NATIONAL NEWS
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed-bin Salman arrives in New Delhi
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed-bin Salman arrived in New Delhi and was warmly received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the airport. The Prime Minister and MBS, as the Saudi Crown Prince is also known, will hold bilateral talks, during which terrorism is expected to figure prominently, particularly in the backdrop of the Pulwama attack.
- India is likely to raise the issue of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism and the two countries are expected to sign ties to enhance cooperation in various fields during the "landmark event in high-level bilateral ties".
Cabinet approves Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS corridor
The Union Cabinet approved the construction of Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), a first-of-its-kind, covering a distance of 82.15 km at a cost of Rs 30,274 crore. The Cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, also gave its nod to central financial assistance of Rs 5,634 crore in the form of grant and sub-ordinate debt, institutional arrangement and legal framework for the project and conditions of sanction of the project.
- The RRTS is a first-of-its-kind rail-based high-speed regional transit system to be implemented in India. Once operational, it will be the fastest, most comfortable and safest mode of commuter transport in the National Capital Region (NCR).
Cabinet approves 3% DA hike for government employees
Union cabinet approved a 3 per cent hike in dearness allowance (DA) for central government employees and pensioners which will cost the exchequer Rs 9,168.12 crore. The current addition will take the DA from 9 to 12 per cent and that the move will benefit 48.41 lakh central employees and 62.03 lakh pensioners.
- Previously, the Cabinet had raised the DA from seven to nine per cent last August 2018 which was implemented with retrospective effect from July 2018.
Cabinet sanctions Rs 2,055 cr for Swadesh Darshan Scheme
The Union Cabinet approved the continuation of the Swadesh Darshan Scheme during the extent of 14th Finance Commission ending in 2020 and beyond, sanctioning Rs 2,055 crore for 60 projects under the scheme to be completed by December 2019.
- It also sanctioned Rs 324 crore for six other projects for which "substantial" funds have been released and the projects are to be completed in September 2020.
- Extra info.:
Swadesh Darshan is a flagship scheme of the Ministry of Tourism under which it is aiming to build 15 thematic tourist circuits across the country.
Cabinet approves Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (KUSUM) scheme
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved two schemes for promotion of solar power one for the agriculture sector and the other for rooftops. The long-pending KUSUM scheme (Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan) was approved by the CCEA.
- The proposed scheme consists of three components. All three components combined, the scheme aims to add a solar capacity of 25,750 MW by 2022.
CCEA approves phase-II of Grid Connected Rooftop Solar Programme
The government approved the Rs 11,814 crore phase-II of Grid Connected Rooftop Solar Programme. The phase-II is meant to achieve cumulative capacity of 40,000 megawatt (MW) from rooftop solar (RTS) projects by 2022.
- According to the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), under phase-II the central financial assistance (CFA) for the residential sector has been restructured. 40 per cent CFA has been made available for RTS systems up to 3 kw capacity, and 20 per cent for RTS system capacity beyond 3 kw and up to 10 kw.
Modi opens Virtual Experiential Museum in Varanasi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a Virtual Experiential Museum (VEM) at Man Mahal, a centrally-protected observatory under the Archeological Survey of India in Varanasi. The VEM, situated on the banks of Ganga, has been set up by the National Council of Science Museum (NCSM) working under the Ministry of Culture.
- A tour of the VEM will allow visitors to experience Varanasi in all its glory with 3D view of its narrow lanes, monuments and the ghats (riverbanks), classical music, weaving of sarees and the Ram Leela.
Irani lays foundation stone for Hastshilp Bhawan in Delhi
Union Minister Smriti Irani laid the foundation stone for a 'Hastshilp' complex in NewDelhi which will provide better accessibility to handicraft artisans from across the country and SAARC nations. The construction of Hastshilp Bhawan is being undertaken by National Buildings Construction Corporation Ltd (NBCC) at a cost of Rs 113.56 crore. The construction will be complete in 18 months.
- The complex will be named Deen Dayal Antarashtriya Hastshilp Bhawan and awardee artisans will be allocated space for marketing their products on rotation basis and preference will be given to differently abled artisans.
India's first fulldome 3D Digital theatre inaugurated
India's first 'fulldome 3D Digital Theatre' at the Science City in Kolkata was inaugurated by Union Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma. The 'fulldome 3D Digital Theatre' at the Science city was the first of its kind in India having a 23 metre titled dome to offer a fully immersive experience to the visitors.
- The Science City is operated by the National Council of Science Museums under the Ministry of Culture.
Thiruvananthapuram to host Attukal Pongala, world's largest religious congregation of women
In Kerala, the capital city of Thiruvananthapuram is all prepared to host the Attaukal Ponkala festival which is considered as one of the world's largest religious gathering of women on a single day. Lakhs of women will prepare 'Pongala' the offering in makeshift brick stoves to worship the presiding deity of Attukal Bhagavathy temple.
- Attukal temple is also called 'women's Sabarimala' as only women perform the ritual.
LIC launches Micro Bachat plan
Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) launched a new micro insurance plan 'Micro Bachat'. It is a regular premium, non-linked, participating endowment micro insurance plan, which offers a combination of protection and savings. For the first time, a micro insurance plan has been launched providing coverage up to Rs 2 lakh.
- This plan is available for standard healthy lives only in the age group of 18-55 years without undergoing any medical examination.
