25-26 may

25 may

Mumbai Indians won IPL 2015 title by defeating Chennai Super kings

Mumbai Indians (MI) on 24 May 2015 won the eighth edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). In the final clash played at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, Mumbai Indians defeated Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by 41-runs.

This was the second title triumph for Mumbai Indians after their maiden win back in 2013.

Mumbai Indians after being invited to bat first posted a score of 202 for five, while batting second, Chennai Super Kings were able to score just 161 for eight.

With this win, Mumbai Indians joined Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Rider, as a team that has claimed two IPL trophies. Mumbai had won their first title in 2013 at the Eden Gardens, by defeating the Chennai Super Kings. With this defeat, Chennai has lost four finals of 2008, 2012, 2013, 2015 in six appearances.

• Man of the Match: Rohit Sharma for his match winning score of 50 in 26 balls
• Player of the Tournament: Andre Russell
• Orange Cap awarded to:David Warner
• Purple Cap awarded to: Dwayne Bravo
• Emerging Player of the Season: Shreyas Iyer
• Most Valuable Player:Andre Russell

Captains of the two teams
• Mumbai Indians:Rohit Sharma
• Chennai Super Kings: MS Dhoni

The previous winners of the IPL are as follows
•IPL Season 1: Rajasthan Royals
•IPL Season 2:Deccan Chargers
•IPL Season 3:Chennai Super Kings
• IPL Season 4:Chennai Super Kings
• IPL Season 5:Kolkata Knight Riders
• IPL Season 6:Mumbai Indians
• IPL Season 7:Kolkata Knight Riders

Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg of Germany won Monaco Grand Prix of Formula One

Mercedes racing driver Nico Rosberg of Germany on 24 May 2015 won the Monaco Grand Prix Formula 1 World Championship title by winning the final race held in Monaco.

While Sebastian Vettel of Germany representing the Ferrari team stood at the second position, Rosberg’s team mate Lewis Hamiltion of UK was at the third positon.

It is the tenth overall championship title for Rosberg and the second title in the 2015 season having won the Spanish Formula 1 World Championship on 10 May 2015.

With the present victory, he has become the fourth driver to win three Monaco Grand Prix titles in a row. The others were Graham Hill, Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost.

Sergio Perez (Mexico) and Nico Hulkenberg (Germany) of Force India stood at the 7th and 11th positions respectively in the final race.

Nobel Awardee mathematician John Forbes Nash Jr. died

John Forbes Nash Jr., the Princeton University mathematician, died along with his wife in a car crash on 23 May 2015. He was 86. His taxi crashed on the New Jersey Turnpike in Monroe Township when the driver lost control.

Oscar-winning film, A Beautiful Mind was inspired by his life.

Nash born on 13 June 1928 was an American mathematician who became famous for his game theory, differential geometry, and partial differential equations, which provided an insight into the factors that, govern chance and events inside complex systems in daily life.

His theories were used in economics, evolutionary biology, artificial intelligence, accounting, politics and military theory.

While working as a Senior Research Mathematician at Princeton University, he shared the 1994 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences with game theorists Reinhard Selten and John Harsanyi.

Awards and honours conferred on Nashincludes
• In 2015, he won the Abel Prize along with Louis Nirenberg by King Harald V of Norway for his work on non-linear partial differential equations.
• In 1999, he won the Leroy P. Steele Prize.
• In 1978, he was awarded the John von Neumann Theory Prize for his discovery of non-cooperative equilibria, now called Nash equilibria.
• In 2012, he was elected as a fellow of the American Mathematical Society.

Union Cabinet approved revised FDI norms for NRIs, PIOs and OCIs

The Union Cabinet on 21 May 2015 gave its nod for changes in the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy on investments by Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) and Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs).

The amendments to the FDI policy are
• The definition of Non-Resident Indian (NRI) was expanded by including OCI cardholders as well as PIO cardholders. The decision is meant to align the FDI policy with the stated policy of the Government to provide PIOs and OCIs parity with Non Resident Indians (NRIs) in respect of economic, financial and educational fields.

