Current Affairs - February 26, 2018 Current Affairs

Indian scientists have discovered a new plant species named "Drypetes kalamii" in Jaldapara and Buxa National Parks in West Bengal. It was discovered by the scientists of Botanical Survey of India. It is a small shrub. It grows up to a length of 1 metre. This new plant has been named after former President of India Abdul Kalam. This finding has been published in the journal Phytotaxa. This new species is seen in wet, shaded areas of subtropical moist semi-evergreen forests, at an altitude of 50-100 m.

Amritsar, the city of Golden Temple will soon get Rs 100 crores for the execution of various development works. Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh announced a grant of Rs.100 crore for the execution of various development works in Amritsar while making it clear that paucity of funds would not be allowed to scuttle the execution of these projects. Addressing the newly elected Municipal Councillors of Amritsar, Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh said the overall development of all the municipal cities would be undertaken in a holistic manner, as per their needs, in consultation with the concerned Mayors and Municipal Commissioners. The Local Government Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu assured the Chief Minister that Amritsar's development works would be undertaken on priority. While Mayor Karamjit Singh Rintu assured the Chief Minister that no stone would be left unturned to ensure all-round development of the holy city even though the government had inherited a whopping debt burden from the previous government.

Andhra Pradesh inked MoU with US-based AutoGrid to help transform electricity sector of the state. With this Andhra Pradesh will adopt smart grid and Internet of Things (IoT) based solutions of AutoGrid to improve energy utilities' financial health and customer experiences. The state government on Sunday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with AutoGrid, a US-based leading provider of flexible management software for the energy sector, at the CII Partnership Summit. The initiative involves demand-side management (DSM) programmes covering key segments, including agricultural pump-sets, residential/commercial ACs, and industrial units. The Andhra Pradesh Southern Power Distribution Company (APSPDCL) will use the programmes to evaluate its benefits to the utility as well as to the consumers in the state.

The Indian Navy is going to host 16 countries for multi-national 2018 MILAN exercise at Port Blair in Andaman and Nicobar (A&N) islands from March 6 to 13, 2018. The eight-day mega naval exercise will be held under aegis of Andaman and Nicobar Command with theme of 'Friendship Across the Seas'. Milan 2018 will witness diverse mix of professional exercises and seminars, social events and sporting fixtures. The interactions at event encompass sharing of views and ideas on maritime good-order and enhancing regional cooperation for combating unlawful activities at sea. 16 countries participating in this edition of exercise include Australia, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Myanmar, New Zealand, Oman, Vietnam, Thailand, Tanzania, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Kenya and Cambodia.

The annual three-day partnership summit of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) began in Visakahpatnam on February 24, 2018. This summit is being jointly organised by the Andhra Pradesh State Government, the CII, and the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion under Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry. It was inaugurated by Vice-President of India, M Venkaiah Naidu.

this year. There will be six coaches, while some of the latest features include push-button start and stop, advanced automation. Along with this, it has track-synced safe signaling system and a remote operation hub to operate an ATC tower of an airport. The rakes are being manufactured by Bengaluru based BEML (Bharat Earth Movers Limited). The fundamental operative difference between the current rakes and the new rakes is that the old rakes have a lever, which brings the engine to life and makes the rake move. The lever is put to neutral, once the train reaches optimum speed, and the train approaches a station, the lever is pulled again, making it halt.

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully flown it's Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle RUSTOM 2 in Karnataka. The flight assumes significance as this is the first flight in user configuration with higher power engine. India at present depends on America and Israel for such predator drones. DRDO is developing within India a medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle RUSTOM 2. It has the capability to fly for 24 hours at a stretch at over 200 km/hr speed, and can, not only conduct sustained surveillance but will be able to destroy enemy targets.

China was elected as vice chair of Financial Action Task Force (FATF), a global body mandated to combat terror financing and money laundering. In its plenary meeting in Paris, FATF had placed Pakistan under "grey list" subject to direct monitoring and intense scrutiny by International Cooperation Review Group till June 2018 for compliance of Anti-Money Laundering and Combating Finance of Terrorism regulations. Pakistan was on the same list from 2012 to 2015. FATF is an inter-governmental policy making body that aims to establish international standards for combating money laundering and terrorist financing. It was established in 1989 during the G7 Summit in Paris (France) to combat the growing problem of money laundering. It comprises over 39 member countries including India. FATF Secretariat is housed at the headquarters of the OECD in Paris. Initially, FATF was only dealing with developing policies to combat money laundering. But in 2001 its purpose was expanded to act against terrorism financing.

