Current Affairs 12th March 2014

Current Affairs 12th March 2014

Updated : 12-Mar-2014

Current Affairs 12 March 2014 - Important Points
Current Affairs 12 March 2014 - Details
Michelle Bachelet sworn-in as President of Chile
Michelle Bachelet was sworn-in as the President of Chile on 11th March 2014 in Valparaiso. Which is among major international current affairs news. Michelle Bachelet is 62 years old. She succeeded the conservative President Sebastian Pinera.

In the Presidential election conducted in December 2013, Michelle won 62 percent of the vote in the second round against the 38 percent vote won by the conservative leader Evelyn Matthei.
Former SC Judge Srikrishna appointed as Chairman of FPSB
Justice (Retd.) BN Srikrishna was appointed as the Chairman of Financial Planning Standards Board India (FPSB) on 11th March 2014.
He will succeed Dhirendra Swarup. Justice (Retd.) BN Srikrishna is a retired judge of Supreme Court and has served as the Chief Justice of Kerala High Court.
He has also served as the Chairman of the Financial Sector Legislative Reforms Commission (FSLRC) set up in March 2011 by the Union Ministry of Finance. He also headed the Sixth Central Pay Commission set up by the Union Government on 5 October 2006.
India's exports contracted 3.67 percent in February 2014
In February 2014 India’s exports have contracted by 3.67 percent to 25.7 billion dollars (159858.16 crore rupees). This contraction is the first in past eight months. Imports of the country also have fell by 17.09 percent to 33.8 billion dollars (210451.11 crore rupees) during the month. This fall in imports and exports has resulted in narrowing the trade deficit to a dive-month low of 8.1 billion dollars.

Important to note :
The trade deficit during April-February 2013-14 was estimated at 128086.26 million US dollars, which was lower than the deficit of 179929.64 million US dollar during April-February 2012-13.
India and United States Energy Dialogue held in New Delhi
From 5th March 2014 to 11th March 2014 India and United States Energy dialogue was held in New Delhi. This was co-chaired by Dr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, and Dr. Ernest Moniz, Secretary, U.S. Department of Energy.
At the India-US Energy Dialogue India and United States agreed to promote scientific cooperation, research & development for greater technological innovation and for deployment of environmentally friendly technologies and products.
European Commission announced loan worth 11 billion euro to Ukraine
In another international current affair, European Commission announced 11 billion euro package of loans and grants for Ukraine on 12th March 2014. The assistance is aimed to put economy of Ukraine back on track.
The assistance will be discussed by European Union leaders at a summit in Brussels on 13 March 2014, and requires widespread reforms by the new Ukrainian government and the signing of a deal between Ukraine and the International Monetary Fund.