• Investment made by NRIs under Schedule 4 of FEMA (Transfer or Issue of Security by Persons Resident outside India) Regulations, 2000 will be deemed to be domestic investment at par with the investment made by residents. The decision is meant to provide clarity in the FDI policy as such investment is not included in the category of foreign investment.

The above decisions of the cabinet coupled with its earlier decisions allowing FDI up to 100 percent in the Railway infrastructure sector and up to 49 per cent in the insurance and defence sectors are expected to result in increased investments and remittances leading to economic growth of the country.

20th Law Commission submitted report on Guardianship and Custody Laws to the Union Law Ministry

The 20th Law Commission of India on 22 May 2015 submitted the 257th report titled Reforms in Guardianship and Custody Laws in India to DV Sadananda Gowda, the Union Minister of Law and Justice.

The report reviewed the current laws dealing with custody and guardianship and came up with draft legislative amendments in the form of the Hindu Minority and Guardianship (Amendment) Bill, 2015andthe Guardians and Wards (Amendment) Bill, 2015 to the Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act, 1956 and the Guardians and Wards Act, 1890 respectively.

Major amendments deal withthe Guardians and Wards Act, 1890 by introducing a new chapter (Chapter IIA) on custody and visitation arrangements including the concept of joint custody.

Key Aspects of the Draft Legislation

Welfare principle: The welfare principle in the Guardians and Wards Act, 1890 was strengthened with a continuous emphasis on its relevance in each aspect of guardianship and custody related decision-making.

Abolition of preference: Preference for the father as the natural guardian under Hindu law was removed and both parents are granted equal legal status with respect to guardianship and custody.

Joint custody: Courts are empowered to award joint custody to both parents in circumstances conducive to the welfare of the child or award sole custody to one parent with visitation rights to the other.

Mediation: Parties to a custody matter must ordinarily consider expert-led and time-bound mediation, which can not only promote better outcomes for parents and children, but also reduce the strain on the overburdened court system.

Child support: Courts are empowered to fix an amount specifically for child support, to meet basic living expenses of the child.
Financial resources of parents and the standard of living of the child must be considered when fixing such amounts. Child support must continue till the child turns 18, but may be extended till 25; or longer, in case of a child with mental or physical disability.

Guidelines: Detailed guidelines were evolved to help courts, parents and other stakeholders arrive at the best arrangement to serve the welfare of the child. Several new concepts in this regard, including parenting plans, grand parenting time, visitation rights, and relocation of parents were also mentioned in the report.

Comment
The revision of the Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act, 1956 and the Guardians and Wards Act, 1890 has become necessary to ensure these laws are in tune with changes in the social considerations. As per an estimate, divorce rate increased to 13 per 1000 in 2014 as compared to that of 1 in 1000 in 2004.

Additionally, in most of the proceedings of divorce and family breakdowns parents use children as pawns to strike their own bargains without considering the emotional, social and mental upheavals that the children may face.

Hence, in order to protect interest of the children, the commission has recommended amendments to laws by giving substantial powers to courts in dealing with such cases.

Cannes Films Festival 2015: French director Jacques Audiard bagged Palme d’Or

French thriller Dheepan was honoured with the Palme d'Or top prize at the Cannes Film Festival on 24 May 2015. The film brings a spotlight on the plight of traumatised refugees building new lives.

Indian film Masaan directed by Neeraj Ghaywan won the Promizing Future Prize Ex-aequo at the festival.

List of awards at the Cannes Film Festival
Feature Films
• Palme d'Or:Dheepan, directed by Jacques Audiard
• Grand Prix: Saul Fia (Son of Saul), directed by Laszlo Nemes
• Award for Best Director: Hou Hsiao-Hsien for Nie Yinniang (The Assassin)
• Award for Best Screenplay: Michel Franco for Chronic
• Award for Best Actress Ex-aequo: Emmanuelle Bercot in Mon Roi, directed by Maiwenn and Rooney Mara in Carol, directed by Todd Haynes
• Award for Best Actor:Vincent Lindon in La Loi Du Marché (The Measure of a Man), directed by Stephane Brize
• Jury Prize:The Lobster, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos

