4th January CURRENT AFFAIRS IN ENGLISH

India

India-Myanmar Land Border Crossing Agreement Approved
Cabinet has approved the Agreement between India and Myanmar on Land Border Crossing.
It will also facilitate movement of people on the basis of valid passports and visas which will enhance economic and social interaction between the two countries.

Static/Current Takeaways Important for IBPS Clerk Mains 2017 Exam-
Myanmar PM- Aung San Suu Kyi, Capital- Naypyidaw.
Sushma Swaraj Embarked on Tour of 3 Southeast Asian Nations
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj left on a 5-day visit to three South East Asian countries – Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore. On the first leg of the visit, Ms Swaraj will reach Thailand and will hold an official meeting with Thai Foreign Affairs Minister Don Pramudwinai.
During the visit to Indonesia, Ms Swaraj will co-chair the 5th meeting of India-Indonesia Joint Commission. In Singapore, the External Affairs Minister will inaugurate the Regional Pravasi Bharatiya Divas of ASEAN countries. She will have bilateral meetings with the leaders in Singapore.
Static/Current Takeaways Important for IBPS Clerk Mains 2017 Exam-
Thailand Capital- Bangkok, Currency- Thai baht.
Indonesia Capital- Jakarta, Currency- Indonesian rupiah.
MoU between India and Israel on Cooperation in Oil and Gas Sector Approved
Cabinet has approved the signing of MoU between India and Israel on cooperation in the Oil and Gas Sector.
The cooperation envisaged under the agreement will facilitate promotion of investments in each other’s countries, technology transfer, R&D, conducting joint studies, capacity building of human resources and collaboration in the area of Start-ups.
Static/Current Takeaways Important for IBPS Clerk Mains 2017 Exam-
Israel President- Reuven Rivlin, Prime Minister- Benjamin Netanyahu, Currency- Israeli new shekel.
Namami Gange Projects Worth Rs. 295 crore Approved by NMCG
National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has approved five projects worth Rs. 295.01 crore.
Three projects pertain to sewage management in West Bengal at an estimated cost of Rs 278.6 crore, one relates to sewage management in Uttarakhand at an estimated cost of Rs 4.68 crore and one project worth Rs 11.73 crore is related to ghat improvement works in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
Static/Current Takeaways Important for IBPS Clerk Mains 2017 Exam-
Water Resources and Ganga Rejuvenation Minister- Nitin Gadkari.
Drinking Water and Sanitation Minister- Uma Bharti.
Health Ministry and Tata Memorial Centre Launches India's First Digital Online Oncology Tutorial
Smt Preeti Sudan, Secretary (Health and Family Welfare) launched the country’s first digital Online Oncology Tutorial Series designed by the Tata Memorial Center in collaboration with the Health Ministry.
The oncology tutorial series aims to train the doctors across the country to educate them in early detection, prevention, palliation, rehabilitation and treatment of various cancers.
Static/Current Takeaways Important for IBPS Clerk Mains 2017 Exam-
Oncology is a branch of medicine that deals with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer.

Banking/ Economy/ Business News

RBI Initiates PCA Against Allahabad Bank
The Reserve Bank of India has initiated 'prompt corrective action' (PCA) against Allahabad Bank over its high bad loans.
High net non-performing assets (NPA) and a negative return on assets (ROA) for two years in a row have prompted the action. The action would help improve its risk management, asset quality and profits.
Static/Current Takeaways Important for IBPS Clerk Mains 2017 Exam-
There are total 11 banks on which RBI has initiated PCA till date.
Allahabad Bank MD & CEO- Usha Ananthasubramanian, Headquarters- Kolkata.
NABARD Sanctioned Rs 372.51 crore to Odisha
The NABARD has sanctioned Rs 372.51 crore loan assistance under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) to Odisha towards irrigation and rural bridge projects for the last quarter of this fiscal.
NABARD has also sanctioned 14 Rural Bridge Projects under Biju Setu Yojana with RIDF loan assistance of Rs 242.34 crore.
Static/Current Takeaways Important for IBPS Clerk Mains 2017 Exam-
NABARD- National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development.
NABARD was established on 12 July 1982.
Headquarters- Mumbai, Chairman- Harsh Kumar Bhanwala.
Andhra Pradesh Grameena Vikas Bank Introduces Desktop ATMs in Rural India
The Andhra Pradesh Grameena Vikas Bank (APGVB) has operationalised its first desktop ATM in Telangana. The mini-ATM within the branch premises will facilitate customers to withdraw small amounts.
With these ATMs, there will be no need for separate ATM rooms, so there is no security issue. This initiative is the biggest under the SBI and among the best regional rural banks (RRBs).
Static/Current Takeaways Important for IBPS Clerk Mains 2017 Exam-
Andhra Pradesh Grameena Vikas Bank Chairman- Narasi Reddy.
Currently, there are 56 RRBs operational in India.
IICA, IPPB Sign MoU to Provide Training on Payment Banking
The Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) and India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) signed an agreement for the training of employees of the latter in the area of payment banking.
Under the agreement, IICA has been entrusted with the key responsibility of capacity building of IPPB through training of its officials/employees besides providing research support by instituting Research Chairs in the emerging area of payment banking.
Static/Current Takeaways Important for IBPS Clerk Mains 2017 Exam-
MD & CEO of India Post Payments Bank- Suresh Sethi.
DG & CEO of IICA- Gyaneshwar Kumar Singh.

Appointments

Rajinder Khanna Appointed Deputy National Security Adviser
Rajinder Khanna was appointed the deputy National Security Adviser (NSA). He was the former chief of the country’s external intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW).
Mr Khanna is at present officer on special duty (Neighbourhood Studies) in the National Security Council Secretariat.
Static/Current Takeaways Important for IBPS Clerk Mains 2017 Exam-
The National Security Council is headed by the prime minister.
It is the apex body on all internal and external security-related matters.
National Security Adviser Ajit Doval is its secretary.