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-DayTodayGK Team Current Affairs February 2016 PDF by D2G
AWARDS AND HONOURS
Name of the Award Award Winner Key Points To Note Best First Foreign Film Indian film “Titli” Conferred by the French Syndicate Award of Cinema Critics 2016 (FSCC) Lifetime achievement award Megastar-Amitabh At NDTV Indian of the Year Awards Bachchan Golden Conch award Manipuri movie For the best documentary film (up to “Phum Shang” 60 minutes) Bharat Ratna Pandit Sarangi maestro The annual award, instituted by the Bhimsen Joshi classical Pandit Ram Narayan Maharashtra government music award ‘Godavari Gaurav’ award Well-known actor Instituted by city-based Nana Patekar ‘Kusumagraj Prathishthan’ Sets New World Record For KJ Joseph He is from Kerala Most Push-Ups In Minute La Liga’s Player of the Lionel Messi This is the first time that the Month for January Barcelona star has received the award Hilton Asian Tour Golfer of Anirban Lahiri By fans in an online poll Year Pride of Kerala Award Bollywood actress Received from the World Malayalee Vidya Balan Council and Kairali TV Best film, best actor and The Revenant The British Academy Film Awards best director BAFTA are presented in an annual award awards show hosted by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA). Golden Beaver Best Film Nagaland is changing, At 6th National Science Film Award But… Festival in Mumbai Album of The Year Taylor Swift At the 2016 Grammy Awards for her 2014 album 1989 Chevalier de la Legion Manish Arora French Ambassador Francois Richier d’Honneur (Knight of the presented the award to Arora for his Legion of Honour) renowned and critically-acclaimed contribution to the fashion world Entered the Guinness Book Sameer Anjaan For writing lyrics to the most number of World Records of Bollywood songs Global Teacher Prize Robin Chaurasiya An Indian teacher who runs a non- profit school in Mumbai for girls from the city’s red light areas World Press Photo of 2015 Warren Richardson Richardson’s picture–which also won first prize in the Spot News category–shows refugees crossing the border from Serbia into Hungary Israel Prize David Shulman For his breakthrough studies in fields like religion and philosophy
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Game of the Year at the Bethesda’s Fallout 4 The announcement was made at the DICE Awards Pete Holmes-hosted affair at The Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas Aryabhata Award Dr Avinash Chander Former Scientific Adviser to Defence Minister and ex-DRDO chief Greenest school Father Agnel School School in Greater Noida’s Sector Beta 2 Best Film by children’s jury Ottaal National Award-winning Malayalam at the 66th Berlin film International Film Festival
Zee Cine Awards 2016 Bajirao Mastani Awards in as many as 10 categories including the Jury Award for Best Film, Best Actor and Best Director and Best Actress (Viewers’ Choice). REMI Award Kanavu Variyam A Tamil movie directed by a Chennai-based techie Arun Chidambaram Knighthood by the French Ismail Mahomed An Indian-origin art lover and government playwright in South Africa Sports Person of the Year Lalita Babar Long-distance runner Golden Reel Award Resul Pookutty Award for best sound for documentary “India’s Daughter” Dinanath Mangeshkar Sanjay Leela Bhansali Dinanath Mangeshkar is father of Award and Ranveer Singh Lata Mangeshkar Randeep Hooda Randeep Hooda
15 cities honoured for good work to improve sanitation in urban areas A total of 15 cities from across the country were felicitated by the central government for their good work in different areas of sanitation. • Minister of Urban Development M.Venkaiah Naidu presented trophies and mementos to these cities after announcing the results of ‘Swachh Sarvekshan-2016’ for their efforts to improve sanitation in respective cities. • The Minister announced that all the 500 cities each with a population of one lakh and above will be surveyed for cleanliness every year and a Rolling Trophy will be presented to the best performer. • States will also be advised to rank cities so as to honour the best performing city in respective states and each urban local body to similarly identify the best ward in respect of sanitation.
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President Pranab Mukherjee conferred Infosys Prize 2015 President Pranab Mukherjee conferred Infosys Prize 2015 on six winners in New Delhi. • The awards were received by Prof Umesh Waghmare, Prof Jonardon Ganeri, Dr Amit Sharma, Prof Mahan Mj, Prof G Ravindra Kumar and Dr Srinath Raghavan.
Six Indian Americans to be awarded the Presidential Early Career award US President Barack Obama to honour six Indian Americans, who have made to the list of 106 scientists and engineers, with the highest US government prize for young independent researchers. • The Indian Americans selected for the Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers are Milind Kulkarni (Purdue University), Kiran Musunuru (Harvard University), Sachin Patel (Vanderbilt University Medical Centre), Vikram Shyam (NASA), Rahul Mangharam (University of Pennsylvania) and Shwetak Patel (University of Washington).
The 2016 Oscars Winners - Complete List The 88th Academy Awards ceremony, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), honored the best films of 2015. The Academy is known around the world for its annual Academy Awards, now officially known as The "Oscars".
• Best picture - "Spotlight" • Best actor - Leonardo DiCaprio, "The Revenant" • Best actress - Brie Larson, "Room" • Best supporting actor - Mark Rylance, "Bridge of Spies" • Best supporting actress - Alicia Vikander, "The Danish Girl" • Best director - "The Revenant," Alejandro G. Iñárritu • Best original screenplay - "Spotlight," by Josh Singer and Tom McCarthy • Best adapted screenplay - "The Big Short," Charles Randolph and Adam McKay • Best costume design - "Mad Max: Fury Road," Jenny Beavan • Best production design - "Mad Max: Fury Road," production design by Colin Gibson; set decoration by Lisa Thompson • Best makeup and hairstyling - "Mad Max: Fury Road," Lesley Vanderwalt, Elka Wardega and Damian Martin • Best cinematography - "The Revenant," Emmanuel Lubezki • Best film editing - "Mad Max: Fury Road," Margaret Sixel • Best sound editing - "Mad Max: Fury Road," Mark Mangini and David White
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• Best sound mixing - "Mad Max: Fury Road," Chris Jenkins, Gregg Rudloff and Ben Osmo • Best visual effects - "Ex Machina," Andrew Whitehurst, Paul Norris, Mark Ardington and Sara Bennett • Best animated short film - "Bear Story," Gabriel Osorio and Pato Escala • Best animated feature film - "Inside Out," Pete Docter and Jonas Rivera • Best documentary, short subject - "A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness," Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy • Best documentary feature - "Amy," Asif Kapadia and James Gay-Rees • Best live-action short film - "Stutterer," Benjamin Cleary and Serena Armitage • Best foreign-language film - "Son of Saul," Hungary • Best original song - "Writing's on the Wall" from "Spectre" Music and lyric by Jimmy Napes and Sam Smith • Best original score - "The Hateful Eight," Ennio Morricone
APPOINTMENTS
Name of the Persons Post/Department Muktesh Kumar Pardeshi India’s next Ambassador to Mexico. P Harish India’s next Ambassador to Vietnam Archana Ramasundram Director-General of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) Virender Sehwag Mentor of the Kings XI Punjab for IPL Saroj Kumar Jha Senior Director for the Fragility, Conflict and Violence Group at the World Bank Sanjay Gupta Chief Marketing Officer of Urban Ladder Ambiga Dhiraj Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Mu Sigma Inc. Mrs. Aruna Sethi Head of Indian Cost Accounts Service (ICoAS) DJ Pandian Vice-president and chief investment officer of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) Major General Jai Shanker Menon Head of UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) RK Pachauri Executive Vice Chairman of The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) Ashok Chawla Chairman of TERI Harinder Sidhu Australia Envoy to India Davinder Singh Vice-Chairman of ICC commission Tamar Hahn Director of United Nations Information Centre Piruz Khambatta Ambassador for Make in India
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Dr. Vilas A Tonapi Director of Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR) Jayant Misra DG of Directorate of Revenue Intelligence
Amit Mitra Chairman of the Empowered Committee of State Finance Ministers on Goods and Services Tax (GST) Kajol and Shashi Shekhar Vempati Prasar Bharti Board part time member Gianni Infantino FIFA President Vinay Kumar Singh Managing Director of the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) Amar Singh Police Commissioner of Kuala Lumpur Udai Kumar MD & CEO of Metropolitan Stock Exchange of India (formerly MCX Stock Exchange) KN Vyas Director Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) Mortaza United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) “national goodwill ambassador Rohit Sharma Global ambassador of Nissan MK Sharma The Diageo-controlled United Spirits USL) Chairman Ratan Tata Head of Indian Railways’ innovation committee Rajendra Singh Director general of the Coast Guard Sachin Tendulkar Joined UNICEF’s ‘Team Swachh’ initiative Former CAG Vinod Rai Chairman of the Banks Board Bureau Dinesh Sharma Chairperson of Governing Council of IFAD Alok Kumar Verma Delhi Police Commissioner
Related News Facebook India MD Kirthiga Reddy quits
Facebook Inc’s India managing director, Kirthiga Reddy, said she is stepping down and returning to the United States to “explore new opportunities” at the company’s headquarters in Menlo Park, California.
Reddy, who joined Facebook in 2010 as its first employee in India, said in a Facebook post she would be relocating in the next 6-12 months.
6 | Page www.DayTodayGK.com What is Special in D2G??? Current Affairs February 2016 PDF by D2G BANKING AND FINANCE CBDT Signs Two Bilateral Advance Pricing Agreements with UK The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has entered into two bilateral Advance Pricing Agreements (APAs) with United Kingdom. • With this signing, CBDT has concluded three bilateral APAs the first one being a bilateral APA signed with Japan in December, 2014. • The two bilateral APAs were signed with two Indian group entities of a UK based Multi-National Company (MNC). • The APAs have been entered into soon after the Competent Authorities of India and United Kingdom finalised the terms of the bilateral arrangement under the Mutual Agreement Procedure (MAP) process contained in the India-UK DTAA.
RBI keeps key interest rates unchanged The Reserve Bank of India has kept key interest rates unchanged at 6.75%, in line with market expectations saying that it awaits further data on the development of inflation and the impact from the 7th Central Pay Commission which has recommended wage hikes. • The central bank said it continues to be accommodative and awaits structural reforms in the forthcoming Union Budget which will boost growth while controlling spending will create more space for monetary policy to support growth, while also ensuring that inflation remains on the projected path of 5% by the end of 2016-17.
RBI eases cross border transactions for start ups The Reserve Bank of India has proposed steps to improve ease of doing business for start- ups through easier access to foreign capital and by enabling smoother transfer of ownership. • RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan said the central bank wants to simplify the process and will create an enabling framework for attracting foreign venture capital (VC). • For easing cross-border transactions, RBI has proposed that in case of transfer of ownership of a start-up, permitting receipt of the consideration amount on a deferred basis could be done. It has also proposed to enable escrow arrangement or indemnity arrangement up to a period of 18 months.
FDI in India doubles to $4.5 Billion in Dec 2015 Foreign direct investment (FDI) in the country more than doubled to about $4.5 billion (Rs 30,514.5 crore) in December 2015. • In December 2014, India had received $2.16 billion. • The major sectors that attracted foreign inflows include computer software and hardware, trading, services, automobile and telecommunications. • India receives maximum FDI from Singapore, Mauritius, the Netherlands and Japan.
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• In 2014-15, foreign fund inflows grew 27 per cent to $30.93 billion as against $24.29 billion in 2013-14. • The government has relaxed FDI norms in as many as 15 sectors, including Defence, single brand retail, construction development, civil aviation and LLPs, to boost FDI in the country. • Foreign investments are considered crucial for India, which needs around $1 trillion in the next five years to overhaul its infrastructure sector such as ports, airports and highways to boost growth.
Mahindra AMC received SEBI nod for Mutual Fund business Mahindra Asset Management Company has received markets regulator SEBI’s approval for setting up of theirmutual fund business. • Mahindra AMC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services (MMFS), got the regulator’s nod on February 4. • However, the company did not disclose by when it will start offering mutual fund products. • At present, there are over 40 mutual fund houses operating in the country.
India likely to grow at 7.9% in 2016-17 : CRISIL According to Crisil Research, Indian economy is expected to grow at 7.9 percent in the fiscal starting April, lower than earlier forecast of 8.1 percent. • Crisil noted that the economy’s modest recovery has been shaped by good luck on crude oil and commodities, and a supportive policy environment. • While this is expected to continue, India cannot afford to be third-time unlucky with rains.
RBI to inject more cash into banks in March The Reserve Bank of India said it will actively inject additional cash into the banking system in March, when liquidity conditions tend to tighten because it marks the end of the fiscal year. The cash injections could come in addition to the current term repo system that provides cash to banks as short-term loans under the RBI’s Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF).
GOI to lower stake in PSU banks to 51% Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitely said that the government will soon announce a series of major banking reforms, including lowering its stake in state-owned banks to 51 per cent. • Jaitely said “Public sector banks have played an important role in financial inclusion but at the same time, political government needs to maintain arm’s-length distance from these banks and allow them to have more professionalised bank boards. The banks will have to work on banking considerations”.
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PNB declared United Breweries a wilful defaulter UB Group holding company United Breweries (Holdings) Ltd said that Punjab National Bank has declared the company as a “wilful defaulter”. • On 13 November 2015, State Bank of India (SBI) had declared United Breweries and Mallya as wilful defaulters, though the company had filed a writ petition against the same in the Delhi high court. • The wilful defaulter tag in connection with the loan taken by the company for the now grounded airline Kingfisher Airlines Ltd. Kingfisher Airlines’ operating licence was suspended in October 2012 by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, following a strike by the airline’s employees. • Overall exposure of lenders is Rs.6,360 crore, which increases to about Rs.7,000 crore, adding unapplied interest.
GOI launched Non Tax Receipt Portal The Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley inaugurated the Non Tax Receipt Portal (NTRP), developed by the Office of Controller General of Accounts (CGA). • The portal provides a one-stop platform to citizens /corporates/other users for making online payment of Non-Tax Receipts to Government of India. • The annual collection of Non Tax Receipts is over Rs. 2 lakh crores. It was launched as part of Union Government’s flagship Digital India campaign. • Currently, non-tax revenues are collected by physical instruments such as bank draft or cheque or cash. This portal will reduce manual work to a great extent.
SBI opens ‘Japan Desk’ in New Delhi Banking Giant State Bank of India (SBI) has launched a new initiative called ‘Japan Desk’, a first-of-its-kind initiative to facilitate Japanese corporates looking to invest in India with banking and advisory services. • This SBI Japan Desk will serve as an one-point comprehensive and reliable information support source for India-bound investments of Japanese companies. • Through the Japan Desk, SBI aims to be the window for inbound Japanese Investments in India and vice-versa. • The Japan Desk — to be based in New Delhi — will facilitate in the establishment of banking relationship with Japanese corporates and Japanese nationals, provide information on industries, sectors etc.
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World Bank to support Rajasthan on energy reforms The World Bank has decided to lend support to the Rajasthan government on energy reforms. • The decision was taken at a meeting between World Banks country director in India, Onno Ruhl and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje. • The Rajasthan CM underlined the importance of ongoing projects on rural development, including the Jal Swablamban Abhiyan, and other new technologies in Agriculture, Skill Development and Tourism, and urged the WB official to provide support to these schemes too.
Aditya Birla, Idea form JV for Payments Bank Aditya Birla Nuvo, one of the eleven entities that have received in-principle approvals from the RBI to set up payments banks, said it has incorporated a new subsidiary for the same purpose. • The new entity, Aditya Birla Idea Payments Bank Ltd, is a 51:49 joint venture (JV) between it and Idea Cellular — its telecom subsidiary in which it owns 23.26%. • As per the norms issued by RBI, a payments bank can accept deposits up to Rs 1 lakh from individual customers, issue ATM and debit cards, offer payments and remittance services, and act as a distributor of simple Financial products such as mutual funds units and insurance products.
GOI to create Banking Access Points in villages The government is looking at providing banking services in every village of the country by leveraging technology and the network of Common Services Centres (CSCs). • The withdrawal facility has already been introduced at CSCs whereas opening of accounts is being worked out with the banks and is likely to be rolled out shortly. • Communications and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that the Govt is targeting to create banking access point in every village through new technology. • The minister added the commission earned by village level entrepreneurs or VLEs on pancards, passport and rail ticketing stands at 438 crore.
