Current Affairs Daily Updates (15 - 16)th January 2017

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Current Affairs Daily Updates (15 - 16)th January 2017

APPOINTMENTS
Rajeev Singh to take charge as interim CEO of Prasar Bharti:
  • Rajeev Singh, Member (Finance) in Prasar Bharati Board, will take charge as interim CEO of the public broadcaster after S C Panda retires in February.
  • The previous CEO Jawhar Sircar had quit in October last year, a few months before his tenure was due to end, following which Panda, who is Member (Personnel), was made the acting CEO. However, Panda is also due to retire in February.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
NPCI declares Rs. 54.90 cr prize money for NITI Aayog’s lucky draw schemes:
  • National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), the umbrella organisation for all retail payment systems in the country has declared Rs. 54.90 crore worth of prize money to over 3.42 lakh winners of NITI Aayog’s Lucky Draw Schemes for consumers and merchants.
  • The two schemes are - Lucky Grahak Yojna (LGY) and Digi-Dhan Vyapar Yojna (DVY). They were launched on December 25, 2016 and will remain open till April 14, 2017. 
  • The schemes have total outlay of Rs. 340 crore of which - Rs. 300 crores would be spent on consumers and merchants while the remaining Rs. 40 crore on awareness and publicity. Total winners under the scheme are expected to be over 18.75 lakh.
Sena Medal for braveheart who survived 6 days under snow
  • Siachen braveheart Lance Naik Hanamanthappa Koppad, who survived miraculously for six days under a huge ice-and-snow debris after an avalanche hit his post before losing life to multiple organ failure, was awarded the Sena Medal.
  • Dubbed as the 'miracle man', the soldier had managed to stay alive for six days in minus 45 degrees Celsius temperature
62nd Filmfare Awards 2017: Best Film Dangal
  • 62nd Jio Filmfare Awards 2017, held on January 14 at the NSCI Dome in Worli, Mumbai. Aamir Khan bagged the Best Actor Award for his performance in 'Dangal'. Alia Bhatt was honoured with the Best Actress Award.
  • Sonam Kapoor won the Critics Award for Best Actor (Female) for her portrayal of Neerja Bhanot in the biopic 'Neerja'. Actors Shahid Kapoor and Manoj Bajpayee got the Best Actor (Male) nod for their performances in 'Udta Punjab' and 'Aligarh' respectively.
  • 'Dangal' again- the wrestling drama was awarded the Best Film and Nitesh Tiwari bagged the Best Director Award.
Kiran Doshi Conferred ‘The Hindu Prize 2016’ for Jinnah Often Came to Our House
  • Kiran Doshi won The Hindu Prize 2016 on January 15, 2017 at the 7th edition of The Hindu Lit for Life festival 2017 held in Chennai from January 14-16, 2017.
  • The festival was inaugurated by contemporary artist Gulamohammed Sheikh at Sir Mutha Kiran Doshi Conferred 'The Hindu Prize 2016' for Jinnah Often Came to Our HouseVenkatasubba Rao Concert Hall in Chennai.
  • A retired diplomat and educationist from Gujarat, Kiran Doshi won for his third major work of fiction, Jinnah Often Came to Our House. He was conferred with a citation and a cash prize of Rs. 5 lakh.
BANKING AFFAIRS
RBI raises ATM withdrawal limit to Rs 10,000 per day from current Rs 4,500 :
  • The limit on withdrawals from ATMs has been enhanced from the current limit of Rs.4,500 to Rs.10,000 per day per card (It will be operative within the existing overall weekly limit).
  • In a major relief for ATM users, the limits placed on withdrawals and current accounts has been raised with immediate effect.
Mysuru Printing Press Breaks Record by Printing Highest No. of Currency Notes in a Month
  • As per the data released by the President of Note Mudran Limited Employees Union, A Ramdass, the RBI Note Mudran printing press in Mysuru printing highest number of currency notes in December breaking all its past record.
  • It printed 10.9 million currency note in a day that even broke the world record made an American currency printing press of printing 8.7 million notes in a day.
  • As per the data, 1350 million currency notes were printed in December 2016 in Mysuru which employess 650 workers who work for 12 hours in two shifts.
BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC AFFAIRS
SBI Signs $ 50 mn Pact with Oman’s SGRF:
  • State Bank of India has signed a pact with the State General Reserve Fund of Oman (SGRF), a Sovereign Wealth Fund to infuse $50 million in private equity fund Oman India Joint Investment Fund (OIJIF) while the SGRF would infuse $150 million.
  • The SBI aims at backing the private equity fund for its second offering (Fund II).
  • This decision is driven by the performance in the first fund and capital requirement for mid-SBIsize companies in the country. The first fund of $100 million, has been fully invested across seven companies and has returned around 50 per cent of the capital invested.
Spicejet signs $22-bn deal to buy 205 Boeing aircraft:
  • India based Budget carrier SpiceJet and US based aircraft manufacturer Boeing has signed a deal worth $22 billion (Rs 150,000 crore) for the purchase of up to 205 aircraft on SpicejetJanuary 13, 2017. 
  • This is one of the largest orders ever made in the airline history. The agreement also provided a big boost for Boeing in India.
  • The deal includes 100 new 737 Max 8 jets, builds upon an existing order for 55 aircraft.
SEBI cuts broker fees by 25 pc to Rs 15 per transaction:
  • Securities and Exchange Board of India, SEBI, has decided to lower broker fees by 25 per cent to 15 rupees per transaction of one crore rupees as part of calibration of various other fees collected by the regulator from different market intermediaries. 
  • The move is likely to reduce overall cost of transactions. 
  • It also decided to give an option to all market intermediaries and companies to make their regulatory payments in digital mode. The move would help in reducing failures due to payment gateway issues.
BSNL Launches Aadhar Based e-KYC Project
  • BSNL has launched its Customer Acquisition and Customer Communication Management (CACMS) project that aims to digitalize business process to ensure faster service, accurate customer responses and customer satisfaction.
  • The project provides an Aadhar based e-KYC (Know Your Customer) service for immediate activation of new mobile connections across the country.
  • The state-run telecom has selected Intense Technologies to deliver the CACMS project on a Pan India basis for all lines of business of BSNL as per the terms and conditions of the tender.
  • Under the project the customers will have the convenience of Aadhar based fast and efficient utilization of services by BSNL.
WPI inflation rises to 3.39% in December 2016:
  • Breaking a 3-month declining trend, wholesale inflation rose to3.39% in December 2016. 
  • The increase was mainly due to a rise in prices of manufactured items, even as food articles turned cheaper. 
  • Wholesale price index-based inflation had stood at 3.15% in November 2016, and minus 1.06% in December 2015.
  • According to Commerce Ministry data, overall wholesale food inflation fell to minus 0.7% in December 2016, from 1.54% in November. But inflation in manufactured articles rose to 3.67% in December, from 3.2% in November.
Sony Pictures enters Hindi film music space with Sony ROX HD:
  • Sony Pictures Networks India has entered the Hindi film music space with the launch of Sony ROX HD. 
  • The channel is geared to be a destination of choice for the contemporary music enthusiast.
  • Sony ROX HD showcases the latest Hindi film music in high definition visual format of 1080i resolution that is enhanced by Dolby Audio.
India Signs Financing Agreement with World Bank for US$ 48 Million for “Nagaland Health Project”
  • The Nagaland Health Project has approved by the world bank on December 19, 2016. The deadline of Nagaland health Project is 31st March, 2023.
  • Aim : To improve health services and increase their utilization by communities in targeted locations in Nagaland.World Bank to support Swachh Bharat Mission
  • The project will support an existing systems and mechanisms involving communities under the National Health Mission.
Central & SBI Card launch premium co-branded card
  • Future Group’s fashion and lifestyle departmental store Central joined with SBI Card launched a second co-branded credit card to offer benefits to consumers in the premium lifestyle and fashion space on January 16, 2017
  • The Central SBI SELECT and SELECT+ Cards will offer an accelerated reward points structure
    • 20 reward points for every Rs 100 spent in Central stores.
    • 10 reward points per Rs 100 spent spent in dining and entertainment
    • 2 reward points per Rs 100 in other categories
DEATHS
Renowned Author and Director of “The Exorcist” William Peter Blatty dies aged 89
  • American author and filmmaker William Peter Blatty best known for writing The Exorcist, died on January 12, 2017. He was 89.