Short Films
•Palme d'Or - Short Film: Waves '98 directed by Ely Dagher

Un Certain Regard
• Un Certain Regard Prize:Hrútar (RAMS) directed by Grímur Hakonarson
• Jury Prize - Un Certain Regard: Zvizdan (The High Sun) directed by Dalibor Matanic
• Directing Prize of Un Certain Regard:Kishibe No Tabi (Journey to the Shore) directed by Kurosawa Kiyoshi
• Un Certain Talent Prize: Comoara (The Treasure) directed by Corneliu Porumboiu

Promizing Future Prize Ex-aequo
• Nahid directed by Ida Panahandeh
• Masaan Directed by Neeraj Ghaywan

Cinefondation
• 1st Prize Cinéfondation: Share directed by Pippa Bianco
• 2nd Prize Cinéfondation: Locas Perdidas (Lost Queens) directed by Ignacio Juricic Merillán
• 3rd Prize Cinéfondation Ex-aequo:Victor XX directed by Ian Garrido López
• The Return of Erkin directed by Maria Guskova

Golden camera
• Camera d'or:La Tierra Y La Sombra directed by César Augusto Acevedo

Uttar Pradesh government amended State Film Policy to woo tourism

Uttar Pradesh Government on 16 May 2015 amended State Film Policy to woo tourism. Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh (UP) Akhilesh Yadav inaugurated the UP Film Bnadhus’s Website and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to set up a film city.

Also, UP Government under the amended policy has increased the subsidy given to the film maker to encourage film production in the state. Each film produced in UP is now entitled to a subsidy of 2 crore rupees.

U.P. Film Policy booklet was also launched during the event. On 24 May 2015, Akhilesh Yadav also presented a cheque of 2 crore rupees to Jaanisaar's filmmaker Muzaffar Ali.

Noted films like Bullet Raja, Ishqiya, Teval, Jaanisar, Dozakh and many more have already been in shot in U.P.

UBS AG Bank of Switzerland agreed to pay 203 million US dollars for manipulating LIBOR

Switzerland bank UBS AG on 20 May 2015 agreed to pay 203 million US dollars in fine and for a three-year term of probation for manipulating London Interbank offered Rate (LIBOR).

The bank has reached a settlement in this regard with the Anti Trust Division of the US Justice Department.

The bank took this decision after the Justice Department tore up a non-prosecution agreement (NPA) reached between them in 2012.

As part of its prior settlement in 2012, the bank’s Japanese subsidiary pleaded guilty to a criminal charge of wire fraud in the United States, but the parent company was allowed to enter a NPA in return for extending cooperation in the investigation.

About LIBOR Scandal
LIBOR is a benchmark rate that some of the world’s leading banks charge each other for short-term loans. Every day, it is calculated on the basis of interest rates paid by major 16 banks on their borrowings.

As per the investigations, it was revealed that the UBS AG in collusion with other banks submitted inflated or deflated interest rates to the BBA Libor (administering authority of LIBOR) in order to rig the benchmark rate and subsequently benefit from the transactions.

Indian Film Masaan won FIPRESCI Award at 68th Cannes film festival

Indian Movie Masaan on 23 May 2015 won the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) award at the 68th Cannes International Film Festival. The film is directorial debut of Neeraj Ghaywan.

The movie is jointly produced by Manish Mundra, Macassar Productions, Arte France Cinema, Sikhya Entertainment & Phantom Films. It stars Vicky Kaushal, Shweta Tripathi along with Richa Chadda and Sanjay Mishra.

The movie was showcased in the Un Certain Regard section at the movie gala, following which it received a five-minute standing ovation. The film is based in Varanasi and its characters are connected with the River Ganges.

Apart from Masaan, Hungarian film Son of Saulby Laszlo Nemes won the critics prize in Official Competition and the other movie Paulina Paulina won the prize in Parallel Sections.

BCCI recommended Contract system for Indian women cricket team

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on 24 May 2015 recommended Contract system for Indian women cricket team. The recommendations were released at the finance committee meeting held in Delhi.

The Committee recommended to brought India's international women's cricketers under the ambit of gradation payment like their male counterparts.

The Women’s Cricket Committee of the BCCI made the following recommendations to the Working Committee:

On the lines of Men’s cricket, a Contract system for international Women cricketers was proposed. It was also proposed to have more international fixtures for the Indian women’s cricket team.

