DAILY UPDATED CURRENT AFFAIRS – 15.01.2018 TO 17.01.2018

NATIONAL Union Government has decided to end Haj subsidy from this year • The Union Government has decided to end Haj subsidy from 2018 and fund would now be used for educational, empowerment and welfare of girls from minority communities. • The Supreme Court had directed in 2012 that the Haj subsidy should be done away with gradually by 2022. • In accordance with the order, the union government had asked a panel headed by former secretary Afzal Amanullah to suggest the framework for a new Haj policy for 2018-22. • Hence, the new policy, drafted as per the recommendations of the panel, called for the gradual withdrawal of Haj subsidy. • Other recommendations of the panel included allowing Muslim women above the age of 45 to go on Haj without male company. Minority Affairs-Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Constituency: Jharkhand 3rd Raisina Dialogue held in New • Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu inaugurated third edition of the geo-political conference – Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi. (Israel-Capital: Jerusalem, Currency:shekel President: Reuven Rivlin) • The theme of the conference for this year is ‘Managing Disruptive Transitions: Ideas, Institutions and Idioms’. • The name of conference comes from Raisina Hill which is the elevation in New Delhi where presidential palace of , Rashtrapati Bhavan is located. PM Modi inaugurates Rajasthan First oil refinery at Pachpadra in Barmer district • Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the project commencement of the Rajasthan first oil refinery at Pachpadra in Barmer district of the state. It will be be completed by 2022. • The project is a joint venture between Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) and the Rajasthan government at a cost of Rs 43000 crores. UIDAI to introduce face recognition for Aadhaar authentication • The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) decided to enable ‘Face Authentication’ in fusion mode on registered devices by July 1, so that people facing difficulty in other existing modes of verification such as fingerprints, iris, and one-time-password (OTP) could easily authenticate.It will be available by 1 July 2018. • Chairman, UIDAI:J. Satyanarayana ,CEO; Dr. Ajay Bhushan Pandey India contributes $50,000 to UN Youth Envoy’s office • India has contributed $50,000 to United Nations (UN) Secretary General Antonio Guterres’s Office of Envoy on Youth to help with its mission of involving young people in the world body’s goals. • The contribution was handed over by Paulomi Tripathi, a First Secretary in India’s UN Mission to the Youth Envoy Jayathma Wickramanayake. • Jayathma Wickramanayake from Sri Lanka was appointed the UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth in June 2017 at the age of 26. Rajyavardhan Rathore launches ‘Khelo India’ Anthem • The union sports ministry’s ambitious programme, ‘Khelo India’ — an initiative to scout for talent at the grassroots and provide it substantial long-term scholarship – will be launched on January 31. • In the run-up to the launch, Union Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore unveiled the mascots (Vijay the tiger and Jaya the black buck) and launched the anthem “Aur khelna chahte hain hum…Khel mein hi masti hai….khel se abaad honge hum”. Khelo India programme 1. The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the revamped Khelo India programme at a cost of Rs.1,756 crore for the period 2017-18 to 2019-20. 2. The scheme will cover 1,000 most talented young athletes each year across select sports disciplines. 3. Each athlete selected under the scheme shall receive an annual scholarship worth Rs. 5.00 lakh for 8 consecutive years. 4. The Programme aims to promote 20 universities across the country as hubs of sporting excellence 5. The Programme would cover about 200 million children in the age group of 10-18 under a massive national physical fitness drive 6. This programme strives to promote “Sports for All” as well as “Sports for Excellence.”

