Daily Current Affairs - 23rd June 2013

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International Affairs

• China on Sunday asked Pakistan to "guarantee the safety" of its nationals working there as it condemned a violent militant attack on a base camp in the country's north in which 10 people, including three Chinese tourists, were killed.
• US Ambassador to India announces that Washington is providing $1,50,000 to NGOs working in the most-affected areas of Uttarakhand.
• Whistle-blower Edward Snowden "betrayed" America by leaking information about its secret surveillance programmes, US National Security Agency said on Sunday, as authorities sought cooperation from other countries where the former CIA operative attempts to seek refuge.
• Iraq assures India to provide as much oil as the country needs to fulfill the needs of the growing economy.
• Suicide bombers and a gunman assaulted a police station in northern Iraq on Sunday, one of several attacks across the country that left seven dead.
• Afghanistan’s government said Sunday it is still waiting for a full explanation of how the Taliban were allowed to open an office in Qatar that was akin to an embassy, flying the militant group’s flag and using its formal name from the years it ruled the country.

National Affairs

• Kedarnath Valley cleared of all stranded pilgrims, as rescuers battled rains to evacuate 3,000 more people in the disaster.
• In a major recruitment exercise, Andhra Pradesh government would issue notification for recruitment of 20,000 teachers by end of this month, Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy said.
• As the world celebrate the third International Widows’ Day, reports say there are hundreds of millions of women in the world who suffer exploitation, deprivation and exclusion when their husbands die.
• BJP leader L K Advani pushes for repealusion of Article 370 of Constitution, saying it would help J & K's full integration with India.
• The Indian embassy in Riyadh is taking part in a job fair to assist Indians who are looking for work after being affected by the Gulf Kingdom's new labour law.
• Award-winning British-Indian musician Nitin Sawhney has sparked a race row at one of the UK's most famous music festivals.The London-based performer and composer claims he has been relegated to a minor stage at the Glastonbury Festival for years because of his race.
• Union Minister Salman Khurshid expressed hope that the Supreme Court would uphold the Centre's decision to provide 4.5 per cent reservation in education and government jobs to backward classes among minorities.
• Assam government to give Rs one crore for Uttarakhand relief and rehablitation.
• Prominent legal activist Amrit Singh has been honoured for her groundbreaking work in the field of human rights law, along with a number of other noted Indian-Americans including US Congressman Ami Bera and USAID chief Rajiv Raj Shah.
• BJP president Rajnath Singh arrived here on a two-day visit to bolster the party's preparations for the next general elections post the separation with NDA partner JD(U). 

Science and Technology 

• Teens who eat more chicken and fish may lower their risk of developing colon cancer, a new study has claimed.

Sports

• The Indian hockey team finished sixth at the FIH World League after losing a tense play-off match on penalties to higher-ranked Spain.
• Rain delays start of India vs England ChampionsTrophy  final.

Rose M