1. Pavel Filip appointed as Moldova’s PM 

(i) Moldovan Parliament appointed Pavel Filip as the country’s Prime Minister. Filip is Moldova’s third PM in less than a year, the previous two being Chiril Gaburici and Valeriu Strelet. 

(ii) While Gaburici resigned in June 2015, Strelet was overthrown with a no-confidence vote in October 2015 after $1 billion was siphoned-off from the nation’s banking system. 

(iii) Filip is part of the main pro-European Union coalition. His victory has led to protests in the nation from both pro-European and pro-Russian activists, who are incensed over his ties with one of the richest man and controversial businessman Vladimir Plahotniuc.

2. World Bank to provide $250 million loan for Kosi Basin Project 

(i) India recently signed a loan agreement with the World Bank, as per which the latter will provide $250 million loan for the Bihar Kosi Basin Development project. 

(ii) The project aims to improve agricultural productivity in targeted districts in the river basin and enhance the state’s ability to fight floods. 

(iii) The project will primarily benefit rural producers and households in the basin, including farmers that have lost their land due to silt deposits brought by the 2008 Kosi River flood as well as farmers in the project area, who presently do not have access to irrigation, improved agricultural practices and proper transportation.

3. New species of thrush (bird) discovered in eastern Himalayas 

(i) A team of scientists discovered a new species of the thrush (bird) in north-eastern India and adjacent regions of China. The newly-found Himalayan Forest thrush (Zoothera salimalii) is commonly found in the eastern Himalaya range but was hitherto unnoticed as it is similar in appearance to the plain-backed thrush (which has now been renamed as Alpine thrush). 

(ii) As per the Bombay Natural History Society’s (BNHS) press release stated that this is the first Indian bird to be named after late Dr. Salim Ali, who was associated with the BNHS as a researcher, honorary secretary and president. This is in recognition of his huge contribution to the growth of modern Indian ornithology and wildlife conservation.

(iii) Scientists from India, Sweden, China, U.S. and Russia worked on the project.

4. Jodhpur’s Umaid Bhawan Palace named the World’s Best Hotel of 2016

(i) As per the recently released 14th edition of travel site TripAdvisor’s 2016 Travellers’ Choice Awards, the Umaid Bhawan Palace situated in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, was named the World’s Best Hotel of 2016. 

(ii) The 347-room hotel was constructed between 1928 and 1943 and boasts of a distinctive architectural blend of western and eastern design. The golden sandstone edifice features a 32m-high cupola inspired by the European Renaissance, while the art and decor reflect the Rajput heritage. 

(iii) The travel site selected the winners based on millions of reviews collected in a year from TripAdvisor travellers across the globe. The Shinta Mani Resort in Siem Reap, Cambodia and Bellevue Syrene in Sorrento, Italy, bagged the second and third place in the list respectively. 

5. Ravi Chellam appointed as executive director of Greenpeace India 

(i) Recently, noted environmentalist Ravi Chellam took charge as the executive director of the Greenpeace India. 

(ii) As per a statement, Chellam has been appointed at a phase when the NGO is, “facing a series of challenges from a number of government agencies apart from renewing the organisation’s focus on campaigns for a clean and safe future”. 

(iii) Chellam, who is a wildlife biologist and conservation scientist, has vast experience in management of environmental organisations. Previously, he was associated with the Wildlife Institute of India, United Nations Development Programme, Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, Wildlife Conservation Society (India Program), Madras Crocodile Bank Trust, among others.

6. Atulesh Jindal appointed as chairman of CBDT

(i) Atulesh Jindal, a senior Indian Revenue Service official, was appointed as the Chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), which is India’s apex tax body. 

(ii) The Appointment Committee of the Cabinet finalised this appointment after superannuation of AK Jain, who was brought in as acting Chairman on December 2015.

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