Daily Current affairs for 17&18th Dec 2017 ( English)
1. For the first time a list of alien invasive animal species,
totaling 157 was compiled by Zoological Survey of India (ZSI). This compilation was announced on the sidelines of National
Conference on Status of Invasive Alien Species in India organised by the ZSI
and Botanical Survey of India (BSI).
2.
An MoU was signed with
Alphabet InC.’s X (Google X) by Andhra Pradesh government to bring Free Space
Optical Communication (FSOC) technology to India. This association with X labs to implement FSOC in Andhra
Pradesh is first in the world to provide wireless internet connection at higher
speed of up to 20Gbps and to a distance of up to 20kms. By using FSOC
technology, Andhra Pradesh will be able to use better bandwidth data to every
house hold including houses in tribal belt.
3.
Indian diaspora is world’s
largest, with slightly more than 15.6 million people from India living overseas
according to UN World Migration Report(2018). The
report was released by International Organisation for Migration. According to
the report, Mexico has the second largest diaspora after India followed by
Russia (3rd), China (4th), Bangladesh (5th) and Pakistan (6th).The Indian
diaspora constitutes 6% of the total number of international migrants (people
living outside the country of their birth), which was estimated at 243 million
in 2015. The Gulf nations house biggest share of the Indian diaspora — nearly
3.5 million or 22% of total Indian diaspora.
4.
Gabon, declared as a
“polio-free country” by the World Health Organization (WHO). Polio is caused by the poliovirus (highly-infectious viral
disease. here is no cure for polio virus, it can only be prevented by
immunization. Now the disease is endemic is prevalent only in two South Asian
countries Afghanistan and Pakistan, where WHO recorded four cases—two in
each country this year. In 2016, there were 37 cases globally.
5.
The National Aeronautics and
Space Administration (NASA) has discovered eighth planet circling Kepler-90,
a Sun-like star which is 2545 light-years far from Earth. The eight planet was
discovered by Researchers Christopher Shallue and Andrew Vanderburg by applying
Google’s machine-learning technology to data collected by NASA’s Kepler Space
Telescope. It was dubbed as Kepler-90i. It is around 30% larger than
Earth. It is thought to have an average surface temperature of 425 degrees
Celsius.
6.
SpaceX(US based private
rocket launching company) for first time ever has successfully launched used
Dragon spacecraft with a used Falcon 9 rocket. The 2
pre-flown rocket parts were launched together for the first time as part of
resupply mission to International Space Station (ISS).
7.
Dec 18 - The United Nations (UN) International Migrants Day is observed
every year to recreate awareness about the protection and safety of the
migrants with the theme for year 2017 is “Safe Migration in a World on the
Move”..
8.
PV SIndhu loses to Japan’s
Yamaguchi in Dubai World Super series final held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. She won the silver medal.
9.
The Union Cabinet led by
PM Modi approved the introduction of new Central Sector Scheme –North East
Special Infrastructure Development Scheme ( NESIDS) from 2017-18.The Scheme is being introduced to fill up the gaps in the
creation of infrastructure in specified sectors till March 2020.It would be
fully funded by the central government.
10.
The Union Cabinet Chaired
by PM Modi on 15th Dec 2017 approved the continuation of Centrally
sponsored scheme of NAM ( National Ayush Mission) from 1st April
2017 to 31 March 2020. NAM is implemented by the
ministry of AYUSH with the objective of providing cost –effective AYUSH
services. t aims to address gaps in health services through supporting efforts
of State/UTs for providing AYUSH health services and education in country,
particlarly in vulnerable and far-flung areas
11.
The Karnataka High Court
has struck down 2014 amendment rules that mandated pictorial health warnings to
cover 85% of tobacco product packaging space,
holding that they violated Constitutional norms. However, it made it clear that
40% pictorial health warning rule, which existed prior to amendment rules, will
remain in force.
12.
Capital Investment Subsidy
amounting to Rs.264.67 crore to four industrial units located in North Eastern
Region (NER) including Sikkim has been approved by the cabinet committee on
economic affairs( CCEA). The grant of subsidy to
industrial units will provide incentives to operational units and also boost
confidence of existing investors as well as potential investors in 8 states of
NER including Sikkim. It has been approved under Central Capital Investment
Subsidy Scheme (CCISS), 2007 of North East Industrial Investment and Promotion
Policy (NEIIPP),2007.
13.
India’s first social audit
law was launched by Chief Minister Mukul Sangma
at a national convention in Shillong. Meghalaya became first state in country
to operationalize The Meghalaya Community Participation and Public Services
Social Audit Act, 2017, a law that.makes social audit of government programmes
and schemes a part of government practice.
14.
New Central Sector Scheme
of North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme” (NESIDS) from 2017-18
was approved by the Union Cabinet. The scheme
will broadly cover creation of infrastructure under following sectors (i)
Physical infrastructure relating to water supply, power, connectivity and
specially the projects promoting tourism. (ii) Infrastructure of social sectors
of education and health. It will be 100% funded by Central Government to fill
up gaps in creation of infrastructure in specified sectors in North east
till March, 2020.
15.
Merchant Discount Rate
(MDR) charges on transactions up to Rs. 2,000 made through debit cards, BHIM
UPI or Aadhaar-enabled payment systems (AePS) will be borne by the government
as decided by the Union cabinet to promote
digital transactions. It will be for two years with effect from 1 January, 2018
by reimbursing the same to the banks. As a result of this approval, consumer
and merchant will not suffer any additional burden in form of MDR thereby
leading to greater adoption of digital payment modes for such transactions. It
will help to move towards less cash economy since such transactions account for
sizeable percentage of transaction volume.
Announcement !
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