Current Affairs October 14 2018

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 INDIAN AFFAIRS

New Industrial Policy framed by the Ministry of Commerce
On October 12, 2018, Ministry of Commerce released The New Industrial Policy framed in consultation with all Ministries of Government of India, State Governments, Industry.
It was launched by the Union Minister of Commerce & Industry and Civil Aviation, Suresh Prabhu, at the launch of the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, India, by the Geneva-based World Economic Forum (WEF) in New Delhi.
i. It aims to align  India with the emerging technologies of drones, artificial intelligence and block chain.
ii. The policy is in sync with the challenges and opportunities of the 4^th industrial revolution technologies and will boost India’s presence in the global supply and value chains.
iii. The recently launched DIGI YATRA by the Ministry of Civil Aviation is an example of India’s adoption to the digital technology in the 4^th Industrial Revolution.
iv. In connection to this, the WEF is setting up a Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution in Maharashtra. Other centers are in San Francisco, USA, Japan and China.
v. This center will focus on Artificial intelligence, block chain and drones as the first three projects.
vi. Thw implementation of the projects will be jointly done by WEF in collaboration with the NITI Aayog, business leaders, academia and start-ups.
Ministry of Commerce:
♦ Union Minister: Shri. Suresh Prabhu.
♦ Minister of State:  Shri. C R Chaudhary.

4-member panel to look into #Me Too Cases: Union minister Maneka Gandhi proposes
On October 12, 2018, Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Maneka Gandhi announced setting up a four-member committee to examine all #MeToo cases.
i. The panel would consist of senior judicial and legal persons as members.
ii.  They will form a legal and institutional framework which will handle the complaints of sexual harassment and advise the ministry on how to strengthen the policies.
iii. It was placed through “The Sexual Harassment of Women at workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act’ of 2013.
iv. Also, the ministry has created a woman friendly environment where complaints can be anonymously addressed.
v. Here, women could complain through the She Box ( www.shebox.nic.in) and can also be lodged at [email protected].
Ministry of Women and Child Development:
♦ Union Minister: Smt. Maneka Gandhi.
♦ Minister of State: Dr. Virendra Kumar.

Shri Vijay Goel inaugurated the Online Assurances Monitoring System
On October 13, 2018, Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs and Statistics & Programme Implementation, Shri Vijay Goel, inaugurated the Online Assurances Monitoring System (OAMS).
Objective:
To create transparency in assurance process in Parliamentary affairs
Key Points:
i. This was developed by Union Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs.
ii. It will help in information regarding assurances given on the floor of the Houses of Parliament paper less and in digital format.
iii. Through this, the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs through e-Office will give out the assurances to concerned ministries.
iv. This would include various actions related to Parliamentary Assurances including sending implementation reports, request for dropping, request for extension and decision and thereafter, physical communication would not be accepted.
v. Various Ministries/Departments, Lok Sabha Secretariat and Rajya Sabha Secretariat would communicate for all purposes through this system.
vi. Additionally, the Ministry also undertook a capacity building exercise by imparting training on operation of this software to 84 nodal officers of various Ministries/Departments.
Background:
Since earlier, 3 different modules in Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs were respectively running, leading to mismatch of data, a number of problems arise in the process of fulfilment of assurances due to human factors and non-compliance of guidelines, making the process less transparent.
Union Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs:
♦ Union Minister: Shri. Ananth Kumar.
♦ Minister of State: Shri. Vijay Goel, Shri. Arjun Ram Meghwal.

