Current Affairs January, 2016

Netflix Inc. launched operations in India, with plans starting at Rs. 500 ($7.50) per month. The company will also offer two other plans priced at Rs. 650 rupees and Rs. 800 rupees.

The Union Cabinet has given its ex-post facto approval for signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Singapore on cooperation in the field of civil aviation.

The Union Cabinet approved the closure of the iconic HMT Watches and offered a voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) to its employees as per the 2007 pay scales.

Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan, whose comments on perceived intolerance in the country had created a controversy, ceases to be the mascot for government�s �Incredible India� campaign as the contract for it has expired.

Senior United Nations (UN) official Filippo Grandi from Italy has taken the charge as new UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). He succeeds Antonio Guterres of Portugal who has retired after heading the Refugee Agency for one decade. He will have tenure of five years.

The Union cabinet has given its ex-post-facto approval to Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bangladesh for Mode of Operation of Border haats on India-Bangladesh Border signed in 2010.

Indian shooter Apurvi Chandela broke the world record to gold in the women�s 10 metre air rifle event at the Swedish Cup Grand Prix.

The announcement from North Korea that it had carried out a nuclear test brought to the frontlines of global attention a phrase not often heard since the Cold War �the H-bomb�.

The Cabinet approved conversion of MUDRA Ltd, an NBFC, into MUDRA Bank and also setting up of a Credit Guarantee Fund for loans disbursed under the Pradhan Mantri Micro Units Development Refinance Agency (MUDRA) Yojana.

• Syed Kirmani conferred with 2015 Col CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award.
• With 1009 in 323 balls, Mumbai teen Pranav Dhanawade scripts rare record.
• Jharkhand first state to sign MoU with Centre for power scheme UDAY.

Sarosh Homi Kapadia, the 38th Chief Justice of India, bid farewell to the world in Mumbai. He was 68.

Former Cricketer Syed Kirmani was honoured with the Col CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award in Mumbai (Maharashtra) for his contribution to Indian cricket.