*CURRENT AFFAIRS (19:02:2014)

1. Italy recalls its India-envoy in a huff over the protracted legal
delay in the Italian marines case.
- The decision was prompted by the Supreme Court decision to defer the
hearing on the case.
- The two marines, accused of killing two Indian fishermen in 2012 off
the coast of Kerala, are being tried in India.
2. Lok Sabha passes the controversial Telangana Bill by voice vote
amid Television blackout.
- Seemandhra to be compensated with a special package.
3. China surpasses India as the world's largest consumer of gold as
per a report released by World Gold Council.
- Chinese consumers lapped up 1066 tonnes of gold as against 975
tonnes purchased by India in 2013.
4. National Tourism Award 2012-13: Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh
jointly bags the National Tourism Award for Best State/UT in the
'Comprehensive Development of Tourism' category.
- Kerala and Gujarat secured the 2nd and 3rd prize respectively.
- Sikkim clinches the best state award for implementing Rural Tourism Project
5. Rajiv Gandhi assasins' death sentence commuted to life imprisonment
by Supreme Court.
- The verdict was anticipated in the wake of the apex court recent
observation that inordinate delay on mercy petition is a strong ground
for commutation of capital punishment.
- The three beneficiary are namely Santhan, Murugan and Perarivalan
whose mercy plea was in consideration for the last 11 years.
6. Marathi film 'Killa' wins the best film award by the Children's
jury in Generation Kplus category at the 64th Berlin International
Film Festival.
- The film, first Indian entry to win this award, has been directed by
Avinash Arun.
7. Renowned Carnatic music vocalist RK Srikantan dies aged 94.
8. Centre grants `site clearance` for Greenfield Airport at Ongole
(Andhra Pradesh).
- Government has granted `in principle` approval to 3 Greenfield
Airport projects in the last 3 years namely: Karaikal in Pudducherry
(2011), Shirdi in Maharashtra (2011) and Aranmula in Kerala (2012).