‘Minimum river flows’ set for the Ganga by NMCG
On October 11, 2018, the National Mission for Clean Ganga laid down the limits of ecological flow of the river Ganga for the first time.
i. This would enable the hydropower projects to modify their operations along the river stretches.
ii. The limitations are as follows:

• The upper stretches of the river-from its origin in glacier to Haridwar- will have to maintain 20% of the average flow of the preceding 10-days between November and March which are the dry seasons,
• 25% during October, April and May,which are the lean seasons,
• 30% during monsoon months of June-September.
• In the main stem from Haridwar to Unnao, minimum flow of various barrages have been specified-
• For Haridwar’s Bhimgoda to have 36 cumecs in October to 57 cumecs in monsoon and
• For barrages at Kanpur, Bijnor and Narora to have 24 cumecs in October to 48 in monsoon.

iii. The government also announced that the draft Ganga Act that was framed by a committee in 2016 under the chairmanship of Justice (retired) Giridhar Malviya.
About Ganga Act:
The draft Act addresses the critical issues pertaining to National River Ganga on its Cleanliness (Nirmalta) and uninterrupted e-flow (Aviralta) and provides corresponding provisions.
NMCG:
♦ Headquarters: New Delhi.
♦ Director General: Shri Rajiv Ranjan Mishra.

Govt. hiked interest for gratuity funds to 8% by 40 basis points
On October 13, 2018, the Finance Ministry increased interest rates for non-governmental provident funds, gratuity and superannuation to 8 percent from existing 7.6 percent.
i. Also, the interest rates for small savings schemes has been hiked by 40 basis points.
ii. These include: Public Provident Fund (PPF), Sukanya Samriddhi Scheme, National Savings Certificate and post office time deposits.
iii. The changes are effective from October 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018, for the 3^rd quarter.
Finance Ministry:
♦ Union Minister: Shri Arun Jaitley.
♦ Minister of State: Shri Shiv Prasad Shukla, Shri P. Radhakrishnan.
♦ Secretart of Finance:Shri Rajiv Kumar(Finance).

32nd conference of WUWM inaugurated in Gurugram, Haryana for the first time
On October 13, 2018, Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Purushottam Rupala inaugurated the 32nd world conference of World Union of Wholesale Markets, WUWM at Gurugram, Haryana.

Objective:
To exchange information and knowledge between members regarding wholesale and retail markets.
Key Points:
i. This is for the first time a WUWM conference is being organized in India at Gurugram.
ii. The theme for the conference is : ‘The Wholesale Markets in the Digital Era: Challenges and Opportunities.’
iii. The conference was hosted jointly by:

• The Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board (HSAMB), Panchkula and
• The National Council of State Agricultural Marketing Boards (COSAMB), New Delhi with
• World Union of Wholesale Markets (WUWM), Hague, Netherlands.

iv. Participants in the conference were:

• 18 countries from five continents,
• Embassies and diplomatic officers from 16 countries and
• Over 50 Indian delegates from different State Agricultural Marketing Boards of India.

v. The keynote speaker of the ceremony was Prof Nilesh Dattani, London School of Economics, London.
vi. Discussions were held on topics such as Modernisation, New Technologies, Market Networking, e-NAM, Reshaping Markets, Supply Chain Efficiency, Market Reforms and Market Integration.
vii. Delegates visited the Fruit and Vegetable Market, Azadpur, Delhi, which is the biggest Fruit and Vegetable market in Asia, registered in Limca Book of Records for  its highest volume of fruit and vegetables handled.
viii. They also went to APMC Sonepat to see the live demonstration of e-NAM (Electronic-National Agricultural Market).
ix. They also visited India International Horticulture Market (IIHM), Ganaur, Sonepat which is going to be developed by Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board (HSAMB) to attract international investment.
World Union of Wholesale Markets (WUWM):
♦ Headquarters: Hague, Netherlands.
♦ Chairman: Mr Zengjun Ma.
Haryana:
♦ Capital: Chandigarh.
♦ Chief Minister:  Manohar Lal Khattar.
♦ Governor: Shri Satyadeo Narain Arya.
♦ National Parks: Sultanpur National Park, Kalesar National Park.

