Daily Current affairs - April 3rd, 2018 for all competitive exams
The Ministry of Human Resource Development has
launched the Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan (RAA), a convergent framework across
School Education and Higher Education aiming to encourage children towards
learning Science and Mathematics.
- One of the interventions under RAA is strengthening of
school Science and Mathematics laboratories, through the Rashtriya
Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA).
- Under RMSA, an amount of Rs. 179.73 crore has been
approved in 2017-18, for in-service training of Science and Maths teachers.
Centre allowed to states for setup their own insurance companies for
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)
The Centre has
allowed states to set up their own insurance companies for implementing Pradhan
Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY).
- Presently, five public sector insurers and 13 private
insurance companies are empanelled for implementation of the scheme.
- The move comes after several requests from states as
well as observations made by Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) in its
2017 report that old crop insurances schemes which have now been merged
with PMFBY, were poorly implemented during 2011-2016.
The PMFBY,
launched in April 2016, compensates farmers for any losses in crop yield. In
the event of a crop loss, the farmer will be paid based on the difference
between the threshold yield and actual yield. The threshold yield is
calculated based on average yield for the last seven years and the extent of
compensation is set according to the degree of risk for the notified crop.
The scheme is compulsory for farmers who have availed of institutional loans.
The scheme
insures farmers against a wide range of external risks — droughts, dry
spells, floods, inundation, pests and diseases, landslides, natural fire and
lightning, hailstorms, cyclones, typhoons, tempests, hurricanes and
tornadoes. The scheme also covers post-harvest losses up to a period of 14
days.
The scheme is implemented by empanelled general
insurance companies. Selection of Implementing Agency (IA) is done by the
concerned State Government through bidding.
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E-Way bill for inter-state movement of Goods
comes into force
With the beginning of the financial year 2018-19,
the e-way Bill System for Inter-State movement of goods comes into force.
- Under this system businesses and transporters have to
produce before a GST inspector e-way bill for moving goods worth over Rs
50,000 from one state to another.
AFSPA extended in
Arunachal for 6 months
The Centre extended the Armed Forces (Special
Powers) Act, 1958, (AFSPA) in three districts of Arunachal Pradesh and eight
police station areas bordering Assam by another six months.
- The Act gives special rights and immunity to security
forces in carrying out various operations in “disturbed” areas.
- It gives security personnel the power to search
premises and arrest without warrant, to use force even to the extent of
causing death.
Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) planning to use Aadhaar
The Central
Vigilance Commission (CVC) is planning to use Aadhaar to track the ill-gotten
wealth of corrupt bureaucrats.
- Aadhaar is being made mandatory for numerous financial
transactions and property deals. Information made available through a
person’s Permanent Account Number (PAN) and Aadhaar cards could help the
CVC check if financial deals carried out by the cardholder were within his
or her means.
It is the
apex vigilance institution. It was created via executive resolution (based
on the recommendations of Santhanam committee) in 1964 but was conferred with statutory status in
2003. It submits its report to the President of India. Presently,
the body consists of central vigilance commissioner along with 2 vigilance
commissioners. They are appointed by the President of India on the
recommendations of a committee consisting of Prime Minister, Union Home
Minister and Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha (if there is no LoP then
the leader of the single largest Opposition party in the Lok Sabha). Their
term is 4 years or 65 years, whichever is earlier.
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Delhi becomes first city to roll-out Euro VI fuel
New Delhi
has become the first city in India to deploy Bharat Stage 6 Fuel for both
petrol and diesel. two years ahead of the rest of the county.
- The idea behind this implementation two years ahead of
the previously scheduled date of April 1, 2020, is to help battle Delhi’s
long-standing terminal pollution problem.
The BS — or
Bharat Stage — emission standards are norms instituted by the government to
regulate the output of air pollutants from internal combustion engine
equipment, including motor vehicles. India has been following the European
(Euro) emission norms, though with a time-lag of five years.
Difference between BS-IV and the new BS-VI:
The major
difference in standards between the existing BS-IV and the new BS-VI
auto fuel norms is the presence of sulphur. The newly introduced fuel
is estimated to reduce the amount of sulphur released by 80 per cent, from 50
parts per million to 10 ppm. As per the analysts, the emission of NOx
(nitrogen oxides) from diesel cars is also expected to reduce by nearly 70
per cent and 25 per cent from cars with petrol engines.
Upgrading to stricter fuel standards helps
tackle air pollution
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New party launched in
Telangana
Telangana Joint Action Committee (TJAC) chairman
M. Kodandaram formally announced launching of a new political party.
- The new party is named Telangana Jana Samithi (TJS).
TJAC is a non-political platform comprising
political parties, employees associations and other people's organisations
that led the Telangana statehood movement.
