10,000 cameras to be used for 2020 lion census in Gujarat

1.Pacific Island nation Palau bans ‘reef-toxic’ sunscreen

Palau’s pioneering ban on “reef-toxic” sunscreens takes effect from 01 January 2019.From New Year’s day, any reef-toxic sunscreen imported or sold in Palau will be confiscated and the owner will be fined.

The tiny Pacific island nation introduced strict environmental measures.

Palau is renowned for its marine life and is regarded as one of the world’s best diving destinations.

Along with the ban, Palau’s much-touted marine sanctuary came into effect on January 1.

This closes 80 per cent of its exclusive economic zone to fishing and other marine activities including mining and shark finning.

2.ISRO picks four Astronauts for Gaganyaan

Indian Space Research Organisation identifies four Astronauts for Gaganyaan manned mission.ISRO chief K. Sivan says, their training will begin from the third week of January, 2020.

Also, Indian Space Research Organisation Chief K Sivan said that Government has approved Chandrayaan-3 and the project is ongoing.

K Sivan said that the Chandrayaan-3’s configuration will be similar to that of its predecessor, the Chandrayaan-2.

This means that the Chandrayaan-3 will also have a lander and a rover with a propulsion module.

3.PM Modi’s ‘Pariksha pe Charcha’ programme rescheduled on Jan 20

Pariksha pe Charcha, the programme in which Prime Minister interacts with the cross section of Students and Teachers from India and abroad to beat exam stress has been rescheduled to 20th January this year.The programme was earlier scheduled for 16th of January.

It has been rescheduled in view of festivals of Pongal, Makar Sankranti, Lohri, Onam across the country.

4.353rd Birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh ji

The birth anniversary of the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh ji is being celebrated in the country.Born in 1666, Guru Gobind Singh is considered to be one of the most celebrated of all Sikh gurus.

He was the tenth Sikh Guru, a spiritual master, warrior, poet and philosopher.

Among his notable contributions to Sikhism are founding the Sikh warrior community called Khalsa in 1699 and introducing the Five Ks (Kesh, Kangha, Kara, Kachera and Kirpan), the five articles of faith that Khalsa Sikhs wear at all times.

5.Bengaluru’s University of Agricultural Sciences to host Indian Science Congress

The University of Agricultural Sciences in Bengaluru is all set to host the 107th Indian Science Congress.Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the conference to be attended by over 15,000 delegates including Nobel laureates, scientists, academicians, students, farmers, among others.

The General President of the Indian Science Congress Association, Prof. K S Rangappa has informed that 1500 scientific papers and 5700 posters will be laid in 14 scientific disciplines.

The Pride of India exhibition is one of the attractions during the Science show.

Over 130 participants are exhibiting technologies, machineries, equipments and science models.

6.10,000 cameras to be used for 2020 lion census in Gujarat

Around 8,000-10,000 cameras will be used to carry out the 2020 lion census in Gujarat, the last abode of the Asiatic lion.As against 15,000 sq km area surveyed in the last census, lions will be counted across 25,000 sq km area spanning seven districts.

For the first time, the expertise of Wildlife Institute of India (WII) will be perused in the census, scheduled to take place in May 2020.

The 2015 lion census had counted 523 lions in the state.

The number is expected to have risen phenomenally with internal assessments of the forest department indicating that the population may have crossed the 1,000-mark.

7.RBI launches ‘MANI’ mobile app

The Reserve Bank of India, RBI has launched a mobile app, MANI, Mobile Aided Note Identifier, to help visually challenged people to identify denomination of currency notes.The app, which is available on both Android and iOS operating systems, was launched by RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das in Mumbai.

RBI said that the visually challenged can identify the denomination of a note by using the application, which can also work offline once it is installed.

Through the downloaded app, users can scan the notes using the camera.

The audio output will give the result in Hindi and English.

8.Vinod Kumar Yadav assumes charge as Chairman, Railway Board

Vinod Kumar Yadav has assumed the charge of Chairman, Railway Board after being reappointed.The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the reappointment of Vinod Kumar Yadav as Chairman, Railway Board for a period of one year.

Yadav had taken over as Railway Board Chairman from Ashwani Lohani, who had retired from the post in December 2018.

He is an electrical engineer and belongs to the 1980 batch of the Indian Railway Service of Electrical Engineers.

9.Umaro Sissoco Embalo wins Guinea-Bissau presidential election

In the West African state of Guinea-Bissau, Opposition leader Umaro Sissoco Embalo has won presidential elections, picking up 53.55 per cent of votes.His rival Domingos Simoes Pereira, head of the country’s ruling party PAIGC, bagged 46.45 percent votes.

National Electoral Commission (CNE) President Jose Pedro Sambu announced the result.

10.MS Dhoni picked captain of ESPNCricinfo’s ODI and T20 teams of past decade

Former India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni was picked as captain of ESPN Cricinfo’s ODI and Twenty20 teams of the decade, while Virat Kohli was named the leader in Tests.Kuldeep Yadav, and Yuzvendra Chahal, were the only other Indians to make the Test XI.

Former skipper Mithali Raj and fast bowler Jhulan Goswami were named in the same women’s team picked for both the ODIs and T20s.

Australia’s inspirational cricketer, Meg Lanning was named the captain of the side.