Tamil Nadu cuts road accident deaths, gets award

Government gives last chance to register drones by January 31, 2020.

Everyone using a drone in India will need to register with the government beginning 14.01.2020 before the end of the month. The aviation ministry on Monday issued a public notice for “a one-time opportunity for voluntary disclosure of such drones and drone operators”. After the deadline of January 31, 2020, anyone flying an unregistered drone will face action under various sections of the Indian Penal Code as well as Aircraft Act that stipulate imprisonment and/or fine for varying periods of time and amounts, respectively.

A P Maheshwari named CRPF director general

Senior IPS officer A P Maheshwari, currently serving as special secretary (internal security) in the home ministry, was appointed director general of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on 13.01.2020. Maheshwari is a 1984 batch IPS officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre. He will hold charge as CRPF chief up to his retirement on February 28, 2021, or until further orders, whichever is earlier. The post of DG CRPF was lying vacant after R R Bhatnagar retired on December 31. ITBP chief S S Deswal was holding additional charge as DG CRPF in the interim period.

Turmeric-based tech to kill cancer cells gets US patent

Researchers at Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology in Thiruvananthapuram have developed a molecule that will focus on killing malignant cancer cells while sparing the healthy ones around them. Sree Chitra and Indian Council for Medical Research have jointly received a US patent for this breakthrough. The breakthrough involves delivery of anticancer drugs directly to affected tissues rather than through conventional oral or intravenous methods. 

Chinese with mystery illness quarantined in Thailand: WHO

The WHO confirmed on 13.01.2020 the first case in Thailand of a new virus from the same family as SARS that is behind a Chinese pneumonia outbreak. The UN health agency said a person travelling from Wuhan, China, had been hospitalised in Thailand on January 8 after being diagnosed with mild pneumonia. “Laboratory testing subsequently confirmed that the novel coronavirus was the cause,” WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic said inan email, referring to the new virus. WHO said it might soon host an emergency meeting on the spread of the new virus. The case marks the first outside of China, where 41 people with pneumonia-like symptoms have so far been diagnosed with the new virus in thecity of Wuhan, with one of the victims dying last Thursday. 

Pak high court annuls Musharraf’s death sentence

The Lahore high court declared on 13.01.2020 as “unconstitutional” the formation of a special court that had awarded the death sentence to former military ruler General Pervez Musharraf last month after finding him guilty of treason. The death sentence, therefore, stands void, according to both the federal government and Musharraf ’s lawyer. Musharraf had challenged the special court’s decision in the Lahore high court on December 27, 2019, stating that the verdict was a mix of anomalies and contradictory statements. The former dictator had also said in his review plea that the treason trial against him was hurriedly wrapped up. The high court decision, according to Musharraf’s counsel, means that he is now a free man.

Courtesy & Source: Times of India

Maharashtra tops in graft cases, but logs only 15% conviction rate.

Maharashtra recorded the highest number of corruption cases for three years in a row—2016 to 2018—but the conviction rate in 2018 was abysmally low at 15%, shows the latest National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data. And pendency of corruption and vigilance cases in court was as high as 93%. As far as departmental action is concerned, corrupt public servants seem to have got away with just a rap on the knuckles—NCRB data shows that 18 officials were dismissed from service and only two awarded major punishment in 2018.

City lost 22.6% of green cover in a decade: Study

Mumbai lost 22.6% of its green cover in the decade spanning 2001-2011, according to a new study from IIT Bombay. In fact the loss crossed 60% in some western suburbs. Sixty-nine of the city’s 88 census wards lost green cover in the 2001-2011 decade, found the study that analysed satellite imagery along with census data. Worst hit were Goregaon, Andheri West, Malad West, Kandivli and Vile Parle. The island city, which had less greenery to begin with, saw smaller reductions. Per capita greenery also reduced by a median of 2.8 square metres per person, they found. Decline was not only in quantity but quality: most neighbourhoods saw fragmentation of their green spaces.