The Committee recommended adding two more tournaments to give more exposure and opportunities to women cricketers at the domestic level. The Committee proposed to start an under-16 state level tournament within the zones. It also proposed to start an under-23 tournament.

The present formats of the women’s under-19 tournament and the senior women’s tournament will remain unchanged.

Tamil Nadu CM announced welfare schemes worth 1800 crore rupees

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on 24 May 2015 announced development and welfare measures worth over 1800 crore rupees. The measures include improvement of roads and drinking water facilities and extending assistance to needy families headed by women.

The state government also approved five major schemes and they are
• Opening of more AMMA canteens that provide subsidised food
• Housing for poor
• Setting up Reverse Osmosis plants for drinking water
• In fiscal 2015-16, 3500 km road stretch will be taken for development under Tamil Nadu Rural Roads Development Scheme.
• Consent for a special housing scheme for the poor in town panchayat areas.
• Launched subsidised sale of Toor, Urad dhal scheme under which people will get Toor and Urad dhal at Government outlets at subsidised rates.

The measures were approved a day after Jayalalithaa began her fifth stint as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister. She was sworn in as the Chief Minister on 23 May 2015.

Manoj Mishra appointed as CMD of National Fertilizers Limited

Manoj Mishra was on 24 May 2015 appointed as the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of state-run National Fertilizers Limited (NFL). The post of NFL's CMD fell vacant after the retirement of Neeru Abrol in February 2014.

Mishra is currently serving as the Director (Finance) at State Trading Corporation (STC). Mishra is a cost accountant by qualification. He began his career from fertiliser company Kribhco and worked there for 23 years.

NFL has five gas-based urea plants at Nangal & Bathinda in Punjab, Panipat in Haryana and two plants at Vijaipur in District Guna, Madhya Pradesh. The company has a total annual installed capacity of 35.68 lakh tonnes and is the second largest producer of urea in the country.

Expert committee on Health Insurance recommended changes in disclaimer wordings

Expert committee on Health Insurance of Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) chaired by M Ramaprasad in its report has suggested changing the wordings of disclaimer in advertisements of insurance companies.

The report of the Committee was made available on the IRDA’s website on 22 May 2015.

Till date, as per the IRDA mandate all insurance companies issued a disclaimer,“Insurance is a subject matter of solicitation”, in all their advertisements. The Committee recommended the following wordings for the disclaimer “Before buying, know the conditions and exclusions, to make a well-informed decision.”

Other recommendations of the committee
• It recommended bringing in a great transparency and clarity to enable policy holders to understand the boundaries of coverage in their policies.
• It recommends that insurers and third party administrators (TPAs) should have systems in place to identify, monitor, control and deal with fraud, including hospital abuse, by various agencies including health care providers.
• It suggested an industry-level collaborative effort to minimise subjective and varied interpretation of policy terms and conditions, which is the root cause of disputes between insurers and policy holders.

Besides, it made recommendations on other issues like
• Policy holder Protection, Policyholder Servicing, Fraud Control and Risk Management
• Product, Distribution, Rural, Social Sector and Micro-insurance
• Reinsurance, Reserving and Solvency
• Capital, Accounts, Expenses of Management, Investment, and Mergers and Acquisitions
• Health Insurance Regulations 2013
• Policy holder Protection Regulations

These recommendations will help to reduce the asymmetry of information that exists among all the parties concerned that is customer, provider, payer and others.

Indian boxers won three Gold at World Junior Women's boxing Championship

Indian boxers on 23 May 2015 won three Gold medals and two silver medals at World Junior Women's boxing Championship. The event was held at Taipei in Taiwan.

Savita (50kg), Mandeep Sandhu (52kg) and Sakshi (54kg) struck gold for the country, while Soniya (48kg) and Niharika Gonella (70kg) settled for silver medals.

Soniya was the first to take the ring for India by defeating American Heaven Garcia. She went down 1-2 to open the Indian account with a silver medal. Savita defeated her Ukrainian rival Kateryna Rohova 2-1 to clinch gold for India.

This was followed by Mandeep's 3-0 triumph over Ireland's Niamh Earley before Sakshi made it three in a row by out-punching American Yarisel Ramirez 3-0. However, Niharika proved no match for Russian Anastasiia Sigaeva and lost 0-3 to settle for a silver medal.

