Current affairs 9th July 2016

Centre constitutes cyber cell to check online abuse

• Centre has constituted a cyber cell to check the online abuse and harassment of women and children on social media platforms
• Inaugurated By: Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi
• Ms. Maneka Gandhi met Twitter India team and discussed the empowerment of women and children to deal with abuse, harassment and hateful conduct on social media especially on Twitter.

Important Question for Competitive Exam from this Current affairs:

1. Which Minister of India constituted a cyber cell to check the online abuse and harassment of women and children: a)Women and Child Development Minister b)Minister of Information and Broadcasting c)Minister of youth affairs and sports d)Minister of health and family welfare

Kerala imposes 14.5% 'fat tax' on junk food

• In a first-of-its-kind move in the country, Kerala has introduced a ‘fat tax’ on the consumption of junk food items like pizzas and burgers sold through branded restaurants.
• The Kerala government imposed 14.5% tax on branded restaurants selling items like tacos, pizzas, burgers, sandwiches, among others
• This tax is supposed to add about Rs 10 crore to the tax revenue of state per year
• Along with this, 5% tax has been imposed on packaged basmati rice and coconut oil and 5% tax on wheat products in packets

Important Question for Competitive Exam from this Current affairs:

1. Fat Tax on the consumption of junk food was introduced by which state: a)Goa b)Maharashtra c)Kerala d)Madhya Pradesh
2. The Kerala government imposed ______% tax on branded restaurants selling items like tacos, pizzas, burgers,sandwiches, among others: a)14.5 b)12 c)4 d)20

Putin signs controversial ‘Big Brother’ law

• Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the controversial “anti-terrorist” legislation adopted by the lower and upper houses of parliament in late June, despite the flurry of criticism from opposition-minded circles and the serious concerns expressed by Russian telecom and internet companies
• It will boost the surveillance powers for the security services by requiring communication providers to store users' calls, messages, photographs and videos for six months, as well as metadata for up to three years.
• The laws include increasing government powers of surveillance, strengthening the punishment for inciting or justifying terrorism online and increasing the number of crimes with which children between the ages of 14 and 17 can be charged.

Important Question for Competitive Exam from this Current affairs:

1. Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the controversial _________ law for anti terrorism: a)Big Brother Law b)Twenty Point Law c)Surveillance Law d)None of these

source: the hindu

Indian Merchant Navy Captain Radhika Menon is first woman to get bravery award

• Captain Radhika Menon become first women to receive IMO Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea
• Captain Radhika Menon receive the 2016 International Maritime Organisation Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea for her role in the dramatic rescue of seven fishermen from a sinking fishing boat in tumultuous seas in the Bay of Bengal

International Maritime Organisation (IMO):

• Headquarter: London, United Kingdom 
• Members: IMO has 171 members and 3 associated members

Important Question for Competitive Exam from this Current affairs:

1. Who become the first woman to get bravery award at sea by IMO: a)Radhika Menon b)Depika Mohanty c)Sarmista Subramaniyam d)None of these

India sets up apparel training centre in Nigeria

• India has set up an apparel training centre in Nigeria to support textiles industry of the west African country
• The centre has been established in Kaduna, Nigeria under the Cotton Technical Assistance Programme for Africa which is being implemented by the Indian Department of Commerce
• It was inaugurated on June 22.
• The center is aimed to support and catalyze the initiative of Nigeria in realising the objectives to rebuild the cotton and textile value chain and address the need for skilled workforce for domestic as well export-oriented apparel industry in the west African region

Important Question for Competitive Exam from this Current affairs:

1. India sets up apparel training centre in: a)Nigeria b)Denmark c)Luxembourg d)Mozambique 

source: business standard

Pakistani philanthropist Abdul Sattar Edhi dies

• Pakistan’s celebrated philanthropist Abdul Sattar Edhi who dedicated his life to humanity and social services on Saturday  passed away at the age of 92
• He passed away few hours ago due to kidney failure
• He was the founder and head of the Edhi Foundation in Pakistan and known as Angel of Mercy, Pakistan’s ‘Father Teresa’ and was considered country’s most respected figure.
• He wrote the book - Abdul Sattar Edhi, an autobiography: A mirror to the blind.
• For his contributions to the humanity, he received numerous Award including Nishan-e Imtiaz (highest civilian honor), Pakistan Civil Award, International honors include Ramon Magsaysay Award, International Balzan Prize, 2007 UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Prize and 2011 London Peace Award among others

Important Question for Competitive Exam from this Current affairs:

1. Which Pakistani philanthropist dies due to kidney failure: a)Jamshed Nusserwanjee Mehta b)Abrar-ul-Haq c)Abdul Sattar Edhi d)Bilquis Edhi

source: Indian Express

TCS non-executive director Vandrevala steps down

• Phiroz Vandrevala stepped down from Tata Consultancy Services as a non-executive director 
• However, Vandrevala, also the Vice-Chairman and MD of Diligenta, a TCS subsidiary, will continue with this role.
• Phiroz Vandrevala has resigned from the office of Non Executive Director of the company, due to personal reasons

Important Question for Competitive Exam from this Current affairs:

1. Phiroz Vandrevala was a non-executive director of which company: a)Telenor b)TCS c)Snapdeal d)Reliance 

India and South Africa sign MoUs in four areas of co-operation

• India and South Africa have signed memorandums of understanding (MoUs) in four areas of co-operation
• The MoUs have been signed after a delegation-level talks headed by Prime Minister Narendara Modi and South African President Jacob Zuma in Pretoria, South Africa.

The MOUs are:

1. Cooperation in the area of information and communication technology
2. Cooperation in the tourism sector and is being seen as an important bid to improve people-to-people ties
3. Cooperation in grassroots innovation in the science and technology sector
4. Cooperation in arts and culture.

• Modi arrived in South Africa from Mozambique on the second leg of his four-nation tour of Africa
• This is Modi's first official visit to mainland Africa and is also the first prime ministerial visit from India to South Africa since the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh arrived in 2013 for the G20 summit in Durban
• Apart from Mozambique and South Africa, Modi will also visit Tanzania and Kenya.

Important Question for Competitive Exam from this Current affairs:

1. India and _______ country have signed MOUs in four areas of co-operations: a)South Africa b)New Zealand c)Russia d)Brazil

source: PMO India