19 August 2017 Current Affairs
19 August: World Humanitarian Day
World Humanitarian Day (WHD) was observed across the globe on 19 August 2017 wit the theme #NotATarget. The day is commemorated every year to pay tribute to aid workers who risk their lives in humanitarian service and also to rally support for people affected by crisis around the world. This campaign follows a report by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, which called for the protection of civilians. Laying out his ‘path to protection’, Guterres appealed for enhanced respect for international humanitarian and human rights law and protection of civilians, including humanitarian and medical workers as well as civilian infrastructure.
Nikolay Kudashev appointed Russia’s new ambassador to India
Russian President Vladimir Putin appointed career diplomat Nikolay Kudashev as Russia’s new ambassador to India. Kudashev, a specialist in South East Asia, is currently the Deputy Director General Secretariat of the Ministry of foreign Affairs of Russia. The appointment of Kudashev comes nearly seven months after the death of Russia’s previous ambassador to India Alexander Kdakin. Kudashev was the Russian Ambassador to Micronesia and the Marshall Islands in 2014-2015.
Centre doubles Child Care allowance for Women with Disabilities
The Centre has doubled the Child Care allowance from Rs 1500 to Rs 3000 for women employees with disabilities. The allowance shall be payable from the time of the child’s birth till the child is two years old. Moreover, it shall be payable for a maximum of two eldest surviving children. The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) also issued orders for the reimbursement of children education allowance, which will be Rs 2,250 per month.
Japan launches Michibiki No. 3 satellite for better GPS System
Japan launched the Michibiki No. 3 satellite of its new quasi-zenith satellites to improve the global positioning system (GPS) navigation services in the country. The satellite was launched aboard an H-IIA rocket, which blasted from the Tanegashima space centre in southern Japan, according to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). The Michibiki system is aimed at improving the accuracy of car navigation systems and smartphone maps to mere centimetres.
RBI to issue new Rs 50 currency note
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will shortly issue new banknotes of Rs. 50 denomination in the Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series. The base colour of the new notes will be fluorescent blue. RBI also has clarified that all banknotes in Rs. 50 denomination issued in the earlier series will continue to be legal tender. Its dimension will be 66 mm x 135 mm. It will have a motif of Hampi with Chariot on the reverse, depicting the country’s cultural heritage along with the Swachh Bharat logo, numeral 50 in devnagiri, year of printing and the language panel.
Neymar becomes Goodwill Ambassador for Disabled
World’s Most expensive player Neymar became the Goodwill Ambassador for Handicap International, pledging to work for millions who are “less visible” but deserve equality. The charity was founded in 1982 to assist 6,000 Cambodian refugees who had lost limbs and later co-founded the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) in 1992 which won the Nobel Peace Prize.
Two new species of Earthworm discovered in Kerala
Scientists have discovered two new species of earthworm belonging to the primitive family Moniligastridae in Western Ghats ranges of Kerala. The new earthworms distinguished by a set of characters have been named as Drawida polydiverticulata and Drawida thomasi. In total, there are about 200 species of earthworm known in genus Drawida. To date, there are 73 earthworm species belonging to genus Drawida living in Indian subcontinent. The greatest concentration (43 species) is found in Western Ghats.
Indian Athletes Bag 37 Medals at 7th World Dwarf Games
The Indian contingent created history by winning a record haul of medals at the World Dwarf Games in Canada. The 7th edition of the World Dwarf Games was held over a week at the University of Guelph in Ontario province and featured nearly 400 athletes from 24 countries. Joby Matthew bagged two golds, three silvers and a bronze. The 21-men Indian team won 37 medals including 15 golds, 10 silver and 12 bronze medals. Arunachalam Nalini won five medals, including one gold.
Sri Lanka Appoints First Tamil Navy Chief After Four Decades
Rear Admiral Travis Sinniah appointed as the chief of Sri Lanka’s naval forces to head the Navy since the brutal civil war erupted in the country 45 years ago. He succeeds Vice Admiral Ravi Wijegunaratne got retired. He got appointed as the Navy Chief by President Maithripala Sirisena.
Mamta Suri Takes Charge as Executive Director of IBBI
Dr. Mamta Suri took charge as Executive Director of Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) in New Delhi. Before joining IBBI, Dr. Suri was serving as Chief General Manager, Insurance Regulatory Development Authority of India (IRDAI). She has also received Honorary membership for High Scholastic Achievement from USA.
Prez gives away National Safety Awards (Mines) for 2013 & 2014
President Ram Nath Kovind has presented the National Safety Awards (Mines) for the years 2013 and 2014. The awards were given away at a function held at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi. In all, there were 37 Winner prizes and 34 Runner-up prizes which were given away to the winning mines in the award function organized by the Ministry of Labour and Employment.