GOI clears India Post’s Payment Banks Proposal The Public Investment Board has approved the Rs 800-crore proposal from India Post for setting up a payments bank and it will be placed before the Cabinet within a month for final approval. • PIB, under the Finance Ministry, whets the investment proposals put forth by the state-run entities. • The department is in the process of finalising the selection of a consultant for setting up India Post’s payments bank. • It had shortlisted six consultants but only three of them submitted the bids. 10 | Page www.DayTodayGK.com
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RBI extends currency swap arrangement with SAARC nations In order to enhance economic cooperation and strengthen financial stability, RBI has extended the USD 2 billion currency swap arrangement to SAARC nations till mid- November 2017. • The Reserve Bank said that it has decided to extend the SAARC Currency Swap Arrangement till November 14, 2017. • Under the arrangement, RBI is to offer swap arrangement up to an overall amount of USD 2 billion both in foreign currency and Indian rupee. The SAARC Swap Arrangement was offered by the RBI to SAARC nations on November 15, 2012. The facility will be available to all SAARC member countries — Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Mastercard to launch payments by selfie Mastercard is launching new mobile technologies that will allow customers to authenticate their online purchases using selfies or fingerprints. • The technology will be rolled out by big banks in the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and some European countries over the next few months. • People from around the world will be regularly using this authentication technology within five years, said Ajay Bhalla, president of enterprise security solutions at MasterCard. • Mastercard plans to roll out the technology to the UK, US, Canada, Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark.
SBI launches new branch for e-commerce loans Banking giant SBI has taken another leap in this space with the launch of SBI e-Smart SME, a working capital loan offering for sellers on e-commerce platforms. • With this development, sellers can apply for the loan online on the e-commerce platform and get instant sanctioning of the loan. • This product uses proprietary platform data and surrogates information from public domain to assess the seller’s creditworthiness for loan sanctioning. The product was launched in partnership with ecommerce platform Snapdeal in the presence of bank’s chairman Arundhati Bhattacharya & Snapdeal CEO Kunal Bahl.
PNB declares 904 firms as wilful defaulters State-owned Punjab National Bank (PNB) has declared 904 borrowers who owed it a combined Rs.10,869.71 crore as of December-end as wilful defaulters. • The bank added 140 companies to the list of wilful defaulters over the last quarter. At the end of September, 764 companies who owed the lender Rs.9,200 crore had been classified as wilful defaulters.
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• Prominent among the wilful defaulters to PNB are Winsome Diamonds and Jewellery, which owes Rs.900.37 crore, Forever Precious Jewellery and Diamonds (Rs.747.98 crore), Zoom Developers (Rs.410.18 crore), Nafed (Rs.224.26 crore) and S. Kumar Nationwide (Rs.146.82 crore). The bank recently declared Kingfisher Airlines and its guarantors UB Holdings and Vijay Mallya as wilful defaulters. Kingfisher Airlines owes PNB Rs.1,500 crore.
RBI to buy Rs 12000 crore worth of Govt Bonds The Reserve Bank of India has announced an Open Market Operation (OMO) purchase of government securities worth Rs 12,000 crore on March 3. • The RBI conducts OMO purchases in order to infuse liquidity into the system whenever there is a deficiency, while it conducts OMO sales to suck excess liquidity from the system. • OMOs are also intended to keep the short-term interest rates close to the policy rate. • The liquidity deficit in the banking system has been around Rs.1.5 trillion over the past two months, mainly because of the build-up of the government’s cash balance with RBI. • The central bank’s foreign exchange interventions in the recent past have also increased the deficit.
Union Budget 2016 – Everything You Need to know Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has presented the Union Budget 2016. With an eye on supporting the small tax-payer and the small investor, the Minister announced a slew of schemes, and income tax exemptions. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley did not change income tax slabs in his third Budget, but he did tweak some deductions and announced multiple new cesses, which will impact tax liability for the common man. Infrastructure and agriculture cess to be levied.
INDIAN AFFAIRS India gets its first underwater restaurant India has got its first underwater restaurant in Ahmedabad, giving a new experience to food lovers. • According to reports, the restaurant – The Real Poseidon – has a dining area which has been created 20 feet below ground level. • Run by Ahmedabad-based businessman, Bharat Bhatt, the 32-seater restaurant serves a range of cuisine, which includes Thai, Mexican and Indian Food. • Though the restaurant will only cater to the vegetarian palate.
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Meghalaya – India’s fastest growing state The tiny hill state of Meghalaya has been emerged as the fastest-growing state in the whole country with a growth rate of 9.7% in 2013-14. • The state has scored higher than the fastest-growing big state of Madhya Pradesh (9.5%) and several notches ahead of the national growth rate. • The data has been released by IndiaSpend, country’s first data journalism initiative and a project of Spending & Policy Research Foundation based at Mumbai.
Infosys to build the World’s tallest Clock Tower Infosys, India’s leading software company, is all set to beat the 96-metre tall Big Ben, the iconic free-standing clock tower in London, with a 135m structure. • The proposed clock tower, which will be built in the Infosys Global Education Center in Mysore, close to the country’s tech capital Bangalore, will also rival the Hoover Tower (87m) in California and the McGraw Tower (53m) in Cornell.
India becomes second largest smartphone market India has surpassed the US to become the world’s second largest smartphone market, crossing 220 million in active unique smartphone users in 2015. • According to Hong-Kong-based Counterpoint Technology Market Research, Smartphone shipments in India grew a healthy 15 percent annually in the December quarter of 2015 versus the previous quarter and 23 percent on the year-earlier quarter. • In all, India crossed the 100 Million smartphones-sold-in-year milestone at the end of 2015.
IPAB approves GI tag for Indian Basmati rice The Intellectual Property Appellate Board (IPAB) has directed the Assistant Registrar of Geographical Indications Registry, Chennai, to proceed with registration of Geographical Indication (GI) tag for Basmati rice as per the geographical demarcation conducted by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA). This means seven north-Indian basmati rice producing states such as Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand and parts of Uttar Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir will get the GI tag.
India becomes Associate Member of EMBO Ministry of Science and Technology, Department of Biotechnology, and Government of India has signed an agreement to become an Associate Member State of State European Molecular Biology Organisation (EMBO). • The agreement was signed by Professor K. Vijay Raghavan, Secretary of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) for the Government of India.
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• Started in 1964 as European Molecular Biology Conference (EMBC), or the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) is a group of more than 1,700 leading researchers that promotes excellence in the life sciences. • The organization supports gifted researchers and encourages the exchange of scientific information all over the globe.
Heritage development projects for Andhra Pradesh, Telangana approved Ministry of Urban Development has approved projects worth over Rs.12 cr for improving tourist infrastructure in heritage places of Amaravati in Andhra Pradesh and Warangal in Telangana. • An inter-Ministerial HRIDAY National Empowered Committee approved development of a Heritage Park in Amaravati besides developmental works at 1000 Pillar Temple and Kazipet Durgah and rejuvenation of pond at Padmakshi Temple in Warangal city. • In Amaravati, Heritage Park will be developed over an area of 3.50 acres opposite Dhyan Buddha Statue at a total cost of Rs.7.36 crore.
GOI to set up National Organic Farming Research Institute in Sikkim The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has decided to set up the National Organic Farming Research Institute in Sikkim. • The decision to this effect was taken by the Union Agriculture Minister Radhamohan Singh and Sikkim Agriculture Minister Som Nath Paudyal in New Delhi. • The institute will be established by upgrading the existing Regional Centre of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in Gangtok. The setting up of the institute is of primary importance for Sikkim as it was declared as the first organic farming State in the country in January 2016 by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
PM Modi inaugurates Brahmaputra Cracker and Polymer Limited Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated the Brahmaputra Cracker and Polymer Limited petrochemical complex the region’s first petrochemical project at Lepetkata to the nation. • The Prime Minister also inaugurated a wax de-oiling unit at Numaligarh Refinery Limited. • He promised jobs and opportunities to local youngsters in start-up ventures in the Brahmaputra Cracker and Polymer Limited petrochemical complex built at an investment of Rs 10,000 crore at Lepetkata in Dibrugarh district and in the Rs 676- crore wax plant of Numaligarh Refinery Limited in Golaghat district.
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IAF to vacate Leh airbase for civilian airport The Indian Air Force (IAF) has agreed to vacate the airbase at Leh district which will be used for expansion of the civilian airport by the Jammu and Kashmir government. • IAF will develop its base at an alternate site in the strategically-located district of Jammu and Kashmir bordering Pakistan and China under an agreement intended to be finalised by this month end. • Similarly, the Army has agreed to vacate a large tract of land presently under its control in Kargil district, adjoining Leh, in Ladakh, which will be used for the expansion of the town. Army will be given alternate land in lieu.
India gets first fully solar powered institute Sri Aurobindo International Centre for Education, Puducherry has become India’s first fully solar powered institute (Educational). • The institute generates thrice the electricity it consumes through solar power plants installed on the roofs of the dining room, primary school, library and high school in the campus. • The institute has been self-reliant in energy since September 2014.
Tax reforms proposed in gems & jewellery sector Government of India is considering a package of tax incentives for the labour-intensive leather and gems and jewellery sectors in the forthcoming Budget to provide a boost to manufacturing as well as exports. Leather and leather goods sector is a focus area under the ‘Make in India’ initiative of the central government and the aim is to increase its exports to USD 15 billion by 2020 from the current USD 6 billion.
Disclose answer sheets, marks: Supreme Court In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court held that the state public service commissions are bound to furnish details of answer sheets and interview marks of the candidates appearing in various examinations conducted by them under the Right to Information Act. Giving this ruling, a bench of Justices M.Y. Eqbal and Arun Mishra, however, held that the public service commission is not entitled to furnish to the candidates the names of the examiners as such a disclosure will not be in public interest.
AIDS Prevention : Project Sunrise launched in NE states Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare J.P. Nadda has launched Project Sunrise for prevention of AIDS in the eight North-Eastern states. The project is funded by the Centre for Disease Control of the United States. The Project will be implemented in the North East, in addition to the existing projects of the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO).
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PM dedicates Paradip Refinery to the nation The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has dedicated the state of the art Paradip Refinery in Odisha, to the nation. • Addressing the large gathering on the occasion, the Prime Minister said he appreciated the participation of a such a large number of people in an official programme related to development. • Remembering former Chief Minister of Odisha Shri Biju Patnaik, the Prime Minister said Paradip will now become “Vikas Dweep” – the island of development for the people of Odisha. • He said youth would benefit from employment opportunities, and poor women across the country who depended on firewood for fuel, would get access to LPG. • Paradip is overall IOC’s 11th refinery to be set up and has installed capacity of 15 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA).
India plans to eliminate malaria by 2027 On February 11, GOI is going to launch an ambitious programme that seeks to eliminate malaria by 2027. The WHO’s global target for malaria elimination is 2030. • Under the National Framework for Malaria Elimination, now in final stages of planning ahead of a formal launch soon, states have been divided into three categories based on their annual parasite incidence (API). • Elimination will be undertaken in a phased manner, and states with low incidence rates taken first, followed by the high-incidence ones.
Ratan Tata now invests in B2B marketplace Moglix E-commerce company Moglix has announced an undisclosed financial investment in the company by industrialist Ratan Tata. • Tata has already made investments in many e-commerce and new-age technology enabled companies. • Moglix specialises in B2B procurement of industrial products like MROs, Fasteners and industrial electricals with manufacturers across India, China and other Asian countries as partners.
India to host first ever Global Maritime Summit Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India will host the first ever Global Maritime Summit in April this year and called for maritime cooperation stating that the seas must be used to build peace, friendship, trust and curb conflict. The Prime Minister said that international maritime stability cannot be preserved by a single nation with the complexity of modern day challenges. He also said India is and has always been a maritime nation.
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Chettinad Cotton Saree wins Indian Handloom tag The Union textile ministry has bestowed the ‘Indian Handloom Brand’ tag on Chettinad cotton saris, which would enable them to promote the material in the international market. This will give a big boost to a group of 650 weavers from Koviloor and Karaikudi in Sivaganga district. The Ministry authorised the Amarar Rajiv Gandhi Handloom Weavers Cooperative Society, which produced the sarees, to use the brand and logo for marketing the product.
Ratan Tata invests in Invictus Oncology Ratan Tata, chairman emeritus of Tata Sons, has invested an undisclosed amount in Delhi- based biopharmaceutical firm Invictus Oncology Pvt Ltd, next generation cancer therapeutic startup. • The investment in Invictus Oncology is Tata’s fifth in 2016, and follows the Tata Sons patriarch’s investments in startup research platform Tracxn, pet care portal DogSpot, baby and maternity care online retailer FirstCry, as well as in cash-back and coupons venture, CashKaro, all four of which were announced in January.
IRCTC ties up with tea cafe chain ‘Chaayos’ Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) entering into a tie up with leading tea cafe chain Chaayos. • The partnership with Chaayos will ensure that passengers get their tea and snacks delivered to their train seats directly. • Initially, the collaboration is for all trains at New Delhi station, and will soon be extended to other stations across Delhi and Mumbai. • Chaayos co-founder Raghav Verma said the partnership with IRCTC would be a great chance for people to get their favourite cup of tea even while travelling in trains. • Chaayos, which has 20 cafes in Delhi NCR and Mumbai, will offer many of its customized tea options such as Kulhad Chai, Adrak Tulsi Chai and Honey Ginger Lemon.
ISRO to partner with Delhi Police to track crime Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) will enter into a partnership with Delhi Police, in which it will help develop a mechanism to facilitate “predictive policing” and “live crime mapping”. The system will provide real-time information from crime spots and identify gang activities. Personal Digital Assistant devices will be given to officials, that can store data of over two lakh criminals.
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TRAI rules against Differential Pricing The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has barred telecom service providers from charging differential rates for data services, effectively prohibiting Facebook’s Free Basics and Airtel Zero Platform by Airtel in their current form. TRAI said a fine of Rs. 50,000 would be levied per day, subject to a maximum of Rs. 50 lakh, for any violation of these regulations by the service providers. An exemption, however, has been made for offering emergency services.
Google launches public flood alerts in India Google has introduced a new flood alerts feature in India as a part of its efforts to make critical information around natural disasters more accessible to everyone. • Available via Google Public Alerts Platform, the alerts will be displayed on Google apps such as Google web search, Google Maps and Google Now cards. • Clicking on the alert, users will be provided with details about hazards, expected timeline, maps and a few tips to stay safe.
GOI to develop North East as petroleum hub India will focus on the north-eastern region to expand its hydrocarbon and petrochemical industries with an eye on markets such as Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar and Thailand, as per a new vision 2030 document for developing the region as a petroleum hub. The plan also proposes expanding fuel marketing infrastructure in the region and opening up retailing facilities in neighbouring countries with local partners.
IIT-M partners Nokia for Rural net connectivity Indian Institute of Technology-Madras (IIT-M) has partnered with Nokia Networks to create technology solutions that will enhance broadband connectivity in rural India. • Under the three-year partnership, Nokia will fund and provide technological expertise for research at IIT-M’s Centre of Excellence for Wireless Technology (CEWiT). • The project will evaluate options for using unlicensed spectrum to deliver cost- effective, last-mile broad-band connectivity to remote rural communities in India, complementing the government’s National Optical Fibre Network initiative.
NCBC asks for 27% OBC Reservation in Private Sector The National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) advised enacting a legislation that would make it mandatory for private entities, including cooperative and philanthropic organisations, to reserve 27% of all hiring for people from the so-called other backward classes (OBCs). Quotas are the rule in Government Jobs and schools in India with politics often holding sway over who gets benefits, while critics urge for a transition to need-based programmes that provide advantages based on economic or geographic conditions.
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JP Nadda launches the National Framework for Elimination of Malaria JP Nadda, the Health Minister has launched the National Framework for Malaria Elimination (NFME) 2016-2030, which outlines India’s strategy for elimination of the disease by 2030. The Minister stated that the NFME document clearly defines goals, objectives, strategies, targets and timelines will serve as a roadmap for advocating and planning malaria elimination in the country in a phased manner.
Coca Cola stops manufacturing in 3 Indian Plants Hindustan Coca Cola Beverages Pvt. Ltd, the largest bottler of Coca-Cola India, has stopped production at its bottling plant at Kaladera near Jaipur (Rajasthan), Vishakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) and Brynihat (Meghalaya). Hindustan Coca-Cola is part of the company’s Bottling Investments Group (BIG) that packages, sells and distributes non-alcoholic, ready-to-drink beverages.
