through IVRS on quality of food
8.  Cleanliness budget up by 40 pc over last year
9.  58 new trains and extension of 11; 864 additional EMUs to be introduced in Mumbai over 2 years
10.  FDI in railway projects, except in operations.
11.  FDI, domestic investments in rail infrastructure
12.  Office-on-Wheels: Internet & Workstation facilities on select trains
13.  Wi-Fi in A-1, A category stations and in select trains
14. Rail university for technical and non-technical subjects
15.  Loss per passenger per kilometre up from 10p (in 2000-01) to  23p (2012-13)
16. Solar energy to be tapped at major stations
17. Highest ever plan outlay of Rs 65,455 crore for 2014-15
18.  Expenditure in 2014-15 pegged at Rs 149,176 crore.

India Successfully Tested BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missile

India on 8 July successfully test-fired the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile from a defence base in Odisha. It has a range of 290 km and can carry a conventional warhead of up to 300 kg. The test was successful. It was a land version of BrahMos.

Eduard Shevardnadze, the ex-President of Georgia died at 86 

Ex-President of Georgia, Eduard Shevardnadze died after a long illness. He was toppled in 2005 after as a consequence of the bloodless Rose Revolution.

Alfredo Di Stefano, the Real Madrid FC legend died 

Real Madrid legend, Alfredo Di Stefano died at the age of 88. He died after suffering from a heart attack that struck him on 5 July 2014.

Current Affairs 9'th July 2014

 Researchers used NASA’s twin GRACE satellites to examine a region’s flood potential. 

 Scientists at the University of California studied satellite data and examined past river floods, such as the ones that occurred in Missouri in 2011.As the satellites revolved around the Earth, minute changes in gravity alter the satellites’ orbit. These changes are proportional to changes in mass, such as a buildup of water and snow. The team took into account all potential water sources, including snow, surface water, soil moisture and groundwater. They found that with their method they could predict dangerous flooding 5 months in advance and could potentially extend that window to 11 months

Nigeria Suspended From International Football By FIFA

Nigeria have been suspended from all international football by FIFA amid allegations of government interference in its football federation. The Statement released by FIFA includes that during the period of suspension, the NFF may not be represented in any regional, continental or international competitions, including at club level, or in friendly matches.

Economic Survey 2013-14

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitely on 9 July presented Economic Survey of India 2013-14 in the Lok Sabha. India’s economy in financial year 2014-15 is expected to grow in the range of 5.4 – 5.9 percent overcoming sub-5 percent growth.
Following are the Highlights of the Economic Survey :-

1. Economy to grow in the range of 5.4 – 5.9 per cent in 2014-15 overcoming sub-5 percent growth.
2. The latest gross domestic product (GDP) estimates show that industry grew by just 1.0 per cent in 2012-13 and slowed further in 2013-14, posting a modest increase of 0.4 per cent.
3. India ranked 12th in terms of services GDP in 2012 among the world’s top 15 countries in terms of GDP (at current prices).
4. India has the second fastest growing services sector with its CAGR at 9.0 per cent, just below China’s 10.9 per cent, during 2001 to 2012.

Noted environmentalist and, Director General of The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) R K Pachauri termed shopping malls as “energy guzzlers” and said they are not suited to the Indian environment.

Pachauri, who is also chairperson of the United Nation’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC),said that buildings contribute to green house gas emissions and they should be made more efficient. The largest growth of buildings is taking place in the emerging economies. Most of the buildings projected to be standing in 2030 in India are yet to be constructed.

According to RBI notification, the “Clean Credit” i.e credit given by a foreign supplier to its Indian customer/buyer, without any letter of credit/letter of undertaking/fixed deposits from any Indian financial institution for import of rough, cut and polished diamond, may be permitted for a period not exceeding 180 days from the date of shipment

Telecom Consumers Complaint Redressal (Third Amendment) regulations, 2014 

TRAI raised the minimum broadband speed to 512 kbps from the earlier 256 kbps.

