CURRENT AFFAIRS 28 th February 2018

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Dominic Sparks
5 years ago
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2 CURRENT AFFAIRS 28 th February National Science Day- 28th February i. National Science Day (NSD) is celebrated every year on 28 February. The theme of NSD-2018 is Science and Technology for a Sustainable Future. ii. NSD is celebrated to commemorate the discovery of the Raman Effect, which led to Sir C.V. Raman winning the Noble Prize. The theme has been chosen for the purpose of raising public appreciation of the scientific issues involved. Department of Science and Technology instituted National Awards in Dr Harsh Vardhan is the Minister of Science & Technology. 2. King of Jordan in India on 3-Day Visit i. The King of Jordan Abdullah-II bin Al-Hussein arrived in New Delhi on a 3-day visit to India. The King is accompanied by a business delegation. During his visit, he will also participate in a CEO Round-table followed by India-Jordan Business Forum. ii. The two sides are expected to sign MoUs and agreements in diverse areas of bilateral cooperation. Jordan Capital- Amman, Currency- Jordanian dinar. 3. I&B Minister Smriti Irani Releases 'India-2018' Book i. Information and Broadcasting Minister Smriti Irani released 'India 2018' (English Version) and 'Bharat 2018' (Hindi Version). The books are published by the Publications Division. The book available in both print and online versions. ii. It is an exhaustive publication dealing with all aspects of the country's development. With its latest edition, the book has entered into its 62nd year of publication. Rajasthan CM- Vasundhara Raje, Governor- Kalyan Singh. 4. Chilika Lake Largest Habitat of Irrawaddy Dolphins Globally i. The Chilika lake in Odisha has emerged as the single largest habitat of Irrawaddy dolphins in the world with the spotting of 155 such animals, according to the Chilika Development Authority (CDA). ii. The first ever Annual Monitoring was conducted by the CDA to count the number of the marine mammals and to study the hydrological impacts of removal of pen culture (locally known as gherries).

3 Chilika Lake is the largest coastal lagoon in India and the second largest coastal lagoon in the world. Chief Executive of Chilika Development Authority is Susanta Nanda. 5. Catholic Syrian Bank Ties Up with Celebrus Capital for Online Trading Services i. Catholic Syrian Bank Ltd and Celebrus Capital Ltd have announced a new partnership to offer CSB s customers online trading and demat services. ii. With this partnership, CSB s customers can open a Celebrus trading account free of cost and also enjoy preferred rates on brokerage charges/ AMC fees on the demat account. MD & CEO of Catholic Syrian Bank- C. V. R. Rajendran. 6. RBI Raises Currency Derivative Trade Limit to USD 100 million i. The Reserve Bank of India raised the exposure limit under Exchange Traded Currency Derivatives (ETCD) trading for residents and foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) to USD 100 million across all currency pairs involving the Indian rupee. ii. The RBI's decision to raise the limit will help entities engaged in forex transactions to maintain their currency risks in a better manner. Dr Urjit Patel is the 24th Governor of RBI. RBI Headquarters in Mumbai. 7. Govt Announces Reduction in Haj Airfare i. The government has announced a significant reduction in airfares for devotees travelling to Saudi Arabia, with the prices of round tickets being slashed by Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 97,000. ii. The announcement was made by the Union Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi % Growth in Foreign Exchange Earnings In January 2018 over January 2017 i. Ministry of Tourism estimates monthly Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEEs) through Tourism in India, both in Rupee and Dollar terms based on the credit data of Travel Head from Balance of Payments of Reserve Bank of India (RBI). ii. The highlights of the estimates of FEEs from tourism in India for January 2018 are as below:- (a) Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEEs) through Tourism (in Rs. terms)- FEEs during the month of January 2018 were Rs. 17,725 crore as compared to Rs. 16,135 crore in January 2017.

4 The growth rate in FEEs in rupee terms in January 2018 over January 2017 was 9.9%, compared to the growth of 18.0% in January 2017 over January (b) Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEEs) through Tourism (in US $ terms)- FEEs in US$ terms during the month of January 2018 were US$ billion as compared to FEEs of US$ billion during the month of January The growth rate in FEEs in US$ terms in January 2018 over January 2017 was 17.6% compared to the growth of 16.6% in January 2017 over January EPFO Makes Online Claims Must for PF Withdrawals Above Rs 10 lakh i. Retirement fund body Employees Provident Fund Organisation (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. ii. The EPFO has also made it mandatory to file online claims for withdrawals of above Rs 5 lakh under the Employees Pension Scheme EPFO has recently reduced the interest rate on deposits to 8.55% for from 8.65% for EPFO came into existence under the promulgation of the Employee's Provident Fund Ordinance on the 15th November Roger Federer Becomes Most Decorated Laureus Award Winner i. Tennis legend Roger Federer became the most decorated winner in the history of Laureus World Sports Awards after he won twin honours at the 18th edition of the awards ceremony in Monaco. It was his sixth award. The awards include the Sportsman and Comeback titles. ii. American tennis great Serena Williams won the Sportswoman of the Year Award following her Australian Open success, her 23rd Grand Slam title. Serena is now the most decorated female Laureus Award winner with five Laureus statuettes. 11. India Clinched 11 Medals At Strandja Memorial Boxing Tournament i. India have come up with best ever performance at the 69th Strandja Memorial Boxing Tournament in Bulgaria. At Sofia, the country ended with a whopping 11 medals five from men and six from women boxers. ii. Overall, the contingent clinched two gold, three silver and six bronze medals. Vikas Krishan, who claimed a gold medal in 75 kg category, was also adjudged the best boxer of the event, a first for an Indian. Another Gold medal was clinched by Amit Panghal. Bulgaria Capital- Sofia, Currency- Bulgarian lev.

5 12. Eminent Odia Writer Kanakalata Mohanty Passes Away i. Eminent Odia writer Kanakalata Mohanty passed away. She was 82. Mohanty was suffering from old age-related problems. ii. Mohanty was the author of 12 novels and more than a 100 short stories. Her novels Ete Andhara, Kete Jwala and Anuradha shot her into the limelight in the 1960s. 13. Kanchi Seer Jayendra Saraswathi Passes Away i. Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal, the senior seer of Kanchi Kamakoti Mutt situated in Tamil Nadu, passed away. He was 82-years-old. He passed away due to breathing problems. ii. The junior pontiff, Sri Sankara Vijayendra Saraswathi will be the 70th Jagadguru of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam.

U.S Govt shutdown. MeitY launches Cyber Surakshit Bharat initiative. Government launches Liveability Index to rate 116 Indian cities

U.S Govt shutdown. MeitY launches Cyber Surakshit Bharat initiative. Government launches Liveability Index to rate 116 Indian cities U.S Govt shutdown The US government officially shutdown today for the first time in five years. This happened after the Senate rejected a shortterm spending bill to keep the federal government running.