Dear Readers, we are providing Today's important current affairs of Competitive Exams specially for Bank and SSC.
1. India, Mozambique sign MoUs on drug trafficking, pulse trading and sports
1. These MoUs were signed between two countries at Maputo, Mozambique during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Mozambique.
2. MoU on long term agreement for purchase of pulses
• It will promote the production of Tur (Pigeon Peas) and other pulses in Mozambique to encourage trading of pulses.
• It will also play an important role in augmenting domestic availability of pulses in India.
• The contract will be valid for five financial years 2020-21 and pulses under it will be imported by India either through G2G or private channels nominated by two countries.
3. Other MoUs signed
• MoU on cooperation in the field of youth affairs and sports.
• MoU on reduction of drug trafficking and psychotropic substances and related materials.
2. South African writer Lidudumalingani Mqombothi wins 2016 Caine Prize
1. South African writer, filmmaker and photographer Lidudumalingani Mqombothi on 5 July 2016 won the 17th edition of prestigious Caine Prize 2016 for his short story Memories We Lost.
2. With this, Lidudumalingani was awarded with 10000 Euros and a month at Georgetown University in the US as a writer-in-residence.
3. The winning story explores a difficult subject of tackling schizophrenia. This is a troubling piece, depicting the great love between two young siblings in a beautifully drawn Eastern Cape.
3. Russian leader Putin signs ‘Big Brother’ law
1. Russian President Vladimir Putin in July 2016 signed the “anti-terrorist” legislation adopted by the lower and upper houses of parliament in June 2016.
2. This anti-terror amendment is dubbed as Big Brother by US intelligence contractor turned privacy activist Edward Snowden.
Critics say that the measures may cost billions to the internet and telecom companies.
3. Highlights of the legislation
• Law enforcement agencies will be granted access to any user’s messages without any judicial oversight.
• It boosts the surveillance powers for the security services by requiring communication providers to store users’ calls, messages, photographs and videos for six months, and the Metadata for up to three years.
• They will have to provide Federal Security Service (FSB) with access to this data and any necessary encryption mechanisms necessary to use it.
• The law also criminalises several offences and lowers the age of criminal responsibility to 14 from certain crimes.
4. Google acquires Paris-based startup Moodstocks
1. Search Giant Google on 6 July 2016 acquired Moodstocks, a startup based out of Paris that develops machine-learning based image recognition technology for smartphones.
Moodstocks' application programming interface (API) for developers are described as the Shazam for images. With this acquisition, Moodstocks’ API and SDK will be discontinued soon.
2. Highlights of the acquisition
• The terms of the deal were not disclosed.
• Moodstocks' on-device image recognition software for smartphones will be phased out as it joins Google.
• Moodstocks' team will also move over to Google's R&D center in Paris.
5. Noted music director Omi passes away
1. Noted music director Om Prakash Sonik, also known as Omi, part of the Sonik-Omi duo, died in Mumbai on 7 July 2016. He was 77.
2. Sonik–Omi was an Indian composer working in duo consisting of Master Sonik (a blind music director) and his nephew Omi.
3. The duo was known for their work on Hindi film soundtracks. Some of their best-known works are Bhakti Mein Shakti, Dharma, Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya, Sawan Bhadon, Aabroo, and Raftaar.
3. Born in Sialkot (now in Pakistan), he along with his family had moved to India after Partition in 1947. The Sonik-Omi team gave music to over 100 Hindi films in the 1950-1980s period.
4. The duo were known for their work on Hindi film soundtracks. Some of their best-known works are Bhakti Mein Shakti, Dharma, Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya, Sawan Bhadon, Aabroo, and Raftaar.
6. India, South Africa sign MoUs in four areas of co-operation
1. India and South Africa have signed Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) and agreements in four areas of bilateral co-operation.
2. These MoUs were signed in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South African President Jacob Juma in Pretoria, South Africa. PM Narendra Modi Modi had arrived in South Africa from Mozambique on the second leg of his four-nation tour of Africa.
3. Signed agreements
MoU on Tourism.
MoU on Grass root innovation (Science and Technology)
MoU on Information and Communication technology (ICT).
Both countries also signed Programme of Cooperation in Arts and Culture.
