- Intel today announced that its board of directors has appointed 40-year technology industry leader Pat Gelsinger as its new chief executive officer, effective Feb. 15, 2021. Gelsinger will also join the Intel board of directors upon assuming the role. He will succeed Bob Swan, who will remain CEO until Feb. 15.
- Gelsinger most recently served as CEO of software company VMWare, where he is said to have transformed the company into a global leader in cloud infrastructure, enterprise mobility and cybersecurity, almost tripling the company’s annual revenues.
About Intel:
CEO: Bob Swan
Founded: 18 July 1968
Headquarters: Santa Clara, California, United States
Founders: Gordon Moore, Robert Noyce
- India celebrated the 73rd Army Day 15th january. The day is celebrated each year at all Army Command headquarters in order to honour the soldiers of our country who have set the greatest example of selfless service and brotherhood.
- Every year, the Indian Army celebrates the Army Day on January 15 because on this day in 1949, the Indian Army got its first chief. Lieutenant General KM Cariappa took over as the reins of the armed force as first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army from General Sir Francis Butcher, the last British Commander-in-Chief of India. He adopted the slogan ‘Jai Hind’, which means ‘Victory to India'”.
About Indian Army:
Chief of Army Staff: General M.M. Naravane
Commander-in-Chief: President Ram Nath Kovind
3.Russia withdraws from Open Skies Treaty after US departure
- Russia withdraws from an international treaty allowing observation flights over military facilities following the US exit from the pact.
- Russia's foreign ministry said in a statement that the US withdrawal from the Open Skies Treaty last year "significantly upended the balance of interests of signatory states," adding that Moscow's proposals to keep the treaty alive after the US exit have been cold-shouldered by Washington's allies.
- The treaty was intended to build trust between Russia and the West by allowing the accord's more than three dozen signatories to conduct reconnaissance flights over each other's territories to collect information about military forces and activities.
About Russia:
Capital: Moscow
President: Vladimir Putin
Currency: Russian ruble
About US:
Capital: Washington, D.C.
President: Donald Trump
Currency: US dollar
4.PM Modi to address 'Startup India International Summit' on 16 Jan
- Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, will address "Prarambh:Startup India International Summit" on 16 January where he will interact with startups via video conferencing.
- This summit is set to take place on 15&16 January, organized by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
- There will be 24 sessions in the summit. "It will focus on enhancing multilateral cooperation and engagement with countries from around the globe to collectively develop and strengthen the startup ecosystems," the Prime Minister's Office said in a press release.
- Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Dushyant Dave resigned from his post with immediate effect on Thursday saying he has forfeited his right to continue.
- Acting SCBA Secretary Rohit Panday confirmed the development that the senior advocate has resigned with immediate effect.
- Dave in his brief letter stated that the tenure of the Executive Committee of SCBA has already ended and it may not be possible to hold virtual elections as per schedule "due to reservations held by some lawyers".
6.Tesla sets up its Indian subsidiary in Bengaluru
- Tesla Inc, the US-based electric vehicle behemoth, has registered with the Registrar of Companies in Bengaluru as ‘Tesla India Motors and Energy Private Limited’ on January 8, 2021. The most valued carmaker in the world, has registered itself as a private company with an authorised capital of Rs 15 lakh. Tesla’s application states that its offices will be located on Lavelle Road, near Richmond Circle in Central Bengaluru.
- CEO Elon Musk had said that Tesla cars would be available in India this year. Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Nitin Gadkari, too, had confirmed its entry into the Indian market this year. The New Indian Express was the first to break the story on January 12, saying that the Karnataka government was in talks with Tesla to set up shop in the state.
Foot Notes:
About Tesla:
CEO: Elon Musk
Founded: 1 July 2003
Headquarters: Palo Alto, California, United States
About Karnataka:
Capital: Bengaluru (Executive Branch)
Governor: Vajubhai Vala
Chief minister: B. S. Yediyurappa
7.India-Oman Strategic Consultative Group meets in New Delhi
- A meeting of the India-Oman Strategic Consultative Group, IOSCG was held in New Delhi.
- This was the first high-level official visit from Oman to India since the onset of COVID-19.
- Both sides also expressed happiness that the Air Bubble arrangement between the two countries is functioning well.
- The Omani side expressed appreciation that India had facilitated food and medical supplies to Oman during the pandemic.
- India assured assistance to Oman in its requirement for COVID-19 vaccines.
Foot Notes:
About Oman:
Capital: Muscat
Currency: Omani rial
Sultan: Haitham bin Tarik
8.Indian Army signs $20 mn contract with ideaForge to procure SWITCH drones
- The Indian Army has signed a contract with ideaForge to procure "undisclosed quantities" of high-altitude variant of SWITCH unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) at a cost of approximately USD 20 million, according to a statement from the Mumbai-based company on 14th January,2021.
- This fixed-wing UAV, capable of vertical takeoff and landing, can be deployed at high altitude and harsh environments for day-and-night surveillance, said the statement.
- "ideaForge has been awarded this contract after it emerged as the only vendor that qualified the operational requirements in an evaluation done in real-world conditions, for a fast-track procurement," it mentioned.
Foot Notes:
About The Indian Army:
Commander-in-Chief: President Ram Nath Kovind
Founded: 1 April 1895, India
Headquarters: New Delhi
9.Indian ship ‘MV Jag Anand’ stranded at Chinese port likely to reach Japan on Jan 18 for crew change
- MV Jag Anand, the Indian ship which was stranded at Chinese port of Jingtang is likely to reach Japan on 18th January for crew change. The ship started from Jingtang on 10th January and was likely to reach Japan on 14th January.
- The shipping company told Prasar Bharati that the estimated time of arrival of Jag Anand is delayed and it will now reach Japan on 18th morning. Then the crew can fly back to India after following necessary COVID protocols.
- The ship with 23 Indian crew members onboard was stuck at Chinese port of Jingtang since June last year.
Currency: Japanese yen
Prime Minister: Yoshihide Suga
10.Telangana celebrates festival of cattle ‘Kanuma’ on third day of Sankranti festival
- In Telangana, people are celebrating Kanuma, the festival of cattle, today on the third day of Sankranti festival. On the occasion, the people especially in rural areas, worship cattle and agriculture tools. Rural craftsmen and artisans who help farmers in their daily chores are specially honoured.
- Cattle processions are being held at many places across the states as farmers showcase their bulls and adorned cattle in their village streets. Cattle competitions and rural sports for youth are held at several places to mark the day.
- The cattle are being worshipped in most of the rural areas as the farming community consider the importance of the cattle in the nourishment and development of the society.
Foot Notes:
About Telangana:
Capital: Hyderabad
Governor: Tamilisai Soundararajan
Chief Minister: K. Chandrashekar Rao