India ranked second last in US Chamber IP Index The US Chamber of Commerce has released its 4th annual International IP Index - Infinite Possibilities- which measured the IP environment in India alongside 37 other economies. • The Chamber has placed India at number 37 out of the 38 countries analysed with regard to international best practices, with only Venezuela scoring lower. • The index, produced by the Chamber’s Global Intellectual Property Center (GIPC), found that India’s score was largely unchanged while blaming that the patent protection in India remains outside of international best practices. • Indian law does not provide adequate enforcement mechanisms to effectively combat online piracy.
Facebook shuts down Free Basics in India After TRAI’s decision on discriminatory pricing, Facebook has announced that it has scrapped its controversial Free Basics initiative from India. • Recently TRAI issued regulations in favour of net neutrality ruling against differential pricing and also said that a per day penalty of Rs 50,000 will be levied for discriminatory tariffs charged by service providers, subject to a maximum of Rs 50 lakh. • Facebook had met with severe criticism for its programme, which aimed at providing basic Internet access to people in partnership with telecom operators. • Facebook had met a backlash in India from “net neutrality” advocates, who say that because Free Basics only allows access to selected websites it violates the principle that the entire Internet should be available to everyone on equal terms.
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India’s gold demand up by 2.5% in 2015 : WGC According to the World Gold Council’s (WGC) Gold Demand Trends report, India remained cautious on gold buying in 2015 as demand remained nearly flat at 848.9 tonnes compared to the previous year. • The demand in 2014 was 828.5 tonnes. In 2015, gold demand was valued at Rs 2,02,910 crore as against Rs 2,05,750 crore in 2014. • Demand for gold has once again proven resilient in the face of a range of challenges, underlining the role of gold as an essential component of households’ savings and reinforcing the need to bring gold into the financial infrastructure.
Titanic 2 to set sail in 2018 Titanic II, a replica of the Titanic, which infamously was declared “unsinkable” and promptly sank on its maiden voyage after hitting an iceberg in 1912, killing 1,503 people, is being built for a whole new journey across the Atlantic.
• The Titanic II project is the ambitious brainchild of Australian billionaire Clive Palmer. The real estate/coal mining magnate had announced his plans in 2012. • In order to meet modern safety standards, it won’t be precisely like the original. It will have a welded and not riveted hull and be about four yards wider. • But like the original, it will have first, second and third-class tickets for sale. • And presumably the new liner will feature more lifeboats; there were too few to accommodate the passengers on the original ship, and when those were launched they tended to hold only a fraction of capacity. • It is considered one of the primary reasons so many ultimately died when the ship sank.
ISRO to launch cryogenic engine satellite Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III (GSLV III) developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will be launched by December this year. • GSLV III uses high thrust cryogenic engine which is indigenously developed. • The endurance tests of cryogenic engines have already been successfully completed and GSLV III is in advance stages of development. • It will have capacity to launch much higher weight satellites into space.
SC allows states to suspend internet services The Supreme Court held that a state government can suspend mobile internet service in special circumstances, including a threat to law and order, while confirming the Gujarat High Court order, which allowed such a move during the Patel quota agitation. • A bench of Chief Justice TS Thakur and Justice R Banumathi rejected a contention by advocate Apar Gupta appearing for petitioner Gaurav Sureshbhai Vyas, who
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claimed that prohibitory orders issued under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code cannot be extended to mobile internet services as there is special Telegraph Act to deal with it. • The bench said there can be concurrent power and sometimes it becomes necessary to impose such a ban due to law and order situation.
India’s first LCD Manufacturing unit to be set up NRI billionaire Anil Agarwal has announced that his firm Twinstar Display Technologies will set up India’s first LCD manufacturing facility. • The firm will sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Maharashtra government to set up the facility. • The pact will be inked as part of the Make in India week, which commenced in Mumbai. In July last year, the Agarwal-led firm had announced an investment of Rs 40,000 crore to set up a LCD panel plant in the country, generating about 50,000 jobs. • Twinstar Display will invest $10 billion in five phases, and is expected to begin production by 2018, with full capacity over the next 10 years.
PM Modi inaugurates Make in India Centre in Mumbai Kicking off the ‘Make In India Week’, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Make In India Centre at the MMRDA Grounds in Mumbai along with Swedish Prime Minister Kjell Stefan Lofven and the Prime Minister of Finland, Juha Petri Sipila. • Revolving around the theme of innovation, design and sustainability, the Make In India Centre showcases some of the country’s most innovative and trendsetting products and manufacturing processes before the world for the first time after the global launch of the ‘Make In India’ initiative in September 2014.
India was third most disaster hit in 2015 According to a study released by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), India has been ranked third among the top five most disaster-hit countries in 2015. • India has suffered more than 2,800 deaths and over Rs 22,000 crore economic damage in the last year alone. Worldwide, the economic losses have been estimated at $66.5 billion and over 22,700 people dead. • After China and the US, which have been hit by 26 and 22 disasters respectively last year, India is the most affected country having suffered 19 disasters in 2015. • The head of UNISDR, Robert Glasser, said 2015 was the hottest year on record and this has confirmed that weather and climate-related disasters now dominate trends linked to natural hazards.
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Companies to get Business Identification Number To improve ease of doing business, the government will soon introduce Business Identification Number (BIN) for companies, doing away with multiple registration numbers a single entity needs to obtain for various regulatory purposes. The BIN would act as an identification number for different regulatory purposes and do away with the need for procuring separate registration numbers such as Company Identification Number and Labour Identification Number.
Congress and DMK tie-up for 2016 TN Assembly Polls Senior Congress leader Gulam Nabi Azad has formally announced that the party will fight the Tamil Nadu Assembly polls in an alliance with the DMK. • Mr. Azad said the DMK leadership will identify other potential allies and initiate talks. • On whether there would be a coalition government after polls, he said such “small things” do not matter at the moment. • Azad said the election would be fought under the DMK leadership and put on Karunanidhi’s party the responsibility of roping in more constituents into this alliance, including DMDK.
Railway opts for online fuel management system Indian Railway is firming up a proposal to develop an online fuel management system, a first of its kind for the national transporter, to check pilferage and bring transparency in fuel consumption. • Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu is likely to announce the fuel management system in the Rail Budget 2016-17 on February 25, indicating the expansion of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) basket in the public sector behemoth. • Prabhu has laid emphasis on maximum use of Information Technology in the railways and this will reflect in his second Rail Budget this year.
Banaras Hindu University turns 100 years Banaras Hindu University (BHU) founded by Freedom fighter Pt Madan Mohan Malviya has turned 100 years on 13th February 2016. • BHU was founded as important seat of higher education in 1916. • During time of its establishment it was first university in India that was the result of a private individual’s efforts. • After its formation, BHU had played an important role in the freedom movement of India.
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• It main purpose was to build a bridge between India’s past and modernising world system in the areas of social sciences, humanities particularly in evolving non colonial history as a discipline.
Apple to set up first Technology Center in India Apple is setting up its first technology development center outside the US, in Hyderabad, India. • The $25 million center will be housed in Tishman Speyer’s WaveRock facility, which encompasses 0.7 million square feet. • It is set to open by June, becoming fully operational by the end of the year. • The facility is projected to create 4,500 jobs, and is expected to develop solutions for Apple’s in-house mapping service.
Ratan Tata invests in bengaluru based SnapBizz SnapBizz Cloudtech Pvt. Ltd, which devises technology for grocery stores, said it raised an undisclosed amount of funding from Ratan Tata, chairman emeritus of Tata Sons Ltd. SnapBizz had earlier raised $7.2 million in an investment round led by venture capital firms Jungle Ventures, Taurus Value Creation, Konly Venture and Blume Ventures in January.
IT highest paying sector in India : Report According to Monster Salary Index (MSI), Information Technology sector is the highest paying sector in India with a median gross hourly salary of Rs 346.42, while those in the manufacturing sector get paid the least at Rs 254.04. • Even though the IT sector is the highest paying sector in India, but only 57.4% are satisfied with their salary. • Next comes Banking Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI) with a median gross salary of Rs.300.23 per hour while manufacturing sector pays the lowest among the three with a median gross salary of Rs.254.04 per hour. • Only 52 percent BFSI employees are satisfied with their pay cheques.
National Capital goods policy unveiled The policy envisages increasing exports from the current 27% to 40% of production while increasing share of domestic production in India’s demand from 60% to 80%, thus making India a net exporter of capital goods. The policy also aims to facilitate improvement in technology depth across sub-sectors, increase skill availability, ensure mandatory standards and promote growth and capacity building of MSMEs.
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India asks Vodafone to pay taxes or face seizure India said it may seize Vodafone Group Plc’s assets in the country if the company doesn’t pay a disputed Rs.14,200 crore tax bill that’s still undergoing international arbitration proceedings. • Vodafone has disputed the tax bill levied by Indian authorities over its 2007 purchase of the India business of Hutchison. • The telecom giant bought a majority stake in the mobile company from Li Ka Shing Holdings through a subsidiary based in the Netherlands. • The $11.2 billion transaction was routed through Cayman Islands, and Vodafone said it did not owe the Indian government any taxes for the deal since it was conducted offshore.
PF interest rate hiked to 8.8% for 2015-16 The government of India has increased the PF interest rate to 8.8 per cent for the ongoing financial year ended March 2016 from 8.75 per cent earlier. • EPFO has been paying 8.75 per cent interest rate for the last two fiscals to its 5 crore organised sector subscribers. • A final decision on the hike in PF rates was taken at a meeting of the Central Board of Trustees (CBT) in Chennai. • The CBT includes representatives from the government, employers and employees.
India test fires Prithvi II missile in Odisha India has successfully test fired its indigenously developed Prithvi-II missile from Chandipur off the Odisha coast. • The medium range missile is capable of carrying 500 kg to 1000 kg of warheads and is thrusted by liquid propulsion twin engines. • As part of a user trial, the missile with a strike range of 350 km, the surface-to- surface Prithvi-II test was carried out from a mobile launcher from launch complex-3 of the Integrated Test Range.
Nitin Gadkari launches website of Maritime India Summit 2016 Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari launched a dedicated website to the union government’s Maritime India Summit 2016 to be held in April at the Ports and Shipping seminar at Make in India (MII) Summit. • The website will facilitate investors and participants access detailed information about the summit, including registrations. • The Minister urged potential exhibitors and other participants to register themselves online and avail the “early bird discount” till March 10.
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• The Minister said many initiatives including modernisation and capacity addition have already been undertaken for ports with an investment of Rs.80,000 crore.
Tata invests in eco-friendly Bollant Industries Hyderabad based packaging material maker Bollant Industries has raised an undisclosed funding from Ratan Tata. • This is the third non tech investment by Ratan Tata. • He had earlier invested in Grameen Capital India, a social impact-focused investment advisory firm and also in healthcare service provider Swasth India. • Launched in 2012 by Srikanth Bolla, Bollant Industries manufactures eco-friendly paper and biodegradable products and provides mainstream employment to several hundred differently-abled people.
BAE Systems, Mahindra partner in Howitzer deal BAE Systems has announced selection of Mahindra as its India partner for the nearly $700 million deal for the supply of 145 M777 Howitzers. • The gun deal would be through Foreign Military Sales (FMS) but the “spares, maintenance and ammunition will be operated through Indian systems”. • M777 Howitzers are ultralight weight artillery guns having a strike range of 25 kms. • India and the United States are in discussion for supply of 145 M777A2 LW155 Howitzers for the Indian Army. • Last year, BAE developed and submitted a US government-supported proposal offering a higher degree of indigenisation on the M777 weapon system.
Millions of people die from Air Pollution each year Air pollution kills more than 5.5 million people around the world each year, with over half of those deaths occurring in fast-growing China and India. • The number of premature deaths will continue to climb in the years ahead unless more aggressive measures against pollution are adopted. • Brazil, Pakistan and Japan also rank among other countries that have experienced increases in pollution deaths in recent decades.
Playing It My Way enters Limca Book of records Cricket Legend and Rajya Sabha MP Sachin Tendulkar’s autobiography, Playing It My Way, has entered the Limca Book of Records in the category of best-selling books across both fiction and non-fiction categories with 1,50,289 copies sold on order subscriptions. • The book has been published by Hachette India in the year 2014 with Boria Majumdar as the co-author of the book.
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• The book’s orders, on day one, already saw it pulling ahead of both pre-order and lifetime sales of the world’s top adult hardbacks Dan Brown’s Inferno, Walter Issacson’s Steve Jobs and JK Rowling’s Casual Vacancy.
GOI approves Highway contracts worth Rs 6000 Crore Government of India has approved eight highway projects worth Rs 6,000 crore for six states – Punjab, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh and Odisha. • Now the number of projects cleared by Road Transport and Highways Ministry this month so far has swelled to 37, entailing a total investment of about Rs 34,000 crore. • The Ministry has approved eight projects with a total length of about 350 kms and aggregate total project cost of Rs 6,000 crore. Of these, six will be implemented in EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) mode and two in hybrid annuity mode.
Uma Bharti to Inaugurate Jal Manthan 2016 Union Minister of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Sushri Uma Bharti will inaugurate Jal Manthan -2″ on February 22, 2016 New Delhi. • The main theme of two day event is Integrated Approach for Sustainable Water Management. • The two day event will have consultations and discussions on River Basin Approach for Sustainable development, Ground water, Water security, Principles of allocation of water, innovation in water governance, Water management, Coordination between centre and states, Water conservation and need for a National Legislation on water.
Kalikho Pul sworn in as Arunachal CM Dissident Congress leader Kalikho Pul, 46, has sworn in as the ninth Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh with the support of 18 rebel Congress MLAs, and two Independents and 11 BJP MLAs who gave outside support. • Pul’s swearing-in came a day after the Supreme Court vacated its interim order to maintain status quo in the Arunachal Pradesh assembly, paving the way for government formation. • The Centre had revoked President’s Rule in the state before Governor J P Rajkhowa administered the oath of office to Pul.
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Hyundai launches India’s first digital car outlet Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) has inaugurated India’s first Digital Automotive Experience Outlet called Unity Hyundai in the national capital. • The company has taken a ‘New Thinking, New Possibility” approach which is aimed at offering customers a completely new way to shop for a car by adopting digital-screens and artworks according the varying tastes of different buyers. • The experience has been designed keeping the customer as the primary focal point. • The experience will allow visiting customers to research, test-drive, or part- exchange their old cars while buying a new Hyundai product.
Block porn sites showing child pornography: SC The Supreme Court has directed the Centre to make a plan to block websites showing child pornography and sought its response to a plea to ban viewing of porn at public places. • The SC has also ordered additional solicitor general Pinky Anand to spell out the government stand on whether people should be barred from watching porn in public. • On adult pornography, the top court said the Centre has to draw a distinct line between art and obscenity. • Anand said it was not possible for the government to define pornography. Any sort of clampdown could lead to invasion of privacy. • It is difficult to ban pornographic websites as they do not fall under any country’s jurisdiction, she told the bench, submitting a procedure was being worked out to block child pornography.
Kerala becomes the first Digital State of India President Pranab Mukherjee has declared Kerala as the first digital state of the country. • Now the God’s own country, that boasts of many firsts in the human development index, has pinned another feather on the cap. • The president noted Kerala’s progress in becoming digitally enabled, right from the launching of a pilot Akshaya e-literacy project in Malappuram district in 2002 to now when the state revenue department alone is issuing about 30,000 digital certificates to the citizens daily. • The Akshaya project, which has since expanded all across the state, was the first district-wide e-literacy project in India. • There are currently about 2500 Akshaya centres across the length and breadth of the state, which also provide internet access and e-service delivery to the people.
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Flipkart, Amazon and Snapdeal penalised for selling medicines The Maharashtra government has taken action against e-commerce giants Snapdeal, Amazon and Flipkart which were selling medicines online without valid licences–. • Food and Drug Administration, Maharashtra has taken regulatory action against these three companies, which were found to be selling or distributing medicines to consumers through internet without valid sales bill and requisite licenses. • In accordance with provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules, the sale of drugs in the country is regulated by state licencing authorities. • Accordingly, drugs specified in Schedule H, H1 or Schedule X cannot be sold except on and in accordance with the prescription of a registered medical practitioner.
Vedanta wins India’s first ever gold mine auction Vedanta Limited has won India’s first-ever gold mining lease auctioned by the Chhattisgarh government. • The gold mine at Baghmara in Baloda Bazar district, about 140 km north-east of Raipur, is one of the oldest explored deposit of the precious metal in Central India. • India imports about 1,000 tonnes of gold every year and the precious metal is the second-highest component of the imports bill after crude oil. • Vedanta quoted the highest bid of 12.55% of the Indian Bureau of Mines price of Rs 74,712 per troy ounce. One troy ounce — a unit denoting the value of the precious metal— is 31.10 gram.
