Current affairs : January 5, 2017 for all competitive exams
United Nation Recognizes 2017 as Year of
Sustainable Tourism for Development
The United Nations 70th General Assembly
has recognised the year 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable
Tourism for Development.
- This recognizes the importance of international tourism and particularly of the designation of an international year of sustainable tourism for development, in fostering better understanding among peoples everywhere, in leading to a greater awareness of the rich heritage of various civilizations and in bringing about a better appreciation of the inherent values of different cultures, thereby contributing to the strengthening of peace in the world.
Government
issues notification of ‘Indian Skill Development Service’
The Ministry
of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has issued the notification of
setting up of Indian Skill Development Services (ISDS). This service has been
created for the Training Directorate of the Ministry of Skill Development and
Entrepreneurship.
- With
notification of this service the skill ecosystem is expected to get
strengthened and modernised in line with the current scientific and
industrial development in the country.
Cabinet
approves Agreement between India and Uruguay
The Union
Cabinet has approved signing and ratifying an Agreement between India and
Uruguay regarding Cooperation and Mutual Assistance in Customs Matters.
- The
Agreement would provide a legal framework for sharing of information and
intelligence between the Customs authorities of the two countries and help
in the proper application of Customs laws, prevention and investigation of
Customs offences and the facilitation of legitimate trade.
Bunkar Mitra
for Handloom weavers:
“Bunkar Mitra”
is the Government of India’s Helpline for Handloom Weavers. The helpline was
launched by the government on the occasion of “Good Governance Day” recently.
- The
helpline provides a single point of contact to handloom weavers across the
country for addressing queries and providing guidance.
- This
helpline can be accessed by dialing the toll free number 1800-208-9988.
IPR
Enforcement Toolkit for Police
The government
has launched an IPR Enforcement Toolkit for Police.
- The
toolkit has been jointly prepared by Cell for IPR Promotion and Management
(CIPAM) and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry
(FICCI).
- This
toolkit will be a ready reckoner for police officials across the country
in dealing with IP crimes, specifically Trade Marks counterfeiting and
Copyrights piracy.
Ministry not
in favour of concessions for Apple manufacturing unit
The commerce
and industry ministry is not in favour of extending concessions to US-based
iPhone maker Apple for setting up manufacturing unit in India as no other firm
has asked for any incentive.
- It
is because the government already provides benefits under the Modified
Special Incentive Package Scheme (MSIPS) to boost electronic manufacturing
in the country.
- The
scheme provides financial incentives to offset disability and attract
investments in the electronics hardware segment.
EC limits cash expense per candidate at Rs 20-28
lakh for Assembly polls
The Election Commission of India has issued a
limitation for campaign expense per candidate.
- In Goa and Manipur, the limit on election expenses per
candidate is Rs 20 lakh.
- In Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand the election
expenses limit per candidate is Rs 28 lakh.
Two-day Assam Biotech Conclave to begins in Guwahati
The two day Assam Biotech Conclave began today in
Guwahati.
- This is organized by Guwahati Biotech Park in
association with industry body FINER. The conclave will create business
and partnering opportunities for its stakeholders and to showcase the
facilities and opportunities offered by Guwahati Biotech Park.
Telangana, Assam join Uday Discom debt scheme
Telangana and Assam signed MoUs for being a part
of the Ujwal Discom Assurance Yojna in a bid to better performance of state run
power distribution companies taking the total number of states covered
under the scheme to 20.
- An overall net benefit of approximately ₹6,116 crore to
Telangana and ₹1,663 crore to Assam will come from joining the scheme.
Andhra Pradesh
govt to give scientists of the state Rs 100 crore for Nobel Prize:
AP government
has announced that it will give scientists of the state Rs 100 crore for Nobel
Prize.
- This reward is about 17 times more than the prize money
given out with the Nobel award, which is about Rs 5.96 crore (Swedish
kronor 8 million).
- No other state government in India has perhaps made
such a grand offer to its scientists.
