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INTERNATIONALINTERNATIONALINTERNATIONALINTERNATIONALINTERNATIONALUS House of RepresentativesUS House of RepresentativesUS House of RepresentativesUS House of RepresentativesUS House of Representatives
passed the Defence Bill 2013passed the Defence Bill 2013passed the Defence Bill 2013passed the Defence Bill 2013passed the Defence Bill 2013
US (United States) House of
Representatives on 20 December
2012 passed the Defence Autho-
rization Act of 2013. The bill was
passed with a 315-107 vote amid
chaos over the fiscal cliff negotia-
tions and the threat of drastic de-
fense spending cuts. The Defence
Authorization Act of 2013 covers
the cost of ships, aircraft, weap-
ons and military personnel as well
as the war effort in Afghanistan. It
consists of 528 billion dollars for
the Defense Departments base
budget, 17 billion dollars for de-
fense and nuclear programmes in
the Energy Department and 88 bil-
lion dollars for the war in Afghani-
stan. The bill tightens sanctions on
Iran and increases security for U.S.
diplomatic missions after the at-
tack on U.S. Consulate in
Benghazi, Libya. It also requests
the Pentagon to report to Congress
regarding the conflict in Syria on
possible military options.US (United States) House of
Representatives on 20 December
2012 passed the Defence Autho-
rization Act of 2013. The bill was
passed with a 315-107 vote amid
chaos over the fiscal cliff negotia-
tions and the threat of drastic de-
fense spending cuts. The Defence
Authorization Act of 2013 covers
the cost of ships, aircraft, weap-
ons and military personnel as well
as the war effort in Afghanistan. It
consists of 528 billion dollars forthe Defense Departments base
budget, 17 billion dollars for de-
fense and nuclear programmes in
the Energy Department and 88 bil-
lion dollars for the war in Afghani-
stan. The bill tightens sanctions on
Iran and increases security for U.S.
diplomatic missions after the at-
tack on U.S. Consulate in
Benghazi, Libya. It also requests
the Pentagon to report to Congress
regarding the conflict in Syria on
possible military options.
Parliament in Italy dissolvedParliament in Italy dissolvedParliament in Italy dissolvedParliament in Italy dissolvedParliament in Italy dissolved
President Giorgio Napolitano
on 22 December 2012 dissolved
Italys Parliament following the res-
ignation of Prime Minister MarioMonti on 21 December 2012. The
Parliamentary elections are sched-
uled to be held on 24-25 February
2013. Since taking office in No-
vember 2011, the Prime Minister
and his non-party team of minis-
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ters implemented economic aus-
terity measures in the form of cuts
in spending and tax hikes. The
election was triggered after Silvio
Berlusconis party center-rightPeople of Freedom party (PdL)
withdrew support from Montis
government. Italian government
under the leadership of Mario
Monti brought forward a series of
austerity reforms backed by EU
and business leaders. Italys pub-
lic debt is increasing and economy
is in a kind of turmoil. But majority
of Italians, frustrated by benefit
cuts, tax hikes and unemployment,
do not appear convinced.
WHO approved VaccineWHO approved VaccineWHO approved VaccineWHO approved VaccineWHO approved Vaccine
Manufacturing PracticesManufacturing PracticesManufacturing PracticesManufacturing PracticesManufacturing Practices
The World Health
Organisation (WHO) in the third
week of December 2012 approved
the manufacturing practices being
adopted by the private vaccine
manufacturing pharmaceutical
companies of India. This approval
was given to Indian Pharmaceuti-
cal companies after an intensive
four days audit of the vaccine
manufacturing facilities across the
country was concluded by a 16-
member multi-nation team that
was headed by WHO officials. The
team comprised officials from
China, EU, the US FDA, Thailand,
Sweden and France. WHO gave
its clearance to the procedures
adopted by the Indian National
Regulatory Authority (NRA) or the
Drug Controller Generals Office
(DCGO). The audit team also
cleared that the proceduresadopted by the Central Drugs
Standard Control Organisation
(CDSCO) and institutions affiliated
to it meet the prescribed interna-
tional standards and the proce-
dures inculcated in production
were stringent enough to ensure
that the vaccines produced by In-
dian companies were safe, high in
quality and efficacious.
