Daily Current Affairs Updates – 25th April 2017:
Daily Current affairs News Updates about the National and International events were listed here. Candidates those who are preparing for IBPS/SBI/PO/Clerk exam and all other competitive exams can use this.
DAYS TO REMEMBER:
World Malaria Day being observed today
Today is World Malaria Day. The day is observed every year to create awareness among the people about this vector borne disease. This year the theme for the Day made by World Health Organisation, WHO, is - ending malaria for good. According to, World Health Organisation, WHO nearly four lakh people die of malaria every year in the world. Tackling malaria is improving with a 29 per cent drop in mortality rates between 2010 and 2015 and a 21 per cent global decrease in cases. In India, every year close to one million people suffer from this diseases. Malaria caused by the falciparum parasite is the most serious, and can lead to breathing problems, liver failure, coma and eventual death.
Govt sees Sukma Naxal attack as challenge, no one will be spared: Rajnath Singh
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has said, the government has taken as a challenge the killing of CRPF personnel by Naxals in Sukma district of Chhattisgarh. Speaking to media in New Delhi, Mr Singh termed the attack on the personnel as a sad and an unfortunate incident, and vowed that no one will be spared. Mr Singh also briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the attack last night. According to news agency PTI, Mr Singh apprised the Prime Minister of the circumstances leading to the attack and steps taken for the treatment of those injured.Talking to All India Radio this morning, Minister of State for Home, Hansraj Ahir said, he and the Union Home Minister will visit the state today to take stock of the situation.
Union Home Minister: Rajnath Singh
Double-decker AC train to be launched on high-density routes
The Indian Railways will be launching a special rail service, Utkrisht Double-Decker AC Yatri (Uday) Express in July 2017. The over-night train would ply only on high-demand routes like Delhi- Lucknow and its fare would be lower than that of the 3AC class in regular express trains. The aim of the double-decker service is to provide better amenities to passengers in a lesser fare. The service, announced in rail budget 2016-17, is slated to run at a speed of 110 km speed per hour on high-density routes.
CBSE scraps marks moderation policy
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has scrapped the moderation policy under which grace marks are given to students in exams for difficult questions. The decision was taken at the Board's high-level meeting. The move comes after the CBSE had in December last year requested the HRD Ministry to help develop a consensus among all state boards on completely removing the policy which is considered as the reason behind inflated scores in board exam results.Under the policy, examinees are awarded up to 15 per cent extra marks in certain papers if the questions are deemed to be difficult. However, the practice of awarding grace marks will continue to ensure that a student clears an exam if he or she needs a few marks to do so.
In a first, Uttarakhand deploys drones to monitor forest fires
In a first, the Uttarakhand Forest Department has deployed three drones for real-time monitoring of the forest fires. This is the first time that drones are used to monitor forest fires in India. Besides monitoring of forest fire, drones are already in use for wildlife conservation for nest status, aviation ethology, crocodile and water birds counting and monitoring.Uttarakhand is known for human-induced forest fires since a long time. In 2016, the pine forests of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh caught fire. Most of the fires in Uttarakhand happen in the Chir pine (Pinus Rroxburghii) forests because leaves of this conifer tree catch fire easily.
State : Uttarakhand
Capital : Dehradun
Chief Minister : Trivendra Singh Rawat
Governor : Krishan Kant Paul
UP govt to approve short-term permits for mining through e-tendering
The Uttar Pradesh government yesterday decided to approve short-term permits for mining through e-tendering to end the scarcity of construction material in the state. Additional Chief Secretary (Mining) R P Singh said the permits for mining and transportation would be approved by the district magistrates. The permits will be valid for a period of six months. Mining will not be allowed during monsoon season i.e. from Ist July to 30th September.
State: UttarPradesh
CM: Yogi Adityanath
Governor: ShriRamNaik
Capital: Lucknow
BPL/DPL income revised in Haryana
Haryana Government has revised the limit of annual income of families living Below Poverty Line (BPL) and those living below Double the Poverty Line (DPL) in both rural and urban areas of the state for various bank-assisted and National Scheduled Caste Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC)-assisted schemes. Stating this at Chandigarh, Minister of State for Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes, Mr Krishan Kumar Bedi said that the limit of annual income of BPL families living in rural has been raised to Rs 49,000 from Rs. 40,500 and Rs 60,000 from Rs. 51,500 for those living in urban areas.
