Current Affairs 28th January 2016

Important Points : 

• Who is heading the Independent Review Panel set up to safeguard integrity in Tennis - Adam Lewis 
• Who has approved hybrid annuity model for highway projects - CCEA 
• Which two countries have inked a protocol to amend Double Taxation Avoidance Convention - India & Armenia
• Which former India basketball captain has passed away - Ranbir Chopra
• Who has approved increase in Authorized Share Capital of NSFDC - Union Cabinet
• Rakshamantri Award for excellence for 2012-13 and 2013-14 presented by - Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar
• Which Australian batsman has won Allan Border Medal 2016 - David Warner 
• Which Pakistan Cricketer has announced is retired from International Cricket - Imran Farhat
• Where did the Snow Leopard was spotted for the first time - North Sikkim
• Who has been selected for Amnesty International Human Rights Award 2016 - Indian activist Henri Tiphagne 
• National Job Portal for Persons with Disabilities launched by - Union Government
• Who has been honoured with Order of Australia - Chennupati Jagadish & Jay Chandra
• US-based KBACE Technologies acquired by - Cognizant 
• Name the first of Intelsat EpicNG Satellites, launched into Orbit - Intelsat 29e
• Who has became India's first civil servant to scale Mount Vinson Massif - IPS officer Aparna Kumar 
• Who has  won 12th Sub-Junior National Snooker championship title - Ishika Shah
• International Day of Commemoration observed on - 27th January  
• Who has been honoured with Companion of the order of Australia - Rod Laver

Details : 

Who is heading the Independent Review Panel set up to safeguard integrity in Tennis - Adam Lewis 

On 27th January 2016, ndependent Review Panel (IRP) to safeguard integrity in tennis constituted by Tennis’s governing bodies is headed by Adam Lewis.

Chairmen and CEOs of the Governing Bodies of International Tennis – Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP), the Grand Slam Board, International Tennis Federation (ITF) and Women's Tennis Association (WTA) made the announcement in this regard.

The responsibility of the panel is to review and report on the suitability and potency of the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program (TACP).

Apart from this, the panel will also address issues such as :

• To make Tennis integrity Unit (TIU) more transparent without settling the TIU’s need for investigative confidentiality
• Measures to expand the opportunity and to achieve tennis integrity education program

Who has approved hybrid annuity model for highway projects - CCEA 

On 27th January 2016, approval for the Hybrid Annuity Model as one of the modes of delivery for implementing the Highway Projects was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA).

As per the model, 40 % of the project cost to start work will be provided to the developer by the government while the remaining investment has to be made by the developer.

Characterstics of the hybrid annuity model

• All major stakeholders in the PPP arrangement - concessionaire, lender and the developer and the Authority will have an enhanced comfort level.
• This will revive the sector through renewed interest of private developers/investors in highway projects.
• One of the biggest feature of this model is the rational approach adopted for allocation of risks between the PPP partners - the Government and the private partner.

Which two countries have inked a protocol to amend Double Taxation Avoidance Convention - India & Armenia

Among the important International Current Affairs, On 27th January 2016, a protocol to amend the India-Armenia Double Taxation Avoidance Convention was inked between India and Armenia.

Features of the Protocol

• Since 9th September 2004, the convention that has existed between these countries will be amended.
• Article on exchange of Information for tax purposes will also be amended to bring it in accordance with the updated provisions in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Model.
• Besides, it will also strengthen the efforts of Union Government in suppressing the generation of black money.

Which former India basketball captain has passed away - Ranbir Chopra

On 25th January 2016, Ranbir Chopra, captain of the champion Indian basketball team in the first Asian Games in 1951 passed away at the age of 86.

He was the part of Punjab team that won the national title in 1951. In the year 1962, he was also the coach of the Indian team that toured Pakistan.

He also served as the secretary general of the Punjab Basketball Association from 1958 to 1963.

Who has approved increase in Authorized Share Capital of NSFDC - Union Cabinet

On 27th January 2016, increase in the Authorized Share Capital of the National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC) was approved by the Union Cabinet.

The aim of NSFDC is to cover 63000 beneficiaries for the year 2015-16.

Outcome of the increase in Authorized Share Capital 

The Authorized Share Capital of NSFDC has increased with 200 crore rupees.

Rakshamantri Award for excellence for 2012-13 and 2013-14 presented by - Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar

Among the important National Current Affairs, On 27th January 2016, the Raksha Mantri awards for excellence for the years 2012-13 and 2013-14 were presented by the Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar.

The awards are presented to mark the flawless performance amongst the nine Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) and Ordnance Factories.

Group and Individual Awards, Best Performing Division, Factory, Shipyard Awards and Institutional Awards were the three major categories in which the awards were presented.

List of awardees 

For the year 2013-14

For the year 2012-13

Which Australian batsman has won Allan Border Medal 2016 - David Warner 

Among the important Sports Current Affairs, On 27th January 2016, the prestigious Allan Border Medal for 2016 was won by Australian batsman David Warner.

Apart from this, the Test Player of the Year Award was also won by Warner.

Other winners announced in the award ceremony are:

• Women's International Cricketer of the Year (Belinda Clark Award) - Ellyse Perry
• Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year - Alex Ross
• One Day International Player of the Year - Glenn Maxwell
• Test Player of the Year - David Warner
• State Player of the Year - Adam Voges (Western Australia)

Do You Know : 

• In Australian cricket, the Allan Border Medal is considered to be the most prestigious individual prize.
• It recognises the most outstanding Australian cricketer of the past season.
• The first award was presented in the year 2000.

Which Pakistan Cricketer has announced is retired from International Cricket - Imran Farhat

On 27th January 2016, Pakistan Opener Imran Farhat announced his retirement from international cricket after getting No-Objection Certificate from Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Now, he is eligible to play Masters Champions League (MCL), a T20 tournament for retired cricketers.

