Bharat Biotech developed the world’s first Zika vaccine

Hyderabad-based vaccines manufacturer Bharat Biotech has announced a breakthrough in developing the world’s first Zika vaccine by developing two candidates. In this regard, the pharmaceutical company has submitted two vaccine candidates, one each of inactivated and recombinant type to the Government. Key facts These two candidates are in an advanced stage of development and could be ready soon after pre-clinical studies concluded in the next five months. The company already has filed patents for both candidates in July 2015 and is looking to start animal tests soon after getting regulatory approvals for conducting clinical trials. It should be noted that this company was able to achieve this medical breakthrough because it had earlier successfully developed vaccine on vector borne Chikungunya disease which is also transmitted by Aedes mosquito similar to Zika virus. Inactivated vaccine: It consists of the disease-causing microbe which is killed with chemicals, radiation or heat. These microbes are grown under controlled conditions and are rendered non-infectious in order to reduce antigenicity. It is more stable and safer vaccine compared to vaccines using live microbes. Recombinant DNA vaccine: It is produced through the recombinant DNA technology. This technology involves inserting the DNA encoding antigen (such as a bacterial surface protein) that stimulates immune response. It generally uses an attenuated virus or bacterium to introduce microbial DNA to cells of the body.

Amendments in the Power Tariff Policy

The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal of the Union Ministry of Power for amendments in the Power Tariff Policy 2006. The comprehensive amendments bring required changes for holistic view of the power sector and also to achieve the objectives of Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana (UDAY) with the focus on 4 Es. These 4 Es are: Electricity for all, Environment for a sustainable future, Efficiency to ensure affordable tariffs, Ensure financial viability and Ease of doing business to attract investments. Key Highlights Electricity 24X7 power supply will be ensured to all consumers. In this case state governments and regulators will devise appropriate power supply trajectory to achieve this. Micro Grids will provide power to remote unconnected villages. It will have provision for purchase of power into the grid. People near coal mines will be provided with affordable power through procurement of power from coal washery reject based plants. Efficiency Reduce power cost to consumers through expansion of existing power plants. For reduction in overall power cost, benefit from sale of un-requisitioned power to be shared. Through competitive bidding process, transmission projects will be developed in order to ensure faster completion at lower cost. To enable Time of Day metering installations of smart meters will be fasten. It will help to reduce theft and allow net-metering. Creating transmission capacity for accessing power from across India for lower power cost. Environment Renewable Power Obligation (RPO): By March 2022, 8% of electricity consumption shall be from solar energy in order to promote renewable energy and energy security. Renewable Generation Obligation (RGO): New thermal plants based coal/ligniteto establish/purchase/ procure renewable capacity. Transmission charges and losses will be not levied for solar and wind power between inter-State power transmission. 100% power procurement produced from Waste-to-Energy plants in order to give big boost to Swachh Bharat Mission.

Annual World Economic Forum meeting

The annual World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting has started in Swiss resort of Davos, Switzerland with participation of political leaders and business from around the world. In this edition of WEF meeting, the agenda includes the outlook of the global economy and measures to fight terrorism. Key highlights Leaders from about 40 countries and more than 2,500 business people are attending the meeting. The 4-day conference will cover the discussions on tumbling oil prices and China’s uncertain economic prospects. It will be also discussing the issue of growing terror threats in the wake of the November 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris (France) and influx of migrants and refugees in Europe. Participants will also discuss environmental issues such as greenhouse gas emissions. They will also review the latest efforts to improve industrial production with robotics, artificial intelligence and information technology. World Economic Forum (WEF) WEF is an international institution founded by Klaus Schwab that works to improve the state of the world through public-private cooperation. It was established in 1971 and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. Motto: Committed to improving the state of the world It is an independent not-for-profit organization that works closely with other international organizations. It also works with leaders in the field of politics, business, academia to set global, regional and industrial agenda.

Ventrapragada Rama Rao passed away

Former Sikkim Governor and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ventrapragada Rama Rao passed away in Hyderabad, Telangana following an illness. He was 81. Rama Rao was one of the founders of Jana Sangh (later became BJP) in Andhra Pradesh. He was also Andhra Pradesh BJP president during 1993 and 1997. About Ventrapragada Rama Rao Rama Rao was born on 11 December 1935 in Machilipatnam in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh. He was a lawyer by profession and had practised at the Andhra Pradesh High Court. He was elected as Member of Legislative Council on four occasions in the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh State Legislature in 1966, 1972 and 1978 and in 1984. He served as Sikkim Governor from October 2002 to October 2007.

