1. Denmark named world’s best country for women Denmark is the best country in the world for women to live in, according to a survey conducted by American media company US News and World Report. The Best Countries for Women, including Sweden, Canada, the Netherlands and Australia, scored highest on a compilation of five country attributes: cares about human rights, gender equality, income equality, safe and progressive. Algeria and Pakistan – two countries criticized by human rights groups for their treatment of women – are perceived to be the worst countries for females. Denmark also emerged as the second best country to raise children. 2. 2015 declared the hottest year on record It’s official: 2015 was the hottest year on record. Global data show that a powerful system, marked by warmed waters in the tropical Pacific Ocean, helped to drive atmospheric temperatures well past 2014’s record highs. Some researchers suggest that broader Pacific trends could spell even more dramatic temperature increases in years to come. Released on 20 January, the global temperature data come from three independent records maintained by NASA, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the UK Met Office. All three data sets document unprecedented high temperatures in 2015, pushing the global average to at least 1 ºC above pre-industrial levels. Although El Niño boosted temperatures late in the year, US government scientists say that the steady increase in atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases continues to drive overall warming. 3. Mauritius offers biofarming technology to India Eyeing greater economic cooperation with India, Mauritius offered transfer of biofarming technology to the country along with enhanced cooperation in the healthcare sector. Possible areas of cooperation were identified at the first joint committee meeting between India and Mauritius for the cooperation in MSME sector. The areas are in line with the pact signed between the two countries on December 13, 2015. The two sides also agreed to formulate an action plan in the area of coir, khadi and handicraft sectors. "Government of Mauritius has exclusively offered to India for transfer of biofarming technology and also exchange of cooperation in the health sector," the MSME Ministry said. 4. Moldovan parliament appointed Pavel Filip as Prime Minister Moldovan parliament on 20 January 2016 appointed Pavel Filip as the Prime Minister. He would be the third prime minister of Moldova in less than a year. The appointment follows the rise and fall of two prime ministers in 2015, namely Chiril Gaburici( June 2015) and Valeriu Strelet (October 2015). Pavel Filip, a member of the main pro-European coalition and a former IT and communications minister in the last government, followed the rejection of two previous candidates. His Candidature as a compromise figure was resisted by opposition as he was close aide of Vladimir Plahotniuc. 5. Mosquito-borne Zika virus creates panic over birth defects in Latin America Mosquito-borne Zika virus has created a panic over thousands birth defects in the Latin America countries. New case of child born with the virus has been reported in these countries. However, Brazil is experiencing the largest known outbreak of Zika with most cases in the north-east region. In this region, babies have been born a with abnormal condition called microcephaly i.e. with abnormally smaller heads which can cause brain damage. 6. Sri Lanka tops in 2015 HDI in South Asia Region Sri Lanka has maintained its high ranking in 2015 human development index (HDI) in the South Asia Region. In the 2015 Global Human Development Report (HDR) released by UN Development Programme (UNDP) Sri Lanka was ranked 73rd with an HDI value of 0.757. 7. 9th National Girl Child Day observed The 9th ‘National Girl Child Day’ was observed on January 24. The Government of India in 2008 declared January 24 of every year to be celebrated as the‘ National Girl Child Day’ with the objective of raising consciousness of the society towards the girl child so that she can be valued and respected. Government of India has started National Girl Child Day as a national girl’s development mission 8. First Ministerial Meeting of Arab-India Cooperation Forum held at Manama The first Ministerial Meeting of Arab-India Cooperation Forum was held Manama, capital city of Bahrain. The meeting was inaugurated by Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa and was attended by representatives of 22 Arab League nations. Indian side was represented by Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and also Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar. 9. Germany the ‘best country in the world Germany is the best country in the world, according to new analysis unveiled at the World Economic Forum in Davos.. The United States is the most powerful country in the world, with India the leading up-and-coming economy. Italy is the country with the richest tradition and Brazil is the top nation to visit. Canada tops the list of countries with the best quality of life. 10. India to build satellite tracking station in Vietnam India will set up a satellite tracking and imaging centre in southern Vietnam that will give Hanoi access to pictures from Indian earth observation satellites that cover the region, including China and the South China Sea, Indian officials said. The move, which could irritate Beijing, deepens ties between India and Vietnam, who both have long-running territorial disputes with China. Hanoi especially has been looking for advanced intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance technologies as tensions rise with China over the disputed South China Sea, they said. 11. 