Government-run Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL) signed memorandum of understanding (MoUs) with Andhra Pradesh State Government to invest Rs 3730 crore in the state. The MoUs envisage supply of 10000 electric cars and 4000 chargers to various departments of Andhra Pradesh through Non-conventional Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh Limited (NREDCAP). Other MoUs were related to supply of approximately 17 lakh smart energy meters to two power distribution companies in Andhra Pradesh viz. - Andhra Pradesh Eastern Power Distribution Company Ltd. (APEPDCL), and Andhra Pradesh Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (APSPDCL).

Tamil Nadu State Government announced an agreement with Microsoft to improve the integration of technology in teaching and learning across the state. The agreement aims at reforming education, build tech capacity and enhance digital literacy across all levels. As per the terms of the agreement, Microsoft will adopt seven schools identified by Tamil Nadu State Government and will train their teachers and students in inculcating skills such as critical thinking, app development, creative coding & gaming, robotics and entrepreneurship. All educators in primary, secondary, vocational and tertiary education across Tamil Nadu will be offered Microsoft Innovative Educator Program.

Aruna Budda Reddy became the first Indian gymnast to win an individual medal at the Gymnastics World Cup by bagging a bronze medal in the women's vault event, in Melbourne, Australia. Aruna Budda Reddy scored 13.649 in the women's vault event and finished in the third position. She won the bronze medal in the women's vault event. Aruna Budda Reddy will also participate in the final round of the floor event on 25th February 2018. India's Rakesh Patra finished in the fourth position in the men's rings event. A total of 16 countries are taking part in the Gymnastics World Cup in Melbourne.

Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), the nodal authority for issuing Aadhaar cards has rollout 'Bal Aadhaar', meant for kids under 5 years of age. Bal Aadhaar literally means Kid's Aadhaar. It will have blue colour to differentiate it with regular Aadhaar. It will be linked with one of parent's Aadhaar card. No biometric details will be captured. Biometrics are not developed for children before 5 years of age. Hence, during Aadhar enrolment child's Aadhaar data does not include biometric info like fingerprints and Iris scan. Bal Aadhaar will have no biometric identification, like Iris scan or fingerprint scans, as their parents will be accompany their ward when such identification is required. However, once the kid crosses 5 years of age, then regular Aadhaar will be issued, which will have the biometric details. Bal Aadhaar will not abe necessity per se, but it may be required when kid grows up, and applies for Government scholarships or grants for higher education. Aadhaar rules mandate compulsory conversion of all Bal Aadhaar cards into proper Aadhaar card with biometric details once the kid turns 5 years.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched development schemes worth Rs 1000 crore for Daman and Diu. On February 24, 2018, PM Modi launched the Pawan Hans helicopter service between Diu and Daman. Diu and Daman are separated by Gulf of Khambhat and it takes 16 hours to commute between these two places by road. The chopper service will reduce the commute time to an hour. PM Modi also launched Ahmedabad-Diu flight service under UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik-let the common citizen of the country fly), Regional Air Connectivity scheme. In Daman, PM Modi laid foundation stones for several projects, including a water treatment plant, an electric sub-station, a gas pipeline, a municipal market and a foot-bridge.

On 22nd to 24th February 2018, Saudi Arabia conducted the Groovz Jazz Festival, its first ever jazz festival, at the Riyadh Intercontinental Hotel, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Groovz Jazz Festival was conducted for 3 days. Nearly, 2,000 people attended this festival. The concert was organized by Time Entertainment. A divided seating arrangement was provided separately for men and women. Family areas were also provided. Both local and international artistes performed at the festival. Bands from Riyadh, Beirut and New Orleans performed at the festival.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the 'Run for New India' marathon in Surat, Gujarat. The Marathon is aimed at creating awareness about social causes and call upon all to resolve to build a New India. The Marathon is divided into 4 categories. Around 1.50 lakh runners participated in the 'Run for New India' marathon which was organized by the Surat Nagrik Samiti.