Latest Current Affairs January 23

1. Scientist S. Somanath takes charge as Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre

ISRO’s Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) director S Somnath has taken charge as the new director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), which is ISRO’s lead centre for launch vehicles.

His priorities will be on technology upgradation of launch vehicle design and to focus on immediate launches including GSLV-Mark (MK) II and PSLV-C41 in Feb. GSAT -MKII (F09) will be for the launch of communication satellite GSAT-6A and PSLV-C41 for launch of Indian remote sensing satellite IRNSS-1I.

Then, GSLV-MKII (F10) for Chandrayaan-II, the second Moon mission is slated for April and following that GSLV-MK III is planned for launch

2. Shah Rukh Khan Honoured with Crystal Award at World Economic Forum

Shah Rukh Khan was awarded the Crystal Award at the World Economic Forum 2018 that is currently underway in Davos, Switzerland.

The superstar was awarded this humanitarian award along with Sir Elton John and Cate Blanchett, for his efforts to rehabilitate acid attack survivors through his non-profit organisation, Meer Foundation.

3. Srikumar Menon appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Angola

Srikumar Menon, presently Ambassador of India to South Sudan has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Angola.

4. AYUSH Minister lays foundation stone for Homeopathy Research Institute in Jaipur

The Minister of State (IC), for AYUSH, Shripad Yesso Naik laid the foundation stone for Central Research Institute (CRI) in Jaipur on 22nd January 2018.

 This will be the third CRI under the aegis of Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH), an autonomous body of Ministry of AYUSH for undertaking scientific research in Homoeopathy, with 23 institutes across the country.

The institute is also contributing to the Swasthya Rakshan Program at five adopted villages i.e. Chharsa, Kumbhawas, Sakatpura, Khoraladkhani, Hanutpura.

Under National Health Mission, 19 villages under Amber block are being catered to for the program “Healthy Teething in Children through Homoeopathy”.

5. Andhra Pradesh-Zurich Sign Sister State Agreement

The Andhra Pradesh Government and the Canton of Zurich have signed a letter of intent, to promote mutual prosperity and development.

This will bring the State of Andhra Pradesh and Canton of Zurich closer and ensure that a framework is created, which supports the exchange between both the parties.

The agreement will further strengthen economic and scientific relations between the two governments in the areas such as Information and Communication Technology, Environmental Technology, Life Sciences and Urban and Regional Development read an official note.

6. India, 5th Most Attractive Market for Investments: PwC Survey

India has emerged as the fifth most attractive market for investments and the optimism over global economic growth is at a record level, a survey of CEOs by global consultancy PwC.

The US remains the top spot for global investment, while India moves into the top 5

Aided by opening up of several key sectors over the last few years, foreign direct investment in India surged 17 per cent to over $25 billion during the first half of the current financial year, even as private investment has remained muted due to excess capacity and high financial stress. It had for the first time topped $60 billion in 2016-17, but remains less than half of China’s $137 billion in 2017, which was an increase of around 8%.

7. India to Grow at 7.4% in 2018: IMF

India is projected to grow at 7.4% of its gross domestic product (GDP) in 2018 as against China’s 6.8%, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), making it the fastest growing economy among emerging economies following last year’s slowdown due to demonetisation and the implementation of goods and services tax (GST).

In its latest World Economic Outlook update released ahead of the World Economic Forum in Davos, the IMF projected India’s GDP growth rate at 7.4% in 2018 and 7.8% in 2019.

China, during the same period, is expected to grow at 6.8% and 6.4% respectively.

8. IOB, NHB tie up for rural housing push

Indian Overseas Bank has signed an MoU with National Housing Bank for the Rural Housing Interest Subsidy Scheme (RHISS) of the Ministry of Rural Development.

The aim of the RHISS is to provide subsidy for housing loans taken by those living in rural areas for construction and modifications of their dwelling units.

9. West Indies to Host 2018 Women’s World T20

The 2018 edition of the Women’s World T20 will be hosted by Antigua and Barbuda, Guyana and St Lucia from November 9-24, the ICC has announced.

Hosts Windies will defend the title they won with an eight-wicket victory over Australia in Kolkata in 2016.

Stafanie Taylor, who was named as captain of the ICC Women’s T20I Team of the Year 2017, won the player of the series award in India and is expected to once again lead the Windies in front of a passionate home crowd.

10. Hugh Masekela, ‘Father of South African Jazz’ Passes Away

Trumpeter and singer Hugh Masekela, known as the “father of South African jazz” who used his music in the fight against apartheid, has died from prostate cancer.  He was 78.

Masekela gained international recognition with his distinctive Afro-Jazz sound and hits such as “Soweto Blues”, which served as one of the soundtracks to the anti-apartheid movement.

11. Longest living army veteran dies at 101

Major FKK Sircar (Retd.), the longest living army veteran, at 101 years of age proceeded to his heavenly abode and breathed his last on January 21.

He was from 2nd battalion of the ASSAM Regiment and had the distinction of participating in three wars viz World War II, Indo-Pak War of 1947 -48 and Indo-China War of 1962.