Current Affairs 15th February 2017 | General Awareness 15th February 2017

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1. Thailand seeks India’s partnership in pharma, biotech

Thailand is seeking India’s cooperation in a number of sectors, such as aerospace, automation, medical devices, pharmaceutical, biotechnology and IT/ITes, as it strives to transform into a value-based economy.

The Thailand Board of Investment, which has invited 2,500 investors from across countries to its mega seminar Opportunity Thailand 2017 this week, is especially interested in investments from India, an official from the Thailand government has stated.

Free trade Agreement being considered between two countries could play a big role in boosting trade and investments.

2. NCS and Jeevan Praman Facility for EPFO Pensioners Launched in Hyderabad Post Office

The Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment Bandaru Dattatreya launched the National Career Service (NCS) for youths and Jeevan Praman facility to EPFO pensioners through Post Offices at DakSadan in Hyderabad.

The Post Offices will serve as an Employment Registration Centres for Unemployed rural youth on behalf of the ‘National Career Service’ Portal where youths can register themselves for employment in 1,55,000 post offices established across the country for over 3000 occupations offered under 52 sectors in NCS.

3. India’s First Ship to be Installed with Solar Power System

Indian Navy’s survey class vessel INS Sarvekshak has become the first ship in India to be fitted with solar power system on board.

The ship has been equipped with 18 sheets of the solar panel of 300 Watt which is capable of generating 5.4 kW power.

4. Reliance Defence Signs Master Ship Repair Agreement with US Navy

The Reliance Defence and Engineering Ltd (RDEL) has signed a Master Ship Repair Agreement (MSRA) with US Navy to perform repair and alteration services for US Navy’s Seventh Fleet vessels.

The Reliance Infrastructure Ltd (RInfra) controlled RDEL will perform complex repair and alteration services for the US Navy’s Seventh Fleet vessels operating in the Western Pacific and the Indian Ocean. The Reliance Shipyard was qualified by US Navy as an approved contractor to perform the complex repair for the US Navy’s Seventh Fleet vessels in January 2017.

Reliance Shipyard at Pipavav, Gujarat is the first shipyard in India to have received MSRA Certification to undertake to service and repairing works for the vessels of Seventh Fleet.

5. Frank-Walter Steinmeier Elected New President of Germany

Germany’s former Foreign Minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier has been elected as the new President of Germany.

The 61-year old won by 931 votes out of 1,239 valid votes cast by the members of the Federal Assembly. He is due to take office as the 12th Federal President of Germany on 19 March 2017.

Steinmeier, a member of the Social Democratic party will succeed incumbent President Joachim Gauck who will step down on 18 March 2017, at the age of 77.

5. India, US Sign MoU for Collaboration

India & the US have signed a MoU to collaborate in the fields of developmental activities & aid in third world countries.

The MoU has been signed between the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) & Development Partnership Administration (DPA) of the Ministry of External Affairs of India.

MCC is a US agency providing countries with grants to fund country-led solutions for reducing poverty.

6. India, US hold talks to protect oceans

India & USA have held extensive talks here to protect ocean ecosystems and promote sustainable development through the ‘blue economy’, one of the largest bilateral diplomatic engagements in the world specifically focused on oceans

Collectively, USA & India have approximately 17000 miles of coastline making this official dialogue one of the largest bilateral diplomatic engagements in the world

7. India, Russia Amends laws for Spares Support

Russia has amended its laws permitting lot of their Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to enter into long-term agreements for spares and support for military equipment supplied to India

This will address long-standing concerns regarding the import of equipment. Currently, procurement of spares is a long process as India cannot deal directly with the OEMs but with designated intermediaries.

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