GKCA Update

03
rd
to 09
th
Jul

www.testfunda.com Page 1 of 6

Starred Articles

Novak Djokovic wins Wimbledon Mens Singles beating Roger Federer;
Petra Kvitova wins Womens singles title
Sports > Wimbledon
Novak Djokovic won his second Wimbledon Title and seventh career major beating Roger Federer on Sunday.
The defeat dashed Federers chances of a record eighth Wimbledon triumph.
Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic won her second Wimbledon title in the shortest women's final since 1983
defeating Canada's Eugenie Bouchard on Saturday.
Both Djokovic and Petra had won their maiden Wimbledon titles in 2011.
In the mens doubles final, Vancouver's Vasek Pospisil and his American partner Jack Sock won against
defending champions Bob and Mike Bryan of the United States. In the womens doubles final, Sara Errani and
Roberta Vinci of Italy beat Timea Babos of Hungary and her partner Kristina Mladenovic of France to claim the
title.
Australian Samantha Stosur and her Serbian playing partner Nenad Zimonjic beat Maxim Mirnyi of Belarus and
his Taiwanese playing partner Chan Hao-ching to win the Wimbledon mixed doubles title.

New panel estimates 363 million people living in poverty, 94 million more
than UPA estimate of 269 million
Economy > Poverty
A panel, headed by former RBI governor C Rangarajan who also was the chairman of the prime minister's
economic advisory council in the UPA government, estimates there were 363 million people or 29.5% of India's
1.2 billion population, who lived in poverty in 2011-12. The number is significantly higher that the official
estimate of 269 million or 21.9% and the difference of 94 million is attributed primarily to a change in the
definition of the poverty line. The Rangarajan panel considers people living on less than Rs. 32 a day in rural
areas and Rs. 47 a day in urban areas as poor whereas official estimates based on the recommendations of late
economist Suresh Tendulkar define people living on less than Rs. 27 a day rural areas and Rs. 33 a day in urban
areas as poor. These official estimates adopted by the UPA government during its first term, have been
criticized for being unrealistic and artificially seeking to lower the poverty numbers.

Rail Budget 2014-15: Passenger safety of paramount importance
India > Rail Budget 2014-15
Union Rail Budget 2014-15 was presented by the Union Railway Minister Sadanand Gowda. This is the first rail
budget presented by any Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) minister.
Highlights:
* Highest ever plan outlay of Rs. 65,455 crore for 2014-15
* Expenditure in 2014-15 pegged at Rs. 149,176 crore
* FDI in railway projects, except in operations
* No new increase in passenger fares and freight charges
08
Jul

07
Jul

05
Jul

GKCA Update
03
rd
to 09
th
Jul

www.testfunda.com Page 2 of 6

* Bullet train in Mumbai-Ahmedabad sector
* Diamond quadrilateral for high speed trains
* Plan to hike speed of trains to 160-200 km/hr in 9 sectors
* Online booking to support 7,200 tickets per minute; to allow 1.2 lakh users log in simultaneously
* Reservation system to be revamped, ticket-booking through mobile phones, post offices to be popularised;
Online platform for unreserved tickets
* Food can be ordered through SMS, phone; Food courts at major stations
* Combo parking-platform tickets at stations
* Women RPF Constables to escort ladies coaches; 4,000 women constables to be inducted
* RO drinking water in some stations and trains
* Automatic door closing in mainline and sub-urban coaches
* Battery operated cars for differently-abled and senior citizens at major stations
* Office-on-Wheels: Internet & workstation facilities on select trains
* Railway university for technical and non-technical subjects
* Parcel traffic to be segregated to separate terminals to make passenger traffic unhindered
* Solar energy to be tapped at major stations

Israel bombs Gaza strip in response to rocket strikes by Hamas as tension
increases
World > Israel-Hamas
Israeli warplanes carried out extensive air-strikes in 150 sites in the Gaza strip in response to heavy rocket-
firing from Hamas fighters and called up another 40, 000 army reserves to carry out an extended military
campaign against Hamas. Hamas took responsibility for 40 longer-range rockets that hit Israeli targets.
Palestinian officials said that at least 23 people were killed Tuesday in Gaza whereas Israel said that 2 people
were injured in the rocket attacks. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was prepared to
undertake a major military offensive against militants in the Hamas-controlled territory in five years if rocket
attacks from Gaza did not cease. Netanyahus government was under increased pressure for a more extensive
campaign to destroy a military infrastructure in Gaza rebuilt since Israels last campaign there in 2012. At the
same time, Hamas needed to show more radical groups in Gaza that it could stand up to Israel. Also, after
Egypts military-backed government sealed the border with Gaza, Hamas tax receipts have sharply reduced
and having little to show for its coalition with Fatah, Hamas appears to have fallen back on its main principle of
armed resistance to Israel.
Background:
This latest confrontation, starting with the collapse of American-sponsored peace talks, highlights the
extremely fragile Israeli-Palestinian relations and has roots in the kidnapping and murder last month of the
three Israeli teenagers by men in the West Bank who Israel alleges belong to Hamas. This was followed by the
kidnapping and murder of a Palestinian teenager, reportedly by members of an anti-Arab group of supporters
of the Beitar Jerusalem soccer team known as La Familia. The kidnapping and murder of the Israeli teenagers
08
Jul

