Current Affars 6 March 2018

Daily Current Affairs 6 March 2018 For Competition Exams like SSC IPBS SBI IAS and also for general knowledge

Daily current affairs 6 March 2018

Detail Current Affairs 6 March 2018

 International Yoga Festival Held In Rishikesh 

 

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat inaugurated the week-long 29th annual, world-famous International Yoga Festival (IYF) in Rishikesh's Parmarth Niketan. The IYF offers daily classes from 4 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. with more than 80 revered saints, Yogacharya, presenters and experts from nearly 20 countries around the world.

Iraq overtakes Saudi Arabia as Indias biggest Oil Supplier

Iraq overtook Saudi Arabia to become India’s top crude oil supplier by supplying 38.9 million tonnes (MT) crude oil in the current financial year. It was fifth of India’s oil needs. India is 80% dependent on imports to meet its oil needs. India had imported 184.4 MT of crude oil during April. Saudi Arabia traditionally has been India’s top oil source but Iraq dethroned it. Saudi Arabia supplied 30.9 MT of crude oil in first 10 months.

 

Indian Military Ranked 4th Strongest In World, USA Tops

Out of 133 countries, India is ranked fourth on a global index for its military strength, only the United States, Russia and China are ranked above India on the list, according to the latest report of the Global Firepower index 2017. Neighbouring Pakistan is ranked 13th. India maintained its position above France in the top five military powers in the world. The Indian Army is equipped with 4,426 combat tanks, 6,704 armored fighting vehicles, and 7,414 towed artillery guns, as per the list. The Top 5 countries in the list are- 1. The USA, 2. Russia, 3. China, 4. India, 5. France.

Myanmar puts off border agreement with India

Myanmar has indefinitely deferred signing agreement with India to streamline the free movement of people within 16 km along the open border between two countries. It has cited domestic compulsions and has asked for more time for the agreement to be sealed. Background India and Myanmar share 1,643 km unfenced border along four states viz. Arunachal Pradesh (520 km), Nagaland (215 km), Manipur (398 km) and Mizoram (510 km) and permit free movement regime. To give it shape, Central Government had asked four border states with Myanmar to distribute “border pass” to all the residents living within 16 km. The agreement will facilitate movement of people on basis of valid passports and visas which will enhance economic and social interaction between two places.

Marshall Islands to launch world-first digital legal tender

The Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean is set to become the first country in the world to recognize cryptocurrency as its legal tender and adopt transparent cryptocurrency as its legal tender and adopt the transparent crypto monetary system. The parliament of the island has passed a law to create the digital currency call called “Sovereign” with symbol SOV to raise some hard cash to pay bills and boost the economy. The Marshall Islands is partnering with Israeli fintech startup Neema to launch its SOV. It will have equal status with US dollar as a form of payment. SOV issued by the Marshall Islands will be different from other cryptocurrencies including bitcoin because it will be officially recognized by law as legal documents.

NHAI asks officials to strictly monitor condition of National Highways

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is taking all efforts to ensure that National Highways are of good quality, safe, reliable, comfortable for road users and are maintained well. In a recent directive, NHAI Chairman Deepak Kumar has asked all Regional Officers and Project Directors to strictly monitor the road conditions and take timely action for rectification of damaged stretches through the concessionaires and contractors if the same is within their scope or through a selected agency, as per the extant policy of NHAI. He has directed that in case the concessionaire and contractor fail to fulfill its contractual O&M obligations, appropriate damages as per agreements should be levied and appropriate action for maintenance should be initiated forthwith. Also, he has emphasized that if there is any laxity on the part of Independent Engineer, appropriate action against them will be taken. The field officials are also being encouraged to take corrective and preventive action so that adequate maintenance is done on these projects. In this regard, NHAI also takes cognizance of complaints received from road users about poorly maintained National Highways.

Five thousand Six Crore Sanctioned Under Swadesh Darshan Scheme And Rs. 687.92 Crore Under PRASHAD Scheme

A total amount of Rs. 5638.87 crore was sanctioned with the release of Rs. 2148.17 crore since 2014-15 till date under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme of Ministry of Tourism. Under the Swadesh Darshan scheme, thirteen thematic circuits have been identified for development. Meanwhile, under the PRASHAD scheme, 23 projects have been sanctioned to 15 States for a total amount of Rs.687.92 crore with the release of Rs.241.28 crore since 2015-16 till date. The main objective of the ‘National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) is of holistic development of identified pilgrimage and heritage destination.

Namaste Shalom- Magazine On India-Israel Relations Launched

The Union Minister of State (I/C) of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Dr Jitendra Singh, launched the social media of “Namaste Shalom”, a magazine on India-Israel relations. The magazine ‘Namaste Shalom’ is edited by Tarun Vijay, former MP.

 

Viswanathan Anand Wins Tal Memorial Rapid Chess Title

World rapid champion Viswanathan Anand annexed the Tal Memorial rapid chess title in Moscow, Russia after an easy final round draw against Boris Gelfand of Israel. His solitary loss came at the hands of Shakhriyar Mamedyarov of Azerbaijan in the third round.

