Daily current affairs : 16 Oct 2018

Dated 15 October 2018

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1. Aussie same sex penguin couple incubate egg

Two Aussie male penguins, gentoo penguins Sphen and Magic, who have paired up as a same-sex couple have become so good at nesting that they have been given a real egg to look after.  Such an incident has happened in 2009. Two male penguins, Z and Vielpunkt, successfully hatched and reared a chick that was rejected by its heterosexual parents at a zoo in Berlin. Penguin: ♦ Kingdom: Animalia ♦ Phylum: Chordata ♦ Class: Aves ♦ Order: Sphenisciformes ♦ Family: Spheniscidae ♦ Penguins are a group of aquatic, flightless birds ♦ Most penguins feed on krill, fish, squid and other forms of sea life ♦ They live almost exclusively in the Southern Hemisphere, with only one species, the Galapagos penguin, found north of the equator  

2. RBI approved NBFC license for Kreditech: RBI approved the license for Kreditech, the Germany-based company to operate as a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) licence for digital lending business and app-based financing. The approval is with the first-of-its-kind. Kreditech’s product suite for India will offer individualised direct-to-consumer loans as well as its Lending-as-a-Service Solution for vendors, which allows partners to offer customised credit products to their customers.

3. Bangladesh editors protested against anti press law

Editors of Bangladeshi newspapers staged a protest against the newly enacted digital law. The journalists and rights groups said that the amendments will curb freedom of expression. The editors claim that the measures, including prison sentences for spreading negative propaganda, are an attempt by an increasingly autocratic Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to stifle dissent in the South Asian nation. According to the Digital Security Act 2018, a journalist could be convicted of espionage for entering a government office and gathering information secretly using any electronic device. This offence would carry a 14-year jail sentence.

4. World Food Day is celebrated as 16 October

World Food Day is celebrated every year around the world on 16 October in honor of the date of the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations in 1945. The theme for WFD 2018 is "Our Actions Are Our Future". 

5. Shekhar Mande appointed as Director-General of CSIR:

He will serve as secretary, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research and head 38 labs of CSIR. He replaced biotechnologist Girish Sahni, who retired on 31 August. He is currently a director at the National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS), Pune. He is also a life member of the Indian Crystallographic Association and is chairman at the National Committee for the International Union of Crystallography.

6. Priyank Kanoongo appointed chairperson of National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR)

He appointed the Chairperson of National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR)by the appointments committee of the cabinet for a term of 3 years. He will be the 5th Chairperson of NCPCR. He replaces Stuti Kacker, whose tenure ended on September 16, 2018.

7. IITs topped in QS ranking

Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings, a think tank that is famous for bringing out world rankings of institutions, reported that Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, has topped the first-ever standalone ranking of Indian higher education institutions.  The top 8 Indian institutions in QS rankings are:  1. Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay 2. Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru 3. Indian Institute of Technology, Madras 4. Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi 5. Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur 6. Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur 7. University of Hyderabad 8. University of Delhi The Centre is trying to facilitate more foreign faculty and foreign students’ intake in Indian institutions in order to improve global rankings of Indian institutions.

8. Prema Gopalan won Social Entrepreneur of the Year award 2018

She was awarded for her work in promoting women’s entrepreneurship and rural livelihood.  She is the founder of Swayam Shikshan Prayog (SSP). SEOY awards was founded by Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship and Jubilant Bhartia Foundation in 2010.  

9. India and France are in talks for a bilateral tri service military exercise

India and France are in talks for a bilateral tri-service military exercise. This is to take forward the strategic cooperation while exploring ways to operationalise the logistics agreement. These issues were discussed during the visit of Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to Paris last week.  An agreement has been signed to identify specific aspects to implement it.  This will be India’s third such joint exercise. The first joint tri-service exercise was held with Russia in October last year and has finalised one with the U.S. to be held next year. India and France currently hold bilateral exercises between individual services, Shakti, Varuna and Garuda respectively for the Army, Navy and Air Force.

10. R.R.Sonde recommended hydrogen based technology for green energy production

R.R.Sonde, Fellow of National Academy of Engineers (FNAE) and Executive Vice-President of THERMAX Ltd. said that the development of methanol and hydrogen-based technology for green energy production could turn energy-importing India into the energy-exporting country at the Dr.Abdul Kalam Memorial Lecture at Central University of Karnataka.  The biggest challenge the world is facing today is the global warming and energy crisis. He also said that an innovative and multidisciplinary approach could help in addressing them. The meeting was held to mark former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s birth anniversary.

