Current Affairs 8 March 2018

Daily Current Affairs 8 March 32018 For general knowledge and exams like ssc ibps sbi railway ias pcs

Daily Current Affairs 8 March 2018

 Detail Current Affairs

International Womens Day 2018 Theme

Every year, March 8 is celebrated as International Women’s Day. 2018  Theme is: "Press for Progress" 2018 UN Theme of "International Women’s Day" is: - "Time is Now: Rural and urban activists transforming women’s lives" Celebrated since:- 1913 This day was recognised by the United Nations in:- 1975

 

Railway introduce a semi high speed train on Delhi Jaipur route to reduce travel time to 90 mins

The Railway Ministry is planning to introduce a semi-high speed train on the Delhi-Jaipur route which would operate at the speed of 200 kmph and cover the distance within 90 minutes. Currently, existing tracks on routes can support a maximum speed of 110 km/hour.

 

RBI imposes Rs. 40 lakh penalty on SBI over counterfeit notes

The Reserve Bank has slapped a penalty of Rs 40 lakh on SBI (State Bank of India) for not complying with its directions on detection and impounding of counterfeit notes. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed, on March 01, 2018, a monetary penalty of Rs 4 million on State Bank of India for non-compliance with the directions issued by RBI on Detection and Impounding of Counterfeit Notes.

CCI imposed fine of 54 Crore rupees on Jet Airways, IndiGo, SpiceJet for unfair business practices

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) imposed a fine of over Rs. 54 crore on Jet Airways, IndiGo, and SpiceJet over alleged cartelisation, unfair business practices with respect to fixing fuel surcharge on cargo transport. Jet Airways was fined ₹39.81 crore while the penalties on IndiGo and SpiceJet are ₹9.45 crore and ₹5.1 crore, respectively.

Rs 2,000 crore compensation package approved for Pakistan occupied Kashmir refugees

The Central government had sanctioned a Rs 2,000-crore compensation package for the refugees from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) living in Jammu and Kashmir. 36,384 families were provided Rs 5.5 lakh each.

Telangana Government Declares Holiday for Women Staff on March 8, International Womens Day

Telangana government has declared a special casual leave to all the women employees in the state on March 8, 2018, on the occasion of International Women’s Day. International Women’s Day is celebrated every year on March 8. It is also known as the United Nations (UN) Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace. The first national women’s day was held in New York in 1909 on February 28 and was organized by the Socialist Party of America.

Architect BV Doshi becomes first Indian to win 2018 Pritzker Prize

Indian architect, urban planner, and educator Balkrishna Vithaldas (BV) Doshi has won the 2018 Pritzker Prize for ‘deeply personal, responsive, and meaningful’ architecture. Born in Pune in 1927, Doshi is the oldest ever recipient of the prize, which is regarded as the highest accolade in international architecture and is worth $100,000 (£72,000). He is also the first winner from India.

Two TDP ministers resign from Union cabinet, due to Centres denial to grant special category status to Andhra Pradesh

Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has decided to pull out two its ministers - A. Gajapathi Raju and Y.S. Chowdary - from the Union Cabinet. Chandrababu Naidu, Andhra Pradesh CM and TDP chief, made the announcement over Centre's denial to grant special category status to Andhra Pradesh. Raju holds the office of Union Aviation Minister, and Chowdary is the Minister of State for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences.

Washington Becomes First State to Enact Its Own Net Neutrality Rules

Washington became the first state to pass a new law -- House Bill 2282 -- that restores and protects certain net neutrality rules, after the Federal Communications Commission voted 3-2 in favor of repealing net neutrality nationwide late last year.  Washington state's new rules were signed into law by Governor Jay Inslee, and prevent internet service providers from blocking and slowing down content online. This will become nationwide law itself by April 23, 2018. 

NHAI launches new mobile app named Sukhad Yatra App to empower highway users

Ministry of Road Transport and Highways headed by Nitin Gadkari has launched a new mobile app called 'Sukhad Yatra' which is aimed to empower frequent highway users.  Sukhad yatra mobile application has been developed by National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and offers a number of convenient features including real-time data waiting-time at toll-plazas. Top-features of Sukhad Yatra Mobile App launched by Ministry of Road Transport and NHAI: Complain about FastTag facility/Lane Complain against Toll Plaza management Potholes and other maintenance issues Safety hazard during road construction along highways across India Poor workman ship of construction Online recharge FastTag cards Locating Point of Interests (POI) including restaurants, petrol pumps on highways, restroom etc Report Accident Real-Time data of toll plaza - Know waiting time at toll plazas

CEAT introduces Safety Grip for the safety of women riders

To commemorate women's day, CEAT has combined functionality and innovation to introduce the brand new CEAT Safety Grip to make riding safe for women. It is aimed at instilling confidence among women and empowering them to take charge of their own safety. CEAT [Cavi Elettrici e Affini Torino - Electrical Cables and Allied Products of Turin] Limited is a tyre manufacturing company founded in Italy, set up it's manufacturing plant in Mumbai, India. 