3 Mobile Apps i-Khet Machine,e-PEHaL,e-Prevent launched by Punjab to check Stubble Burning
On October 11, 2018, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh launched 3 apps to prevent crop residue burning.
Objective:
To check and create awareness about environmental effects of crop residue burning.
Key Points:
i. The apps are: i-Khet Machine ,  e-PEHaL and e-Prevent.
ii. The three Android mobile applications have been developed by Punjab Remote Sensing Centre (PRSC).
iii. The Agriculture department will work with the science, technology and environment department to intensify campaign to educate farmers about stubble burning.
About the apps in detail:
i. The i-Khet Machine will help facilitate farmers to have access to the agriculture machinery or equipment for in-situ management of crop residue.
ii. The e-PEHaL app will help in monitoring tree plantation.
iii. The e-Prevent will have prompt and accurate information about incidents of crop residue burning.
iv. The applications would provide the information at district, block and village levels, in English and Punjabi.
Background:
i. Stubble burning has been a major concern in north India during the harvesting season.
ii. It causes irreversible damage to the texture of soil, natural environment and human health.
Punjab:
♦ Chief Minister: Amarinder Singh.
♦ Governor: V.P Singh Badnore.
♦ National Parks: Abohar WLS, Bir Aishvan WLS, Bir Bunerheri WLS, Bir Bhadson WLS, Bir Dosanjh WLS, Bir Gurdialpura WLS, Bir Mehaswala WLS, Bir Motibagh WLS, Harike Lake WLS, Jhajjar Bacholi WLS, Kathlaur Kushlian WLS, Takhni-Rehampur WLS, Nangal WLS.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

India, Australia held second 2+2 dialogue in Canberra, Australia
On October 10, 2018, India and Australia held their 2^nd edition of ‘2+2’ secretary-level dialogue in Canberra.

i. The Indian side was represented by:
Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale and Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra.
ii. The Australian side had Secretary of Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Frances Adamson and Secretary of Department of Defence Greg Moriarty.
iii. Discussions that took place were regarding the following:

• Need for a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacificregion,
• Strategic and defence relations between the two countries.

iv. The Indian delegation also met Australia’s Director General of the Office of National Assessment and senior officials of Australia’s Department of Defence.
v. The inaugural ‘2+2’ dialogue between India and Australia was held in New Delhi in December 2017.
Australia:
♦ Capital: Canberra.
♦ Currency: Australian dollar.
♦ Ambassador: Dr. A.M.Gondane.

New World Bank fund to insure against climate disasters
On October 12, 2018, the governments of Germany and the UK, with support from the World Bank launched a new Global Risk Financing Facility (GRiF).
Objective:
To support vulnerable countries to climate and disaster shocks.
Key Points:
i. This fund will consist of an initial corpus of $150 million.
ii. It will primarily focus on climate and disaster risk but eventually the financing will be extended to projects and instruments to help wider crises and in humanitarian emergencies.
iii. It will be built on the work of existing programs, including:

• The InsuResilience Climate Risk Financing and Insurance Program MDTF jointly established by BMZ, DFID and the World Bank,
• The Centre for Global Disaster Protection jointly established by DFID and the World Bank, and
• InsuResilience Solutions Fund jointly established by BMZ and KFW.

iv. It will be implemented by the World Bank, the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) and select implementing partners such as regional development banks.
v. The funding includes areas of:

• Insurance premium financing, e.g., for the payment of risk transfer instruments;
• Contingent financing, e.g., through the provision of concessional credits to complement risk transfer solutions;
• Risk financing investments, e.g., investment in start-up or operating costs and capital for risk pools;
• Integrating risk transfer with loans to pilot new approaches to support debt sustainability in the face of extreme events;
• Risk financing mechanisms that promote parallel improvements in country systems for crisis response and recovery;
• Technical assistance and capacity building where this is not yet covered by other programs.

vi. It will work with governments:
To implement risk financing strategies as part of core development planning and fiscal risk management,
Linking crisis response funding to contingency plans within national systems.
Germany:
♦ Capital: Berlin.
♦ Currency: Euro.