Earlier in the youth competition, Jamuna Boro (57kg) had bagged a bronze medal after losing in the semifinals.

Delhi government tied-up with Rotary club to revamp government schools

Delhi Government on 24 May 2015 tied up with Rotary Club for revamping government schools in the state by upgrading sanitation and strengthening basic infrastructure facilities like drinking water and toilets.

In the first phase of the plan, Rotary Club will launch a hygiene campaign at 300 government schools and improve cleanliness besides working on basic facilities for the students.

The hygiene campaign will run in collaboration with Rotary Club in 300 schools. Rotary Club will do a survey of schools from the list of 400 schools to assess infrastructure there and prepare its detailed proposal.

The proposal thereafter will be submitted to the state government for its approval and further action.

Indian boxer won four Gold Medals at Doha International Boxing tournament 2015

Indian boxer on 23 May 2015 won four Gold Medals, One Silver and two bronze medals at Doha International Boxing Tournament 2015. Commonwealth Games silver medallist L Devendro Singh (49kg), Shiva Thapa (56kg), Manish Kaushik (60kg), and Manoj Kumar (64kg) won the gold medals.

The silver medal went to Gaurav Bidhuri (52kg), while Mandeep Jangra (69kg) and Vikas Krishan (75kg) bagged bronze medals.

In the finals, Devendro defeated Philippines Aldren Moreno by 3:0. This was followed by Gaurav defeating Montassar Bouali by 2:1.

Former Asian gold medalist Shiva defeated Egypt's HYM Abdelaal 2:1. Manish beat Moroccan Rabi Hamza 3:0, while Manoj thrashed Filipino Magliquian Nicole by a similar margin.

Delhi government tied-up with Rotary club to revamp government schools

Indian boxer won four Gold Medals at Doha International Boxing tournament 2015

The silver medal went to Gaurav Bidhuri (52kg), while Mandeep Jangra (69kg) and Vikas Krishan (75kg) bagged bronze medals.

In the finals, Devendro defeated Philippines Aldren Moreno by 3:0. This was followed by Gaurav defeating Montassar Bouali by 2:1.

Former Asian gold medalist Shiva defeated Egypt's HYM Abdelaal 2:1. Manish beat Moroccan Rabi Hamza 3:0, while Manoj thrashed Filipino Magliquian Nicole by a similar margin.

Ranjit Singh Baxi elected as Head of Bureau of International Recycling

Indian-origin entrepreneur Ranjit Singh Baxi was on 19 May 2015 elected as the Head of the Bureau of International Recycling, a global organisation that facilitates free and fair trade of recyclables in a sustainable and competitive world economy.

Baxi succeeded Bjorn Grufman. He will serve a two-year term as President of this global firm. In 2011, Baxi was appointed as the Treasurer of BIR, prior to which he was President of the organisation’s Paper Division from 2007 to 2013. He has also published a book titledRecycling our Future- A Global Strategy.

Ranjit Singh Baxi is a Founder Chairman of J&H Sales (International) Ltd, a major European exporter of recovered fibre to the Far East. He was also a Governor at the University of East London and a Member of British Prime Ministers Trade Delegation to India.

He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA), holds a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree and is a Master of Business Administration (MBA).

About Bureau of International Recycling (BIR)
Founded in 1948, Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) was the first federation to support the interests of the recycling industry on an international scale. It is a global recycling industry headquartered in Brussels.

It is an association representing over 850 member companies from the private sector and 40 national associations in more than 70 countries. It serves as a platform to establish successful business relations and to promote recycling among other industrial sectors and policy makers.

26 may

British actor Terry Sue-Patt passed away

The British actor Terry Sue-Patt passed away on 22 May 2015 in east London. He was 50. He was found dead at his home, however the cause of his death was not known.

Sue-Patt was best known for playing the role of school pupil named Benny Green in children's TV series Grange Hill. He appeared in the show's first episode in 1978 and left the show in 1982. He also did some minor roles in shows like General Hospital, Jackanory and The Bill.

