GK & CURRENT AFFAIRS

1.Youth Day, the birthday of Swami Vivekananda being observed:12 January

i.12 January of every year is observed as National Youth Day, the birthday of Swami Vivekananda a grateful nation is celebrating Swamiji's hundred fifty-fourth birth anniversary with much fanfare.
ii.Several functions are being organized across the country to mark the occasion.
iii. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing National Youth Day function at Rohtak, Haryana through video conferencing. To honor Swami Vivekananda, National Youth Day is celebrated every year on January 12 since 1985. It was in 1984 that the Government of India declared it.
iv.The government felt that the philosophy of Vivekananda and his ideals are a great source of inspiration for the Indian youth. So, it was declared that his birthday will be observed as National Youth Day.


2.World Bank projects global growth at 2.7% in 2017

1.World Bank projected a global growth of 2.7% in 2017, even as it observed that stagnant global trade, subdued investment and heightened policy uncertainty marked another difficult year for the world economy.
ii.World Bank President Jim Yong Kim stated that global economic growth is forecast to accelerate moderately to 2.7% in 2017 after a post-crisis low of 2.3% in 2016.


3.Government to add 40 more towns to Smart Cities list

i.The government will add by next month 40 more cities to the list of towns it wants to develop as Smart Cities by providing funds for initiating urban reforms, Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said today. The addition of 40 new cities will take the total Smart Cities to 100.
ii.Since January last year, the government has announced three lists of smart cities which will get Rs 200 crore for improving their infrastructure.


4.Telangana to Host International Kite Festival from January 12, 2017

i.The second international kite festival coinciding with the 'Makar Sankranti' fest would be held for six days from January 12, 2017 in Hyderabad and two other districts in Telangana.
ii.Telangana Tourism, which is organizing the International Kite Festival-2017,  committed to a social cause of raising awareness about the importance of education and empowerment of girl children and expects a footfall of around 50,000 visitors.
iii.The festival will have participation from 17 countries with 70 international and 40 national kite flyers, and a special night-flying event is scheduled on January 12 as a pre-festival event at People's Plaza.


5.Arunachal signs MoU with NDDB to promote dairy development

1.With a view to promoting the dairy sector and rural livelihoods in Arunachal Pradesh, the border state has signed a MoU with National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) during the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2017.
ii. A State Government delegation led by Shakuntala Gamlin participated in the Summit.


6.India's annual Haj quota increased by 34,500, biggest hike in three decades

i.In the biggest hike in nearly three decades, Saudi Arabia has increased India's annual Haj quota by 34,500.
ii.Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Saudi Arabia's Haj and Umrah Minister Dr Mohammad Saleh bin Taher Benten inked an agreement in this regard in Jeddah, increasing the size of India's Haj quota from 1,36,020 to 1,70,520.


7.Allahabad: Magh Mela begins

i.The month-long Magh Mela festival began on 12 January 2017 at Sangam in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh.
ii.Thousands of Pilgrims, saint and seers are taking holy dip at Sangam on the occasion of Paush Purnima.
iii.The month-long kalpwas also began with the holy bathing.
iv. During the entire month of Magh, kalpwasis or pilgrims stay on the bank Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati in tents and take early morning bath and take part in other religious duties.


8.Khanderi, the second Scorpene class submarine launched

i.Khanderi, the second Scorpene class submarine that has superior stealth and the ability to launch a crippling attack with torpedoes as well as tube-launched anti-ship missiles whilst underwater or on the surface,  launched at the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, Mumbai.
ii.Khanderi is named after the Island fort of Maratha forces, which played a vital role in ensuring their supremacy at sea in the late 17th century.
iii.Khanderi is also the name for Tiger Shark.


9.Vedanta launches smart class project in Chitradurga

i.Vedanta Foundation and Vedanta Sesa Goa Iron Ore, in collaboration with the Karnataka Directorate of Education, have launched a pilot project to promote digital education in schools across the State.
ii.The Deputy Director of Public Instruction, Chitradurga district, Revana Siddappa, has launched ‘The Smart Class’ project.


10.Helped by HDFC Bank, TN temples to go digital

i.Helped by HDFC Bank, five temples in Kanyakumari district in southern Tamil Nadu have introduced digital wallets and PoS to enable their devotees to pay donations.
ii.The temples that have introduced digital mode include Arulmighu Thanumalaya Swamy Temple: Suchindrum, Arulmighu Bhagavathi Amman Temple: Kanyakumari, Arulmighu Nagaraja Temple: Nagercoil, Arulmighu Bhagavathi Amman Temple: Mondaikadu and Arulmighu Kumaraswamy Temple: Velimalai.
iii.These temples come under Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department


11.Anjani Portland Cement commissions new plant

Anjani Portland Cement has commissioned a 16-mega watt (MW) coal-based captive power plant at its cement unit in Telangana. Anjani Cement is a high-quality cement prepared from the finest raw material Owing to optimum water demand.