Indian Railways to introduce train hostesses Indian Railways may introduce train hostesses on soon to be launched Delhi-Agra Gatiman Express, the first train in India to run at a speed of 160 kmph. • Gearing up to launch the Gatiman Express next month, railway minister Suresh Prabhu will announce special features of the first semi-high speed train in the country when he presents the Rail Budget on February 25. • The train will have a high-power emergency braking system, automatic fire alarm, GPS-based passenger information system and sliding doors in the coaches. • There will also be live TV service as part of infotainment. Since the fare will be 25 per cent higher than Shatabdi Express, catering services in Gatiman Express will also be better.
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ONGC approves Rs 3104 crore investment in Tripura Public sector oil major ONGC has approved Rs.3,104 crore additional investment for drilling of wells and creating surface facilities to produce 5.1 MMSCMD (million metric standard cubic metres per day) gas from gas fields in Tripura. • As a result of geological mapping and exploratory efforts, so far 11 gas fields have been discovered by ONGC in Tripura. • Currently, the ONGC Tripura is carrying out its drilling activities with three owned rigs under operation and well servicing operations through 2 work-over rigs. • An additional four to five hired rigs are anticipated to be under operation this year, which will intensify the exploration activities.
PM inaugurates Rurban Mission in Chhattisgarh Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the ambitious ‘Rurban Mission’ for developing 300 villages across the country as urban growth centres amid his assertion that his government is for the poor, dalits and other oppressed. The Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban (rural-urban) project will focus on improving infrastructural facilities such as power lines, shelters, roads, drinking water connections and drainage, and creating community assets such as schools, colleges and health centres.
Arun Jaitley releases ‘India-2016’ and ‘bharat-2016’ Year Books Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting Arun Jaitley released ‘Bharat 2016’ and ‘India 2016’ year books. • These books give comprehensive information about the country and various States and Union Territories including functioning of the Government and the economy. • It also provides detailed information on various schemes and projects of Government and its various departments. It is particularly important for competitive exams. • The electronic version for both the yearbooks were also launched simultaneously with the print version for the first time.
‘Swachh Paryatan Mobile App’ Launched The Ministry of Tourism in co-ordination with Ministry of Culture has launched the Swachh Paryatan mobile app. • The objective is to increase citizens’ participation in the protection and upkeep of heritage monuments in India. • The app, which is available on Android Phones, will also be soon available on Apple and Microsoft as well. • It shall be monitored by the Project Monitoring Unit of Swachh Bharat Mission in Ministry of Tourism.
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• Initially, 25 Adarsh Smarak Monuments such as Red Fort, Taj Mahal, Elephanta Caves, Qutub Minar Complex, among others, have been identified for inclusion in the app, but it would be scaled up to include more monuments as the campaign expands.
Airtel rolls out LTE-Advanced network in Kerala Telecom major Bharti Airtel has started delivering 4G mobile broadband speed of up to 135 megabits per second in Kerala. • Airtel has pioneered 4G deployment in India. To deliver this high speed, Airtel said that it has used carrier aggregation across TD LTE and LTE FDD on a LIVE 4G network, becoming the first mobile operator in India to commercially deploy LTE-Advanced (4G+) technology. • With this, Airtel has joined a select group of global mobile operators to commercially deploy the technology that delivers ultra-fast mobile data speeds and enables better spectrum utilization and efficiency.
Katni in Madhya Pradesh to have India’s longest Railway Bridge Katni in Madhya Pradesh will have India’s longest railway bridge, 14 km on the up line, almost three and half times longer than Vembanad rail bridge in Kerala that connects Edappally and Vallarpadam in Kochi and is 4.62 km long. • Katni grade separator, down line of the bridge would be of 7 km. Its total length would be 21 km up and down side. • Project received clearance from Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) recently along with other railway projects. • Design and survey of the bridge has been completed and it will take 5 years for completion. • Both goods and passenger trains would be benefitted from the bridge that would be equipped with digital signalling and maintained online.
India remains world’s largest arms importer According to latest report of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) on global arms purchases, India continues to remain the world’s largest arms importer. • India accounted for 14% of the global imports in the 2011-2015 timeframe. India’s arms imports remain three times greater than those of its rivals China and Pakistan. • Its biggest suppliers are Russia, the US, Israel and France. After India, China ranks second in the global arms import list with 4.7%, followed by Australia (3.6%), Pakistan (3.3%), Vietnam (2.9%) and South Korea (2.6%).
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• China used to top the imports chart earlier but has gradually built a stronger defence industrial base or DIB over the last couple of decades to even emerge as the world’s third largest arms exporter after the US and Russia.
India’s pollution higher than China : Greenpeace Canalysis of NASA’s data revealed that India has overtaken China’s air pollution levels in 2015 and the average particulate matter exposure was higher for the first time in the 21st century. • Greenpeace India said “China’s strong measures to curb pollution have contributed to the biggest year-on-year air quality improvement on record while in contrast, India’s pollution levels continued a decade-long increase to reach the highest level on record”. • Greenpeace research noted that 23 out of 32 National Air Quality Index (NAQI) stations in India had recorded more than 70% exceedance of the national standards, which puts public health at risk. • Furthermore, as many as 15 cities showed levels of air pollution that greatly exceeded the prescribed national standards.
High sediment mercury level in Artic: Study A recent study has revealed that there is a high sediment mercury levels in Artic which is more prone for pollution in the region. • The study was conducted on Kongsfjorden, one of the Fjord located at Ny-Alesund, Svalbard, by a group of researchers from Kottayam Kerala School of Environmental Sciences affiliated to the Mahatma Gandhi University. • The report was presented during fifth International Conference on Eco-toxicology and Environmental Sciences held in Kochi between February 15-17. • The researchers Chandini PK, Mahesh Mohan and Gopalkrishnan VG claimed that the mercury contamination in the polar environment has increased since the industrial revolution.
INS Arihant – India’s first nuclear submarine ready to operate INS Arihant, India’s first nuclear armed submarine is now ready for full fledged operations. • The submarine has passed several deep sea diving drills as well as weapons launch tests over the past five months. • The formal induction into the naval fleet is only a political call away. • The Arihant, which is the first of five nuclear missile submarines or SSBNs planned for induction, has also undergone deep sea dives off Vishakhapatnam where it was build.
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• A Russian diving support ship – the RFS Epron that arrived on October 1 – has been accompanying the Arihant on its deep sea dives and launch tests.
India to induct women in combat roles : President The Government has decided to induct women in all military combat roles in the future. • The announcement has been made by President Pranab Mukherjee during the joint sitting of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. • The President said, “In our country, shakti is the manifestation of female energy. This shakti defines our strength. • My government has approved the induction of women as short service commission officers and as fighter pilots in the IAF. • In the future, my government will induct women in all fighter streams of our armed forces.” It should be noted that even the US army does not have women in infantry and armoured units.
Hyderabad India’s top city for quality of life Hyderabad ranks highest among Indian cities on a quality of life survey by consulting firm Mercer, but is only at number 138 on a global list of 230 cities. • Pune follows at 145. Big metros Delhi and Mumbai rank 154 and 152 respectively. Mercer notes that “considerable population increases in Mumbai and New Delhi in recent decades have increased existing problems, including access to clean water, air pollution, and traffic congestion.” • China’s Beijing is ranked higher than any Indian city at 118. And Sri Lanka’s Colombo is at 132. Among Asian cities, Singapore tops the list at number 26, followed by four Japanese cities led by capital Tokyo. • Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia is number 84.
IRCTC ties up with OYO Rooms for accomodation In a bid to provide standardised accommodation options to train travellers through a convenient booking platform, Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has tied up with OYO Rooms. • The partnership is expected to provide a more user-friendly hotel booking window for rail travellers, as OYO Rooms will show their available inventory of rooms through the IRCTC website itself, along with the promise of offering standardised amenities to the train passengers. • This means that very soon, travellers will be able to prepare their entire itinerary by booking both the train tickets and the preferred type of accommodation through a one-stop window.
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Modi remains the most powerful Indian : The Indian Express Power List The Indian Express Power List, which ranks the 100 most powerful Indians, for the year 2016, has been released. • Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who led his party the BJP to a landslide victory in the 2014 national elections, remains the most powerful Indian. • Mohan Bhagwat, the chief of the RSS (the ideological fountainhead of the BJP), holds the second spot, very much an indicator of the influence of his organization on the present government. • He is followed by BJP chief Amit Shah, who occupies the third spot. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Congress President Sonia Gandhi covet the fourth and fifth spots.
Mukesh Ambani remains richest Indian Industrialist Mukesh Ambani remains India’s richest person with a sharp surge of 30 per cent in his net worth to $26 billion, pushing his global rank to 21st on a worldwide rich list topped by Bill Gates. • The total number of billionaires from India has risen to 111, consolidating the country’s third position after China and the US, according to Hurun Global Rich List 2016, a ranking of the US dollar billionaires currently found in the world. • Bill Gates retained the top spot with a fortune of $80 billion. “Gates has become the first person alive to have created a $100 billion fortune, having given away more than $20 billion to date,” the report said.
Vijay Mallya quits as Chairman of United Spirits Flamboyant ((of a person or their behaviour) tending to attract attention because of their exuberance, confidence, and stylishness.) • Vijay Mallya has quit as Chairman of United Spirits after its new majority owner Diageo agreed to pay Rs 515 crore and absolve him of all liabilities over alleged financial lapses at the company founded by his family. • Mallya, who along with his group firms is fighting ‘wilful defaulter’ tags given by various lenders in relation to loans taken by long-defunct Kingfisher Airlines. • Diageo has agreed to retain Sidhharth Mallaya as Director of the USL Group firm that runs the RCB cricket team of IPL cricket tournament for at least two years.
Lok Sabha passes Election Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2016 The Lok Sabha has passed Election Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2016 to grant voting rights to people who became citizens of the country following the exchange of enclaves between India and Bangladesh. • The Opposition Parties have questioned the delay on part of the government in bringing the measure.
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• Law Minister DV Sadananda Gowda had introduced in the Lok Sabha the Bill to amend Section 11 of the Delimitation Act, 2002 and Section 9 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950. • The Bill was later passed unanimously by a voice vote. Gowda urged the House to pass the bill in the current session to enable the grant of voting rights to the people in these enclaves.
India’s Child Mortality Rate at 48 per 1000 Union Women and Child Development minister Maneka Gandhi said India has the third highest child mortality rate among SAARC countries with 48 deaths reported per 1000 live births. • According to World Bank data of 2015, country’s under-five child mortality rate is 48 deaths per 1000 live births. • Afghanistan has the highest rate at 91 followed by Pakistan at 81. • According to office of the Registrar General of India (ORGI), the U5MR, estimated as number of child deaths per 1000 live births, was 85, 77, 59, 55, 52 and 49 in 2000, 2005, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively.
President inaugurates India’s first Gender Park & Muziris Heritage Project President Pranab Mukherjee inaugurate India’s first “Gender Park” in Kerala. • The 24-acre park will promote research and other initiatives to facilitate complete gender equality. • The Department of Social Justice of the Kerala government in cooperation with academia and civil society has been instrumental in creating this common platform to address various gender issues. • A gender institute in the park would focus on learning, research and capacity development, as part of supporting the efforts of the state and central governments in ensuring an inclusive, discrimination free society. • The institute would cover issues pertaining to all three genders as per the 2015 gender and transgender policies of the state government.
Ratan Tata invests in home rental startup Top industrialist Ratan Tata has invested an undisclosed amount in home rental company NestAway Technologies. • This is Tata’s eighth personal investment in a startup in 2016 so far. He has invested in over 20 startups. • NestAway turns unbranded, unfurnished houses into fully furnished and managed apartments and provides them at affordable prices to verified tenants. • So far, the startup has provided quality rental homes to about 5,000 tenants across six cities.
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• Until recently, NestAway counted working professionals who are single among its target audience, but now it has also forayed into the family segment. • NestAway was founded by Amarendra Sahu, Smruti Parida, Deepak Dhar and Jitendra Jagadev in January 2015.
Three from India among Top Ten Beaches According to the latest survey by Travel website Tripadvisor, India has three of the top ten beaches in Asia favored by travellers. • The beaches are Agonda, Palolem (both in Goa) and Radhanagar on the Havelock Island in the Andamans. • Travellers’ Choice Award-winning beaches were determined on the quantity and quality of traveller reviews and ratings on the TripAdvisor website gathered over a 12-month period. • This year’s awards honour 343 beaches, including the top 10 in the world and lists for Asia, Africa, Australia, the Caribbean, Central America, Europe, South America, the South Pacific, the UK and the US. • Three of India’s beaches have featured in the list of top 10 beaches in Asia.
Three from India among Top Ten Beaches DRI exposes Over Rs 1000 Crore nice export scam According to a probe being done by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), over two lakh metric tonnes of Basmati rice was illegally offloaded in Dubai in the last over a year instead of in Bandar Abbas in Iran. • Over 25 big exporters from Haryana and Punjab are under the scanner of DRI and other agencies for their involvement in the multi-crore scam, they said. • The rice would be taken to Gujarat's Kandla Port by these exporters.
SIDBI to raise Rs 10 K Crore “Stand up India” Fund The Small Industries Development Bank of India (Sidbi) will be raising the proposed Rs 10,000-crore corpus for ‘Stand Up India Fund’ from RBI, which will be disbursed to Dalit and women entrepreneurs.
• “We are working to have the corpus in place for the Stand Up India Fund corpus. It will be raised from the Reserve Bank through the priority sector lending shortfalls” • Under the scheme announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier this year, each bank branch has been mandated to lend to one micro-enterprise promoted by a woman and SC/ST entrepreneur.
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INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
WHO declared Zika Virus as an international emergency The World Health Organization declared the Zika virus and its suspected link to birth defects an international public health emergency, a rare move that signals the seriousness of the outbreak and gives countries new tools to fight it. • An outbreak of the Zika virus, which is transmitted by mosquitoes, was detected in Brazil in May and has since moved into more than 20 countries in Latin America, including two new ones announced Monday. • Costa Rica and Jamaica. The main worry is over the virus’s possible link to microcephaly, a condition that causes babies to be born with unusually small heads and, in the vast majority of cases, damaged brains.
Vietnam gets world’s longest cable car system The world’s longest three-rope cable car system was inaugurated in Vietnam’s Lao Cai province. With a total length of 6,292.5 metres, the system was recognized by the Guinness World Records as the world’s longest three-rope cable car route, and also the world’s biggest height gap between its departure and arrival stations of 1,410 metres.
Trans Pacific Partnership trade deal signed in Auckland The Trans Pacific Partnership, one of the biggest multinational trade deals ever, has been signed by ministers from its 12 member nations in New Zealand. • The ceremony in Auckland brings the huge trade pact, which has been five years in the making, another step towards to becoming a reality. • The 12 nations account for some 40% of the world’s economy – they now have two years to ratify or reject the pact.
US Gen John Nicholson appointed NATO Commander in Afghan Army Lieutenant General John Nicholson has been appointed as the commander of the NATO forces in Afghanistan. • He succeeded US General John Campbell who has been leading the Afghan operations for nearly 18 months. • The powerful Senate Armed Services Committee confirmed Nicholson’s nomination during a Congressional hearing on Afghanistan where the outgoing commander US General John Campbell testified before the Senators. • At present, Nicholas was US Army commander of NATO land forces. Earlier, he had served in multiple capacities like chief of staff of operations for the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and US Forces – Afghanistan, director of Pakistan/Afghanistan Coordination Cell for the Joint Staff, and deputy commander – Stability of ISAF Regional Command – South.
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Zimbabwe declares ‘state of disaster’ due to drought Zimbabwe’s president, Robert Mugabe, has declared a state of disaster in rural areas hit by a severe drought, as more than a quarter of the population face food shortages. • An estimated 2.4 million people are now in need of food aid, more than a quarter of the population. • A regional drought worsened by the El Niño weather phenomenon has affected South Africa, Malawi and Zambia as well as Zimbabwe, leaving tens of thousands of cattle dead, reservoirs depleted and crops destroyed. • Formerly known as the breadbasket of Africa, Zimbabwe has suffered perennial shortages in recent years and has relied on importing grain from neighbouring countries to meet its needs.