Emma Watson appointed as UN Goodwill Ambassador 

UN Women appointed Emma Watson, the British actress of Harry Potter movie series as Goodwill Ambassador.

Current Affairs 10'th July 2014

In terms of GDP, India's economy is 10th biggest: World Bank

After growing at an average annual rate of just over 6 per cent from 1980 to 2010, India’s economy is now the 10th biggest in the world in terms of gross domestic           product, according to the World Bank.
India inks Audiovisual Coproduction Treaty with Canada

Canada and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) have signed an Audiovisual Coproduction Treaty. The treaty will        strengthen        ties between both the nations, as it will allow producers to combine creative, technical and financial resources to create audiovisual oproductions.

Union Budget 2014-15

On 10th July 2014, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley presented Union Budget 2014-15 in Parliament, Following are the highlights of Union Budget 2014-15 : Individuals : 

1. Income tax exemption limit raised by from 2 lakh to Rs 2.5 lakh and for senior citizens to Rs 3 lakh.
2. Exemption limit for investment in financial instruments under 80C raised from 1 lakh  to Rs 1.5 lakh.
3. Investment limit in PPF raised from 1 lakh to Rs 1.5 lakh.
4. Deduction limit on interest on loan for self-occupied house raised to Rs 2 lakh from Rs 1.5 lakh.
5. Kisan Vikas Patra to be reintroduced, National Savings Certificate with insurance cover to be launched
6. Banking: 
7. Time bound programme as Financial Inclusion Mission to be launched on 15 August 2014 with focus on the weaker sections of the society.
8. Banks to be encouraged to extend long term loans to infrastructure sector with flexible structuring.
9. Banks to be permitted to raise long term funds for lending to infrastructure sector with minimum regulatory pre-emption such as CRR, SLR and Priority Sector Lending (PSL).
10. RBI to create a framework for licensing small banks and other differentiated banks.
11. Differentiated banks serving niche interests, local area banks, payment banks etc. are contemplated to meet credit and remittance needs of small businesses, unorganized sector, low income households, farmers and migrant work force.
12. Six new Debt Recovery Tribunals to be set up.
13. For venture capital in the MSME sector, a 10000 crore rupees fund to act as a catalyst to attract private Capital by way of providing equity , quasi equity, soft loans and other risk capital for start-up companies with suitable tax incentives to participating private funds to be established.
14. Small Savings :
15. Kissan Vikas Patra (KVP) to be reintroduced.
16. In the Public Provident Fund (PPF) Scheme, annual ceiling will be enhanced to 1.5 lakh rupees per annum from1 lakh rupees at present.

Union Health Ministry constituted a core group to eradicate Kala Azar by 2015 

A core group formed to work a detailed action plan to eradicate the dreaded vector-borne disease, Kala Azar by 2015.

India and Canada has signed an India-Canada Audiovisual Co-production Treaty

India and Canada has signed an India-Canada Audiovisual Co-production Treaty with an aim to create jobs in both countries and boost tourism. This audiovisual treaty is the first of its kind for India and was signed in Delhi. 

Current Affairs 11'th July 2014 

Veteran actress Zohra Sehgal died at 102

Zohra Sehgal died at the age of 102. She was called as the grand old lady of Bollywood due to her association with it for several decades. She died due to cardiac arrest. In 2010, Zohra was awarded with the Padma Vibhshan, She was also a recipient of Padma Shri in 1998 and Padma Bhushan in 2002. 

UN released World Urbanization Prospects Report 2014

The United Nation (UN) launched the 2014 revision of the World Urbanisation Prospects report. The report said that at present, 54 percent of the world's population lives in urban areas, which will have an additional 2.5 billion people in urban areas by 2050. The World Urbanisation report said that between 2014 and 2050, the largest urban growth will take place in India, China and Nigeria. These three countries will account for 37 percent of the projected growth of the world's urban population.As per the report, by 2050 India will add 404 million urban dwellers, which will be much more than China’s projection of 292 million. Nigeria will add 212 million to its urban population. 