Memorandum of Understanding with Singapore maintaining the terminal building of airports

The Union Cabinet approved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Singapore for operating and maintaining the terminal building of airports at Jaipur and Ahmedabad. This is the first time the Airports Authority of India will award operation and maintenance contract to any entity for terminal building. The city side and airside of Jaipur and Ahmedabad airports will continue to be managed by the AAI. The objective of this MoU is to establish mutual cooperation in the field of civil aviation, which will cover, to begin with, the airports of Jaipur and Ahmedabad. This cooperation will be extended to other airports with mutual consent,” the government said in a release. The MoU envisages collaboration with Singapore in areas such as traffic development, commercial development, master planning and design, training and development, cargo handling and management among others.

Saudi Arabia severed diplomatic ties with Iran

Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir announced that Saudi Arabia was severing diplomatic ties with Iran after demonstrators stormed its Tehran embassy to protest against Riyadh’s execution of a Shiite cleric. Jubeir also said that all Iranian diplomats must leave Saudi Arabia within 48 hours. The 56-year-old, a force behind 2011 anti-government protests in eastern Saudi Arabia, was among 47 convicted men put to death on Saturday in the kingdom. Both countries are also divided over a raft of issues, namely the nearly five-year war in Syria, where Iran is allied with the regime of embattled President Bashar al-Assad, and Yemen where a Saudi-led coalition is battling Iran-backed rebels.

Key points :

Saudi Arabia Capital : Riyadh

Saudi Arabia Currency : Riyal

Saudi Arabia King: Salman bin Abdulaziz

Former Chief Justice of India Sarosh Homi Kapadia passed away

Former Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sarosh Homi Kapadia passed away in Mumbai, Maharashtra. He was He was 68. His funeral was held as per Parsi tradition at Tower of Silence at Kemps Corner, South Mumbai. About SH Kapadia Kapadia was born on 29 September 1947. He had graduated from Government Law College, Mumbai. Legal career: In 1974, he was enrolled as an advocate at the Bombay High Court. Later he was elevated to the Bench as an Additional Judge of the Bombay High Court in 1991 and was appointed as a Permanent Judge of HC in 1993. He was transferred to the Uttarakhand High Court in 2003 and for a short stint he had served as Chief Justice. He was appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court in December 2003. Later he was appointed as 38th Chief Justice of India (CJI) in May 2010 and retired in September 2012. He had served as the Chairman of the General Council of the Gujarat National Law University during his tenure as CJI. He was also the Visitor of the National Law School of India University. Famous Rulings: His notable among the judgments delivered were the quashing of appointment of the Chief Vigilance Commissioner P J Thomas in 2011.

India and Pakistan exchanged the list of their nuclear installations and facilities

India and Pakistan have exchanged the list of their nuclear installations and facilities under the Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear installations. This exchange is done on 1st of January every year between the two neighbouring countries that bars them from attacking each other’s atomic facilities. This is the 25th consecutive exchange of such list between the two countries, the first one having taken place on 1 January 1992. Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear installations It bilateral agreement signed between India and Pakistan that bars them from carrying out any surprise attack (or to assist foreign power to attack) on each other’s nuclear installations and facilities. It was signed on 31st December 1988 and entered into force on 27 January 1991. It was signed by then Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and his Pakistani counterpart Benazir Bhutto. Under it both countries inform each other about their nuclear installations and facilities that need to be covered under the Agreement on 1 January every year.

Sangita Kalanidhi award 2015

Foremost south Indian classical vocalists Sanjay Subrahmanyam has conferred with prestigious 2015 Sangita Kalanidhi award. The prestigious award was bestowed upon him by renowned mathematician Manjul Bhargava at 89th annual conference of the Madras Music Academy in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. With this, he became seventh artistes to be conferred with this award before completing 50 years of age. Others are Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar, Musiri Subramania Iyer, Maharajapuram Viswanatha Iyer, Semmangudi R. Srinivasa Iyer, G.N. Balasubramaniam, M.L. Vasanthakumari and M. Balamuralikrishna About Sanjay Subrahmanyam By profession he is Charted Accountant but in 2000 became full-time musician. He had started performing Carnatic music from 1987. Awards: Gaana Padhmam (2013), Vani Kala Sudhakara (2010) and the title Kalaimamani by Tamil Nadu Government (2006) etc. About Sangita Kalanidhi award/title It is a prestigious award bestowed annually upon an expert of Carnatic Music by the Madras Music Academy. The award’s name has been derived from Sanskrit which means treasure of Music and art in English. This honour is considered one of the highest awards in Carnatic music.