With this approval India be-
came the first country in 2012 topass the stringent levels of seven
indicators that is put forward by
the WHO that is made much more
stringent every time conducted by
a team of 12 international experts
headed by a member of
WHO. India at present is a major
vaccine producing country with 12
major vaccine manufacturing fa-
cilities and the vaccines formu-
lated and manufactured in India
are used in national and interna-
tional markets of nearly 150 coun-
tries of the world. In case of
measles every second child of the
world is vaccinated using the vac-
cine produced in India. At present
India manufactures 30 different
types of vaccines that include
Hepatitis, measles and polio. This
approval from WHO had made the
12 manufacturing units of India
eligible for supplying the vaccines
to international bodies like
UNICEF, WHO, World Bank, GatesFoundation, Clinton Foundation,
and GAVI.
Iran Declared ExtractingIran Declared ExtractingIran Declared ExtractingIran Declared ExtractingIran Declared Extracting
Complete Data from theComplete Data from theComplete Data from theComplete Data from theComplete Data from the
Captured US DroneCaptured US DroneCaptured US DroneCaptured US DroneCaptured US Drone
Iran declared on 5 December
2012 that it had extracted data
from the US intelligence drone
which was caught spying on its
military sites as well as oil termi-
nals. Iran had declared on 4 De-
cember 2012 that the US spying
drone was captured. US however
put down the claim on thegrounds that there were no evi-
dences to support this
assertion. Iran had announced
that it had captured the US
ScanEagle drone which was found
flying over the Gulf waters. The
incident further highlighted the
tensions in Gulf while Iran and US
are attracting attention to the mili-
tary capabilities in oil exporting
regions in an argument over the
disputed nuclear programme of
Iran. The Islamic Revolutionary
Guard Corps (IRGC) declared that
they had extracted the information
from the drone completely. IRGC
further also mentioned that this
drone was spying and gathering
the military information on trans-
fer of oil from the petroleum ter-
minals of Iran. The primary expert
terminal of Iran is located at Kharg
Island.
UN Approved New Debate onUN Approved New Debate onUN Approved New Debate onUN Approved New Debate onUN Approved New Debate on
Arm Treaty opposed by U.S.Arm Treaty opposed by U.S.Arm Treaty opposed by U.S.Arm Treaty opposed by U.S.Arm Treaty opposed by U.S.
Gun LobbyGun LobbyGun LobbyGun LobbyGun Lobby
The U.N. General Assembly
on 24 December 2012 voted over-
poweringly to restart negotiations
on a draft international treaty to
regulate the 70 billion dollar glo-
bal trade in conventional arms, a
pact the powerful U.S. National
Rifle Association has been lobby-
ing hard against. U.N. delegates
and gun control activists have
complained that earlier in July2012 talks collapsed largely be-
cause U.S. President Barack
Obama feared attacks from Re-
publican rival Mitt Romney before
the 6 November 2012 election if
his administration was seen as
supporting the pact, charge U.S.
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officials have denied. But after
Obamas re-election in November
2012, his administration joined
other members of a U.N. commit-
tee in supporting the resumptionof negotiations on the treaty. On
24 December 2012 the 193-nation
U.N. General Assembly voted to
hold a final round of negotiations
on March 18-28 in New York. The
foreign ministers of Argentina,
Australia, Costa Rica, Finland, Ja-
pan, Kenya and the United King-
dom - the countries that drafted
the resolution - issued a joint state-
ment welcoming the decision to
resume negotiations on the pact.
There were 133 votes in
favour, none against and 17 ab-
stentions. A number of countries
did not attend, which U.N. diplo-
mats said was due to the Christ-
mas Eve holiday. Among the top
six arms-exporting nations, Russia
cast the only abstention in last
months vote. Britain, France and
Germany joined China and the
United States in the disarmament
committee in support of the same
resolution approved by the Gen-eral Assembly. The main reason
the arms trade talks are taking
place at all is that the United States
- the worlds biggest arms trader,
which accounts for more than 40
percent of global transfers in con-
ventional arms - reversed U.S.
policy on the issue after Obama
was first elected and decided in
2009 to support a treaty. Obama
administration officials have tried
to explain to U.S. opponents of the
arms trade pact that the treaty un-der discussion would have no ef-
fect on gun sales and ownership
inside the United States because
it would apply only to exports.
