National:

Govt clears bill to scrap collegium system for appointment of judges to higher courts The Cabinet approved the bill which entails replacing the collegium system with a Judicial Appointments Commission wherein it will have a say in appointment of judges of the Supreme Court and the 24 high courts. Under the proposal, the government seeks to set up a panel headed by the Chief Justice of India (CJI) to appoint and transfer senior judges. The other members of the proposed Commission would be two judges of the Supreme Court, the Law Minister, two eminent persons as members and Secretary (Justice) in the Law Ministry as Member Secretary. An earlier proposal circulated in April 2013 had incorporated the view that the Leader of the Opposition should be made a member of the JAC. According to the fresh note, the Leader of the Opposition will not be part of the proposed body. However, the Leader of the Opposition of either House of Parliament will be part of a committee to be set up to nominate two eminent persons to the JAC. The committee will also have the CJI and the Prime Minister as other members. The move to set up JAC would entail amendments to Articles 124, 217, 222 and 231 of the Constitution and insertion of Article 124 A. Cabinet clears proposal to allow people in jail to fight polls Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has nominated former law minister Ashwani Kumar as his special envoy for Japan, where he can visit up to seven days, to maintain the momentum of high level exchanges with Japan and in connection with preparations for the visit to India of their Majesties, the Emperor and Empress of Japan, the first since Independence. Ashwani Kumar will have the rank and privileges of a Cabinet minister. He was earlier nominated by the party leadership for membership of the powerful Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament. Ashwani Kumar was the first president of the India-Japan Parliamentary Forum sponsored by FICCI. Chiranjeevi announces Rs 5 lakh award for Jodie Underhill Tourism Minister K Chiranjeevi has announced Rs 5 lakh award for British activist Jodie Underhill in recognition of her yeoman service towards Uttarakhand flood tragedy relief. Underhill has been collecting garbage strewn near food stalls at Doon Helidrome in Dehradun, where pilgrims rescued from the natural calamity in various parts of the state are temporarily rehabilitated and provided food and shelter. Underhill is the founder of 'Mountain Cleaners', a voluntary organisation involved in cleaning pilgrimage sites in the Himalyan belt. Besides, Telugu actors Ram Charan and Allu Arjun would also donate Rs 10 lakh each. The cheques would be handed over to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna. International award for State police The Kerala police have been selected for the Asia-Pacific Information Security Leadership Achievements (ISLA) Award 2013 for its innovative and timely initiatives in ensuring cyber security. State Police Chief K.S. Balasubramanian was to receive the award from the vice-president of the Philippines at the seventh annual ISLA awards programme in August last week. The award will be handed over to Mr. Balasubramanian at the inaugural function of Cocon 2013, an International Cyber Security Conference in Thiruvananthapuram on September 27. The award was instituted by (ISC)2, the largest not-for-profit membership body of certified information security and software security professionals across the world. Malathi Chandur passes away Telugu writer, novelist and columnist, Malathi Chandur, died following prolonged illness in Chennai. She was 84. Her most singular contribution to Telugu readers was the introduction of classics in English and other languages through monthly column Paathakeratulu in Swathi magazine. She wrote novels which include 'Champakam, Cheedapurugulu, Alochinchu and Sadyogam. She was the recipient of many awards, including those conferred by Sahitya Akademi and Andhra Pradesh Sahitya Academy.

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International:
India gives aid for a Library in Nepal India has provided financial assistance of Rs 27.6 million to construct a three-storeyed library building for Nepal Academy. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on August 20 for providing Indian grant assistance for the construction of a library building under Nepal-India Economic Cooperation Programme. Established in 1957, Nepal Academy is a premier national institution devoted to promoting languages, literature, culture, philosophy and research on development of cultural and intellectual field by bringing together national and international activities. China-Nepal to open more diplomatic missions to firm up ties China and Nepal have decided to open more diplomatic missions in each other's territory to firm up their growing strategic ties. Due to the growing trade and interdependence among each other, Nepal and China have proceeded to set up the office of consulate general in each other's territory. Currently, Nepal has three diplomatic missions in China - an Embassy in Beijing and two consulate general offices in Lhasa and Hong Kong. Nepal has been preparing to set up its office of consulate general in Guangzhou, China's third largest city, while China has proposed to establish the office in Pokhara, a tourist-hub in central Nepal. Nepal's trade with China has significantly increased in Guangzhou. Robert Mugabe sworn in President Veteran leader Robert Mugabe was sworn in Zimbabwes President for another five-year term. Mr. Mugabe (89), pledged to observe, uphold and defend the constitution of Zimbabwe in an oath administered by Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku, extending his 33-year rule. Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai insists the July 31 vote was stolen and his party boycotted the inauguration. Queen of the Pacific returns to Mexico A Mexican woman dubbed the Queen of the Pacific for her links to drug trafficking returned home to face money laundering charges after the United States deported her. Sandra Avila Beltran, who was convicted by a US court for helping a drug lord evade arrest, stepped off an airplane in handcuffs.

