Latest Current Affairs – February 28 2018
- February, 28 2018: National Science Day
National Science Day (NSD) is celebrated every year on 28 February 2018. NSD is celebrated on 28th February to commemorate discovery of the ‘Raman Effect’, which led to Sir C.V. Raman winning the Noble Prize.
The theme of NSD-2018 is “Science and Technology for a Sustainable Future”, which has been chosen for the purpose of raising public appreciation of the scientific issues involved.
- Env minister Harsh Vardhan launches app
Union Environment and Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan has launched a mobile application that enables people to better connect with him and provides information about his work.
The mobile application gives out the detailed work done by Vardhan as a minister. The app also focuses on green good deeds that prescribes involvement of citizens in acts like saving energy, conserving water, planting trees, reuse and recycle, promoting car-pool and use of public transport.
- Lakshadweep joins UDAY scheme
The Union territory of Lakshadweep has joined UDAY scheme, which is meant for revival of debt stressed power distribution companies (discoms) in the country.
The Government of India and the Union Territory of Lakshadweep signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) under the Scheme Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana (UDAY).
The MoU paves way for improving operational efficiency of the Electricity Department of the Union Territory (UT).
- India’s 2018 GDP growth estimate unchanged at 7.6%: Moody’s
Moody’s Investors Service has estimated that India will grow 7.6% in calendar year 2018 and 7.5% in 2019, amid signs of economic recovery from impact of demonetisation and goods and services tax (GST).
The budget for 2018-19 includes some measures that could stabilise the rural economy that was disproportionately hit by the demonetisation policy and is yet to recover.
The bank recapitalisation plan should also help credit growth over time, thereby supporting growth
- EPFO makes online claims must for PF withdrawals above Rs 10 lakh
Retirement fund body EPFO has made it mandatory to file online claims for provident fund withdrawals above Rs 10 lakh, taking another step towards becoming a paperless organisation.
The Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has also made it mandatory to file online claims for withdrawals of above Rs 5 lakh under the Employees Pension Scheme 1995.
Under the pension scheme, there is a provision of part withdrawal of pension, commonly known as commutation of pension money. At present, EPFO subscribers have the option of filing online as well as manual claims for provident fund withdrawal as also for pension.
- Axio Bio gets USFDA nod for first aid product Axiostat
Med-tech startup Axio Biosolutions today said it has received US health regulator’s approval for its first aid dressing product Axiostat that stops bleeding within 2-3 minutes of its application.
The United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) clearance allows Axiostat to be marketed in the US as over-the-counter (OTC) product.
- Cabinet approves signing of a host of pacts with Jordan
The Union Cabinet has given its nod to sign a host of pacts with Jordan, including cooperation in the field of health, manpower, customs and mining.
It approved signing an MoU with Jordan on cooperation and mutual administrative assistance in customs matters.
The pact aims at enhancing collaboration between the two sides in promoting best practices in administration of contractual employment, reflect the latest reforms in recruitment processes and enhance protection and welfare of Indian workers in Jordan.
- Cabinet approves MoU between India and Vietnam on Economic and Trade Cooperation
The Union Cabinet chaired has approved thesigning of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Vietnam on Economic and Trade Cooperation.
The MoU would expand more bilateral trade and economic cooperation between India and Vietnam.
- Cabinet apprised of an MoU between India and Fiji on Cooperation in Renewable Energy
The Union Cabinet has been apprised of aMemorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation in Renewable Energy between India and Fiji. The MoU was signed on 24th May, 201 7at Suva, Fiji.
The MoU envisages establishing a Joint Working Committee to review, monitor and discuss matters relation to areas of cooperation. It provides for exchange of expertise and networking of information.
- Cabinet approves MoU between India and Macedonia on cooperation in the field of Health
The Union Cabinet has approved signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Macedonia on cooperation in the field of Health. A Working Group will be set up to further elaborate the details of cooperation and to oversee the implementation.
- Cabinet approves signing of MoU between India and Jordan on Cooperation in Health Sector
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the proposal for signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Jordan on cooperation in the field of Health & Medical Science.
- Cabinet approves signing of MoU between India and Jordan on Cooperation in the Field of Manpower
The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal for signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Jordan on Cooperation in the Field of Manpower.
The MoU aims at enhancing collaboration between the two sides in promoting best practices in the administration of contractual employment, reflects the latest reforms in recruitment processes and enhances the protection and welfare of Indian workers in Jordan.
- Cabinet approves Action Plan for Champion Sectors in Services
The Union Cabinet chaired approved the proposal of the Department of Commerce to give focused attention to 12 identified Champion Services Sectors for promoting their development, and realizing their potential.
These include Information Technology & Information Technology enabled Services (IT & ITeS), Tourism and Hospitality Services, Medical Value Travel, Transport and Logistics Services, Accounting and Finance Services, Audio Visual Services, Legal Services, Communication Services, Construction and Related Engineering Services, Environmental Services, Financial Services and Education Services.
- Cabinet approves Agreement between India and Jordan on Cooperation and Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters
The Union Cabinet has approved the signing and ratifying an Agreement between India and Jordan on Cooperation and Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters.
The Agreement will help in the availability of relevant information for the prevention and investigation of Customs offences. The Agreement is also expected to facilitate trade and ensure efficient clearance of goods traded between the countries.
- Mascot chosen by children for Tokyo 2020 Olympics unveiled
Two futuristic figures, inspired by anime, have been chosen as mascots for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games after voting in thousands of schools in Japan.
The winning designs represent the “tradition and innovation” of Japan according to the organisers, reports Efe.
Japanese illustrator Ryo Taniguchi, whose entries won, designs characters for language teaching books and companies.
- Kanchi Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswathi passes away at 82
Kanchi Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswathi, regarded as one of the most influential spiritual leaders of his time but whose shock arrest in a murder case robbed the spiritual shine of the Kanchi mutt, died in Kancheepuram. He was 82.
