Top Headlines - 18.02.2016

Top Headlines - 18.02.2016
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1. The Union Minster of State for AYUSH (Independent Charge) and Health & Family Welfare Shri Shripad Yesso Naik launched the pilot project ‘Integration of Homoeopathy/Yoga with National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases & Stroke (NPCDCS) in Krishna District’ at Gudivada near Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh.

2. Boutros-Ghali, the former UN secretary general died. He was 93. He was the UN secretary general from 1992 to 1996.

3. The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) hiked the interest rate on provident fund from 8.75% to 8.8% for 2015-16. It was announced by Union labour minister Bandaru Dattatreya.

4. Noted Malayalam novelist and short story writer Akbar Kakkattil passed away. He was 62.

5. Indian Railways has won The National Chess team Championship for the first time. The 36th National Chess team Championship was held at Bhubaneswar.

6. BAE Systems announced selection of Mahindra as its India partner for the nearly USD 700 million deal for the supply of 145 M777 howitzers, which are ultra light weight artillery guns having a strike range of 25 kms.

7. The Space Applications Centre (SAC) of ISRO and Space Flight Laboratory (SFL) of University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies are collaborating on developing the 'Next Generation Earth Monitoring and Observation and Aerosol Monitoring' (NEMO-AM) satellite.

8. Cabinet approves Agreement for collaborative activities in the area of Traditional Medicine between Ministry of AYUSH and the World Health Organization.

9. India signed off 12th South Asian Games with a record breaking performance grabbing 308 medals including 188 gold medals.

10. The Union Cabinet gave its ex-post facto approval for signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Singapore Cooperation Enterprise (SCE), an Agency of Government of Singapore on cooperation in the field of Urban Planning and Governance.

11. The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today gave its ex-post facto approval for Memoranda of understanding (MoU) signed between India and various countries for cooperation in the field of agriculture and allied sectors.

Vocabulary Words - 18.02.2016

Vocabulary Words - 18.02.2016
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1. SAPPY (ADJECTIVE): foolish, sentimental

Synonyms: maudlin, silly

Antonyms: realistic, serious

Example Sentence:

This is going to sound completely sappy, but it's my honest answer.

2. PECCADILLO (NOUN): small fault

Synonyms: impropriety, indiscretion Antonyms: major fault

Example Sentence:

The accused was joking in the court as if the bombing was a mere peccadillo and not a serious crime.

3. POLEMIC (ADJECTIVE): argumentative

Synonyms: belligerent, contrary Antonyms: harmonious, similar

Example Sentence:

The document is a convincing polemic that reveals the corruption rampant in the corporation.

4. STOLID (ADJECTIVE): apathetic, stupid

Synonyms: impassive, indifferent Antonyms: aware, interested

Example Sentence:

They are stolid, dependable people, and have more facial hair than anybody else.

5. CONTENTIOUS (ADJECTIVE): quarrelsome

Synonyms: combative, antagonistic Antonyms: agreeable

Example Sentence:

In general, I always avoid contentious topics of conversation because they lead to arguments.

6. ABORTIVE (ADJECTIVE): failing to achieve a goal

Synonyms: futile, fruitless Antonyms: productive, profitable

Example Sentence:

All the friends made an abortive effort to bake a cake for their friend’s birthday party.

7. PREMONITION (NOUN): feeling that an event is about to occur

Synonyms: portent, hunch Antonyms: information, knowledge

Example Sentence:

In the movie, the eight year old boy wakes in the early hours of the morning with a premonition of disaster.

8. SUBVENTION (NOUN): grant

Synonyms: allocation, allotment Antonyms: repudiation, refusal

Example Sentence:

In whole of the Europe and America, the Governments are offering subventions to their farmers on regular basis.

9. ENSHROUD (VERB): cover

Synonyms: conceal, hide Antonyms: disclose, reveal

Example Sentence:

The central region of this galaxy is enshrouded in dust, as a result the regions where stars are formed are hidden.

10. PALATIAL (ADJECTIVE): grand, opulent

Synonyms: deluxe, magnificent Antonyms: common, impressive

Example Sentence:

In the forecourt of a most palatial hotel, the birthday girl was waiting.