Novak Djokovic Clinched his 4th China Open Title; Defeated Rafael Nadal

Novak Djokovic clinched his fourth China Open title in five years on 6 October 2013against Rafael Nadal 6-3 6-4 in the final. The 26-year-old Djokovic clinched the title with the 3-0 lead in the first set and taking it forward to his victory. Novak Djokovic won the same tournament earlier in 2009, 2010 and 2012. He did not participate in 2011 tournament because of injury.

About the China Open

• The China Open was earlier known as the Beijing Salem Open.
• It is the annual professional tennis tournament held in Beijing, China.
• The first men's singles and doubles events took place in the year 1993.
• In the year 1998, China Open was dropped from the ATP tour calendar. However, in the year 2004, it was reinstated in the ATP tournament. 
• In the year 2006, the China Open became the first tournament outside the US to make use of the Hawk-Eye system in match play.
• Novak Djokovic is the only player who won the China Open tournament four times. 
• Michael Chang has the record of consecutive wins with three titles. In the doubles, the Bryan Brothers are the only doubles pair who won the title consecutively. 
• The winner of the China Open wins 557100 US Dollar as the prize money along with 500 ATP points.

World Habitat Day Observed Across the World on 7 October 2013

First Monday of October every year: World Habitat Day

World Habitat day is observed across the world on 7 October 2013. The purpose of this day is creation of the global awareness regarding the State of the towns and cities and the basic human right to adequate shelter. First Monday of October every year is designated as the World Habitat Day by the United Nation. 

Theme of World Habitat Day 2013

The theme of the World Habitat Day 2013 is Urban Mobility to encourage people to shift towards more sustainable modes of transportation. In the year 2012, the theme was Changing Cities, Building Opportunities. 

About the World Habitat Day

• The World Habitat Day is observed every year on the first Monday of October, as designated by the United Nation. 
• The first World Habitat Day was celebrated in the year 1986. 
• The primary objective of observing and celebrating this day is to reflect the state of cities as well as towns along with the basic human right to adequate shelter. 
• The World Habitat Day celebrations also aim to remind the global community about its collective responsibility for protection of the habitat for future generation.
• On this day, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme gives the Habitat Scroll of Honour awards. These awards have been into existence since the year 1989. The objective of the award is to acknowledge the initiatives of those who make contributions towards the fields associated with the human habitats.

India Successfully Test-Fired Nuclear Capable Prithvi-II Missile from Odisha

India on 7 October 2013 successfully test-fired it’s indigenously developed nuclear-capable Prithvi-II missile with a strike range of 350 km from Chandipur Integrated test range in Odisha. The surface-to-surface missile was test fired from a mobile launcher. The last user trial of Prithvi-II was successfully carried out from the same base on 12 August 2013.

Prithvi-II Missile Specifications

• Inducted into India's Strategic Forces Command in 2003, the Prithvi II missile is the first missile to be developed by DRDO under India's Integrated Guided Missile Development Program.
• It is capable of carrying 500 kg to 1000 kg of warheads and thrusted by liquid propulsion twine engines, uses advanced inertial guidance system with manoeuvring trajectory.
• The Prithvi-II missile is equipped with advanced high accuracy navigation system and guided by an innovative guidance scheme.
• The improved Circular Error Probability (CEP) achieved by the missile is a testimony to specify the efficacy of this missile system.
• Prithvi uses an advanced inertial guidance system with manoeuvring capabilities and comes within metres of its target.

Supreme Court Proposed 3- Member Panel to Inquire into IPL Spot-Fixing Scandal

The Supreme Court of India proposed a three-member panel on 7 October 2013 headed by former Punjab and Haryana Chief Justice Mukul Mudgal to examine the IPL spot-fixing scandal. 

The other members of the panel are senior advocate and Additional Solicitor General N Nagehswar Rao and Assam Cricket Association member Nilay Dutta.

Objective of the panel

The panel would conduct an independent inquiry into the allegations and examine the IPL spot-fixing scandal. It will submit its report to the Supreme Court.

The bench is headed by Justice A K Patnaik and Justice J S Kehar proposed this panel while hearing the cross appeals filed by BCCI and Cricket Association of Bihar (CAB) challenging Bombay High Court's order which had declared BCCI's probe panel in the scandal as illegal.

The Supreme Court also rejected BCCI's suggestion for setting up a Special Purpose Committee (SPC) comprising senior politician Arun Jaitley and Dutta.

BAI Panel Recommended Life Ban for Badminton Player Jwala Gutta

The Disciplinary Committee of the Badminton Association of India (BAI) on 5 October 2013 recommended a life-ban onJwala Gutta for her role in delaying the Indian Badminton League (IBL) fixture between Delhi Smashers and Banga Beats in Bangalore on 25 August 2013.

Jwala Gutta was served a show-cause notice on 4 September 2013 after the matter was discussed in the Badminton Association of India’s general body meeting in Mumbai on 31 August 2013. 