State : Haryana
Capital : Chandigarh
Chief Minister : Manohar Lal Khattar
Governor : Kaptan Singh Solanki
India becomes world’s fifth largest military spender
According to Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (Sipri), India has become world’s fifth-largest military spender spending at $55.9 billion in 2016. The US remains the world’s largest military followed by China, Russia, and Saudi Arabia. The other prominent spenders in the top 15 include Japan, South Korea, and Australia. SIPRI was established in 1966 as independent international institute dedicated to research into conflict, armaments, arms control and disarmament. The organization provides data, analysis and recommendations to policymakers, researchers, media and the interested public.
Vice Prez Hamid Ansari to meet top leadership of Armenia today
Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari, On the second day of his visit today, will meet the top leadership of Armenia. Mr Ansari will also attend a series of functions there. After arriving on the 102nd commemoration day of the Armenian genocide, Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari visited the memorial of the victims and paid his respects. Proceeding from there Mr. Ansari will meet with the Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan and will hold delegation level talks. Later in the day he is invited by President Serzh Sargsyan.
Punjab launches crusade for strict implementation of PC & PNDT act
The Punjab Government has framed a comprehensive policy to check the lower count of girl child born per 1000 boys' birth by ensuring the proper implementation of total ban on the pre diagnostic tests. In this direction the health department has issued set of strict instructions by which all the Ultra sound centers would put under 24×7 online surveillance while the police verification of doctors and other staff posted at such centers has been made mandatory. Minister of health and family welfare Brahm Mohindra said that department has decided to execute a consistent campaign to enforce the Pre Conception and Pre Natal Diagnostic Test Act with iron hand.
State : Punjab
Capital : Chandigarh
Chief minister : Amarinder Singh
Governor : V. P. Singh Badnore
Indian warships arrive in France on three day visit
In continuation of the Indian Navy’s overseas deployment to the Mediterranean Sea and West Coast of Africa, three Indian warships INS Mumbai, Trishul, and Aditya, arrived at Toulon for a three day visit today. The ships were warmly received by the Administration in Toulon and the French Navy at Toulon Naval Base in coordination with the Embassy of India. The visiting ships are a part of the Indian Navy’s Western Naval Command and the Task Group is headed by Rear Admiral RB Pandit, the Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet, who is flying his flag on the guided missile destroyer, INS Mumbai. On completion of the visit at Toulon, bilateral exercise Varuna between the Indian Navy and the French Navy is scheduled from 24 to 30 Apr 17.
Mumbai: BEST changes colour of its two buses from red to white
In a bid to re-brand its buses and attract more passengers, civic-run BEST has changed the colour of its two buses from red to white. The BEST official while speaking to reporters in Mumbai said that so far two buses were painted white with yellow strips and if this yields positive response, then BEST will go for the makeover of other buses in their fleet. Manoj Varade, deputy PRO of BEST said that it is an exercise to re-brand and overhaul BEST services by introducing a new colour scheme. Though the red-coloured buses are quite common in other cities across the globe, BEST wants to experiment by changing it.
Maharashtra CM demands increase in import duty of tur
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has demanded increase in the import duty of tur from 10 to 25 per cent to ensure price stability. The demand was made during a meeting with union minister Ramvilas Paswan on Monday morning in New Delhi. Fadnavis has also requested the Centre to purchase tur that has arrived at the procurement centres till April 22. An official in the Chief Minister's Office said that Fadnavis has discussed the need to frame a long-term policy for price management and purchase mechanism with Paswan.
State : Maharashtra
Capital : Mumbai
Chief Minister : Devendra Fadnavis
Governor : C Vidyasagar Rao
UID numbers for cows to curb cattle trafficking: Centre to SC
The Supreme Court will today consider the recommendations on curbing cattle trafficking across Indo-Bangla border. Centre has informed the Apex Court yesterday that Unique Identification Number for cows has been suggested by an expert panel to curb trafficking. The committee, set up in pursuance of the court order, has recommended having tamper-proof identification of cattle by using polyurethane tags and a state-level data base to be uploaded at a website which may be linked with a national on-line database.
Haryana: Ballabhgarh renamed as Balramgarh
Haryana Government has changed the name of Ballabhgarh to Balramgarh. Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Manohar Lal, yesterday announced this at Ballabhgarh in Faridabad district addressing a public meeting. He also took nod of the people by raising their hands before making this announcement. Chief Minister also announced a number of projects for the development of Ballabhgarh.
Central university for Divyangs to be set up in Uttar Pradesh
Government will set up a Central university for Divyangs in Uttar Pradesh. This was stated by HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar while addressing the convocation function of Shakuntala Mishra national rehabilitation university in Lucknow yesterday. Mr Javadekar said, he also discussed the matter with Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thaawar Chand Gehlot. He also said, under the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan, his Ministry has instructed to make ramps and install lifts to facilitate Divyangas at all educational institutions.