Dear Readers, we are providing Today's important current affairs of Competitive Exams specially for Bank and SSC.
1. India, Mozambique sign MoUs on drug trafficking, pulse trading and sports
1. These MoUs were signed between two countries at Maputo, Mozambique during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Mozambique.
2. MoU on long term agreement for purchase of pulses
• It will promote the production of Tur (Pigeon Peas) and other pulses in Mozambique to encourage trading of pulses.
• It will also play an important role in augmenting domestic availability of pulses in India.
• The contract will be valid for five financial years 2020-21 and pulses under it will be imported by India either through G2G or private channels nominated by two countries.
3. Other MoUs signed
• MoU on cooperation in the field of youth affairs and sports.
• MoU on reduction of drug trafficking and psychotropic substances and related materials.
2. South African writer Lidudumalingani Mqombothi wins 2016 Caine Prize
1. South African writer, filmmaker and photographer Lidudumalingani Mqombothi on 5 July 2016 won the 17th edition of prestigious Caine Prize 2016 for his short story Memories We Lost.
2. With this, Lidudumalingani was awarded with 10000 Euros and a month at Georgetown University in the US as a writer-in-residence.
3. The winning story explores a difficult subject of tackling schizophrenia. This is a troubling piece, depicting the great love between two young siblings in a beautifully drawn Eastern Cape.
3. Russian leader Putin signs ‘Big Brother’ law
1. Russian President Vladimir Putin in July 2016 signed the “anti-terrorist” legislation adopted by the lower and upper houses of parliament in June 2016.
2. This anti-terror amendment is dubbed as Big Brother by US intelligence contractor turned privacy activist Edward Snowden.
Critics say that the measures may cost billions to the internet and telecom companies.
3. Highlights of the legislation
• Law enforcement agencies will be granted access to any user’s messages without any judicial oversight.
• It boosts the surveillance powers for the security services by requiring communication providers to store users’ calls, messages, photographs and videos for six months, and the Metadata for up to three years.
• They will have to provide Federal Security Service (FSB) with access to this data and any necessary encryption mechanisms necessary to use it.
• The law also criminalises several offences and lowers the age of criminal responsibility to 14 from certain crimes.
4. Google acquires Paris-based startup Moodstocks
1. Search Giant Google on 6 July 2016 acquired Moodstocks, a startup based out of Paris that develops machine-learning based image recognition technology for smartphones.
Moodstocks' application programming interface (API) for developers are described as the Shazam for images. With this acquisition, Moodstocks’ API and SDK will be discontinued soon.
2. Highlights of the acquisition
• The terms of the deal were not disclosed.
• Moodstocks' on-device image recognition software for smartphones will be phased out as it joins Google.
• Moodstocks' team will also move over to Google's R&D center in Paris.
5. Noted music director Omi passes away
1. Noted music director Om Prakash Sonik, also known as Omi, part of the Sonik-Omi duo, died in Mumbai on 7 July 2016. He was 77.
2. Sonik–Omi was an Indian composer working in duo consisting of Master Sonik (a blind music director) and his nephew Omi.
3. The duo was known for their work on Hindi film soundtracks. Some of their best-known works are Bhakti Mein Shakti, Dharma, Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya, Sawan Bhadon, Aabroo, and Raftaar.
3. Born in Sialkot (now in Pakistan), he along with his family had moved to India after Partition in 1947. The Sonik-Omi team gave music to over 100 Hindi films in the 1950-1980s period.
4. The duo were known for their work on Hindi film soundtracks. Some of their best-known works are Bhakti Mein Shakti, Dharma, Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya, Sawan Bhadon, Aabroo, and Raftaar.
6. India, South Africa sign MoUs in four areas of co-operation
1. India and South Africa have signed Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) and agreements in four areas of bilateral co-operation.
2. These MoUs were signed in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South African President Jacob Juma in Pretoria, South Africa. PM Narendra Modi Modi had arrived in South Africa from Mozambique on the second leg of his four-nation tour of Africa.
3. Signed agreements
MoU on Tourism.
MoU on Grass root innovation (Science and Technology)
MoU on Information and Communication technology (ICT).
Both countries also signed Programme of Cooperation in Arts and Culture.
