20 January 2016 Current Affairs
ISRO successfully launched the fifth navigation satellite IRNSS-1E
Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, in its 33rd flight (PSLV-C31), launched IRNSS-1E, the fifth satellite of the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS). The launch took place on 20 January 2016 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota,Andhra Pradesh. IRNSS-1E is the fifth navigation satellite of the seven satellites constituting the IRNSS space segment. Its predecessors, IRNSS-1A, 1B, 1C and 1D were launched by PSLV-C22, PSLV-C24, PSLV-C26 and PSLV-C27 in July 2013, April 2014, October 2014 and March 2015 respectively. IRNSS-1E has a lift-off mass of 1425 kg. The configuration of IRNSS-1E is similar to that of IRNSS-1A, 1B, 1C and 1D. IRNSS -1E carries two types of payloads – navigation payload and ranging payload. The navigation payload of IRNSS-1E will transmit navigation service signals to the users. This payload will be operating in L5-band and S-band. A highly accurate Rubidium atomic clock is part of the navigation payload of the satellite. The ranging payload of IRNSS-1E consists of a C-band transponder which facilitates accurate determination of the range of the satellite. IRNSS-1E also carries Corner Cube Retro Reflectors for laser ranging.
Taliban Kill 20 in Attack at Bacha Khan University in Pakistan
The militants entered the Bacha Khan University in Charsadda, northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on 20 January 2016.According to media reports, a group of militants stormed the university using the cover of thick fog before opening fire on students and teachers in classrooms and hostels.Agencies reported that at least 25 persons and all the attackers were killed. The Tehreek-e-Taliban have claimed responsibility for the attack.
MoU between India and Britain for cooperation in public administration
The union cabinet on 20 January 2016 gave its ex-post facto approval for the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between India and Britain for cooperation in public administration and governance reforms.The meeting of the union cabinet was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.The form of co-operation will be in areas like sharing good governance practices in public administration, user led service design, reducing bureaucracy in service delivery, government process re-engineering, building and developing staff capability, public grievance redress mechanism, local government reforms, reforms towards strengthening of social security, collaboration in strategies for promotion of ethics in government, collaboration between government and industry on staff management, mechanisms for public engagement, crisis and disaster management and digital transformation of government.
Oldest Christian monastery in Iraq razed by IS
The oldest Christian monastery in Iraq, which had survived for more than 1,400 years, has been reduced to a field of rubble by ISIS fighters, satellite images confirm. St. Elijah’s Monastery, south of Mosul, northern Iraq, has been completely wiped out by the Islamist terrorist, joining a list of dozens of historical and religious sites purposely destroyed by the group. Experts believe ISIS fighters would have used every measure available to destroy the monastery, which had most recently served as a place of worship for U.S. troops, including bulldozers, sledgehammers and possibly explosives.