North Korea has threatened to shut down the inter-Korean industrial complex in Kaesong, located in the southwestern part of the country.

The jointly-run industrial park is a symbol of cooperation between the 2 Koreas. Some 50,000 North Koreans work for South Korean firms operating in the complex.

Officials in Pyongyang said that the country will close the industrial park without hesitation if South Korea undermines the North’s dignity.

The officials were apparently referring to the South’s joint military drills currently taking place with the United States.

The Kaesong complex is an important means for impoverished North Korea to earn foreign currency. The industrial park has operated normally even after the North severed a military hotline with the South on Wednesday.

The line was used for checking the entry of South Koreans to the special zone. Observers say, that the latest threat may be part of North Korea’s tactics to rattle the South.

India  has got advantage against a depleted Australia side in the third Test match that begins Today at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium here.

With only 12 players to pick a team from, Australia are under huge pressure. The onus of ending their two-match losing streak looms large under the backdrop of the suspension of its four players Monday due to breach of discipline.

The Australia team management Monday suspended four of its players including vice-captain Shane Watson for not doing a homework. Along with Watson, James Pattinson, Usman Khawaja and Mitchell Johnson were suspended for the Test.

With Australia trailing 0-2 in the series, all the players were given five days to prepare a feedback on how they could improve. But the four players failed to meet the deadline, and paid the price.

While Watson and Pattinson would have been automatic choices, Khawaja and Johnson also had a strong chance.

The inexperienced Australia batting line-up will have a tough time against the Indian spinners. However, the good news for them is that skipper Michael Clarke is in form. Clarke has scored one century and two half-centuries in the four innings he has played so far.

The big news for India will be the debut of Delhi batsman Shikhar Dhawan who will replace citymate Virender Sehwag, who was dropped after failing in the first two Tests, averaging just nine.

The Indian batting order has put together good performances so far. Led by skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Cheteshwar Pujara, Murali Vijay and Virat Kohli have scored a ton each.

When it comes to bowling, Pragyan Ojha is likely to retain his bench in the pavilion as India will likely retain its winning combination.

Ravichandran Ashwin has been very impressive taking three five-wicket hauls, with a best of 7/103. Harbhajan Singh has taken wickets though not regularly. Lack of wickets could prove to be trouble for him in the future.

Ironically, Ravindra Jadeja has been even more effective than Harbhajan. Firstly, he has taken more wickets than Harbhajan and, secondly, important wickets of men-in-form like Clarke and Wade at crucial junctures of both the matches.

MIT discovers a new state of matter, a new kind of magnetism

Researchers at MIT have discovered a new state of matter with a new kind of magnetism. This new state, called a quantum spin liquid (QSL), could lead to significant advances in data storage. QSLs also exhibit a quantum phenomenon called long-range entanglement, which could lead to new types of communications systems, and more.

The quantum spin liquid state was first proposed by physicist Phil Anderson in 1973 as the ground state for a system of spins on a triangular lattice that interact with their nearest neighbors via the so-called antiferromagnetic interaction. Quantum spin liquids generated further interest when in 1987 Anderson proposed a theory that described high temperature superconductivity in terms of a disordered spin-liquid state.A quantum spin liquid state was first realized experimentally in crystalline herbertsmithite by Young Lee and his group at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in December 2012.

Ferromagnetism—the simple magnetism of a bar magnet or compass needle—has been known for centuries. In a second type of magnetism, antiferromagnetism, the magnetic fields of the ions within a metal or alloy cancel each other out. In both cases, the materials become magnetic only when cooled below a certain critical temperature. The prediction and discovery of antiferromagnetism—the basis for the read heads in today’s computer hard disks—won Nobel Prizes in physics for Louis Neel in 1970 and for MIT professor emeritus Clifford Shull in 1994. “We’re showing that there is a third fundamental state for magnetism,” says MIT professor of physics Young Lee.

The experimental work showing the existence of this new state, called a quantum spin liquid (QSL), is reported this week in the journal Nature, with Lee as the senior author and Tianheng Han, who earned his PhD in physics at MIT earlier this year, as lead author. The QSL is a solid crystal, but its magnetic state is described as liquid: Unlike the other two kinds of magnetism, the magnetic orientations of the individual particles within it fluctuate constantly, resembling the constant motion of molecules within a true liquid.

• Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti resigned ahead of Elections
• India Successfully Test Fired Air to Air Interceptor Astra Missile
• Blackberry Smartphone maker Research-In-Motion (RIM) signed in Ranbir Kapoor as its Brand Ambassador
• Jeet Thayil along with 23 Others Chosen as Sahitya Akademi Award Winners
• New Freshwater Mosasaurs Species Discovered By the Researchers
• NYSE Agreed Selling Itself as a Part of 8.2 Billion Dollar Takeover by IntercontinentalExchange Inc.

• India and ASEAN Finalised FTA in Investments and Services
• SC dismissed Purno Sangma Petition that Challenged Pranab Mukherjee’s Election as President
• Delhi High Court dismissed the PIL that Challenged Tendulkar’s Nomination to Rajya Sabha
• Lok Sabha Passed the banking bill Clearing way for New Corporate Licenses
• Ireland to legalise Abortions when the Mother’s Life is at Risk
• International Current Affairs December 2012. Ireland on 18 December 2012 announced that it will legalise abortions when the mother’s life is at risk
• David Cameroon announced that Britain would Pull Half of its Troops from Afghanistan
• Park Geun-Hye Elected As the First Woman President of South Korea
• US House of Representatives passed the Defence Bill 2013
• Queen Elizabeth Became First Peacetime British Ruler to Attend Cabinet Meeting
• India’s Dipika Pallikal Lost in Pre-Quarters of Women’s World Open Squash Championship 2012
• India retained their Number Five Position as per the Latest ICC Test Ranking
• Roger Federer Named Swiss Male Athlete of the Year 2012
• Sardar Singh Commanded the Best Price in Hockey India League Auction

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TATA Motors Entered Bangladesh Passenger Car Market Segment

Maldives cancelled its Biggest Foreign Investment Project with GMR Group
Eurozone, International Monetary Fund Agreed to New Greek Debt Deal
US Military’s Ban on Women in most Combat Positions Challenged
Nuclear Waste Would Not Be Dumped At Kolar Gold Mine: Govt. To SC
Union Government approved an Anti-Piracy Scheme in Audio-Visual Sector
Researchers Found Mechanism behind Origin of Life on Early Earth

Ehud Barak, Israel’s defense minister announced quitting from politics
The 8th Meeting of the India-UK JWG on Counter Terrorism held in New Delhi

Eurozone, International Monetary Fund Agreed to New Greek Debt Deal
US Military’s Ban on Women in most Combat Positions Challenged
The 2nd India-China Strategic economic Dialogue held in New Delhi
Costal Chain of Static Sensors Positioned along the Coast of Andhra Pradesh
Union Minister of Finance P Chidambaram Finalised GAAR Amendment
Union Government approved an Anti-Piracy Scheme in Audio-Visual Sector
Nuclear Waste Would Not Be Dumped At Kolar Gold Mine: Govt. To SC
Sebastian Vettel became Youngest Triple Champion in Formula One History
Usain Bolt and Allyson Felix named IAAF World Athletes of the Year 2012
Anand Pawar Won Scottish International Challenge Tournament in Badminton
West Indies won the Bangladesh Test Series by 2-0
Davis Cup 2012: Czech Republic defeated Spain in the Finals

Indian Grand Prix 2012 News

The track and the good crowd make the race exciting. In Singapore and Silverstone, it’s full of people. When in Spain and Montreal, the city comes alive. It’s the fans who make it special. So if people can turn out, it can become one of the most exciting Grands Prix ,” Hamilton said ahead of the second edition of the Indian Grand Prix.

Formula One Quiz

What is Buddh International Circuit?

The Buddh International Circuit (B. I. C.) is a Formula 1 (F 1) racing track.

Where is the Buddh International Circuit located?

Buddh International Circuit location is in Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh.

What is this Formula One racing track famous for?

This International Circuit in Uttar Pradesh has gained its worldwide fame for hosting the first F 1 Indian Grand Prix, which was held on 30th October, 2011.

Indian Telecom Service Company Bharti Airtel became the fourth largest telecom operator in the world in terms of subscribers, according to the Wireless Intelligence ‘Scoreboard’ report.

At the end of the quarter ended June 2012, the Company had over 250 million mobile subscribers across its operations, representing 13 percent Year-over-Year growth.

The City of Hyderabad was named as World Third best city to visit in 2013 by Travel guide book Lonely Planet published on 22 October 2012

The European Union won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for promoting peace, democracy and human rights over six decades, a morale boost for the bloc as it struggles to resolve its economic crisis.