GKCA Update
03
rd
to 09
th
Jul

www.testfunda.com Page 3 of 6

led to an extensive crackdown by Israeli troops on Hamas in the West Bank, which in turn appeared to push
Hamas to respond from Gaza, which it controls.

Others

Fasting during Ramzan illegal, against Communist principles: China
World > China
China has ordered schools and government offices in the northwest Xinjiang region to ban fasting during the
ongoing holy month of Ramzan. Statements posted in the past several days on websites of schools,
government agencies and local party organizations in the Xinjiang region said the ban was aimed at protecting
students' wellbeing and preventing use of schools and government offices to promote religion. Statements on
the websites of local party organizations said members of the officially atheist ruling party also should avoid
fasting.
Similar bans have been imposed in the past on fasting for Ramadan, which began at sundown Saturday. But
this year is unusually sensitive because Xinjiang is under tight security following attacks that the government
blames on Muslim extremists with foreign terrorist ties.

US acknowledges secret military presence in Somalia since 2007
World > US-Somalia > 03-07-2014
The United States has for the first time publicly acknowledged military presence in Somalia since 2007. The US
plans to further expand military assistance and arrange new funds to help the Somali government and African
Union peacekeepers counter an aggressive seven-year insurgent campaign by the al Qaeda-linked militant
group al Shabaab to impose strict Islamic law inside Somalia. The Obama administration has said that there are
currently up to 120 US military personnel on the ground throughout Somalia serving as trainers and advisors
and not involved in combat. Until last year, US military advisors had been working with the troops of the
AMISOM (African Union Mission in Somalia), as opposed to the Somali National Army (SNA). The US plans now
include direct training and assistance for the SNA. The acknowledgement reflects a deepening of the US-
Somalia relationship and comes as the United States prepares to name its first ambassador for Somalia since
1993.

No automatic arrests under anti-dowry law: Supreme Court
India > Anti-dowry Law
In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court has said that the anti-dowry law is being increasingly used by women
these days to harass in-laws and the apex court ordered police not to arrest the husband and his relatives on
mere lodging of a complaint under Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code. The court said that the conviction
rate in such cases is very low and directed the state governments to instruct police "not to automatically arrest
when a case under Section 498A of IPC is registered but to satisfy themselves about the necessity for arrest
under the parameters (check list) provided under Section 41 of criminal procedure code".
Section 41 contains a 9-point check list which the police are required to take into account before arresting the
accused.


03
Jul

03
Jul

03
Jul

GKCA Update
03
rd
to 09
th
Jul

www.testfunda.com Page 4 of 6


India to allow access to Pakistani SIM Cards soon
World > Indo-Pak Relations
In a move that would help foster better trade ties and bridge the trust deficit between India and Pakistan,
without posing an additional security threat, Commerce Ministry of India has proposed permitting the use of
Pakistani SIM cards in India. Visitors from Pakistan, especially the business community, had often complained
about the inconvenience of not being able to use their mobile connections in India.
Although Pakistani businessmen enjoy a 10-city visa access to India, they are forced to procure local SIM cards
or turn to other means to stay connected. Pakistan does not allow SIM cards issued in India to function in its
territory either. The commerce department has also raised the matter with the telecom department, which
has said that access for Pakistani SIM cards may be allowed subject to clearance by the home ministry.
This is the second communication sent by the Commerce Ministry on the matter. The first was sent when the
UPA was in power.

Sharia courts not legal, cant enforce fatwas, says SC
India > Sharia Courts
Sharia courts have no legal authority and their decisions are not legally binding, the Supreme Court ruled,
saying fatwas must not violate rights of individuals guaranteed by law. The court, however, refused to declare
Dar-ul-Qazas (Islamic courts) or practice of issuing fatwas as illegal, saying it was informal justice delivery
system for bringing amicable settlement and it was for the persons concerned to accept, ignore or reject it.
Fatwas that infringed upon the rights of an individual at the instance of strangers caused irreparable damage
and violated basic human rights, the court said fatwas were opinions and not decrees.
Dar-ul-Qazas are religious tribunals run by Muslim religious organisations which take up legal issues on behalf
of parties who approach them.
Reacting to the verdict, the Muslim clerics said that the Constitution of India allows them the right to work and
act according to Muslim personal law.