TN saw second highest custodial deaths

Tamil Nadu had the second highest custodial death cases in the country in 2018 recording 12, just one less than Gujarat, but not a single charge sheet has been filed nor any arrests made. In contrast, Gujarat ordered magesterial inquiries in 7 of 13 cases and also arrested 10 people. However, Gujarat registered cases for only three incidents, while Tamil Nadu has registered cases for all 12 incidents, according to the latest report of the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).

By 2030, 57% of global power demand should be met by renewables: IRENA

Renewable energy should supply 57% of global power demand by the end of the decade, up from 26% now, according to the intergovernmental International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). Abooklet, ‘10 years:Progress toAction’, publishedon thesidelinesof 10th annualAssembly of IRENAin AbuDhabi, has charted the recent global advances and outlined the measures required to scale up renewables. Annual investment needs to double from around $329 billion in 2018 to$737billion todeploy renewable energy at the speed required.

‘Nepal to discourage projects opposed by India, China’

Nepal is drafting a new policy to “discourage” international NGOs from undertaking programmes with potential to hamper the country’s relations with its giant neighbours, India and China, officials said on Sunday. While cross-border terrorism and criminal activities continue to be the major causes of concern for India, China has in the past complained about the Tibetans’ movement via Nepal. Based on Nepal’s foreign policy of keeping balanced relations, the projects that are opposed by either country will not be implemented, according to the draft of the strategy policy which is being prepared by the Social Welfare Council, Kathmandu Post reported. 

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksato visit India in Feb: Report

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa will visit India early next month and hold talks with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, a media report said on 12.01.2020. This will be his first trip to India after assuming office in November last year and the third high-level visit to New Delhi by a member of the new Sri Lankan government headed by the prime minister’s brother and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Prenatal air pollution may hike sugar levels in kids

Kids who are exposed to air pollution in the womb may have higher blood sugar levels during childhood than kids without this exposure, as per a study that suggests particle pollution could be a risk factor for diabetes. The study, which focused on PM 2.5, included 365 children in Mexico City who were exposed to average daily PM 2.5 levels of 22.4 micrograms per cubic meter of air while they were in the womb, far above the 12-mcg limit. Researchers measured the children’s hemoglobin A1c levels, which reflect average blood sugar levels over about three months. From about age 5 until about age 7, kids’ average levels of exposure to PM 2.5 in the womb were associated with 0.25% larger annual increases in HbA1c levels than would be expected with fine particulate matter exposure within regulatory limits.

Serena ends 3-year title drought, donates purse to bushfire victims

Serena Williams ended a three-year title drought and donated her winner’s cheque to victims of the Australian bushfires in an emotional WTA Auckland Classic final on 12.01.2020.Williams raised expectations for this month’s Australian Open, where she can equal Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slam titles, with her 6-3, 6-4 victory — her first WTA trophy since she won in Melbourne in 2017. But the 38-year-old tempered celebrations as she donated her US$43,000 winners cheque to the Australian bushfire relief fund and described how the tragedy had affected her deeply.

Kerala’s Ancy stars with 2 gold medals, TN’s Sherin Wins Silver In Under-21 Long Jump Event

Stealing the limelight, Kerala athlete Ancy Sojan grabbed two gold medals in Under-21 category on the third day of track and field events in the Khelo India Youth Games here on 12.01.2020. Tamil Nadu’s Sherin Abdul Gafoor won the silver with a best jump of 6.30 m in a thrilling competition.

Source & Courtesy: Times of India

NSO pegs growth of GDP at 11-yr-low of 5%

US blocks Iran from UN meet

The Trump administration on Monday blocked Iran’s foreign minister Javad Zarif from addressing the United Nations later this week, denying him a visa to enter the US in what was widely seen as abuse of its privilege of hosting the international body. While many diplomats and observers saw the action as violating terms of the 1947 headquarters agreement that requires the US to allow foreign officials to conduct business at the UN, the headquarters of which is located in Manhattan, New York City, US officials argued that it was Iran that violated rules of international diplomatic conduct and therefore merited a ban. US secretary of state Mike Pompeo conveyed the US decision to UN secretary general António Guterres on Monday.

