1. UN selects Dubai as data hub for MENASA region
The UN has selected Dubai as the data hub for the Middle East North Africa and South Asia (MENASA) region for the city’s integrated initiatives to mine and manage its data.
The work is already under way to prepare Dubai as the regional city data hub.
It will also serve as a dedicated platform for city-to-city learning and ‘solutions transfer’ across metropolitan, national and global contexts.
2. India third largest terror target after Iraq and Afghanistan: US report
India has displaced Pakistan on a list of countries facing terror attacks in 2016, with higher fatalities and injuries than its restive neighbor, according to data compiled by the US state department.
Out of 11,072 terror attacks in 2016 worldwide, India bore the brunt of 927, 16% more than 2015 (798).
More than half of the terror attacks in India in 2016 took place in four states – J&K, Chhattisgarh, Manipur and Jharkhand.
Iraq is on the top of the list.
3. India 132nd Out of 152 Countries For Commitment to Reducing Inequality Index
India has been ranked 132 out of 152 countries in an index that rates countries by their commitment to reducing inequality.
The first report edition of the index, released recently, showed that OECD countries headed by Sweden ranked the highest while Nigeria was at the bottom.
The US had the highest level of inequality among developed countries, though it is the wealthiest country in history.
4. India, Bangladesh to establish new waterways using the Brahmaputra
The Indian and Bangladeshi governments have undertaken an ambitious project to establish a new waterway between the two neighbours using the mighty Brahmaputra river, Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said.
India is prioritising multi-modal connectivity in the northeastern region, including water connectivity, and already 16 waterway projects, mostly involving Bangladesh, have been approved.
India and Bangladesh have a 2,979 km land border and 1,116 km of riverine boundary. They also share 54 common rivers, including the Brahmaputra.
5. Haryana to bring 'fixed service' for medical students
Students passing out of government medical colleges in Haryana will now be required to do a fixed period of service in government hospitals of the Haryana, state Health Minister Anil Vij said.
Vij has directed officers to formulate a policy to ensure that medical students doing MBBS or MD degrees from the state government's medical colleges would have to serve in government hospitals.
6. Karnataka Bank launches 'Met Loan & Life Suraksha'
Karnataka Bank, one of the leading private sector lender, has announced the launch of Met Loan & Life Suraksha” (MLLS) for its customers.
It is a single premium plan covering the loan liability of a customer.
The bank also introduced ‘KBL MLLS’ app, which marks the celebration of 15 years of partnership with M/s PNB MetLife.
7. Seven Indian firms in Fortune Global 500 list
The latest edition of Fortune Global 500 list for the year 2016 based on company revenue has placed India in seventh rank where Asian countries dominated the overall rankings.
The United States continues to have the largest presence on the list with 132 firms, but China is catching up with 109 companies on the list. Japan with 51 is in the third spot, South Korea has 15 while India has seven.
Indian Oil is the only firm from India in the top 200 list ranked 168th.
The other six Indian companies in the list are Reliance Industries (203), State Bank of India (217), Tata Motors (247), Rajesh Exports (295), Bharat Petroleum (360) and Hindustan Petroleum (384).
Walmart has topped the list.
8. Sanjay Kothari appointed secretary to new President
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has appointed 1978-batch IAS officer of Haryana cadre, Sanjay Kothari, as the secretary to President-elect Ram Nath Kovind.
Senior journalist Ashok Malik has been named as press secretary to Kovind.
Senior Gujarat-cadre forest service officer Bharat Lal will be joint secretary to Kovind.
9. IPL gets a new Chief Operating Officer
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has appointed Hemang Amin as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Earlier Amin was the general manager -- finance, commercial and events at BCCI.
He has worked at BCCI for the last seven years, according to a BCCI release.
