Exam Power: 03 May 2018 Today Current Affairs
14 of Indian cities figure in World’s 20 most polluted cities list: WHO
As per data released by World Health Organisation (WHO), 14 Indian cities have figured in a list of 20 most polluted cities in the world.
-> ’Polluted Cities’ in context of this news, implies particulate matter (PM) 2.5 concentrations in air in 2016. It includes pollutants like sulphate, nitrate and black carbon.
-> 14 Indian cities that have figured in the list are: Kanpur, Faridabad, Gaya, Patna, Agra, Muzaffarpur, Srinagar, Gurgaon, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Patiala, Lucknow, Delhi and Varanasi.
-> The WHO data measured levels of fine particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) from more than 4300 cities in 108 countries.
->As per WHO’s estimates, around 7 million people die every year from exposure to fine particles in polluted air. Continuous exposure to fine particles causes several diseases including lung cancer, stroke, heart disease and respiratory infections, including pneumonia.
Maharashtra became the first state to provide digitally-signed land record receipts
On May 2, 2018, Maharashtra became the first state of India to provide digitally-signed land record receipts (also known as 7/12 receipts).
-> 7/12 receipt is the most important document which establishes the ownership of the land. Farmers are required to provide it while applying for loans. Besides, it is also used by the government during crop surveys and to extend various facilities.
-> With digital authentication, the farmers will no longer have to visit revenue offices or the Maha e-seva centres. They would simply be required to quote the gat (group) number or survey number to bank or a government department, through which respective agency can ensure the 7/12 receipt online.
-> Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis claimed that this initiative will enhance ‘ease of doing business’, would check irregularities and bring in transparency.
Cabinet approves new terminal buildings at Guwahati, Chennai and Lucknow airports
On 2nd May 2018, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved upgradation and expansion of airport infrastructure at Lucknow, Chennai and Guwahati airports with a total cost of over Rs 5,000 crore.
New terminal buildings at Guwahati, Chennai and Lucknow airports:
-> Union commerce and industry minister, Suresh Prabhu, said that, Chennai Airport’s new terminal building will have a capacity of 35 million passengers per year. It will be constructed at a cost of Rs 2467 crore.
->The new terminal building of Guwahati Airport will have a capacity of 9 million passengers per year. It will be built at a cost of Rs 1383 Crore.
->The new terminal building of Lucknow Airport will have a capacity of 13.6 million passengers per year. It will be constructed at a cost of Rs 1232 Crore.
India has joined the United States and China as one of the world’s five biggest military spenders
On 2nd May 2018, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) released a report, according to which India joined the United States and China as one of the world’s 5 biggest military spenders.
India has joined the United States and China as one of the world’s five biggest military spenders.
->As per the SIPRI report, New Delhi’s defence spending increased by 5.5 percent to $63.9 billion in 2017. Now it has surpassed France.
-> Worldwide military spending increased to $1.73 trillion in 2017, which is nearly 2.2 percent of global gross domestic product.
-> The list of the world’s biggest military spenders is dominated by the US and China, which spent $610 billion and $228 billion respectively.
-> Beijing’s share of worldwide military expenditure increased to 13 percent in 2017 from 5.8 percent in 2008.
->India’s defence spending increased because of salaries and pensions for its personnel and it doesn’t denote that the armed forces are procuring advanced equipment.
Dalmia group adopts Gandikota fort in Andhra
Dalmia Bharat group has adopted the Gandikota Fort (located in in Kadapa district, Andhra Pradesh) under Central Government’s ‘Adopt a Heritage: Apni Dharohar, Apni Pehchaan’ scheme.
Under ‘Adopt a Heritage: Apni Dharohar, Apni Pehchaan’ scheme, Union Ministry of Tourism had invited private and public sector companies to adopt as many as 116 ASI-protected monuments/sites to take up the responsibility for its maintenance, conservation and development.
As per data released by World Health Organisation (WHO), 14 Indian cities have figured in a list of 20 most polluted cities in the world.
-> ’Polluted Cities’ in context of this news, implies particulate matter (PM) 2.5 concentrations in air in 2016. It includes pollutants like sulphate, nitrate and black carbon.
-> 14 Indian cities that have figured in the list are: Kanpur, Faridabad, Gaya, Patna, Agra, Muzaffarpur, Srinagar, Gurgaon, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Patiala, Lucknow, Delhi and Varanasi.
-> The WHO data measured levels of fine particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) from more than 4300 cities in 108 countries.
->As per WHO’s estimates, around 7 million people die every year from exposure to fine particles in polluted air. Continuous exposure to fine particles causes several diseases including lung cancer, stroke, heart disease and respiratory infections, including pneumonia.
Maharashtra became the first state to provide digitally-signed land record receipts
On May 2, 2018, Maharashtra became the first state of India to provide digitally-signed land record receipts (also known as 7/12 receipts).
