Current Affairs Daily Digest – January 27 2020
1. India’s first Super Fab Lab inaugurated in Kerala
India’s first Super Fab Lab was inaugurated in Kerala. The laboratory is to function in collaboration with Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA. It is the only laboratory that is being installed outside US.
The Super Fab Lab is being installed in collaboration with KSUM (Kerala Startup Mission). The laboratory will break down barriers between physical world and digital world.
2. India & World Bank sign Agreement of 210 million USD in agriculture and rural transformation
The Government of Maharashtra and World Bank signed a 210 million USD agreement to facilitate agriculture value chains, increase market access and build resilient crops.
The Project is to be implemented in 36 districts of the state of Maharashtra. Around 43% of farmers and farm workers are expected to participate in the project. The main aim of the agreement is to facilitate small farmers compete agri-business investments and build crops resilient to flood and droughts.
3. Kobe Bryant, daughter Gianna among 9 killed in helicopter crash in California
In the US, Kobe Bryant, 41-year-old National Basketball Association (NBA) legend and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna died in a helicopter crash in the city of Calabasas, California.
Reports said that nine people were on board, with no survivors left. He played his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers. He retired in April 2016. He was twice the NBA scoring champion and a two-time Olympic champion.
4. Andhra Pradesh Cabinet passes resolution setting in motion process for abolishing state Legislative Council
The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet passed a resolution setting in motion the process for abolishing the state Legislative Council. A similar resolution will now be adopted in the Legislative Assembly and sent to the Centre for necessary follow-up action.
With just nine members, the ruling YSR Congress is in minority in the 58-member Legislative Council.
5. Sebi plans to rationalise margin system in derivatives segment to bring down trading cost
Markets regulator Sebi is planning to rationalise margin system in the equity and commodity derivatives segments as part of its effort to boost liquidity and bring down trading cost, industry officials said.
The regulator is expected to come out with the new margining system this week, they added.
6. Fiscal deficit may widen to 3.8% for current financial year: Report
The country’s fiscal deficit for 2019-20 is expected to widen to 3.8 per cent and the upcoming Budget may set a target of 3.5 per cent for 2020-21, a report said. The first full-year Budget of the current government, to be presented on February 1, will focus on reviving consumption demand through base-level income tax cuts, interest subvention for small and medium businesses and housing, Bank of America Securities said.
A correction in consumption demand is cited as a major reason for a dip in economic growth to a decadal low of 5 per cent.
7. Vakrangee appoints Ex- RBI & Ex-SEBI ED Ramesh Joshi as Non-Executive Chairman
Vakrangee Limited has appointed Mr. Ramesh Joshi (EX-RBI & EX-SEBI ED), a veteran with over 40 years of experience, as the Non-Executive Chairman of the company as well as has Re-designated Mr. Dinesh Nandwana, Executive Chairman as the Managing Director and Group CEO in place of Mr. Anil Khanna. This re-structuring further enhances the independence of the Board.
8. Maharashtra launches Rs 10 lunch plate scheme on pilot basis
Shiv Sena-led Maharashtra government, launched its much-awaited ‘ Shiv Bhojan’ scheme, which is aimed at providing a meal to the poor for just Rs 10, on the occasion of the 71st Republic Day.
Under the scheme, which was launched on a pilot basis, thalis or lunch plates would be available to the people at designated centres/ canteens during a stipulated time in all the districts.
9. India’s Federation Cup games moved from virus-hit China to Kazakhstan
The Indian Federation Cup team today heaved a sigh of relief after the International Tennis Federation (ITF) shifted the Federation Cup matches from the Coronavirus-hit China to Kazakhstan.
Concerned for its players’ health due to a medical emergency in China, the All India Tennis Association (AITA) had written to the ITF, requesting the world governing body to consider either shifting the venue or postponing the tournament. The tournament was originally scheduled to be held in Dongguan from 4th of next month.
10. Shooting: Kiran Ankush Jadhav wins 10m air rifle T1 trial
In Shooting, Kiran Ankush Jadhav of the Indian Navy won the men’s 10 metres air rifle T1 trial even as Maharashtra’s Rudrankksh Balasaheb Patil clinched both the junior and youth trials in Thiruvananthapuram today.
Kiran’s final round score of 253.4 was way higher than the current world record of 252.8 held by China’s Haonan Yu, set at the World Cup in Rio de Janeiro last year.
11. ‘Andaz Apna Apna’ Producer Vinay Sinha Passes Away
Producer of films such as Andaz Apna Apna, Rafoo Chakkar and Chor Police, Vinay Sinha passed away on January 24th. He was also the Vice President of the Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association (IMPPA). Although the cause of death remains unknown, Trade analyst Atul Mohan tweeted the news of his sad demise.
12. International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust is observed on January 27
United Nations (UN) remembers the Holocaust that affected many people of Jewish origin during World War II. This day is called the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust. It also commemorates when the Soviet troops liberated the Nazi concentration and death camp Auschwitz-Birkenau in Poland on January 27, 1945.
Theme – 75 years after Auschwitz Holocaust education and Remembrance for global justice.