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Adopt a Heritage Project bidding for Taj Mahal
Infrastructure
conglomerate GMR and tobacco company ITC Ltd are currently bidding to adopt the
Taj Mahal under the ‘Adopt a Heritage’ project.
- The iconic tomb in Agra was not initially on the list
of monuments to be adopted under the Adopt a Heritage scheme, because of
its importance. However, it was added to the list in February and a
seven-member Oversight and Vision Committee will now decide whom to hand
over the bid to.
The ‘Adopt a Heritage Scheme’ of Ministry of
Tourism was launched on World Tourism Day i.e. 27th September,
2017. This project is a key initiative of Ministry of
Tourism in close collaboration with Ministry of Culture and Archeological
Survey of India (ASI), to develop the heritage sites / monuments
and making them tourist-friendly to enhance the tourism potential and their
cultural importance in a planned and phased manner.
The project
plans to entrust heritage sites/monuments and other tourist sites to
private sector companies, public sector companies and individuals for
the development of tourist amenities. The project aims to develop synergy
among all partners.
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In 2007, the
government of Maharashtra had announced its own adopt-a-monument scheme,
inviting private and public sector companies to adopt heritage sites for a
period of five years. This was extended to 10 years in 2014 because of the
poor response from companies. So far, the only site to be adopted by a
private company under this scheme is Osmanabad district’s Naldurg fort, where
tourism amenities are now being managed by Unity Multicons.
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World-Class tourist amenities unveiled at
Konark Sun temple
A world-class interpretation centre and
other tourist facilities for visitors were inaugurated at the Konark Sun
Temple, Odisha.
- It coincided with Utkal Diwas, Odisha's
foundation day.
- The facilities were inaugurated by the Union
Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Visitors can now see Taj Mahal only for three
hours
The three-hour time cap for visitors to the Taj
Mahal came into force on April 1.
- The Archaeological Survey of India said the time limit
starts from the time of buying the ticket, with those spending more time
at the site having to pay extra.
- Meanwhile, visitors booking the tickets online can
select their 3-hour slot on the website.
Tibetans to host ‘Thank You India’ campaign in Delhi
Former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit will
preside over the opening ceremony of the Cultural Festival of Tibet event, a
part of the year-long ‘Thank You India’ campaign organised by the Central
Tibetan Administration (CTA), in New Delhi.
- CTA President Lobsang Sangai will also attend the
inaugural ceremony that will continue till April 4.
- Apart from the exhibitions, film screening and
performances by the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts, the festival
would also see panel discussion on “India and Tibet: Ancient Ties, Current
Bonds”.
India-Japan-US trilateral in New Delhi ahead of
the Trump-Abe summit
New Delhi will host the strategically important
trilateral dialogue between India, Japan and the US this week.
- During the two-day summit on April 17 and 18, the two
leaders will reaffirm the US-Japan alliance as a cornerstone of peace.
- On April 6, Wells will participate in the India-US
Forum, hosted by the Ananta Centre.
- The India-Japan-US trilateral was launched in December
2011 when Hillary Clinton was the Secretary of State.
India moves to strengthen the relationship with
Palestine
India may have no plans to recognise East
Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine but the government is stepping up
ties with that country.
- Implementation of all the 11 pacts signed during Prime
Minister Narendra Modi and former president Pranab Mukherjee’s visits to
the West Asian country is a top priority with the government.
India-Korea coast guard ships brace for joint
exercise off Chennai coast
Korea Coast Guard and India Coast
Guard are looking at joint search and rescue exercise and friendly visits
to strength the bilateral ties.
- A Korea Coast Guard training ship Badaro
reached Chennai to take part in a joint exercise – Sahyog –Hyeoblyeog 2018
which will be held on April 5.
6 sites from India identified tentatively for World Heritage Site
As many as 6
monuments/historical sites in the North Eastern states have been identified
tentatively for listing under World Heritage Site.
Monuments/sites
identified/placed under tentative list for listing under world heritage in the
north eastern states are:
- Apatani Cultural Landscape, Arunachal Pradesh.
- Iconic Saree Weaving Clusters of India.
- Moidams – the Mound – Burial System of the Ahom
Dynasty, Assam.
- Namdapha National Park, Arunachal Pradesh.
- River Island of Majuli in midstream of Brahmaputra
River in Assam.
- Thembang Fortified Village, Arunachal Pradesh.
A UNESCO
World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as of special
cultural or physical significance.
The list is maintained by the international World Heritage Programme
administered by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, composed of 21 UNESCO
member states which are elected by the General Assembly.
As of July
2017, 1,073 sites are listed: 832 cultural, 206 natural, and 35 mixed
properties, in 167 states. Italy is the home for the largest number of sites
with 53.
