January 2013- Latest Current Affairs

Current Affairs- January 2013

Current Affairs January 2013 –First Week (Useful for all competitive Examinations)

PM Manmohan Singh 19th most followed leader on Twitter

As per Digital Policy Council (DPC), PM Manmohan Singh has became the 19th most followed leader in the world on Twitter, leaving behind the likes of David Cameron and Julia Gillard in less than 12 months, which annually ranks leaders in terms of their online influence. The latest study by the Digital Policy Council (DPC) concludes that leaders of fragile or political unstable states normally view social media as a threat but it describes Manmohan Singh and India as an exception.

Manmohan Singh ranked 19th with 3,42,612 followers. US President Barrack Obama topped the list with 24,611,982 followers. Second on the list was President of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez with 3,802,177 followers. Manmohan Singh though has more followers on Twitter than Prime Ministers of Canada, Australia and UK.

DPC provides its analysis about government institutions and world leaders who make use of the social media sites for connecting with the citizens. The latest study conducted by DPC proves that 75 percent of the heads of countries were making use of Twitter.

Mukesh Ambani 18th richest man in world; Retains Position as Richest Indian

Mukesh Ambani, the Indian business tycoon is the 18th richest person of the world having personal wealth of 24.7 billion dollar in 2012, as per the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, which is the daily ranking that describes 100 wealthiest individuals of the world.

Mukesh Ambani is the chairman and MD of Reliance Industries and for the sixth time in a row, he retained his rank as the richest Indian of the world. Infact, his ranking jumped up from 19th position to 18th and his wealth increased from 21 billion dollar to 24.7 billion dollar in the world, the Index revealed.

The Index also revealed that the Mexican telecommunication tycoon Carlos Slim was the richest person of the world in 2012 with personal wealth of over 70 billion dollar. The founder of Microsoft, Bill Gates as well as the founder of Zara, the fashion retail, Amancio Ortega retained the position in top three with their wealth standing just more than and a little less than 60 billion dollar respectively.

Former Australian Cricketer Glenn McGrath inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame

The International Cricket Council on 4 January2013 inducted Glenn McGrath into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame during the lunch interval of the third Test match between Australia and Sri Lanka in Sydney. McGrath became the 68th male member of the Hall of Fame and joins fellow 2012-13 inductees West Indian Brian Lara and England's Enid Bakewell in being recognized by the ICC and the living members of the Hall of Fame.

While Lara and Bakewell were inducted in September at the LG ICC Awards, McGrath was inducted at his home ground of the SCG by the ICC President, Alan Isaac, along with Cricket Australia chairman Wally Edwards in front of a large and appreciative crowd. A fourth and final inductee of 2012-13 will be announced later this year.

A Brief Insight into Glenn McGrath’s Career

• McGrath represented Australia in 124 Test matches between 1993 and 2007 and claimed 563 Test wickets at an average of 21.64.

• He took more Test wickets than any other seam bowler currently in the game or retired.

• Glenn McGrath represented Australia in 250 ODIs, claiming 381 wickets at an average of 22.02, and was part of the Australian side that won three successive World Cups — 1999, 2003 and 2007.

• He still holds the record for most wickets in World Cup competitions, with 71 wickets and his figures of 7-15 against Namibia are the best in the competition’s history.

Union Government constituted the 14th Finance Commission under Former RBI Governor YV Reddy

The government on 2 January 2013 constituted the 14th Finance Commission under the Chairmanship of former RBI Governor Y V Reddy, which among other things, will suggest steps for pricing of public utilities like electricity and water in an independent manner. The commission under YV Reddy is going to primarily review finances of the governments keeping in mind the fiscal consolidation road map that was laid out by his predecessor Vijay Kelkar, the head of 13th finance Commission. The other members of the Commission, which will submit its report by October 31, 2014, include Former Finance Secretary Sushma Nath, NIPFP Director M Govinda Rao, Planning Commission Member Abhijit Sen and Former Acting Chairman of National Statistical Commission Sudipto Mundle.

