NATIONAL NEWS
International Conference ENCO-2019 held in New Delhi
The International Conference and Exhibition on Energy and Environment – Challenges and Opportunities (ENCO-2019) held in New Delhi. The conference was inaugurated by the President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind.
- The 3 day conference aims to deliberate and identify the R&D needs to innovate new techniques, technologies and applications for clean, safe, symbiotic sustenance of society, environment, energy and industries in post-2020 era.
5th meeting of Island Development Agency in New Delhi
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh chaired the fifth meeting of the Island Development Agency (IDA). The meeting was called to review the progress mde towards the "Holistic development of islands" program. Bids for private sector participation in three tourism-based projects have already been invited by the Andaman and Nicobar Administration.
- Moreover, the Ministry of Commerce has issued a notification extending tax incentives for investments made in manufacturing and service sector in islands of Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep.
Saudi Arabia becomes 73rd country to join ISA
Saudi Arabia signed the framework agreement of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) becoming the 73rd country to join the India-led renewable energy organisation which now has a total of 122 members.
- The signing of the agreement took place after a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
- Extra info.:
International Solar Alliance Headquarters: Gurugram
India decides to stop water to Pakistan
After withdrawing the most favoured nation (MFN) status and slamming a 200 per cent import duty, India decided to stop the flow of its share of water from the three eastern rivers -the Beas, Ravi and Sutlej to Pakistan. Construction of a dam had started at Shahpur-Kandi on Ravi river.
- Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi the government has decided to stop our share of water, which used to flow to Pakistan. We will divert water from eastern rivers and supply it to people in Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab. Moreover, the Ujh project will store India's share of water for use in J&K and the rest will flow from the second Ravi-Beas Link to provide water to other basin states.
Modi unveils Gandhi's bust at South Korean university
Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the bust of Mahatma Gandhi in South Korea's premier Yonsei University and said the occasion assumes greater significance in light of Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary.
- Modi is on a two-day state visit to South Korea where he will accept the Seoul Peace Prize and have business and political engagements. He will also address the India-Korea business symposium.
- Extra info.:
South Korea Capital: Seoul Dialing
Currency: South Korean won
PM Inaugurates Two Cancer Hospitals in Varanasi
The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi during his visit at BHU in Varanasi recently inaugurated Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya Cancer Hospital and Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital, Lahartara. These Hospitals will provide comprehensive treatment to the patients from UP, and nearby states of MP, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar.
- Ram Naik, Governor of UP, Yogi Adityanath, CM of UP and other dignitaries were present on the occasion. PM also dedicated first New Bhabhatron with precision technology, to the nation.
UP CM launches Scheme for Adolescent girls
In Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched Scheme for Adolescent girls. The scheme focuses on girls aged between 11 to 14 years who have left studies and will take steps for proper nutrition and special care for them. The state government also decided to observe Adolescent girls day on 8th of every month at Anganwadi centres across the state.
- State Government will also launch Nutrition Campaign for the adolescent girls on 8th March. He said that education for girls till graduation is the government’s responsibility and state government is very sensitive in this matter.
Jharkhand CM launches Rs 100-crore Sweet Revolution scheme
Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das launched the first phase of the Rs 100-crore Sweet Revolution Scheme under which 1,207 farmers will be given Rs 1 lakh for bee keeping. 1,207 farmers, after training, will be given Rs 1 lakh for bee keeping. Of the amount, Rs 80,000 is in the form of grant. Farmers can earn Rs 1.30 lakh every year by just investing Rs 20,000.
- The Chief Minister announced that the Pradhanmantri Krishi Samman Yojna will be launched in Ranchi on February 24 under which Rs 2,000 will be deposited in the account of the farmers through direct transfer.
Kerala CM inaugurates India's first humanoid police robot
Embarking on the much-coveted road towards automation, India has launched its first humanoid robot cop in Kerala. Visitors to the Kerala Police Headquarters in the state capital will be greeted by the Robocop and will even direct you to where you need to go. The administration has decided to deploy the KP-Bot at the front office of the police headquarters.
- Powered by Al along with a range of sensors gathering information of the surroundings, KP-bot can work alongside human beings seamlessly.
NITI Aayog Organized Conference on Future of Indian Banking
Niti Aayog vice-chairman Rajiv Kumar inaugurated a conference aimed at discussing the increase and elevate the discourse on the banking sector in India. The event will also help develop insights to inform the continued evolution of the Indian banking sector for optimally supporting the growing credit needs of the economy.
- The event is expected to host 200 domestic and international participants, including policy makers, academicians, researchers, professionals, and students from various banks, universities and institutes.
Waste to Wonder Park inaugurated in Delhi
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated a new park which houses the replicas of seven wonders of the world at Sarai Kale Khan in New Delhi. The park, which is called the 'Waste to Wonder Park', was built by the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC).
- It is the first-of-its-kind tourist attraction in the world, with the replicas of the Taj Mahal, the Great Pyramid of Giza, Eiffel Tower, Leaning Tower of Pisa, Christ the Redeemer statue of Rio de Janeiro, Rome's Colosseum, and the Statute of Liberty which were opened for the public at the inauguration.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
PM Modi launches India Korea startup hub in Seoul
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched India Korea startup hub in Seoul. Delivering keynote address at India-Korea Business Symposium Mr Modi said India has emerged as a land of opportunity and no other large economy in the world is growing at over 7 per cent year after year. He said India is among Korea's top-10 trade partners. Their trade volume has reached 21.5 billion dollars for 2018.