UN releases stamps on LGBT issue for first time The United Nations Postal Administration has released six new postage stamps promoting equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender or LGBT people. • The colorfully designed stamps by artist and UNPA art director Sergio Baradat are also meant to celebrate the diversity of the gay community and marks the first time the global body’s post office has issued stamps with an LGBT theme. • The stamps were unveiled in a ceremony at the U.N. General Assembly building that included a performance by the New York Gay Men’s Chorus.
North Korea launches long range rocket North Korea has launched a long-range rocket carrying what it called a satellite, but its neighbours and the United States denounced the launch as a missile test, conducted in defiance of U.N. sanctions and just weeks after a nuclear bomb test. • North Korea said the launch of the satellite Kwangmyongsong-4, named after late leader Kim Jong Il, was a “complete success” and it was making a polar orbit of Earth every 94 minutes. • The launch order was given by his son, leader Kim Jong Un, who is believed to be 33 years old.
France bans supermarkets from wasting food France has become the first country in the world to ban supermarkets from throwing away or destroying unsold food, forcing them instead to donate it to charities and food banks. • Under a law passed unanimously by the French senate, large shops will no longer bin good quality food approaching its best-before date. • Charities will be able to give out millions more free meals each year to people struggling to afford to eat.
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Britain to build World’s largest wind farm The UK wind energy industry received a boost with the announcement of the world’s biggest offshore wind farm, to be built off the north-east coast. • The announcement has been made by Danish firm, Dong Energy. The company, which has already put £6bn into wind power in the UK, said this was its largest investment in offshore wind to date. • An estimated 2,000 jobs will be created for the construction of the project, with a further 300 jobs likely to be created for its operation.
UN Panel proposes emission standards for flights A UN panel has proposed long-sought greenhouse gas emissions standards for airliners and cargo planes. • The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) said the agreement reached by the agency’s environmental panel requires new aircraft designs meet the standards beginning in 2020, and that designs already in production comply by 2023. • There is also a cutoff date of 2028 for the manufacture of planes that don’t comply with the standards. • The standard must still be adopted by the agency’s 36-nation governing council, but substantive changes aren’t expected.
Pakistan Panel approves Hindu Marriage Bill 2015 After decades of delay and inaction, the Hindu minority community in Pakistan will soon have a marriage law as a parliamentary panel has unanimously approved the Hindu Marriage Bill. • The National Assembly Standing Committee on Law and Justice passed the final draft of Hindu Marriage Bill 2015, where five Hindu lawmakers were specially invited. • The committee adopted the bill unanimously after making two amendments to fix the minimum age of marriage at 18 and making the law applicable to the whole country. • The bill will now be tabled in the National Assembly where it has fair chances of being passed as the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party is supporting it.
Russia proposes Syria Truce by March World powers pressed Russia to stop bombing around Aleppo in support of a Syrian government offensive to recapture the city. • Secretary of State John Kerry is pushing for a ceasefire and more aid access to Aleppo, where rebel-held areas are being cut off and the United Nations has warned a new humanitarian disaster could be on the way.
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• Syrian Information Minister Omran al-Zoubi said the government expected a tough but relatively short battle to return the city to state control. • Russian U.N. Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said Russian air strikes were being undertaken in a “transparent manner” and some Security Council members had “crossed the line” by politically exploiting humanitarian issues.
Obama administration proposes $860 million in aid for Pakistan The Obama administration has proposed $860 million in aid for Pakistan, including $265 million for military hardware, which it said would help the country fight terrorists, secure nuclear weapons and improve ties with India. While there was no mention of Pakistan in President Barack Obama’s budgetary proposals, Secretary of State John Kerry in his proposals said the budget includes $859.8 million towards sustaining ties with Pakistan and making progress to “disrupt, dismantle and defeat violent extremist groups“.
YouTube launches its first original movies and series YouTube has launched its first original movies and series’ exclusively for YouTube Red subscribers. • In an aim to compete with the likes of Amazon and Netflix, YouTube has decided to play the subscription game, and give its paying subscribers a selection of content just for them. • The first videos are now live, and have been developed in conjunction with some of the company’s best stars; Lilly Singh, Rooster Teeth, PewDiePie and. AwesomenessTV
NATO and EU sign agreement on Cyber Defence Cooperation NATO and the European Union have signed an agreement to improve cooperation in cyber defence. • The technical agreement, signed at NATO headquarters, establishes a framework for emergency response teams from NATO and the EU to exchange information and share best practices. • Since Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea, NATO and the EU, which have 22 member countries in common, have accelerated cooperation in a number of defense- related fields.
US, Cuba to resume direct flights The United States and Cuba will sign a bilateral agreement to restore regular flights between the two countries after more than half a century. • While US law prohibits travel to Cuba for tourist activities, this arrangement will facilitate authorized travel. Up to 20 direct flights daily will be permitted from the US to Havana, and 10 more to another nine international airports in Cuba.
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• The memorandum of understanding will be signed on February 17 in Havana by Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx and his Cuban counterpart, Adel Yzquierdo.
Canada, US, Mexico to cooperate on climate change Canada, the US and Mexico signed a deal in Winnipeg, Canada, to tap into energy cooperation among the three countries. • The Memorandum of Understanding on Climate Change and Energy Collaboration was signed at the North American Energy Ministers Meeting. • Under the memorandum, the three countries will collaborate and share information in key areas such as low-carbon electricity, clean energy technologies, energy efficiency, carbon capture, use and storage, climate change adaptation, and reducing emissions from the oil and gas sector, including from methane.
US approves sale of fighter jets to Pakistan The US government has approved the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan. • The deal includes up to eight F-16 fighter jets built by Lockheed Martin Corp, radar and other equipment valued at $699 million. • The Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency said the F-16s would allow Pakistan’s Air Force to operate in all-weather environments and at night, while improving its self-defence capability and bolstering its ability to conduct counter- insurgency and counter-terrorism operations.
Dubai to build world’s largest mall Dubai said it would press ahead with plans to build the world’s largest shopping mall despite an economic slowdown looming in the region, but would assess market demand before proceeding with the project’s later stages. The Mall of the World project, encompassing 8 million sq. feet (745,000 sq. meter) of shopping space connected to a theme park, 100 hotels and serviced apartment buildings with 20,000 rooms, was announced in mid-2014, just as oil prices began a precipitous plunge.
DARPA to launch 132-foot unmanned ocean drone The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) will launch a sleek, 132-foot unmanned ocean drone from Portland, OR, testing its abilities over a succeeding period of 18 months. • The ship is entirely autonomous, fully operational without an onboard crew. • The Anti-Submarine Warfare Continuous Trail Unmanned Vessel is scheduled to be launched April 17 from the Vigor Shipyards in Oregon. • The Vessel will continue sea-trials for 18 months following its maiden voyage, where it will be tested for its long-range tracking and self-driving functions.
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Diamond worth $20 million discovered in Africa An Australian company unearthed a massive 404-carat diamond in Angola valued at as much as $14 million. • It is the biggest diamond ever found in Angola. Lucapa chairman Miles Kennedy said it was a huge achievement. • The company claimed the diamond was the largest found on record in the southern African nation as well as the biggest diamond found by an Australian miner. • Angola is the fourth largest diamond-producing nation by value.
Pakistan province passes Hindu marriage Bill The Sindh Assembly of Pakistan has passed the Hindu Marriage Bill 2015, thus becoming the first province in the country to allow the minority community to register their marriages. Sindh Parliamentary Affairs Minister Nisar Ahmed Khuhro moved the bill, which will apply to entire Sindh province, which has a sizeable population of Hindus. During the discussion on the bill, he said it was the first time since the creation of Pakistan that such a bill was being passed.
China puts missile launchers on disputer island China has deployed surface-to-air missile launchers on an island in the South China Sea. • The satellite images appear to show that China is dramatically upping the stakes in a territorial dispute involving the US and its regional allies. • Tensions in the South China Sea, a vital shipping route, could rise after two batteries of eight missile launchers and a radar system were deployed to Woody Island. • The Chinese foreign minister, Wang Yi, did not deny that missile launchers had been installed but said the reports were an attempt by certain western media to create news stories. • Several Asean countries have overlapping claims to islands and surrounding waters in the South China Sea, including Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam and the Philippines.
First ‘Silk Road’ train arrives in Iran from China The first freight train to resurrect the ancient Silk Road route arrived in Iran from China. • It took just 14 days for the 32-container train loaded with Chinese goods to complete the 5,900 mile (9,500km) journey from China’s eastern Zhejiang province through Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. • It’s 30 days shorter than the sea voyage from Shanghai to the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas. Iranian officials have indicated that the ultimate aim is to extend the rail route to Europe, positioning Iran on a key stretch to the continent.
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Google Project Loon’s Internet balloon Google’s balloon-powered high-speed internet service known as ‘Project Loon’ began its first tests in Sri Lanka. • One of three balloons that will be used in the trials entered Sri Lankan airspace. • It is said that Google’s team of engineers will arrive in Sri Lanka over the coming days to conduct feasibility testing and work around flight technicalities. • In return for getting spectrum for the balloons, Sri Lankan government will have a 25% stake in Project Loon. Another 10% will be distributed among the local telecom operators.
World Bank pledges to give $150 Million to fight Zika Virus A team led by an Indian-origin scientist in US has discovered a new kind of 2D semiconducting material for electronics that opens the door for much speedier computers and smartphones that consume a lot less power. The semiconductor, made of the elements tin and oxygen, or tin monoxide (SnO), is a layer of 2D material only one atom thick, allowing electrical charges to move through it much faster than conventional 3D materials such as silicon.
US imposes more sanctions against North Korea US President Barack Obama has signed legislation imposing new sanctions against North Korea in response to Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile tests. • The bill calls for imposing mandatory sanctions on anyone assisting Pyongyang over its nuclear and missile programs, cyber attacks and human rights abuses. • The expanded sanctions are designed to deny North Korea the money it needs to develop miniaturized nuclear warheads and the long-range missiles needed to deliver them. • The measure also authorizes $50 million over five years to transmit radio broadcasts into North Korea and support humanitarian assistance programs.
China to ban foreign firms from “online publishing” China is to ban foreign firms from “online publishing” under new rules issued this week, as the country increasingly seeks to minimise Western influence. • Chinese websites are already among the world’s most censored, with Beijing blocking many foreign Internet services with a system known as the “Great Firewall of China”. • Regulations posted on a government website, set to go into force next month, state that foreign firms “are not to engage in online publishing”. • The regulations define online publishing as the provision over the Internet of books, maps, music, cartoons, computer games and “thoughtful text”, as well as other content.
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Christine Lagarde elected as chief of IMF for second time The International Monetary Fund its board re-elected Managing Director Christine Lagarde to a second five-year term, starting on July 5. • Lagarde, 60, who was the only candidate, was backed by the UK, Germany, China, and her home country, France, to stay on for another five years. • She has led the IMF since 2011 and proved a strong contrast to her predecessor, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, who was forced to resign after he was accused of attempted rape in a New York hotel. The allegation was later dismissed.
EU grants ‘special status’ to UK David Cameron said that he had reached a deal to give the UK “special status” in the EU. • He also pledged to campaign heart and soul to stay in the EU at a deeply uncertain referendum expected in June. • At the summit EU leaders agreed unanimously on a package of measures aimed at keeping Britain in the 28-nation bloc to avoid a potentially disastrous divorce. • Mr Cameron said the deal gave Britain “special status” within the EU and that he achieved his goal to impose tough new restrictions on access to the UK welfare system for EU migrants.
UN urges Pakistan to resolve Afghan refugees’ status The UN has urged Pakistan to resolve the status of more than 2.5 million Afghan refugees living in Pakistan whose registration cards have expired or who remain unregistered. • While Europe has grappled with the exodus of people from Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan, Pakistan hosts the world’s largest long-term refugee population. • In December, registration cards providing temporary legal stay to more than 1.5 million Afghan refugees expired, and were granted a six-month extension by the government. • But Afghans say they are hassled by police for carrying the expired cards, and members of the estimated one million Afghans who are still unregistered also face difficulties with the authorities.
Samsung wins $119.6 mn patent case against Apple A US appeals court has handed Samsung a win over Apple in a long-running patent fight, overriding a jury verdict ordering it to pay $119.6 million to the iPhone maker. • The court ruled that two Apple patents at issue were not valid, according to a copy of the decision posted online. • Apple originally filed the suit against Samsung in early 2012, accusing the South Korean consumer electronics giant of infringing on an array of patents related to smartphones.
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• Samsung denied it had done anything wrong and filed a countersuit saying that Apple had infringed on some of its patents. • The number of patents involved was whittled down during the lengthy litigation process.
Faustin Archange Touadera elected Central Africa president Faustin Archange Touadera, a former prime minister and maths teacher standing as an independent, has been elected president of the Central African Republic. • Touadera won 62.71 percent of the vote compared with 37.29 for his rival Anicet- Georges Dologuele, a former banker nicknamed “Mr Clean” who had won the first round on December 30. • Toudera, 58, surprised everyone with his second place finish in the first round. He was the last premier of ex-president Francois Bozize who was ousted from power in 2013. • He campaigned like most candidates promising to restore security in a country riven with tit-for-tit sectarian violence and boost the economy in the mineral-rich but dirt-poor nation.
North Korea confirms new military chief North Korean state media has confirmed that the country has a new military chief following earlier reports in Seoul that the former holder of the post had been executed. • Ri Myong-Su, former People’s Security Minister, was referred to as “chief of the Korean People’s Army General Staff”. • His predecessor Ri Yong-Gil was reportedly executed early this month. Ri Yong-Gil was accused of forming a political faction and corruption. • A large number of senior officials, especially military cadres, were removed or demoted as the young leader sought to solidify his control over the powerful military.
Cuba dispatches 9000 soldiers to keep Zika out Cuban President Raul Castro announced that he is dispatching 9,000 soldiers to help keep the Zika virus out of Cuba, calling on the entire country to help kill the mosquito that carries the disease. • Castro said Cuba’s fight to prevent the arrival of the virus had been hampered (hinder or impede the movement or progress of) by “the inadequate technical quality” of efforts against the mosquito, insufficient work to clean up areas where the mosquito propagates and poor weather conditions. • Cuba prides itself on its system of free, neighborhood-level health care, which has included intensive efforts to limit the Aedes aegypti mosquito that also carries the tropical diseases dengue and chikungunya.
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Saudi Oil Minister Rules Out Possibility of Production Cuts Oil fell below $33 per barrel after Saudi Arabia ruled out production cuts. • Saudi Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi said production cuts would not happen although more countries would join a deal to freeze output. • Oil has slid from more than $100 a barrel in mid-2014, pressured by excess supply and a decision by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries to abandon its traditional role of cutting production alone to boost prices. • Mr. Naimi is widely considered the most influential voice in energy policy in Saudi Arabia, which dominates the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries.
Obama submits Guantanamo closure plan to US Congress President Barack Obama on Tuesday called for the closure of the Guantanamo Bay detention facility after delivering his plan to Congress to achieve a goal that has long eluded his presidency. • The President wants to transfer the remaining 91 detainees to their home countries or to US military or civilian prisons. • But Congress is deeply opposed to terror suspects being held on US soil and is expected to block the move. • The prison costs $445m (£316m) to run annually and closing it was a 2009 promise from President Barack Obama. • Human rights campaigners have repeatedly complained about the prison in Cuba, which has held 780 detainees since it opened in 2002.
Vienna World’s Top City for quality of life Vienna, Austria’s grand capital on the Danube river, offers the highest quality of life of all cities in the world, while the Iraqi capital Baghdad, once more took its place at the bottom of a liveability list compiled by consulting firm Mercer. • The survey of 230 cities helps companies and organizations determine compensation and hardship allowances for international staff. • It uses dozens of criteria such as political stability, health care, education, crime, recreation and transport.
Pakistan Parliament becomes first in world to run entirely on solar power Pakistan parliament became the first in the world to completely run on solar power, a venture supported by China with $55 million funding. • First announced in 2014, the venture has been funded by the Chinese government as an act of friendship, with the solar power plant costing around $55 million. • Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in a simple ceremony switched on solar-powered building of the parliament in capital Islamabad.
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• Chinese ambassador to Pakistan was also present during the ceremony. The project to run parliament on solar power was launched last year when Chinese President Xi Jinping visited and addressed the parliament. • The parliament’s solar panels will generate 80 MW power.