Important to Note  :Global Population Facts are

1. As of 1 January 2014, the world's population was estimated to be 7,137,661,030, and increases by 2.3  people every second. 
2. The total number of people who have ever lived has been estimated by the Population Bureau to be around 108 billion. 
3. The world population is estimated to have reached one billion in 1804, with two, three and four billion in 1927, 1960 and 1974 respectively. 
4. China, India, USA, Indonesia, Pakistan and Brazil account for half the world's people. 

Delhi becomes world's second most populous city 

1. Delhi has become the world's second most populous city in 2014 after Tokyo, more than doubling its population since 1990 to 25 million, according to a UN report. The 2014 revision of the World Urbanisation Prospects launched yesterday said that India is projected to add the highest number of people to its urban population by 2050, ahead of China. 
2. The Indian capital is expected to retain the spot of the world's second most populous city through at least 2030, when its population is expected to rise swiftly to 36 million. Tokyo topped UN's ranking of the most populous cities in 2014 with 38 million inhabitants and while its population is projected to decline, it will remain the world's largest city in 2030 with 37 million people. 
3. Mumbai, which ranks sixth on the list of the world's most populous cities in 2014, is projected to become the fourth largest city in 2030 when its population would grow to 28 million from the current 21 million. 
4. Tokyo and New Delhi were followed by Shanghai with 23 million, and Mexico City, Mumbai and Sao Paulo, each with around 21 million inhabitants in 2014.The report said that the largest urban growth will take place in India, China and Nigeria between 2014 and 2050, with the three countries accounting for 37 percent of the projected growth of the world's urban population.
5. By 2050, India is projected to add 404 million urban dwellers, way more than China's projection of 292 million. 

Germany meets Argentina in WC final in Rio

Germany and Argentina will slug it out for the prestigious Football World Cup at Rio de Janeiro on Sunday night. While three-time champions Germany advanced to the World Cup final after 2002, Argentina booked a final-2 berth for the first time after 1990, when they lost to West Germany, 1-0 in the final. Since then, Germany have never been the World Champions. 
The Netherlands will take on Brazil in the third place match at Brasília tomorrow.

US diplomat William Burns meets Prime Minister

US Deputy Secretary of State William Burns met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday and delivered US President Barack Obama's invitation for him to visit Washington.Modi is scheduled to visit US in September for the UN General Assembly. The Prime Minister will also hold summit meeting with Obama to take the India-US relationship forward. 

Burns had met Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, yesterday, and discussed the bilateral ties between the two countries. "As the world two largest democracies and two largest economies, the US and India shares an interest in each other's success. The success in our partnership can contribute enormously to a safer and prosperous world," said Burns after the meeting. 

Bhullar becomes first Indian-origin player to join NBA 

Sim Bhullar has become the first player of Indian origin to be a part of the National Basketball Association (NBA) after he signed a summer contract with the Sacramento Kings, a professional basketball team in the US.21-year-old Bhullar, who is 7.5 feet tall and weighs 360 pounds, is a centre from New Mexico State University. 

Mizoram Governor Vakkom Purushothaman resigns

Resenting his transfer from Mizoram "without consulting him", Nagaland Governor Vakkom B Purushothaman on Friday resigned from the post.The 86-year-old Congress veteran said that he sent his resignation to President Pranab Mukherjee this morning.

Amul to sponsor Indian contingent for Commonwealth, Asian Games

Amul has inked an agreement with the Indian Olympic Association to sponsor the Indian contingent for the upcoming Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games to be held later this year in South Korea.

R S Sodhi, Managing Director, Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (Amul),said that the company is leveraging on the synergies of milk and sports through this partnership. Amul, which has recently started its 'Eat Milk with Every Meal' campaign, had also sponsored the Indian contingent for the London Olympics in 2012 and has been investing in football, cricket and Formula 1 in the past.

World Bank to give $153 mn loan for Odisha project

India has inked a loan agreement with World Bank for an assistance of $153 million (about Rs 920 crore) for the Odisha Disaster Recovery Project. “The Loan Agreements for World Bank (International Development Association (IDA) assistance of $153 million for Odisha Disaster Recovery Project were signed here on Friday between the Government of India and the World Bank,” an official statement said.