Malaysia to abolish death penalty
On October 11, 2018, Malaysia’s Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad decided to abolish the death penalty.
i. This would save more than 1,200 people on death row convicted of various crimes like murder, kidnapping, drug trafficking etc.
ii. According to Amnesty International, China is believed to be the “world’s top executioner” with other nations like Iran, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Pakistan in the list.
iii. In Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand have death penalty laws.

India ranks 115 in World Bank’s Human Capital Index
On October 13, 2018, according to World Bank’s Human Capital Index (HCI), India stands at 115th position out of 157 countries.

It was released at the October 2018 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and The World Bank Group in Bali, Indonesia.
Highlights:
i. According to the HCI, a child born in India today will be only 44 per cent as productive. Girls fared slightly better at 0.45 than boys, who scored 0.43.
ii. A child who starts school at age of 4 can expect to complete 10.2 years of school by her 18th birthday.
iii.Probability of Survival to Age 5 is 96 out of 100 children born in India.
iv. Students in India score 355 on a scale where 625 represents advanced attainment and 300 represents minimum attainment.
v. Factoring in what children actually learn, expected years of school is only 5.8 years.
vi. About Adult Survival Rate: Across India, 83 percent of 15-year olds will survive until age 60.
vii. 62 out of 100 children are not stunted& 38 out of 100 children are stunted.
viii. In 2017, India’s HCI is lower than the average for its region and income group.
ix. Among other countries, Singapore topped the poll followed by South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong and Finland as the top 5.
x. The bottom 5 are: Liberia, Mali, Niger, South Sudan and Chad (157^th).
About HCI:
i. The HCI seek to measure the amount of human capital that a child born today can expect on attaining the age of 18.
ii. It conveys the productivity of the next generation of workers, compared to a benchmark of complete standard education and full health.
iii. It has the following parameters:

• Survival under 5,
•  Expected years of schooling,
• Health.

India slips to sixth position out of 123 countries in global RTI rating
On October 13, 2018, according to the RTI rating by Access Info Europe and the Centre for Law and Democracy, India ranked at 6^th position out of 123 countries, after a downfall of 4 positions from the previous year.

Highlights:
i. The survey was carried by Transparency International India.
ii. India got a score of 128 out of 150.
iii. India performed worst under the section “Sanctions and Protections”, scoring just above 60 percent points.
iv. It scored just above 80% failing in 5 sections namely-
Scope of the RTI Act, requesting procedures, exceptions and refusals and measures taken to promote the Act.
v. It shows that India doesn’t provide protection for whistleblowers.
vi. It further stated that the Indian legal framework also does not allow access to information held by private entities which perform a public function, and several of the law’s exclusions, including for information received in confidence from a foreign government, cabinet papers and parliamentary privilege, are also problematic.
vi. Among other countries, Afghanistan topped the chart with a score of 139 out of 150 whereas, Austria scored lowest with just 33 points.
viii. In India, total RTIs filed in 2017 were: 66.6 lakh, out of which, 4.8 lakh were rejected. Total number of second appeals were 18.5 lakh and total penalty imposed by CIC is 1.9 crore.
ix. The top 5 are: Afghanistan, Mexico, Serbia, Sri Lanka, Slovenia.
Background:
In 2011, 2012 and 2013 when the global RTI agency was launched, India was at the 2^nd rank.
Transparency International India:
♦ Headquarters: Delhi.
♦ Chairman: Shri. S. R. Wadhwa.

Global Hunger Index 2018: India ranks 103rd out of 119 countries
On October 10, 2018, the 2018 Global Hunger Index (GHI) prepared jointly by global NGOs namely, Concern Worldwide (Ireland) and Welthungerhilfe (Germany) was published.