-> 7/12 receipt is the most important document which establishes the ownership of the land. Farmers are required to provide it while applying for loans. Besides, it is also used by the government during crop surveys and to extend various facilities.-> With digital authentication, the farmers will no longer have to visit revenue offices or the Maha e-seva centres. They would simply be required to quote the gat (group) number or survey number to bank or a government department, through which respective agency can ensure the 7/12 receipt online.
-> Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis claimed that this initiative will enhance ‘ease of doing business’, would check irregularities and bring in transparency.
Cabinet approves new terminal buildings at Guwahati, Chennai and Lucknow airports
On 2nd May 2018, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved upgradation and expansion of airport infrastructure at Lucknow, Chennai and Guwahati airports with a total cost of over Rs 5,000 crore.
New terminal buildings at Guwahati, Chennai and Lucknow airports:
-> Union commerce and industry minister, Suresh Prabhu, said that, Chennai Airport’s new terminal building will have a capacity of 35 million passengers per year. It will be constructed at a cost of Rs 2467 crore.
->The new terminal building of Guwahati Airport will have a capacity of 9 million passengers per year. It will be built at a cost of Rs 1383 Crore.
->The new terminal building of Lucknow Airport will have a capacity of 13.6 million passengers per year. It will be constructed at a cost of Rs 1232 Crore.
India has joined the United States and China as one of the world’s five biggest military spenders
On 2nd May 2018, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) released a report, according to which India joined the United States and China as one of the world’s 5 biggest military spenders.
India has joined the United States and China as one of the world’s five biggest military spenders.
->As per the SIPRI report, New Delhi’s defence spending increased by 5.5 percent to $63.9 billion in 2017. Now it has surpassed France.
-> Worldwide military spending increased to $1.73 trillion in 2017, which is nearly 2.2 percent of global gross domestic product.
-> The list of the world’s biggest military spenders is dominated by the US and China, which spent $610 billion and $228 billion respectively.
-> Beijing’s share of worldwide military expenditure increased to 13 percent in 2017 from 5.8 percent in 2008.
->India’s defence spending increased because of salaries and pensions for its personnel and it doesn’t denote that the armed forces are procuring advanced equipment.
Dalmia group adopts Gandikota fort in Andhra
Dalmia Bharat group has adopted the Gandikota Fort (located in in Kadapa district, Andhra Pradesh) under Central Government’s ‘Adopt a Heritage: Apni Dharohar, Apni Pehchaan’ scheme.
Under ‘Adopt a Heritage: Apni Dharohar, Apni Pehchaan’ scheme, Union Ministry of Tourism had invited private and public sector companies to adopt as many as 116 ASI-protected monuments/sites to take up the responsibility for its maintenance, conservation and development.Legendary Singer Asha Bhosle Honored With PC Chandra Puraskaar
->Legendary singer Asha Bhoslewas honored with 26th PC Chandra Puraskaar for her contribution in the field of Indian music.
->Sharmila Tagore was the Chief Guest at the event who also presented the prestigious award to Asha Bhosle.
->Asha Bhosle made her singing debut in 1943 and she has sung in a great variety of musical genres. Her career spans over almost seven decades.
->Sharmila Tagore was the Chief Guest at the event who also presented the prestigious award to Asha Bhosle.
->Asha Bhosle made her singing debut in 1943 and she has sung in a great variety of musical genres. Her career spans over almost seven decades.
Eminent Economist Ashok Mitra Passes Away
->The first Finance Minister in the Left Front government in West Bengal Ashok Mitra passed away in Kolkata.He was 90.
->Besides serving the State Government, he also worked with the Central Government as the Chief Economic Adviser and was a member of Rajya Sabha.
->Besides serving the State Government, he also worked with the Central Government as the Chief Economic Adviser and was a member of Rajya Sabha.
Lewis Hamilton won Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2018
->Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes won the Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2018 in Baku during which both Red Bulls sensationally collided with each other.
->Kimi Raikkonen of Ferrari finished second and Sergio Perez of Force India ended third in the Race.
->Kimi Raikkonen of Ferrari finished second and Sergio Perez of Force India ended third in the Race.
NASA sending robotic geologist to Mars to dig super deep
->Six years after last landing on Mars, NASA is sending a robotic geologist to dig deeper than ever before to take the planet’s temperature.
->The Mars InSight spacecraft, set to launch this weekend, will also take the planet’s pulse by making the first measurements of “marsquakes.” And to check its reflexes, scientists will track the wobbly rotation of Mars on its axis to better understand the size and makeup of its core.
->The lander’s instruments will allow scientists “to stare down deep into the planet,” said the mission’s chief scientist, Bruce Banerdt of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Sources : The Hindu, TOI,PIB, Economic Times
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