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China imposes tariffs on
U.S. goods
China has fired its riposte against the U.S.’s
decision to impose fresh tariffs on steel and aluminium products, by levying up
to 25% duties, mostly on agricultural products.
- China’s State Council imposed additional tariffs on 128
items imported from the U.S., including wine, nuts and pork. Earlier the
U.S. had raised tariffs on steel and aluminium imports, including those
from China. The Chinese decision took effect on Monday.
- Most of these items will pinch U.S. President Donald
Trump’s popular base among farmers. China imposed a 15% tariff on 120
products, including wine, pistachios and walnuts, as well as fruits such
as oranges, grapes and watermelons.
- Outside the basket of edibles, seamless steel pipes
from the U.S. were also targeted. Last year U.S. exports to China of these
products amounted to $1 billion.
This decision is in response to the U.S.
declaration of its intent to slap additional tariffs on Chinese imports worth
nearly $60 billion.
On March 23, the U.S. imposed a 25%
additional tariff on steel imports and 10% on aluminium imports. Later this
month, the U.S. is expected to publish a list of about 1,300 items from China
for additional trade sanctions.
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US, South Korea kick off annual joint military
exercises after a month-long delay
South Korea and the United States kicked off
their annual joint military exercises after they were delayed by about a month.
- The Foal Eagle field exercise, which usually involves
combined ground, air, naval and special operations troops, will continue
for a month.
- The computer-simulated Key Resolve will be held for two
weeks starting in mid-April.
Malaysia approves law
against fake news
Malaysia’s government pushed a law through
Parliament that makes “fake news” punishable with a maximum six-year jail term
despite an outcry from critics worried it will be used to stifle dissent before
elections.
- The law targets foreign as well as local media, and is
seen in part as an effort to silence criticism of the scandal surrounding
sovereign wealth fund 1MDB that has rocked the administration of Prime
Minister Najib Razak.
- The election is expected within weeks and Mr. Najib is
battling to win a third term in office.
The law originally proposed a maximum prison
sentence of 10 years and fine of 5,00,000 ringgit ($1,30,000) for publishing
what authorities deem to be fake news, but the government lowered the jail
term to six years following a storm of criticism.
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Bahrain discovers the largest oilfield in its
history
Bahrain had discovered the country’s
largest oilfield in decades, located off the west coast of the kingdom.
- The new light shale oil and gas resource will contain
many times the amount of oil produced by Bahrain’s only existing oilfield.
- The oil discovery is the kingdom’s largest since 1932.
It did not give any details on the oil reserves discovered.
Israel cancels plan to
deport migrants
Israel announced that it had reached a deal
with the UN refugee agency to cancel a controversial plan to deport African
migrants and replace it with a new one that will see thousands sent to Western
countries.
- A minimum of 16,250 migrants will be resettled in
unspecified Western nations under the agreement announced in a statement
from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office.
- Mr. Netanyahu in January announced the implementation
of a programme to remove migrants who entered illegally, giving them a
choice between leaving voluntarily and facing indefinite imprisonment.
According to Interior Ministry figures, there
are currently some 42,000 African migrants in Israel, half of them children,
women or men with families, who were not facing immediate deportation. They
are mainly Sudanese and Eritrean.
Migrants began entering Israel through what
was then a porous Egyptian border in 2007. The border has since been
strengthened, all but ending illegal crossings.
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NASA completes test launch of parachute meant
for Mars landing
A supersonic parachute that will help NASA
missions to land on Mars, was successfully launched into the sky during a key
test.
- The Advanced Supersonic Parachute Inflation Research
Experiment (ASPIRE) took a launch aboard a sounding rocket on March 31.
- The successful launch came after several days of delays
due to rough seas at the parachute’s recovery zone in the Atlantic Ocean.
Researchers reported the discovery of Fimbristylis agasthyamalaensis
Researchers
have reported the discovery of a new plant species from the Western Ghats
biodiversity hotspot.
- Classified as a sedge, the grass-like plant has been
named Fimbristylis agasthyamalaensis, after the locality from which it was
found.
- The new species belongs to the Cyperaceae family. In
India, the genus is represented by 122 species, of which 87 are reported
from the Western Ghats. Many of the known Cyperaceae species are medicinal
plants or used as fodder.
- The researchers have recommended a preliminary
conservation assessment of the plant as ‘critically endangered,’
according to IUCN criteria. The report says the
species is highly prone to wild grazing.
Ola acquires ticketing app firm Ridlr
Ride-hailer Ola has
acquired Mumbai-based Ridlr, an end-to-end public transport ticketing
and commuting app.
- The acquisition will complement Ola’s efforts to
integrate its mobility platform with public transportation infrastructure.
