*CURRENT AFFAIRS (05:07:2014)

1. Japan ends military pacifism by amending Article 9 of constitution.
- The legislation, brought in after the end of second world war,
limited its army strength and operational capacity.
- Article 9 restricted the nation from building a military any larger
than it needs for self-defence of its immediate geographic area.
- The Army, known as Self Defence Force, currently can not fight abroad.
- The new resolution will widen Japan's military options by ending the
ban on exercising "collective self-defence", or aiding a friendly
country under attack.
- It will also open it for participation in peace-keeping operations.
- Undoubtedly, The policy-change has China worried.
2. Government introduces four new life-saving vaccines as part of
India's Universal Immunization Programme (UIP).
- These include vaccines against rotavirus, rubella and polio
(injectable), along with an adult vaccine against Japanese
encephalitis.
- These are already available in the market but sadly not affordable
due to the high price.
- The decision was taken on the recommendationsof nation's apex
scientific advisory body on immunization known as - National Technical
Advisory Group of India (NTAGI).
- UIP will now provide free vaccines against 13 life threatening diseases.
3. Prime Minister dedicates 240 MW hydroelectric Project located in
URI (Jammu and Kashmir) to the nation.
- It is the second power project on the Jhelum river in Baramulla district.
- Named the Uri-II project, Its estimated to generate 1,124 million
units of hydel energy annually from its four units of 60 MW each.
4. The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) to launch
its TV channel on August 15.
- The free channel will use the DTH platform of the Ministry of Human
Resource Development.
- The move would benefit nearly 8.3 lakh students pursuing the
chartered accountancy course besides commerce students.
5. All the 46 Indian nurses captivated by ISIS rebels in Iraq, safely
return to India