12.Tisca Chopra wins Best Actress Award for Chutney

i.Actress Tisca Chopra named as Best Actress for Chutney at the Jio Filmfare Short Film Awards.
ii.Popular actress Tisca Chopra stated that winning her first Filmfare Award for short film Chutney is extra special as it’s a project she not just acted in, but also produced and co-wrote.


13.Vikram Pawah new President for BMW Group India

Vikram Pawah has been appointed as the president of BMW Group India, effective from March 1, 2017. He will take over from Frank Schloeder, who will assume new position at BMW Group headquarters in Germany.



14.Norway becomes first country to cease FM radio broadcasting

i.Norway has become the first country to cease FM radio broadcasting.
ii.The northern county of Nordland has stopped broadcasting using analogue frequencies as the Government plans to roll out digital-only radio over the course of the year.
iii. According to the national broadcaster, NRK, nationwide radio channels began switching to digital audio broadcasting that offers a wider range of broadcasting options and greater sound quality.



15.PR Sreejesh becomes member of FIH Athletes' Committee

The Indian hockey team captain PR Sreejesh has became a member of International Hockey Federation Athletes' Committee. The Committee comprises a total of eight current and former hockey players who have the responsibility to act as a liaison between the FIH and the athletes to make sure the players have voice in the FIH decision making process.
       
               1.Post demonetisation, World Bank drops India's growth rate to 7 %

i.The World Bank has decelerated India's growth for 2016-17 fiscal to 7 per cent from its previous estimate of 7.6%.The World Bank stated that immediate withdrawal of a large volume of currency in circulation and subsequent replacement with new notes in India contributed to slowing growth.
ii.Also, the country would regain momentum in the following years with 7.6 and 7.8% growth. According to the report, India maintains the distinction of being the fastest growing emerging market economies of the world, bypassing China.

2.India, Kenya sign agreements in the area of agriculture

i.India and Kenya have signed agreements in the area of agriculture which was inked after delegation-level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta in New Delhi.
ii.India is collaborating with Kenya to raise agricultural productivity and the Loan of Credit Agreement of 100 million dollars signed for farm mechanization will open a new dimension of engagement between the two countries.
iii.Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that expansion of bilateral trade, greater flow of capital between two economies and stronger developmental partnership is a priority.

3.India, France strengthen 50 years space bond, ink pact for satellite launch

i.Indian Space Research Organisation and French Space agency (CNES) has signed a partnership agreement in satellite launch technology.
ii.The agreement was signed between ISRO Chairman Kiran Kumar and CNES President Jean-Yves Le Gall in the presence of visiting French Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean-Marc Ayrault.
iii.Space cooperation between France and India spans over 50 years and is of the cornerstones of the Indo-French strategic partnership.

4.Modi inaugurates Nobel Prize exhibition in Gujarat

i.Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the 'The Nobel Prize' exhibition at Science City in Gandhinagar.
ii.'The Nobel Prize: Ideas Changing the World' contains several original artifacts, both from Alfred Nobel himself and from a number of Nobel Laureates.
iii.The exhibition is open to public until February 13, 2017, that too free of charge. It is a part of Nobel Prize Series India 2017, an extensive program of events taking place with the participation of nine Nobel Laureates

5.Railway minister launches new IRCTC app to promote digital ticketing

i.To promote ease of ticketing through digital transactions, railway minister Suresh Prabhu released the new passenger mobile the application named ‘IRCTC Rail Connect app’.
ii.Currently, e-ticketing system caters to over 10 lakh passengers daily (comprising 58% of total reserved passengers) and to increase the ease to users, a new Android-based mobile application for reserved booking IRCTC Rail Connect has been developed

6.BIS revises Indian Standard on gold hallmarking

i.Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has revised Indian Standard on gold hallmarking, which is effective from January 1, 2017.
ii.The hallmarked gold jewelry will now be available in three grades of 14 karat, 18 karats, and 22 karats.
iii.The cartage will also be marked on jewelry in addition to fineness for a convenience of consumers.

7.The USA calls for India, Pakistan & Afghanistan partnership on counter-terrorism

i.The United States has called for a partnership between India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan on counter-terrorism operations.
ii.State Department Deputy Spokesman Mark Toner told reporters in Washington that the security of the three countries is linked with one another.

8.Health Ministry to launch Measles-rubella vaccine to roll out in February 2017

Health Minister J P Nadda to launch Measles-rubella vaccine to roll out in Goa, Karnataka, Lakshadweep, Puducherry and Tamil Nadu between February 3 and 4, 2017 and the pneumonia vaccine will be introduced in Himachal Pradesh and parts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar from March 17.