Founded in 2012, Ridlr enables users to search
and book public transport options on their mobile phones.
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SoftBank Signs $930 million deal to set up
Solar venture in India
SoftBank has signed a $930-million
deal with China's energy conglomerate Golden Concord (GCL) to
produce and sell solar equipment in India.
GCL will invest for a 40% stake in the joint
venture, with SoftBank taking the rest.
- The project will have a 4 gigawatt-capacity and will
produce solar ingots, silicon wafers, batteries, and components.
India is now the world’s No 1 almond importer
India has toppled China and Spain to emerge as
the world’s largest Importer of Almond in recent times.
- Almond imports into India rose 7 per cent to worth
about Rs 3,900 crore last year against Rs 3,640 crore in 2016.
India ranks 37th in Global startup ecosystem:
Startupblink Report
According to report released by global startup
ecosystem map Startupblink, India was ranked 37th out of 125
countries in global startup ecosystem in 2017.
- Startupblink is a global startup ecosystem map with
tens of thousands of registered startups, coworking spaces, and
accelerators.
- The list, measuring startup ecosystem strength and
activity, was topped by the United States followed by the United
Kingdom.
Bloomberg billionaires top 100 index released
Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos has added $21.8
billion to his fortunes this year and takes the top
spot, Microsoft founder Bill Gates was ranked 2nd.
- While, Reliance Industries Chairman and Managing
Director Mukesh Ambani has been ranked 19th on Bloomberg
Billionaires Top 100 Index as he becomes the third richest Asian
on the list.
- With a net worth of approximately $38.3
billion, Ambani’s wealth is pegged at about over 1.5 percent of
India’s GDP.
- From Asia, Alibaba co-founder Jack Ma (ranked
13th) is the richest with a net worth of $47.2 billion and is
followed by Tencent co-founder and CEO Pony Ma (17) with a $41.1
billion net worth.
Nirmala Sitharaman in Russia to attend Moscow
Conference
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is
in Russia to attend the 7th Moscow Conference on International
Security.
- This is her first visit to Russia in her capacity as
the Defence Minister.
- During her three-day tour, she will meet her Russian
counterpart Army General Sergei Shoigu and other senior leaders.
Marathi films head to
Cannes Film Market
Dhondiba Balu Karande is a self-taught
filmmaker from Satara who started making short films and documentaries after a
stint in theatre in his college days.
- Now his debut feature film, Palashichi PT ,
is headed for Festival de Cannes aka the Cannes Film Festival as one of
the three films to be showcased at the Marathi film booth at the
festival’s Marche du Cinema (the Cannes Film Market).
President receives copy of special issue of ‘Think India’
journal on Deen Dayal Upadhyay
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind,
received a copy of a special issue of the ‘Think India’ journal, devoted to the
late philosopher-politician Deendayal Upadhyay, at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
- The copy was given to the President by Dr Murli Manohar
Joshi, MP, in the presence of Shri D P Tripathi, MP, and editor of the
special issue.
- Among others Dr Shashi Tharoor, MP, and Shri Pawan
Verma, former MP, were also present.
Egypt’s President Sisi wins re-election with
97% of the vote
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has been
re-elected with 97 percent of votes, the same proportion that the former
military commander secured four years ago.
- Turnout was 41 percent, despite efforts to get as many
Egyptians as possible to polling stations during last week’s vote.
- Sisi won a total of 21.8 million votes compared with
656,534 for his opponent, Moussa Mostafa Moussa, whose tally was less than
the 1.8 million spoiled ballots.
South African anti-apartheid campaigner Winnie
Mandela dies at 81
Anti-apartheid activist Winnie
Madikizela-Mandela, wife of Nelson Mandela during his decades of imprisonment,
died.
- She fought valiantly against the apartheid state and
sacrificed her life for the freedom of the country.
- Madikizela-Mandela was jailed several times for her
part in the fight against white-minority rule.
James Anderson becomes most over-worked seam
bowler in Test cricket history
England quick James Anderson became the most
over-worked seam bowler in Test cricket history when he fired down his 30,020th
delivery.
- He overtook the previous record of 30,019 held by West
Indies great Courtney Walsh who retired in 2001.
- Walsh in his career took 519 wickets at 24.44 while
Anderson has 531 dismissals at 27.34.
Nadal dethrones Federer to become world no. 1 again
Spain’s 16-time Grand Slam champion Rafael
Nadal displaced Swiss rival Roger Federer at the top of the ATP men’s singles
rankings.
- Nadal, who held the number one spot up until February
18, is now beginning his fifth stint and 168th week at the top of the
men’s singles rankings.
- The 31-year-old has been inside the top 10 since April
2005.