  • Blatty won Oscar for best adapted screenplay for Exorcist and thereafter he wrote and directed the second sequel The Exorcist III.
  • Some of his other notable works are the novels: Elsewhere (2009), Dimiter (2010) and Crazy (2010).
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
Facebook to introduce fake news tools in Germany
  • The world’s largest social network Facebook is going to introduce new tools in Germany to help combat the spread of fabricated news stories (or fake news).
  • These tools will enable German users to flag potentially false stories.
  • The fake news will then be passed to third-party fact-checkers and if found to be unreliable, will be marked in users’ news feeds as “disputed”.
Pakistan Navy Receives Two Ships From China to Ensure Security along Gwadar Port
  • China has handed over two ships to Pakistan Navy on January 15, 2017 in order to ensure joint security along the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the Gwadar port.
  • The two ships were received by the Pakistan Navy Vice Admiral Arifullah Hussaini at a ceremony held at Gwadar port.
  • The ships named Hingol and Basol gets its name from nearby rivers in Pakistan. China will provide two more ships to Pakistan Navy named Dasht and Zhob after two districts in Balochistan.
IMPORTANT DAYS OBSERVED
69th Army Day being observed on 15th January 2017:
  • 69th Army Day is being observed today (15th January 2017). The day marks the taking over of the Indian Army by the first Indian Commander-in-Chief, Field Marshal KM Cariappa, on January 15, 1948. 
  • He took over the reins of the Army from Lieutenant General Sir Francis Butcher, the last British Commander-in-Chief and became the first Commander-in-Chief of the independent India. 
  • The day is celebrated to pay homage and salute to the courageous and brave Indian soldiers who have been sacrificing their lives for protecting the country. 
  • This day inspires the troops to continue to enrich the glorious traditions of the Indian Army with their dedication and sacrifice. To mark the day, Army Parade will be organised at the Delhi Cantt.
NATIONAL AFFAIRS
Digital Dakiya scheme inaugurated in MP to encourage cashless transactions:
  • In Madhya Pradesh Indore district witnessed inauguration of first of its kind scheme of the country, Digital Dakiya, which aims to encouraging cashless transactions. 
  • "Digital Dakiya or Digital Postman will visit different places to teach and encourage people about cashless transactions and its benefits. 
  • State Finance Minister Jayant Malliya has inaugurated the scheme at Indore. State government will provide Identity cards to the volunteers deployed in this programme.
India slips 3 places to 92nd rank on global talent competitiveness Index:
  • India has slipped 3 places to 92nd rank on the global index of talent competitiveness that measures how countries grow, attract and retain talent.
  • Switzerland topped the overall index, followed by Singapore and the United Kingdom in second and third places respectively.
  • India’s ranking is worst among the five BRICS countries.
  • While China was ranked at the 54th place, Russian Federation was placed at 56th, followed by South Africa at 67th and Brazil 81st.
Two-day camel festival begins in Bikaner:
  • The two-day annual camel festival has begun in Bikaner with much fanfare in the presence of foreigners and domestic tourists. 
  • District Collector Ved Prakash flagged off a procession from Junagarh which culminated at Karni Singh Stadium here in Bikaner, Rajasthan. 
  • It was followed by fun activities including camel safaris.
  • The festival, dedicated to the ship of the desert, will see camel dance, milking and fur cutting design competitions and camel races.
Prasar Bharti hosts International Television Dance Festival in Hyderabad:
  • The first edition of Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) International Television Dance Festival was held in Hyderabadon January 15, 2017.  
  • The Dance Festival is conceptualized so as to bring the cultural diversities from across the world into the limelight, by breaking cultural barriers.
  • Asia- Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) was established in 1964 to assist the development of broadcasting in the region. 
  • Maldives, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Uzbekistan, Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Fiji and Indonesia are among the participating countries. 
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY / DEFENCE AFFAIRS
SpaceX resumes flights; launches Falcon 9 vehicle on California coast:
  • The American SpaceX rocket company has resumed flights, launching a Falcon 9 vehicle from the Vandenberg Air Force Base on the California coast. It is the first mission by the company since one of its vehicles exploded on the launch pad in September 2016. 
  • The return to operations sees SpaceX start to renew what was the original global handheld satellite phone network, run by Iridium. Lift-off took place at 9:54 AM local time.