Punjab CM gives nod to Anti-Terror Squad to break militant-gangster nexus instate’s jails
Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has given the nod for setting up an Anti-Terror Squad (ATS), as part of the Intelligence Wing, to break the nexus between militants and gangsters in the state’s jails. Disclosing this at Chandigarh on Monday an official spokesman said the ATS would have the mandate to act both against militant outfits and criminal gangs. He said that the government is also mulling an effective law, such as the Punjab Control of Organised Criminals Act (PCOCA), to deal effectively with the terror spread by organized criminal gangs, most of which have been operating in the state for the past 5-7 years with strong political patronage.
India’s first sea ropeway to connect Mumbai & Elephanta Island
India’s first and longest ropeway is planned to be constructed by the Mumbai Port Trust to link Mumbai with the famous Elephanta Island in the Arabian Sea. Elephanta Island has got global recognition for its famed Elephanta Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The 8-km long ropeway will start from Sewri in Mumbai’s east coast and end at Elephanta Island at Raigad district.
INTERNATIONAL
Trump wants to send men to Mars
US President Donald Trump today said he wants to send men to Mars during his first term. In a video conference with two NASA astronauts at the International Space Station from his Oval Office, he said he wants to try and do it during his first term or, at worst, during his second term. So, the US will have to speed that up a little bit, he said. NASA is currently planning to send men to Mars in 2030. Trump said he was very proud that he signed a bill committing NASA to the aim of sending America astronauts to Mars.
Country: US.
Capital: Washington, D.C.
President: Donald Trump
Currency: United States Dollar
Saudi Arabia King's son Prince Khaled appointed as US Envoy
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman on 22 April 2017 issued a royal decree stating the appointment of one of his sons Prince Khaled bin Salman bin Abdulaziz as the Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to the United States (US). Prince Abdullah bin Faisal bin Turki was removed as Ambassador to the US. The appointment of Prince Khaled to Washington signals the Saudi kingdom’s eagerness to strengthen bilateral ties with US under President Donald Trump. Moreover, Saudi Arabia is the world’s third largest defence spender. Prince Khaled’s appointment positions him as an influential broker in deals with US manufacturers.
Country : Saudi Arabia
Capital : Riyadh
Currency: Saudi riyal
King: Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
Foreign Minister : Adel al-Jubeir
Pakistan’s Gwadar port leased to China Overseas Port Holding Company for 40years
The Pakistan Government in April 2017 leased the operations of its strategic Gwadar port to the China Overseas Port Holding Company (COPHC) for a period of 40 years. COPHC is a State-run Chinese firm. The China Overseas Port Holding Company is slated to carry out all the developmental work on the port situated in the Balochistan province of Pakistan. The company took over the operations of the port in 2013. As per the contract COPHC has 91% share of revenue collection from gross revenue of terminal and marine operations and 85% share from gross revenue of free zone operation. The provinces will not be given any share in the revenue collection.
Country: Pakistan
Capital: Islamabad
Currency: Pakistani rupee
President: Mamnoon Hussain
Prime Minister: Nawaz Sharif
Netanyahu threatens to cancel German FM meeting over NGOs
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has threatened to cancel an upcoming meeting with Germany's Foreign Minister unless the visiting German diplomat cancels an appointment with two groups critical of Israel's actions in the West Bank. A senior Israeli official confirmed that the Prime Minister issued an ultimatum to Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel that he would scrap their meeting scheduled for today if Gabriel met with members of non-governmental organizations Breaking the Silence and B'Tselem.
Country: Israel
Capital: Jerusalem
Currency: Israeli new shekel
President: Reuven Rivlin
Prime Minister: Benjamin Netanyahu
Nations team up to protect ancient heritage from terrorism
Ten countries formed a new group today aimed at protecting ancient heritage from extremism of the kind that saw the Islamic State group lay waste to Syria's historic Palmyra. Iraq, Iran, Egypt, Greece, Italy, China, India, Bolivia, Mexico and Peru- all home to some of the world's most cherished archaeological sites- have signed up to the "forum" launched in Athens by ministers and ambassadors from the nations. Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias, whose government is spearheading the project along with China, said the group would run joint projects to promote "dialogue in the face of fanaticism, and culture in the face of terrorism".
BANKING NEWS
Bad loans issue not 'insurmountable' for India: Jaitley
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today asserted that the problem of bad loans in the banking system is not insurmountable for a large economy like India as it is limited to only 20-30 big accounts. Speaking at the Council on Foreign Relations In New York, the minister, however, said the problem of non-performing assets, NPAs, has just persisted too long and is certainly adversely impacting the banking system. He said, the NPAs resolution is top priority of the government at the moment as it will encourage private investments.
