CURRENT AFFAIRS FOR IBPS PO & RRB: 26TH AUGUST 2017

NATIONAL

Govt sets up task force on artificial intelligence:

Government has constituted a task force on Artificial Intelligence for the country’s Economic Transformation.

The 18-member panel, headed by Dr. V. Kamakoti of IIT Madras, will comprise of experts, academics, researchers and industry leaders. It will explore the possibilities to leverage Artificial Intelligence for development across various fields.

The task force will submit concrete and implementable recommendations for government, industry and research institutions. Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said, with rapid development in the fields of information technology and hardware, the world is about to witness a fourth industrial revolution.

 

ISRO to launch new satellite on August 31:

 Indian Space Research Organization ISRO has scheduled its next satellite launch on the 31st of this month.

A release from the national space agency has said it would put into orbit the IRNSS-1H satellite at 18:59 hours on the day using the rocket PSLV-C39 from Sriharikotta.

The release has further said, the payload would augment the capacity of India’s seven-satellite ‘NavIC’ constellation in space.

The NavIC constellation provides spatial information on moving and non-moving objects in and around the country.

 

Eronet to be launched in Assam on Aug 28:

In Assam, a new internet based software ‘Eronet’ introduced by the Election Commission of India will be launched in Assam on 28th August.

Eronet is useful for various activities relating to electoral roll such as the inclusion of name, deletion, name correction, transfer of name including providing the new photo identity cards.

General voters may apply online for facilitation of various activities relating to electoral roll through the already in-use portal nvsp.in and Eronet.
Assam

  • Capital: Dispur
  • Chief Minister: Sarbananda Sonowal
  • Governor: Banwarilal Purohit

EESL to procure 50 lakh Smart Meters for realization of Smart Grids in India Smart Meters are being procured for smart grid projects in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh:

Energy Efficiency Services Ltd. (EESL), under the Ministry of Power, Government of India had put out a mega tender for procurement of 50 lakh smart meters in July, which would help in reducing AT&C losses, power theft and also help in monitoring of round the clock power supply eventually leading to greater efficiency and 24X7 power for all.

The meters are being procured for implementation of smart grid projects in the states of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. These meters will help these states in not only significantly reducing their AT&C losses way of increased billing efficiency, but will completely change the way in which electrical energy is presently being consumed and paid for by the ordinary consumers.

Haryana

  • Capital: Chandigarh
  • Chief Minister: Manohar Lal Khattar
  • Governor: Kaptan Singh Solanki

Uttar Pradesh

  • Capital: Lucknow
  • Chief Minister: Yogi Adityanath
  • Governor: Shri Ram Naik

Dr Jitendra Singh releases DARPG Grievance Study Analysis of 20 Ministries:

The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh released the Department of Administrative Reforms and Grievances (DARPG)’s Grievance Study Analysis of 20 Ministries.

He also talked about the Government’s initiatives for pensioners such as Anubhav and Sankalp. He said that Mobile App for pensioners is an example how the technology is being optimally utilised for good governance initiatives. He said that all ministries/departments will switch over to e-office by the end of this year.

Statue of Sanjukta Panigrahi unveiled:

The Odisha government unveiled a statue of Sanjukta Panigrahi on her 74th Birth anniversary as a mark of respect to the state’s foremost exponents of Odisa dance.

Odisha Culture Minister A C Panda unveiled the statue in the premises of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odisa Research Centre here.

Sanjukta Panigrahi (1944-1997) started dancing at the tender age of four and consequently trained in Indian Classical Dance forms of Kathak, Bhrat Natyam and Odissi, but embraced Odissi as her passion.

She had extensively travelled and received applause for her performances in the USA, the Philippines, the United Kingdom, Greece, Israel, France and many other countries. She was conferred Padmashree in 1975 and Sangeet Natak Akademy Award in 1976.

 

Pradhan for setting up of memorial to commemorate Paika:

 Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan sought steps by the Centre to find a site at Barunei Fort near Khurda in coordination with Odisha Government for setting up a memorial to commemorate the Paika rebellion of 1817.

 

Paika rebellion:

The Paika rebellion, also called the Paika Bidroha, was an armed rebellion against the British East India Company’s rule in Odisha in 1817. The Paikas rose in rebellion under their leader Bakshi Jagabandhu Bidyadhar and the rebellion spread across most parts of Odisha. The Paikas were warriors and traditional landed militia of Odisha.

 

J-K govt to setup Eco-Pak in Rajouri:

The Jammu and Kashmir government has decided to build an Eco-Park on over 34 acres of land reclaimed from encroachers in the state’s Rajouri district.