Yes Bank ties-up with Bajaj Electricals for vendor
financing using blockchain
Private lender Yes Bank has entered into a tie-up
with Bajaj Electricals for vendor financing using blockchain solution, and
announced to use the technology more aggressively as it saves over 70 per cent
in cost.
- As part of the tie-up, the bank has completely
digitalised its processes and blockchain solutions can be implemented.
Google introduces tools for small businesses in
India
Google India has created two tools My
Business and Digital Unlocked for the small and medium businesses in India,that
would help to create an online presence, besides a digital training
programme.
- It is an India first tool which introduced this
year.
- Google My Business would help small businesses set up
website from their mobile devices.
Mesentery, the
New Organ Discovered in the Human Body
Irish
scientists have recently identified a new human organ that has existed in the
digestive system for hundreds of years.
- Named as the mesentery, the organ connects the
intestine to the abdomen and had for hundreds of years been considered a
fragmented structure made up of multiple separate parts.
- Mesentery is a fold of the peritoneum which attaches
the stomach, small intestine, pancreas, spleen, and other organs to the
posterior wall of the abdomen.
Sri Lanka panel calls for inclusion
of foreign judges
A civil society panel appointed by Sri Lankan
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has endorsed the UNHRC call for including international
judges to probe war crimes allegations.
- The task force report recommends the setting up of a
special court and office of special counsel; the court shall ensure that
there will be a majority of national judges and at least one international
judge on every bench.
RBI appoints Surekha Marandi as Executive Director
The Reserve Bank of India has appointed Surekha
Marandi as its Executive Director (ED) in place of U S Paliwal, who retired on
December 31, 2016.
- Marandi will look after Consumer Education and
Protection Department, Financial Inclusion and Development Department, and
Secretary's Department.
Jovenel Moise elected as the President of Haiti
Jovenel Moise has been elected as the President
of Haiti.
- The electoral tribunal officially declared the winner
on 3 January 2017.
- Jovenel Moise has been declared the winner of Haiti's
November 20 presidential election, ending a protracted electoral process
that has paralysed the Caribbean country's politics for more than a year.
Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar sworn-in as 44th Chief
Justice of India
Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar has been sworn-in as
the 44th Chief Justice of India. President Pranab Mukherjee administered the
oath of office and secrecy to Justice Khehar at a function in Rashtrapati
Bhawan on 4 January 2017.
- He replaced Justice TS Thakur whose tenure ended.
- Justice Khehar's tenure will be till 27 August 2017.
IBM India names Karan Bajwa as MD
Technology giant IBM has appointed Karan Bajwa
Managing Director of its India operations.
- He succeeds Vanitha Narayana, who has been elevated as
Chairman of IBM India.
- Bajwa joined IBM last year as Executive for Strategy
and Transformation in the Asia—Pacific region. Previously, he was
Microsoft India’s managing director. He was associated with IBM’s
networking business and was based in Singapore in 2001—05.
Gujarat into Ranji Trophy final
Jharkhand's dream of reaching their maiden Ranji
Trophy final dashed by India seamer Jasprit Bumrah's devastating spell, who
guided his Gujarat side to their second final in 66 years, beating the
first-timers by 123 runs.
- Gujarat's only other final came in 1950-51, when they
lost to Holkar, in the tournament's 83-year history.
Mahindra Singh Dhoni steps down as captain of T-20
& ODI format of cricket
MS Dhoni has stepped down as the captain of
India's limited-overs sides.
- He is the first captain win all three major titles conducted by ICC i.e., T20 World cup in 2007, ODI world cup in 2011 and Champions Trophy in 2013.
India win record 4th straight SAFF Women's
Championship title
India's women's football team defeated Bangladesh
3-1 in Siliguri to win the 2016 South Asian Football Federation Women's
Championship for the fourth consecutive time.
- Dangmei Grace opened the scoring for India, with
Sasmita Malik and Indumathi Kathiresan scoring second-half goals for the
hosts.
- India have won all editions of the eight-nation tournament, which started in 2010.