About Arms Trade TreatyAbout Arms Trade TreatyAbout Arms Trade TreatyAbout Arms Trade TreatyAbout Arms Trade Treaty
The Arms Trade Treaty is the
name of a potential multilateral
treaty that would regulate the in-
ternational trade in conventional
weapons. The treaty was negoti-
ated at a global conference underthe support of the United Nations
from 2 July 27 July 2012 in New
York. Arms Trade Treaty is part
of a larger universal effort that be-
gan in 2001 with the adoption of a
non-legally binding program of
action at the United Nations Con-
ference on the Illicit Trade in Small
Arms and Light Weapons in All Its
Aspects in 2001. This program was
formally called the Programme of
Action to Prevent, Combat and
Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small
Arms and Light Weapons in All Its
Aspects (PoA).
Queen Elizabeth Became FirstQueen Elizabeth Became FirstQueen Elizabeth Became FirstQueen Elizabeth Became FirstQueen Elizabeth Became First
Peacetime British Ruler toPeacetime British Ruler toPeacetime British Ruler toPeacetime British Ruler toPeacetime British Ruler to
Attend Cabinet MeetingAttend Cabinet MeetingAttend Cabinet MeetingAttend Cabinet MeetingAttend Cabinet Meeting
On 18 December 2012,
Queen Elizabeth became first
peacetime British ruler ever since
1781, who attended the cabinet
meeting. Though she did not take
part in any deliberations, but she
participated in the cabinet meet-ing as an observer and a listener.
Queen Elizabeth remained seated
on the chair which is usually oc-
cupied by the prime
minister. Historians believed that
Queen Elizabeth became the first
monarch in the history to attend
any cabinet meeting, after George
III did that. Factually, George I had
abandoned joining the cabinet in
1717. Nevertheless, QueenElizabeths father George VI had
attended the cabinet meeting dur-
ing World War II.
UK Prime Minister David
Cameron seated towards the right
side of Elizabeth and foreign sec-
retary William Hague seated to-
wards her left. George Osborne,
Chancellor of the Exchequer was
seated just opposite to her. In the
cabinet meeting, the PM first wel-
comed the Queen formally before
spelling out objectives of the cabi-
net meeting. The first agenda of
the meeting was about law
amendment on the succession to
royal chair. The agenda was basi-
cally allowing the first born girl to
be head of the state, even if she
had younger brother. Though
Queen Elizabeth had attended the
cabinet meeting, but academics
were of different viewpoints on
whether Queen should have at-
tended the meeting or not. Atpresent, Britain has a tradition of
monarch allowing a weekly audi-
ence to PM in order to receive pri-
vate as well as confidential brief-
ing. But actually, the Queen just
rubber stamps the ministerial de-
cisions, maybe sometimes in pres-
ence of the Privy Council.
China Held largest Air ForceChina Held largest Air ForceChina Held largest Air ForceChina Held largest Air ForceChina Held largest Air Force
Drill involving 100 FighterDrill involving 100 FighterDrill involving 100 FighterDrill involving 100 FighterDrill involving 100 Fighter
planesplanesplanesplanesplanes
China held one of its largest-ever airforce drill involving about
100 multi-types fighter planes,
amid heightened tensions with
Japan over territorial dispute in
the East China Sea.East China Sea.East China Sea.East China Sea.East China Sea. The air com-
bat exercises were held under in-
formation conditions at an airport
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in southwest China for 11 days in
the month of November 2012
which involved over 100 fighters
of over 10 different types and sup-
port staff.
In recent days, China is hold-
ing multi-military exercises involv-
ing land, air and naval forces on
variety of locations practicing cap-
turing islands and holding on to
them. Aircraft which took part in
the drill came from 14 separate
units and included Chinas most
modern jet fighters, the J-10 and
J-11, along with older models and
two-seater Sukhoi Su-30sSukhoi Su-30sSukhoi Su-30sSukhoi Su-30sSukhoi Su-30swhich
was purchased from Russia. The
exercises are a clear demonstra-
tion of Chinas vastly improved
military capabilities that have
frightened other Asian nations and
are encouraging a changed US fo-
cus on the region. Chinas navyalso for the first time launched and
recovered aircraft from the
countrys first aircraft carrier, a re-
furbished Ukrainian craft that will
be armed with J- 15 fi gh te r-J- 15 fi gh te r-J- 15 fi gh te r-J- 15 fi gh te r-J- 15 fi gh te r-
bombers,bombers,bombers,bombers,bombers, a Chinese adaptation of
the Russian Sukhoi Su-33.
