Latest Current Affairs – March 08 2018

1. Centre launches biodegradable sanitary napkins costing ₹2.5

Union Minister Ananth Kumar launched 100% biodegradable sanitary napkins ‘Suvidha’, costing ₹2.50 per pad, on the occasion of International Women’s Day. The napkins will be available at Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana stores from May 28. Kumar said that the sanitary napkins will help women improve their personal hygiene without harming the nature.

2. MP Govt announces pension for single women aged over 50 years

On the International Women’s Day, Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced the ‘Mukhyamantri Mahila Kosh’ scheme aimed at providing pension to unmarried women aged over 50 years. Women shouldn’t be celebrated only on a designated day, Chouhan said. Earlier this week, Chouhan announced ₹4,000 monthly assistance to pregnant labourers from the sixth month of pregnancy.

3. 5.3 mn women take part in Spain’s first feminist strike

Over 5 million women across Spain observed a mass strike to protest pay inequality and highlight continued discrimination and gender violence as the country marked International Women’s Day with huge demonstrations planned for most towns and cities, according to major trade unions.

4. Nagaland: Neiphiu Rio takes oath as Chief Minister

People’s Democratic Alliance, PDA leader Neiphiu Rio has been sworn in as the Nagaland’s Chief Minister. He is the 20th Chief Minister of the State. Governor P B Acharya administered him the oath of office and secrecy to Rio and his council of ministers at Kohima Local ground. This is the 4th time that Rio has taken over as the chief minister of the state. Y Patton took oath as the deputy Chief Minister while 10 others were administered oath as ministers. Rio was elected as the leader of the newly formed People’s Democratic Alliance, comprising 18 NDPP MLAs, 12 BJP MLAs, one from JDU and lone Independent MLA.

5. PM launches National Nutrition Mission

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi launched the National Nutrition Mission and Pan India Expansion of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) covering all 640 districts of the Country at a mega event held at Jhunjhunu in Rajasthan. The Prime Minister also awarded ten districts for showing outstanding performance in the areas of effective community engagement, enforcement of PC&PNDT Act and enabling education of the girl child.

6. Cabinet approves an agreement between India and France on Narcotic drugs

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved an Agreement between India and France on the Prevention of the Illicit Consumption and Reduction of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Chemical Precursors, and related offences.

• The Agreement is aimed at enhancing mutual cooperation between the two countries in the prevention of the illicit consumption of, and reduction of illicit traffic, in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and chemical precursors and related offences through exchange of information, expertise and capacity building.
• Establishment of effective institutional interaction and curbing transnational narcotics trafficking including disruption of terrorist financing structures is also envisaged through this Agreement.

7. Cabinet approves an MoU between India and Hellenic on Renewable Energy Cooperation

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been apprised of  the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation in the field of Renewable Energy between India and Hellenic.  The MoU was signed by the External Affairs Minister,  Sushma Swaraj, Government of India and H.E. Nikos Kotzias, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic during the latter’s visit to New Delhi in November, 2017.

• Both sides aim to establish the basis for a cooperative institutional relationship to encourage and promote technical bilateral cooperation on new and renewable issues on the basis of mutual benefit equality and reciprocity.
• The MoU envisages establishing a Joint Working Group to review, monitor and discuss matters relation to areas of cooperation. The MoU aims for exchange of expertise and networking of information.

8. Cabinet approves signing of an Agreement between India and France to facilitate “Mutual Recognition of Academic Qualifications”

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given its approval for signing of an Agreement between India and France to facilitate Mutual Recognition of educationalqualifications and periods of study undertaken by students in duly approved, recognized and/or accredited educational Institutions within the two countries. The Agreement is expected to be signed during the forthcoming State visit of the French President to India.

• The signing of the agreement will help in deepening the educational ties between India and France and will go a long way in boosting the educational relationship between the two countries.
• The agreement will be instrumental in encouraging mobility of students from both the countries by facilitating possibilities for them to continue their studies in the other country and would also promote excellence in higher education through innovative partnerships/collaborations and research activities which will be leading to the improvement of the quality of education in India.

9. Cabinet approves promotion of agricultural mechanisation

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its approval for promotion of Agricultural Mechanization for in-situ Management of Crop Residue in the States of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh and NCT of Delhi. The total outgo from the Central funds would be Rs. 1151.80 crore (Rs. 591.65 crore in 2018-19 and Rs. 560.15 crore in 2019-20).

10. Balkrishna Doshi wins Pritzker Prize

Balkrishna Doshi, the legendary Indian architect who designs not just buildings but institutions, is being honored with the Pritzker Architecture Prize, the Nobel equivalent for the field. The Pune-born Doshi, who is 90, is the first Indian to receive the honor, the highest in the profession. Previous winners include world-renowned architects like Zaha Hadid, Frank Gehry, IM Pei, and Shigeru Ban.

11. CCI imposes Rs. 54 crore fine on 3 airlines for unfair business practices

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has imposed a total fine of more than Rs54 crore on Jet Airways, InterGlobe Aviation and SpiceJet for unfair business practices with respect to fixing fuel surcharge on cargo transport. Besides, the watchdog has directed the three airlines to “cease and desist” from anti-competitive practices. A fine of Rs39.81 crore has been imposed on Jet Airways while the penalties on InterGlobe Aviation and SpiceJet are Rs9.45 crore and Rs5.10 crore, respectively, according to an official release.

12. India-China trade hits record $84.4 billion in 2017

The India-China bilateral trade has reached $84.44 billion last year, a historic high, notwithstanding bilateral tensions over a host of issues, including the Doklam standoff. The bilateral trade in 2017 rose by 18.63% year-on-year to reach $84.44 billion. This is regarded as a landmark, as the volume of bilateral trade for the first time touched $80 billion, well above the $71.18 billion registered last year.

13. Indian-origin steel tycoon appointed UK skills ambassador

Indian-origin steel tycoon Sanjeev Gupta has been appointed by Britain’s Prince Charles as an official ambassador for the Industrial Cadets programme designed to nurture manufacturing skills. Gupta was appointment to the flagship programme to give children and young people direct structured experience of industry while still at school or college. The Industrial Cadets annual awards ceremony was held yesterday in London.