BILATERAL India, Israel sign 9 MoUs for cooperation in cyber security, space, oil & gas sector • India signed 9 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with Israel during the visit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to India. • Netanyahu is the first Israeli Prime Minister to visit India in the span of the last 15 years and the second after Ariel Sharon who had visited in 2003. Following is the list of 9 MoUs signed by India and Israel: 1. Agreement on Film-co-production. 2. Protocol on Amendments to Air Transport Agreement 3. MoU on Cyber Security Cooperation between India and Israel

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4. Memorandum of Intent (MoI) between Invest India and Invest in Israel 5. Medical Centre on Cooperation in field of Research in Homeopathic Medicine 6. Letter of Intent (LoU) between IOCL and Phinergy Ltd. For cooperation in area of metal-air batteries 7. MoU between the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and the Ministry of Energy on Cooperation inOil and Gas Sector 8. LoI between IOCL(Indian Oil corporation Ltd.) and Yeda Research and Development Co Ltd for cooperation in the area of concentrated solar thermal technologies.( IOCL-Headquarters: New Delhi, Chairman: Sanjiv Singh) 9. MoU between Central Council for Research in Homeopathy, Ministry of AYUSH(Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy) and Centre for Integrative Complementary Medicine, Shaare Zedek 10. MoU between Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) and Technion- Israel Institute of Technology for cooperation in field of space. Digital launch of ‘I4Fund call for proposal’ website at India-Israel Business Summit • The ‘I4Fund Call for Proposal’ was announced with the joint launch of the website and the unveiling of the brochure by the two PMs (Narendra Modi and Benjamin Netanyahu). The “India-Israel Industrial R&D and Technological Innovation Fund (I4F)” was announced in July, 2017. • Under this, the Department of Science and Technology, India and the National Innovation Authority of Israel have established a 40 million US dollar Fund. India, Bangladesh, Nepal approve Passenger protocol • Bangladesh, India and Nepal agreed on text of operating procedures for passenger vehicle movement (Passenger protocol) in sub-region under Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) Motor Vehicles Agreement (MVA).this will help cross-border movement of buses and private vehicles for transport facilitation in subregion. • BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement (MVA) is a landmark MVA was signed by Transport Ministers of BBIN countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal) in Thimphu, Bhutan in June 2015. India, Sri Lanka sign four agreements for collaboration in ICT sector • Union minister for Information Technology Ravi Shankar Prasad(Constituency: ) signed four agreements for collaboration in Information and communication technology (ICT) with his Sri Lankan counterpart in Colombo. • The agreements were signed for collaboration in ICT sector and setting up of e-office system and connecting of National Knowledge network (NKN) for collaboration among universities and academics. • With this, Sri Lanka became first country to be connected to NKN through Gigabyte (GB) optical fibre network. • This will connect NKN to Lanka education & research network (LEARN) through which universities on both sides can share best practices and research ideas. India, UK sign MoU on illegal migrants' return India signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the United Kingdom for the return of Indians, who have been residing in Britain as illegal migrants, and sharing of criminal records and intelligence. India gives $45 mn aid to Sri Lanka India has extended a fresh financial assistance of $45.27 million for upgrading Kankesanthurai (KKS) Harbour in northern Sri Lanka. This is to develop it into a commercial port and strengthening the country’s efforts to become a regional maritime hub.

INTERNATIONAL WEF’s Global Manufacturing Index • The World Economic Forum (WEF) has ranked India at 30th position among 100 countries on its Global Manufacturing Index (GMI). The report was developed by WEF in collaboration with A.T. Kearney. • The index was released as part of WEF’s first Readiness for the future of production Report which analysed development of modern industrial strategies and urges collaborative action. • Japan stood at first rank followed by South Korea at second and Germany at the third. India palced at 30th position. Nepal to get internet connection from China • The Nepal Telecom teamed up with the China Telecom Global (CTG) to provide alternate cyber-connectivity to Nepal, ending India’s decades-long monopoly of Nepal’s cyber connectivity network. • China Telecom Global and Nepal Telecom launched their first services after they laid down the optical fiber cables between Kerung in China and Rasuwagadi in Nepal. • Nepal-Capital: Kathmandu,Currency: Rupee,PM: Sher Bahadur Deuba, President: Bidhya Devi Bhandari China launches two navigation satellites into space • China successfully launched two BeiDou-3 satellites to provide navigation and positioning services to countries along the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) by the end of 2018. • This is the first launch of the BeiDou satellites in 2018, which will see intensive launches in coming days.

