Current Affairs 26 January 2018

1. WEF launches Global Centre for Cybersecurity In a bid to safeguard the world from hackers and growing data breaches, the World ...

1. WEF launches Global Centre for Cybersecurity

In a bid to safeguard the world from hackers and growing data breaches, the World Economic Forum (WEF) has announced a new Global Centre for Cybersecurity.

• Headquartered in Geneva, the centre will become operational from March.
• Cyber breaches recorded by businesses are on the rise. In the last five years, these have almost doubled to an average of 130 breaches per business in 2017.

2. World Economic Forum Summit in Switzerland Concludes

Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned India after concluding his visit to Davos, Switzerland for World Economic Forum Summit.

• During this visit the Prime Minister delivered a keynote address at the plenary session of 48th Annual meeting of world economic forum.
• He became the first Indian Prime Minister in two decades to join the world’s top business leaders in the Swiss report town of Davos.
• Mr Modi outlined climate change, terrorism and protectionism as 3 Global threats.

3. India Ranks 81st On Global Talent Competitiveness Index

India has moved up on a global index of talent competitiveness to the 81st position, but remains a laggard among the BRICS nations.

• While Switzerland continues to top the list released every year on the first day of the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting, India has improved its position from 92nd last year.
• European countries dominate the top ranks, with 15 out of the top 25 places.

4. National Voters' Day: 25 January

In order to encourage more young voters to take part in the political process, Government of India has decided to celebrate January 25 every year as 'National Voters' Day'.

• It started from January 25, 2011 to mark Commission's foundation day.
• This year, National Voters' Day theme is 'Accessible Elections'.

5. Centre to infuse over Rs. 88,000 cr in PSU banks this fiscal

The Centre has announced that it would infuse over Rs. 88,000 crore as capital in public sector banks this fiscal, including Rs. 80,000 crore through recapitalisation bonds and Rs. 8,139 crore as budgetary support.

• Financial Services Secretary Rajeev Kumar said that banks would have to first accept and adopt the reforms package finalised by the Finance Ministry.
• The recapitalisation bonds will be non SLR status and non-tradeable.

6. Government appoints six new Joint Directors in CBI

 

Gujarat-cadre senior police officer Praveen Sinha is among six-newly appointed Joint Directors in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

• Sinha and two other police officers Ajay Bhatnagar and Pankaj Kumar Srivastava have been inducted in the CBI as Joint Directors.
• Three other IPS officers  Sharad Aggarwal, Gajendra Kumar Goswami and V Murugesan have also been appointed as JDs in the probe agency.

7. Usha Ananthasubramanian elected as first woman Chairman of IBA

Usha Ananthasubramanian, MD & CEO, Allahabad Bank, has been elected as the first woman Chairman of Indian Banks' Association (IBA).

• Ms Usha was elected IBA Chairman for the year 2017-18 by its Managing Committee.
• IBA Chairman's position was vacant following the superannuation of Jatinder Bir Singh.
• Rajnish Kumar, Chairman, State Bank of India was elected as Deputy Chairman of IBA for the year 2017-18.

8. US Senate confirms Jerome H Powell as next Federal Reserve chairman

The United States Senate has confirmed Jerome H Powell as the next chairman of the Federal Reserve, a powerful post having an influence on global economy.

• Powell (64) will replace Janett Yellen, whose term ends in February.
• He was confirmed by the US Senate by an overwhelming vote of 84-12.
• Currently a Fed governor and former financial-firm executive, Powell is expected to mostly continue with Yellen’s policies.

9. Tamilnadu CM Edappady K Palaniswami receives Unesco award

Tamilnadu Chief Minister Edappady K. Palaniswami received the Unesco Award of Merit awarded to the iconic Ranganathaswamy temple in Srirangam (Tiruchy).

• The Award of Merit, 2017, was given by Unesco Asia Pacific region for the cultural heritage conservation activities taken up at the temple without altering its original splendor.
• The ancient Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu who is seen in reclining form.