Weekly Current Affairs 04 March 10 March, 2018
National News 1. Cabinet approves Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill, 2018: The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal of the Ministry of Finance to introduce the Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill, 2018 in the Parliament. The bill aims to deter economic offenders from evading the Indian laws by remaining outside the jurisdiction of Indian Courts. 2. AmanGaon, AmaVikas Program in Odisha: With an aim to involve people from the rural areas in the developmental activities, the Government of Odisha has launched AmanGaon, AmaVikas Program. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik flagged off mobile video vans that will move across the state to highlight various welfare schemes at villages in the state. 3. India s first HeliTaxi service launched in Bengaluru: With an aim to provide last mile connectivity, India s first helicopter shuttle service (HeliTaxi) was launched in Bengaluru, Karnataka. The service has been provided by Thumby Aviation. 4. Shigmotsav celebrated in Goa: The cultural festival of the coastal state known as Shigmotsav or Shigmo has been celebrated in Goa. The parade in the festival showcased the Goa life through folk dance and music performances by the locals. 5. Government allocates Rs.1000 crore for research under IMPRINT-II: The Ministry of Human Resource Development has given Rs 1000 crorefor the second phase of Impacting Research Innovation and Technology (IMPRINT) India programme to increase research and innovation in the country. IMPRINT India Programme is a joint initiative of Indian Institute of Technology (IITs) and Indian Institute of Science (IISc) for developing research in healthcare, ICT, energy, nano technology, sustainable habitat, water resources etc. 6. Animal Welfare Board of India headquarters shifted from Chennai to Ballabhgarh:
With an aim to achieve better coordination with the Environment Ministry, the Government has shifted the headquarters of Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) from Chennai to Ballabhgarh in Faridabad district of Haryana. AWBI is a statutory body that decides rules on how animals ought to be treated with humanity everywhere. 7. Know India Programme: 40 participants of Indian Origin from 9 countries attended the program. Madhya Pradesh was the partner state for this edition. KIP is an initiative of the Ministry of External Affairs for the Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) between the age group of 18 to 30 years. 8. Delhi airport ranked number 1 in quality: Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi has been ranked as number one in the world on airport service quality ranking. Around 63.5 million passengers flew through Delhi airport in 2017, making it the 7 th busiest airport in Asia and among the 20 busiest airports across the world. 9. NITI Aayog launches Women Entrepreneurship Platform: The National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog has launched Women Entrepreneurship Platform on the occasion of International Women s Day on 8 th March. On this occasion, singer KailashKher has sung and released the theme song Naari Shakti. The Women Entrepreneurship Platform is a platform for the women that will help them to fulfill their entrepreneurial aspirations by providing them a convenient ecosystem. 10. Vision For Future held in New Delhi: With an aim to commemorate 70 years of India-Russia relations, an event Vision for Future was held in New Delhi. The event was organized by the Ministry of External Affairs. 11. Government launches 100% Oxo-Biodegradable Sanitary Napkin SUVIDHA under JanaushadhiPariyojna: The Union Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers has launched 100% Oxo-Biodegradable Sanitary Napkin SUVIDHA under the PradhanMantriBhartiyaJanaushadhiPariyojna (PMBJP) on the occasion of International Women s Day.
Suvidha sanitary napkins will be available for Rs 2.50 per pad at over 3200 JanaushadhiKendras across India. 12. Madhya Pradesh CM announces MukhyamantriMahilaKosh Scheme: Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Shivraj Singh Chouhan has announced MukhyamantriMahilaKosh Scheme on the occasion of International Women s Day. The scheme aims to provide pension to unmarried women aged over 50 years. 13. Swacch Shakti 2018 in Lucknow: On the occasion of International Women s Day, a women convention known as Swacch Shakti has been organized by the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation in Lucknow. In this event, 8000 women Sarpanches, 3000 women Swachhagris and women champions of the country were recognized for their outstanding contribution towards Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. 14. I-Metros: During the Conference on Indian Metros, the Union Housing Ministry has launched I-Metros, an association of all Indian Metro Rail Companies for mutual sharing of ideas and experiences for achieving excellence in their operations. On this occasion, The Operator s Story - a publication by World Bank and Railway and Transport Strategy Centre (RTSC) was also released. 15. Gurugram s first cyber-crime police station inaugurated: The Metropolitan Development Authority of Gurugram has inaugurated its first cyber-crime police station. The station will have 35 trained personnel and equipment for forensic and call detail analysis. International News & Foreign Affairs 1. Marshall Islands to recognize crypto currency as legal tender: Marshall Islands located in Pacific Ocean is going to become the first country in the world to recognize crypto currency as its legal tender.