11. Centre launched Pollution forecast system

The Centre launched a Pollution forecast system that can alert about the likelihood of extreme pollution events and dust storms three days in advance. The system was unveiled by the Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan. It will be made available to the public via the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)  and the Environment Pollution Control Authority in the next two days.  The National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting, the IMD and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune, are involved with developing the application.  Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB):  ♦ Formed: 22 September 1974  ♦ Head Office: New Delhi ♦ Chairman: Sh. S.P. Singh Parihar  ♦ Member Secretary: Dr.Prashant Gagawa ♦ CPCB of India is a statutory organisation under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) ♦ The board conducts environmental assessments and research ♦ It is responsible for maintaining national standards under a variety of environmental laws, in consultation with zonal offices, tribal, and local governments

12. Vaishno Devi shrine board enhanced the free insurance cover to pilgrims to five lakh

Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB), in its 63rd meeting, approved to enhance free accident insurance cover provided to pilgrims visiting Vaishno Devi shrine. The decision was taken at the Raj Bhavan in Srinagar under the chairmanship of J&K Governor and chairman of SMVDSB, Satya Pal Malik. Under this, the accidental cover extended to each pilgrim free of cost has been enhanced to Rs 5 lakh from Rs 3 lakh, after 8 years. The board also approved to implement the Group Mediclaim Insurance Policy for all the 2,960 of its employees.

13. New Delhi to host 6th India International Silk Fair

Smriti Zubin Irani, will inaugurate the 6th edition of India International Silk Fair (IISF) in New Delhi on October 16, 2018. The International Silk fair will be organized by the Indian Silk Export Promotion Council (ISEPC) at Pragati Maidan.

14. Youth Road Safety Learners Licence Programme launched by MoS Road Transport Shri Mansukh L. Mandaviya

Shri Mansukh L. Mandaviya, Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways and Chemical & Fertilizer today launched the Youth Road Safety Learners Licence programme in New Delhi. This programme will be run in collaboration with Diageo India and the Institute of Road Traffic Education (IRTE). It will provide a structured training program for young, first-time drivers.  

15. Leander Paes Lifts Santo Domingo Open Trophy

Leander Paes won his second Challenger-level title of the season, lifting the Santo Domingo Open trophy with partner Miguel Angel Reyes-Varela.  

16. Union Government Releases Analytical Report Of National Health Profile 2018

The report was prepared by the Central Bureau of Health Intelligence (CBHI), under the aegis of the Directorate General of Health Services.  CBHI has been publishing National Health Profile every year since 2005.

Daily Quiz

1. Penguins are of the family ________.

A.Spheniscidae       B.Strigidae        C.Polyborinae            D.Falconidae

2. Which of the following enacted law did the Bangladeshi newspapers protest against?

A.Digital System Act 2017 B.Digital Security Act 2018  C.Democratic Social Act 2018 D.Digitizing Service Act 2018

3. For which company did RBI approve the license to operate as a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC)?

A.Deutsche Bank     B.BayernLB          C.Kreditech     D.KFW Bankgruppe

4. QS World University Rankings is a think tank that is famous for bringing out world rankings of institutions. What does QS stand for?

A.Quality Survey     B.Quacquarelli Symonds      C.Quantum satis     D.Quadrilles Survey

5. -------- appointed chairperson of National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) ?

A.Priyank Kanoongo         B.Dinesh Karthick       C.Suresh Kumar     D.Swaminathan  

6. With which country did India on talks to conduct tri-service military exercise?

A.Italy        B.Germany          C.UK         D.France

7. Who is the Executive Vice-President of THERMAX Ltd.?

A.R.R.Sonde         B.M.S.Unni Krishnan      C.Meher Pudumjee     D.Harsh Mariwala

8. ------- won Social Entrepreneur of the Year award 2018 ?

A.Prema Gopalan      B.Sakthi Rajan      C.Vivek Sharma      D.Dinesh karthick

9. What kind of system did Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) launch that can forecast any changes in the environment three days in advance?

A.Weather forecast system                 B.Pollution forecast system  

C.Meteor forecast system                 D.Air quality analyzing system

10. --------- shrine board enhanced the free insurance cover to pilgrims to Rs five lakh ?

