01 January 2017 Current Affairs
British – Indian Professor receives “Knighthood” from Queen:
Shankar Balasubramanian, an Indian – Origin British Professor of Chemistry, has received a Knighthood from Queen Elizabeth-II for his contribution to the field of science and medicine. Herchel Smith Professor of Medicinal Chemistry at Cambridge University, has been recognized for his work as a co-inventor of “Next Generation DNA” sequencing, described as the most transformational advance in biology and medicine for decades. His work has spawned an entirely new, discipline of “Bioinformatics”.
Justice Saqib Nisar appointed as Chief Justice of Pak:
Justice Mian Saqib Nisar was appointed as the 25th Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) on 31st December, 2016. Nisar has replaced Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali, who retired on December 30. After serving as the Chief Justice for 15 months since his appointment in September 2015. President Mamnoon Hussain administered the oath to Justice Nisar during a ceremony held at President’s House in Islamabad.
Amazon wins patent to launch Drone Deliveries:
E-Commerce leader Amazon. Com (AMZN) has been awarded a US-patent for a flying warehouse that would act as a launch pad for its drones that the company plans to use to deliver certain products to customers doorsteps. It says it will use UAV or “Unmanned aerial Vehicles” (drones) to deliver items from airborne fulfillment centers, or AFCs to customers. When an order is placed, a drone or UAV will fly down and deliver the parcels.
India, Pak exchange lists of nuclear sites:
The agreement on the prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations between India and Pakistan was signed on December 31. Both countries also exchanged lists of nationals (including civilian prisoners and fishermen) of each country lodged in Jails of the other one. This is the 26th consecutive exchange of such lists between the two countries, the first one having taken place on January 1, 1992.
Sikkim became India’s First Fully Organic State in 2016:
Sikkim has become India’s first fully organic state by converting around 75,000 hectares of agricultural land in sustainable cultivation. We have achieved fully-organic status in the end of December. PM Narendra Modi will formally announce that at a sustainable agricultural conference in Gangtok on 18 January, Sikkim Organic Mission’s executive director Dr. Anbalagan told it.
China announces ban on ivory trade by end of 2017:
China says it will ban all domestic ivory trade ivory market in a move wildlife conservationists believe will help curb elephant poaching in Africa. China is one of the biggest global markets for ivory, where it is used a precious material in Jewelry, furniture, sometimes even in Chinese medicine.
Agni-IV Missile Successfully test fired:
The flight- trial of India’s long range, strategic ballistic missile, Agni-IV, on Monday from a road – mobile launcher on Abdul Kalam Island, off odisha coast, was a grand success. Agni-IV is a two stage, surface to surface missile that can travel 4,000 km and can carry a nuclear warhead weighing one tonne. Agni-V has a range more than 5000 km. The Strategic Forces Command of the Army fired the Agni – IV.
Pointers on PM’s Speech:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced two housing schemes, tax incentives for small traders, interest rebate for farmers and monetary assistance for pregnant women. In a big relief to house buyers, New schemes under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana were announced. Now get 4% interest relief on home loan up to 9 lakh rupees. And 3% cut for home loan up to 12 lakh rupees.
NRIs can exchange defunct notes up to June 30: RBI
The Reserve Bank of India has allowed non-resident Indians (NRIs) to exchange defunctioned Rs.500 and Rs.1000 notes till June 30, 2017. This facility will be available through RBI offices in Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Nagpur. Resident Indian citizens who failed to deposit old notes and were abroad between November 9 and December 30, 2016 can avail themselves of this facility up to March 31st, 2017.