9.China launches 1st commercial space mission with new rocket

i.China has successfully sent three satellites into space in its first commercial mission using an updated version of the low-cost Kuaizhou-1A rocket, amidst the Communist giant's determined bid to expand its ambitious space program.
ii.The rocket, carrying the satellite JL-1 and two CubeSats XY-S1 and Caton-1, blasted off from northwestern China's Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Gansu

10.Former wrestler Mahavir Singh Phogat’s biography released

i. Former wrestler and coach Mahavir Singh Phogat made his way to the launch of his authorized biography 'Akhada' in Chandigarh.
ii.Sports journalist Saurabh Duggal released the biography.

11.World Cup: FIFA to expand the competition to 48 teams

i.The Federation Internationale de Football Association FIFA has decided that the World Cup will be expanded to host 48 teams, up from 32.
ii. An initial stage of 16 groups of three teams will precede a knockout stage for the remaining 32 when the change is made for the 2026 tournament.
iii.The sport's world governing body voted unanimously in favor of the change at a meeting in Zurich.

12.Jimmy Adams appointed new West Indies Cricket director

i.West Indies turned to former batsman Jimmy Adams into their new director of cricket Association.
ii.Adams played 54 Test matches for the Caribbean side and will be able to draw upon from his vast experience as he turns his attention to overseeing the development of West Indies cricketat all levels.
iii.The 49-year-old returned to Jamaica after ending a five-year spell as head coach of English county side Kent last October.He replaces Englishman Richard Pybus who had been in the position since November 2013.

13.Yana Kudryavtseva, 13-time gymnastics world champion, retires aged 19

Russian rhythmic gymnast Yana Kudryavtseva has retired from competition aged just 19, Kudryavtseva won 13 world championships from 2013 to 2015, making her the early favorite for the all-around gold medal at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, but a foot fracture disrupted her preparations


                     [10:28 AM, 1/13/2017] +91 97053 63047: 1.11th World Hindi Day:10 January

i.The Hindi language is not only spoken by Indians across the globe but it celebrated by people internationally. And, today, we are observing World Hindi Day honor this Indo-Aryan language.
ii. The number of Hindi literates across the globe is reportedly rising at a high pace. Keeping in mind this rapid growth it is likely to showcase its strongest ever global presence soon.

2.Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 8th Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors Summit 2017  at Gandhinagar

i.Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 8th Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors Summit 2017 at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar.
ii.This year's biennial flagship event of the state is hosting Prime Ministers, Presidents, Deputy Prime Ministers and ministers of several countries apart from CEOs of Fortune 500 companies

3.Digi Dhan Mela organizes in Chandigarh begins

i.A Digi Dhan Mela has been organized in Chandigarh to promote digital transactions.
ii.AIR correspondent reports that in this unique meal, many visitors including housewives, students and shopkeepers are getting training in the Digital Pathshala where experts of financial institutions are explaining everything through demonstrations.

4.Amitabh Bachchan presented with US embassy award for fight against Tuberculosis

i.Megastar Amitabh Bachchan was given an award by the US Embassy in appreciation for his invaluable contributions to the US-India partnership on tuberculosis.
ii.The award was presented by US Ambassador to India Richard R. Verma to the legendary actor who is also a tuberculosis survivor and brand ambassador for the initiative.

5.Maharashtra govt launches India's largest WiFi service

i.Maharashtra government has launched India’s largest public WiFi service called 'MumbaiWifi'.
ii. The facility, inaugurated by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Mumbai and initially provide 500 Wifi hotspots across various locations like Vidhan Bhawan, Kalanagar in Bandra, Bombay High Court, and Mumbai Police Commissioner’s office.

6.Haryana to set up 'Prarambh School for Teachers Education' in Jhajjar

i.In Haryana, the State level Prarambh School for Teachers Education would be set up at village Silani in district Jhajjar over an area of 10 acres.
ii. Haryana Chief Minister, Mr. Manohar Lal who presided over the first meeting of the Governing Body of Prarambh School for Teachers Education, at Chandigarh stated that it would have all basic facilities.
iii.At present, it is being run in a school building and providing education to students of 15 states.

7.Flipkart replaces Binny Bansal with Kalyan Krishnamurthy as CEO

Flipkart has elevated former Tiger Global Management executive Kalyan Krishnamurthy as its new chief executive, replacing co-founder Binny Bansal, who has been named as the group chief executive of India’s largest online marketplace.Co-founder Sachin Bansal continues to be executive chairman.

