Current Affairs - January 09, 2014

Current Affairs

January 09, 2014

International Affairs

1. US President Barack Obama today invited German Chancellor Angela Merkel to Washington in an effort to mend fences after a diplomatic crisis provoked by revelations of US eavesdropping on her mobile phone.

2. President Barack Obama is expected to restrict National Security Agency access to Americans’ phone records and rein in spying on foreign leaders, according to people familiar with a White House review of the government’s surveillance programs.

3. Russia has blocked a UN Security Council statement condemning the Syrian government's use of air strikes against civilians in the city of Aleppo.

4. The United Nation’s human rights agency called for an “immediate, impartial and effective investigation” into the violence that has swept through a penitentiary in northeastern Brazil where at least 60 inmates were killed in 2013 in clashes between rival gangs.

5. Islamist militants in Somalia have issued a directive banning companies from providing internet services.

6. China took its propaganda war with Japan to the United Nations, questioning Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s motives for visiting a controversial war shrine and calling on him to correct his “erroneous outlook” on history.

7. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is heading to Africa, keeping up a busy overseas travel schedule designed to boost Japan's global profile in the face of China's rise.

8. As Corporate America increasingly looks overseas to expand its business and remove hurdles in foreign countries, the US Chamber of Commerce has called for better intellectual property protection in India.

9. Bangladesh's newly elected lawmakers were sworn-in Thursday, four days after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League bagged a three-fourth majority in the contentious polls, marred by violence and opposition boycott.

10. Cuban leader Fidel Castro makes first public appearance in nine months, coincides with 55th anniversary of his entry to Havana.

11. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has conveyed to Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck India's "full commitment" and support to the country's socio-economic welfare, particularly for development of its hydropower resources.

National Affairs

12. The birth anniversary of Har Gobind Khorana (Indian American biochemist and Nobel prize 1968 winner in Physiology / Medicine) was observed today.

13. President Pranab Mukherjee is on a five-day visit to West Bengal and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands from Today.

14. 'Gramvani' - a radio-over-phone platform in rural hinterland of Bihar and Jharkhand aims to set a perfect example of technology leading to social change, more specifically eliminate the social evil of child marriage.

15. Former Karnataka CM B S Yeddyurappa formally rejoins BJP.

16. Union Cabinet approves recommendation to increase 10,000 MBBS seats.

17. The union cabinet Thursday approved the National Youth Policy 2014, which focuses on education, skill development, employment, entrepreneurship and health.

18. Nearly 4,500 calls received on Day 1 of anti-corruption helpline introduced by Delhi govt, helpline staff to be doubled by tomorrow.

19. Ridiculous for banks to charge for withdrawals at own ATMs : Indian Banks’ Association to start charging customers for ATM withdrawals, Reserve Bank of India Deputy Governor KC Chakrabarty has said that such a move on the part of banks would be ‘ridiculous’ and ‘illogical’. Mr Chakrabarty says “it is very, very ridiculous that banks are charging the customers for withdrawing money, and that too from their own ATMs — it never happens anywhere.” He goes on to add that this is something that only further competition in the industry can rectify. “If the cost of withdrawing money is so high so that they charging you, then they may just start charging you even if you go to a bank branch. That is why I feel we require more banks, there is not enough competition and bank.

Science and Technology

20. Canadian health officials have confirmed the first known fatal case of the H5N1 avian influenza strain in North America.

21. The International Space Station will operate for an additional four years, or until 2024, the NASA announced.

22. The Election Commission has decided not to pursue its proposed tie-up with internet giant Google after concerns over national security were raised from several quarters, including major parties. Earlier the Google has made a formal presentation to the Election Commission proposing a tie-up with it for voter facilitation services ahead of Lok Sabha elections.

23. The Department of Telecom plans to continue with Rs. 50 crore as upper penalty limit for operators for any violation of licence conditions, even as it is working on new rules to rationalise such fines.

24. The union cabinet Thursday approved refunding Rs.11,258.48 crore to MTNL and BSNL which the two state-run telecom firms had paid for fourth generation (4G) spectrum in the 2010 auction.

25. The government Thursday introduced a comprehensive regulatory framework for television rating agencies in India. TAM (Television Audience Measurement) to be given 30 days to comply with new guidelines that have been approved by cabinet.

Business and Economy

26. Inflation will moderate in the coming months but the country would need to bridge the demand- supply gap of essential food items to keep prices under check in the long run, said Economic Affairs Secretary Arvind Mayaram today.

27. Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Thursday lauded the contribution of Non-Resident Keralites towards the state's development and said foreign remittances have exceeded Rs 75,000 crore.

28. A high-level panel headed by Economic Affairs Secretary Arvind Mayaram will finalise by early next week, its report on the definition of FDI and FII, aimed at removing ambiguity on the two types of foreign investment.

29. CCEA okays raising import duty on refined edible oil to 10 per cent from 7.5 per cent : Food Minister Thomas

Sports and Misc

30. Dhoni, Raina to launch 7 Premier League in Dubai tomorrow: Indian Skipper MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina will launch the 7 Premier League in Dubai tomorrow. The 7 Premier League or the 7 PL will feature teams from Seven Countries India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, South Africa, England and Australia. The league will be played between seven teams, each representing the seven UAE emirates.

31. Hockey World League trophy unveiled: Hockey World League Final to be played at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium here from January 10 inside a five-star hotel on Wednesday, 500-odd children waved banners outside demanding the Bharat Ratna for the hockey legend. The two events were unrelated but highlighted the contrast in Indian hockey – a glorious but long-forgotten past, a hopeful present and an uncertain future, all struggling for recognition. The upcoming competition, Hockey India hoped, would help in get some recognition.

32. Aamir wants to make film on Maulana Azad: Actor Aamir Khan on Wednesday expressed his desire to make a film on country’s first Education Minister, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. He described him Azad as an “extremely intelligent” with a “progressive mind” whose predictions have come true 65 years after Independence. “I hope that someday.. this is the dream I have… I can use the capabilities that I have and the art form that I practice to make a film on Maulana Azad and to bring his life to a larger populace of India,” the actor said speaking at the fifth edition of Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival in the city that was inaugurated with a special tribute to Maulana Azad.