The infant mortality rate – number of child deaths per 1,000 live births – in Tamil Nadu

The infant mortality rate – number of child deaths per 1,000 live births – in Tamil Nadu has been on a steady decline. Tamil Nadu recorded the second lowest IMR in the country in 2017 with 16 deaths per 1,000 live births. Kerala registered the lowest, 10. The number of underweight babies being brought in for intensive care in the state has gone up both in private and government tertiary care units

Linking Cauvery to Gundar to start by year-end

Panel gives green signal to 150 private trains on 100 routes

Tyre industry to train 5L mechanics under government skilling scheme

Veteran former Italy international Daniele De Rossi announced his retirement from football

Veteran former Italy international Daniele De Rossi announced his retirement from football on Monday, just six months after joining Argentine giants Boca Juniors. De Rossi played only seven matches for the Buenos Aires outfit, scoring once, but said he needed to return home for family reasons. “I need to go home. I'm leaving Boca and football,” said the 36-year-old former Italy and Roma midfielder. He played 117 times for Italy from 2004-17 and won the World Cup in 2.

Courtesy: Time of India

TNPSC Master publishes relevant fact based Current Affairs almost daily basis. In this current affairs helps you and useful for General Awareness part of TNPSC, UPSC, SSC IBPS Banking and other State Public Service Commission examination. TNPSC Master is a compilation of recent current events. In This section is updated almost daily events, Innovation, Achievement, Awards and New Appointments etc. 

Latest Current Affairs Contains in following titles:

• ISRO successfully launches weather satellite SCATSAT-1
• Sushma Swaraj to address UN General Assembly today
• Nirmala Sitharaman to visit Sri Lanka today
• PM chairs meeting to review Indus Water Treaty
• Agriculture Minister inaugurates Krishi Unnati Mela in Mathura
• Govt sets target of toilets in every household by 2019: Tomar
• Union Minister Radha Mohan Singh presents Antyodaya Krishi Puruskars to 22 farmers
• UN lauds India's decision to ratify Paris Climate Agreement
• General Conference of IAEA begins in Vienna

ISRO successfully launches weather satellite SCATSAT-1

• Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched its satellite SCATSAT-1 for ocean and weather related studies from Sriharikota this morning. Carrying the 377 kg SCATSAT-1 and seven other satellites, India's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, PSLV-C35, lifted off from ISRO's first launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at 9.12 AM today (26.09.2016).This was the first mission of PSLV in which it launched its payloads into two different orbits. The co-passenger satellites were from the US, Canada and Algeria besides from Indian Universities. This is the 37th flight of the PSLV and the 15th journey in its extended version with solid strap on motors to give it the required additional thrust. This month, this is the second launch for the ISRO.

Sushma Swaraj to address UN General Assembly today

• External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will address the UN General Assembly in New York today. Mrs Swaraj is expected to give a stinging response to Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's UNGA speech.Outlining India's focus for the UN General Assembly session, New Delhi's envoy to the UN Syed Akbaruddin said terrorism is the primary concern for India as well as for nations across the world. He listed reform of the UN Security Council, sustainable development, climate change and peacekeeping as other priorities for India in the current UNGA session.

Nirmala Sitharaman to visit Sri Lanka today

• Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Nirmala Sitharaman is visiting Sri Lanka from today in a bid to expand bilateral trade relations between the two countries. She is being accompanied by senior ministry officials along with a business delegation.

PM chairs meeting to review Indus Water Treaty

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi today held a meeting in New Delhi to take stock of Indus Water Treaty. NSA Ajit Doval, Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Nripendra Mishra, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar, Water Resources Secretary Shashi Sekhar and other senior officials briefed Mr Modi on the 56-year old pact. The treaty signed in 1960 by then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and then Pakistan President Ayub Khan, allocates 80 per cent of water from the six-river Indus water system to Pakistan. 

Agriculture Minister inaugurates Krishi Unnati Mela in Mathura

• Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh inaugurated four days Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay Krishi Unnati Mela - 2016 in Mathura today. Speaking on this occasion, Mr Singh said, during last two years, there was drought like situation in the country but in spite of it food grains production was more than 250 million ton during 2015-16. He said, during these years the production of milk was also record high at 160 million ton in the country. He said that the credit of food grains production goes to new agriculture technique and hard work of farmers. 

