Current Affairs February 1, 2018

Transcription

1 Current Affairs February 1, 2018 World News EU announces funding package of 42.5 million euros to help build Palestinian state The European Union (EU) has announced a new funding package of 42 (point) 5 million euros to help the Palestinians build their new state. The announcement came as Brussels urged the US to not go it alone in an effort to make peace between Israel and the Palestinians. Twitter notifies 1.4million users who fell to Russian propaganda The controversy regarding alleged Russian interference in US Presidential election Social media site Twitter has notified at least 1.4 million people engaged with content created by Russian trolls during the 2016 presidential election. The platform has already blocked accounts linked to the Internet Research Agency (IRA) of Russia. This time it is almost double than the accounts initially announced to fall to Russian propaganda. Earlier, Twitter announced that that 677,775 people had received such notifications. Analysts are telling that, there is lot more accounts that then fell to Kremlin propaganda. Twitter acknowledged that the current number did not encompass every person that ever saw this content.

2 As our review continues, we may also additional users, the company continued. If and when we do so, we will do our best to keep the public updated. Twitter is committed to providing a platform that fosters healthy civic discourse and democratic debate. We have been cooperating with congressional investigations into Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential election. US Ambassador to UN Nikki Haley pays visit to Indian Embassy in Washington and meets Indian Ambassador Navtej Sarna US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley paid a visit to the Indian Embassy in Washington and met Indian Ambassador Navtej Sarna. The Indian-American diplomat said, the India-US relations should grow stronger and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump is a good combination to achieve this. Venezuela announces pre-sale of oil-backed cryptocurrency Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced February 20 as the pre-sale date for a cryptocurrency backed by the country s vast oil reserves. The cryptocurrency, named petro, will have a great impact on the country s economy. The launch of the cryptocurrency is aimed at reviving the country from the biggest financial crisis in its history. National News India ranks 42nd in 2017 Global Democracy Index India world s largest democracy was ranked 42nd among 165 independent states on annual 2017 Global Democracy Index (GDI) released by UK-based company, Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). India s rank has slipped from 32nd in 2016 GDI and its overall score dropped 0.58 points from 7.81 to Moreover, India was classified India as a flawed democracy in 2017 GDI.

3 7th India Energy Congress 2018 inaugurated by Power and New & Renewable Energy minister RK Singh Power and New and Renewable Energy Minister R K Singh inaugurated the 7th India Energy Congress 2018 organised by World Energy Council India in New Delhi India s per capita power consumption of 1,200 units is likely to go up by three to four times by 2030 as it aspires to become a developed country with GDP growth rate averaging 8.5 percent and the country is also committed to environmental protection. Toilet facilities are provided at 192 toll plazas so far under Swachh Bharat Mission Cleanliness is a very important aspect of our day to day life. Being clean and keeping our surroundings clean should be our primary work and agenda. Therefore, so far toilet facilities are provided at 192 toll plazas across the country, while the remaining 180 toll plazas will be covered by the end of March Notably, the National Highways Authority of India has provided toilet facilities at 192 toll plazas across the country, while the remaining 180 toll plazas will be covered by the end of March 2019 under Swachh Bharat Mission. Under the Government of India s flagship programs Swachh Bharat Mission, NHAI is providing separate ladies and gents toilets on both upside and downside of each of its 372 toll plazas, and also placing litter bins and hoardings carrying the Swachha message along with message discouraging littering at these sites. Union Budget : Complete Analysis As per the FM in the Union Budget, India is expected to become the fifth largest economy very soon. The Growth rate is expected between % in the second half of Exports are expected to grow 15% in Union Government launches GeM 3.0 The Ministry of Commerce & Industry launched the third version of the Government e- Marketplace (GeM 3.0). The earlier version GeM 2.0 was launched a GeM 2.0 was launched as pilot project in August GeM 3.0 will offer standardized and enriched catalog management, powerful search engine.

4 GeM is an Online Market platform to facilitate procurement of goods and services by various Ministries and agencies of the Government. State News Centre Sanctions Rs 1,500 Cr for Organic Farming in Uttarakhand The Centre has sanctioned Rs 1,500 crore for three years to promote organic farming in Uttarakhand. The amount was sanctioned by Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh. The Union minister also cleared a proposal worth Rs 2,600 crore for the co-operative sector in the state. Of which, Rs 200 crore is meant for the reorganisation of sugar mills. Maharashtra government approves new wildlife sanctuary at Ghodazari The Maharashtra government has approved Ghodazari in Chandrapur district as a new wildlife sanctuary in the state. The decision was taken at the 13th meeting of the Maharashtra State Board for Wildlife, chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The sanctuary, in the North East of Tadoba, will include 159 sq km of Brahmapuri forest. This will not only save the forest, but will also improve tourism in nearly 40 villages in the area. Punjab government bans sale of Endosulfan, other insecticides Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh approved a ban on the sale of Endosulfan and 19 other insecticides reported to be harmful for human beings as well as from the environmental sustainability and economic viability aspects. Acting on the recommendations of the Registration Committee, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), and the Punjab State Farmers Commission (PSFC), the chief minister, who also holds the agriculture portfolio, gave his nod to the ban, to be effective from February 1.