The Badminton Association of India (BAI) went by tournament referee Girish Natu’s report in which he held Jwala Gutta responsible for coercing her team members for uncalled for indiscipline, for causing  harm to the spirit and interest of the tournament, for failing to maintain the stature of the tournament, for imposing unwarranted hardship to the TV viewers, spectators and all other concerned, besides preventing and compelling teammate B. Sai Praneeth from playing the opening match of the tie.

About Jwala Gutta

• Jwala Gutta was born on 7 September 1983 in Wardha, Maharashtra and brought up in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh to a Telugu Indian father and a Chinese mother.

• Jwala Gutta is a left-handed Indian badminton player who has won the National Badminton Championships thirteen times. She is a doubles badminton player who has partnered with Shruti Kurien and later Ashwini Ponnappa.

• Jwala Gutta won the gold medal at the Commonwealth games in 2010, in the women's doubles badminton event partnering with Ashwini Ponnappa.

• Jwala Gutta selected for Arjuna Award for the year 2011.

FDA of Ghana Blacklisted Bliss GVS Pharma Limited

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) of Ghana on 4 October 2013 banned the importation and distribution of all medicinal products manufactured by an Indian company Bliss GVS Pharma Limited, India.

While announcing the ban on Bliss GVS Pharma Limited in Ghana, the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) told that the company is not following the registration requirements as enshrined in the Public Health Act of 2012, Act 851, a process which assures the quality, safety and efficacy of all medicinal products.

The official of FDA also told that the company manufactured a fake anti-malarial medicine (GSUNATE PLUS SUPPOSITORIES). The efficacy and safety of this anti-malarial medicine has not been ascertained since there has not been any clinical trial study to justify the use of this medicinal product for the treatment of Malaria.

He also explained that the company also manufactured and distributed onto the Ghanaian market many other medicinal products, which have not been evaluated and duly registered as required by law.

He also explained that Malaria is the number one cause of Out Patients Department (OPD) attendance and the highest cause of child mortality (death) in Ghana. The use of fake anti-malarial medicine can result in treatment failures, complications and preventable deaths in children.

Del Potro Defeated Raonic to Win Japan Open Tennis Championship 2013

Top seeded Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentine defeated third seeded Milos Raonic of Canada, 7-6 (7-5) 7-5 to win the ATP Rakuten Japan Open Tennis Championships in Tokyo on 6 October 2013. 

This is the Del potro’s third ATP 500 Tournament of the year(2013). With this win Del Potro also received 312000 US Dollars prize money and earned 500 Emirates ATP Rankings points.

Del Potro was a late addition to the tournament after Andy Murray withdrew due to a back injury.

About the Japan Open

The Rakuten Japan Open Tennis Championships is the longest-running ATP World Tour tennis tournament in Asia, first held in 1972.  The championship includes men's singles and doubles competitions. Until 2008 it was a joint tournament for both men and women, but since 2008 it hosted another women's tournament, Toray Pan Pacific Open.

Scientists Discovered Huge Floating Ice Shelf in Antarctica

Researchers from the University of Exeter, Newcastle University, the University of Bristol, the University of Edinburgh, the British Antarctic Survey and the University of York announced in the first week of October 2013 that they discovered Giant 250-metre high channels, beneath a floating ice shelf in Antarctica. 

The height of the ice shelf is around 250 metres and the channels are almost as tall as the Eiffel tower and stretched hundreds of kilo metres along the ice shelf.

Giant 250-metre high channels of ice will help to predict future of Antarctic ice. 

Researchers used satellite images and airborne radar measurements to reveal the channels under the ice shelf.

The researchers also predicted the path of melt water flowing under the part of the ice in contact with the land - known as the ice sheet. When the melt water flowing under the ice sheet enters the ocean beneath the ice shelf, it causes a plume of ocean water to form, which then melts out the vast channels under the ice shelf.

Previously, it was felt that water flowed in a thin layer beneath the ice sheet.But the evidence from this research suggests it flows in a more focused manner much like rivers of water. However, the implications for the future of the ice sheet are yet to be determined.

The channels are likely to influence the stability of the ice shelf and their discovery will help researchers understand how the ice will respond to changing environmental conditions.

World This Week: 30 September-6 October 2013

World This Week: 30 September-6 October 2013

If you are preparing for the competitive exams, World this Week section here will help you in getting an insight into the happenings of the world over the week. This section allows you to know about the changes that took place in the world over the week. World this Week enables you to get a short view of the world over the time of one week. Read this section to know more about the happenings of the world over this week.

30 September 2013
• Fourth India-China Border mechanism talks concluded.
• Ranjan Mathai appointed as India's High Commissioner to United Kingdom.

1 October 2013
• India re-elected in the new council of ICAO.
• The National Voluntary Blood Donation day observed on 1 October.
• Tom Clancy, the US thriller author, died at 66 in Baltimore.
• 827 million undernourished people are living in developing countries: UN Report.
• Marylebone cricket club released the 5th edition of the 2000 Code for Laws of Cricket.

2 October 2013
• Gambia decided to withdraw from the Commonwealth.
• The International Day of Non-Violence observed on 2 October.
• Net oil imports of Southeast Asia to be more than double by 2035: IEA.
• India is largest recipient of foreign remittances: World Bank Report.