Shiite Islamists Seize Major City in Yemen, Hundreds Killed
World > Yemen Crisis
At least 290 people, including 50 soldiers and 240 rebels, have been killed this month in clashes between
Yemeni army and Shiite rebels in Yemens northern provinces of Amran and al-Jouf. Shia Houthi fighters have
captured Yemens northwestern city of Amran, near the capital Sana'a, during their fight against extremists in
the country. Mohammed Abdul-Salam, a Houthi spokesman has said that the group did not mean to replace
the government in the city and was only fighting extremist groups there. The city has been the scene of fierce
clashes between the fighters and government troops over the past days.
Many have been killed and thousands forced out of their homes due to the fighting.

China deploys missile-armed nuclear subs to South China Sea
World > South China Sea
China has deployed three nuclear powered ballistic missile-capable submarines to its South China Sea fleet to
further stamp its power and influence in the region, where it is embroiled in territorial disputes with Japan,
Vietnam and the Philippines. The submarines' presence at Hainan Island, which is China's main base covering
07
Jul

07
Jul

08
Jul

08
Jul

GKCA Update
03
rd
to 09
th
Jul

www.testfunda.com Page 5 of 6

the South China Sea, is seen as a major development as this the first time Beijing deployed its ballistic missile
submarines to a forward base.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Navy marked two milestones in this year's CARAT (Cooperation Afloat Readiness
and Training) naval exercises with the US Navy. The Philippine Navy carried out ship borne helicopter
operations using its new Augusta / Westland AW109E helicopters from BRP Ramon Alcaraz and BRP Gregorio
del Pilar. The BRP Ramon Alcaraz and BRP Gregorio del Pilar also carried out open sea operations and maritime
interdiction exercises for the first time with the US Navy.
The timing of the submarines' deployment also came at the height of tensions between China and Vietnam.

ISIS captures former chemical weapons facility northwest of Baghdad, Saudi
Arabia deploys troops to border with Iraq
World > Iraq
Iraq said that the Sunni insurgent group the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has taken control of a vast
former chemical weapons facility in Muthanna, northwest of Baghdad, where 2,500 chemical rockets filled
with the deadly nerve agent sarin or their remnants were stored. The militants have also gained control of
bunkers containing ammunition contaminated with chemical warfare agents and their residues. Iraq's UN
Ambassador Mohamed Ali Alhakim informed the UN about the capture and said that Iraq is unable to fulfill its
obligations to destroy chemical weapons and would resume it once the security situation improves and Iraqs
security forces regain control of Muthanna.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has deployed 30,000 soldiers to its border with Iraq after Iraqi soldiers withdrew
from the area. Saudi Arabia, which is an ally of the US, shares an 800km (500 mile) border with Iraq, where the
ISIS militant group seized towns and cities in a major offensive against the Iraqi authorities last month.

Amit Shah appointed BJP national president
Politics and Government > BJP
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has appointed Amit Shah, PM Narendra Modis closest confidant, as the new
national president of the party. Home minister Rajnath Singh stepped down as BJP President and announced
Shahs appointment. 50 year old Shah has become the youngest president in the BJP in which veterans had
held the key positions since its inception. Amit Shah has been hugely lauded for scripting the BJPs massive
victory in Uttar Pradesh, a politically crucial state. The BJP had won 71 of the 80 seats in Uttar Pradesh. Shah is
also credited for bringing Ram Vilas Paswans LJP back in the NDA fold and OBC strongman Upender Kushwaha
to win 31 out of 40 seats in Bihar.

Sonia Gandhi accuses government of political vendetta in National Herald
case
Politics and Government > National Herald Case
Congress President Sonia Gandhi has accused the NDA government of being politically vindictive by targeting
her and other Congress leaders including her son, Rahul, of misusing party funds to own a publishing company,
once run by the Gandhis. Political parties are exempt from taxes on all sources of income which needs to be
utilized only for political purposes. The income tax department has served notices to the Congress party asking
why its tax benefits should not be withdrawn. The controversy arose after BJP leader Subramanian Swamy
filed a court case alleging that the Gandhis floated a firm called the Young Indian Company which acquired
09
Jul

09
Jul

09
Jul

GKCA Update
03
rd
to 09
th
Jul

www.testfunda.com Page 6 of 6

Associated Journals Limited, the publisher of three newspapers, including the National Herald, an English daily
founded and edited by Jawaharlal Nehru before he became India's first prime minister. The paper was shut
down in 2008 by Mrs Gandhi. Swamy says the Congress used its party funds to enable the Young Indian
Company to own Associated Journals and that the Gandhis aimed to grab property worth thousands of crores
that belonged to the publishing company. The Gandhis are directors of Young Indian Company, owning 76 per
cent stake in it and the remaining shares are owned by four other Congress members, who had also been
summoned to court on August 7.