9th January 2014 Current Affairs

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International Affairs

• 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.
• 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.
• Russia has blocked a UN Security Council statement condemning the Syrian government's use of air strikes against civilians in the city of Aleppo.
• 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.
• Islamist militants in Somalia have issued a directive banning companies from providing internet services.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Cuban leader FidelCastro makes first public appearance in nine months, coincides with 55th anniversary of his entry to Havana.
• 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

• The birth anniversary of Har Gobind Khorana (Indian American biochemist and Nobel prize 1968 winner in Physiology / Medicine) was observed today.
• President Pranab Mukherjee is on a five-day visit to West Bengal and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands from Today.
• '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.
• Former Karnataka CM B S Yeddyurappa formally rejoins BJP.
• Union Cabinet approves recommendation to increase 10,000 MBBS seats.
• The union cabinet Thursday approved the National Youth Policy 2014, which focuses on education, skill development, employment, entrepreneurship and health.
• Nearly 4,500 calls received on Day 1 of anti-corruption helpline introduced by Delhi govt, helpline staff to be doubled by tomorrow.
• Science and Technology
• Canadian health officials have confirmed the first known fatal case of the H5N1 avian influenza strain in North America.
• The International Space Station will operate for an additional four years, or until 2024, the NASA anounced.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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

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

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