Dearness allowance for government employees hiked to 7 percent

Based on the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission, the Union Cabinet on March 7, 2018 increased the dearness allowance (DA) for 11 million government employees and pensioners to 7% from 5%, from 1 January 2018.

Short Current Affairs

International Current Affairs

1. 8 March International Women's Day

 

International Women's Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8 every year. It commemorates the movement for women's rights.

• While the first observance of a Women's Day was held on February 28, 1909 in New York, March 8 was suggested by the 1910 International Woman's Conference to become an “International Woman's Day.”
• Theme for the year 2018 is ‘Time is Now: Rural and urban activists transforming women’s lives’.

2. World ATM congress held in Spain

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is participating in World ATM Congress (WATMC) 2018 being held at IFEMA, Feria de Madrid, Spain from March 6 to 8.

• World ATM Congress is the world's largest international air traffic management (ATM) exhibition and conference attracting thousands of delegates each year.
• The AAI is showcasing its achievements and initiatives, through a stall at the conference.

3. Global Firepower ranks India’s military as fourth strongest

India’s military is placed fourth on a global index that has ranked 133 countries on the basis of their global military prowess.

• The US, Russia and China were on top three positions respectively.
• India’s western neighbour Pakistan ranks 13 on the Global Firepower (GFP) list 2017.

National Current Affairs

4. Centre sanctions Rs 1,000 crore for research and innovation

The Union Government has announced a grant of Rs 1,000 crore for the second phase of the Impacting Research Innovation and Technology (IMPRINT) India programme.

• Under the IMPRINT-II, a fund is being created by the Department of Science and Technology and Ministry of Human Resource Development together, in which participation will come from industry and other interested Ministries.
• Under the IMPRINT-I Programme, 142 projects at a cost of Rs. 318.71 crore are already under implementation.

5. Cabinet approves MoU between UPSC and Public Service Commission of Mauritius

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and Public Service Commission of Mauritius.

• The MoU will strengthen the existing relationship between UPSC and Public Service Commission of Mauritius.
• It will facilitate sharing of experience and expertise of both the parties in the area of recruitment.
• The MoU will develop institutionalized linkage between the Public Service Commissions of two countries.

6. Swachh Shakti 2018 to be held in Lucknow

The Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, in association with the Government of Uttar Pradesh, is organizing a Women’s Convention – called Swachh Shakti 2018 – on International Women’s Day, at Lucknow.

• 8000 women sarpanches, 3000 women Swachhagrahis, 2000 mahilasamakhyas from Uttar Pradesh and women sarpanches from across the country have been invited to recognize their outstanding contribution towards making Swachh Bharat a reality in rural India.
• Last year, 6000 women sarpanches from across the country had assembled in Gujarat on the occasion of International Women’s Day under the banner Swachh Shakti 2017.

7. RK Singh launches National E-Mobility Programme

Shri R K Singh, Union Minister of State (IC) Power and New & Renewable Energy, launched the National E-Mobility Programme.

• The Programme aims to provide an impetus to the entire e-mobility ecosystem including vehicle manufacturers, charging infrastructure companies, fleet operators, service providers, etc.
• The Programme will be implemented by Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) which will aggregate demand by procuring electric vehicles in bulk to get economies of scale.

8. NITI Aayog to launch Women Entrepreneurship Platform

NITI Aayog, the premier think tank of the country will launch its Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) on 8th March on the occasion of the International Women's Day.

• NITI Vice Chairman Rajiv Kumar, CEO, Amitabh Kant, UN Resident Coordinator in India Yuri Afanasiev and Kailash Kher, along with industry leaders and partners of WEP will be present on this occasion
• Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) would provide a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem where women do not face any gender-based barriers.
• The platform aspires to substantially increase the number of women entrepreneurs who will create and empower a dynamic New India.
• WEP will provide opportunities to women to realize their entrepreneurial aspirations, scale-up innovative initiatives and chalk-out sustainable, long-term strategies for their businesses.

Important Appointments

9. Biplab Deb to be the new Tripura Chief Minister

Tripura BJP president and newly-elected MLA Biplab Kumar Deb was unanimously elected leader of the BJP legislature party in the state, Union minister Nitin Gadkari announced.

• Deb, whose name was proposed by party MLA Sudip Roy Burman in the meeting, will be the new chief minister of Tripura, Gadkari said.
• BJP MLA Jishnu Debbarma will be the deputy chief minister.
• Deb will stake claim to form government in the state before Governor Tathagata Roy.