Women safety emergency number '112' launched in 16 states, UTs
In view of women's safety, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Minister for Women and Child Development (WCD) Maneka Gandhi jointly launched a single pan India number '112' for any emergency in 16 States and Union Territories.
- In addition, Investigation Tracking System for Sexual Offences (ITSSO) and Safe City Implementation Monitoring Portal were also launched. The Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) has been launched in Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Puducherry, Lakshadweep, Andaman, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu and Jammu and Kashmir.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Iran unveils first semi-heavy missile-equipped submarine, 'Fateh'
Irani President Hassan Rouhani has unveiled the first Iranian made semi-heavy submarine. The Fateh, “Conqueror” in Persian, is capable of being fitted with cruise missiles. The Fateh has subsurface-to-surface missiles with a range of about 2,000 kilometers capable of reaching Israel and U.S. military bases in the region.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
Google to acquire cloud migration platform Alooma
Google announced that it will acquire Silicon Valley data migration company Alooma to grow its cloud business service in its latest efforts to compete with its rivals Amazon and Microsoft. Alooma is a leading company that helps enterprise customers to streamline database migration in the cloud and move their data from multiple sources to a single data warehouse.
- Alooma has been a partner of Google's Cloud Spanner, the Internet giant's a globally distributed database platform, since 2017.
- Extra info.:
Alooma Headquarters: Israel
HDFC ERGO launches the first-of-its-kind 'Trip Protector' policy
HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company, India's third-largest non-life insurance provider in the private sector, announced the launch of 'Trip Protector' insurance policy, a pioneering policy in the non-life insurance segment in India.
- In the event of a cancellation, either a flight or hotel booking, Trip Protector insurance policy will safeguard travellers financially against the cost of cancellation levied by Hotels or Airlines.
SPORTS
Squash queen Nicol David to retire at end of season
Eight-time world champion Nicol David has announced she will retire at the end of the 2018-19 squash season, bringing down the curtain on the Malaysian's illustrious career.
- The 35-year-old is the most successful woman squash player of all time and spent an unprecedented nine years as world number one between 2006-2015.
Nikhat, Meena win gold medals at Strandja Memorial Boxing
Nikhat Zareen and Meena Kumari Devi became the first Indian women boxers to win gold medals at the Strandja Memorial Tournament in Sofia, Bulgaria. Zareen, a multiple-time national medallist, claimed a 5-0 win in the 51kg category finals against Filipino Irish Magno. Devi defeated another Filipino Aira Villegas 3-2, in the bantamweight (54kg) summit clash.
- However, Manju Rani (48kg) settled for a silver after a defeat from Filipine's Josie Gabuco in a split 2-3 verdict.
APPOINTMENTS
Anupama becomes first woman president of Astronomical Society of India
Dr.G C Anupama has been elected president of the Astronomical Society of India (ASI), becoming the first woman to head the prime association of professional astronomers in the country. She was elected to the post in the ASI Executive Council elections for triennium 2019-22.
- Presently the Dean and Senior Professor at the Bengaluru based Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Anupama is in the Indian core team which is part of the international team engaged in establishing the thirty meter telescope (TMT) at cost of over USD 1 billion in USA (Hawaii).
AWARDS
Jharkhand-based NGO Yuwa wins Laureus Sport for Good honour
Yuwa, a Jharkhand-based NGO which works for girl empowerment, won the Laureus Sport for Good Award, becoming the third Indian entry to bag the honour. The NGO, founded by Americans Franz Gastler and Rose Thomson Gastler in 2009, runs a football program in rural Jharkhand covering 450 girls.
- Four girls out of the 450- Hima, Nita, Radha and Konika will receive the award on behalf of Yuwa at The Laureus World Sports Awards in Monaco.
OBITUARIES
Bengali singer Pratik Choudhury passes away at 55
Bengali singer Pratik Choudhury passed away at a City hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest. The popular singer, known for his albums on contemporary Bengali songs invluding "Mukhosh", "Bhusandir Mathe", and "Ebar Pratiker Pallay".
- Choudhury, a graduate from Calcutta University, began his music career in 1994 by singing jingles. He also sung in numerous TV serials, Bengali movies.
W.E.B. Griffin, 'Badge of Honor' military novelist passes away
American military veteran and novelist, William E. Butterworth III, better known as W.E.B. Griffin (his pen name), passed away at the age of 89. He joined the army at the age of 17 and has served in the Korean War.
- He wrote more than 200 books under the pen name W.E.B. Griffin and various other names and sold millions of copies. His most popular series include “Badge of Honor,” ”Clandestine Operations” and “Presidential Agent.”
Scientist who popularized term "global warming" passes away
A climate scientist who popularized the term "global warming" has passed away. Wallace Smith Broecker was 87. Broecker brought "global warming" into common use with a 1975 paper that correctly predicted rising carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere would lead to pronounced warming.
- He joined Columbia's faculty in 1959 and was known in science circles as the "Grandfather of Climate Science".
Acclaimed Hindi author Namvar Singh passes away
Singh breathed his last at the All India Institute of Medical Science's Trauma Centre. Considered a living legend of Hindi literature, Namvar Singh has authored over a dozen works prominent among them are 'Kavita Ke Naye Pratiman', ' Chhayavaad' and 'Dusari Parampara Ki Khoj' among others.
- He received the Sahitya Akademi award for literary criticism in the year 1971 for 'Kavita Ke Naye Pratiman'.
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