News Roundup - 18 December 2014

1. The International Boxing Association (AIBA) has suspended former world champion and multiple Asian winner L. Sarita Devi from all levels of boxing activities for one year, starting from October 1 2014 (the date of the Asian Games medal ceremony). She will however be able to participate in the qualifying events for the 2016 Rio Olympics.
2. Tashi Malik and Nungshi Malik from Dehradun scaled Mount Vinson, Antarctica’s highest mountain at 4,892 metres and’ have become the world’s first twins and siblings to climb the highest peaks on the seven continents. The 23-year-old twins accomplished their “Mission 2 for 7” on Tuesday night (IST) when they conquered the mountain. The mission, which they have dedicated to the cause of the Indian girl child, started by conquering Mt. Kilimanjaro in February 2012. The mission progressed as they conquered Mt. Everest in May 2013; Mt. Elbrus in August 2013; Mt. Aconcagua in January 2014; Mt. Carstensz Pyramid in March 2014; and Mt. McKinley in June 2014.
3. United States announced a “historic” thaw in relations with Cuba, saying it would work to re-establish diplomatic ties with Havana and ease long-standing trade and travel sanctions. The United States imposed a trade embargo against Cuba — the Cold War foe closest to its shores — in 1960 and the two countries have not had diplomatic relations since 1961. It hurt the Caribbean island state’s economy, but it failed to unseat the Havana governments led first by revolutionary leader Fidel Castro and latterly by his brother Raul.
4. USAID head Rajiv Shah announced that he is going to step down.
5. U.K. on Wednesday announced its first woman Bishop, Reverend Libby Lane (Bishop of Stockport), exactly a month after historic change was made to the law to end centuries of male domination of the Church of England.
6. Microsoft is looking at starting a pilot project of its ‘White-Fi’ technology that uses the unused spectrum in frequencies used for broadcasting of television signals, and is likely to offer solution to tackle the problem of last mile broadband connectivity in the country. The pilot, once started, is expected to last for about three months. Other countries where Microsoft has helped implement the technology are Kenya, Singapore, the U.S. and London. The 200-600 MHz frequency is used for TV channels to carry data. In India, 93 per cent of this spectrum is not utilised.
7. India is on track to achieve projected 5.5 per cent economic growth rate in 2014-15 - Asian Development Bank.

 Credits: The Hindu, Google.