Later, Sue-Patt became an artist working in graffiti and photography. But, he continued acting up till 2013. Besides playing Benny Green, he also co-starred with Gary Oldman in The Firm.

ICICI Bank launched Voice Recognition Service for Biometric Authentication

ICICI Bank, India’s largest private sector bank, on 25 May 2015 launched Voice Recognition Service (VRS), which authenticates customers based on their speech patterns. This service will allow customers to execute banking transactions through Bank’s call center in a quick, secure and convenient manner.

With this, ICICI became the first bank in India to offer this service and it will be available to over 33 million customers of its savings account and credit card.

Features of the service
• Now customers will no longer have to enter their card numbers, PIN and answer security questions to authenticate themselves, as their voice will act as the password for banking transactions through the call centre.
• The voice recognition technology works on voice prints, which are unique to an individual. It comprises more than 100 characteristics including voice modulation, speed, accent, pronunciation which cannot be imitated, thereby enhances security.
• The Bank stores the customer's unique voice print against his account and matches it whenever he calls from his registered mobile number.

This launch comes close on the heels of a slew of technology-led innovative services introduced by the Bank. The list includes the country's first contactless debit and credit cards, and ‘Pockets’, India’s first digital bank on mobile phone.

As on 31 March 2015, ICICI Bank has presence in 17 countries and in India it has 4050 branches and 12451 ATMs.

Argentine footballer Cristian Gomez died

Argentine footballer Cristian Gomez died during a game on 24 May 2015. Gomez, 27, of Atletico Parana collapsed on the pitch during a second-tier game against Boca Unidos.

After collapse, the defender was taken to a hospital in the city of Corrientes, where doctors were unable to revive him.

The death of Gomez led to Argentine Football Association (AFA) suspending all other games which were scheduled.

Gomez is the second Argentine player to die in May 2015, after Emanuel Ortega of San Martin de Burzaco who suffered a fatal head injury on 14 May 2015.

Ortega died after spending 11 days in intensive care battling head injuries he sustained after falling against a concrete wall surrounding the pitch.

Union Government approved 21 FDI proposals worth 281 crore rupees

Union Government on 25 May 2015 approved 21 proposals of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) worth 280 crore rupees. These FDI proposals were based on recommendations of the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB).

Some of approved FDI proposals are:
•   La Renon Healthcare’s proposal to invest 100 crore rupees in a brownfield project.
•   Blue Dart Express’s proposal to acquire shares in Blue Dart Aviation Ltd and hike shareholding from 49 percent to 74 percent.
•   Quickjet Cargo Airlines proposal to increase foreign shareholding in the company to 74 percent from 62.34 percent. The deal will entail FDI worth 14.40 crore rupees.
•   Forever Living Imports (India) Pvt Ltd’s 18.30 crore rupees proposal to undertake single brand retailing of Forever brand products in India.
•   Farnair Switzerland A.G's proposal for the purchase of shares of Quickjet Cargo Airlines Pvt Ltd from its existing shareholder and subscribe to fresh shares.
•   Thornton Tomasetti Inc's proposal to set up a LLP to carry out the activities of engineering, design, investigation and analysis services to customers worldwide.
•   Vivimed Labs Limited's proposal seeking approval for issuance of warrants to a foreign investor.
•   IPG advertising and business services Pvt Ltd's proposal for its conversion into a Limited Liability partnership firm.

However, FIPB deferred 12 proposals including that of Mumbai-based Kotak Bank for increasing the aggregate foreign investment limit to 55 percent in the bank

Delhi Government approved mandatory GPS in public transport from June 2015

Delhi Government on 26 May 2015 approved mandatory Global Positioning System (GPS) in all public transport vehicles from June 2015.

The decision was taken keeping in view the security and safety of commuters, especially women. The GPS devices will be available from Driving Licence Appointment and Payment System (DIMTS).

The GPS devices can be procured at cost-effective rates. DIMTS will monitor all data from the GPS devices. The press release said that after 1 June 2015, no commercial or passenger vehicle will be allowed a fitness certificate if it doesn't have a GPS device.

The decision comes months after the transport department, which has been extending the deadline for mandatory GPS, announced that all passenger vehicles will need it in order to get their fitness certificates renewed.