Business & Economy:

BSE launches free mobile application BSE Ltd has launched a mobile application that allows investors to keep a track on markets on a real time basis. The new application allows investors a direct access to all 26 BSE indices. Investors will be able to download free application on Android smart phone, Windows 8 desktop and Windows 8 mobile. This application also allows investors to keep track of the stock price movement at any given time of the day along with information on the top gainers, losers and turnover. Afghanistan allows SAIL-led team to develop Hajigak assets in phases Afghanistan has conveyed to the SAIL-led consortium that it did not have any objections to the $10.8 billion iron ore and steel plant project being developed in phases. The Afghan Iron and Steel Consortium (AIFSCO), which consists of state-owned SAIL, RINL and NMDC, is holding a combined 56 per cent stake. The balance is held by private players such as JSW, JSPL and Monnet Ispat & Energy. RINL gets award for cost management RINL has bagged second position in the 10th National Award for Excellence in Cost Management 2012 conducted by the Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICAI). RINL Director (Finance) P. Madhusudan received the prestigious Cost Management Excellence Award in New Delhi. For the first time the Institute of Cost Accountants of India has included external professionals ICRA for the evolution of the performance of organisations for presenting these prestigious awards. Bajaj Corp acquires Ozone's Nomarks brand Bajaj Corp, has announced the acquisition of Ozone Ayurvedics Nomarks brands for an undisclosed amount. Bajaj has acquired the entire intangible assets of Nomarks, including trademarks. Nomarks product range includes face wash, facial cream, facial scrub and lotion. Page 2 of 3 23rd August 2013

DRL recalls anti-gas drug from U.S. market Dr Reddys Laboratories has initiated recalling of total five lots of bottles of Ranitidine Hydrochloride tablets, USP, of 150 mg strength, which is used in gastric problems, from the U.S. market due to microbial contamination of non-sterile products. RIL, BP make new gas discovery in Cauvery basin Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) and its partner BP plc has announced a new gas condensate discovery off the east coast in the Cauvery basin. The discovery, in the deepwater block CY-DWN-2001/2 (CYD5), is situated 62 kilometers from the coast in the Cauvery Basin and is the second gas discovery in the block. RIL is the operator of the block with 70 per cent interest and BP has a 30 per cent share.

Sport:
Anjana Thamake wins 800m Anjana Thamake won a gold for the shortened Indian athletics squad, running a personal best 2 minutes 11.47 seconds to outclass the girls 800m field in the Asian Youth Games. After the 15-year-old beat Savinder Kaur of Malaysia (2:14.14), there was further good tidings for the Indian camp, competing as Independent Olympic Athletes as Rochelle Maria Macfarlane won the silver in girls triple jump. Ministry decides on Sodhi for Khel Ratna The controversy surrounding the Khel Ratna award came to an end with the sports ministry deciding to maintain the status quo. The awards, that were to be given on the National Sports Day on August 29, will now be handed out on August 31 due to some prior commitment of the sports minister. The Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna awardee will receive a cash award of Rs 7.5 lakh along with a medal and citation. The Arjuna, Dronacharya and Dhyan Chand Awardees will receive statuettes, citations and cash prize of Rs 5 lakh each. Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award: Ronjan Sodhi (Shooting) Arjuna Awards: Chekrovolu Swuro (Archery), Renjith Maheshwari (Athletics), PV Sindhu (Badminton), Kavita Chahal (Boxing), Rupesh Shah (Billiards & Snooker), Virat Kohli (Cricket), Abhijeet Gupta (Chess), Gaganjeet Bhullar (Golf), Saba Anjum (Hockey), Rajkumari Rathore (Shooting), Joshna Chinnappa (Squash), Mouma Das (Table Tennis), Neha Rathi (Wrestling), Dharmender Dalal (Wrestling), Amit Kumar Saroha (Athletics Para). Dronacharya: Poornima Mahato (Archery), Mahavir Singh (Boxing), Narinder Singh Saini (Hockey), KP Thomas (Athletics*), Raj Singh (Wrestling*). * Lifetime contribution in coaching. Dhyan Chand Awards: Mary D'souza Sequeira (Athletics), Syed Ali (Hockey), Anil Mann (Wrestling), Girraj Singh (Para Sports Athletics).

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