NATIONAL NEWS
India lost USD 79.5 billion from climate-related disasters in 20 years: UN report
India suffered a whopping USD 79.5 billion economic loss due to climate-related disasters in the last 20 years, according to a UN report which highlights the impact of extreme weather events on the global economy.
- The report titled ‘Economic Losses, Poverty and Disasters 1998-2017’ was compiled by the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction. It states that the years between 1998 to 2017 have seen a dramatic rise of 151 per cent in direct economic losses from climate-related disasters.
- The greatest economic losses have been experienced by the US at USD 944.8 billion, followed by China at USD 492.2 billion, Japan at USD 376.3 billion, India at USD 79.5 billion and Puerto Rico at USD 71.7 billion.
India targets 100 GW installed capacity of solar energy by 2022
India has a target of 100 gigawatt (GW) installed capacity of solar energy by 2022, of which 40 GW is projected to come from rooftop solar systems.
- Former Senior Scientific Advisor in the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy Dr Bivek Bandyopadhyay said the World Bank and Global Environment Fund (GEF) had launched a large financing program in 2016 to support clean energy.
- While introducing Sustainable Partnership for Rooftop Solar Acceleration in Bharat (SUPRABHA), the team leader, Yuvaraj Dinesh Babu Nithyanandam said to help each state, the northeastern region has been given to the World Bank to look after the capacity building.
First India-Israel Innovation Centre opens in Bengaluru
The country’s first India-Israel Innovation Centre (IIIC), an entrepreneurial technology hub, was launched in Bengaluru. The IIIC is a significant step towards facilitating penetration of Israeli companies in India and aims to forge local partnerships and joint ventures between companies from the two countries.
- It will provide an ecosystem to support entrepreneurship, partnership with vendors, mentoring and non-formal community development that will assist the growth of the companies in different verticals and covers business, technology, investors and customers.
Centre to set up committee to examine #MeToo cases
The women and child development ministry plans to set up a panel of legal experts to look into the allegations of sexual harassment that have surfaced in the #MeToo campaign.
- WCD minister Maneka Gandhi said women could complain through the She Box ( www.shebox.nic.in), which provides a single window access to every woman, irrespective of her work status to register complaints related to sexual harassment.
- Complaints can also be lodged at min-wcd@nic.in, she said. All the cases will be closely monitored by the ministry.
Ghaziabad will soon house an institute for political training
In a first, the Uttar Pradesh government has approved the setting up of a political training institute in Ghaziabad. The institute will give political training to public representatives and political workers, and will professionally groom political leadership in the country.
- The institute is proposed to be set up over an area of almost 60 acres in Ghaziabad. In the initial stage, Rs 198 crore will be used to build the infrastructure.
Haryana's first autism research centre opens in Gurugram
First of its kind in Haryana, National Autism Intervention Research Centre was launched in Gurugram at Fortis Memorial Research Institute by state’s Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Health & Family Welfare, R.R. Jowel. The centre, dedicated to people suffering from Autism, has been started in association with Behaviour Momentum India.
- Extra info.:
Autism is a lifelong and severe neurobiological disorder, and persons with autism need behavioural and medical experts to help them get educated, learn play and social skills and improve their quality of life. Nearly one crore children across India are estimated to be affected by autism.
Central University of Jammu Signs MoU With ISRO
The Indian Space Research Organisation will set up a centre at the Central University Jammu (CUJ) to expand its presence to the northernmost state of India. ISRO Chairman K Sivan signed memorandums of understanding with CUJ Vice Chancellor Ashok Aima and officials of Central Space Instruments Organisation (CSIR-CSIO) to set up the centre.
- The centre, named Satish Dhawan Center for Space Science, is proposed to be spread on an area of about 1,150 square metres.
- The centre will help in tapping the potential of space applications for the region in various fields like disaster management, health, education, communication, weather forecasting and land-use planning.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Malaysian Government Abolishes Capital Punishment
In Malaysia, the cabinet decided to abolish the death penalty. Malaysia's Lawyers for Liberty rights group said death penalty is barbarous, and unimaginably cruel. It said once the death penalty is scrapped, Malaysia will have the moral authority to fight for the lives of Malaysians facing death sentences abroad.
- Capital punishment in Malaysia is currently mandatory for murder, kidnapping, possession of firearms and drug trafficking, among other crimes.