A.Vaishno Devi     B.Sri Dhana           C.Shree Vidhya      D.Sakthi Gopalan

11. Youth Road Safety Learners Licence Programme launched by ----------?

A.Shri Divakar      B.Shri Dinesh Kumar   C.Shri Feroz Khan D.Shri Mansukh L. Mandaviya

12. Who Lifts Santo Domingo Open Trophy ?

A.Leander Paes      B.Sania Mirza      C.Mahesh Bhupathi          D.Divij Sharan

13. Who is the present Health Minister ?

A.Shri Naresh Kumar      B.Shri Dinesh Karthik   C.Shri Prakash Javadekar   D.Shri J P Nadda

Answers

1.A 2.B 3.C 4.B 5.A 6.D 7.A 8.A 9.B  10.A 11.D 12.A 13.A

15 Oct 2018 :Daily Current Affairs

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Dated 15 October 2018

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1.    Centre invites bids from air operators for international version of the Udan scheme

The Centre has instructed Airport Authority of India (AAI), National airports operator, to implement the international version of the Udan scheme. AAI has invited e-proposals (bids) from international bidders for selection of airlines under the International Air Connectivity Scheme (IACS) Udan. The proposals from the interested air operators should be submitted to the AAI before November 22.

2.    Japan set to host 2019 World Relays

Japan Association of Athletics Federations announced to be the host of the 2019 edition of 4th International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Relays, beginning May 11, 2019.

The first three editions of the IAAF World Relays, in 2014, 2015 and 2017, were held in the Bahamian capital of Nassau.

The 2019 meet will take place May 11 and 12 at Nissan Stadium in Yokohama, near Tokyo. This will serve as a qualifier for the world championships taking place in Doha in September and October.

3.    Maryse Conde won New Academy Prize in Literature

This award was created after the Swedish Academy postponed this year’s Nobel prize for literature following a rape scandal.

He will receive £87,000 cash prize that was raised from crowdfunding and donations, at the award ceremony on 9 December 2018, a day before the Nobel award ceremony.

She is 81 years old.

4.    COAI said the Telcos might report losses for three more quarters due to high levies

Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) said that the telecom sector might experience three more quarters of losses, hurt by high levies and unsustainable tariffs. COAI’s director general Rajan Mathews said that the present tariffs will remain sustainable for the sector’s long-term health.

Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI):

5.    Sikkims 100% organic farming wins FAOs Future Policy Gold Award

Sikkim won the United Nations (UN) Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Future Policy Gold Award for its achievement in becoming the world’s first totally organic agriculture state.

The award is nicknamed the “Oscar for best policies”.

It is co-organised by FAO, the World Future Council (WFC) and International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM – Organics International).

Sikkim completely banned the sale and use of chemical pesticides.

6.    OYO partners with payments platform PhonePe

OYO users can easily book a room through the PhonePe app.Through PhonePe app users can book more than 125,000 exclusive rooms that are part of OYO’s chain of hotels in India.

7.    First India US special forces exercises to be take place in 2019

The first India-U.S. tri-services exercise will be taking place in 2019. The talks are on to include the special forces of the two countries in the drill. The focus of the drill will be on a United Nations (UN) based scenario and the overarching mission of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief measure.The three forces of both the countries have already taken part in bilateral exercises separately. In that bilateral exercise, their Armies participated in an annual drill called Yudh Abyaas, their Air Forces take part in a bilateral drill called Cope India and the Navies participate in an exercise called Malabar, involving Japan.

8.    Sikkim Won FAO's Future Policy Award 2018

                                Sikkim won the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation's (FAO) Future Policy Award 2018 for being the world's first 100% organic state.

Sikkim defeated 51 nominated policies from 25 countries, winning the Gold Prize of the Future Policy Award 2018, also known as “Oscar for Best Policies”.

All the winners received the awards in a ceremony at FAO headquarters during the celebrations of the World Food Week in Rome

9.    India and China launch first joint programme to train Afghanistan diplomats

                                Indian Ambassador to Afghanistan Vinay Kumar hosted 10 Afghan Diplomats who will be traveling to India for the 1st India-China joint training programme.

This will be under the Trilateral Cooperation between India, China, and Afghanistan.

10.           Assam bill on retrenching up to 300 employees sans govt approval gets presidential assent    

President gave assent to Assam’s The Industrial Disputes (Assam Amendment) Bill, 2017.

According to this bill, companies are allowed to retrench up to 300 employees without seeking prior approval of the government.

It will replace the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947.

Under the new legislation, the compensation to a retrenched laborer will be 60 days’ salary instead of the present 15 days’ and no government permission will be required for the retrenchment.

