South Africa won ICC under 19 World Cup 2014

South Africa  emerged as the winner of the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2014 on 1 March 2014 by defeating two-time former champions Pakistan by six wickets at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. With this win South Africa captured the ICC Junior World Cup for the first time.

86th annual Academy Awards::Oscars 2014

The 86th Annual Academy Oscar Awards 2014 was announced on 2 March 2014 and the best picture award was won by 12 Years A Slave of Steve McQueen.

List of Oscar Awards 2014 Winners

• Best Picture: 12 Years a Slave
• Best Actor: Matthew McConaughey, Dallas Buyers Club
• Best Actress: Cate Blanchett, Blue Jasmine
• Best Director: Alfonso Cuarón, Gravity

Bhutan King and Queen will visit India from 6-10 January 2014

The King and Queen of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Jetsun Pema Wangchuck respectively will pay an official Visit to India from 6-10 January 2014.

Bangladesh: Ruling Awami League secured absolute majority in Parliamentary Elections

Awami League, the ruling party of Bangladesh on 5 Jan 2014 secured an absolute majority in the Parliamentary elections. The elections, which was hold on 5 Jan was marked by violence, low voter turnout and boycott by the opposition party BNP.

Latvia became the 18th member of Euro Zone

Latvia  became the 18th member of the Euro zone on 2 Jan 2014. The small ex-Soviet state has been preparing for the switch, since European Union finance ministers formally announced in July 2013 that Latvia could adopt the Euro.

Japan’s population dipped to record low in 2013

The Health Ministry of Japan estimated that a quarter of the population is currently aged over 65 and the figure is expected to reach nearly 40 percent by 2060. It has estimated that the population of the country in 2013 declined by a record 2,44,000 people. It also says that if in case the same trend persists in future, the population of Japan will lose a third of its population in next 50 years.

US author Danielle Steel awarded France’s highest honor, the Legion of Honor

US author Danielle Steel awarded France’s highest honour, the Legion of Honor. It was revealed by the government’s official newsletter on 1 Jan 2014.one of hundreds of personalities to be given the Legion d’honneur on New Year’s Day.

China banned officials from smoking in public places

According to the China’s official Xinhua News Agency, Chinese Government banned its officials from smoking in public places on 30 Dec 2013. Public places include schools, offices, and hospitals, sports venues, on Public transport or any other places where smoking is banned or to smoke or offer cigarettes hen performing official duties.

Also, officials cannot use public funds to buy cigarettes, and within Communist Party or in government office tobacco products cannot be sold.

Two Indian Americans got US ‘Presidential Early Career award’

Two Indian Americans are among 102 scientists who received the Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers.

The Indian – American who received the award are Dr. Karunesh Ganguly of San Francisco and Dr. Hardeep Singh of Houston.

They will receive their awards at a Washington, DC, ceremony in the coming year.

The award is categorized as the highest US honour for young professionals in these fields.

Mikhail Kalashnikov the inventor of AK47 died

Mikhail Kalashnikov, who invented the AK-47 weapon died at the age of 94 due to ill-health on 23 Dec 2013 in Izhevsk, Udmurtia province of Russian Republic.