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• The March-3B carrier rocket took off from Xichang Satellite Launch Center in the south western province of Sichuan.The two satellites are coded the 26th and 27th satellites in the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS). China plans to send 18 BeiDou-3 satellites into space in 2018. • The BDS is being built as a rival to US Global Positioning System (GPS).China is trying to move to BeiDou into the international satellite navigation system, enhance international cooperation, and make it compatible with GPS from the United States, Russia's GLONASS, and the European Union's Galileo. India attends its first SCO military cooperation meeting • India, for the first time, took part in a meeting of the international military cooperation departments of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Beijing, China, since joining the bloc last year. • An Indian delegation led by Major General Ajay Seth participated in the meeting • Shanghai Cooperation Organisation-Headquarters: Beijing, China. Secretary General: Rashid Alimov. Founded: 26 April 1996. SCO member: China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India and Pakistan. Sri Lanka reimposes ban on alcohol sale Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has reimposed a 4 decade-long ban on women buying alcohol, just days after his finance minister had lifted the restriction. Ban on women buying liquor was originally imposed in 1979 to appease conservative Buddhist hierarchy. Saudi allows women at football game Saudi Arabia has for the first time allowed women to spectate a football match. The move is a part of easing strict rules on gender separation by the ultra-conservative Muslim country.

ECONOMY Reliance Jio plans to launch its own cryptocurrency 'JioCoin' • Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd on 11 January 2018 announced its plans to create its own cyptocurrency, 'JioCoin'. Mukesh Ambani’s elder son Akash Ambani will be leading the JioCoin project. • What is a 'Cryptocurrency': A cryptocurrency is a digital or virtual currency that uses cryptography for security. A cryptocurrency is difficult to counterfeit because of this security feature. A defining feature of a cryptocurrency, and arguably its most endearing allure, is its organic nature; it is not issued by any central authority, rendering it theoretically immune to government interference or manipulation. The first cryptocurrency to capture the public imagination was Bitcoin Bank of Baroda partners with Invoicemart as a TReDS partner • Digital invoice discounting marketplace – Invoicemart has tied up with state-run lender Bank of Baroda to discount invoices for MSMEs. Buyers and sellers registered on the marketplace will now be able to access funding from Bank of Baroda. • Invoicemart is a joint venture between Axis Bank Ltd and mjunction services ltd. • Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS) — a digital platform where small businesses (MSMEs) can get access to capital by auctioning their trade receivables. Haryana to set up NBFC for efficient management of funds • The Haryana government has decided to form a non-banking financial company (NBFC) — Haryana State Financial Services Limited — to act as an in-house treasury manager for efficient management of surplus funds of State public enterprises and autonomous bodies. • The NBFC would enable quick and hassle-free lending and create financial discipline among the State government entities. • It will be established as a limited company under the Companies Act and registered with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) as an NBFC. • The authorised capital of the company will be Rs 10 crore and the paid up capital will be Rs 2 crore in the first instance. • Non-banking financial companies, or NBFCs, are financial institutions that provide certain types of banking services, but do not hold a banking license.

PERSON IN NEWS Vice Admiral Ajendra Bahadur Singh: Vice Admiral Ajendra Bahadur Singh took over as the new Chief of Staff, Western Naval Command from Vice Admiral Ravneet Singh. Vice Admiral Singh was the Deputy Commander-in-Chief, Strategic Forces Command, prior to his current appointment. Headquarters: Mumbai Romanian PM Mihai Tudose resigns: Romanian Prime Minister Mihai Tudose has resigned after his party withdrew its support amid a power struggle with the group’s chairman, who himself, is barred from political office because of a vote-rigging conviction. 1st woman to be directly appointed to SC • Supreme Court collegium has recommended the name of senior advocate Indu Malhotra as the 1st woman lawyer to be directly appointed as a judge of the apex court. She will be the 7th woman judge since independence to make it to SC. • At present, Justice R Banumathi is the lone woman judge in the apex court.

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• 1st woman to be appointed as a judge of apex court was Justice M Fathima Beevi in 1989.