President Mohamed MorsiPresident Mohamed MorsiPresident Mohamed MorsiPresident Mohamed MorsiPresident Mohamed Morsi
signed Egypts Controversialsigned Egypts Controversialsigned Egypts Controversialsigned Egypts Controversialsigned Egypts Controversial
ConstitutionConstitutionConstitutionConstitutionConstitution
Egyptian PresidentMohamed Morsi on 25 December
registered voters participated. The
remaining 90 were appointed by
Mohamed Morsi, the Islamist
president. It was expected to draft
a law for legislative elections forthe dissolved lower house that
have to be held by the end of Feb-
ruary 2013. The National Salvation
Front opposition coalition said it
would vie for seats in the parlia-
ment, which has powers under the
new charter that could hamper
Morsis ability to govern.
European Union imposed StiffEuropean Union imposed StiffEuropean Union imposed StiffEuropean Union imposed StiffEuropean Union imposed Stiff
Sanctions on Trade with IranSanctions on Trade with IranSanctions on Trade with IranSanctions on Trade with IranSanctions on Trade with Iran
European Union (EU) im-
posed stiff sanctions on trade with
Iran in a move aimed at further iso-
lating it over the controversial
nuclear program. The fresh sanc-tions directed against Irans bank-
ing, shipping and industrial sectors
came into effect from 22 Decem-
ber 2012. These are considered to
be the toughest EU measures and
include bans on financial transac-
tions, sales to Iran of shipping
equipment and steel, and imports
of Iranian natural gas in addition
to the existing ban on import of
Iranian crude oil.
Britain would Pull Half of itsBritain would Pull Half of itsBritain would Pull Half of itsBritain would Pull Half of itsBritain would Pull Half of its
Troops from AfghanistanTroops from AfghanistanTroops from AfghanistanTroops from AfghanistanTroops from Afghanistan
The Prime Minister of Britain,
David Cameroon on 19 December
2012 announced that Britain has
planned to withdraw more than
half of its troops back from Af-
ghanistan by 2013 and all-foreign
2012 signed into law a new Islam-
ist-drafted constitution which will
help end political disorder and al-
low him to focus on fixing the
weak economy. Mohamed Morsisigned a declaration enforcing the
charter late after the official an-
nouncement of the result of a ref-
erendum approving the basic law,
Egypts first constitution since
Hosni Mubaraks overthrow. The
passing of the constitution meant
Egypt could now move to a new
stage that should bring security
and stability for the people. The
body, known as the Shura coun-
cil, will temporarily be able to pass
laws until a new parliament hasbeen elected within the next few
months, after the adoption of an
election law. Two-thirds of the
members of the 270-seat council
were elected earlier this year in a
vote in which only 12 per cent of
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forces of the country would be
pulled out by 2014. The Prime Min-
ister informed to the commons
that 3800 troops, who were de-
ployed at Helmand Provincewould be back by end of the year
2013 leaving 5200 troops behind.
Overall, 9500 troops from Britain
are out of home out of which 500
are waiting to be back to home
before the Christmas of 2012. The
troops would be returning home
in relatively two even steps in 2013
and 2014. The decision was made
because of the success that the
British Forces and the Afghan Na-
tional security Forces accom-
plished in the region. By the time
the British forces are pulled out,
the Afghani Forces would have
been mentored from the battalion
level to the Brigade level by 2013.
The Prime Minister also an-
nounced that even after the final
withdrawal of the British Forces a
small number of there force would
remain operational into the regionto have a check on returning of
equipments and to deal with the
logistics. Philip Hammond, theDefence Secretary of Britain in-
formed about the long-term plansof the British Forces following the
commitment that it made to the
Afghani people. The British Gov-
ernment also informed that at the
end of 2014 reduction in the num-ber of troops on a large scale with
immediate effect would not occur.
