Current Affairs 17th February 2017

Current Affairs 17th February 2017 - Important Points

• Who has been appointed as a High Commissioner of India to Canada - Vikas Swarup
• Sea ice level hits an all-time low in – Antarctica
• Final warning to Britain, France, Germany on air pollution is issued by– European Union
• Hindi Scholar and writer Surendra Verma selected for - Vyas Samman 2016
• Who has been appointed as a new Tamil Nadu Chief Minister - Palaniswami

Current Affairs 17th February 2017 - Details

Who has been appointed as a High Commissioner of India to Canada - Vikas Swarup

Vikas Swarup has been appointed as the High Commissioner of India to Canada by the Union Ministry External Affairs (MEA) on 16thFebruary 2017.

At the time of elevation, Swarup was working as the Spokesperson of the MEA. 

More about Vikas Swarup

• Vikas Swarup is a 1986-batch Indian Foregin Service (IFS) officer and represented India in various positions.

• In his diplomatic career, he has been worked in various countries like Turkey (1987-1990), the United States (1993-1997), Ethiopia (1997-2000), the United Kingdom (2000-2003) and South Africa (2006-2009).

• He is also a novelist and published three books, he wrote his first Q&A book in 2 months only and it was written in 43 languages.

• His book Q&A was the inspiration for the Oscar winning film Slumdog Millionaire.

Sea ice level hits an all-time low in – Antarctica

As per the status shared by US National Snow and Ice Data Centre (NSIDC) on the data collected of the sea ice in Antarctica on 14th February 2017, it states that sea level has gone all time low in Antarctica in the last four decades. 

Important Highlights

• This steady decline in the sea ice is because of the global warming.

• Scientist expect it to decrease further as it melts maximum in the February end because of the summer at the southern hemisphere.

Final warning to Britain, France, Germany on air pollution is issued by– European Union

The European Union (EU) warned United Kingdom, France, Germany and two other countries to check menace of Air-Pollution in their cities in the third week of February 2017. The warning was issued for failing to address continuous breaches of air pollution limits for nitrogen dioxide.

Key Highlights

• Heavy smog in much of Europe this winter prompted emergency measures in several big cities including London, Berlin, Paris and so on.

• Commission can impose huge penalties to the EU countries if they break the union's rules.

• The parliament wants to cut 800 million emissions quotas by 2021, under an emergency mechanism that had been reserved for market stability.

Hindi Scholar and writer Surendra Verma selected for - Vyas Samman 2016

Hindi scholar and writer, Surendra Verma was selected for Vyas Samman 2016. He was chosen for this award for his novel Kaatna ShamiKa Vriksha: Padma Pankhuri Ki Dhar Se. It was published in 2010.

Interesting Facts -

• Surendra Verma was born on 7th September 1941 in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh.

• His play Surya Ki AntimKiran Se Surya Ki PahliKiranTak was played in 6 languages.

• He was awarded the SahityaAkademi Award in 1996.

Who has been appointed as a new Tamil Nadu Chief Minister - Palaniswami

Palaniswami has been appointed as a 13th chief minister of Tamil Nadu on 16th February 2017. 

Things to Know -

• Along with his new position, Palaniswami has retained his earlier responsibilities as the Minister of PWD and the Minister for Highways & Minor Ports.

• Sasikala herself chose him for the CM post before she left to serve her four-year sentence for corruption in a Bengaluru jail.

• According to an official release from the Raj Bhavan, he will now be expected to prove his majority in the state assembly within 15 days.