Royal Enfield opens first showroom in Thailand Royal Enfield has opened its first exclusive store in Thailand. It has been set up in the Thonglor area of Thailand by the General Auto Supply Co. Ltd. • The Eicher owned company has announced its complete range of motorcycles, apparel and accessories at the launch of its first exclusive store along with the price.
• Royal Enfield has been expanding its global retail footprint across the UK, Europe, Latin America, the Middle- East and now in South East Asia as part of its strategy to become a leader in global mid-sized motorcycle segment. • It had recently launched in Indonesia. Last year, the company had announced its entry into Thailand, the fifth largest two-wheeler market in the world.
Afghan cyclists nominated for Nobel Peace Prize Afghanistan’s National Women’s Cycling Team has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by members of the Italian parliament. • The team has used the bicycle as a vehicle for social justice, enduring violence and social stigma. • In 2013, it became the first Afghan women’s team to compete on the international stage, at the Asian Cycling Championships in Delhi. • Afghanistan had a women’s team as early as 1986, but that program was scuttled during Soviet and subsequent Taliban control of the country. • It was reborn in 2011 when Abdul Sediq, coach of the Afghan men’s national team, founded a team around his daughter, Marjan “Mariam” Sedequi.
EU asked to impose arms embargo on Saudi Arabia The European Parliament called on the European Union to impose an arms embargo against Saudi Arabia, saying Britain, France and other EU governments should no longer sell weapons to a country accused of targeting civilians in Yemen. • EU lawmakers, who voted overwhelmingly in favor of an embargo, said Britain had licensed more than $3 billion of arms sales to Saudi Arabia since Saudi-led forces began military operations in Yemen in March last year. • Nearly 6,000 people have been killed since the coalition entered the conflict, almost half of them civilians, according to the United Nations, and the European Parliament said it was acting on humanitarian grounds.
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Ireland’s ruling coalition ousted by voters Ireland’s ruling coalition was ousted by voters angry at the country’s uneven recovery, leaving Prime Minister Enda Kenny facing the unpalatable prospect of trying to secure a deal with his biggest rival. • His government appeared to be the latest victim of European voters’ growing antipathy to mainstream politics, hit by a backlash against years of austerity and a perception that Ireland’s poor are not benefiting from the fastest economic growth in Europe. • Exit polls suggested the only viable option may be a problematic alliance of old rivals Fianna Fail and Kenny’s Fine Gael – although even their combined support was set to fall below 50 percent of the vote for the first time. If neither side is able to form a government, however, fresh elections would have to be called.
INDIA AND THE WORLD
Vietnam Lifts Ban on Import of Indian Groundnut Vietnam has formally lifted the ban on import of Indian groundnut, thereby providing market access after nine months. • The Vietnam Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development (MARD) has formally communicated the decision to the Indian Government stating that the Plant Protection Department of Vietnam (PPD) will issue import permits for groundnuts for January 18, 2016. • The country had temporarily suspended import of groundnuts from India from April 6, 2015, due to interception of quarantine pests — Caryedon serratus and Trogodrma granarium – in consignments exported since January, 2015.
Delhi, Kabul ink pact for visa-free travel of envoys Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the Chief Executive Officer of Afghanistan, Abdullah, and expressed his gratitude to the government and people of Afghanistan for their bravery in protecting Indians when the Indian consulate in Mazar-e-Sharif was attacked early this month. An agreement for visa-free travel for diplomatic passport holders of the two countries was also exchanged in the presence of Modi and Abdullah Abdullah.
NIIF signed MoU with RUSNANO OJSC of Russia National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) has signed an MoU with RUSNANO OJSC of Russia to cooperate in diverse sectors and facilitate high-technology investments in India. As per the MoU, both the Parties will establish a joint working group with a view to further develop cooperation between the Parties and work on the development of the definitive agreements.
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India and Brunei Ink 3 Agreements India and Brunei have decided to boost defence ties by conducting joint military exercises as the two countries signed three agreements after Vice President Hamid Ansari held talks with the top leadership. The Vice President, who is on the first high-level trip from India since the establishment of diplomatic ties with resource-rich Brunei, witnessed the signing of the agreements in the field of health, and youth and sports affairs, besides defence.
Joint Declaration between India and Germany The Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi was apprised about signing of a Joint Declaration between the ministry of science & technology and the federal ministry of education and research of Germany on the extension of the tenure of the Indo-German Science & Technology Centre (IGSTC). The Declaration is for the extension of tenure of the bilateral IGSTC for a period of five years beyond 2017 till 2022 and it provides for enhancement of funding allocation from 2 million Euros per year to a maximum of 4 million Euros per year by each side.
India and Sri Lanka sign two MoUs India and Sri Lanka have reviewed the progress made in their bilateral ties discussing various issues, including that of fishermen, a major irritant in the relations, as the two countries signed MoUs in education and health sectors. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Lankan counterpart Mangala Samaraweera discussed the entire gamut of relationship during the 9thIndo-Lanka Joint Commission meeting.
Iran wants India to pay oil dues in euros Iran has asked Indian refiners such as Essar Oil and Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL) to clear its past oil dues amounting to over $6 billion in euros within six months. With US lifting sanctions, Iran has told Indian authorities that the three-year old mechanism, paying 45 per cent of oil import bill in rupees and keeping the remaining 55 per cent pending for payment channels to clear, has come to an end.
India and China hold first ever joint military exercises in Ladakh Indian and Chinese armies are breaking new grounds of friendship on the sensitive Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the cold desert of Ladakh. • For the first time Indian and Chinese armies held a Joint Tactical exercise (JET) on the sensitive LAC in Eastern Ladakh. • The exercise is a part of ongoing initiatives being taken by India and China to ensure greater interaction between troops stationed along the LAC in a bid ensure peace and tranquillity on the border.
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Military Exercise Surya Kiran IX commences The 14 day Indo-Nepal Combined Military Exercise Surya Kiran IX at general area, Pithoragarh commenced on 08 February 2016 and will culminate on 21 February 2016. • A combined Ceremonial Parade was held by both the participating contingents. • The Nepal Army is being represented by officers and troops of the elite Shree Rudra Dhoj Battalion while an Infantry Battalion is participating on behalf of Indian Army. • The Combined Battalion Level Exercise is being conducted under the aegis of Panchshul Brigade of Central Command.
UAE to store crude oil in India’s Strategic Petroleum Reserves The United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) will store crude oil in India’s 1.5 million tonnes-Mangalore strategic petroleum reserve using it as a wholesale storage capacity. India, which is 79 per cent dependent on imports to meet its crude oil needs, is building underground storage facilities at Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, and Mangalore and Padur in Karnataka to store about 5.33 million tonnes of crude oil to guard against global price shocks and supply disruptions.
India and UAE ink 9 bilateral agreements Visiting Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan India held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on various issues of mutual concern. Agreements were also signed in the fields of insurance, culture and skill development. Expanding economic engagement, particularly in oil and renewable energy sector and increasing UAE’s Investment in India, was a major focus area at the deliberations.
Swedish defence firm ties up with Indian company Kalyani Group has tied up with Swedish defence major Saab to form a joint venture firm for the multi-billion dollar contract for short range surface to air missile and man-portable very short-range air defense (VSHORAD) programmes. The joint venture, which will be set up by Saab and Kalyani Strategic Systems Ltd (KSSL), the defence arm of Kalyani Group, will handle the main part of production and delivery of these air defence systems to the Indian customer if they win the ongoing tender process.
India and Sweden decide to step up ties India and Sweden have resolved to scale up bilateral relations and expressed their commitment to a transparent, fair and predictable global trade regime under the World Trade Organisation (WTO). • The prime ministers of the two nations have “agreed to scale up bilateral relations and committed to a close bilateral dialogue at all levels”.
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• The two leaders also underlined the need to tap full potential of the EU-India strategic partnership and welcomed the prospect of resumption of talks on the India-EU Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement.
Indo Seychelles Joint Military Exercise (EX LAMITYE) The Seventh Joint Military Training Exercise between the Indian Army and the Seychelles People’s Defence Forces (SPDF) – LAMITYE 2016, will be conducted at Seychelles Defence Academy (SDA), Victoria, Seychelles from 15 February to 28 February 2016. The SPDF will be represented by 20 personnel from Tazar (Special Forces Unit) and 32 from Seychelles Infantry. The Indian contingent will comprise of an Infantry platoon and representatives from the Special Forces.
India and Sweden signs MoU on Technical Cooperation in Rail Indian Railways has joined hands with Sweden for technical cooperation in rail sector to run goods trains in cold conditions. • Besides railways also aims to acquire Swedish expertise to run semi-high speed train on existing tracks. • A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Railways and the Ministry of Enterprise and Innovation of Sweden on technical cooperation in rail sector. • MoU envisages upgradation of technology to preserve commodities during adverse weather in freight operation.
IMCOR and Signing of Standard Operating Procedure As part of the ongoing India-Myanmar defence relations, Navies of the two countries have conducted IMCOR along the Maritime boundary since 2013. • Taking it forward, the Fourth Edition of the India-Myanmar Coordinated Patrol (IMCOR) was successfully undertaken from February 13 to 16, 2016 along the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) in the Andaman Sea. • Indian Navy Ships Saryu and Bitra along with Union of Myanmar Ships Aung Zeya and FAC 563 participated in the 4thIMCOR.
India participates in Cobra Gold 2016 multilateral exercise A 12-member team of the Indian Army is participating in the “Cobra Gold” multilateral exercises being hosted by Thailand, along with its counterparts from China and Pakistan. • India has been invited to the exercises as an “observer plus” country. This is in keeping with the recent trend of India’s increasing regional inter-operability with a series of multi-lateral exercises on land and sea. • The decision on Indian participation was conveyed to Thailand during the recent visit of Vice-President Hamid Ansari.
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• The Thai government has said that this year, 8,564 personnel from Thailand, the United States, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and South Korea and other nations are playing various roles in the exercises.
India and Armenia Sign MoU on Agriculture Cooperation India and Armenia have signed an agreement for cooperation in the agriculture sector. • An memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed by Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh and Armenian Agriculture Minister Sergo Karapetyan. • The MoU provides for setting up of a joint working group (JWG) and preparation of work plans in priority areas of farm sector. • The MoU provides for establishment of Joint Working Group and preparation of Work Plans, and will be valid, initially for a period of five years, and would be extendable beyond. • The two Ministers further identified sectors such as cattle identification, cooperatives, agriculture machinery, plant breeding and exchange of agri scientist and students, as the priority areas and resolved to constitute the JWG at the earliest to move the agreement.
India and Nepal signed seven important agreements Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli have jointly inaugurated a power transmission line from Muzaffarpur (India) to Dhalkebar (Nepal). • This will provide 80 MW of power to Nepal with immediate effect. • This will gradually reach its full capacity of granting 600 MW of power to Nepal by December 2017. • Modi asked KPS Oli to adopt an “all inclusive” constitution in an “amicable” manner during their first ever bilateral talks. • Both countries also signed seven agreements to strengthen economic ties.
India extends $1 million aid to cyclone-hit Fiji Cyclone-hit Fiji will receive one million dollars as immediate assistance from the Indian Government. • This was announced by Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Vikas Swarup. • Fiji has been struck by “Cyclone Winston” which brought with it wind gusts of 325 kilometres per hour and sea and ocean waves up to 12 metres high. • The area’s crops and several villages have been flattened completely by the natural calamity. So far, 29 people have reportedly died and many others have been shifted to evacuation centres.
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Agreement between India and Maldives The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given its approval for signing of an Agreement between India and Maldives for the avoidance of double taxation of income from international air transport. • The Agreement provides for relief from double taxation for airline enterprises of India and Maldives by way of exemption of income derived by the enterprise of India from the operation of aircraft in international traffic, from Maldivian tax and vice-versa. • Under the agreement, profits from the operation of aircraft in international traffic will be taxed in one country alone. • Accordingly the taxing right is conferred upon the country to which the enterprise belongs. The Agreement will provide tax certainty for airline enterprises of India and Maldives.
India approves $150 million credit line for Iran’s Chabahar port India has approved a $150 million credit line for the development of Iran’s Chabahar port. • The port in southeast Iran is central to New Delhi’s efforts to circumvent arch-rival Pakistan and open up a route to landlocked Afghanistan where it has developed close security ties and economic interests. • Under the agreement signed last year between the two countries, India will equip and operate two berths in the first phase of development at Chabahar Port and extend a credit line of $150 million through its external lending arm. • Both berths will commence operations within 18 months of the signing of a final contract.
India and UK sign MoU for research in crop science Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology and a consortium of top UK research institutions signed an MoU for establishment of a joint India-UK collaboration programme in crop science. • The aim of the agreement is to enhance collaborative research, promote knowledge exchange, and support capacity building to develop resilience in food security. • This collaboration builds on the close links already established between leading researchers in the United Kingdom and India.
PM Narendra Modi to visit Belgium, US, Saudi next month Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to Saudi Arabia as part of his three-nation trip from March 30 during which he will also visit Washington to attend Nuclear Security Summit (NSS).
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• Starting his visit with Belgium on March 30 for India-EU Summit, Modi will travel to Washington for NSS from March 31 before his two-day bilateral visit from April 2 to Saudi Arabia. • He will hold talks with the Saudi leadership on key regional and bilateral issues, including Trade and energy. • His visit, which comes nearly six years after last Prime Ministerial visit to Riyadh, assumes significance given the current regional situation and strained ties between SA and Iran, another strategically important country for India.
VII Indo-Seychelles joint training exercises lamitye concluded Lamitye 2016, the seventh Indo-Seychelles joint training exercises, aiming to improve interoperability between both armies in counter-insurgency operations, has concluded at Victoria, Mahe Island in Seychelles.
• Focused on interoperability in drills pertaining to counter-insurgency and counter- terrorism, a number of activities and exercises were conducted during the joint training. • It culminated with a cordon and search operations, enmeshed with hostage rescue operations in an anti-piracy setting at Cape Ternay, with realistic orchestration of events extending over two days in an urban insurgency environment. • An Indian contingent, comprising an infantry platoon and representatives from the special forces, attended the exercise Lamitye 2016.
Japanese get Visa-on-arrival facility in India As announced by the Prime Minister, the Visa on Arrival for Japanese nationals is being launched from tomorrow i.e. 1st March, 2016. • This facility will be available at six airports viz. Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore and Hyderabad. • This facility can be availed for the purposes of business, tourism, conference and medical. Validity of this visa after entry will be for a period of 30 days. • The facility being given to Japanese will be an upgradation of e-Tourist Visa currently offered to citizens of 150 countries. • About 1.80 lakh Japanese nationals visit India every year on various kinds of visas. Business and Tourist Visas constitute around 78% of these.
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Craftsvilla acquires Send for $4.5 Million Mumbai-based ethnic etailer, Craftsvilla, has acquired Mumbai-based on-demand shipping service provider startup Sendd for about $4.5 Mn. • Sendd was founded by Nav Agrawal (IIT Bombay dropout), Sumeet Wadhwa (IIT Bombay Alumni) and Sargun Singh (IIT Bombay Alumni) in April 2015. • Sendd is an on-demand shipping services startup, allowing users to send parcels. • The company had launched its B2C product in April and had later pivoted to B2B in August 2015. • Sendd had its services in Mumbai and was enabling over 1,500 orders a day with average ticket size being INR 160, before getting acquired.
Cisco acquires Japser Technologies for $1.4 bn Cisco Systems said that it intends to acquire Silicon Valley-based Internet of Things (IOT) start-up Jasper Technologies Inc. for US$1.4 billion in cash. • Jasper allows companies to manage connected objects through cellular networks with a cloud-based software program, and was valued at US$1.4 billion in its most recent round of venture funding. • In addition to connecting devices to the Internet, Jasper makes a software platform that helps monitor these devices once they are online. • Cisco views Jasper as a unique Internet of Things (IOT) service platform that is disrupting a massive market with strong strategic alignment with Cisco. • Jasper represents the largest platform of scale in IoT today with over 3500 enterprise customers and 27 service providers across 100 countries.
Birla Corp Acquires cement arm of Reliance Infra Reliance Infrastructure (RInfra) has sold its cement business arm to Birla Corporation for Rs 4,800 crore, a deal that will help Anil Ambani-led Group lower its debt burden. • RInfra has announced the signing of share purchase agreement with Birla Corporation Limited, the flagship Company of the M P Birla Group, in relation to 100 percent sale of its subsidiary RCCPL. • RCCPL has an integrated cement capacity of 5.08 million tonne per annum (MTPA) at Maihar, Madhya Pradesh and Kundanganj, Uttar Pradesh and a grinding unit of 0.5 Mtpa at Butibori, Maharashtra. • Under this transaction Birla Corporation Ltd will acquire the 100 percent shareholding of RInfra in RCCPL. • The transaction is subject to approval of the Competition Commission of India and other applicable regulatory approvals.