8.Pakistan fires 'first submarine-launched nuclear-capable missile'

i.Pakistan has fired its first submarine-launched cruise missile, a show of force for a country that sees its missile development as a deterrent against arch-foe India.
ii.The launch of the nuclear-capable Babur-3 missile has a range of 450 km (280 miles) and was fired from an undisclosed location in the Indian Ocean, is likely to heighten long-running tension between India and Pakistan.

9.2017 Golden Globe Awards

i.The 74th Annual Golden Globe Awards ceremony was organized at Beverly Hills, California, United States (US). The Golden Globe Awards are the annual awards that honor the best in Motion Pictures and American Television for the previous year.
ii.This year, La La Land, a romantic musical comedy-drama film won in all the seven categories including the top award of best musical or comedy. Veteran actress Meryl Streep was bestowed with the Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award.

10.McDonald's sell China Operation for $2.08 Billion

i.US fast-food giant McDonald’ announced to sell its businesses in mainland China and Hong Kong for $2.08 billion to Citic, a state-owned conglomerate, and the Carlyle Group, a private equity firm.
ii.Citic Limited, Citic Capital Holdings, Carlyle Group and McDonald's will form a company that will act as the franchisee responsible for the chain's business in mainland China and Hong Kong for 20 years.Citic and Citic Capital will have a stake of 52%, Carlyle will take 28%, and McDonald's will hold 20% of the new company.

11.Gionee signs Virat Kohli as brand ambassador

i.Mobile handset brand Gionee has roped in Indian test captain Virat Kohli as the brand ambassador.
ii.The poster boy for Indian cricket will be joining Bollywood actor Alia Bhatt . The announcement of Kohli's appointment was made alongside the announcement of Gionee clocking 1.2 crore customers in India.

12.Eight-year old Kashmiri boy Abbu Ammaz becomes national boxing champion

An eight-year old boy from Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri Abbu Ammaz has won gold medal in Thai Boxing Championship at the national level.

13.Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri named as FIFA Coach of the Year 2016

i.Leicester City boss Claudio Ranieri has been named as the Coach of the Year at the FIFA Football Awards in Zurich.
ii.The Italian was up against Fernando Santos, who led Portugal to Euro 2016 glory in the summer, and Zinedine Zidane, who guided Real Madrid to the Champions League title last season.
iii.However, the FIFA men's coach of the year award went to Ranieri after he led Leicester to the Premier League title last year.                      
[10:28 AM, 1/13/2017] +91 97053 63047:  Golden Globe Awards 2017 Winners List

The 74th Annual Golden Globe Awards ceremony was organized at Beverly Hills, California, United States (US). The Golden Globe Awards are the annual awards that honor the best in Motion Pictures and American Television for the previous year. This year, La La Land, a romantic musical comedy-drama film won in all the seven categories including the top award for best musical or comedy. Veteran actress Meryl Streep was bestowed with the Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award.

Winners of various awards are as follows:

Best Motion Picture Drama: Moonlight.

Best Motion Picture Musical/Comedy: La La Land.

Best Director in Motion Picture-Drama: Damien Chazelle for La La Land.

Best Actor in Motion Picture-Drama: Casey Affleck for Manchester by the Sea.

Best Actress in Motion Picture-Drama: Isabelle Huppert for Elle.

Best Actor in Motion Picture or Musical or Comedy: Ryan Gosling for La La Land.

Best Actress in Motion Picture Musical or Comedy: Emma Stone for La La Land.

Best Actor in a Supporting role in Motion Picture: Aaron Taylor-Johnson for Nocturnal Animals.

Best Actress in a Supporting role in Motion Picture: Viola Davis for Fences.

Best Original Score-Motion Picture: Justin Hurwitz for the La La Land.

Best Original Song: “City of Stars” (Justin Hurwitz, Pasek & Paul) for the La La Land.

Best Animated Feature Film: Zootopia.

Best Foreign Language Film: Elle (France).                      
[10:29 AM, 1/13/2017] +91 97053 63047: 1.Petrol pump owners defer their decision to not accept credit, debit card payments for fuel sales till 13 january 2017

i.Petrol pump owners deferred till January 13 their decision to not accept credit and debit card payments for fuel sales after banks put off the move to levy the transaction charge.
ii.To promote cash-less transactions, the government had waived the Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on fuel purchase post demonetisation for consumers.
iii. But after the expiry of the 50-day window, the banks have decided to levy MDR on petrol pump owners.This meant petrol pumps having to bear 1 per cent on all credit card transactions and between 0.25 per cent and 1 per cent on all debit card transactions from January 9.