11.      Karnataka cleared Rs.198 crore drinking water project for Ullal

                                The Karnataka State government has cleared a Rs.198-crore drinking water project proposal for Ullal. Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy launched the Brand Mangaluru campaign and a village camp programme initiated by the Dakshina Kannada Working Journalists Union.

Mr.Kumaraswamy said that the city has the potential to grow on a par with Bengaluru in terms of economic activity and development. The campaign is expected to project the true abilities and positive aspects of Mangaluru.

12.           CPCB to implement action plan to combat air pollution

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is to implement an emergency action plan called the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). It aimed at combating air pollution that has begun to show a trend towards very poor category. Under the emergency action plan, stringent actions are implemented based on the air quality of the city.

If the air quality in any area falls to an emergency category, measures like stopping entry of trucks into Delhi (except essential commodities), stopping construction activities and appointment of the task force to take a decision on any additional steps, including shutting of schools will be implemented.

13.           SRiX Agribusiness Academy Indias first portal for agri biz learning launched in Warangal

                                It was inaugurated by British Deputy High Commissioner Hyderabad Andrew Fleming.

Additionally, Sarras Academies Ltd, a UK-based company, and SR Innovation Exchange have joined hands to launch the Academy.

The name of the platform is SRiX Agri-Business Academy.

It is an Indo-UK collaborative initiative and a technology business incubator under the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.

14.           Ashwini Kumar Choubey releases analytical report of the National Health Profile-2018

                                15 October 2018 Current Affairs: The report was prepared by the Central Bureau of Health Intelligence (CBHI), under the administration of the Directorate General of Health Services at Patna.

This is the 12th edition.

The Analytical Report of National Health Profile 2018 indicates the progress made in India in various health-related sectors.

The significance of National Health Resource Repository (NHRR), India’s first ever national healthcare facility registry, was also discussed at the event.

15.           Central Government to Provide Rs 7.8 Crore Textile Tourism Complex In Meghalaya

                                 Ajay Tamta stated that the Ministry will release 7.8 crore rupees for the construction of a textile tourism complex in Nongpoh, Ri-Bhoi district of Meghalaya.

The Union Minister visited different weaving centers in Shillong.

16.           India and Sri Lanka Sign Two MoU For Construction Of 1200 Houses

                                 The MoUs were signed by Mr. Taranjit Singh Sandhu, High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, and Mr. Bernard Vasantha,

As per the new MoUs, 600 houses will be constructed in the Southern and Northern Provinces.

Quiz Questions 15 Oct. 18

1.    Which country set to host 2019 World Relays ?

 A.Japan                                                                B.Pakistan  

C.Saudi Arabia                                                      D.India

2.    Who won New Academy Prize in Literature ?

 A.Maryse Conde                                                  B.Schaub

 C.Wilson James                                                    D.Marshall 

3.    Which state 100% organic farming wins FAO’s Future Policy Gold Award ?

 A.Sikkim                                                              B.Assam  

C.Tripura                                                               D.Meghalaya

4.    Who partners with payments platform PhonePe?

 A.OYO                                                                B.Mobikwik  

C.Flipkart                                                              D.Amazon

5.    Which country launch first joint programme with India to train Afghanistan diplomats?

 A.Saudi Arabia                                                    B.Indonesia 

 C.China                                                                D.Albania

6.    How much amount did the Karnataka government approve for the Ullal Project?

 A.Rs.198 crore                                                     B.Rs.200 crore 

C.Rs.197 crore                                                      D.Rs.195 crore

7.    What is the name of the emergency action plan launched by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)?

A.General Response Active Plan (GRAP)                       B.Government Response Action Plan (GRAP)

C.Graded Reverse Action Plan (GRAP)                          D.Green Response Active Project (GRAP)

8.    Which state bill on retrenching up to 300 employees sans govt approval gets presidential assent?

 A.Bihar                                                                            B.Madhya Pradesh  

 C.Tamil Nadu                                                                   D.Assam

9.    Central Government to Provide Rs 7.8 Crore Textile Tourism Complex in -------- ?

 A.Meghalaya                                                                    B.Sikkim  

C.Bhutan                                                                           D.Nagaland

10.           Which country signed MOU with India For Construction Of 1200 Houses?

 A.Sri Lanka              B.Pakistan               C.Indonesia     D.Saudi Arabia

Answers

1A:    2A:     3A:      4A:   5C:       6A:      7B:       8D:     9A:      10A