Current Affairs Update 9 January 2019

Current Affairs is an important part for many exams. Be prepared for this section with ByScoop which brings all the important Current Affairs in one place. 9 January 2019

PM Modi Launches Development Projects Worth Rs 2980 Crore in Agra

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launched a series of development projects worth around Rs. 2980 Crores for the Agra city and the adjoining areas on January 9, 2019 to develop and enhance Tourism infrastructure in the city.

Some of the projects include:

Gangajal project was dedicated to the nation at an estimated cost of Rs.2880 crores for better and more assured water supply in Agra.
Foundation Stone laid of Integrated Command and Control Centre for Agra Smart City at a total cost of Rs.285 crores to install CCTVs throughout Agra City for monitoring and surveillance for the purpose of safety and security.
Foundation stone was laid of the upgradation of SN Medical College in Agra Under Ayushman Bharat Yojana at an estimated cost of Rs.200 Crore for creation of 100 bed maternity wing in the Women’s hospital.
Foundation stone of sewerage network project for the western part of Agra. under AMRUT scheme was laid for improved sanitation facility in over 50000 houses.

PM Modi Launches Various development projects in Solapur, Maharashtra worth Rs 1,100 Crore

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched and laid foundation stones of several development projects at an investment of Rs 1,100 crore in Solapur, Maharashtra on January 8, 2019.

Some projects includes:

Four-laning of 98.717 km Solapur- Tuljapur-Osmanabad section on NH-211 (New NH-52) at a cost of Rs 972.50-crore
Foundation stone for the Rs 244 crore water supply and sewerage system including an underground sewerage system and three sewage treatment plants.
Foundation stone for a Rs 1811 crore housing project of 30,000 units under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana at an investment of Rs 1811.33 crore of which Rs 750 crore will be provided by the Centre and the state as assistance.

Women and Child Development Ministry launches “Web- Wonder Women” Campaign

The Ministry of Women and Child Development has launched an online campaign, ‘#www : Web- WonderWomen’.
The Campaign aims to discover and celebrate the exceptional achievements of women, who have been driving positive agenda of social change via social media.
The Campaign invites Entries via Nominations from across the world, as per the laid out criteria. Nominations are now open till 31^st January, 2019. Indian-origin women, working or settled anywhere in the world, are eligible for nomination.
Union Minister for Women and Child Development- Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi

India Ranks 41 on The Economist’s Democracy Index 2018

India has been ranked at 41, a notch above last year, in The Economist Intelligence Unit’s Democracy Index 2018.
India achieved a score of 7.23 on the 11th edition of the index.
Norway came out on top and North Korea bottom of the index.
The London based Democracy Index did not deteriorate in 2018, but nor did it register any progress on a global scale.
The index rates 167 countries by 60 indicators across five broad categories: electoral process and pluralism, the functioning of government, political participation, democratic political culture and civil liberties.

Japan tops 2019 Henley Passport Index; India Ranks 79th

Japan has topped the 2019 Henley Passport Index for the world’s most powerful passport, for the second time in a row.
India jumped two positions from 81st in 2018 to 79th in 2019.
The global Passport Index periodically measures the access that each country’s travel document affords and Japan retained its top spot as the world’s most travel-friendly passport due to the document’s access to 190 countries.
Singapore and South Korea jointly shared 2nd place (access to 189 destinations)
Germany and France jointly shared 3rd place (188).
The Henley Passport Index , created by Henley & Partners’ Group Chairman Christian Kalinis, is based on data provided by the International Air Transport Authority (IATA) and covers 199 passports and 227 travel destinations.

Indian Economy to Expand by 7.3 pc for 2018-19: World Bank

The World Bank projects India’s growth rate to accelerate to 7.3 percent during the current financial year ending March 2019, in its recently-released Global Economic Prospects (GEP) report on January 8.
Additionally, India’s economy is likely to expand by 7.5 percent during the 2019-20 fiscal year and retain its position as the fastest growing major economy in a world of slowing growth.
For the 2020-21 and 2021-22 fiscal years, the GEP has projected a growth rate of 7.5 percent.
However, the Global economic growth is projected to slow to 2.9 percent in 2019 from the estimated 3 percent in 2018 and to grow only by 2.8 percent in the next two years amid rising downside risks

SEBI constitutes Research Advisory Committee Headed by Sankar De

Regulator SEBI has constituted a Research Advisory Committee headed by Dr. Sankar De to strengthen its research function and enhance its linkage to policy making.
The research advisory panel will be comprising of prominent financial economists and market practitioners as members.

Mastercard ties with Mosambee for low-cost PoS named SamosaPoS

Mastercard and Mosambee, a payment solution company, have partnered to launch a low-cost point of sale (PoS) machine, SamosaPoS.
SamosaPos is an android based PoS machine and cost Rs 2,000. It looks and works like a calculator.
It comes with multiple applications such as an inventory stock, calculator and accepts credit cards, debit cards, BharatQR and e-wallets, all with a single click, according to a press release.

Pranav R Mehta becomes President of Global Solar Council (GSC)

Shri Pranav R Mehta, has taken over as the president of Global Solar Council (GSC) from January 1, 2019. He is the first Indian to head the GSC.
Pranav Mehta is the chairman of National Solar Energy Federation.
Headquarters of Global Solar Council (GSC): Washington D.C., USA

Andry Rajoelina Wins Madagascar’s Presidential Election

Former Madagascar president Andry Rajoelina was declared as the winner of the presidential election held in December 2018, by the country’s High Constitutional Court after his opponent, Marc Ravalomanana, lodged a complaint alleging fraud.
In the run-off vote on December 19, Rajoelina took 55.7 percent and Marc Ravalomanana won 44.3 percent.
However, Ravalomanana had denounced the runoff results, alleging massive fraud on election day and during vote-counting. He filed more than 200 petitions and complaints with the court.
The 44-year-old Rajoelina had earlier served as the president from 2009 to 2014

USA Cricket Becomes 105th Member of ICC

The United States of America Cricket has become the 105th member of the International Cricket Council on January 8, 2019.
The ICC Members approved the USA Cricket’s application to become the 93rd Associate Member in accordance with the ICC Constitution with immediate effect.
ICC provides two categories of membership: Full Members and Associate Members. There are 105 members, with 12 Full Members and 93 Associate Members.
USA Cricket came into existence in June 2017, upon the expulsion of the United States’ previous ICC recognized National Federation, USACA.
As an Associate Member of the ICC, USA Cricket will be entitled to gain the necessary funding in conformity with the governing body’s Development Funding Policy.
USA Cricket can now sanction domestic and international matches in the United States.

Harendra Singh Removed As Indian Men’s Hockey Team Coach

Hockey India has removed Harendra Singh from his position as coach of the Indian senior men’s hockey team citing the year 2018 as disappointing for the Indian Men’s Hockey Team
Hockey India High Performance Director David John and current Analytical Coach, Chris Ciriello will take charge as the interim coach.
Meanwhile, Dronacharya Awardee Harendra Singh will return to his former role of being Indian Junior Men’s Hockey Team Coach.

Current Affairs Update – 9 January 2019