BSF launches operation ‘Sard Hawa’ at Rajasthan border
  • Border Security Force (BSF) has launched its 14 day operation Sard Hawa at the western international border of Rajasthan on January 15, 2017 to check the instances of infilteration due to the dense fog in the area.
  • Aim: To keep a hawks eye on the international border, where vigil has been beefed-up and officers have also been asked to be part of operation to motivate jawans.
  • The operation will end on January 28, 2017.
App named ‘SEZ India’ launched by Commerce Ministry
  • The Commerce Secretary has launched a  mobile app named ‘SEZ India‘ for Special Economic Zones (SEZs).
  • SEZ India app will be used for SEZ Developers & Units transactions and track the status.
  • The app is available on Android Platform and it has 4 sections.
    • SEZ Information: This section will contain the information about the SEZ Act, 2005, SEZ SEZ India'Rules, 2006, MOCI Circulars, details of SEZs and Units etc
    • Trade Information: This section will gives access to important information / tools such as Foreign Trade Policy, Hand Book of procedure , Duty Calculator , Customs & Excise Notification and MEIS Rates.
    • Contact Details: This section will contain the contact details of all Development Commissioners Office, DGFT, DG System, DGCI & S and SEZ online.
    • SEZ Online Transaction: This is a dynamic submenu that tracks the Bill of Entry / Shipping Bill processing status and also does verification. The app also helps the Importers / Exporters to track the status of ‘Bill of Entry / Shipping Bill” integration and processing in the EDI system of the ICEGATE.
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 Rocket successfully places 10 satellites into orbit
  • US based rocket manufacturing company SpaceX successfully launched constellation of 10 satellites into orbit on board of its two stage Falcon 9 Rocket from the Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.
  • The satellites were deployed into the designated to low-Earth orbit about an hour after launch. Besides, rocket’s first stag also landed upright on a so-called droneship in the Pacific Ocean south of Vandenberg.
Indian Superbug Resistant to all Available Antibiotics: Study
  • According to a research work published in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), a multidrug-resistant organism has been indentified known as carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) which is resistant to all available antibiotics.
  • Commonly identified as Klebsiella pneumonia, the organism leads to high rate of death as thus has been labeled as “night mare” bacteria.
  • The work was based on a case where-in a 70 year old American lady was infected by a superbug biting on her tour to India and eventually died due to the resistant capacity of the organism.
SPORTS AFFAIRS
Tanzania’s Simbu & Kenya’s Kitur wins Mumbai Marathon 2017
  • The 14th Standard Chartered  Mumbai Marathon took place on January 15, 2017. The full marathon was flagged off from Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus in South Mumbai at 7.20 AM by a host of dignitaries.
  • Alphonce Simbu of Tanzania took 02:09:32 time to clinch first position in men’s elite category while Kenya’s Bornes Kitur won the women’s title by completing the distance in 02:29:02.
Virat Kohli breaks Sachin Tendulkar's record for most centuries in successful chases
  • Team India's skipper and batting masterclass Virat Kohli on Sunday (Jan 15) surpassed Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar's yet another milestone.
  • Kohli, batting for the first time as a full-time skipper, scored 122 off 108 deliveries against England in the first ODI at Pune and powered India to a historic win
  • After slamming his 17th ODI hundred during the run chase, Kohli - the Run Machine - also equalled Tendulkar's record of most ODI centuries, batting second.
  • He also broke Tendulkar's record in bringing up most successful centuries while chasing. Kohli slammed a record 15th ODI century in successful chases and surpassed Tendulkar's previous record of 14 tonnes, which transformed into a win.
Khelo India National level Competition inaugurated by Sports Ministry
  • The Minister of State (I/C) for Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Vijay Goel inaugurated the Khelo India National level Competitions on various sports for Under-14 and Under-17 children on January 15, 2017 in New Delhi.
  • The competition was organized by Sports Authority of India under aegis of Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in Swimming, Cycling and Wrestling at the Dr. Syama Prasad Mukherjee Swimming Pool Complex at Talkatora.
  • Aim: Provide a platform for the budding talents in the country to play at national level and help to build up the potential to further achieve excellence at international level. It would also promote sports besides developing infrastructure for such sports in the nation.