OBITUARIES Veteran film cinematographer W.B. Rao: Veteran cinematographer W. B. Rao, who worked on films like “Hum”, “Khuda Gawah” and “Rangeela” has passed away. Veteran journalist NK Trikha: Veteran journalist NK Trikha has passed away. Trikha had worked at the Times of India Group’s Hindi newspaper ‘Navbharat Times’ for a long time and was also the editor of its Lucknow edition. Veteran actress Charu Rohatgi: Actress Charu Rohatgi who is known for working in Parineeti Chopra – Arjun Kapoor starrer film ‘Ishaqzaade’ has passed away. The late actress suffered cardiac arrest in the morning which resulted in her death. Veteran journalist Gnani Sankaran: Multi-faceted personality Gnani Sankaran, who made his mark as a dramatist, writer, journalist and political analyst, has passed away due to illness. Ex-Union minister Raghunath Jha: Former Union minister Raghunath Jha has passed away. Jha was Union minister of State for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprise during former prime minister Manmohan Singh’s government.He was a member of the Rashtriya (RJD) and represented Bihar’s Bettiah constituency. Sarod maestro Buddhadev Dasgupta: Sarod maestro Pandit Buddhadev Dasgupta has passed away after cardiac arrest. The Padma Bhushan awardee had been suffering from respiratory problems for the past few days. AWARD Actor Sudhir Dalvi gets Janakavi P Sawlaram award: Actor Sudhir Dalvi was honoured with the Janakavi P Sawlaram. The award is jointly given by the Thane Municipal Corporation and the Janakavi P Savlaram Kala Samiti. SPORTS Assam wins 8th Sub-junior National Hockey C’ship: Hosts Assam Hockey beat Hockey Rajasthan 3-2 in the final of the 8th Hockey India Sub Junior Men National Championship 2018 (B Division), held at the Hojai Hockey stadium, Assam. Hyderabad Hunters claim maiden title in Premier Badminton League 3: Hyderabad Hunters won the third edition of the Premier Badminton League championship with a hard-fought 4-3 win over Bengaluru Blasters in the final held at Gachibowli Indoor Stadium in Hyderabad, Telangana. MISCELLANEOUS Vajra Prahar: Indo-US joint military exercise The Indo-US joint military exercise ‘Vajra Prahar’ will be held at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) in Seattle(Washington) in third week of January in line with the increasing military cooperation between both countries. Coast Guards of India, Japan undertake joint naval exercise • The 8th series of biennial search and rescue exercise between Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and Japan Coast Guard (JCG) was held near Chennai, Tamil Nadu in Bay of Bengal.Ships and aircraft of Coast Guards from India and Japan, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force (IAF) and National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) took part in it. • NIOT-Established:November 1993, Director: Dr. Sathish Sheno, Headquarters: Chennai, Tamil Nadu 7th edition of Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav begins in Karnataka The seventh edition of the Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav, under the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat programme, began in Bengaluru, Karnataka.The event was inaugurated by Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Ananth Kumar. Chandrayaan-2 to undergo moon landing simulation tests at Mahendragiri To prepare for landing on the moon, the Indian Space Research Organisation will conduct landing simulation tests for Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft at Mahendragiri.The communication satellite GSAT-6A and Chandrayaan-2 mission will be launched by GSLV-Mk-II rockets in 2018. Workshop on Disaster Resilient Infra Home Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated a 2 day International Workshop on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure in New Delhi. The workshop has been organized by National Disaster Management Authority. International Camel festival The two-day long, 25th International Camel festival has kick-started in Rajasthan’s Bikaner district. Organised by Department of Tourism, Art & Culture, Bikaner Camel Festival is a yearly event in Jan that the city celebrates in honour of ship of the desert, Camel.

IMPORTANT DAY 70th Army Day celebrated Indian army celebrated the 70th Army Day, with parades & shows at major locations across the country. The day marked the taking over of Indian Army by the first Indian Commander-in-Chief, Field Marshal KM Cariappa, on 15th January 1948.

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