The troops would be withdrawn
gradually following the plans of its
ISAF [International Security Assis-
tance Force] partners as well asthe advice offered by its army
commanders. A small number of
U.K. Forces would remain func-
tional for operations in Afghani-stan counterparts till the time the
combat operations doesnt come
to a cease completely by 2014.
Maldives took over Charge ofMaldives took over Charge ofMaldives took over Charge ofMaldives took over Charge ofMaldives took over Charge of
Male Airport scrappingMale Airport scrappingMale Airport scrappingMale Airport scrappingMale Airport scrapping
Agreement with GMRAgreement with GMRAgreement with GMRAgreement with GMRAgreement with GMR
Maldives took charge of Maleairport from GMR. Maldives gov-
ernment had scrapped the agree-
ment with GMR on first December
2012, saying that the agreement
was not in the interest of the coun-
try. Singapore Supreme Court had
upheld the right of Maldives to ter-
minate the 25 year contract. There
will be a three-week transition
period starting 7 December 2012
at the end of which GMR will stop
operating the airport. Maldivian
Airport Company Limited, whichwill run the airport, has agreed to
retain all staff, including Indian
nationals, on the same terms.
Beijing was 14th Safest City inBeijing was 14th Safest City inBeijing was 14th Safest City inBeijing was 14th Safest City inBeijing was 14th Safest City in
ChinaChinaChinaChinaChina
A survey conducted
b y China Academy of Social Sci-China Academy of Social Sci-China Academy of Social Sci-China Academy of Social Sci-China Academy of Social Sci-
ences (CASS)ences (CASS)ences (CASS)ences (CASS)ences (CASS)which is a govern-
ment owned body, revealed that
the capital of China, Beijing is less
safer than other cities of the coun-
try. The safest place is the capital
of Tibet, Lhasa, followed by
Shanghai. When analysed in
terms of safety, the Chinese capi-
tal city was ranked 14th, inspite of
huge network of the security cam-
eras as well as constant police
force on the lanes and roads.
Other major cities of China were
ranked much safer than Beijing
and these safe cities included
Xi amen , Ningbo, Chan gchun,
Chongqing, Shanghai, Tianjin,
Dalian, Hangzhou and Nanjing.
CASS also revealed that around 40
percent of the 25000 respondentsof survey from 38 cities of China
felt unsafe to go out during night-
time. Residents of Guiyang, the
capital of Guizhou province
marked it lowest in terms of safety.
It was also found out that people
in the coastal cities of East China
as well as municipalities were
safer than other parts of country.
Ireland to legalise AbortionsIreland to legalise AbortionsIreland to legalise AbortionsIreland to legalise AbortionsIreland to legalise Abortions
Ireland on 18 December 2012
announced that it will legalise
abortions when the mothers life
is at risk, weeks after the death of
Indian dentist Savita Halappanavarwho died after being refused an
abortion in the European country.
The decision comes after a huge
public outcry over the death of 31-
year-old Savita, who died on 28
October 2012 at Galway University
Hospital. She had been 17-week
pregnant and was found to be mis-
carrying. Savita Halappanavar
asked repeatedly for a termination
of pregnancy but was refused and
was told the foetal heartbeat was
still present and this is a Catholiccountry.
Global Telecom Treaty withoutGlobal Telecom Treaty withoutGlobal Telecom Treaty withoutGlobal Telecom Treaty withoutGlobal Telecom Treaty without
Net Control Signed by 89Net Control Signed by 89Net Control Signed by 89Net Control Signed by 89Net Control Signed by 89
NationsNationsNationsNationsNations
A controversial new global
treaty on telecom regulations was
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signed on 14 December 2012 by
89 International Telecommunica-International Telecommunica-International Telecommunica-International Telecommunica-International Telecommunica-
tion Uniontion Uniontion Uniontion Uniontion Union member states out of
a possible 144 Countries regard-
less of US objections to prospec-tive regulation of the Internet. Over
150 nations met in Dubai, under
the support of the International
Telecommunication Union (ITU)
to update a set of telecom rules of
1988, before the Internet and mo-
bile phones transformed commu-
nications. But they failed to draw
a conclusion which will lead to a
new fight over cyberspace. Fifty-
five countries did not sign the
treaty that enters effect in January
2015.
