Current Affairs11 February 2018

International Current Affairs 1. List of MoUs/Agreements signed during visit of Prime Minister to Palestine MOU between India a...

International Current Affairs

1. List of MoUs/Agreements signed during visit of Prime Minister to Palestine

MOU between India and Palestine for setting up of India-Palestine Super-specialty hospital at Beit Sahour in Bethelhem Governorate at a cost ofUS$ 30 million.

• MOU between India and Palestine for construction of India Palestine Centre for Empowring women, "Turathi” at a cost ofUS$ 5 million
• MOU between India and Palestine for setting up of new National Printing Press at Ramallah at a cost ofUS$ 5 million
• MOU between India and Palestine Construction of school in Muthalth Al Shuhada Village at a cost ofUS$ 1 million
• MOU between India and Palestine Construction of school in Tamoon village in Tubas Governorate in Palestine at a cost ofUS$ 1.1 million
• MOU between India and Palestine Assistance of US$ US$ 0.25 million for construction of additional floor to Jawahar Lal Nehru for Boys at Abu Dees

2. PM Modi inaugurates Abu Dhabi’s first Hindu temple

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has laid the foundation stone for a new temple for the Hindu community living in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). 

• The temple will be the first to be built in Abu Dhabi, the capital of UAE which is home to a huge Indian diaspora. 
• The PM laid the foundation stone for the temple from the Dubai Opera House via video conferencing. 
• This is Modi's second visit to the UAE after August 2015.
• The UAE has two Hindu temples which are located in Dubai.

3. Mumbai 12th richest city globally; total wealth at USD 950 billion 

India's financial capital Mumbai, with a total wealth of USD 950 billion, has been named among the top 15 wealthiest cities globally, while New York topped the list, says a report. 

• According to a report by New World Wealth, the economic hub of India is the 12th wealthiest city, followed by Toronto with a total wealth of USD 944 billion, Frankfurt (14th, USD 912 billion) and Paris (15th, USD 860 billion). 
• Mumbai, also features among the top 10 cities in terms of billionaire population. The city is home to 28 billionaires, individuals with USD 1 billion or more in net assets. 

National Current Affairs

4. Government to set up a Cyber Crime Reporting Portal 

The Union Home Minister has said the Government has decided to establish a Cyber Crime Reporting Portal to report Cyber Crimes Against Women. 

• We will also establish a dedicated Cyber Crime Laboratory to stop Crimes Against Women and Children, he added. 
• Shri Rajnath Singh was addressing the gathering after inaugurating the 24th All-India Forensic Science Conference in Ahmedabad.

Business

5. OVL, partners acquire 10% stake in Abu Dhabi oilfield 

ONGC Videsh Ltd and its partners have acquired a 10 per cent in a large offshore oilfield in Abu Dhabi for USD 600 million. 

• This is the first time that Indian oil companies have taken part in an Abu Dhabi oil and gas concession. 
• OVL, the overseas arm of state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC), Indian Oil Corp (IOC) and a unit of Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd (BPCL), paid a signing amount of USD 600 million for a 10 per cent stake in Abu Dhabi National Oil Co’s 40-year Lower Zakum Concession, Offshore Abu Dhabi.

6. IPPB to enable Digital Payments in Post Offices by April 2018

India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) Expansion Programme continues to make brisk progress and a nation-wide roll-out is scheduled beginning April 2018.  

• Once the proposed expansion is completed, IPPB will be providing the largest financial inclusion network in the country, covering both urban as well as rural hinterland with ability to provide digital payment services at the doorstep with the help of Postmen and Gramin Dak Sewaks (GDS).  
• IPPB will also enable more than 17 crore active account-holders of Post Office Savings Bank to make interoperable digital payments including the benefit of NEFT, RTGS, UPI and bill payment services.  
• Additionally, the IPPB will enable acceptance of digital payments across post offices in the country in line with the digital payments initiative of the government.

Awards

7. Hindi writer Krishna Sobti gets Jnanpith Award

Renowned Hindi writer Krishna Sobti has been conferred upon the Jnanpith Award for her contribution to Hindi Literature. 

• Noted Poet Ashok Bajpai received the award from Jananpith Award Committee Chairman Justice Bijendra Jain on behalf of Krishna Sobti.

Deaths

8. Noted litterateur Chandrasekhar Rath passes away

Eminent litterateur Chandrasekhar Rath has passed away at the age of 89.

• He was recently nominated for Padma Shri by the Union government this year for his contribution towards Odia literature.
• Rath, a prolific writer, has written several novels, short stories, essays and poems during his illustrious career.