Highlights:
i. According to the report, India was ranked 103rd out of 119 qualifying countries.
ii. In its findings, it states that:

• 50 countries will fail to achieve low hunger levels by 2030,
• 79 countries have already failed to reach the goal.

iii. The survey was carried in the regional, national and sub-national levels.
iv. At the regional level, South Asia and Africa have serious levels of hunger, Latin America and Carribean islands including Haiti show alarming or extremely alarming levels.
v. 27 countries show moderate levels of hunger and 40 countries show low levels of hunger
vi. Stunting and wasting in children is high for the South Asian region.
vii. Zimbabwe, Somalia and CAR have highest values of undernourishment and countries like Djibouti, India and South Sudan, wasting is prevalent.
viii. Highest under-five mortality rates are in Somalia, Chad and CAR.
ix. In the countries included in the GHI, the share of the undernourished population stood at 12.3 percent in 2015–2017, down from 17.6 percent in 1999–2001.
x. 27.9 percent children under five years of age were stunted based on data from 2013–2017, down from 37.1 percent in 1998–2002.
xi. 9.3 percent children under-5 years were wasted, slightly down from 9.7 percent in 1998–2002.
xii. The under-five mortality rate was 4.2 percent as of 2016, down from 8.1 percent in 2000.
xiii. The level of hunger and undernutrition worldwide fell to 20.9, down from 29.2 in the year 2000.

• Top 5 countries are: Belarus, Cuba, Estonia, Kuwait, Latviaall tied to 1^st rank.
• Bottom 5 Countries are: Zambia, Madagascar, Yemen, Chadand Central African Republic (CAR at last in 119^th position).

About GHI 2018:
i. The GHI data for 2018 has:

• Data on Proportion of undernourished for the period of 2015-17,
• Data on Child stunting and wasting for the period of 2013-17and
• Data on child mortality for 2016.

ii. 13 countries could not be included due to lack of data.
iii. It aims to measure the nations to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 2 of ending hunger, ensuring improved nutrition and sustainable agriculture by 2030.

BANKING & FINANCE

World Bank approved USD 195 mn to Nepal for financial, energy sector reform
On October 12, 2018, the World Bank announced concessional loan worth USD 195 million to Nepal to reform the country’s financial and energy sectors.
i .It was announced during the ongoing annual meeting of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) at Bali in Indonesia.
ii. MOU was signed between:

• Chief of International Economic Cooperation Coordination Division (IECCD) at the Ministry of Finance, Krishna Nepal and
• the World Bank’s Country Director for Nepal, Qimiao Fan.

World Bank:
♦ Membership: 189 countries.
♦ Headquarters: Washington D.C., USA.
♦ Secretary-General: Jim Yong Kim.
♦ CEO: Kristalina Georgieva.
Nepal:
♦ Capital: Kathmandu.
♦ Currency: Nepalese rupee.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

Eligible foreign entities allowed to participate in commodity derivatives market: SEBI
On October 9, 2018, Capital markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has allowed foreign entities to participate in the commodity derivatives segment of stock exchanges in the Indian market.
i. The foreign entities shall be known as eligible foreign entities (EFEs).
ii. This will help move liquidity in these commodities.
iii. All commodity derivatives traded on Indian exchanges except for those contracts defined as “sensitive commodity” will be eligible for the derivatives segment.
iv. The commodities include: mustard seeds, guar gum, guar seed and cardamom that are not traded in other international exchanges.
v. According to SEBI, all EFEs have to have actual minimum exposure worth  $500,000 in the Indian physical commodity markets.
vi. Also, the EFEs must register under Authorized Stock Brokers (ASBs) having Rs. 25 crore as the minimum net worth and authorized by the exchanges for opening of such accounts.
Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI):
♦ Chairman: Ajay Tyagi.
♦ Headquarters: Mumbai.

Long term capital gains tax sop for IPOs: Finance Ministry
On October 7, 2018, the government exempted 10% of Long term capital gains (LTCG) tax on IPOs, ESOPs, bonus. Etc.
i. This concession would be eligible even if the Securities Transaction Tax (STT) has not been prepaid while acquiring the equities.
ii. This is applicable for exceeding Rs. 1 lakh from sale of shares.
iii. This has been re-introduced in the budget after a gap of 14 years.
iv. Also the off-market transactions undertaken by non-residents in line with FDI guidelines, venture capitalists etc too could avail this offer.