The park is a first-of-its-kind project in the region. It will have a botanical garden, a cactus garden, a cafeteria and other amenities, he said.

Nearly, 34 acres of land has been included in the Eco- Park project coming up at the Kandi belt of Rajouri, district.

Jammu and Kashmir

  • Capital: Srinagar
  • Chief Minister: Mehbooba Mufti
  • Governor: Narinder Nath Vohra

Gurgaon to get 50 new green-fuel stations in 3 years:

The Gurugram district administration has decided to sanction 50 new green-fuel stations in Millennium City here in the next three years to control rising air pollution, a pollution control department official said.

The Haryana City Gas Distribution Ltd (HCGDL), an authorised dealer to sell compressed natural gas (CNG) in Gurgaon, has been given the responsibility construct the 50 stations, the official said. The city has 17 CNG stations are distributing 2.5 lakh kg of gas per day and the demand is expected to rise by up to 50 lakh kg in next three years.

 

INTERNATIONAL

US imposes financial sanctions on Venezuela:

The United States has slapped strong financial sanctions on Venezuela, barring banks from any new deals with the government.

The President’s new action prohibits dealings in new debt and equity issued by the Venezuelan government and its state oil company. It also prohibits dealings in certain existing bonds owned by the Venezuelan public sector, as well as dividend payments to the government.

Venezuela

  • Currency: Venezuelan bolívar
  • Capital: Caracas

Donald Trump signs memo banning transgender recruits from US military:

US President Donald Trump has signed a memo ordering the Pentagon to ban an Obama-era plan of recruiting transgender individuals in the military, a move Democrats said was “cruel” and meant to “hurt and humiliate” American soldiers. The memo requests the Pentagon to develop an implementation plan for the ban by February 21, 2018, which should be put in place on March 23, 2018.

USA

  • President of the United States: Donald Trump
  • Currency: United States Dollar
  • Capital: Washington, D.C.

 

China bans new business with N Korea in line with sanctions:

 China has banned North Korean individuals and enterprises from doing new business in the country, in line with United Nations Security Council sanctions passed earlier this month.

According to a notice released on the Commerce ministry’s website, new joint venture enterprises, new wholly owned businesses and the expansion of existing entities involving North Korean individuals or companies are prohibited in China.

New sanctions by China, Japan, the United States and the United Nations are aimed at pressuring Pyongyang to end its nuclear weapons programme.

China    

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

 

North Korea

  • Currency: won
  • Capital: Pyongyang
  • Leader: Kim Jong-un

India, Nepal agrees to boost joint infra projects:

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi held comprehensive talks with his Nepalese counterpart She

r Bahadur Deuba and later in a joint statement the two leaders expressed satisfaction over the excellent state of India-Nepal relations.

The two prime ministers noted with satisfaction the utilisation of the two Lines of Credit of USD 100 million and USD 250 million for development of roads and power infrastructure in Nepal.

The two prime ministers noted with satisfaction that the railway line from Jayanagar to Janakpur and from Jogbani to Biratnagar Custom Yard will be completed by 2018. The Nepali side committed to resolve all issues for expeditious completion of both the projects.

Nepal

  • Prime minister: Sher Bahadur Deuba
  • Currency: Nepalese rupee
  • Capital: Kathmandu

 

Festival of india being Organised in Brazil from 31 August to 9 September 2017

A Festival of India is being organized in Brazil from 31 August-9 September 2017.  The Festival will showcase diverse Indian culture, i.e. classical dances, literature, cuisine and Exhibition on Mahatma Gandhi.   The following events will be held in the cities of Brasilia, Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro:

  • Bharatnatyam Dance by Devayani and Group from 31 August-4 September 2017.
  • Kathak Dance by Nandini Singh and Group from 1-5 September 2017
  • Indian Food Festival from 3-9 September 2017
  • Literary Festival from 5-9 September 2017
  • Exhibition on Mahatma Gandhi from 31 August-9 September 2017

Brazil

  • Currency: Brazilian real
  • Capital: Brasília

BANKING & BUSINESS

Dhanlaxmi Bank, DHFL Pramerica tie up for bancassurance:

         DHFL Pramerica Life Insurance Company has signed on Kerala-based Dhanlaxmi Bank as its bancassurance partner, under which the latter will distribute retail and group life insurance products to its customers across 260 branches in India.

G Sreeram, Managing Director and CEO, Dhanlaxmi Bank, said the bank has consistently enhanced its portfolio to meet the diverse financial needs of its customers.

