12 January 2016 Current Affairs
Sushma Swaraj to visit Palestine, Israel
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will visit Israel and Palestine on January 17-18 to further build on the goodwill generated by the trip of President Pranab Mukherjee to the two West Asian nations three months back.Palestine will be Ms. Swaraj’s first destination where she will hold talks with leadership of the country with an aim to boost bilateral engagement and deepen mutual understanding at the political level.After completing her engagements in Palestine on January 17, Ms. Swaraj will go to Israel the same day for a two-day visit during which she will hold discussions with the Israeli leadership and review the entire gamut of India-Israel relations.
EPFO bags National Award on e-Governance
The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation has won the National Award on e-Governance 2015-16 for launching the Universal Account Number (UAN).The UAN facility enables workers to transfer their provident fund deposits while switching jobs anywhere in India easily.The EPFO won the gold award in the ‘innovative use of technology in e-governance’ category and the retirement body will get a cash prize of Rs 2 lakh.The award will be presented by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions to the EPFO in the 19th National Conference on e-governance to be held in Nagpur on January 22.
Strong Earthquake strikes off Indonesia’s Talaud islands
A strong earthquake struck off North Sulawesi province in central Indonesia 12 January 2016.The U.S. Geological Survey said the magnitude 6.4 quake hit 233 kilometres (145 miles) southeast of Sarangani in the Philippines, at a depth of 12.9 kilometres (8 miles).
Indian Foreign Secretary Jaishankar visit Colombo
Indian Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar on 12 January 2016 arrived in Sri Lanka to hold bilateral discussions with the island nation’s leadership.Mr. Jaishankar is expected to meet Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera among other dignitaries, According to the report, during the course of his visit, Mr. Jaishankar is expected to pave the way for the India-Sri Lanka Joint Commission (ISLJC) meeting scheduled to be held in Colombo next month.External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is likely to attend the ISJLC meeting.