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YouTube acquires BandPage for $8 million BandPage has been acquired by Google owned YouTube for a reported $8 million. • That’s far less than the $27.6 million raised by the startup since launching in 2009. • BandPage is already heavily integrates into both YouTube and Google, delivering photos and band info for more than 500,000 artists, along with direct to fan offerings from hundreds of musicians. • Founded in 2009, BandPage began as an app that let musicians create a special Music tab on their Facebook Page. • But after Facebook shut down these Page apps in 2012, it lost 90% of its traffic in three months. • It went from 32 million monthly users and being the second most popular Facebook developer behind Zynga, to just a few million.
Salesforce acquires machine learning startup Salesforce has acquired PredictionIO, a startup with general-purpose open source machine learning software. • Salesforce plans to use some of the tech to build out Salesforce’s own machine learning capabilities as part of SalesforceIQ, both in-house as well as in products for Salesforce customers. • PredictionIO’s CEO and co-founder Simon Chan noted that the startup’s team — which includes other co-founders Donald Szeto, Kenneth Chan and Thomas Stone — will be joining Salesforce after the transaction closes.
CABINET APPROVALS AND BILLS PASSED
Cabinet approves collaboration between Ministry of AYUSH & WHO The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given its approval to the Agreement for collaborative activities to be signed in the area of Traditional Medicine between Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India and the World Health Organization, Geneva. The long-term collaboration with WHO would help in improving International acceptability and branding of Ayush systems, facilitate awareness generation regarding AYUSH systems of Medicine by means of education, skill development, workshops, publications and exchange programs between AYUSH and WHO.
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Important Cabinet Approvals
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the following.
1. CCEA approves construction of additional Railway lines 2. Cabinet approves Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) 3. Memoranda of Understanding signed with various countries for cooperation in the field of agriculture & allied sectors 4. Cabinet grants ‘in-principle’ approval to the LIGO-India mega science proposal
Cabinet apprised of BRICS MoU signed last year The Union Cabinet was apprised of the BRICS memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the fields of science, technology and innovation signed last year. • India had signed the BRICS MoU last March at Brasilia in Brazil on the sidelines of 3rd BRICS STI Ministerial meeting. • The MoU envisages promotion of cooperation in these fields among BRICS countries by means of mutually agreed science and technology events and activities.
Cabinet approved amendments to be made in Delimitation Act 2002 The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave its approval to amend section 11 of the Delimitation Act, 2002 and section 9 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950. • The proposed amendments will now be available before the Parliament for passing. • It will enable Election Commission to carry out limited delimitation of Assembly and Parliamentary Constituencies. • The Cooch Behar District of West Bengal consequent upon the exchange of 51 Bangladeshi enclaves and 111 Indian enclaves respectively between India and Bangladesh, with effect from 31st July, 2015.
Promotion of Payments through cards and digital means The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given its approval for introduction of steps for promotion of payments through cards and digital means. • The move aims at reducing cash transactions. • Promotion of payments through cards and digital means will be instrumental in reducing tax avoidance, migration of Government payments and collections to cashless mode, discourage transactions in cash. • The providing access to financial payment services to the citizens to conduct transactions through card/ digital means and shifting payment ecosystem from cash dominated to non-cash/less cash payments.
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Cabinet approves Atal Innovation Mission The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given its approval for establishment of Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) and Self Employment and Talent Utilisation (SETU) in NITI Aayog with appropriate manpower. • Establishment of AIM and AIM Directorate would result in implementation of Mission activities in a focussed manner. • This would be a focal point for innovation and entrepreneurship in the country. • In order to give substantial boost to the innovation ecosystem and to catalyse the entrepreneurial spirit in the country. • Finance Minister in his Budget Speech 2015-16 announced the government’s intention to establish AIM and a mechanism to be known as SETU in NITI with an initial sum of Rs 500 crore and Rs 1,000 crore, respectively.
SNIPPETS FROM THE STATE
Maharashtra plans to bring anti-spitting bill Concerned over the sharp rise in infectious disease like tuberculosis, Maharashtra government will introduce a bill banning spitting in public places in the upcoming state Legislature Budget session scheduled next month. • According to the proposed legislation, offenders spitting for the first time will have to pay a fine of Rs 1,000 and also do a day of community service at public places or at government offices. • If caught second time, the offender will be slapped a fine of Rs 3,000 and do three days of community service. • For repeated offence, the offenders will have to pay Rs 5,000 fine and do five days of community service.
Maharashtra to set up India’s first International Arbitration Centre Maharashtra’s ambitious plans to set up India’s first international arbitration centre in Mumbai has begun ahead of the Make In India Week to be held in the city from February 13 to 18. • In the absence of an international arbitration centre, the majority of global disputes land at the Singapore International Arbitration Centre. • Overseas disputes arbitration, if pursued in Mumbai, would bring revenue worth Rs 2 billion.
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Gujarat to get India’s first aviation park The Gujarat government is planning to set up India’s first civil aviation park in the state. • The aviation park will have facilities such as air strips, training school, helipad and a flight simulator. • The park will provide a platform for human resources and manufacturing activities related to the industry. • It would be a one-stop destination for aerospace training, research and manufacturing.
Maharashtra ranks one in Internet readiness index Maharashtra has emerged as the top ranking state in terms of overall Internet readiness index, according to a new report published by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) and Indicus Analytics. The report titled ‘Index of Internet Readiness of Indian States’ pits Karnataka and Gujarat as close second and third while Telengana and Tamil Nadu rank fourth and fifth respectively.
Haryana signs Rs 1000 Crore pact with Indo-UK Healthcare The Haryana government has inked an agreement with Indo-UK Healthcare Private Limited to establish medical institutions in the state with proposed investment of Rs 1,000 crore. • This project is expected to generate employment for 3,000 persons. • Under this agreement, the Haryana government would facilitate Indo-UK Healthcare Private Limited to obtain necessary permissions, registrations, approvals and clearances. • The project from the departments concerned in order to ensure the establishment of the project in a time-bound manner.
Gujarat to get India’s first disabled-friendly beach The Tithal beach in Valsad district of Gujarat is all set to become the first disabled- friendly beach in India. • Preparations are on to open the 1 km stretch of the beach by June, which will have open access right up to the waters with disabled-friendly food courts, washrooms and entertainment area. • Tenders were recently floated for the project that will include construction of slopes with no barriers or steps and installation of detailed signage so that the disabled can reach the water without any assistance. • Construction on the 3- km long beach will be made in two phases.
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Goa may term national bird peacock as ‘vermin’ Peacock, the national bird of India, may soon be termed a vermin and culled ruthlessly in Goa. Goa’s Agriculture Minister Ramesh Tawadkar said that peacock, like monkeys and wild boars, causes severe damage to crops and “should be declared a vermin” and culled periodically. Peacock is India’s national bird and is a protected species under the Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
Jharkhand gets its First Mega Food Park In order to give an impetus to the growth of the Food Processing Sector in Jharkhand, the first Mega Food Park in the State promoted by M/s. Jharkhand Mega Food Park Pvt. Ltd. has been inaugurated Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Union Minister of Food Processing Industries at Village Getalsud, District Ranchi. • The Minister informed that this Mega Food Park has been set up with the project cost of Rs. 114.73 crore in an area of 51.50 Acres. • The park will have facilities of Multi Chamber Cold Storage, Dry Warehouse, Vegetable Dehydration Line, modern Quality Control & Testing Laboratory and other processing facilities for fruits & vegetables.
Oracle to open its first India campus in Bengaluru Global computer giant Oracle is planning to set up a campus in Bengaluru and start an initiative to help more than half a million students in India develop computer science skills. • This was conveyed by Oracle’s global CEO Safra Catz to Prime Minister Narendra Modi when she called on him Delhi. • Oracle is of the view that the plans are likely to boost Mr. Modi’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, and strengthen India’s position as a world-class design and manufacturing hub.
Punjab govt to sign MoU with British Pig Association Punjab government would soon ink an MoU with British Pig Association (BPA) to develop and promote piggery on the latest and scientific lines in the state. • A decision to this effect was taken by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal during a meeting with BPA Export Manager Chris Jackson. • The piggery would further add new dimensions to the state government’s ambitious programme of farm diversification. • Jackson promised that BPA will provide all technical support and expertise to the progressive pig farmers in Punjab to further consolidate their economic position.
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Tamil Nadu announces free bus travel for senior citizens Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa announced that senior citizens over the age of sixty could travel for free on government buses starting February 24. • The Chief Minister said through the implementation of this scheme, the AIADMK government has fulfilled all the promises it made in the 2011 election manifesto. • Jayalalithaa said the scheme would be implemented on a pilot basis in Chennai and would be expanded after studying the response. • Those over the age of sixty could apply for tokens at designated bus depots. • The information on which depots to apply would be put up on the website of the Transport department soon.
WB Govt plans to get GI Tag for Four Traditional Bengali Sweets The West Bengal government is planning to get Geographical Identification (GI) tag for four traditional sweetmeat delicacies of the state with a view to protect them from imitations and for exporting them in future. • The four sweetmeats for which GI tags are being sought are ‘Moa’ of Jainagar, ‘Sarpuria’ of Krishnagar, and ‘Sitabhog’ and ‘Mihidana’ of Burdwan. • While ‘Jainagar-er moa’ is made of puffed rice and date palm jaggery at Jainagar in South 24 Parganas district, Krishnagar of Nadia district is famous for ‘Sarpuria’ which is made of milk cream. • ‘Sitabhog’ and ‘Mihidana’ are rice based sweets of Burdwan.
Haryana set to become first state to complete Aquifer mapping Haryana to soon become the first state in the country to have aquifer mapping done for its groundwater resources by May. • An aquifer is an underground layer of water-bearing rock, from which groundwater can be extracted. • The mapping will assist the state in estimating the quantity and quality of groundwater in an aquifer and would help it in assessment of sustainable level of water extraction. • Haryana is one of the eight states selected for this kind of scientific mapping in the first phase. • Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Telengana are the other states selected for the purpose. • These are the states where the groundwater situation has already reached a critical level.
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Karnataka government announces housing scheme for transgenders Karnataka government has announced housing scheme for transgenders, who are facing social boycott, in Bengaluru. • Bengaluru Development Minister, KJ George, announced the housing scheme for over 600 transgenders living in the city and facing social exclusion. • The scheme will come up on 50 acres land on the outskirts of the city where the government is building a township for the economically weaker sections of society. • The word “Karnataka” is derived from the Kannada words “Karu” and “Nadu” which means “Elevated Land”. • The Land area of Karnataka is 191,791 sq. km. Karnataka holds 8th position in area wise. In Karnataka, 83% and 11% population are Hindu and Muslim respectively and remaining others includes Christian, Jain and Buddhist, etc. • The Official Language of Karnataka is Kannada.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
France to partner ISRO in Mars Mission France will partner India in its next Mars mission, which the Indian Space Research Organisation plans to launch in 2018. • French space agency, CNES has signed a letter of intent with the ISRO for French participation in the next Mars mission. • India’s first Mars mission was a technology demonstrator. Its success led to the planning of Mars-2 mission for carrying out more substantive scientific experiments. • As the slot in 2016 is out of question because of the non-availability of a suitable launch vehicle, the plan is to have the second mission in 2018 when the reliable PSLV could be used. • A lander and a rover is being thought of in the second Indian Mars mission.
World’s First “Robot Run” Farm to come up in 2017 A Japanese firm plans to open the world’s first fully automated, human-free farm – which means robots will do almost every job from watering seedlings to harvesting crops. • Spread, a Kyoto-based company said it intends to start operating the farm by 2017 with an entire staff of robots and produce 30,000 heads of lettuce a day. • The firm also hopes to boost that figure to half a million lettuce heads daily within five years. • While the future of farming is going to be all about robots, humans are still going to play one important role in the process – the seed planting.
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First Artificial Graphene created Scientists, led by an Indian-origin researcher, have created an artificial material with a structure similar to the ‘wonder material’ graphene. • Discovered in 2004, graphene is a one-atom-thick sheet of graphite. • Graphene transistors are predicted to be substantially faster and more heat tolerant than today’s silicon transistors and may result in more efficient computers and the next-generation of flexible electronics. • Jak Chakhalian, professor of physics and director of the Artificial Quantum Materials Laboratory at the University of Arkansas in US, said “We’ve basically created the first artificial graphene-like structure with transition metal atoms in place of carbon atoms.
India’s first ayurvedic anti-diabetic drug launched The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has launched India’s first anti- diabetic ayurvedic drug for type two Diabetes mellitus. • The drug BGR-34 is developed jointly by National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) and Central Institute for Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP), the Lucknow-based research units of CSIR. • While the modern diabetes drugs are known for side-effects and toxicity, BGR-34 works by controlling blood sugar and limiting the harmful effects of other drugs.
Three IT enabled Applications for railways launched The Minister said the handheld terminals launched in Northern Railways will enable TTEs to update an entire train’s passenger list and highlight vacant berths which can be sent back to HHT application servers, the Passenger Reservation System (PRS) terminals and indianrail.gov website to be viewed. • The unreserved ticketing mobile application ‘UTSONMOBILE’ was launched in South Central Railway. • The APP was developed with the help of Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS). • The application was earlier launched in select sectors of South, Western, Northern, Eastern and Central Railways.
Nidar: India launches ‘lightest gun’ weighing 250g Two years after India launched Nirbheek, a handgun pitched as the country’s “first gun for women”, a state-run arms factory has launched a similar gun which it says is India’s lightest gun. The new .22-calibre revolver is named Nidar, it weighs a mere 250g (8.8 ounces) – that’s half of .32-calibre Nirbheek’s 500g (1.1lb); and it costs 35,000 rupees ($513; £357) – Nirbheek came with a steep price tag of 122,360 rupees ($1,990; £1,213).
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Microsoft releases app to identify dog breeds Microsoft has released an app called Fetch! which utilises facial recognition and artificial intelligence to recognise your dog’s breed. • It is available for Web users as well on what-dog.net. • The app allows users to take a picture of a dog you see (or use one from your photos library) and identify its breed. • Like Microsoft’s other AI apps, Fetch! should become more accurate as users upload more photos and data. • And the app has a sense of humor. When it’s fed an image that’s clearly not a dog, such as a flower, it will try to identify it as well as possible.
US deploys more patriotic missiles in South Korea The United States has temporarily deployed an additional Patriot missile battery in South Korea following North Korea’s recent nuclear test and long-range rocket launch.
• The move came as the two allies plan to start detailed discussions on bringing in an advanced, high-altitude US missile defence system opposed by China as early as next week. • The newly deployed Patriot battery is conducting ballistic missile defence training with the Eighth Army’s 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade at Osan Air Base, some 47 kilometres (30 miles) south of Seoul. • The brigade has its own two Patriot battalions. • One Patriot battalion is reportedly composed of four batteries.
MyShake App to detect earthquake launched in Android University of California, Berkeley scientists have developed an Android app that can detect earthquakes using smartphones. Called MyShake, it is available in the Google Play Store. • The app intends to collate user data in order to determine the magnitude of earthquakes and issue alerts to potential victims in and around affected areas. • The scientists have designed the app in such a way that it can analyse various levels of vibrations picked up by a smartphone’s inbuilt accelerometer to determine the size and threat of earthquakes.
World’s first wireless flexible smartphone developed Scientists claim to have developed the world’s first wireless flexible smartphone that allows users to feel the buzz by bending their apps. • The full-colour, high-resolution smartphone, named ReFlex, combines multitouch with bend input and allows users to experience physical tactile feedback when interacting with their apps through bend gestures.
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• ReFlex is based on a high definition 720p LG Display Flexible OLED touch screen powered by an Android 4.4 “KitKat” board mounted to the side of the display. • Bend sensors behind the display sense the force with which a user bends the screen, which is made available to apps for use as input.
Japan launches satellite to study black holes Japan has successfully launched a jointly developed space observation satellite tasked with studying mysterious black holes. • The ASTRO-H satellite, developed in collaboration between the agency, NASA and other groups, is set to orbit at an altitude of about 580 kilometres (360 miles) and observe X-rays emanating mainly from black holes and galaxy clusters. • The satellite was carried out by the country’s mainstay H-IIA rocket, which soared towards the heavens from the Tanegashima Space Center in southern Japan under mostly clear late afternoon skies.