A US-led bloc advocated a
tolerant approach to the Internet,
while Russia, China and much of
Africa and the Middle East wanted
greater governmental oversight of
cyberspace.
The treaty that is the first up-
date to the International Tele-International Tele-International Tele-International Tele-International Tele-
communication Regulationscommunication Regulationscommunication Regulationscommunication Regulationscommunication Regulations
(ITRs)(ITRs)(ITRs)(ITRs)(ITRs) agreed in 1988, stimulated
controversy as Internet operators,
activists and countries led by the
United States objected to refer-
ence to the Internet deemed to be
paving the way for government
control. The United States on 13
December 2012 opposed the
treaty saying that the proposed
text opened the door to govern-
ment regulation of the Internet. As
per the treaty, the non-binding
resolution on the Internet
recognises, among other things,
that all governments should have
an equal role and responsibility for
international Internet governance
and for ensuring the stability, se-curity and continuity of the exist-
ing Internet and its future devel-
opment and of the future Internet.
As in a previous version, the Inter-
national Telecom Regulations spell
out guidelines on technical issues
such as how carriers charge each
other for incoming international
phone calls, as well as taxation and
accounting.
Countries that sign the treaty
are supposed to be guided by its
principles, although these have no
force of law. US lawmakers had
voted unanimously to oppose any
efforts to give the United Nations
new authority to regulate the
Internet, and a variety of Internet
activists and US firms, led by
Google, also warned against new
regulations. Google had asserted
that governments taking part in the
meeting in Dubai proved that they
wanted increased censorship, and
it supported countries rejectingthe treaty.
Israels Jewish PopulationIsraels Jewish PopulationIsraels Jewish PopulationIsraels Jewish PopulationIsraels Jewish Population
Passed Crucial 6 Million MarkPassed Crucial 6 Million MarkPassed Crucial 6 Million MarkPassed Crucial 6 Million MarkPassed Crucial 6 Million Mark
Israels Central Bureau of Sta-
tistics (CBS) in the last week of De-
cember 2012 revealed that theJewish population of Israel passed
the crucial mark of 6 million for
first time. This is equal to the Jews
killed in Holocaust. According to
the Israels CBS the overall popu-
lation of Israel was 7.98 million out
of which 75.4 percent were Jew-
ish. The Arab population of Israel
accounted for 20 percent and 4
percent were defined as
others. However it was madeclear that the position of Jews
worldwide was the same. Before
Holocaust, the number of Jews
across the world was 18 million.
After it, the number was just a little
more than the mark of 13 million.
Even now, the population is just a
little more than 13 million. Never-
theless, the population of Jews in
Israel is somewhere near half the
population of Jewish nations
across the world, which would put
Israel in central place.
Other figures were released
by Palestinian Central Bureau of
Statistics and it was found that the
overall population of Arabs in Pal-
estine and Israel would be equiva-
lent to that of Jews by 2016. It was
also revealed that the population
of Arabs would exceed that of
Jews by 2020. Jewish population
in Israel increased by ten times
since the declaration of this state
in May 1948 when the number ofJewish citizens was just 660000.
What is Holocaust?What is Holocaust?What is Holocaust?What is Holocaust?What is Holocaust?
Holocaust is said to be thebureaucratic, systematic and
state-sponsored murder of around
six million Jews by Nazi regime as
well as collaborators. Holocaust is
the Greek-origin word which
means sacrifice by fire. Nazis ac-
quired power in January 1933 in
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Immigration to BritainImmigration to BritainImmigration to BritainImmigration to BritainImmigration to Britain
Witnessed Biggest Fall in 20Witnessed Biggest Fall in 20Witnessed Biggest Fall in 20Witnessed Biggest Fall in 20Witnessed Biggest Fall in 20
YearsYearsYearsYearsYears
Immigration into Britain sawthe deepest dip in 20 years, the
official figures revealed. In 2011,
536000 foreigners migrated to live
in UK, which is 42000 lower than
in 2010. This drop is said to be the
biggest and deepest because im-
migration dropped down by
61000 during the recession of
1991. Numbers of people enter-
ing UK were lowest since the year
2004 when thousands of European
workers were permitted to work
here. The basic reason why thisnumber sank was because of the
dramatic reduction in the number
of people coming on student vi-
sas. In terms of percentage, the net
immigration figure went down by
25 percent from 242000 to 183000.
