22nd January 2017 Important Daily Current Affairs

Daily Current Affairs of 22nd January 2017

International Current Affairs

Indian-origin Mauritian Prime Minister Anerood Jugnauth today announced that he is stepping down to hand over power to his son Pravind Jugnauth.
- Pravind who is the incumbent Finance Minister is expected to be named Prime Minister early next week.
The World Economic Forum and UCSB’s Marine Science Institute (MSI) have announced a partnership to improve health of world’s oceans and maritime resources.
- This partnership will harness the potential of public-private cooperation and the 4th industrial revolution to help the international community meet the ocean sustainable development goal.
Turkey's Parliament today voted in favour of a constitutional reform bill making the country's President the head of the executive.
- The bill will now be put to a nationwide referendum that would be held in April.
- If people vote in favour of the referendum it could reportedly allow Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan to stay in office until 2029.

National Current Affairs

Over 3.5 lakh people today set a new world record by singing the National Anthem at an event in Gujarat.
- The event was organised during the installation of an idol of goddess Khodiyar at a newly-built Khodal Dham temple in Rajkot's Kagvad.
The Gurugram Police has been given body-worn cameras, which will be attached to a policeman's uniform, for better patrolling.
- The cameras, imported from the United Kingdom, are encrypted and it is not possible to delete or overwrite footage.
Forty tribal guests from different parts of the country have been invited by the government to witness this year's Republic Day parade on the Rajpath in New Delhi.
- They will get to watch the Republic Day parade and the Beating Retreat ceremony.
- Further, they will also meet President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President Hamid Ansari, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam inaugurated the traditional bull-taming sport Jallikattu at Alanganallur today.
- This comes after Tamil Nadu Governor Vidyasagar Rao cleared an ordinance overturning the Supreme Court-imposed ban on the sport.
- All the ministers of the state have also inaugurated Jallikattu in their respective districts on Sunday.

Business & Economic Affairs

Technology giant Apple has emerged as the Most Innovative Company for 2016, according to Boston Consulting Group’s annual list which ranks world’s 50 most innovative firms.
- Google was ranked second, followed by electric carmaker Tesla on the list.
Government has notified that Co-operative Banks are not authorised to accept deposits under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Deposit Scheme (PMGKDS).
China has set up a 100 billion yuan (approximately ₹1 lakh crore) fund to support investment in the internet sector.
- An initial 30 billion yuan (approximately ₹30,000 crore) has been raised from the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) and other banks and telecom companies.
- Note : ICBC was the world's biggest public company in terms of assets in 2016.

Science & Technology

Singapore's first satellite which was launched from the International Space Station (ISS), AOBA VELOX-III, is claimed to stay in orbit for twice as long as similar satellites.
- A new thruster technology will keep the 110-metre habitable satellite at an orbiting speed of 27,000 kilometres per hour for up to six months, double the three-month lifespan of such satellites.

Awards & Honors

ISKCON’s Govardhan eco village nearby Wada taluka in Thane district has been conferred the United Nations award for taking innovative measures of ’sustainable tourism’ in country.
- Note : This is for the first time India has won such recognition from the UN in the NGO sector.

Sports Current Affairs

Top seed Saina Nehwal beat Thailand's Pornpawee Chochuwong 22-20 22-20 to win the Malaysia Masters Grand Prix Gold tournament today.
- Note : This is Saina's first title since June 2016, when she won the Australian Open
Kolkata's Eden Gardens will become the first Indian stadium to have stands named after war heroes, after Cricket Association of Bengal President Sourav Ganguly announced that two stands will be dedicated to soldiers.
- The Army, which owns the land on which the stadium is located, is yet to finalise the names, which will be unveiled before the next international match.
International cricket is being played across five countries today, making it the first such instance in history.
- Two ODIs are being played in India and Australia, while South Africa and UAE are hosting T20Is and New Zealand a Test.