About Finance Commission

The Finannce commission is set up every five years. Article 280 of the Constitution provides for setting up of a finance commission to recommend how net earnings of taxes are to be divided between the Union and states and subsequently among the states. The Finance Commission Act of 1951 states the terms of qualification, appointment and disqualification, the term, eligibility and powers of the Finance Commission.

Functions of 14th Finance Commission

• Among the new areas of recommendations on public sector units (PSUs), the commission will suggest how to list these units on the bourses and will also give its prescriptions on the disinvestment process.

• The commission has also been asked to recommend how non-priority PSUs be relinquished.

• The commission will recommend measures for segregating the pricing of public utility services such as drinking water, irrigation, power and public transport from policy fluctuations through statutory provisions.

• It will also suggest measures for maintaining a stable and sustainable fiscal environment consistent with equitable growth including suggestions to amend the Fiscal Responsibility Budget Management Act.

Russian President Vladmir Putin Visited India to attend 13th India-Russia Annual Summit

On 24 December 2012, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, the President of Russia visited India at the Invitation of Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister of India to attend 13th India-Russia Annual Summit. During the visit the Russian President met the Prime Minister of India - Manmohan Singh and the President – Pranab Mukherjee. During this visit of President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh reviewed the progress made in all the important areas of mutual cooperation, comprising sectors like energy, trade, high technology and military-technical cooperation. Both these leaders discussed on extending the special and privileged strategic partnership between the two countries.

Urjit Patel was appointed as the Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India

Urjit Patel was appointed as the Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India on 3 January 2013. Patel will replace Subir Gokarn, who was heading the monetary policy department, among others in the central bank. The three-year term of Subir Gokarn terminated in November 2012 but he was given an extension which ended finally on 31 December 2012. Prior to his appointment, Patel was an adviser in the Boston Consulting Group. There are in all four Deputy Governor Posts in RBI. With the termination of term of Subir Gokarn, one post was vacant.

Syed Asif Ibrahim Took Over as the Director of Intelligence Bureau

Syed Asif Ibrahim, the 1977 Madhya Pradesh cadre IPS officer took over the office of Intelligence Bureau as a director on 1 January 2013 from Nehchal Sandhu. Alok Joshi, the Haryana cadre IPS officer on the other hand took over the office of RAW as the director on 31 December 2012.

The names of the head of IB and RAW were cleared in November 2012 by the cabinet committee which was headed by the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Syed Asif Ibrahim was appointed as officer on special duty in the Intelligence Bureau after his name was cleared from appointments panel. With this, Ibrahim became the first Muslim to acquire such a prestigious post in the IB.

Nehchal Sandhu retired as the head of IB on 31 December 2012 after which Asif Ibrahim took over. Before holding the position of head of IB, Asif Ibrahim served as a special director in IB. He became the special director after returning from London where he held the designation of Minister (Coordination) in the Indian high commission.

S. Ramakrishnan took over charge as Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre

A senior Scientist from ISRO, S. Ramakrishnan took over as the Director of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Thiruvananthapuram in the first week of January 2013. Ramakrishnan, who was director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), succeeds P S Veeraraghavan.

S. Ramakrishnan

•    He is an expert in aerospace propulsion, launch vehicle systems and project management

•    Before Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre he served as director (project) at VSSC and Chairman of Flight readiness review panel

•    He played a major role in accomplishing the PSLV C-11/Chandrayaan Mission

•    He was hounoured with a Padma Shri in 2003

•    He served as the Mission Director for PSLV C1, C2, C3 and C4 flights

•    He played a major role in helping India accomplish its first satellite Launch Vehicle SLV-3

Novak Djokovic won World Tennis Championships in Abu Dhabi

Novak Djokovic retained his title at the World Tennis Championship exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi on 29 December 2012  by rallying past Nicolas Almagro of Spain 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-4 in the final. Also, Spain's David Ferrer defeated Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 to take third place in Abu Dhabi. All the four players are going to compete in the Australian Open which is meant to be started in Melbourne on 14 January 2013 with Serbia's Djokovic the defending champion. Novak Djokovic beat world number five Ferrer in straight sets to book his place in the final, while Almagro, a late replacement for the injured Rafael Nadal, fought back from a set down to beat Janko Tipsarevic in the semi.