Govt sets target of toilets in every household by 2019: Tomar

• Minister of Drinking Water and Sanitation Narendra Tomar today said government has set a target of toilets in every household by 2019. Addressing media at launch of media campaign of Swachh Bharat Week featuring actor Amitabh Bachhan and cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, the Minister said toilets have been made in every household in 85,000 villages of the country. He said 23 districts are now totally free from open defecation. He expressed happiness on the increasing citizen participation in Swachh Bharat Mission. Swachh Bharat Week is being celebrated from 25th September to 2nd October.

Union Minister Radha Mohan Singh presents Antyodaya Krishi Puruskars to 22 farmers

• Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh today gave away Antyodaya Krishi Puruskars to 22 farmers for their contribution in the agriculture sector. They were felicitated during a function at the birth place of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay in Mathura. Azma of Telangana has been awarded for conserving old seeds and setting up community seeds bank. As part of the Centenary Celebrations of Deendayal Upadhaya, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, has instituted Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Antyodaya Krishi Puruskar at national and zonal levels from this year.

UN lauds India's decision to ratify Paris Climate Agreement

• UN chief, Ban Ki-moon, today lauded India for its swift action over the decision to ratify the Paris pact on climate change. Mr. Ban said he is looking forward to receiving New Delhi's instrument of accession. Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday announced in Kerala that India will ratify the Paris climate deal on October 2, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.Earlier this month, the US and China, the world's two largest emitters, formally joined the Paris agreement, which was adopted by 195 parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change last December in Paris.A total of 60 countries so far have deposited their instruments of ratification for the agreement, representing more than 47.5 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions.

General Conference of IAEA begins in Vienna

• The 60th session of the General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) opens in Vienna today (26.09.2016). During the week-long session, representatives of 168 countries will discuss prospects of developing nuclear energy. The IAEA General Conference is a platform for discussing strategic issues and holding scientific debates.

TNPSC Master publishes relevant fact based Current Affairs almost daily basis. In this current affairs helps you and useful for General Awareness part of TNPSC, UPSC, SSC IBPS Banking and other State Public Service Commission examination. TNPSC Master is a compilation of recent current events. In This section is updated almost daily events, Innovation, Achievement, Awards and New Appointments etc. 

Latest Current Affairs Contains in following titles:

• Russia denies holding joint military exercises with Pakistan in Gilgit Baltistan in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir
• Security experts of SAARC countries agree to cooperate in tackling suicide terrorism, drugs trafficking and cyber security
• Indian Air Force successfully test fires long range air-to-air MICA missile
• Centre soon to launch Mission Parivar Vikas in seven states for improved family planning services
• Army and Air Force Chiefs along with Vice Chief of Naval Staff call on PM Modi at his residence today
• PM approves constitution of two committees for commemoration of birth centenary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay
• India and Russia kick off eighth edition of their joint military exercise in Russian city of Vladivostok with a focus on counter-terror operations
• GST threshold fixed at Rs 20 lakh, rate to be decided in October
• Chinese city Yangzhou to host India business, culture fest
• India 3rd in ICC ODI standings, Kohli 2nd in batting chart
• India bag five medals on day four of Junior Shooting World Cup

Russia denies holding joint military exercises with Pakistan in Gilgit Baltistan in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir

• Russia has rubbished media reports that its troops will be holding joint military exercises with Pakistani forces in Gilgit Baltistan. The area is a part of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Russia clarified the anti-terror drills will take place in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region. The denial came as Russian troops arrived in Islamabad Friday for the first-ever joint exercises with Pakistani forces. The exercise begins from today under the name 'Friendship-2016' and reflects growing military ties between the two countries.

Security experts of SAARC countries agree to cooperate in tackling suicide terrorism, drugs trafficking and cyber security

• Top security experts of SAARC countries have agreed to cooperate each other in tackling suicide terrorism, counter radicalisation, drugs trafficking and cyber security.The agreement came at the second meeting of the High Level Group of Eminent Experts to strengthen the SAARC Anti-Terrorism Mechanism which concluded in New Delhi Friday. The two-day meeting was chaired by Director, Intelligence Bureau, Dineshwar Sharma in which all SAARC member-countries participated.