- Besides summit meeting with President Moon Jae-in, Prime Minister Modi will also have a number of engagements with the Korean leadership, businesses and Indian Community.
Month-long 'Festival of India' begins in Nepal
A month-long 'Festival of India' began in Kathmandu with the objective of familiarising the new generation of Nepal about the similarities between the Himalayan nation and India. The festival, organised by the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre, Embassy of India, is being held in Kathmandu and other major cities of the country.
- The festival began here with a musical drama on the life of Lord Buddha. Sanskrit conference, dance, food festival and other cultural programmes will also be held during the festival.
World's first AI female news anchor unveiled in China
Adding another feather to its tech savvy cap, China unveiled the world's first female AI news presenter. China's Xinhua News Agency and the search engine Shougou Company together collaborated in the development of the artificial intelligence anchor, called Xin Xiaomeng.
- Xiaomeng will debut in March during the upcoming Two Sessions meetings, the annual Parliamentary meetings held in China.
Australian rat becomes first mammal to go extinct due to climate change
According to the Australian government, a small brown rat which lived on a tiny island off northern Australia is the world's first mammal known to have become extinct due to "human-induced climate change." The mammal, Bramble Cay melomys, which had not been seen for almost 10 years was initially pronounced extinct after "exhaustive" conservation efforts failed, a report by the University of Queensland in 2016 stated. That finding was confirmed by the Australian government.
Israel launches historic Moon mission
Israel successfully launched its first privately-funded Moon lander from Florida in the US, becoming only the fourth nation to make a landing on the lunar surface.The lander, Beresheet, atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, was launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
- Beresheet, a $100 million project, was developed by Israel's non-profit SpaceIL and its partners.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
Meituan-Dianping Named the World’s Most Innovative Company by Fast Company
Chinese on-demand service platform Meituan-Dianping overthrows Apple as the world’s most innovative company according to a recent ranking of American business magazine Fast Company. Fast Company published its annual 50 most innovative companies in the world for 2019.
- The rankings are based on the “profound impact on both industry and culture” and “showcases a variety of ways to thrive in today’s volatile world.”
SPORTS
IOC suspends India from hosting Olympic-qualifying events
In a major setback for India, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) suspended all Indian applications to host future Olympic-related events until New Delhi guarantees in writing the entry of all participants.
- The IOC measure comes after two Pakistani shooters were denied visas to compete in the ISSF Shooting World Cup, starting in New Delhi, which also resulted in scrapping of two of the 16 Tokyo Olympic quota places on offer in the marquee tournament..
- Extra info.:
International Olympic Committee Headquarters: Lausanne, Switzerland
ISSF World Cup 2019 starts in Delhi
As the ISSF World Cup begins at the Karni Singh Shooting range in Delhi, Indian shooters will be targeting the Olympic quotas available at the prestigious event. 495 shooters from 58 countries will compete for a total of 16 quota places in eight events at the Rifle and Pistol World Cup.
- Two Pakistani shooters, G M Bashir and Khalil Ahmed, were not issued visas in the wake of last week’s Pulwama terrorist attack.
Chris Gayle breaks Shahid Afridi's record for most sixes in international cricket
In the first ODI between West Indies and England, the big-hitting Gayle surpassed Shahid Afridi to put his name atop list of batsmen with most sixes in international cricket. The West Indies great achieved this feat in his 444th match while Afridi took 524 matches for 476 sixes.
- By the time Gayle was done at the Kensington Oval, he had taken his tally to 488 international sixes. The 39-year-old has now smashed 287 sixes in ODIs, 103 sixes in T20Is and 98 maximums in the longest format of the game.
APPOINTMENTS
Puma signs Mary Kom as women's training ambassador
German sportswear brand Puma announced that it has appointed World Boxing Champion Mary Kom as its new brand ambassador. Kom, who won a record sixth World Boxing Championship in New Delhi in November last year, has signed a two-year deal with the brand.
- With this, the boxer is now Puma India's new ambassador for their women’s training category and shall represent the brand in marketing campaigns in the country.
Justice Uma Nath Singh takes oath as First Lokayukta of Nagaland
The first Lok Ayukta of Nagaland, Justice Uma Nath Singh, took the oath of office. Nagaland Governor PB Acharya administered the oath to him at a function held at Raj Bhavan. Justice Uma Nath Singh was a former Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court.
- He will hold the office for a term of five years or till he attains the age of 70 years whichever is earlier.
AWARDS
Prime Minister Narendra Modi conferred Seoul Peace Prize 2018 for 'economics, global peace'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred the 2018 Seoul peace prize on his visit to South Korea. PM Modi was selected after candidates proposed over 1300 nominators from around the world. Former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan was the recipient of the honour in 1999.
- The Seoul Peace Prize was established in 1990 to commemorate the success of the 24th Olympic Games held in Seoul, an event in which 160 nations from across the world took part, creating harmony and friendship and a worldwide atmosphere of peace and reconciliation. The Seoul Peace Prize was established to crystallize the Korean people's yearning for peace on the Korean Peninsula and in the rest of the world.
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