The award served as a reminder that the EU had largely brought peace to a continent that tore itself apart in two world wars in which tens of millions died.

The EU has transformed most of Europe “from a continent of wars to a continent of peace”, Nobel Committee Chairman Thorbjoern Jagland said in announcing the award in Oslo.

Two US scientists win Nobel Prize for chemistry

Under-19 World Cup: India beat Australia by 6 wickets to win the title

Captain Unmukt Chand’s unbeaten 111 and Smit Patel’s 58 nout out guided India to a comfortable six-victory against Australia in the Under-19 World Cup final at Tony Ireland Stadium in Townsville on Sunday.

Chand’s 126-ball ball century was studded with 5 sixes and 7 fours.

Chand reached his fifty off 67 balls with the help of 2 sixes and 5 fours.

International Current Affairs

National Current Affairs

 Latest Current Affairs

Spain and Italy take on each other at the final of Euro 2012 on Sunday (today )at the Olympic Stadium in Kiev.

Euro 2012: Final

• Venue: Olympic Stadium, Kiev
• Date: Sunday, 1 July
• Kick-off: 19:45 BST

Euro 2012 Football tournament reaches its climax, today at Kiev, when defending champions Spain will bid to hold off an Italy side who have steadily eased into form in trademark fashion.

Having beaten strongly fancied Germany 2-1 in Thursday’s second semi-final in Warsaw, 1968 title-winners Italy will contest a Euro final for the first time since their extra-time loss to France in 2000.

Reigning world and European champions Spain are seeking to become the first team in history to win three consecutive major titles. The defending champions scraped into the final via a penalty shoot-out win over Portugal after they were held to a 0-0 draw after extra-time.

Spain and Italy drew 1-1 in their opening Group C games after Cesc Fabregas cancelled out Antonio di Natale’s opener.

Head-to-head statistics

• Italy and Spain are facing each other for the 31st time in their history. The Azzurri have 10 wins and Spain have eight, while there have been 12 draws.

• The Azzurri are unbeaten against Spain at major tournaments (penalty shoot-outs excluded), with three wins and four draws. Nevertheless, Spain advanced in their last knockout encounter in the quarter-finals of Euro 2008 (0-0 after 120 mins, 4-2 after penalties).

• Cesare Prandelli has faced Spain twice as Italy head coach and has yet to lose. Italy beat them in a friendly in August 2011 (2-1) before drawing in their opening game at Euro 2012 (1-1).

• Spain have faced only 12 shots on target at Euro 2012. Half of those were against Italy in their opening game (6).

• Italy and Spain have had the most shots at Euro 2012 – 99 and 86 respectively.

Economic Scenario Difficult

Indian Finance minister Pranab Mukherjee today admitting the current economic condition in the country was “difficult” but rejected any comparison with the situation of 1990 when India had faced an external debt crisis.
During the CWC meeting, Mukherjee told reporters here that the current economic situation was also discussed. “I explained that an attempt is being made to make a comparison between 1990 and 2012. I think that comparison is not correct.”

He said “yes in the life of an economy, even of a nation, there are ups and downs. You cannot show a single nation which is having continuous upward curve…There is no reason to believe that we are going back to the situation of 1990.

“Therefore, there are fundamental differences. At that point of time, our foreign exchange reserves came down to as low as only 17 days of import… Our foreign exchange reserves now are worth importing seven and a half months, not 17 days. 290 billion US Dollars is our current foreign exchange.”

The FM also admitted the current account deficit has, however, gone up from 3 per cent in 1991 to 4 per cent now.

Heat wave claims 17 lives in West Bengal

In West Bengal, at least 17 people died of sun stroke in last 24 hours.Official sources said, nine persons died in Burdwan district, two in Howrah district while three each in Purulia and Kolkata.

Today is World Environment Day

World environment day is being observed today across the globe to raise awareness among people about the importance of clean environment in the human life.The theme for the Day is Green Economy: Does it include you? Our correspondent reports that several functions are being organised across the country to mark the day.

PM calls meeting of infra sector related ministries to review status

Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has called a meeting tomorrow to review the status of infrastructure sector with an aim of pushing the slowing growth.The meeting will be attended by ministers of all infrastructure-related ministries.