Australian Cricketer Michael Hussey announced Retirement from Test Cricket

Australian veteran and middle- order batsman Michael Hussey on 29 December 2012 announced that he would retire from Test cricket after playing the final match of the series against Sri Lanka at Sydney starting on 3 January 2012. Sydney Test match will be the 79th and final Test in 37-year-old Hussey’s career having made his debut at 30.

Known as ‘Mr Cricket’ for his consistency, Hussey has before the last match played 78 Tests scoring 6183 runs including 19 centuries and 29 half centuries at an impressive average of 51.52. He also has a fantastic ODI record having scored 5442 runs in 185 ODIs with three hundreds and 39 half-centuries at an average of 48.15. He was a member of the victorious 2007 ICC World Cup squad.

A Brief insight into Hussey’s Career

• Hussey made his Test debut at the age of 30 in the Gabba cricket ground of Brisbane on 3 November 2005, as a replacement for fellow Western Australian batsman Justin Langer in the Australia vs. West Indies series.

• Hussey has before his last test played 78 Tests scoring 6183 runs including 19 centuries and 29 half centuries at an impressive average of 51.52.

• Hussey  who is also the Australia’s 393rd Test Captain had a fantastic ODI record having scored 5442 runs in 185 ODIs with three hundreds and 39 half-centuries at an average of 48.15.

• He was a member of the victorious 2007 ICC World Cup squad. He also played 38 T20 Internationals.

• He had played in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the Chennai Super Kings, although he opted out of the 2009 season. He was retained by Chennai Super Kings in the 2011–2012 season of Indian Premier League for 425000 dollars.

Tony Greig, Former Captain of England Cricket Team and Commentator Died

Tony Greig, 66, the former captain of England cricket team and renowned commentator passed away in Sydney on 29 December 2012 following lung cancer. Greig was diagnosed with the ailment in October 2012. In the 1980s Greig became a high-profile member of the commentary team for Australia’s Nine Network and his decades behind the microphone made him an institution in Australia’s sporting life. Nine Network described Greig as a “beloved” figure.

Key elements of Tony Greig’s life:

•Tony Greig was born in Queenstown in South Africa.

•He was awarded with the Best Cricketer of the Year award in 1975.

•Greig had the test career of 58 matches and he scored 3599 runs while claiming 141 wickets.

•He played 22 ODIs and scored 269 runs while grabbing 19 wickets.

•He is said to be the leading international all-round player for England.

•In his captaincy career, the best performance was in 1976-1977.

•After the end of his cricketing career in 1977, Greig became a successful and renowned commentator.

Mahaveer Singh and Tejaswini Sawant Bagged Gold in National Shooting Championship

Mahaveer Singh of Rajasthan and Tejaswini Sawant of Maharashtra won gold medals on 28 December 2012 in National Shooting Championship. In the category called standard-pistol, Mahaveer Singh shot 569 to get hold of the prestigious prize ahead of Pemba Tamang (567) who belongs to Army as well as Samaresh Jung (563) belonging to CISF at Karni Singh Shooting Ranges.

Italy’s parliament dissolved

Italy’s President Giorgio Napolitano dissolved parliament following the resignation of Prime Minister Mario Monti. Monti resigned early after former premier Silvio Berlusconi’s center-right People of Freedom party (PdL) withdrew support from the emergency cabinet.

John Kerry nominated as next secretary of state for USA

US President Barack Obama nominated John Kerry to replace Hillary Clinton as secretary of state. Kerry, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the 2004 Democratic presidential candidate, was nominated after UN ambassador Susan Rice, withdrew her name from considerations.

Prepared by: currentaffairs4examz.blogspot.com

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