IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF
AUGUST 10th, 2018
1.
(10th
August) is World Biofuel Day.
a. This
day is observed every year on 10th August to create awareness about the
importance of non-fossil fuels as an alternative to conventional
fossil fuels and to highlight the various efforts made by the
Government in the biofuel sector.
b. Since
2014, the Government of India has taken a number of initiatives to increase
blending of biofuels.
c. The
major interventions include administrative price mechanism for ethanol, simplifying
the procurement procedures of OMCs, amending the provisions of Industries
(Development & Regulation) Act, 1951 and enabling
lignocellulosic route for ethanol procurement.
d. Important
Note : The Government approved the National Policy on
Biofuels-2018 in June 2018.
i) Objective
of National Policy on Bio-fuels 2018 : Reaching 20%
ethanol-blending and 5% biodiesel-blending by the year 2030.
2)
The 2018 Environmental Performance
Index (EPI) ranks 180 countries on 24 performance indicators across 10
issue categories covering environmental health (50%) and ecosystem vitality
(50%).
a) Switzerland
leads with a score of 87.4
b) China
and India rank 120th and 177th respectively.
c) Top 5
in Environmental Performance Index (EPI) 2018
i) Switzerland
ii) France
iii) Denmark
iv) Malta
v) Sweden
(80.51)
3)
India and Myanmar executed
the landmark Land Border Crossing Agreement.
a) Under
this agreement check points on both sides are included as part of the pact.
b) The
opening of the check posts will facilitate travel on both sides as people
holding passports and a valid visa will be allowed to exit and enter through
these border check posts.
4. Santali has
become the 1st Indian tribal language to get a Wikipedia edition in
its own script after the Santali Wikipedia went live today.
o
Note : Santali is written in Ol
Chiki script and spoken by 6.4 million people in India.
5. Cabinet
Committee on Economic Affairs approved the continuation of Pradhan
Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) beyond the 12th five year plan
period.
a. The
target of connecting 1,78,184 eligible habitations under PMGSY was expected to
be completed by March 2019.
b. Almost
95% of these habitations had been sanctioned road connectivity and 91%
habitations had been connected, the statement added.
6. The
Ministry of HRD has embarked on a major and new initiative Project called 'Study
Webs of Active Learning for Young Aspiring Minds' (SWAYAM), which will
provide one integrated platform and portal for online courses.
a. This
covers all higher education subjects and skill sector courses.
b. Objective
of SWAYAM : To ensure that the every student in India has access to the
best quality higher education at the affordable cost.
7. Japanese
humanoid roboticist Hiroshi Ishiguro has unveiled an
android robot called 'Ibuki' which is modelled on a 10-year-old
child.
a. The
robot has complete vision routes that can scan for faces and 'involuntary'
motions like blinking and head bobs.
8. The
Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi today approved the
signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Indonesia on Health
Cooperation and Scientific and Technological Cooperation.
9. As per
consolidated FDI Policy, 2017, the Government has allowed Foreign
Direct Investment (FDI) up to 100% under automatic
route in the Educational institutions subject to applicable
laws/sectoral rules/regulations/ security conditions.
10. The
Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) today arrested Neeraj
Singal, Managing Director of Bhushan Steel, for
allegedly siphoning bank loans of over ₹2,000 crore.
a. The
investigating team found that erstwhile promoters used "complex,
fraudulent manoeuvres" to divert funds raised from state-run banks using
associate companies.
b. Note : Tata
Steel acquired Bhushan Steel after insolvency resolution.
11. The
Cabinet today decided to offer pulses to states at a discount of ₹15 per kilogram over
prevailing wholesale prices for schemes such as PDS (Public
Distribution System) and mid-day meal.
a. The
government will provide 3.5 million tonnes of tur, chana, masoor, moong and
urad as it tries to dispose of surplus output.
b. It will
spend ₹5,237 crore for
implementing this scheme.
12. Policy
think tank of the Government of India, NITI Aayog is hosting
an Investors’ Conference today at Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra for
the Holistic Development of Islands.
a. The
Conference was inaugurated by Amitabh Kant, CEO, NITI Aayog.
b. It will
attract investment for the sustainable development of eco-tourism projects in
Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep islands.
13.
The Vice President of
India, M. Venkaiah Naidu today released a Book titled ‘Bebak Baat’,
a. This
book has been authored by Vijay Goel (Minister of
State for Parliamentary Affairs and Statistics & Programme Implementation)
14.
Public sector non-life
insurance company United India Insurance Company Ltd (UIIC) has
appointed S Gopakumar as its Director and
General Manager with immediate effect.
15. The
government today reappointed Ram Sewak Sharma as the
Chairman of telecom regulator TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India).
a. He will
be in the position for 2 more years (till September 2020) when he turns 65.
16.
Neeraj Chopra,
the 1st-ever Indian to win Gold Medal in javelin throw at
Commonwealth Games, has been chosen as India's
flag-bearer at the opening ceremony of the 18th Asian Games
2018.
a. About
18th Asian Games 2018
i) Host
Cities : Jakarta and Palembang (Indonesia) [for the 1st time Asian
Games are being co-hosted in two cities]
ii) Motto :
Energy of Asia
iii) Participating
Nations : 45
iv) Opening
Ceremony : 18th August 2018
v) Closing
Ceremony : 2nd September 2018
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