5 Banking & Economy FY16 GDP Growth Revised up to 8.2%, FY17 Unchanged at 7.1%- CSO The Central Statistics Office (CSO) revised the gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate for to 8.2% from the earlier estimates of 8% and kept the growth unchanged at 7.1%. The real GDP or GDP at constant ( ) prices for the years and stand at Rs trillion and Rs trillion respectively, according to the CSO statement. In terms of real gross value added (GVA), it stated that the GVA at constant ( ) basic prices grew 7.1% in , as against a growth of 8.1% in Govt to contribute 12% of wages in EPF for new employees in all sectors Government will now contribute 12% of employee provident fund to the new employees in all sections for the next 3 years. EPF Act will be amended to reduce contribution of women to 8% from 12% with no change in employer s contribution. This would effectively mean women employees will be able to get a higher take home pay. New e-way bill system comes into force to bring uniformity across the states for smooth interstate movement of goods A new e-way bill system will come into effect. Under the new system, every transporter will have to carry a system-generated bill to move goods from one place to another. The e-way bill system has been introduced to bring uniformity across the states for seamless inter-state movement of goods. Under the Goods and Services Tax, interstate transportation of goods beyond 10 kilometres with a value of 50,000 rupees and above, will mandatorily require the e-way bill. Last month, the GST Council decided to implement the e-way bill mechanism throughout the country from 1st of February, The Goods and Services Tax Network informed the transporters that e-way bill would become mandatory for inter-state movements of goods.

6 State Bank of India to offer credit cards to farmer State Bank of India is planning to sell credit cards to farmers on easier terms. The country s largest lender has tied up with its credit card issuing subsidiary SBI Card to make it happen. This is perhaps the first time that a bank is offering credit card product to farmers, who are the backbone of India s agrarian economy, to purchase goods on credit. Till now, small farmers have access to bank credit by way of Kisan Credit Cards, which are typically linked with bank accounts and offer cash credit facility to account holders. Sports Sharath Kamal lifts National Men s singles title for 8th time Sharath Kamal has lifted the National men s singles title for the eighth time, equalling the feat of Kamlesh Mehta. In the final at the Senior Table Tennis Nationals in Ranchi, he defeated top-seed Anthony Amalraj 4-1. The winner received two lakh rupees as prize money. Suthirta Mukherjee from West Bengal emerged the new women champion, beating Hyderabad Nationals winner Manika Batra 4-3. Her maiden effort fetched 1.5 lakh rupees, while Manika received 50 percent less in prize money. Appointments & Resignations Lt. Gen Anil Chauhan Takes Charge as DGMO of Indian Army Lt. Gen Anil Chauhan took charge as the new Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) of the Indian Army. He succeeds Lt General A K Bhatt. Lt Gen Chauhan has held several important posts in the Army and is known for his expertise in counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeast. Surendra Kumar new Chief Electoral Officer of Odisha The Election Commission of India (ECI) has appointed senior IAS officer Surendra Kumar as the new Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Odisha. Kumar will replace D N Gupta. The Odisha government has been informed about the appointment of Kumar as the CEO in a gazette notification.

7 Kumar, a 1993 batch IAS officer is currently serving as the principal secretary in ST and SC Welfare Department with additional charge as the Principal Secretary of Information & Public Relations (I&PR) Department of Odisha government. Science & Technology A hill on Mars is named after Kalpana Chawla NASA named seven hills on planet Mars after the seven crew members, including Indiaborn astronaut Kalpana Chawla, of the Space Shuttle Columbia who lost their lives while returning from their mission. The crew died when the space shuttle disintegrated on re-entering Earth s atmosphere on February 1, The 16-day mission was dedicated to research in physical, life and space sciences. SpaceX launches satellite into orbit on used Falcon 9 rocket Space exploration startup SpaceX has launched a used Falcon 9 rocket loaded with a geocommunications satellite GovSat-1 commissioned by the Luxembourg government. The satellite will support humanitarian and military operations for Luxembourg, among other communications functions. SpaceX stated that it won t attempt to recover the first stage of the rocket, which previously flew on a mission in May 2017.