France extends emergency by three months France’s Parliament has overwhelmingly approved a three-month extension of its state of emergency imposed after deadly attacks around Paris in November, even as rights groups said it undermines fundamental freedoms. Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve argued in the National Assembly that the threat of new violence remains very high after the attacks by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), which killed 130 people.
Tata unveils first ever India-made Robot ‘Brabo’ TAL Manufacturing Solutions, a Tata Group company, is expected to launch first ever India-made robot before May 2016. • Dubbed ‘Tata Brabo’, the robot has been showcased in the Make in India week in Mumbai. • Brabo has been developed in-house by a team of six engineers whose average age is 24 years, led by Anil Bhingurde, chief operating officer of TAL Manufacturing Solutions. • The development cost is reported to be about Rs 10 crore. • The design of the robot was done in-house at TAL, styling was done at Tata Elxi, and manufacturing of some parts at Tata AutoComp, while Tata Capital provided the finance.
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ISRO & Toronto Institute to develop NEMO-AM Satellites The Space Applications Centre (SAC) of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and space flight laboratory (SFL) of University of Toronto’s Institute for Aerospace Studies are collaborating on developing the Next Generation Earth Monitoring and Observation and Aerosol Monitoring (NEMO-AM) satellite. The nano-satellite will monitor suspended particles and aerosols that have made the air of major Indian cities like Delhi, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Amritsar and Allahabad among the most polluted in the world.
Indian origin scientist discovers fast Tin Monoxide conductor A team led by an Indian-origin scientist in US has discovered a new kind of 2D semiconducting material for electronics that opens the door for much speedier computers and smartphones that consume a lot less power. The semiconductor, made of the elements tin and oxygen, or tin monoxide (SnO), is a layer of 2D material only one atom thick, allowing electrical charges to move through it much faster than conventional 3D materials such as silicon.
Skype launches group video calls on phones Microsoft has officially rolled out its group video calling feature in Skype after a very long wait. • The feature is not new though, as many smartphone users are familiar with such apps and websites that offer group video chat. • The company has officially that they’re going to begin rolling out an update to Skype for iOS and Android that will support group video calling. • They’ve also added a number of features, such as increasing the number of people that can be involved in the group call from five to 25 people. • There’s also a flexible interface. The user can choose a grid or a focus view, which automatically focuses on the person that’s speaking.
Harsh Vardhan Dedicates Ksheer-Scanner Systems The Union Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences and Vice President, CSIR Dr. Harsh Vardhan dedicated Systems for Detection of Adulteration and analysis of Milk. • Dr. Harsha Vardhan pointed that our country ranks number one across the world for milk production, contributing to about 18% of the world’s total milk. • But it is feared that over 60% of the milk is contaminated due to malpractices in milk supply chain which includes dilution with unsafe water. • The milk is otherwise said to be adulterated with contaminants such as urea, salt, detergent, liquid soap, boric acid, caustic soda, soda and hydrogen peroxide which have hazardous health effects.
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ISRO to set up Satellite Centre in Vietnam Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is working towards the establishment of a Satellite Tracking & Data Reception Station and Data Processing Facility in Vietnam for ASEAN Member countries. • This facility is intended to acquire and process Indian Remote Sensing Satellite data pertaining to ASEAN region and disseminate to ASEAN Member countries. • On completion this will enhance the Space Cooperation between India and Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). • Under this initiative, all ASEAN member countries, including Vietnam will be allowed to access processed remote sensing data pertaining to their country. • Ground facility is designed in such a way that it will not allow Indian data to be accessed and processed by the system.
Facebook launched Telecom Infra Project Facebook has announced the Telecom Infra Project, which will look at developing new and alternative technologies to build and deploy telecom infrastructure, with partners including Aricent, HCL Technologies, Intel, Nokia and T- Mobile. The Project is working on providing currently unserved rural communities with wireless network efforts. A pilot 4G network is already underway in the Philippines, and Facebook has a project in planning for the Scottish Highlands.
Rabishield – World’s first fast-acting Anti-Rabies drug to be launched in India The first fast-acting anti-rabies drug of the world, which instantly deactivates the rabies virus and provides immediate protection in severe dog bite cases, is set for a launch in India this year. • The drug, rabies human monoclonal antibody (RMAb), has been developed by Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII) and US-based Mass Biologics of the University of Massachusetts Medical School. • It has been found safe and effective during various phases of human clinical trials spanning nine years in India and abroad.
Sea sponges were Earth’s First Animals : Research The first animal to appear on Earth was very likely the simple sea sponges. • According to researchers at the world-famous Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), sea sponges pre-date the Cambrian explosion, an evolutionary period that began around 540 million years ago, during which a large number of new animals appeared. • The researchers confirm that sea sponges are the source of a curious molecule found in rocks that are 640 million years old.
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• One rare molecule in particular, 24-Isopropylcholesterol, or 24-IPC, has been found in rocks that are 640 million years old. • It’s also known to be produced by sea sponges.
Astronauts to return from space after a year Astronaut Scott Kelly is preparing to return to Earth after spending an unprecedented year on the International Space Station. • Kelly has been in the process of finishing his collection of samples, some of which will return with him in the Soyuz capsule when it lands near Kazakhstan. • He’s also been packing up because, even though there is limited space in the capsule — it’s nearly 23 feet long and nearly 9 feet in diameter — astronauts can bring 1½ kilograms (about 3 pounds) of items back with them. • Most of Kelly’s items will be personal items that were given to him before he launched on March 27, 2015. • The astronauts can also send other items back via SpaceX cargo spacecraft.
NASA invites India to jointly explore Mars Charles Elachi, director of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory or JPL, a part of NASA and an institution better known for piloting most of the American planetary exploration efforts with rovers like Curiosity, says India and the US could jointly explore Mars and even invited India to send astronauts to the Red Planet. • In future, India and the U.S. could jointly explore Mars and who knows an Indian astronaut could also head to the Red planet on a joint mission. • India’s maiden mission to the Red Planet, Mangalyaan, has opened the eyes of the world on ISRO’s capabilities at undertaking low cost, high value inter-planetary mission.
Aurobindo Pharma gets USFDA nod for HIV Drug Drug firm Aurobindo Pharma has received tentative approval from the US health regulator for its Ritonavir tablets used for treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. • Established in 1986, Aurobindo Pharma is present in semi-synthetic penicillins and therapeutic segments such as neurosciences, cardiovascular, anti-retrovirals, anti-diabetics, gastroenterology and cephalosporins, among others. • Infection results in the progressive deterioration of the immune system, breaking down the body’s ability to fend off some infections and other diseases. • AIDS (Acquired immune deficiency syndrome) refers to the most advanced stages of HIV infection, defined by the occurrence of any of more than 20 opportunistic infections or related cancers.
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WhatsApp to end support to BlackBerry, Nokia platforms WhatsApp will end support for for its app for BlackBerry devices including BlackBerry 10 by the end of 2016.
• The company will also do away with WhatsApp Messenger for Nokia S40, Nokia Symbian S60, smartphones with Android 2.1, Android 2.2 and Windows Phone 7.1. • The announcement was made soon after WhatsApp celebrated its seventh anniversary and recently crossed over 1 billion users worldwide.
ISRO chief signals India's readiness for Chandrayaan II mission Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chairman A S Kiran Kumar signaled country's readiness for Chandrayaan II mission, which will be India's second mission to the moon. • Chandrayaan II is an advanced version of the previous Chandrayaan-1 mission. It consists of an Orbiter, Lander and Rover configuration. • It is planned to be launched as a composite stack into the Earth Parking Orbit (EPO) of 170 X 18,500 km by GSLV-Mk II. • The Lander will soft land on the moon at a specified site and deploy the Rover. • The scientific payloads onboard the Orbiter, Lander and Rover are expected to perform mineralogical and elemental studies of the lunar surface.
SPORTS NEWS
Winner Title Sport/Venue Virat Kohli Top-ranked batsman in the He replaced Aaron Finch ICC list South Korean Song Young- Singapore Open He defeated Jordan Spieth han India No. 1 in ICC T20 rankings 2nd comes West Indies followed by Sri Lanka Aditya Mehta National-Snooker He defeated Manan Chandra Championship 2016 Kerala Won 61st National School Held at Olympian Rahman Athletics Meet Stadium in Kozhikode, Kerala Grandmaster Swapnil Won IIFL Wealth Mumbai With overall tally of eight Dhopade of Maharashtra International Open Chess points, emerged victorious in tournament the Rs 7.5 lakh prize West Indies ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup Defeated India 2016
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Indian Railways The National Chess team The 36th Championship was Championship held at Bhubaneswar Jaypee Punjab Warriors Hockey India League (HIL) They defeated Kalinga champions Lancers Former French Open Rio title She won her first title since champion Francesca 2013 when she defeated Schiavone Shelby Rogers of the United States
ICC removes India from Permanent member status The International Cricket Council is all set to scrap the controversial constitutional amendments, which gave executive clout and financial power to India, Australia and England, with its Shashank Manohar-led Board recommending complete overhaul of the current power structure. • In its first meeting of 2016 after Manohar took over as ICC Chairman, the world body’s Board agreed that the current system, put in place by controversial former head N Srinivasan, needed to be done away with. • The introduction of an independent chairman was intended to “avoid any potential conflicts of interest and to follow best practice principles of good governance”. • The ICC’s next chairman, to be elected later this year, will no longer be able to hold a position on their home board, as Srinivasan and subsequently Manohar did.
12th South Asian Games Inaugurated with Fanfare Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 12th South Asian Games, 2016 in a glittering ceremony at the Sarusajai Sports Complex in Guwahati. • In his address at the Indira Gandhi Athletics Stadium, Mr. Modi said he is privileged to be among the players of the SAARC countries. • He said the South Asian Games demonstrate 3-Ts – Team work, Togetherness and Talent.
Sapna Devi and Joshna Chinappa win gold medal at SAG India continued to dominate on the second day of the 12th South Asian Games (SAG) with Sapna Devi winning gold in the women’s Wushu Taolu (Changquan) competition. • Sapna scored 9.45 points to emerge as the winner while the silver went to Susmita Tamang of Nepal who had a score of 8.72. • Pakistan’s Nazia Parvaiz took the bronze with a score of 6:30 points.
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Kavita Raut qualifies for 2016 Rio Olympics Indian long-distance runner Kavita Raut has qualified for the Rio Olympics in women’s marathon after winning the event in the 12th South Asian Games, a perfect end to the country’s memorable athletics campaign in the event. • The 30-year-old Raut easily clinched the marathon Gold in 2 hours 38 minutes and 38 seconds to become the fourth Indian women to have qualified for Rio Games women’s marathon. • The Rio Games women’s marathon qualification standard stands at 2:42:00.
India wins 1000th South Asian Games gold medal India, the overall champion over all the 11 previous editions of the South Asian Games, has crossed a historic milestone of winning its 1,000th gold in the Games. The host which entered the fortnight-long competition with a tally of 900 gold medals, crossed the landmark when swimmer Veerdhawal Khade won the men’s 50m butterfly title.
Pakistan Cricket umpire Asad Rauf banned for 5 years The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has banned Pakistani umpire Asad Rauf for five years after its disciplinary committee found him guilty of corrupt practices. • The BCCI Committee has found Rauf guilty of misconduct and corruption under multiple statutes of its BCCI Anti-Corruption Code. • He was accused of accepting expensive gifts from bookies besides placing bets on IPL matches in the 2013 edition.
Mirza-Hingis win St Petersburg Title Indian tennis ace Sania Mirza and her Swiss partner Martina Hingis extended their winning streak to 40 after clinching the St. Petersburg Ladies Trophy. The top-seeded pair continued their imperious form as they swept aside the Russian-Czech pair of Vera Dushevina and Barbora Krejcikova 6-3, 6-1 in the finals of the women’s double event that lasted for an hour.
Haryanto becomes Indonesia’s first Formula1 Driver Rio Haryanto will become Indonesia’s first Formula One driver after signing a deal with Manor Racing. • The 23-year-old will make his F1 debut at the Australian Grand Prix on 20 March after testing in Barcelona next week. • Haryanto replaced the Briton Will Stevens, who failed to score a point in 18 starts last year. • Haryanto will join the German rookie Pascal Wehrlein, a former Mercedes reserve driver, at Manor.
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Brendon McCullum scores fastest Test Hundred Brendon McCullum has blasted the fastest century in Test history, a 54-ball effort that broke the record jointly held by Viv Richards and Misbah-ul-Haq. • In his 101st and final Test match, McCullum attacked Australia’s bowlers relentlessly. • McCullum celebrated to a standing ovation from the crowd at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, raising his bat to all parts of the venue in his adopted home-town. • His effort was two balls faster than the previous record 56-ball century scored by Richards against England in Antigua in 1985-86, which was equalled by Misbah- ul-Haq against Australia in Abu Dhabi in 2014-15.
Santina’s 41-Match Winning Streak Ends Santina, the world number one doubles pair have lost for the first time in 41 matches, at the Qatar Open. • They went down 2-6, 6-4, 10-5 to Russian pair Elena Vesnina and Daria Kasatkina in the quarter-finals. • Mirza and had started their Hingis win streak in September at the U.S. Open, the first of nine straight titles. • If they had won the Qatar event they would have tied Natasha Zvereva of Belarus and Czech Jana Novotna’s 1990 mark of 44 consecutive wins. • Prior to Qatar, their form this year has been magnificent and the Indo-Swiss pairing have already won four titles, including titles in Brisbane and St Petersburg, as well as the Australian Open.
Stan Wawrinka wins 2016 Dubai ATP Tennis title World number four Stan Wawrinka overcame the spirited challenge of Marcos Baghdatis to win the Dubai Tennis Championship. • The Swiss triumphed 6-4 7-6 (15-13) for his ninth straight final win and his second title of the season. • The French Open champion, 30, saved five set points in a tense tie-break and won when a Baghdatis return went wide on a fourth match point. • It was Wawrinka's first time playing the tournament in eight years. He had reached the final when Nick Kyrgios retired from their semi-final with a back injury. • That had been the first match between the pair since the infamous match in Montreal last August, when on-court microphones recorded Kyrgios making a lewd suggestion about Wawrinka's girlfriend.
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Bahadur Singh Rana wins gold at Walking Championships London Olympian Basant Bahadur Singh Rana clinched the gold medal in men’s 50km race walk event on the second and final day of the National Championships in Jaipur. • Delhi walker Rana clocked 4 hours seven minutes 24 seconds to finish first but he must have been disappointed as he could not touch the revised Olympics qualification time of 4:06:00 on a fast Jaipur course which saw as many as seven men’s 20 km race walkers breached Rio Games cut-off mark. • The 32-year-old Rana has a personal best of 3:56:48 which he clocked a in the 2012 London Olympics, which was a national record then. • Uttarakhand’s Chandan Singh, who has already achieved Rio qualification mark in men’s 20 km event, finished second with a time of 4:09:50 while Jitender Singh Rathore of Rajasthan took the bronze medal in 4:12:10.
OBITUARIES
Name of the Person Associated Field Benoit Violier World’s best chef Frank Finlay British Actor SS Tarapore Former RBI Deputy Governor Intizar Husain Veteran Pakistani writer Balram Jakhar Congress leader and former Lok Sabha Speaker Edgar Mitchell US astronaut, the sixth man to walk on the moon Sudhir Tailang Cartoonist Dan Hicks Singer-songwriter Nida Fazli Urdu and Hindi poet Sushil Koirala Former Prime Minister of Nepal and Nepali Congress President Lance Naik Hanamanthappa Siachen Survivor Aurobindo Mukherjee Film Director Leslie Bassett Pulitzer winning composer Antonin Scalia U.S. Supreme Court Justice ONV Kurup Malayalam poet and lyricist Anatoly Ilyin Soviet football legend Rajamani Southern music director Akbar Kakkattil Short story writer and novelist Boutros Ghali Former UN Secretary General Ustad Abdul Rashid Khan Hindustani classical vocalist Umberto Eco Italian Novelist Harper Lee Novelist Bhubaneswari Mishra Singer BK Garudachar Oldest Indian Cricketer Rajesh Pillai Malayalam filmmaker
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Date Day Observed February 4 World Cancer Day February 6 International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation February 10 National Deworming Day February 13 World Radio Day February 21 International Mother Language Day February 28 National Science Day
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