PERSONS IN NEWS
A) APPOINTMENTS
R Chandrashekhar is new NASSCOM President
Former Telecom Secretary (Government of India), R Chandrashekhar on 5 January took over as the President of Information Technology trade body Nasscom (National Association of Software and Services Companies).He succeeds Som Mittal, who served as President from 2007-2013.This is the first time that NASSCOM has appointed a former bureaucrat as the president.
US Senate Confirmed Janet Yellen as new Federal Reserve Chairperson
The US Senate has on 6 January confirmed Janet Yellen as new leader of the Federal Reserve. She is the first woman to lead the central bank in its 100-year history. She succeeds the Chairman Ben Bernanke as the next head of America’s central bank.
Sheikh Hasina Sworn In As Bangladesh Prime Minister
Sheikh Hasina was on 12 January sworn in as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh for the third time. She had won an overwhelming majority in the Bangladesh general election held on 5 January 2014 by defeating opposition party, Jatiya party.The Awami League has secured absolute majority in the 10th Parliament elections by bagging 232 seats – 105 contested and 127 uncontested.
B)RESIGNS
Tunisia Prime Minister Ali Larayedh Resigned
Tunisia’s Islamist Prime Minister Ali Larayedh has resigned from his office on 9 January . With his resignation, the country will be led by the caretaker Government of technocrats led by led by new Prime Minister Mehdi Jomaa. He resigned following a deal between the Islamist Ennahda Party of Ali Larayedh and the secular opposition for a transition to the democracy in the country.
C)DEATHS
Israel’s Former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon Died
Israel’s former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon died on 11 January .The former general of Israeli Army had been in coma since 4 January 2006. He served as the 11th Prime Minister of Israel until he was incapacitated by a stroke. Sharon was a commander in the Israeli Army from its creation in 1948.Nicknamed ‘The Bulldozer’, the veteran soldier fought in all of Israel’s major wars before beginning a turbulent political career in 1973.
D)VISITORS
Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck Visited India
Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck Visited India from 6 – 10 January 2014. During his visit , Bhutan King held extensive talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi. The two leaders exchanged views on bilateral relations and on regional and international issues of mutual interest. The prime minister and other Indian leaders reiterated their full commitment and support to Bhutan’s socio-economic development and to further development of Bhutan’s hydropower resources. This is King Wangchuck’s second visit in 12 months. He was also the chief guest at India’s Republic Day celebrations in January 2013.
E)MISCELLANEOUS
Sachin Tendulkar 5th Most Admired Person In The World
Microsoft founder Bill Gates has been named as the most admired person on the planet with cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar fifth on a list of 30 people compiled after a poll in 13 countries, including India.The ‘World’s most admired people poll’ was conducted by YouGov for The Times by surveying almost 14,000 people.