The objective of the project is to restore and improve housing and public services in targeted communities of Odisha, and increase the capacity of the state entities to respond promptly and effectively to an eligible crisis of emergency, the statement said.

Current Affairs 12'th July 2014 

Union Ministry of Railways launched Social Media Platform for Indian Railways 

On 7th July 2014, The Minister of Railways, Shri D.V.Sadananda Gowda launched Social Media Platform for the Indian Railways. It includes launching of twitter, facebook etc. The launch of Social Media Platform is the endeavour of Indian railways to use social media as a platform to tell its stories and constantly hear from fellow travelers.

Earthquakes in Oklahoma due to wastewater disposal wells: Cornell University
Earthquakes in Oklahoma increased due to massive injections of wastewater from the oil and gas industry

Mars orbiter spacecraft to reach target in 75 days

Exactly 75 days from 12th July 2014, India's Mars spacecraft is scheduled for a rendezvous with the red planet Mars. Indian Space Research Organisation said, Mars Orbiter Spacecraft has travelled 525 million km on its heliocentric arc. Radio signals from earth now take 15 minutes to reach MOM and return. 
Important to Note : 
The ambitious Mars mission under a Rs 450 crore project was launched from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh onboard the Pollar Satellite Launch Vehicle on 5th November 2014 with an aim to reach the Mars atmosphere by September 24.

PM Narendra Modi set to leave for Brazil to participate in VIth BRICS Summit

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to participate in VIth BRICS Summit in Fortaleza and Brasilia, Brazil from 14 to 16th of July.  He will embark upon his important journey on 13th of July. This will be his first multi-lateral meeting with the heads of BRICS countries, the growing world economies such as Brazil, China, Russia and South Africa.PM is also scheduled to have important bilateral meetings with President of China, Mr Xi Jinping on 14th July. On the same day, Shri Narendra Modi will have bilateral dialogues with Russian President Vladimir Putin. 

Air India is now part of Star Alliance

Air India on Friday formally became a member of Star Alliance, a conglomeration of 26 overseas airlines.“This is an important day for us. We have said for many years that we needed a strong home carrier in the Indian market and by welcoming Air India to our Star Alliance family, we have achieved this goal,” said Star Alliance Chief Executive Mark Schwab.
World Cup champions to get $35 mn from FIFA

The World Cup title not only carries immense prestige, but a massive paycheck as well on Sunday.The winning federation, either Germany or Argentina, will receive $35 million from the ruling body FIFA, and the losers $25 million, FIFA said on Friday.There is also a financial incentive in the match for third place between hosts Brazil and the Netherlands on Saturday, with $22 million for third place and $20 million for the fourth.Overall FIFA is dishing out $358 million to the 32 teams who competed at the June 12-July 13 tournament.

North East can become world's largest organic producer: VK Singh

The Northeast has the potential to become the largest producer of organic foods in the world, Union minister Vijay Kumar Singh said on Saturday.VK Singh, the Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region said, "Potential in North East is very high as it is already an organic hub by default." 
"However, farmers here do not know what organic is. If we work on it, NE can become the largest producer of organic foods in the world," Singh told the National Cold Chain Summit by ICC in Guwahati. 

Satish Upadhyay formally takes charge as Delhi BJP chief

Newly -appointed Delhi BJP President Satish Upadhyay, who formally took charge of the post on Saturday said the people of Delhi have shown faith in BJP and party workers should make all efforts to serve them.Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, who was appointed as the state party chief just before the Lok Sabha elections, handed over the charge of Delhi unit to Upadhyay at a function organised at Delhi BJP office in New Delhi. Addressing BJP leaders and workers, Upadhyay said, "The people of Delhi have rejected both Aam Aadmi Party and Congress and shown faith in BJP. We should continue to make efforts to serve Delhiites." 

IIP grows to 19-month high of 4.7%