2.EPFO makes Aadhar mandatory for its pensioners & members

i.Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has made Aadhaar mandatory for its about 50 lakh pensioners and around four crore subscribers.
ii.Central Provident Fund Commissioner VP Joy stated that the pensioners as well as members would have to provide Aadhaar or a proof that they have applied for it by 31 January 2017 to remain the beneficiary of social security schemes of EPFO.
iii.The central government contributes 1.16 per cent of the basic wages as subsidy to every members Employees Pension Scheme Account in addition to 8.33% deposited by their employers every mont
h

3.Prime Minister Narendra Modi  inaugurate Vibrant Gujarat Global Trade Show

i.Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be on a two-day visit to Gujarat from 9 january 2017, he will inaugurate the 8th edition of 'Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors Summit 2017' along with series of other programs.
ii.The four-day 'Vibrant Summit Summit will be inaugurated  at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar.
iii.Ahead of this Summit, the Prime Minister will inaugurate four different projects after his arrival.

4.Piyush Goyal unveiled world's largest street light replacement programme in SDMC

i.Power Minister Piyush Goyal unveiled world's largest street light replacement programme in South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) area .
ii. Mr Goyal will also launch a mobile app called Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) Complaint App for SDMC, wherein users can now lodge complaints about faulty street lights.
iii. AIR Correspondent reports that street Lighting National Programme (SLNP), currently running in the SDMC area is the World’s Largest Street Light Replacement Programme where two lakh LED lights will replace inefficient lamps.

5.Vijayawada to host 1st Digi Dhan Mela in Andhra Pradesh

i.In Andhra Pradesh Vijayawada will be host to the first Digi Dhan Mela in the State this afternoon.
ii.Digi Dhan Melas are being organised across the country to promote cashless transactions.
iii.Union Minister for Urban Development and Information Broadcasting M. Venkaiah Naidu along with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu will launch the Mela at Indira Gandhi Municipal Stadium, Vijayawada.

6.Blind Challenge Car Rally held in Bhopal

i.The 11th annual Blind Challenge Car Rally was organised in Bhopal,to raise awareness about the issues concerning the visually-impaired.
ii.As part of the rally, drivers are navigated by blind persons tasked with reading the route given to them in Braille.
iii. The organisers awarded cash prizes to the first three winners and certificates to all the participants.
Blind Challenge Car Rally held in Bhopal

7.SBI Pension Funds appoints Kumar Sharadindu as MD & CEO

i.SBI Pension Funds Pvt Ltd (SBIPFPL), a subsidiary of SBI, has recently appointed Kumar Sharadindu as the MD & CEO of the company.
ii.Prior to this assignment,Kumar was General Manager at SBI Corporate Centre, Mumbai, heading the private equity business of the bank.
iii.He has held several crucial assignments in his banking career spanning more than 30 years in the areas of credit, treasury, risk and large corporate lending.
iv.SBI Pension Funds had assets under management (AUM) of Rs. 46,019 crore

8.Bank of India to reduce its interest rates

i.The Bank of India has reduce its interest rates on retail loans, including home and vehicle loan.The bank earlier reduced its minimum lending rates or marginal cost of funds based lending rates (MCLR) by up to 90 basis points.
ii.The rate on home loans has been lowered to 8.65 per cent for women borrowers, while for others the rate has been set at 8.70 per cent.
iii. The bank has reduced the interest rates for vehicle loans to 9.35 per cent.
iv.For loan against property, the new rates are set in the range of 10.50-11 per cent. v.The rates for women borrowers will be 0.5 per cent lower than the others.

9.First student startup fund has Rs 200 crore

i.Gujarat government has come up with India's first student startup and innovation policy, which aims to provide Rs 200 crore in the form of grants to ideas developed by them.
ii.The policy aims to support over 1,000 innovation per year and create pre-incubation support in all universities of the state.

10.Former Iranian President Rafsanjani dies

i.Former Iranian President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani died Sunday after suffering a heart attack.
ii. He was 82.Rafsanjani, who served two terms as Iran's president from 1989 to 1997, continued to be an influential figure in Iranian politics.

11.Roberto Bautista Agut beats Daniil Medvedev, wins Chennai Open 2017

i.Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut won the men’s singles title of the Chennai Open 2017.
ii.Agut beat Russian 20-year-old Daniil Medvedev 6-3 and 6-4 to claim the first ATP tournament of the season.
iii.It was a competition between the next-gen player in Daniil Medvedev taking on the veteran Roberto Bautista Agut.

12.Olympic champion David Rudisha to be Mumbai Marathon event ambassador

Reigning Olympic and world 800m champion and world record holder, David Rudisha is the International Event Ambassador for the 14th Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon to be held on January 15, 2017.


                 [10:30 AM, 1/13/2017] +91 97053 63047: 1. Budget session of Parliament to begin from January 31st, 2017

i. The Budget session of Parliament convened to start from January 31, a day before the Union Budget is likely to be presented. President Pranab Mukherjee has summoned the Rajya Sabha to meet on January 31, 2017. A similar notification is also expected from the Lok Sabha secretariat.
ii. The practice of separate railway Budget presentation is being scrapped from this year. The railway estimates will be part of the Union Budget.