According to the policy of PCB, the player who sign for the MCL have to completely retire from International Cricket. 

Where did the Snow Leopard was spotted for the first time - North Sikkim

On 27th January 2016, the endangered snow leopards was spotted for the first time in the North Sikkim Plateau calimed by WWF-India. 

Prior to this, only the yak herders, known as ‘Dokpas’ claimed the presence of snow leopards in the high altitudes of North Sikkim.

WWF-India’s work on snow leopard 

Since 2006, WWF-India has been working in Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir to understand the snow leopard’s status and distribution in India. 

Who has been selected for Amnesty International Human Rights Award 2016 - Indian activist Henri Tiphagne 

Among the important International Current Affairs, On 26th January 2016, Indian lawyer and human rights defender Henri Tiphagne in recognition of his exceptional commitment to human rights was selected for the 8th Human Rights Award by Amnesty International Germany.

About is Henri Tiphagne

• He is the founder of the organization People’s Watch, one of the most notable human rights organizations in India.
• The organization does research and documentation on human rights violations and has actively supported human rights education.

About Amnesty International Human Rights Award

• Amnesty Germany presents this award in every two years in appreciation of individuals or organizations campaigning for human rights.
• Amnesty Germany’s foundation Stiftung Menschenrechte, Förderstiftung Amnesty presents the award and 10000 Euros.

National Job Portal for Persons with Disabilities launched by - Union Government

On 27th January 2016, the National level Job portal www.disabilityjobs.gov.in for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) was launched by the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Thaawarchand Gehlot.

In the upcoming 3 years, the Ministry will carry out skill training programme for 5 lakh Persons with Disabilities.

Highlights of the job portal

• National Handicapped Finance and Development Corporation (NHFDC) developed this portal. 
• All desired information for employment opportunities will be made available on single window platform which will empower persons with disabilities.

Who has been honoured with Order of Australia - Chennupati Jagadish & Jay Chandra

Among the important International Current Affairs, On 26th January 2016, Jay Chandra and Chennupati Jagadish, Indian-origin persons, for their contribution in the fields of physics, engineering and medicine were honoured with the Order of Australia, highest civilian honour of Australia. 

Jay Chandra is awarded for his significant service to medicine in the field of ophthalmology as a clinician and for his service to the international community through eye care programs.

Chennupati Jagadish is awarded for his distinguished service to physics and engineering, particularly in the field of nanotechnology.

US-based KBACE Technologies acquired by - Cognizant 

Among the important Business Current Affairs, On 27th January 2016,  the privately-held KBACE Technologies Inc., a US-based global consulting and technology services company specialising in cloud strategy, implementation and integration was acquired by Cognizant Technology Solutions.

With this acquisition, around 400 KBACE consultants and implementation experts across industry and business functions will now become part of Cognizant.

As a result of this acquisition, Cognizant’s digital capabilities will be expanded as more clients are moving critical business applications to cloud-based IT infrastructures.

Name the first of Intelsat EpicNG Satellites, launched into Orbit - Intelsat 29e

Among the important Science Current Affairs, On 27th January 2016, the successfull launch of the first of the Intelsat EpicNG high throughput satellite, Inteslat 29e from French Guiana aboard an Ariane 5 vehicle was announced by the Intelsat, the commercial satellite giant.

It will replace Intelsat 1R and will be placed into service at 310° east. Intelsat 29e will bring high throughput capacity in both C-band and Ku-band to the North Atlantic region and North and Latin America. 

About the Intelsat 29e

• It is the first satellite of Intelsat’s next generation, all digital EpicNG satellite platforms, which combines wide beams and spot beams with frequency reuse technology and the sector’s most advanced digital payload.  
• It comes with the most advanced digital payload on a commercial spacecraft and is manufactured by Boeing.
• It is the 56th Intelsat satellite launched by Arianespace.  

Who has became India's first civil servant to scale Mount Vinson Massif - IPS officer Aparna Kumar 

Among the important National Current Affairs, On 17th January 2016, Aparna Kumar, IPS officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre, became India's first civil servant to scale Mount Vinson Massif, the highest peak in the Antarctica.

She hoisted the Indian flag and the flag of the Uttar Pradesh Police Service on Mount Vinson Massif.

About Aparna Kumar

• At present, she is posted as DIG telecom in Lucknow.
• Till now, she has scaled 5 of the 7 summits considered the most challenging for mountaineers in the world. 

Who has  won 12th Sub-Junior National Snooker championship title - Ishika Shah

Among the important Sports Current Affairs, On 26th January 2016, the 12th Sub-Junior National Snooker championship title was won by 14-year old Ishika Shah by defeating Anushi Seth.

Earlier in 2015, she lost the title to Doyel in the summit clash held in Kolkata.

Both the snooker and billiards championship were held as part of the 20-day long National Billiards & Snooker Championship 2016.

International Day of Commemoration observed on - 27th January  

On 27th January 2016, International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust was observed across the world with the theme "The Holocaust and Human Dignity". 

The day is observed to mark the anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi German Concentration and Extermination Camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau by the Soviet troops in 1945.

The Holocaust

During the World War II, the Nazi regime and its allies murdered about six million Jewish men, women and children, in a continent-wide programme of destruction of all Jewish communities.

Who has been honoured with Companion of the order of Australia - Rod Laver

Among the important International Current Affairs, On 26th January 2016, Rodney George Laver honoured with the Companion of the order of Australia for playing role model for young sportsmen and women and eminent service to tennis as a player, representative and mentor, at the national and international level.

He has became the third sportsman to be named a Companion of the Order of Australia.