Former Hong Kong chief secretary Rafael Hui sentenced for graft
(ii) He was also ordered to pay a fine of HKD $11 million (about $1.4 million) to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Xinhua reported.
(iii) Hui was convicted of misconduct and corruption, making him the highest ranking official in Hong Kong’s history to be found guilty of receiving bribes.
Pakistan, Russia sign $1.7 billion energy deal
(i) For the first time, Pakistan and Russia have signed an energy deal worth $1.7 billion to lay a gas pipeline from Karachi to Lahore, a move that may lead to further improvement in their ties.
(ii) The supply of a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) is expected to start before March next year, The Express Tribune reported.
(iii) The report cited unidentified officials saying the pipeline would be used to transport imported LNG from Karachi to Punjab province.
British singer Joe Cocker dies
(i) Joe Cocker, the raspy-voiced British singer known for his frenzied cover of “With a Little Help From My Friends,” the teary ballad “You Are So Beautiful” and a contorted performing style uncannily parodied by John Belushi on “Saturday Night Live,” has died. He was 70.
(ii) Cocker, an interpreter more than a writer, became a star through his dazzling transformation of the Beatles’ “With a Little Help From My Friends.” Featuring a gospel—styled arrangement and furious call and response between Cocker and the backup singers, the song became a No. 1 hit in England and the highlight of his characteristically manic set at the Woodstock festival in 1969.
Snapdeal launches online ‘Agri Store’ targeting farmers
(i) Celebrating Kisan Diwas, e-retailing firm Snapdeal.com today announced the launch of “The Agri Store”, offering products like seeds, fertiliser and irrigation tools, among others, to farmers.
(ii) A Hindi version of the store will also be launched soon to aid farmers in making an informed decision, the company said in a statement.
(iii) “Now, farmers will be able to access products critical to their daily needs easily at the click of a button, thus bringing forth the inclusive power of digital marketplaces in the realm of agriculture as well,” Snapdeal.com CEO and Co-founder Kunal Bahl said.
Veteran politician Essebsi wins Tunisian polls
(i) Beji Caid Essebsi (88), a veteran of Tunisia’s political establishment, won the country’s
(ii) Mr. Essebsi campaigned on restoring the “prestige of the state” and a return to stability from the years of turmoil that followed this North African country’s 2011 overthrow of dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali that kicked off the regional pro-democracy uprisings of the Arab Spring.
PDP largest party in J&K, BJP set to form govt. in Jharkhand
Party position in Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls:
Party | Won | Leading | Total |
Bharatiya Janata Party | 25 | 0 | 25 |
Communist Party of India (Marxist) | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Indian National Congress | 11 | 1 | 12 |
Jammu & Kashmir National Conference | 15 | 0 | 15 |
Jammu & Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party | 26 | 2 | 28 |
Jammu & Kashmir People Conference | 2 | 0 | 2 |
Jammu And Kashmir People Democratic Front (Secular) | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Independent | 3 | 0 | 3 |
Total | 84 | 3 | 87 |
Party position in Jharkhand Assembly polls:
Party | Won | Leading | Total |
Bahujan Samaj Party | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Bharatiya Janata Party | 34 | 3 | 37 |
Indian National Congress | 4 | 2 | 6 |
AJSU Party | 5 | 0 | 5 |
Jharkhand Mukti Morcha | 18 | 1 | 19 |
Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik) | 7 | 1 | 8 |
Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) (Liberation) | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Jai Bharat Samanta Party | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Jharkhand Party | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Marxist Co-Ordination | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Navjawan Sangharsh Morcha | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Total | 72 | 9 | 81 |
Book on Godse back on stands
(i) Over two decades after it was first published, the first revised English edition of “Why I Assassinated Gandhi” – which includes Nathuram Godse’s statement before the court at the Red Fort trial in its “unabridged form,” the judgment and his will – is back in circulation.
(ii) The revised edition has been compiled and edited by Virender Mehra, who, in his note, said: “After having read Nathuram Godse’s statement reproduced by his brother Gopal Godse, I felt the need to compile Gopal Godse’s work with Justice [G.D.] Khosla’s narrative.”
Gujarat to host Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
(i) The 13th edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD), an event which celebrates the
achievements of Indians living abroad, will be held in Gujarat from January 7-9.
(ii) Briefing the media about the upcoming event here on Monday, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said that Gujarat has been chosen as the partner State as 2015 happens to be the 100th year of Mahatma Gandhi’s return to India from South Africa.
(iii) To reflect this, the event will showcase his work and achievements.
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