2. China to build world's highest altitude telescopes in Tibet

i. China is setting up the world's highest altitude gravitational wave telescopes in a Tibet prefecture close to Line of Actual Control with India with a budget of $18.8 million to detect faintest echoes resonating from the universe which may reveal more about the Big Bang theory. Construction has started for the first telescope, code-named Ngari No 1, 30 km south of Shiquanhe Town in Ngari Prefecture, said Yao Yongqiang chief researcher with the National Astronomical Observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
ii. Parts of Ngari is last Tibetan prefecture at China's border with India. The telescope, located 5,250 meters above sea level, will detect and gather precise data on primordial gravitational waves in the Northern Hemisphere. It is expected to be operational by 2021, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.


3. China forex reserves fall by USD 320 billion in 2016

i.China's Central Bank says, the country's foreign currency reserves shrank last year, marking large annual losses for the 2nd year in a row. Officials at the People's Bank of China said that foreign reserves stood at over three trillion dollars as of the end of December, 2016. For the year as a whole, China's foreign exchange reserve fell nearly 320 billion dollars from a year earlier, following a drop of more than 512 billion dollars in 2015.
ii.Chinese firms and individuals concerned about the country's economic outlook have positive expectations for US President-elect Donald Trump's economic policies. They have been selling the yuan against the dollar to purchase businesses and properties overseas.The Chinese currency fell about 7 percent against the dollar in 2016.


4. Donald Trump names Dan Coats as new national intelligence director

i.US President-elect Donald Trump has named Dan Coats as his National Intelligence Director. The Indiana ex-senator formerly served on the Senate Intelligence Committee. Mr Coats would provide unwavering leadership and spearhead his administration's ceaseless vigilance against those who seek to do them harm.
ii.The appointment comes a day after an intelligence report accused Russia's President of ordering a campaign aimed at helping Mr Trump to victory. Mr Coats will need the Senate to confirm his appointment, replacing James Clapper.


5. PM Modi & Portuguese PM Antonio Costa inaugurate PBD Convention at Bengaluru

i. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Portuguese counterpart Dr Antonio Costa has inaugurated the main convention of Pravasi Bhartiya Divas this morning (08th January 2017) in Bengaluru.
ii. In his key note address at the 14th Pravasi Bhartiya Divas celebrations, Mr Modi said, the Indian diaspora represents the best of Indian culture, ethos and values. Indians abroad are valued not just for their strength in numbers.


6. Sania wins Brisbane women's doubles title but loses No.1 rank

i. Indian tennis ace Sania Mirza picked up her first title of the season, combining with American Bethanie Mattek-Sands to lift the Brisbane International women's doubles title. The top-seeded Indo-American duo triumphed 6-2 6-3 against the second-seeded Russian team of Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina in the final.
ii. The trophy, however, ended Sania's 91-week reign as the world No.1 doubles player in the WTA rankings. That position was taken over by her partner Bethanie.


7. Djokovic wins Qatar Open tennis title

i. Novak Djokovic has won the Qatar Open tennis title. In an epic final in Doha, the Serbian defeated Andy Murray of UK by 6-3 5-7 6-4.
ii. Djokovic missed out on three match points and had to repel a roaring Murray comeback before ending the Briton's 28-match, five-tournament winning streak.                        
[10:32 AM, 1/13/2017] +91 97053 63047: 1. 14th Pravasi Bhartiya Divas convention begins in Bengaluru

i. The 14th Pravasi Bhartiya Divas (PBD) convention has begins in Bengaluru. The three-day event will kick start with the Youth PBD, the theme of which is 'Role of Diaspora Youth in the Transformation of India'. Pravasi Bharatiya Divas has been held traditionally on 9th January every year to commemorate the return of Mahatma Gandhi as a Pravasi from South Africa to India.Three plenary sessions are scheduled to be held in Youth PBD. First will be on reaching out to Indian Students abroad, NRIs and overseas Indian Community Students in India. Second will be on Start-ups and Innovations and 3rd on Start-up ecosystem in Karnataka.


2. Tata Motors, Castrol announce global strategic partnership

i. Tata Motors and Castrol have signed a 3-year strategic partnership agreement. As part of the agreement, Castrol will supply Commercial Vehicle Oils to Tata Motors globally. The agreement will cover over 50 markets including SAARC and ASEAN region, Middle East, Africa, Russia and Latin America.


3. China launches longest high-speed train service

i. China has launched its longest high-speed train service from Kunming capital of south-west China's Yunnan Province to Beijing. The train named 'Shangri-la of the World' left Kunming at 11:05 am on a 2,760-km trip to Beijing. The mileage will increase to 45,000 km by 2030.