The number of students who
come for joining courses in UK
colleges sank by 67 percent. In the
meanwhile, the students coming
down for English Language
schools dropped by 76 percent.
Nevertheless, the foreign studentswho go to UK varsities increased
by 1 percent. Ministers of UK
called this drop as a crucial step
towards achieving the aim of gov-
ernment in reducing immigration
to what it was in 1990s.
Paper Money to be replacedPaper Money to be replacedPaper Money to be replacedPaper Money to be replacedPaper Money to be replaced
with Plastic Banknotes in UKwith Plastic Banknotes in UKwith Plastic Banknotes in UKwith Plastic Banknotes in UKwith Plastic Banknotes in UK
Britain planned to replace
the paper money with plastic
banknotes, which are said to be
more durable as well as water-
proof. Another advantage of these
plastic banknotes is that they are
difficult to be forged. Paper money
has been used in Britain for over
300 years. The radical renovationin Britain might see polymer ster-
ling currency in circulation in just
three years time. The Bank of En-
gland already publicised the 1 bil-
lion pounds tender from 2015 for
the process of printing of these
notes at the press in Debden,
Essex. Bidders are expected to
cope up with this change from
paper currency to plastic right
from the beginning of the contract
as the part of this process. The
contract since 2003 was held by
De La Rue, which is one of the only
two polymer notes makers. Ini-
tially, the Bank would produce
lower denominations like fiver
(five-pound note). De La Rue
prints over 150 currencies and re-
cently it had produced new plas-
tic banknotes for Pacific island of
Fiji. The first country to introduce
plastic notes was Australia where
the currency was introduced in
1988 as a step to curtail counter-feiting. Some of the other coun-
tries that might issue polymer
notes include Vietnam, Mexico,
Papua New Guinea, New Zealand
and Romania. Plastic fiver was in-
troduced in Northern Ireland in
1999 for indicating the mark of a
Millennium.
Why plastic notes can beWhy plastic notes can beWhy plastic notes can beWhy plastic notes can beWhy plastic notes can be
beneficial than paper currency?beneficial than paper currency?beneficial than paper currency?beneficial than paper currency?beneficial than paper currency?
Plastic notes are more du-
rable than the paper notes. Also,these polymer notes prove to be
more hygienic because they at-
tract fewer bacteria and do not
form crease or tear. Apart from
being waterproof, the plastic
notes are also easier to be used for
vending machines. The primary
feature of plastic notes is that they
offer clear window which also
contains optical variable device
through which light can be split
easily into the component colours.This makes it very difficult for any-
one to counterfeit the currency.
These notes are eco-friendly as
well as recyclable. However, the
cost of producing these notes is a
bit higher than the paper currency.
Also, the initial cost needs to be
invested so that the vending ma-
chines as well as ATMs can adapt
to them.
North Korea Launched LongNorth Korea Launched LongNorth Korea Launched LongNorth Korea Launched LongNorth Korea Launched Long
Range Unha-3 RocketRange Unha-3 RocketRange Unha-3 RocketRange Unha-3 RocketRange Unha-3 Rocket
North Korea launched a long-
range rocket Unha-3Unha-3Unha-3Unha-3Unha- 3 on 12 De-
cember 2012 despite international
opposition and growing tensions
in the region successfully deliver-
ing a scientific satellite
Kwangmyongsong-3 into orbit.
Unha-3 is the second version
of satellite Kwangmyongsong-3
which is successful ly lifted off
from the Sohae Space Center by
carrier rocket. The North Ameri-North Ameri-North Ameri-North Ameri-North Ameri-
can Aerospace Defense Com-can Aerospace Defense Com-can Aerospace Defense Com-can Aerospace Defense Com-can Aerospace Defense Com-
mand (NORAD)mand (NORAD)mand (NORAD)mand (NORAD)mand (NORAD)reported that the
North Korean missile deployed an
object that appeared to achieveorbit, which would fall in line with
Pyongyangs claims about the na-
ture of the launch. The debris of
the rocket fell into waters off the
Philippines at 10:05 a.m. local time
after passing over Okinawa. The
launch is a message from North
-
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