Current Affairs - 2019-20

Notes:
In Finland, 2,000 unemployed people are being provided with monetary compensation each month for a span of two years with very little or no preconditions.

Notes:
The Research Designs & Standards Organisation (RDSO), the research arm of Union Ministry of Railways, has launched “New Online Vender Registration System” on January 9, 2018. This new system provides major improvements and paradigm changes in the registration system over the earlier system. Public access to the information, expeditious process completion with defined timelines, simplification of procedures, round-the-year services, availability of all related information on RDSO Website, constant monitoring at all levels, reduction in cycle timelines, regular updation of online data, user friendly interface etc. are the hallmarks of the new system. And also, there is no need for vendors to visit RDSO office for any activity related to his case for registration.

Notes:
The World Down syndrome Day (WDSD) is observed every year on March 21 to raise public awareness about the syndrome and well being of people with Down syndrome. The 2018 theme “What I Bring To My Community” demonstrates that how people with Down syndrome can and do make meaningful contributions throughout their lives, whether in schools, workplaces, living in the community, public and political life, culture, media, recreation, leisure and sport. The Down syndrome is a naturally occurring chromosomal arrangement that has always been a part of the human condition, exists in all regions across the globe and commonly results in variable effects on learning styles, physical characteristics or health.

Notes:
Based on the given information, the fauna in question is the Rhesus Macaque (Macaca mulatta).

Explanation for each point:

1. Recently declared vermin in Himachal Pradesh: In some regions of Himachal Pradesh, India, the Rhesus Macaque has been declared vermin, meaning it is considered a pest and can be hunted or killed to control its population.
2. Listed as least concern in the IUCN Red List: The Rhesus Macaque is listed as “Least Concern” on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, indicating that its overall population is stable and it is not at significant risk of extinction.
3. Regular swimmer: Rhesus Macaques are known to be good swimmers and are often observed swimming in rivers or crossing water bodies.
4. Native to Asia: The Rhesus Macaque is native to various countries in South and Southeast Asia, including India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand, and China.
5. Diurnal: Rhesus Macaques are diurnal animals, which means they are primarily active during the day and rest during the night.

Taking all these characteristics into account, the fauna being described is the Rhesus Macaque (Macaca mulatta).

Notes:
Meldonium was included in the list of banned drugs by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The decision was effective from 1 January 2016 because of evidence of its use by athletes with the intention of enhancing performance.

Notes:
Bharatmala Pariyojana is an umbrella programme which includes construction of roads nationwide including in border and coastal areas. It aims to achieve optimal resource allocation for a holistic highway development. It will look to improve connectivity particularly on economic corridors, border areas and national highways in the country.

Notes:
Recently, Germany has signed an agreement with India for providing soft loan to the tune of Euro 1 billion for the Green Corridor Projects in India. Intra State transmission schemes under Green Energy Corridors (GEC) are to be funded as 20% equity of the State Govt., 40% grant from National Clean Energy Fund (NCEF) and 40% soft loan, whereas, the inter State transmission schemes are to be funded as 30% equity by PGCIL and 70% as soft loan, he added.

Notes:
Mandi in Himachal Pradesh and Sindhudurg in Maharashtra have emerged the cleanest districts in India according Gramin Swachh Survekshan. Sindhudurg was judged as the cleanest in the ‘Plains’ category and Mandi in the cleanest district in ‘Hills’ category. The Gramin Swachh Survekshan report was released by the Union Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj.

Notes:
Scientists at the Indian Institute of Technology-Kharagpur claim that they have found evidence of ‘lost’ Indian River called Chandrabhaga at a distance of about two km from the 13th century Sun Temple at Konark.

Notes:
The First International Agro biodiversity Congress– IAC 2016 was held at New Delhi. It consisted of 900 delegates from 60 countries, who encouraged a dialogue to better understand everyone’s role in agro biodiversity management and the conservation of genetic resources.