BANKING & FINANCE
RBI to inject Rs 12000 crore into system on Oct 11 to manage liquidity
The Reserve Bank announced it will inject Rs 12,000 crore liquidity into the system through purchase of government bonds on October 11 to meet the festival season demand for funds.
- The government will purchase bonds with maturity ranging between 2020 to 2030.
- The auction to purchase government bonds is a part of the Open Market Operations (OMO) to manage liquidity in the system which seems to be facing liquidity tightness.
- Extra info.:
OMOs are the tools which can be used to either inject or drain liquidity from the system.
SBI signs MoU with Nepal's National Banking Institute for human resource development
State Bank of India has signed an MoU with Kathmandu-based National Banking Institute (NBI) for the development of human resources of the latter.
- SBI signed the three-year memorandum of understanding (MoU) with NBI to establish a mutually beneficial strategic alliance for development of NBI’s human resources by imparting education, training and research.
- Under the MoU, the strategic training unit of SBI will impart education, training and development to facilitate transformation of NBI’s HR department.
SPORTS
Japan all set to host 2019 World Relays
Japan is all set to host the 2019 International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Relays, beginning May 11. The development came after IAAF council voted to award the prestigious event to Yokohama city of the country.
- The first three editions of the IAAF World Relays, in 2014, 2015 and 2017, were held in the Bahamian capital.
ICC launches women's T20I ranking, India ranked 5th
India are placed fifth while three-time champions Australia lead the 46-team table as the International Cricket Council (ICC) launched global Women’s T20I Team Rankings.
- Whilst Scotland are the top ranked associate member in 11th and Thailand take 12th place in the first table, following some good performances of late including a win over Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup earlier this year.
Sharad Kumar smashes continental record for gold in men's high jump
India took over the podium in men's high jump T42/63 category, claiming all the medals up for grabs with defending champion Sharad Kumar smashing two records to snare a second successive gold in the Asian Para Games in Jakarta.
- The 26-year-old world championships silver-medallist bettered the Asian as well as the Games record with a jump of 1.90m to claim the top honours.
Bajrang Punia Becomes First Indian To Get World Championship Seeding
CWG and Asian Games gold medallist Bajrang Punia is the only Indian wrestler from a strong 30-member squad to get a seeding at the upcoming World Championships as he has been seeded third in the 65kg category in men's freestyle competition.
- Going by his form, Bajrang will be a strong medal contender at the World Wrestling Championships, scheduled to held in Budapest, Hungary, from 20 to 28 October.
- The United World Wrestling (UWW) has introduced the ranking-points based seeding system for the first time for the World Championships. Bajrang has 45 points in the ranking list released by the world body.
APPOINTMENTS
Former SBI chairperson Arundhati Bhattacharya joins ChrysCapital as advisor
The largest home grown private equity firm ChrysCapital Advisors LLP has hired former SBI chairperson Arundhati Bhattacharya as an advisor.
- Bhattacharya who will advise on firm's strategy and investments, will be working with ChrysCapital managing partner Kunal Shroff and other partners.
AWARDS
Sikkim's 100% organic farming wins FAO's Future Policy Gold Award
Sikkim has won the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation's (FAO) Future Policy Gold Award for its achievement in becoming the world's first totally organic agriculture state.
- Nicknamed the "Oscar for best policies", the award is co-organised with the FAO by The World Future Council (WFC) and IFOAM Organics International, and recognises "the world's best laws and policies promoting agroecology".
- Sikkim beat out 51 other nominees from around the world for the award. Brazil, Denmark, Quito and Ecuador shared the Silver award.
- Extra info.:
FAO Headquarters: Rome, Italy
IMPORTANT DAYS
World Arthritis Day 2018
World Arthritis Day 2018 is observed on October 12. This day is exclusively meant to raise awareness about arthritis, a condition which affects millions of people across the world.
- This day was started by World Arthritis Foundation in order to spread awareness about arthritis and encourage policymakers to help reduce burden of arthritis. The theme of World Arthritis Day this year is "It's in your hands, take action."
World Sight Day 2018
World Sight Day 2018 is celebrated every year all over the world on October 11, to raise awareness about the importance of taking care of your eyesight. World Sight Day has assumed an even bigger significance in today's world, where most of the urban population is continuously hooked onto mobile phones and laptop screens for the better parts of their days.
- The theme of World Sight Day 2018 is 'Eye Care Everywhere.'
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