 

TRAI orders Idea to pay Rs. 3 cr. for ‘overcharging’ customers:

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has imposed a penalty of almost Rs. 3 crore on Idea Cellular for overcharging subscribers for calls they made to two public sector operators — BSNL and MTNL.

 

Govt restricts import of gold, silver items from S Koreas by up to 50 lakh kg in next three years:

The government restricted imports of gold and silver items from South Korea in a bid to check spurt in inbound shipments of precious metals from that country.

The importers will now have to obtain a license from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) for importing gold and silver from South Korea.

These restrictions are being imposed against the backdrop of sudden surge in imports of precious metal from South Korea, with which India has a free trade agreement since January 2010.

South Korea

  • Currency: South Korean won
  • Capital: Seoul
  • President: MOON Jae-in

Google brings free WiFi to Indonesia:

Google is extending its successful Google Station program to Indonesia, according to TechCrunch.

The company is partnering with internet service providers (ISPs), venue owners, and system integrators in Indonesia to provide consumers with free access to Wi-Fi at railway stations, universities, and other public areas.

Indonesia

  • Currency: Indonesian rupiah
  • Capital: Jakarta

APPOINTMENTS

Randhir Kumar Jaiswal appointed social secretary to Prez:

Senior diplomat Randhir Kumar Jaiswal was appointed as social secretary to President Ram Nath Kovind.

Jaiswal is a 1998-batch officer of the Indian Foreign Service. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved his appointment to the post for a period of two years, an order issued by Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) said.

IRS officer Praveen Siddharth has been appointed as Officer on Special Duty in the president’s secretariat.

 

Australian Trade Minister to lead ‘Business Week’ in India:

With the focus on strengthening collaboration between Australia and India in agri-business and food, higher education and research and smart cities and infrastructure, Australia’s Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Steven Ciobo will lead a major mission to the country this month.

According to the statement, the second Australia Business Week in India (ABWI) arranged by the Australian Trade and Investment Commission from August 28 to September 1 will attract many business leaders.

Australia

  • Capital: Canberra
  • Currency: Australian dollar

 

Alibaba’s Jack Ma Again Asia’s Richest Man:

According to Forbes, Jack Ma, the founder of the leading e-commerce giant in China, was worth $37.4 billion, with Tencent (TCEHY) Chairman Ma Huateng now ranked second with a $36.7 billion fortune. According to Forbes’ real-time billionaires list, the two Chinese businessmen go back and forth as the richest in Asia. Global rankings put Ma at No. 18 while Huateng is No. 19.

SPORTS

Farah ends track career in style:

Four-time Olympic champion Mo Farah ended his track career in thrilling fashion with victory in the 5,000m at the Diamond League final while world 100m champion Justin Gatlin slumped to defeat.

The 34-year-old Farah, also a six-time World champion who will now switch to road running, clocked 13min 06.05sec to defeat Paul Chelimo of the United States and Muktar Edris of Ethiopia.

 

Sri Lanka names Chamara Kapugedara as captain for 3rd, 4th ODI matches against India:

 Sri Lankan cricket board has named Chamara Kapugedara as the captain of cricket team for third and fourth ODI matches against India.

The announcement came as the ICC imposed two match bans on Upul Tharanga over slow over rate second ODI match which India won by three wickets to take a 2-0 lead in the series.

Srilanka

  • Currency: Sri Lankan rupee
  • Capitals: Colombo, Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
  • Prime minister: Ranil Wickremesinghe

England to host 2018 ITTF Team World Cup:

The ITTF has awarded hosting rights for the event its second most prestigious tournament after the World Championships to Table Tennis England.

It will be staged at the iconic Copper Box Arena in London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, from February 22 to 25, 2018.

 

HISTORIC EVENTS OF THE DAY

EPFO organizes Tiranga Yatra – Commemoration of 75th anniversary of the Quit India Movement in Mumbai“Corruption Quit India and make swacch India”, Shri Bandaru Dattatreya appeals:

The nation is observing the 75th anniversary of Quit India Movement.  The Tiranga Yatra is an opportunity to achieve ‘Sankalp’ to ‘Siddhi’ towards a ‘New India’.

      Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation, is participating in the celebrations of 75thanniversary of Quit India Movement by organizing Tiranga Yatra all the stakeholders including EPFO participated in Mumbai on 23rd August 2017.  The Tiranga Yatra was flagged off by the Minister of State(IC) for Labour and Employment, Shri Bandaru Dattatreya, near Indian Oil Office, Bandra (E), Mumbai and culminated at EPFO Regional Office at Bandra (E), Mumbai.

 

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