Current Affairs for SSC CGL Exams - 12 September 2015

:: National ::

The rail ministry is set to appoint an outside and independent Human Resource (HR) consultant who will conduct Indian railways’ HR audit to identify gaps in HR-related policies and the lacunae faced in their implementation.
The consultant will take up auditing jobs of various HR functions including recruitment, selection and promotion for non-gazetted employees and interact with the committee on HR issues headed by the executive director-training.
The railway board is looking for “dynamic, experienced and result-oriented professionals” for engagement on contract basis for an initial period of one year, which is extendable based on performance and quality output. Post interviews for selection of candidates, who are required to be below 45 years, the consultant will be posted at the railway board on a monthly remuneration of Rs 50,000.
The railway board’s decision is in line with the budget promises made by rail minister Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu in February. Asserting that the 1.3 million strong workforce of Indian railways is its strength, Prabhu had said in his budget speech in February, “To prepare them (employees) for the future and for enhancing organisational performance, systematic HR audit will be undertaken.”

The United Nations General Assembly has voted overwhelmingly to allow Palestine flag to fly at United Nations headquarters.
Of the 193 UN members, 119 voted in favour.
The flag will be hoisted at the UN headquarters on Sept 30 when Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas will come to address the general assembly.
The United States and Israel were among eight countries that voted against the resolution, which says the flags of non-member observer states like Palestine “shall be raised at (UN) headquarters (in New York) and United Nations offices”.
Most of the 28-nation European Union was among the 45 nations that abstained from voting. However, France and more than half a dozen others voted in favour of the Palestinian resolution after the EU split on the issue.
The Palestinians initially presented their initiative as a joint effort with the Holy See, but the Vatican said it would not co-sponsor the resolution and requested that its name be removed from the text.

Over 50 Indian companies are participating in India Expo tradeexhibition in Colombo.
The India Expo 2015, a multi product and services exhibition was inaugurated by Sri Lanka's Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen on Friday.
The India Expo has been organised by the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) in association with Indian Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the High Commission of India in Colombo.
The companies that are participating represent various sectors, including construction products, apparel and garments, cosmetics, agro products, pharmaceuticals, power and electrical technology.

All praise for partner Martina Hingis after clinching the U.S. Open mixed doubles title, veteran Indian tennis star Leander Paes said he neither has the technique nor the calibre to match the Swiss legend but he tries to make up for it with his perseverance.
Paes combined with Hingis to win a record ninth Mixed Doubles Grand Slam title after beating the American combo of Sam Querrey and Bethanie Mattek-Sands 6-4 3-6 10-7 in the US Open final.
Soon after he won his historic U.S. Open title, Paes said more than the technique it is his never-say-die spirit that has got him success.
He has now won nine mixed doubles major titles and trails only former partner Martina Navratilova (10).