 

Rashid Khan Becomes Youngest Captain In International Cricket History

The leg-spinner from Afghanistan, Rashid Khan (19-year-old) become the youngest captain in international cricket history. He now holds the ICC No. 1 rank for bowlers in both the ODIs and T20Is and also became the youngest player ever to hold the top spot for any form of ICC men's ranking.  England’s Arran Bindle is the youngest woman player at the age of 19 years and 260 days to lead a team in women’s cricket. She led the England side in a three ODIs in 2001. Youngest captains in international cricket: Rashid Khan (Afghanistan) -  19 years 159 days. Rajin Saleh (Bangladesh) - 20 years 297 days. Rodney Trott (Bermuda) - 20 years 332 days. Tatenda Taibu (Zimbabwe) - 20 years 342 days. Nawab Pataudi (India) - 21 years 77 days.

 

National Current Affairs

1. Bengaluru’s first helitaxi service takes off

App-based taxi service took on a whole new meaning when Bengaluru’s first helitaxi service took off, ferrying passengers from Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) to Electronics City in 15 minutes.

• The helitaxi, touted to be the first such service in the country.
• The service is being offered by KIA in partnership with Thumby Aviation Pvt Ltd, in an effort to reduce the time taken to travel to the city from the international airport.

2. Threat of new malware looms over cyberspace

After Mirai and Reaper, cybersecurity agencies have detected a new malware called Saposhi, which is capable of taking over electronic devices and turning them into ‘bots’, which can be then used for any purpose, including a Distributed Denial Of Service attack which, with enough firepower, can cripple entire industries.

• “Saposhi is similar in its intensity to Reaper, which was taking over millions of devices at the rate of 10,000 devices per day.

 3. Over Rs. 5600 crore sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan Scheme by Tourism Ministry

A total amount of Rs. 5638.87 crore was sanctioned with release of Rs. 2148.17 crore since 2014-15 till date under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme of Ministry of Tourism.

• Under the Swadesh Darshan scheme, thirteen thematic circuits have been identified, for development namely: North-East India Circuit, Buddhist Circuit, Himalayan Circuit, Coastal Circuit, Krishna Circuit, Desert Circuit, Tribal Circuit, Eco Circuit, Wildlife Circuit, Rural Circuit, Spiritual Circuit, Ramayana Circuit and Heritage Circuit.

Business

4. RBI slaps Rs 3 cr penalty on Axis Bank, 2 cr on IOB

The Reserve Bank said it has imposed a penalty of Rs 3 crore on Axis Bank for violation of NPA classification norms, and Rs 2 crore on Indian Overseas Bank for not complying with the KYC regulations.

• The RBI has imposed, a monetary penalty of Rs 3 crore on Axis Bank Limited for non-compliance with the directions issued by RBI on Income Recognition and Asset Classification (IRAC) norms,” it said.
• Regarding the state-owned Indian Overseas Bank, the regulator said in a separate release that a "fraud was detected" in one of the branches of the bank.

Important Awards

5. British Indian man wins bravery award in Barcelona terror attack

• An Indian-origin Birmingham man, Harry Athwal who risked his life to help a fatally injured young boy in the last year's Barcelona terror attack, has been selected for this year's 'Pride of Birmingham' award.

6. ‘The Shape of Water’ Wins Best Picture as Oscars Project Diversity

The 90th Academy Awards ceremony, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), took place at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California.

• The Shape of Water won a leading four awards, including Best Picture and Best Director for Guillermo del Toro.

The Complete List of Winners

• Best Picture: “The Shape of Water”
• Director: Guillermo del Toro, “The Shape of Water”
• Actor: Gary Oldman, “Darkest Hour”
• Actress: Frances McDormand, “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”
• Supporting Actor: Sam Rockwell, “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”
• Supporting Actress: Allison Janney, “I, Tonya”
• Original Screenplay: “Get Out”
• Adapted Screenplay: “Call Me by Your Name”
• Foreign Language Film: “A Fantastic Woman”
• Animated Feature: “Coco”
• Visual Effects: “Blade Runner 2049”
• Film Editing: “Dunkirk”
• Animated Short: “Dear Basketball”
• Live Action Short: “The Silent Child”
• Documentary Short: “Heaven Is a Traffic Jam on the 405”
• Score: “The Shape of Water”
• Song: “Remember Me” from “Coco”
• Production Design: “The Shape of Water”
• Cinematography: “Blade Runner 2049”
• Costume Design: “Phantom Thread”
• Makeup and Hairstyling: “Darkest Hour”
• Documentary Feature: “Icarus”
• Sound Editing: “Dunkirk”

Sports Current Affairs

7. Viswanathan Anand wins Rapid event at Tal Memorial

Viswanathan Anand won the rapid event at the 11th Tal Memorial chess in Moscow.

• The World rapid champion finished the event with 6 points while Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (with 5 points) came second.
• The event is a 10-player single round-robin competition where players have 25 minutes to make all of their moves, and receive a 10-second increment from move 1.

8. Bhaker shoots gold, bronze for Ravi Kumar

Young Manu Bhaker clinched a gold medal while Ravi Kumar bagged a bronze in the ISSF World Cup in Guadalajara, Mexico.

• Bhaker beat the host country’s Alejandra Zavala, a two-time World Cup Finals winner, with a 10.8 in the last shot of the 24 shot final, to come out on top with a score of 237.5.