DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS: FEBRUARY 11, 2018

NATIONAL

Over 2000 people play ‘shankh’ to create world record:

 Another world record was created on the second day of Rajim Kumbh Mela after over 2,100 saints and locals played conch shells ‘shankh’ together in Chhattisgarh’s Gariaband.

The feat was certified by the Golden Book of World Records.Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh had inaugurated Rajim Kumbh Mela and Ganga Aarti performance at banks of river Mahanadi in Gariyaband’s Rajim.

Chhattisgarh

• Capital:Raipur
• Chief Minister: Raman Singh
• Governor:Balram Das Tandon

Rs 1,487 crore sanctioned to boost security of military base camps of JK, North East:

In a bid to fill up the security gaps and protect military base camps of Jammu and Kashmir, North East and several other places from terrorist attack, the Defence Ministry sanctioned Rs 1,487 crore to the Army.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman after approving the massive amount of Rs 1,487 crore to protect military base camps has set a deadline of 10 months for the Army to carry it out. Also, the Army headquarters has been asked to monitor implementation of the project.

Maharashtra roots in ‘MahaMitra’ for youths to encourage the healthy use of social media for development:

Maharashtra has started an initiative to connect with youth on social media- initiative called as “MahaMitra”. Maharashtra government has started this initiative with an aim to encourage youngsters for coming forward and sharing their success stories and felicitating those working for a good cause as ‘social media leaders’.

To achieve this, the state has launched a mobile application, where those interested can register to participate in the selection process. So far, 25,000 people across the state have registered themselves on the app, also called Social Media MahaMitra.

Maharashtra

• Capital:Mumbai
• Chief Minister: Devendra Fadnavis
• Governor:C. Vidyasagar Rao

 Rajnath Singh inaugurates first of its kind spoken Sanskrit centre:

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh launched the Centre for learning Sanskrit language in Gujarat University in Ahmedabad.

The centre will offer a six-month course for people on how to speak the language. The coordinator of the course, Atul Unagar, said it was possibly the first such course launched in India.

Gujarat

• Capital:Gandhinagar
• Chief Minister: Vijay Rupani
• Governor:Om Prakash Kohli

INTERNATIONAL

List of MoUs/Agreements signed during visit of Prime Minister to Palestine:

1.MOU between India and Palestine for setting up of India-Palestine Super-specialty hospital at Beit Sahour in Bethelhem Governorate at a cost of US$ 30 million

2. MOU between India and Palestine for construction of India Palestine Centre for Empowring women, “Turathi” at a cost of US$ 5 million
3. MOU between India and Palestine for setting up of new National Printing Press at Ramallah at a cost of US$ 5 million
4. MOU between India and Palestine Construction of school in Muthalth Al Shuhada Village at a cost of US$ 1 million
5. MOU between India and Palestine Construction of school in Tamoon village in Tubas Governorate in Palestine at a cost of US$ 1.1 million
6. MOU between India and Palestine Assistance of US$ 0.25 millionfor construction of additional floor to Jawahar Lal Nehru for Boys at Abu Dees

Palestine

• Currencies: Israeli new shekel
• Capital: East Jerusalem
• President: Mahmoud Abbas
• Prime minister: Rami Hamdallah

Saudi Arabia temporarily bans poultry imports from India over bird flu:

Saudi Arabia has temporarily banned imports of live birds, hatching eggs and chicks from India after a form of bird flu that is highly lethal for poultry was found in the south Asian country.

In January, India had reported an outbreak of a highly contagious bird flu virus near Bengaluru in the southern state of Karnataka.

 Saudi Arabia

• Capital: Riyadh
• Currency: Saudi riyal

China reopens Nathu La route for Mansarovar yatra:

China has confirmed “resumption” of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through the Nathu La route, Minister of State for External Affairs VK Singh has said.

He also noted that the Kailash Mansarovar yatra via Nathu La was not undertaken last year after the Chinese government cited “unfavourable conditions” to ensure the safe and smooth conduct of the yatra on this route.

The yatra was stopped by China in the aftermath of the military face-off with India last year at Doklam.

China

• Currency: Renminbi
• Capital: Beijing
• Prime minister: Li Keqiang
• President: Xi Jinping

 PM Modi to address World Government Summit in Dubai:

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi will deliver the keynote address at the inaugural day of the World Government Summit in Dubai. India has been given the status of Guest of Honour at the Summit. More than 140 countries are participating in the Summit.

Twenty Heads of States, head of governments and International organizations are likely to participate in the World Government Summit.

BANKING & BUSINESS

Thailand emerges as the most congested country in world; Los Angeles tops most gridlocked cities list:

The US has emerged the most congested country in the developed world, accounting for 10 of the top 25 cities worldwide with the worst traffic congestion, according to transportation analytics company INRIX.

The most congested country in the world is Thailand, with drivers spending an average of 56 hours in peak-hour congestion. The top 10 most congested countries, 2017 are:

 Global country:

1. Thailand
2. Indonesia
3. Colombia

Global city:

1. Los Angeles
2. Moscow
3. New York City

India retains top spot as source market for Dubai in 2017:

Dubai witnessed 15 percent growth in tourist arrivals from India in 2017, hosting 2.1 million visitors, retaining top spot as the source market.

India also became the first country to cross the 2 million mark in a single year, according to the latest data published by Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism).

India was followed by Saudi Arabia (KSA) in the second place, contributing a total of 1.53 million tourists last year.

 APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGN

Pradeep Kumar Rawat concurrently accredited as the next Ambassador of India to the Timor-Leste:

 Shri Pradeep Kumar Rawat, presently Ambassador of India to Jakarta, has been concurrently accredited as the next Ambassador of India to Timor-Leste, with residence in Jakarta.

 AWARDS & HONOR

PM Modi being conferred with Palestinian honour:

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi is being conferred with the Grand Collar of the State of Palestine, which is the highest Palestinian honour for a foreign dignitary.

 SPORTS

Pyeongchang Winter Olympics: Sweden’s Charlotte Kalla wins 1st gold:

 Sweden’s Charlotte Kalla claimed the first gold on the opening day of the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.

Kalla won the women’s skiathlon cross country race ahead of Norway’s Marit Bjoergen, preventing her from collecting an unprecedented third straight gold medal in the event.

But Bjoergen still became the most decorated woman in Winter Olympics history as she claimed her 11th medal.

IMPORTANT DAY

Nation celebrates Unani Day: February 11

 Today the nation celebrates as Unani Day as it is the 150th Birth Anniversary of Hakim Ajmal Khan, the contribution made by him to the traditional medicine and to the nation was remarkable.