Australia Reclaims No.1 in ICC Test rankings ICC

India on 24th February lost its No.1 position to Australia in ICC test rankings. Australia after defeating the Kiwi’s in Christchurch test match won the series                2-0 against New Zealand and also climbed the ladder in test rankings reaching the top.

Points to note

• Australia ended up at No.1 in ICC test rankings for this year with 112 points
• India are in 2nd position with just 2 points behind Aussies with 110 points
• Australia will receive a cash award of $ 1 million and India to get 5 lakh $ cash award
• Steve Smith will receive the cash on behalf of the team
• South Africa and Pakistan are in 3rd and 4th ranks respectively
• This is the eighth time Australia have ended up first in ICC test rankings since it was started in 2003
• They currently occupy position 1 in ICC ODI rankings

CGPDTM revised guidelines for Computer Related Inventions

The Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks (CGPDT) has issued an order excluding software patents in its revised guidelines for Computer Related Inventions (CRIs).

Flash points

• The new order clearly mentions that, mere computer programmes those not in conjunction with a novel hardware will not be granted patent in India
• The new guidelines Follow CGPDT’s stay on the revised guidelines issued in August 2015 which have allowed the patenting of software
• Earlier, CGPDTM had agreed with a Parliamentary Panel which had observed thatcomputer programmes as such are not intended to be granted patent as perPatents Act, 1970
• The sub-section 3(k) of Act mentions that mathematical methods or business methods or computer programme or algorithms are not patentable.

Points to note

• CGPDTM is a nodal agency that supervises IPR rights in India
• It is under Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry
• O.P.Gupta-officer of CGPDTM

Government to Sell Its 5 % Stake in NTPC

Government has decided to divest 5% of its share that raised Rs. 5030 crore in NTPC through the Offer for Sale route as per the disinvestment plan of 2015-16.

• This will be the second biggest disinvestment after Indian Oil Corporation and sixth disinvestment in the fiscal that spread over two days.
• Government had offered 41.22 crore shares at a floor price of Rs. 122 per share that raised whooping 5, 030 crore and government remains major stakeholder of 69.96% in NTPC.
• Disinvestment Board has been fixed target of Rs. 69, 500 crore for2015-16 fiscal , It comes after the SEBI’s OFS Rules revision on disinvestment that allow the bidding for shares spread over two days.

Justice Dinesh Maheshwari sworn-in as Chief Justice of Meghalaya H

• Justice Dinesh Maheshwari will be the new Chief Justice of the Meghalaya High Court who succeeded Uma Nath Singh who retired on January 14.
• Sahnmuganathan State’s governor administrated the oath ceremony of the Chief Justice in Raj Bhavan.
• Dinesh Maheshwari graduated in law from Jodhpur University in 1980, earlier worked as Senior Judge of the Allahabad High Court‘s Lucknow Bench.

MEGHALAYA

• Capiatl: Shillong
• Chief Minister: MukulSangma
• Governor: V. Shanmuganathan

Rahul Taneja-the New Chief People Officer of Jet Airways

The 47 Year old, Rahul Taneja is appointed as the new Chief People Officer of Jet Airways India Ltd on Tuesday(February 23).He will be placed at the company’s Headquarters at Mumbai.

About Rahul Taneja

• He worked earlier with Essar Group as HR
• He has 25 Years of experience in various industrial sectors
• He has served as the HR of many National and International companies

Nissan welcomes cricket stars as new global ambassadors

Japanese Car maker Nissan announced a new line –up of cricket talent in partnership with the International cricket Council as Global Ambassadors.

• Indian Opener Rohit Sharma, West Indian All Rounder Andre Russell and New Zeland skipper Suzie Bates will help the Nissan to bring excitement among cricket fans, starting with ICC World T20 in India. South African Bowling maestro Dale steyn and bowler Rabada also work as ambassadors in their home country.
• In addition to advertising Campaign these ambassadors will be active on social media across the tournament emphasizing fan’s eye initiative Nissan Play of the Day and Sharing cricket content.
• The sponsorship deal with ICC includes all tournaments between 2016 and 2023 and the deal life of eight years.

Afghan cyclist team nominated for Nobel Peace prize

Afghanistan’s National Cyclist team has been nominated for Nobel Peace prize by members of Italian Parliament according to Total cycle team. They have been nominated for using bicycle as a vehicle for social justice, enduring violence and social stigma.

Points to know

• This cyclist team ended up first in Asian championship held at Delhi in 2013
• Afghan had a cycle team in 1986 and then due to Taliban rule it was prohibited in the nation and reborn in 2011 under the efforts of Abdul Sediq
• The team is led by Zahra Hussaini
• Around 118 members of Italian parliament voted for this team