The transport department had made it mandatory for all autorickshaws in 2014 to install GPS in order to get their annual fitness certificate. It had later expanded that ambit to cover taxis and gramin sewa.

However, autorickshaw and taxi unions had been complaining about the high cost of the devices. Some have demanded subsidies.

Switzerland named two Indians under probe in its official gazette

Switzerland in its official gazette that was released in the fourth week of May 2015 made public the names of two Indian women with Swiss bank accounts. These names were among the scores of foreign national names that were made public so that they can be probed in their respective countries.

The two Indians named in the gazette are Sneh Lata Sawhney and Sangita Sawhney. The country has provided only date of births of these two women.

Making public these names, the Swiss Federal Tax Administration asked the two Indians to file an appeal within 30 days before the Federal Administrative Court if they do not want their details to be shared with the Indian authorities under their 'mutual assistance' treaty on tax matters.

Similar in the case of nationals of other countries, including British, Spanish and Russians, the country has provided similar details. Besides, in case of American and Israeli citizens, their full names have been withheld and they have been identified by their initials and dates of birth.

The Swizz Federal Gazette has named at least 40 such final notices, while it is expected that more names will be published soon.

2000 year old Water supply system unearthed in Umm Tuba quarter of Israel

An ancient Water supply system of 2000 year old was unearthed on 25 May 2015 in the city of Jerusalem, Israel.

According to the Israel Antiquities Authority, a section of Jerusalem's Lower Aqueduct, which conveyed water to the city more than 2000 years ago, was exposed in the Umm Tuba quarter. The supply system was unearthed during the construction of a sewer line.

The aqueduct begins at the En 'Eitam spring, near Solomon's Pools, south of Bethlehem, and is approximately 21 kilometres long. Despite its length, it flows along a very gentle downward slope whereby the water level falls just one meter per kilometre of distance.

At first, the water was conveyed inside an open channel and about 500 years ago, during the Ottoman period, a terra cotta pipe was installed inside the channel in order to better protect the water. The aqueduct's route was built in open areas in the past, but with the expansion of Jerusalem in the modern era, it now runs through a number of neighbourhoods: Umm Tuba, Sur Bahar, East Talpiot and Abu Tor.

Since this is one of Jerusalem's principal sources of water, the city's rulers took care to preserve it for some two thousand years, until it was replaced about a century ago by a modern electrically operated system.

Due to its historical and archaeological importance, the Israel Antiquities Authority is taking steps to prevent any damage to the aqueduct, and is working to expose sections of its remains, study them and make them accessible to the general public.

Sunil D’Souza appointed as MD of Whirlpool India

Sunil D’Souza was on 25 May 2015 appointed as the Managing Director (MD) of Indian home appliances maker Whirlpool of India Ltd. D'Souza will join the office of MD on 22 June 2015.

Prior to this appointment, he was the Head of PepsiCo’s VIMAPS Business Unit located in Malaysia. He has been with PepsiCo for about 15 years, holding various senior management positions in Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and India.

He has rich and diverse experience across various fields including general management, sales, marketing, strategy and innovation in consumer-driven industries.

About Whirlpool
• Whirlpool is one of the world’s largest consumer durables firms in the world. It has a turn over about 20 billion US dollars in annual sales.
• With over 100000 employees, it has 70 manufacturing and technology research centres globally.
• It markets brands like Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Brastemp, Consul, Bauknecht, Jenn-Air, Amana, Indesit and other major brand names in more than 170 countries.

UAE launched Strategic Framework for its Space Agency

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on 25 May 2015 launched a strategic framework for its newly-established Space Agency. The Director-General of UAE Space Agency is Mohammed Nasser Al-Ahbabi.

The framework is aimed at launching satellite missions and the first Arab unmanned probe to Mars called Hope Probe by 2021.

The launch ceremony was held in the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre in Abu Dhabi in the presence of Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in Abu Dhabi.

The drafting of strategic plan is in line with the UAE Vision 2021 that aims to establish the UAE as one of the world’s leading countries by 2021 when UAE would be celebrating its Golden Jubilee, the 50th anniversary of the founding of the nation.

Besides, a memorandum of understanding was signed between between Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat), the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology and Orbital ATK Inc.

