Daily Current Affairs for Competitive Exams: September 27, 2016

India signs 'Exploration of Polymetallic Sulphides' contract with International Seabed Authority 

• Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Government of India, signed a 15-year contract with the International Seabed Authority (ISA), for exploration of Poly-Metallic Sulphides (PMS) in Indian Ocean, on September 26, 2016. The ISA is an institution set up under the United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea to which India is a Party. 
• The ISA earlier approved an application submitted by the Ministry of Earth Sciences for allotment of 10,000 sq. km. area along with 15-year plan of work for exploration of PMS along Central Indian Ridge (CIR) and Southwest Indian Ridge (SWIR) region of the Indian Ocean. The Union Cabinet approved signing of this 15-year contract between the Ministry and the ISA in its meeting held on June 15, 2016. 
•  PMS, containing iron, copper, zinc, silver, gold, platinum in variable constitutions, are precipitates of hot fluids from upwelling hot magma from deep interior of the oceanic crust, discharged through mineralized chimneys. PMS in the Ocean Ridges have attracted worldwide attention for their long term commercial as well as strategic values. 
•  By signing the 15-year contract, India’s exclusive rights for exploration of PMS in the allotted area in the Indian Ocean will be formalized. Further, it will enhance India’s presence in the Indian Ocean where other players like China, Korea and Germany are active. 
• The program will be implemented by the Ministry of Earth Sciences with the participation from various national institutes and research laboratories/ organizations. 

Google launches instant messaging mobile app Allo

• Google launched its latest mobile chat application, Allo, along with Google Assistant on September 21, 2016. The messaging app, which is available for Android and the iPhone, has features similar to most other messaging applications.
• In Allo, messages are not encrypted end-to-end by default. However, the messages can be switched to an incognito mode to do so and set how long they exist before they are deleted.

World's largest solar power plant opens in Kamuthi, Tamil Nadu

• Adani Green Energy (Tamil Nadu) Ltd dedicated the world’s largest solar power plant of 648 megawatts to the nation, on September 22, 2016
• The plant has been set up with an investment of around 4550 crore rupees at Kamuthi in Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu.
• The solar plant comprises of 380000 foundations, 2500000 solar modules, 27000 metric tonnes of structures, 154 transformers and 6000 km of cables. The panels occupy 1270 acres of land. 30000 tonnes of galvanised steel were used.
• About 8500 personnel worked on average installing about 11 MW in a day to set up the plant in stipulated time. The entire 648 MW is now connected to the Kamuthi 400 KV substation of Tantransco.

Navtej Sarna appointed Indian Ambassador to the US

• Navtej Sarna, India’s current High Commissioner to UK, on 22 September 2016 was appointed the Indian Ambassador to the US. Sarna succeeds Arun Singh, who is due for retirement. Sarna was serving as a Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs before he was posted in London in January 2016.
• Government of India has also appointed 1988-batch IFS officer Taranjit Singh Sandhu as the next High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka. 

India wins historic 500th Test by 197 runs against New Zealand

• India defeated New Zealand by 197-run to win its historic 500th cricket test match in Kanpur, on September 26, 2016. On the fifth and final day of the match at Green Park, India bowled out the visitors for 236 in their second innings, shortly after Lunch, after setting them an improbable target of 434.
• The victory, which is India's 88th on home turf, gave them a 1-0 lead in the three-Test series. With this win, India has taken their unbeaten tally on home soil to 11 matches. On the other hand, New Zealand remained without a win on the Indian soil since 1998.

International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons observed

• International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons was observed on  September 26, 2016. The day provides an occasion for the world community to reaffirm its commitment to global nuclear disarmament as a high priority.
• It also provides an opportunity to educate the public and their leaders about the real benefits of eliminating such weapons, and the social and economic costs of perpetuating them.