Anil Kumble’s startup Spektacom Technologies launches Microsoft AI-enabled ‘Power Bat’
On 11^th October 2018, former India captain Anil Kumble’s technology start-up Spektacom Technologies launched the “Power Bat”.
Key Points:
i. The Power Bat has been powered by Microsoft’s Azure Cloud platform and its Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) services. Star India is the broadcasting partner
ii. Power Bat will provide real-time data on a player’s performance based on parameters like speed of the ball on impact, twist on impact and quality of the shot.
iii. A light weight sticker is stuck on the shoulder of the bat. In a live match, when the batsman hits the ball, data is captured in a new unit of measurement called Power Speks.
iv. It is processed by Microsoft’s Azure Sphere operating system. Real-time insights are displayed through the broadcaster. It can also be viewed on a mobile app during practice.
About Microsoft:
♦ CEO – Satya Nadella
♦ Headquarters – Washington, U.S.

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNS

Arun Kumar Rath replaces M Ravi, takes charge as Bhilai Steel Plant CEO
On 11^th October 2018, Arun Kumar Rath took charge as the new CEO of Bhilai Steel plant.

Key Points:
i. Arun Kumar Rath was the CEO of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL)’s Durgapur Steel Plant.
ii. He has replaced M Ravi who was removed from the position two days after a major fire accident at the Bhilai plant in Durg district of Chhattisgarh.
iii. Following the explosion, the Centre has announced a compensation of Rs 3.3 million each to the families of workers who lost their lives.
About Bhilai Steel plant:
♦ Parent Organisation – Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL)
♦ It is India’s sole producer & supplier of world class rails for Indian Railways

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

NASA’s Voyager 2 probe approaches Interstellar Space
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)’s Voyager 2 probe is on its way outside the influence of the Sun and it could be close to interstellar space.
Key Points:
i. Voyager 2 was launched on August 21, 1977. It has crossed the Kuiper Belt, an interstellar space beyond Pluto.
ii. Voyager 2 could be the second space probe to reach interstellar space after Voyager 1 which crossed into interstellar space in 2014.
iii. So far, Voyager 2 has reached a distance of 11.03 billion miles away from Earth and 11.04 billion miles away from Sun.
iv. Voyager 2 probe is the only man-made probe to have crossed past Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. It used the gravitational pull of the four planets, on its way to interstellar space.
v. In August 30, 2007, it reached the heliosheath, the zone outside the Solar system, and the outermost zone of influence of the Sun. Voyager 2 will be in service till 2020.

SPORTS

Bajrang Punia First Indian To Get Seeded At World Wrestling Championship
Bajrang Punia has become the first Indian wrestler to get seeded at the World Championship that will be held in Budapest, Hungary from October 20 to 28, 2018.

Key Points:
i. In the 65kg category of men’s freestyle event, Bajrang Punia has been seeded third, with 45 points in the ranking list released by United World Wrestling.
ii. Turkey’s Selahattin Kilicsallayan is seeded first with 50 points in the 65 kg category. He is followed by Russia’s Ilias Bekbulatov in 2^nd spot.
iii. United World Wrestling has launched the seeding system for the first time in the World Championship.
iv. It is based on the pre-championship performance ranking points. This follows the new ranking series announced at the 2017 World Championship in Paris.
iv. Bajrang Punia has won gold medals in Commonwealth Games and Asian Games in 2018. He had won a bronze medal at the 2013 World Championship.
About United World Wrestling:
♦ President – Nenad Lalovic
♦ Location – Corsier-sur-Vevey, Switzerland

Turtle ‘Olly’ named official mascot for the Odisha Men’s Hockey World Cup
Turtle ‘Olly’ has been declared as the official mascot for the Odisha Men’s Hockey World Cup, which will be held at the Kalinga Stadium in Odisha from November 28 to December 16, 2018.

