7th February 2016 - Important Current Affairs updates

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International Affairs

• The first joint tactical exercise between border troops of India and China was conducted today in the Chushul-Moldo area.
• This is a part of the ongoing initiatives being taken by both the countries to ensure greater interaction between troops stationed along the Line of Actual Control, and thereby ensure peace and tranquility on the border.
• Note : The Indian Army team of thirty personnel was led by Colonel Ritesh Chandra Singh while the Chinese delegation of an equal compliment was led by Colonel Qu Yi.
• Japan is planning to build the 'Sky Mile Tower' skyscraper.
• This tower could be twice as tall as the current tallest building Burj Khalifa. 
• The 5,577-feet tall tower will reportedly be surrounded by hexagonal man-made islands to protect Tokyo from flooding. 
• This is a part of Japan's 'Next Tokyo' plan to deal with overpopulation in cities by 2045.
• Super Markets in France have been banned from throwing away or spoiling unsold food by law.
• Note : The stores are now required to donate unwanted food to charities and food banks.

National Affairs

• The International Fleet Review (IFR) 2016, an international military exercise was inaugurated in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. 
  
• Important Points to Note :
• This exercise is being hosted and conducted by Indian Navy.
• Theme of IFR 2016 : “United through Oceans”
• Objective : To enhance mutual trust and confidence with neighbouring navies by inviting their ships to participate in the event.
• Note :  The last International Fleet Review by Indian Navy was conducted in January 2001 at Mumbai. 
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi today announced that India will host the first ever Global Maritime Summit in April this year.  
• Maharashtra transport department today made helmet compulsory for both two-wheeler riders and those sitting on the pillion. 
• The department has also asked motorbike dealers to sell two helmets with a bike, instead of one, to customers.
• Note : Bangalore has already implemented this rule. 
• The Central Government today agreed to Jharkhand's proposal of setting up a Sanskrit University in the Deoghar district. 

People in News

• As per a survey of Britons by Scottish investment company Scottish Widows, former British PM Margaret Thatcher is the most influential woman of the last two centuries. 
• Thatcher, with 28% votes, was ranked ahead of Marie Curie (24%) and Queen Elizabeth II (18%). 
• Princess Diana, Mother Teresa and Oprah Winfrey made it to the top-ten of the list.

Business & Economy

• PM Narendra Modi has dedicated Paradip Oil Refinery to the nation today.
• According to a People’s Bank of China statement, China's Foreign-exchange reserves have dropped by $99.5 billion in January to $3.23 trillion, the lowest level since 2012.
• Maharashtra has decided to set up Mumbai International Arbitration Centre, the first in the country, ahead of the Make in India Week in Mumbai. 
• Note : In the absence of an arbitration centre in India, a majority of global disputes land in the Singapore International Arbitration Centre. 
• According to reports, the overseas disputes arbitrations could generate revenue worth ₹2 billion.
• India Post has reportedly proposed to invest ₹322 crore till 2019-20 to augment its parcel handling capacity, through which it projects to earn ₹1,608 crore in revenue. 

Science & Technology

• The world's first ever unchained spacewalk was made by Captain Bruce McCandless and Colonel Robert Stewart on this day (7th February) in the year 1984. 
• They walked freely for 5 hours 55 minutes and orbited the Earth in tangent with their space shuttle 'Challenger' moving at a speed of over 17,500 miles/hour. 
• US-based startup Saygus has developed a $650 smartphone 'V Squared' with 400 GB of expandable storage space and 64 GB in-built memory. 
• The dual-sim, waterproof handset runs on Android 5.1.1 Lollipop and features a 5-inch full HD display, 3 GB RAM, 21 MP rear and 13 MP front camera. 
• It comes with Qualcomm's 2.5 Ghz Quad Core Snapdragon processor.
• US-based teen Utkarsh Tandon has made a 3D-printed smart ring called 'OneRing', that identifies and monitors Parkinson's motor symptoms. 
• Available in three sizes, the ring generates daily patient reports and helps doctors to prescribe medications more accurately. 
• The results of data collected by the ring can be viewed on a smartphone through a dedicated iOS app.

Careers

• Union Health Minister JP Nadda has approved Medical Council of India's proposal to amend the Indian Medical Council Act to hold a nationwide common medical entrance test. 
• The proposal calls for a one-country, one-medical exam, for undergraduate and postgraduate medical courses in colleges. 
• The MCI told the government that it will either announce an existing examination or a new one.

Sports

• South Asian Games 2016
• Manju Kumari wins Gold in women's 58 Kg wrestling event
• Mamta wins Gold in women's 53 Kg wrestling event.
• Amit Dhankar wins Gold in men's 70 Kg wrestling event.
• Saraswati rout wins gold in 58kg weightlifting event.
• South Asian Games 2016 Medals Tally
• India
• Gold - 18
• Silver - 7
• Bronze - 1
• Total - 26
• Sri Lanka
• Gold - 5
• Silver - 13
• Bronze - 9
• Total - 27
• Bangladesh
• Gold - 1
• Silver - 2
• Bronze - 9
• Total - 12
• Indian women beat Australia by 5 wickets to win third and final ODI in Hobart
• Pakistani leg-spinner Yasir Shah has been banned for 3 months by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for testing positive for the prohibited substance Chlortalidone (dope test). 

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