Current Affairs Quick Gyan – October 21/2015
1. India, Russia decide to triple bilateral trade by 2025
India and Russia have discussed ways to boost their economic ties and triple their bilateral trade to US 30 billion in the next decade. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin, chairing the 21st India-Russia Inter-Governmental Consultations, also looked at ways to enhance the mutual direct investment to USD 15 billion by 2025.
2. MOU signed for construction of Palchang-Rohtang Ropeway
Himachal Pradesh government has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Malana Ropeway Pvt Ltd for execution of 9-Km long Palchan-Rohtang ropeway to be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 390 crore. The project would be commissioned within four years.
The project, which was earlier awarded to Power Himalaya Ltd, was cancelled by the Cabinet on February 27, 2014, as the company had failed to pay the project development fee and other dues.
3. China launches first yuan-bond in London
The People’s Bank of China launched a yuan-denominated bond in London for the first time as it seeks to internationalise its currency. The debt sale worth 5.0 billion yuan (690 million euros) for one-year bonds was heavily oversubscribed. The auction for the bonds offering a yield of 3.15 percent coincided with the start of a four-day visit to Britain by Chinese President Xi Jinping.
4. Russia, United States sign ‘memorandum’ on air safety over Syria
The United States and Russia have signed a memorandum of understanding establishing air safety measures as they conduct separate bombing campaigns over Syria, the Pentagon says. It comes amid reports Russia’s airstrikes have killed more than 120 civilians since they began three weeks ago.
The US is leading a 60-plus member coalition targeting Islamic State (IS) jihadists in Iraq and Syria and has been carrying out frequent raids for more than a year. Russia also claims to be targeting IS and other terrorists, but the Pentagon says it is hitting non-IS rebels fighting government forces loyal to Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.
5. Jubilant Life Sciences gets USFDA nod for migraine treatment drug
Jubilant Life Sciences shares gained as much as 4 per cent after the company announced that it has received approval from the US health regulator for its generic version of Merck’s acute migraine treatment medicine, Maxalt-MLT.
The company has received Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) final approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) for Rizatriptan Benzoate orally-disintegrating tablets, 5 mg and 10 mg.
6. Reva Khetrapal selected as Lokayukta of Delhi
Former Delhi High Court judge, Justice Reva Khetrapal will be the capital’s new Lokayukta. The post of the anti-corruption ombudsman has remained vacant since November 2013, when retired Justice Manmohan Sarin relinquished office. The opposition BJP and the Congress have often attacked the ruling AAP government over the delay in the Lokayukta’s appointment.
7. APSEZ inks MoU with IPGA to handle pulses across its ports in country
As prices of pulses sky-rocketted to a record-high of Rs 200 per kg, Adani Group firm today inked a pact with India Pulses Grains Association (IPGA) to handle the commodity across its ports to ensure smooth and cost efficient availability of lentils across the nation. The pact is intended to help develop a dedicated and efficient supply chain for pulses, using strategically located Adani Ports facilities to all key consumption centres in the country, ensuring availability of lentils.
8. Mortality rate among Indian girls below age of five higher than the boys: UN Report
India is among the countries with the largest surplus of men and a worrying under-five sex ratio with more girls dying before the age of five than boys, according to a UN report. “The World’s Women 2015” report launched said men outnumber women in eastern Asia, southern Asia, Oceania, and western Asia.
India alone accounted for 21 per cent of all under-5 deaths in 2013 and this low sex ratio in under-5 mortality is pulling down the average for Southern Asia as a whole and the entire world.