Key Points:
i. ‘Olly’ represents the endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles that travel thousands of miles in the ocean and arrive in millions on Rushikulya and Gahirmatha beaches of Odisha every year for their annual nesting.
ii. ‘Olly’ was also the mascot for Asian Athletics Championships held at the Kalinga Stadium in Odisha in 2017.
Some important National Parks in Odisha:
♦ Simlipal National Park
♦ Bhitarkanika National Park

India ranked 5th in ICC global women’s T20I team rankings
India has secured 5^th rank in the latest International Cricket Council (ICC) global Women’s T20I Team Rankings released on 12^th October 2018.

Key Points:
i. Australia has topped the ICC global Women’s T20I Team Rankings which lists 46 teams.
ii. ICC has launched the women’s T20I rankings to award international status to all T20 matches between member countries.
iii. All women’s T20 matches between members have international status since the Asia Cup in June 2018.
About International Cricket Council (ICC):
♦ Chairman – Shashank Manohar
♦ CEO – ‎David Richardson
♦ Headquarters – Dubai, United Arab Emirates

OBITUARY

Legendary Hindustani Classical Musician Annapurna Devi Passes Away Aged 92
On 13^th October 2018, eminent Hindustani Classical Musician Annapurna Devi, passed away due to age related ailments, at Breach Candy hospital in Mumbai.

Key Points:
i. Annapurna Devi was 92 years old. She was born in Maihar town of Madhya Pradesh.
ii. She had received the Padma Bhushan award. She was fondly addressed as ‘Ma’.
iii. She had learnt music from her father, legendary maestro Ustad Alauddin Khan. She played Sitar and Surbahar.

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Migratory Bird Day – October 13
On 13^th October 2018, World Migratory Bird Day was observed all over the world.

Key Points:
i. When: In 2017, International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD) and World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) were merged.
ii. From 2018, World Migratory Bird Day is celebrated twice a year, on the second Saturday in May and in October. In 2018, it was celebrated on 12^th May and now on 13^th October.
iii. Why: World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) aims to create awareness on the need for conservation of migratory birds and their habitats.
iv. Theme: for World Migratory Bird Day 2018 is “Unifying our Voices for Bird Conservation”. Also 2018 is the “Year of the Bird”.
Some bird sanctuaries in India:
♦ Gaga Wildlife Sanctuary – Gujarat
♦ Khaparwas Bird Sanctuary – Haryana
♦ Mayani Bird Sanctuary – Maharashtra

International Day for Disaster Reduction – 13 October
On 13^th October 2018, International Day for Disaster Reduction was observed all over the world.
Key Points:
i. When: In 1989, United Nations (UN) General Assembly, declared the second Wednesday of October as International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction. Also, 1990-1999 was designated as the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction.
ii. In 2009, UN General Assembly declared 13 October as the commemoration day and also changed the day’s name to International Day for Disaster Reduction.
iii. Why: It celebrates how people are reducing their exposure to disasters and creates awareness about the importance of handling the potential risks.
iv.T heme for International Day for Disaster Reduction 2018 is ‘Reducing Disaster Economic Losses’.

The Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries observes “World Egg Day”
On 12^th October 2018, the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries, Government of India organized “World Egg Day”.
Key Points:
i. Minister of State of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Krishna Raj was the Chief Guest and Minister of State of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Parshottam Rupala was the Chairman of the event.
ii. Nearly 700 participants took part in the event. Various topics related to importance of eggs in human nutrition were discussed.
iii. Minister of State of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Parshottam Rupala released a booklet on poultry entrepreneurs’ success stories.
iv. Sanction orders were given to 5 entrepreneur beneficiaries under the Poultry Venture Capital Fund – Entrepreneurship Development and Employment Generation component of National Livestock Mission.
About World Egg Day:
i. International Egg Commission (IEC) Vienna 1996 conference declared second Friday of October every year as World Egg Day.
ii. This day aims to create awareness on the nutritional benefits of eggs.
iii. India is the third highest producer of eggs in the world, with per capita availability of 69 eggs per person per year.