4. Foreign exchange reserves rose by $625.5 million to $360.296 billion:RBI

i. The RBI stated that foreign exchange reserves rose by $625.5 million to $360.296 billion in the week to December 30, 2016. In the previous week, the reserves had declined by $935.2 million to $359.671 billion. The reserves had touched $371.99 billion in the week to September 30, 2016.


5. All India Conference of Waqf Boards begins

i. The All India Conference of Chairpersons and Chief Executive Officers of States and Union Territories' Waqf Boards begins in New Delhi.The conference will be inaugurated by Minister of State for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi.Various issues, including review of progress under the schemes relating to grant of financial assistance for computerization of waqf properties, strengthening of waqf boards and development of waqf properties by National Waqf Development Corporation Ltd. will be discussed during the conference.


6. Droom, Axis bank tie-up to provide quick loans on new and used cars

i. India’s pioneering online automobile transactional marketplace Droom has firmly entrenched its foothold as a complete eco-system for buyers to have an impeccable automobile owning experience. In its latest effort to sustain such a status, Droom has tied up with Axis Bank, India’s third largest private sector bank, to provide quick sanction of loans on both new as well as used cars.

ii. Loans are an integral element in almost all new and used car purchases and Droom’s recent collaboration with Axis bank is evidence of its continued efforts to cover the 360 degree eco-system of online automobile transactions. Loans will be provided for up to 85 percent of the value of the car with tenure of one to five years. Furthermore, loans on Used Cars can be availed on vehicles up to the age of 10 years at the end of the loan tenure.


7. Japan to Help in Developing Chennai, Ahmedabad and Varanasi Smart Cities

i. Japan has decided to be associated with the development of Chennai, Ahmedabad and Varanasi as smart cities. This was conveyed by Japan’s Ambassador to India Mr.Kenji Hiramatsu during his meeting with Minister of Urban Development Shri M.Venkaiah Naidu.


8. Per capita income of Indians to cross Rs 1 lakh in FY17

i. India’s per capita income, a gauge for measuring living standard, is estimated to cross Rs 1 lakh in 2016-17, up from Rs 93,293 in the previous fiscal. As per the ‘First Advance Estimates of National Income, 2016-17’ released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), the per capita net national income during 2016-17 is “estimated to be Rs 103,007” at current prices. This is higher by 10.4 per cent compared to Rs 93,293 during 2015-16.

ii. The Central Statistics Office said India’s GDP is expected to slowdown to 7.1 per cent during 2016-17 from 7.6 per cent in the previous fiscal mainly due to slump in manufacturing, mining and construction activities.


9. 30 Indian-Origin Men & Women Inducted into 2017 Forbes’ Super Achievers List

i. Over 30 Indian-origin innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders have been featured in the 2017 edition of Forbes' list of super achievers under the age of 30 who seek to break the status quo and transform the world.The Forbes list has 30 game changers in 20 industries including healthcare, manufacturing, sports and finance.                        
[10:33 AM, 1/13/2017] +91 97053 63047: 1. Om Puri passes away after a massive heart attack

i.Veteran actor Om Puri has passed away after a massive heart attack.The actor was 66. Om Puri was an Indian actor who has appeared in mainstream commercial Pakistani, Indian, British, and Hollywood, Independent films and art films.
ii.His credits also include appearances in American films.
iii.He has been awarded Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award of India.


2. India & Kazakhstan sign 5 protocol to amend Double Taxation Avoidance Convention

i.India and Kazakhstan have signed the five national capital a Protocol to amend the existing Double Taxation Avoidance Convention (DTAC) between the two countries  which was earlier signed on 9th December, 1996 for the avoidance of double taxation and for the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income.


3. 4th Assam International Agri-Horti show to begin in Guwahati

i.Fourth Assam International Agri-Horti show will begin  in Guwahati, Assam.
State Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal will inaugurate the show.
ii.Assam Agriculture Minister Atul Bora informed that 10 foreign countries are also taking part in the show.
iii.Nearly 600 farmers from Assam will be trained on doubling farmers' income, more crop per drop and agri-preneurship development.
iv.More than 200 organizations from across the country will take part in the show.


4. Three Days International Conference on Yoga for Diabetes Organised in New Delhi

i.The Minister of State for AYUSH  Shri Shripad Yesso Naik inaugurated the International Conference on “Yoga for Diabetes” which began in New Delhi on January 4, 2017.
ii.The three days conference aims to generate discussions on the role of Yoga in the prevention and
management of Diabetes and draw up a roadmap to be adopted for the control of Diabetes through Yoga.


