January 2013 Current Affair

NASA launched a New Communication Satellite called TDRS

NASA on 31 January 2013 launched a new communication satellite TDRS to stay in touch with its space station astronauts

India and USA inaugurated the First Triangular India-US-Africa Partnership at Hyderabad

India and the United States inaugurated the first triangular India-US-Africa partnership in agricultural training at Hyderabad

World Anti-Leprosy Day Observed to focus Attention on Disease

World anti Leprosy Day was observed on 30 January 2013 to focus attention and create awareness about the air-borne disease.

India Pledged Humanitarian Assistance of 2.5 Million US Dollars to Syria

India announced an assistance of 2.5 million US dollars to Syria on 30 January 2013 at the High-level International Humanitarian Pledging Conference for Syria

RIM Changed to Blackberry; Launched New Blackberry 10 Operating System

Research In Motion on 30 January 2013 announced that it will formally be called Blackberry now. It launched its own new operating system called Blackberry 10.

Milos Zeman became Czech Republic’s First Directly Elected President

Milos Zeman became Czech Republic’s first directly elected President as per the Czech Republic Presidential election results declared on 25 January 2013.

Controversy over Kamal Haasan’s Tamil film Vishwaroopam

Vishwaroopam which was originally slated to be released on 25 January 2013 was once again banned by the Madras High Court on 30 January 2013.

Madras High Court Upheld Ban on Vishwaroopam in Tamil Nadu

Madras High Court on 30 January 2013, in the evening upheld the ban on Kamal Haasan’s Vishwaroopam in Tamil Nadu till 6 February 2013.

US Drillers Reached Lake Whillans Hidden Beneath Antarctic Ice

Scientists from the US in the last week of January 2013 successfully drilled into Lake Whillans, which was buried 1 kilometre beneath the Antarctic Ice.

SpiceJet to Launch Flights to Guangzhou in South China

SpiceJet decided to launch its flights to Guangzhou in the first week of February 2013. SpiceJet became the only Indian private airline to fly China.

India and Australia agreed to Concentrate on Energy and Food Security

India and Australia on 28 January 2013 agreed to concentrate on priority areas like energy and food security for mutual benefit of the two countries.

Tiger Woods won his 75th PGA Tour Title in the Farmers Insurance Open

Tiger Woods on 29 January 2013 won his 75th PGA Tour title in the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines.

Expert committee under Sam Pitroda Constituted to review Working of Prasar Bharti

The Information and Broadcasting Ministry on 29 January 2013 constituted a seven-member expert committee to review the institutional framework of Prasar Bharti.

India won the ODI series against England 3-2; England won the Fifth ODI

England defeated India by seven wickets in the fifth and the last ODI played at Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamshala on 27 January 2013

Aircel launched Free Roaming Service for Voice, SMS and Data

Aircel on 28 January 2013 launched Free Roaming Service for Voice, SMS and Data

Mumbai won its 40th Ranji Trophy after defeating Saurashtra in Final

Mumbai won its 40th Ranji trophy at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on 28 Jan 2013 defeating Saurashtra

Philips Electronics Sold Audio and Video Business to Funai Electric

Philips Electronics sold the audio and video business to Funai Electric of Japan in the deal which would lead to its exit from consumer electronics completely.

Kamal Haasan’s Film Vishwaroopam Cleared by Madras High Court

The Madras High Court on 29 January 2013 lifted ban on actor-director-co-producer Kamal Haasan’s film Vishwaroopam.

Shah Rukh Khan Attempted to End Controversy over His Article on Being a Muslim in India

SRK attempted to end controversy over his article on Being a Khan to the Outlook Turning Points 2013 . A controversy sparked over article where he talked about being Muslim in India.

UK Government put a Ban on the Sale of Five Aquatic Plants

The UK government announced a ban on the sale of five species of invasive non-native aquatic plants.

The Centre resolved the Issue of CST Compensation with the States

The Centre on 29 January 2013 resolved the issue of CST compensation with the states

India and Bangladesh signed Agreements on Extradition and Visa Regime

India and Bangladesh on 28 January 2013 signed two landmark agreements on extradition of criminals and terrorists and liberalising the visa regime.

Deutsche Bank Appointed As the Depository Bank for GDR of IIPL

Deutsche Bank was appointed as the depository bank for Global Depository Receipt (GDR) of Indiabulls Infrastructure and Power Limited (IIPL).

Union Ministry for Commerce launched eBiz Portal to Provide one Stop Shop for all Investment

The Union Minister for Commerce on 28 January 2013 launched an eBiz portal at the CII Partnership Summit in Agra

Iran Announced Sending a Monkey Successfully Into Space

Iran on 28 January 2013 announced that it had successfully sent into space a monkey. The first country to launch the primate into space was US in 1948.

Rajasthan HC stayed State’s Decision for Giving 4% Additional Reservation to Gurjar

The Rajasthan High Court on 29 January 2013 stayed the state government's decision for giving 4 per cent additional reservation to Gurjar

Toyota Regained the Title of Top Selling Automaker of the World

Toyota Motor acclaimed the title of top selling automaker of the world in 2012, recording the highest sales and beating its rivals Volkswagen and GM.

Heat in the Cities Affect Faraway Places: New Modeling Research

According to the new modeling research, the excess amount of heat produced by the cities could heat up rural areas as far as 1000 miles or 1600 km away.

Reserve Bank of India slashed Repo Rate to 7.75 Percent and CRR to 4 Percent

The Reserve Bank of India on 29 January 2013 slashed its key interest rates by 0.25 per cent and released 18000 crore rupees

Mohamed Morsi Announced Emergency in Three Major Cities of Egypt

President Mohamed Morsi announced a month-long emergency in three cities of Egypt on 27 January 2013. These cities are Suez, Ismailia and Port Said.