BUSINESS AND ECONOMY NEWS:
BSNL launches commercial operation of 4G plus Wifi services in Hyderabad
The BSNL has launched commercial operation of 4G plus Wifi services in Hyderabad. Telangana Chief General Manager Ananthram launched the 4.5 G Plus WiFi services at four spots in the city. Speaking to reporters later, he said the 4.5 G services will provide higher speeds of Data than any other service provider to its existing customers, as also to walk-in subscribers. He said, about 925 access points in 121 hot spot zones in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad will be covered in a month or so. Explaining about the 4.5 G services, he said, it will provide higher speed of Data to the subscribers.
Organisation: Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL)
Headquarters: New Delhi
Chairman & MD: Anupam Shrivastava
Telcos to bleed this fiscal as well due to Jio, says Crisil
Telecom operators will continue to face difficulties in 2017-18 as well and two of the top three telcos are set to "bleed" due to intense competition from Reliance Jio, a Crisil report said. For this fiscal, Crisil sees a muted 0-5% revenue growth for top telcos. Notably, Jio is estimated to have cornered 55% of total data consumption since launch.
Organisation: CRISIL
Headquarters: Mumbai
CEO: Ashu Suyash
AWARDS AND HONOURS :
Legendary filmmaker Kasinathuni Viswanath wins Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2016
Renowned filmmaker and actor Kasinathuni Viswanath on 24 April 2017 won the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for the year 2016. The award will be presented to him by President Pranab Mukherjee on 3 May 2017 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. With this, Viswanath became the 48th recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the highest recognition in Indian cinema. As a presenter of classical and traditional art, music and dance, K Viswanath has been a guiding force in the Indian film industry.• The award prize consists of a Swarn Kamal (Golden Lotus), a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh and a shawl.
Top environmental activist Prafulla Samantara selected for Goldman EnvironmentalPrize from Asia region
Top environmental activist Prafulla Samantara of Odisha has been selected for Goldman Environmental Prize or Green Nobel from Asia region for championing the cause of State’s Dongria Kondh tribals and safeguarding their land and culture. The prize, also known as Green Nobel prize, was announced in San Francisco yesterday. Samantara, is the sixth Indian to win the prize, had led a historic legal battle that protected the Niyamgiri Hills in Odisha and safeguarded land rights of indigenous Dongria Kondh living in the area from massive destruction due to mining.
SPORTS NEWS:
101-year-old Man Kaur bags gold in 100m event at World Masters Games
Indian sprinter Man Kaur on 24 April 2017 clinched the 100 metres sprint at the World Masters Games held in Auckland, New Zealand. Kaur was the lone contender in the 100-years-and-over event, which she completed in a minute and 14 seconds. The 101-year old contestant was almost 1min 4sec short of the women's world record for the distance. The Chandigarh-based sprinter will also compete in the 200m race on 26 April 2017. She has also registered to take part in the shot put and javelin throw events.
Younis Khan becomes first Pakistani to reach 10,000 runs
Younis Khan became the first Pakistan player to complete 10,000 Test runs as his team reached 201 for four in reply to the West Indies first innings total of 286 at stumps on the third day of the first Test at Sabina Park, Jamaica on Sunday. Besides Younis who scored 58, the other batsman who made mark was Baber Azam who made 72.
Indian shot putter Manpreet Kaur bags Gold at Asian Grand Prix Meet in China
Indian shot putter Manpreet Kaur has clinched a gold in the first leg of the Asian Grand Prix Athletics Meet in Jinhua, China. Manpreet came up with a best throw of 18.86 metre, which was nearly one meter more than her earlier national record of 17.96 metre that she had set in 2015. With the performance, Manpreet also qualified for the IAAF World Championships to be held in August in London.India ended the one-day event yesterday with seven medals - 1 Gold, 4 Silver, 2 Bronze.
Rafael Nadal wins Monte Carlo Masters Men’s Singles title
Rafael Nadal on 23 April 2017 defeated Albert Ramos-Vinolas 6-1 6-3 to win the Monte Carlo Masters Men’s Singles title. With the win, Nadal became the first man in the Open era to win the same event 10 times. He won eight Monte Carlo titles in a row from 2005 to 2012. He won the title again in the year 2016. Also, it is Nadal's first title of the season, having lost his previous three finals. The Monte-Carlo Masters is an annual tennis tournament for male professional players. It is held in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France.
For More Daily Current Affairs Updates – Click Here
No comments:
Post a Comment