3 October 2013
• ASI and Google signed agreement for launching 100 heritage sites online.
• Moe Set Wine selected as first miss universe contender to represent Myanmar in 50 years.

4 October 2013
• India signed agreement with IFAD for the Jharkhand Tribal Empowerment Livelihood Project.
• Europalia-India cultural festival was jointly inaugurated.
• A Special Senate Committee voted to strip Silvio Berlusconi of his Parliament Seat.
• General Vo Nguyen Giap, the legendary Vietnamese military commander died at 102.
• Afghanistan qualified for ICC Cricket World Cup 2015.

5 October 2013
• Rival Groups arrived at an Agreement to end the political crisis in Tunisia.
• Tropical storm Karen touched the US Gulf Coast.
• Kalpana Devi won Bronze Medal at the Judo Tournament in Tashkent.
• Pakistan won Under-19 Asian Rugby Championship 2013.
• India and Bangladesh jointly inaugurated India-Bangladesh Grid Inter-connection.
• Sania Mirza-Cara Black won China Open 2013.

6 October 2013
• External Affairs Minister announced that India and Russia will expand civil nuclear cooperation.
• Rohan Bopanna-Edouard Roger Vasselin won Japan Open 2013.
• Afghanistan Cricket Board to get liberal financial aid from ICC after qualifying for WC 2015.
• Mumbai Indians defeated Rajasthan Royals to clinch Champions League Twenty-20.
• Novak Djokovic clinched his 4th China Open Title; defeated Rafael Nadal.

Lalu Prasad Yadav Convicted in the Fodder Scam

The Special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court pronounced a verdict on 30 September 2013 related to 17-year-old multi crore fodder scam case. In this case main convicted persons were Rashtriya Janata Dal(RJD)chief Lalu Prasad Yadav , former Bihar Chief Minister and Congress leader Jagannath Mishra and 43 others.

Lalu Prasad Yadav sentenced to five year term related the fodder scam. Lalu Prasad Yadav now becomes one of the first politicians to lose his parliamentary seat after a recent Supreme Court ruling which bans convicted legislators from holding the office.

Rajya Sabha member Rasheed Masood became the first politician to lose his parliamentary seat after a recent Supreme Court ruling on convicted law makers.

Supreme Court Judgment related convicted MPs and MLAs

According to the Supreme Court Judgment related convicted MPs and MLAs, once they convicted in any court regardless of appeals to higher courts they will automatically lose their MPs and MLAs seats.
Supreme Court judgment on 10 July 2013 struck down sub-section 4 of Section 8 of Representation of the People Act, under which incumbent MPs and MLAs can avoid disqualification till pendency of the appeal against conviction in a higher court.

Disqualification provisions under Indian Constitution

According to the Indian Constitution Article 102 for Member of either house of Parliament (MP) and Article 191 for Member of Legislative Assembly or Council (MLA or MLC) a person shall be disqualified for following conditions

(a) If he holds any office of profit under the Government of India or the Government of any State, other than an office declared by Parliament by law not to disqualify its holder
(b) If he is of unsound mind and stands so declared by a competent court.
(c) If he is an un discharged insolvent
(d) If he is not a citizen of India, or has voluntarily acquired the citizenship of a foreign State, or is under any acknowledgment of allegiance or adherence to a foreign State
(e) If he is so disqualified by or under any law made by Parliament.

About Fodder Scam
The Fodder Scam was a corruption scandal involved the fabrication of vast herds of fictitious livestock  for which fodder, medicines and animal husbandry equipment was supposedly procure.
The Fodder Scam involved the embezzlement of huge sum from the government treasury of Indian state of Bihar. 

Nuclear capable Prithvi-II missile test fired from Odisha

BALASORE: The Government today test-fired its indigenously developed nuclear-capable Prithvi-II missile with a strike range of 350 km from a test range at Chandipur, about 15 km from here. 

The surface-to-surface missile was test fired from a mobile launcher in salvo mode from launch complex-3 of the Integrated Test Range at about 9.14 AM, defence sources said. 

"The missile was randomly chosen from the production stock and the total launch activities were carried out by the specially formed SFC and monitored by the scientists of DRDO as part of practice drill," the sources said. 

"The missile trajectory will be tracked by the DRDO radars, electro-optical tracking systems and telemetry stations located along the coast of Odisha," they said. 

"The downrange teams onboard the ship deployed near the designated impact point in theBay of Bengal will monitor the terminal events and splashdown," they said. 

Inducted into India's Strategic Forces Command in 2003, the Prithvi II missile, the first missile to be developed by DRDO under India's prestigious IGMDP ( Integrated Guided Missile Development Program) is now a proven technology, said a defence source. 

"The launch was part of a regular training exercise of SFC and was monitored by DRDO scientists," the source said. 

Such training launches clearly indicate country's operational readiness to meet any eventuality and also establishes the reliability of this deterrent component of India's Strategic arsenal, the source said. 

Prithvi is capable of carrying 500kg to 1000kg of warheads and is thrusted by liquid propulsion twine engines. It uses advanced inertial guidance system with manoeuvering trajectory. 

The last user trial of Prithvi-II was successfully carried out from the same base on August 12, 2013.