Its Parliament has passed a law to create the digital currency called Sovereign with the symbol SOV in order to raise hard cash to pay bills and boost economy. 2. Iraq: India s biggest Oil supplier: Iraq overtook Saudi Arabia to become India s top crude oil supplier by supplying 38.9 million tonnes crude oil in the current financial year. 3. Washington becomes 1 st State to approve Net-Neutrality Rules: Washington has become the first state to pass its own Net-Neutrality Rules by repealing the Obama era s provisions supporting an even playing field for internet. The new law requires internet providers to disclose information about their management practices, performances and commercial terms. 4. Cabinet approval for MoU between UPSC and Public Service Commission of Mauritius: The Union Cabinet has given approval for signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and Public Service Commission of Mauritius. 5. 4 th India-Europe 29 Business Forum held in New Delhi: The 4 th edition of the India-Europe 29 Business Forum recently took place in New Delhi. The Ministry of External Affairs and Federation of Indian Chambers and Commerce (FICCI) created the Forum in 2014 to provide an institutionalized platform for promoting business exchanges between India and twenty nine countries of the Central Europe Region. This year s theme was is Synergizing Economic Vision for Expanded Relations. 6. French President on 4 day visit to India: President of France, Emmanuel Macron has reached India on a four day tour for strengthening the political, economic and other strategic relations between India and France. The two countries are expected to sign some important agreements in different fields. 7. World ATM Congress in Spain:
World s largest International Air Traffic management conference has been held in Spain. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) participated in the conference. Banking 1. Separate limit of Interest Rate Futures (IRFs) for Foreign Portfolio Investors: The Reserve Bank of India has eased the position limit in Interest Rate Futures (IRFs) for Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs). The Banking regulator has allowed a limit of Rs 5,000 crore for FPIs to go long in IRFs. 2. India becomes member of European Development Bank: India is going to become the 69 th member of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The formal membership process will now get underway which include the purchase of shares by India at an estimated cost of around 1 million euros. 3. RBI imposes penalty on SBI for flouting fake note forms: The Reserve Bank of India has imposed a penalty of Rs 40 lakh on State Bank of India for not following its directions on detection and impounding of counterfeit notes. New Appointments & Person in News 1. ArmenSarkisan elected as New Armenian President: ArmenSarkisan has been elected as the new President of Armenia. He will succeed SerzhSarkisan. 2. Neil Basu- Indian origin UK officer appointed as new Chief of Scotland Yard s Counter-terrorism Unit: Neil Basu has become the first Indian origin officer of the Scotland Yard to be appointed as the Counter-terrorism Chief. He will succeed Mark Rowley.
3. Angela Merkel becomes German Chancellor for the 4 th time: Angela Merkel has become the German Chancellor for the 4 th term after the Social Democratic Party voted for the grand coalition with the Merkel s Christian Democratic Union. 4. Neiphiu Rio appointed as Nagaland CM: Neiphiu Rio has been appointed as the new Chief Minister of Nagaland. He has replaced TR Zeilang. 5. Pritzker Price to Balkrishna Doshi: BalkrishnaDoshi has become the first Indian to receive the prestigiouspritzker Price. He is one of the last living architects to have apprenticed with Franco- Swiss trailblazer Le Corbusier and well known for his contributions to the evolution of architectural discourse in India. 6. Vivek Wadekar appointed as new Special Director in the Enforcement Directorate: Vivek R Wadekar has been appointed as the new Special Director in the Enforcement Directorate. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet headed by the Prime Minister has appointed him for a tenure of 5 years. 7. Virat Kohli- Brand Ambassador of Uber India: Indian Captain and Ace batsman ViratKohli has become the first Brand Ambassador of the Cab service providing company Uber in India. 8. Krishna Kumari Kohli- First elected Hindu woman to Pakistan Senate: Krishna Kumar Kohli has created history by becoming the first ever Dalit Hindu woman to get elected as Senator in the Muslim majority Pakistan. She has been elected from the Sindh Province seat which was reserved for women. She is a member of Pakistan People s Party (PPP). 9. Tony Iwobi- First black senator of Italy: Nigerian origin Tony Iwobi has been elected as the first black senator of Italy.
Science Tech & Defence 1. India-US successfully test fires M777 Howitzers in Pokharan: Joint Investigation Committee (JIC) comprising US and Indian Officials has test fired M777 ultra-light howitzers (ULH) at the Pokhran Firing Range in rajasthan. It was the first such induction of artillery guns since Swedish Bofors guns in the late 1980 s. 2. Saposhi: New Malware threat: A new malware Saposhi has been detected by the Cyber security agencies that can take over electronic devices and use them for Distributed Denial of Services attacks. 1. 3 rd March- World Wildlife Day: Important days The World Wildlife Day is observed every year worldwide on 3 rd March to raise awareness about the importance of the world s wild fauna and flora. The theme for this year is- Big Cats: Predators under Threat. 2. International Women s Day: International Women s Day has been celebrated to highlight the achievements of women in different fields. Global campaigns like #MeToo and #TimesUp have been organized for women. The theme for this year is- #PressforProgress. Sports 1. Azlan Shah Cup Hockey Tournament in Malaysia: The 27 th edition of the Azlan Shah Cup Hockey Tournament has begun in Malaysia. Six nations- India, Malaysia, Argentina, England, Ireland and Australia are taking part in the tournament.
2. India wins Snooker World Cup 2018: India beat Pakistan by 3-2 in the best of five final. India has won the inaugural Snooker World Cup in Doha, Qatar. 3. Anjum Moudgil wins Silver in ISSF World Cup 2018: Indian shooter Anjum Moudgil has won silver medal in the women s 50m shooting event at the ISSF World Cup in Mexico. With this, India s total number of medals has gone up to 8 in the event. Awards 1. ShatrughanSinha wins Lifetime Achievement Award in UK: Actor-politician ShatrughanSinha has been honored with the lifetime achievement award for his contribution to the field of arts and politics in United Kingdom. Obituaries 1. Sufi Singer PyarelalWadali passes away: Veteran Sufi singer UstadPyarelalWadali passed away at the age of 75. He was one of the singers of popularly known Wadali Brothers.