Current Events Jan 18

1. No clearance to 88 polluting industrial clusters: Jairam
Significance: Drastic and tough measures are to be taken to save the environment. Also environment and public health are inter-dependent. This can be if properly implemented a good step to reduce pollution and resultant health hazards.
http://www.hindu.com/2010/01/18/stories/2010011858321200.htm

2. From automobile market to emerging vehicle manufacturing giant
http://www.hindu.com/2010/01/18/stories/2010011851221300.htm

3. Jyoti Basu, 95, passes away
http://www.hindu.com/2010/01/18/stories/2010011856480100.htm

4. Trends in social media marketing
Significance: Blogs, social networking sites (like Facebook), content sharing sites (like Flickr, Digg and StumbleUpon) and social messaging/micro-blogging services (like Twitter) are some of the major constituents of this dynamic social media marketing.
http://www.hindu.com/2010/01/18/stories/2010011853901400.htm

5. Activists form RTI council to safeguard information, whistleblowers
Significance: Once the information obtained by anyone under the RTI is available with a council, there will be less threat to an individual’s life.
http://www.hindu.com/2010/01/18/stories/2010011858441600.htm

6. India to push for pharma, IT access as trade talks resume in China
Significance: The widening trade gap between India and China has become a source of concern and has led to frictions in recent months with persisting market access issues and a number of anti-dumping disputes.
http://www.hindu.com/2010/01/18/stories/2010011858391200.htm

7. India disappointed at Nepal Maoists’ stance: Krishna
http://www.hindu.com/2010/01/18/stories/2010011858451600.htm

8. Reassigning roles for national security
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/reassigning-roles-for-national-security/568460/