31 January 2017 Current Affairs
Former CAG Chief Vinod Rai appointed as BCCI Chief
The Supreme Court on 30 January appointed a committee of four administrators headed by former Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) Vinod Rai to manage the affairs of World’s richest cricket body BCCI after its president and other top office bearers were barred from cricket administration. Rai as BCCI Chief, along with noted historian Ramachandra Guha and IDFC MD & CEO Vikram Limaye as administrator of the sport body.
India’s largest startup incubator to be built at Hubli
Indian-American entrepreneur, philanthropist and venture capitalist Gururaj Deshpande has decided to launch India’s largest startup incubation center at Hubli in Karnataka. The decision is based on the idea of expansion of the Deshpande Foundation’s initial incubation enter, Sandbox, which was founded by Deshpande and his wife Jaishree 2008. Nearly 50 startups are part of Sandbox. All of them will move to the facility once it is ready.
Holly Wood legend actor John Hurt dies at 77
Holly Wood Iconic actor John Hurt died on 27 January at the age of 77 after battling pancreatic cancer. He was renown for his performances in The Elephant Man, Alien and Midnight Express but is best known to this generation as Mr. Ollivander, the beloved wandmaker from the Harry Potter film franchise His character first appeared in 2001’s Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and he reprised the role again in 2010 for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part one, and the movies second part in 2011.
Dushyant Chautala as new President of TTFI
Dushyant Chautala has been appointed as the president of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI). However,Chautala is the youngest president of the open body. His Term, which is for four years, extends until 2021. The election of all posts, was conducted and supervised by Justice Ranjit Singh (Retd) of the Punjab and Haryana High Court which went smoothly as they were returned unopposed.
Trump bans 7 nations from entering US
American President Donald Trump has signed an executive order on January 27,2017 to temporarily ban visas for refugees for refugees belonging to seven Muslim majority countries namely Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. The decision aims at protecting United States from the entry of foreign terrorists to keep the Nation safe. The ban is not aimed at restricting Muslim countries from entering US.
BNHS launches a climate change programme in Himalayas
The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) has launched a climate change programme. The Himalayas hold a rich natural heritage with diverse flora and fauna enhancing the beauty of the region. The study will focus on their conservation in the context of climate change with the help of community participation. The Indian subcontinent is home to nearly 50 species of pheasants and 62 species of finches, with several species listed in “Globally Threatened” category by IUCN.
Karnataka Govt to Amend Laws Lifting Ban on Kambala
Amid growing protests for lifting the ban on buffalo race Kambala. Karnataka Cabinet on 28 January decided to amend the prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act to pave the way for the traditional sport in the coastal region. The amendment will be introduced by the state cabinet in the legislature session scheduled to be begin from February 6, 2017.
Reliance Defense get a contract from Indian Coast Guard
Reliance Defense and Engineering Limited has signed a contract worth Rs 916 crore with the Union Defense Ministry for the construction of 14 fast patrol vessels for the Indian Coast Guard. This is the first time a private sector company has been contracted to design a ship of such a class for the Armed Forces. The boats will be medium range high – speed vessels and will be used for coastal patrols as well as search and rescue and anti smuggling operations.