NEWS 03-12-2017. NEWS FOR 4-DEC 1. India has conducted a major military exercise in the strategically-located Andaman and Nicobar Island. This is expected to help counter China’s strategic moves in the Indian Ocean Region and ensure security of sea lanes converging towards the Malacca Strait. 2. INS Sarvekshak, a hydrographic survey ship of Southern Naval Command has arrived in Dar-es-Salaam Tanzania for undertaking joint- Hydrographic Survey along with the Tanzanian Navy. 3. President Robert Mugabe of Zimbawe resigned after 37 yrs of Presidency on 21st Nov. This came after the lawmakers started the impeachment proceedings against him. Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa is to take over his post. 4. India & Philippines signed four agreements on the bilateral summit in Manila on 14th Nov. 5. As a part of the ongoing Indo-Bangladesh defense cooperation, an army training capsule on counter-insurgency operations will be conducted in Patna’s Danapur Cantonment from November 13, 2017 to December 10, 2017. 6. According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, Varanasi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) on 10th November was at 491 making it the most polluted city of India. This indicates a public health emergency. 7. India has been ranked as the sixth most vulnerable country in the world on Global Climate Risk Index. Republic of Haiti has been ranked first. 8. The Union Ministry of Communications has launched Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana. Under the scheme, annual scholarships will be awarded to students of Standard VI to IX having good academic record. 9. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has constructed the world's highest motorable road at a height of over 19,300 ft in J&K's Ladakh under 'Project Himank', the 86 km strategic road connects several villages located 230 km from Leh. 10. India jumped to the 100th spot in World Bank's Ease of Doing Business rankings, up 30 places from last year < < Back