6th National Voters’ Day observed with theme Inclusive and Qualitative Participation 6th National Voters’ Day (NVD) was observed across the country on 25 January 2016 by the Election Commission of India. The theme for the 6th National Voters’ Day is ‘Inclusive and Qualitative Participation’. The Commission’s objective through NVD is to increase enrolment of voters, especially of the newly eligible ones. The National function of the NVD was held in New Delhi and presided over by President of India, Pranab Mukherjee. On the occasion, the Chief Election Commissioner Dr. Nasim Zaidi also released a book titled, ‘Belief in the Ballot’ and presented it’s the first copy to the President. To celebrate and recognise the contribution of Government department/Agencies to the efforts of ECI for enhancing electoral participation, the election commission has introduced awards. Six newly eligible electors were given their EPICs by President of India. 25 January is the foundation day of the Commission, which came into being on this day in 1950. 12. Denmark is the world’s least corrupt country Denmark has emerged as the least corrupt country in the world for a fourth consecutive year, according to the non-governmental organisation Transparency International. It scored 91 points out of a possible 100 while North Korea and Somalia remained at the bottom with unchanged scores of 8. Finland and Sweden ranked second and third respectively on the 2015 Corruption Perceptions Index, while North Korea and Somalia were named the most corrupt out of 196 nations. India took the 76th spot on the list. 13. International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust observed International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust was observed on 27 January 2016 across the world. The day was proclaimed so by the United Nations General Assembly. The theme for the Holocaust remembrance and education activities in the year 2016 including the Holocaust Memorial Ceremony is The Holocaust and Human Dignity. 14. Iran, Airbus signed deal to buy 118 Airbus planes Iran and Airbus on 28 January 2016 signed two agreements covering new aircraft orders and a comprehensive civil aviation co-operation package. The agreement includes purchase of 118 new Airbus aircrafts. The agreement for 118 new aircraft includes 21 A320ceo family, 24 A320neo family, 27 A330ceo family, 18 A330neo (-900), 16 A350-1000 and 12 A380. The agreements were signed at the Elysee Palace, Paris, during Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s official visit to France with French President Francois Hollande. Iran Air and Airbus signed an agreement for the acquisition of the full range of new Airbus airliners (73 wide-bodied and 45 single aisles). This includes pilot and maintenance training and support services to help the entry into service and efficient operations of these new aircraft. 15. Japan unveiled first stealth fighter aircraft X-2 Japan unveiled its first stealth fighter jet, officials said, with the maiden test flight planned for next month The experimental X-2 is expected to make its maiden test flight in February, and boasts radar-resistance features, including a canopy with special stealth-enhancing coating. It would become the fourth nation to test fly its own stealth jet, a move that could further antagonize neighboring Asian countries who have opposed Prime Minister Shinzo Abes bid to strengthen the role of its armed forces. 16. Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur is the world’s best hotel According to travel website Trip Advisor, Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur is the world’s best hotel of 2016. Built over 15 years between 1928 and 1943 after its namesake, the Maharaja Umaid Singh, the palatial hotel is literally fit for an Indian king, as the sprawling property is the principal residence of the Jodhpur royal family. The palace features 347 rooms. 17. Bihar, Jharkhand to have six-lane highway: Cabinet The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on Wednesday approved six-laning of portions of the National Highway-2 (NH-2) in Bihar and Jharkhand, estimated to cost Rs.4,918.48 crore. The total length of the road will be approximately 222 km,” the release said.