Indian Air Force successfully test fires long range air-to-air MICA missile

• Indian Air Force has successfully fired recently acquired long range air-to-air MICA missile on a manoeuvring target from Mirage-2000 Upgrade combat aircraft. A Defence Ministry release said in New Delhi yesterday that the missile achieved a direct hit on a target which was much smaller than an actual aircraft and flying at a low altitude. 

Centre soon to launch Mission Parivar Vikas in seven states for improved family planning services

• The Centre will soon launch Mission Parivar Vikas in 145 High Focus districts in seven states for improved family planning services. Its main objective is to accelerate access to high quality family planning choices based on information, reliable services and supplies within a rights-based framework. Health Ministry in a statement said, these districts having the highest total fertility rates are in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Assam. 

Army and Air Force Chiefs along with Vice Chief of Naval Staff call on PM Modi at his residence today

• Army Chief General Dalbir Singh, Air Force Chief Marshal Arup Raha and Vice Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Karambir Singh today called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence. During the meeting, discussions were held on prevailing security situation and India's response to Uri Attacks.

PM approves constitution of two committees for commemoration of birth centenary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the constitution of two committees for the commemoration of the birth centenary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay. Mr. Modi will head the 149 member National Committee while Home Minister Rajnath Singh will chair the 23 member Executive Committee. Former Prime Ministers Atal Bihari Vajpayee and H.D. Deve Gowda, Union Ministers Rajnath Singh, Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitley and Manohar Parrikar, former Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani and BJP President Amit Shah are the members of National Committee.

India and Russia kick off eighth edition of their joint military exercise in Russian city of Vladivostok with a focus on counter-terror operations

• India and Russia have kicked off the eighth edition of their joint military exercise in the Russian city of Vladivostok with a focus on counter-terror operations. The main focus of this edition of 'Indra-2016' exercise, which started Friday, is on Counter-Terrorism Operations in semi mountainous and jungle terrain under United Nations Mandate. the 'Indra' series of bilateral exercises is one of the major bilateral defence cooperation initiatives between India and Russia since 2003. 

GST threshold fixed at Rs 20 lakh, rate to be decided in October

• The Goods and Services Tax, GST Council has fixed the annual turnover limit for exemption at Rs 20 lakh and resolved that all cesses will be subsumed in the GST. Briefing media after the meeting, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said, the limit would be 10 lakh rupees in the north-eastern states. 

Chinese city Yangzhou to host India business, culture fest

• China's Yangzhou city is set to host India Week celebrations from tomorrow with a business and investment meeting to be attended by CEOs of top Indian firms. The city in coastal Jiangsu province has been an important business partner for India in the Eastern China Region. 

India 3rd in ICC ODI standings, Kohli 2nd in batting chart

• India were placed third in the latest ICC ODI rankings released in Dubai today. With 110 points, they were behind Australia and New Zealand. While the Aussies have 124 points, New Zealand earned 113 points. In the batting list, India's mainstay Virat Kohli holds the second position with 813 points in his kitty. He is behind South African talisman AB de Villiers, and a place ahead of another experienced Protea, Hashim Amla. Besides Kohli, Rohit Sharma, who is placed 7th, and Shikhar Dhawan, who is 8th, are the other Indians in the batting list dominated by the South Africans and the Asian giants. 

India bag five medals on day four of Junior Shooting World Cup

• India added five more medals, including three gold, on day four of the ISSF Junior World Cup in Gabala, Azerbaijan. With this, India's medals tally in the junior shooting world cup swells to 23. India has won a total of nine gold in the competition to be ranked second in the medals tally behind Russia. India won two team gold medals in the men’s and women’s 25 meter pistol events respectively. The third gold of the day came in the individual men’s 25 meter pistol competition. The day's only silver came in the men's 25m pistol. India’s bronze of the day was won by the women’s trap team.