5. Centre approves assistance of Rs 1782 crore for Karnataka

i.The Centre has approved an assistance of over 1782.44 crore rupees for Karnataka. The state will get this sum from the National Disaster Relief Fund as drought relief.
ii.The financial assistance was approved by Home Minister Rajnath Singh at a meeting of the High Level Committee in New Delhi.


6. Island Tourism Festival 2017 to begins in Andaman & Nicobar

i.The Island Tourism Festival 2017 will begin today at Port Blair in Andaman & Nicobar islands. Lt. Governor Jagdish Mukhi will inaugurate the mega event at ITF Ground this evening.
ii. During the 10-day event, performances by the cultural troupes from mainland will help the Islanders renew their cultural ties with mainland India.


7. Govt imposes anti-dumping duty on Bangladesh, Nepal jute products

i.The Government has imposed an anti-dumping duty ranging from 6.30 US dollars to 351.72 US dollars per tonne on imports of jute and its products from Bangladesh and Nepal.
ii.This anti-dumping duty has been imposed in order to protect the domestic industry. The duty has been imposed for five years.
iii.It further added the import restrictive levy has been imposed on jute yarn, twine, Hessian fabric and jute sacking bags in all forms and specifications.


8. Launch of IPR Enforcement Toolkit for Police and IPR Awareness Campaign for Children

i.The Commerce & Industry Ministery launched an IPR Enforcement Toolkit for Police.
ii.The toolkit has been jointly prepared by Cell for IPR Promotion and Management (CIPAM) and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).
iii.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.


9. SIDBI ties up with LIC for capital support to enterprises

i.Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) on Thursday said it has tied up with Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) for augmenting capital support to enterprises in the country.
ii.The idea behind tying up with the state-run insurance behemoth is to give a boost to the venture capital ecosystem for MSMEs.


10. Karnataka Bank launches group Personal Accident Insurance Scheme named KBL Suraksha

i.Karnataka Bank has launched a month-long campaign to promote a group personal accident insurance scheme for savings bank account-holders. ‘KBL Suraksha’, which was launched on January 2, will be in force till January 31.
ii.Launched in association with Universal Sompo General Insurance, KBL Suraksha provides coverage against all types of accidental deaths.
iii.All savings bank account-holders of the bank in the age group of 18-70 years can subscribe to this scheme by paying an annual premium of ?100 for ?10 lakh and ?50 for ?5 lakh coverage.


11. S Padmanabhan Appointed as Chairman of Tata Power

i.Tata Sons has nominated S Padmanabhan as the Chairman of Tata Power Co Ltd with immediate effect, in place of Cyrus Mistry.He is also the executive chairman of Tata Business Excellence Group. Recently he was appointed as the head of group for human resources for Tata Sons.
ii.He is associated Tata group for 34 years, of which 26 were with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).


12. Sir Tim Barrow has been appointed as the Britain’s ambassador to the EU

i.UK Senior diplomat Sir Tim Barrow was appointed the new ambassador to the European Union (EU).
ii.He replaced Sir Ivan Rogers.He previously served in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, as a representative to various bodies of the European Union, and as British Ambassador to Ukraine 2006–2008.


13. Capgemini Appoints Anil Jalali of IBM as HR head for India Operation

i.French Consulting Corporation, Capgemini has appointed Anil Jalali as Chief Human Resources Officer for its India operation .
ii.Jalali takes over from BL Narayan who is joining Capgemini’s Business Services Strategic Business unit as head of solutions and sales support.

14. IBM India Appoints Karan Bajwa as Managing Director

i.IBM has appointed Karan Bajwa as Managing Director of IBM India Pvt Ltd, succeeding Vanitha Narayanan who has been appointed as chairman of the Indian subsidiary.
ii.Bajwa joined IBM in 2016 as Executive for Strategy and Transformation in the Asia Pacific region. He was earlier Managing Director, Microsoft India where, besides leading the India business for the company, he also the led the cloud transition and the ecosystem engagement.


15. Book on Dr. Kalam titled 'The People’s President: Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam' released

i.Vice President Hamid Ansari on 4 January 2017 released a book titled The People's President: Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.
ii.The book was released at a function in New Delhi which was attended by Union Finance.


16. Dilip Vengsarkar steps down from MCA vice-president post

i.Former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar has submitted his resignation as vice-president of the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA).
ii.The move comes on the line of the Supreme Court order. On December 17, Sharad Pawar resigned as president of the MCA.


17. Sitar Player Abdul Halim Jaffer dies at 88

Renowned Sitar maestro Abdul Halim Jaffer Khan died  due to cardiac arrest. He was 88.Abdul Halim Jaffer Khan was an Indian sitar player and received the national awards Padma Shri (1970) and Padma Bhushan (2006) and was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for 1987