Daily Current Affairs for Competitive Exams: January 12, 2017

Hello readers,

Here are today's important headlines with key details for UPSC, SSC, IBPS and other competitive examinations.

Second Scorpene class submarine INS Khanderi launched

INS Khanderi, the second Scorpene class submarine was launched at the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai, Maharashtra. It is the second of the six submarines being built at MDL in collaboration with France’s DCNS as part of Project 75 of Indian Navy. 

• It has been named Khanderi, after the Island fort of Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji, who had a pivotal role in ensuring their supremacy at sea in late 17th century. Khanderi is also a name for Tiger Shark.
• The state-of-the-art features include superior stealth and ability to launch a crippling attack on the enemy using precision guided weapon.
• It can be launched with torpedoes, as well as tube-launched anti-ship missiles, whilst on surface or underwater. The stealth features gives it invulnerability, unmatched by many submarines.
• The submarine is designed to operate in all theatres, including the tropics. All means and communications are provided to ensure interoperability with other components of a Naval task force.
• It can undertake multifarious types of missions typically undertaken by any modern submarine such as anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence gathering, area surveillance, mine laying etc.First in world to adopt digital platform Arc
• Delhi Airport claimed it has become the first aerodrome in the world to adopt unique performance and benchmarking digital platform, Arc, which helps in tracking and monitoring building performance. 

Highlights:

• Developed by Green Business Certification Inc (GBCI) and US Green Building Council (USGBC), the global certifying body for all Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) projects, this dynamic platform at T3 would be used by airport operator to measure, manage and improve performance of airport on resource consumption, carbon emissions and quality of passenger space, a release said.
• It will allow the airport authorities to measure improvements and benchmark performance against other green building projects around the world, it said adding it would also help in international benchmarking of the airport's building performance against the best performing buildings of similar type.
• Delhi Airport's Terminal 3 had earned LEED Gold certification in 2011 under the new construction category.India-CERT Signs an MoU with US-CERT
• India and USA have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT- In) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information technology of the Government of India and the Department of Homeland Security, Government of the United States of America on cooperation in the field of cyber Security. The MoU was signed by Smt. Aruna Sundararajan, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and Mr. Richard Verma, US Ambassador to India. 

Highlights:

• The MoU intends to promote closer co-operation and the exchange of information pertaining to the Cyber Security in accordance with the relevant laws, rules and regulations of each economy and this Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and on the basis of equality, reciprocity and mutual benefit.
• Earlier United States and India signed an MoU on 19th July, 2011 to promote a closer cooperation and timely exchange of information between the organizations of their respective Governments responsible for Cyber Security. Since, 19.07.2011 regular interactions between CERT-In and US CERT are taking place to share the information and discuss cyber security related issues.
• In continuation to the cooperation in cyber security areas both have renewed the MOU.India, Kenya sign MoU in area of agriculture

India and Kenya signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation in the field of agriculture and allied sectors. India also announced $100 million Line of Credit (LoC) to Kenya for agricultural mechanization.

Highlights:

• Expansion of bilateral trade, greater flow of capital between two countries and stronger developmental partnership is a priority. Both sides will also explore opportunities in blue economy.
• They also discussed long term arrangements for production and import of pulses. Both countries will focus on quick operationalisation of the defence cooperation along with hydrography, anti-piracy, communication networks, capacity building and defence medical cooperation.
• They will encourage industry and business in both countries to take lead in exploiting opportunities in healthcare, tourism, IT, agriculture and energy. Joint Working Group (JWG) focusing on cyber security, counter terrorism, combating narcotics trade, human trafficking and money laundering will meet early.
• They also condemned terrorism in all its forms and reiterated their commitment to work together in this regard.

They also committed to strengthen cooperation against terror threats from extremist groups. India invited Kenya to join the framework agreement of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and also offering its expertise in the area of LED smart street lighting and LED bulbs for domestic use.