Latest Current Affairs – October 05 2018
1. Centre to introduce facial recognition technology at airports in February
The Centre is set to introduce facial recognition technology under the “Digi Yatra” scheme at the Hyderabad and Bengaluru airports in February 2019.
The passengers should initially register themselves on a web portal by providing identity proof. After registration, the passengers would be required to undergo a one-time verification at an airport so that the individual’s facial identity would be captured and mapped onto a newly created “Digi Yatra” profile. Once the profile is created a distinct identification number will be generated. This number should be used at the time of purchasing an air ticket, to avail the paperless access facility.
2. DST boosts solar cooking
In order to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the Department of Science and Technology (DST)introduced a project to boost the solar cooking. DST has instituted Grand Challenge Awards for the design of solar cooking solutions at both household and community levels to empower rural people.
The government has been encouraging the use of solar cookers. Financial incentives of 30% of the cost of the solar cooker all over the country and 60% to special category States (hilly and northeastern States) are already in place.
3. China used tiny chips to steal U.S. technology secrets
The Bloomberg News report said tiny chips were inserted in the U.S. computer equipment that was manufactured in China in order to steal U.S. technology secrets.
The U.S. authorities alerted after finding a chip, that is the size of a grain of rice, were used on equipment made for Amazon and Apple, and possibly for other companies and government agencies.
The report also suspected a unit of the People’s Liberation Army has involved the operation that placed the chips on equipment manufactured in China for U.S.-based Super Micro Computer Inc. The Super Micro also manufactured equipment for Department of Defense data centres, the CIA’s drone operations, and onboard networks of Navy warships.
4. Saudi Arabia to invest in oil refinery in Gwadar, Pakistan
Saudi Arabia announced that it is to invest in a new oil refinery in Pakistan’s growing deep-sea port of Gwadar, Islamabad. The agreement is after the visit of Pakistan’s new Prime Minister Imran Khan to the Gulf kingdom as he seeks to attract foreign investment.
Saudi has shown its interest immediately to invest in the refinery. The agreement is to be signed between Pakistan State Sil and Riyadh’s State oil giant Saudi Aramco.
As part of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Gwadar’s port is being developed. Gwadar is part of Pakistan’s mineral-rich southwestern Balochistan province.
5. Indian International Science Festival Begins In Lucknow
Indian International Science Festival (IISF) 2018 will start in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
President Ramnath Kovind will formally inaugurate the festival. IISF-2018 with its focal theme “Science for Transformation” will have 23 special events.
Union Science and Technology Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan announced that about ten thousand scientists and experts, including science teachers and students, will participate in the event.
6. World Teachers Day is observed on 5 October
The theme for this year’s WTD is “The right to education means the right to a qualified teacher,”
The WTD 2018 will mark the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) recognizes education as a key fundamental right and establishes an entitlement to free compulsory education, ensuring inclusive and equitable access for all children.
7. India and ADB sign $ 150 Million Loan Agreement to Support India’s First Global Skills Park
Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of India signed a $150 million Loan Agreement in New Delhi to establish a Global Skills Park (GSP) in Madhya Pradesh, the First Multi-Skills Park in India, to enhance the quality of Technical and Vocational Education And Training (TVET) System in the State and create a more skilled workforce.
This Project will help improve the quality and relevance of the State’s TVET programs and will help impart advanced job-ready skills training of international standards that can meet the employment needs of the State’s emerging sectors.
8. NMCG Partnered with TSAF to Launch Mission Gange
National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) partnered with Tata Steel Adventure Foundation (TSAF) to launch a month-long rafting expedition of a team of 40 members which will be led by the first Indian woman to scale Mount Everest Ms. Bachendri Pal. The meeting will conclude in Patna.
9. India officially handed over seven Rohingya men to Myanmar authorities
Seven Rohingya Muslim men who were arrested in 2012 for illegally entering Assam were officially handed over to Myanmar authorities. As the Supreme Court rejected the plea to intervene in the case, the deportation happened from the immigration point at Manipur’s border town Moreh.
Immigration officials from Tamu took custody of the seven men after completing the formalities with their Indian counterparts and police officials from Assam and Manipur. Apart from these seven, Assam has 32 Rohingya including a few minors across five detention centres other than Silchar. Manipur’s Sajiwa Central Jail has 22 Rohingya caught five years ago.