The agreement between the three entities, with coordination and oversight from the UAE Space Agency, marks the launch of a joint venture to introduce a graduate degree programme in advanced space science for the first time in the Middle East.

The UAE’s path to space dates back to 1976, when the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan met the NASA team responsible for the Apollo Moon programme. That meeting inspired nearly three decades of efforts guiding the UAE towards space and will be realised with the arrival of the Hope Probe.

Tornado struck northern city of Ciudad Acuna in Mexico

Ciudad Acuna in Mexico was in news as on 25 May 2015 it was hit by a tornado killing at least 13 people and injuring several.

It was the first tornado to hit Acuna since the city's foundation, more than 100 years ago. The city Acuna lies on US-Mexico border.

The tornado that attained the speed of 270-300 kilometer per hour at one point also damaged or destroyed hundreds of homes of the city.

Rescue work is being carried out by digging through the rubble of damaged homes in a race to find victims.

On the other hand, in the United States (US), the tornado that stretched from the Gulf of Mexico to the Great Lakes dumped record rainfall on parts of the Plains and Midwest causing major flooding and forcing at least 2000 Texans to leave their homes.

Complete Story of Indian Reforms: 2G, Power & Private Enterprise written by Pradeep Baijal

The Complete Story of Indian Reforms: 2G, Power & Private Enterprise: A Practitioner's Diary: Pradeep Baijal Former Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) chairman Pradip Baijal’s book The Complete Story of Indian Reforms: 2G, Power & Private Enterprise: A Practitioner's Diary was in news in fourth week of May 2015.

The self published book was in news because the author in the book has claimed that former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had warned him of consequences if he did not co-operate in the 2G scam. He also claimed that even CBI warned him that he would be harmed if he did not cooperate.

Besides, in a talk with a news channel he also informed that the UPA government also destroyed some files related to the 2G scam. In the talk, he claimed that his charges are not politically motivated, and the former Prime Minister approved the action of his Ministers.

The author also claimed that Singh also dismissed his concerns in 2004 over Dayanidhi Maran being appointed as telecom minister as a case of conflict of interest. Maran was a broadcaster and TRAI had been made broadcasting regulator in 2004.

The book was published on 24 April 2015.

Snapdeal acquired Hyderabad-based startup MartMobi

E-commerce major Snapdeal on 25 May 2015 acquired Hyderabad-based mobile technology startup MartMobi for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition will help Snapdeal to strengthen its mobility platform for merchant partners.

In 2015 itself, Snapdeal acquired payments and mobile recharge startup Freecharge in a cash-and-stock deal as well as picked up stakes in digital financial services platform RupeePower and logistics venture GoJavas.

About MartMobi
Founded by Pramod Nair and Satya Krishna Ganni, MartMobi creates mobile sites and apps for e-commerce stores, small and medium-sized businesses.

With over 150 clients, MartMobi enables seamless connectivity with the customers' existing back-end systems in addition to a real-time analytics engine to improve conversions and user engagement.

Kumar Sangakkara named CEAT International Cricketer of the Year 2015

Former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara on 25 May 2015 was named as the International Cricketer of the Year 2015 while the middle order batsman Ajinkya Rahane was named as the CEAT Indian Cricketer of the Year 2015.

Former Indian captain Kapil Dev was conferred with the International Lifetime Achievement Award at the 19th edition of the awards.

Rohit Sharma was given a special award for his record-breaking 264 made against Sri Lanka in an ODI at Kolkata.

List of award winners:

•International Lifetime Achievement Award - Kapil Dev
•International Cricketer of the Year – Kumar Sangakkara
•Indian Cricketer of the Year –Ajinkya Rahane
•International Batsman of the Year – Hashim Amla
•International Bowler of the Year – Rangana Herath
•T20 Player of the Year – Dwayne Bravo
•Popular Choice Award – Kieron Pollard
•Special Performance of the Year Award – Rohit Sharma
•Domestic Cricketer of the Year – R Vinay Kumar
•Young Player of the Year – Deepak Hooda

The CEAT awards honour the best of the cricketers based on their performances in international cricketing in all formats - Test, ODI and T20 - as rated by the CEAT Cricket ratings (CCR) for the year 2014 – 2015.