NATIONAL NEWS
India becomes world's 2nd largest LPG consumer and importer
India is now the second largest consumer and importer of the LPG in the world. This is attributed to government initiatives to push for cleaner alternatives to traditional cooking fuels such as firewood and cow dung.
- The import of LPG grew by 12.5 per cent over the past five years to 12 million metric tons (13 million tons) in 2018-19. India now stands at the second position when it comes to the import of LPG surpassing Japan. India is at second place behind China. The exporters of LPG to India include Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Iran.
- The number of active LPG consumers in India has grown at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15 per cent from 14.8 crore in 2014-15 to 22.4 crore in 2017-18.
Parmanu Tech 2019-Nuclear Energy Conference held in New Delhi
The “Parmanu Tech 2019” Conference was organised by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) at New Delhi. The conference discussed issues related to Nuclear Energy and Radiation Technologies.
- Dr Jitendra Singh, the Union Minister of State for Atomic Energy and Space, delivered the keynote address at the conference. During the conference sector specific sessions were held with Panel discussions on the following topics:
1) Health care: Nuclear Medicine and Radiation therapy – Care to cure,
2) Food Preservation, Agricultural & Industrial Applications: From farms to factories – Serving the National Cause and
3) Showcasing India’s capabilities in Nuclear Energy: Energy Security with environmental responsibility – the Onward March.
GHMC initiates Pink Toilet for women in Hyderabad
Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) integrated Pink toilets named "She Mart and Loo's" in order to provide women with safe and hygienic toilets.
- Under this public baby feeding rooms are also being launched in the "She Mart and Loo's". The She Mart store will stock eco-friendly, recycled and upscale products manufactured by self-help groups. They also have CCTV cameras to ensure safety.
Chennai Police Commissioner launches police App 'DigiCop' in Chennai
Actor Vijay Sethupathi launched the mobile App ‘DigiCop’ of the Chennai police department at the Commissioner’s office. Using the App, people can track the status of stolen two-wheelers and cell phones.
- The details of 18,000 stolen mobile phones are stored in the App. Using DigiCop App, people can verify IMEI, report lost two-wheelers and phones, know the nearest police station, police news, and traffic alerts.
Delhi government launches Zero Fatality Corridor
In a first, the government of Delhi launched its pilot project of creating the national capital's first 'zero fatality corridor'. The capital city witnessed over 1,600 road crash fatalities in 2018 and this project is aimed at curbing that number.
- Marking the opening of the 30th Road Safety Week of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Delhi government, the transport minister Kailash Gahlot also unveiled an Annual Action Plan for 2019. This initiative is part of the Delhi government's plan to reduce fatalities due to road crashes by 30 per cent by 2020.
Punjab to give 6 pc DA to 6.25 lakh employees, pensioners
Punjab government announced 6 per cent dearness allowance (DA) to government employees and pensioners, with effect from February 1, 2019. The decision, which will benefit nearly 3.25 lakh employees and 3 lakh pensioners, was announced by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh during the Cabinet meeting after informal discussions on the issue.
- The decision would entail an additional annual financial liability of Rs 720 crore to the state exchequer.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Thailand names Siamese fighting fish its national aquatic animal
The government of Thailand has approved the proposal to name Siamese fighting fish as the National Aquatic Animal. The decision for based on the recommendation of the National Identity Committee of Thailand which promotes Thai cultural pride forwarded its endorsement of the fighting fish.
- The Siamese fighting fish commonly known as the betta is a popular fish in the aquarium trade. The Siamese fighting fish is native to the Mekong basin of Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and mostly found at Chao Phraya river in Thailand.
- Extra info.:
Thailand Capital: Bangkok
Currency: Thai baht
BANKING & FINANCE
RBI slaps fine of Rs 1 cr on State Bank of India
State Bank of India said the Reserve Bank of India has slapped Rs 1 crore penalty on the country's largest lender for violating norms. RBI "in exercise of powers conferred under Section 47 A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 has levied a penalty of Rupees one crore on the bank for not monitoring the end use of funds in respect of one of its borrowers.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
India up 8 spots in global IP Index, to 36th out of 50 nations
India has climbed eight places in the latest annual International Intellectual Property (IP) Index released by the US Chambers of Commerce to reach 36th place out of 50 countries, climbing from 44th rank in the index last year.
- The International Intellectual Property Index 2019 released by the US Chambers' Global Innovation Policy Center (GIPC) said that although India's improvement is a "real accomplishment", substantial challenges persist, particularly on the country's patenting and IP enforcement environments.
- The US tops the list of 50 global economies with 42.66 points out of 45, followed by the UK (42.22), Sweden (41.03) and Germany (41.00).
Himachal pegs growth at 7.3% this fiscal
Himachal Pradesh's economic growth is expected to be 7.3 per cent this fiscal and its per capita income is estimated at Rs 1,76,968. The economic growth was 6.5 per cent in the previous fiscal, the highest in three years.
- The per capita income at current prices witnessed an increase of 7.8 per cent as it rose to Rs 1,60,711 in 2017-18 from Rs 1,49,028 in 2016-17.
SPORTS
Vidarbha claim 2nd successive Ranji title, beat Saurashtra in final
Defending champions Vidarbha won the 85th Ranji Trophy title, beating Saurashtra by 78 runs in the summit clash in Nagpur. Left-arm spinner Aditya Sarwate was the star for Vidarbha, claiming six wickets in his 24 overs in the second innings. He had picked up 5/98 in the first innings.
- Set a target of 206, Saurashtra folded for 127 in 58.4 overs, giving Vidarbha their second title triumph in the country's marquee first-class tournament.
Bhubaneswar to host women's 4-nation tournament
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) will organise the Hero Gold Cup, a four-nation competition, from February 9 to 15 at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar. It is organised in association with the Odisha government.
- The tournament will see women's national teams from India, Iran, Myanmar and Nepal lock horns with each other. The final face-off between the two top teams will be held on February 15.
AWARDS
92-year-old Indian priest gets France's highest civilian honour
Father François Laborde, a 92-year-old Indian priest, was conferred the insignia of the Officer of the Legion of Honour, France's highest civilian honour.
- He was awarded in recognition of his work for differently abled children, the destitute and the most deprived sections of the society. Laborde had already been made a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour.
YES Bank Wins Data Science Innovation Award
YES BANK has been announced as the winner of the 9th edition of Aegis Graham Bell Award 2018 for its ‘Yes Engage Enrich Excel (EEE)’ project in data science. YES EEE program is an industry-first analytics tool that aids the Bank’s relationship managers with top three talking points to engage with their customers.
- Aegis Graham Bell Award has been promoting innovations and entrepreneurship in the ICT domain.
- Extra info.:
CEO: Rana Kapoor
Headquarters: Mumbai
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