13-7-12

- A NASA spacecraft named New Horizons is currently en-route to Pluto and will arrive there in 2015. New Horizons will return the first ever detailed images of the Pluto system, which is so small and distant that even Hubble can barely see the largest features on its surface.

Pluto was discovered by American Scientist Clyde Tombaugh in 1930. It was regarded as the ninth full-fledged planet in the Solar System but astronomers have since demoted it to a dwarf planet in 2006.

Pluto was declassified as a planet due to a recognition that it is one of several large, icy objects that reside in the Kuiper Belt, a region just beyond the orbit of Neptune.

- The Union Cabinet on Thursday deferred consideration of the much-awaited Forward Contract Regulation Act (Amendment) Bill that aims to give more powers to Forward Market Commission, the commodity markets regulator.

Sources said the Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh deferred consideration of the Bill over which there is no consensus in the government.

The Bill is essential for the development of commodities futures market as it aims to strengthen the FMC by providing it financial autonomy, facilitate the entry of institutional investors and introduce new products for trading such as options and indices.

- Boeing has successfully tested the first of the eight P-8I long-range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft being built for the Indian Navy.

The aircraft, a next-generation 737-800 derivative, began its official flight test programme on July 7, taking off from Boeing Field in Seattle and landing three hours and 49 minutes later after demonstrating flying qualities and handling characteristics

The P-8I features open system architecture, advanced sensor and display technologies, and a worldwide base of suppliers, parts and support equipment.

- Internet censorship bill passed in Russia
The Russian parliament on Wednesday voted to approve a contentious bill that activists fear will introduce internet censorship by blacklisting sites deemed as undesirable.
In a further controversial move, deputies also passed in first reading a bill that makes libel and slander criminal offences with punishment of up to five years.

- I&B Ministry Opens a Facebook Page on ‘Community Radio India’
The objective of the page is to disseminate community radio information to a wider public and engage with over 134 operating community radio stations of the country and other stakeholders. The page will update the stakeholders on status of licences, screening committee meetings, permission agreements, clearances for new community radio station, consultations and events. This platform would also enable community radio stations to share information about their radio programmes, upcoming events, success stories, photographs and their challenges.

‘Community Radio India’ page also aims to encourage new and aspiring stakeholders of community radio by regularly updating them on CR policy, guidelines and by answering their queries. The information shared through ‘Wall’ posts will not only be helpful for them but would also inform individuals interested in community radio.


- Vice President of India Shri M. Hamid Ansari released the book titled Pax Indica: India and the world of the 21st Century written by Dr. Shashi Tharoor