Afghan exit: NATO signs deals with Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan & Kyrghyzstan

NATO has signed deals with Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan to use their territory for evacuating vehicles and military equipment from Afghanistan.The agreement will allow the military alliance to bypass Pakistan which has blocked NATO from using its territory in a disagreement over drone strikes.

G7 Fin Mins & Bank Presidents to discuss worsening Euro crisis

Finance ministers and central bank presidents of the world’s seven wealthiest countries will hold an emergency conference call today to discuss Europe’s worsening debt crisis.Canadian Finance Minister James Flaherty told reporters in Canada yesterday that he would raise Europe’s troubles with his Group of Seven colleagues during the call.

Delhi assembly approves proposal to reduce VAT on petrol by 20 per cent

Delhi assembly has approved the budgetary proposal to reduce VAT on the petrol by 20 per cent. With this, petrol will be cheaper by 92 paisa a litre in Delhi.

French Open mixed doubles QF: Paes & Vesnina take on Mirnyi, Huber

In the French Open Tennis , fifth seeded Indo-Russian pair Leander Paes and Elena Vesnina will take on the top seeded Belarusian-American combine of Max Mirnyi and Liezel Huber in their mixed double quarterfinal match in Paris today.The Indian duo of Mahesh Bhupathi and Sania Mirza have already reached the semi finals in the mixed doubles event.

Viswanathan Anand successfully defended his world title in Moscow after winning the second game of the tie-breaker in the World Chess Championship against Boris Gelfand.

Anand took the lead in the tie-breaker after winning the second game following a draw in the first. The Indian chess great then held his Israeli opponent to draws in the third and the fourth game to clinch his fifth world title.

The two players were forced to duel it out in the rapid chess tie-breaker after a tied 6-6 result in the World Chess Championship regular matches.

About Viswanathan Anand

Anand has previously won the title in 2000, 2007, 2008 and 2010.

He held the FIDE World Chess Championship from 2000 to 2002, at a time when the world title was split. In 2007, Anand became the undisputed World Champion. In 2008, he defended his title against Vladimir Kramnik. He successfully his title, which was also his fourth title, when he beat Veselin Topalov in the last of their 12-game duel.

This year again, Anand was stretched to the tie-breaker with ten drawn matches out of 12 against Gelfand. The two players managed to win a game each.

Born on December 11, 1969 to Viswanathan and Susheela, Anand was highly influenced by his mother, who played a vital role in focusing his interest towards chess as well as shaping his career in this sport.

Anand first tasted success at the age of 14 in 1983-84, when he set a new record by scoring 9/9 points. Next year, he earned the title of International Master and he was the youngest Asian to have ever received that title. In 1985, he was given the Arjuna Award for the most outstanding Indian sportsman of the year.

After taking the junior circuit by storm, Anand soon graduated to the next level. In 1987, he became India’s first Grandmaster and the youngest Grandmaster in the World at that time.

At the young age of 18, the Government of India awarded him the Padma Sri.

About the World Chess Championship

The World Chess Championship is played to determine the World Champion in the board game chess. Men and women of any age are eligible to contest this title.

The official world championship is generally regarded to have begun in 1886, when the two leading players in Europe and United States, Wilhelm Steinitz and Johann Zukertort, played a match. From 1886 to 1946, the champion set the terms, requiring any challenger to raise a sizable stake and defeat the champion in a match in order to become the new world champion. From 1948 to 1993, the championship was administered by FIDE, the world chess federation. In 1993, the reigning champion (Garry Kasparov) broke away from FIDE, leading to the creation of two rival championships. This situation remained until 2006, when the title was unified at the World Chess Championship 2006.

The current world champion is Viswanathan Anand, who won the World Chess Championship 2007 and successfully defended his title against former world champion Vladimir Kramnik in the World Chess Championship 2008, and again against the challenger Veselin Topalov in the World Chess Championship 2010. He will defend his title against challenger Boris Gelfand in the World Chess Championship 2012.

In addition, there is a separate event for women only, for the title of Women’s World Champion, as well as separate competitions and titles for juniors (under 20 years of age), seniors (60+ for men, 50+ for women), and computers. Computers are barred from competing for the open title.

The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has taken a decision to impose a ban of 5 years on actor Shahrukh Khan from entering Wankhede stadium for his alleged misbehavior at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Wednesday night. Addressing a press conference in Mumbai, Union Minister for Science and Technology and President of Mumbai Cricket Assocation Vilasrao Deshmukh said that the 5 year ban will be applicable to all matches being played on Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium for the next five years.