Current Affairs for SSC CGL Exams - 03 NOVEMBER 2019
::NATIONAL::
Govt. releases maps of Jammu and Ladakh UT’s
- Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) is part of the newly created Union
Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, while Gilgit-Baltistan is in the UT of
Ladakh in the fresh maps released by the government on Saturday following
the bifurcation.
- In a notification, the Ministry of Home Affairs also released the new
map of India depicting the two UTs with PoK 'capital' Muzaffarabad within
the geographical boundary of the country.
- As per the new map, PoK remains with Jammu and Kashmir UT and
Gilgit-Baltistan with the UT of Ladakh, according to the maps.
- By 2019, the government of erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir had
reorganised the areas of these 14 districts into 28 districts. The names of
the new districts were - Kupwara, Bandipur, Ganderbal, Srinagar, Budgam,
Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam, Rajouri, Ramban, Doda, Kishtwar, Samba and Kargil.
Centre to set up anti-human trafficking units under NirbhayaFund
- The government will set up anti-human trafficking units in all districts
with the help of the Nirbhaya Fund.
- In a tweet, Women and Child Development Minister SmritiIrani said that
women help desks will also be set up in all police stations across the
country using this fund. She said, this initiative will strengthen women
safety and instil a greater sense of security among them.
- Mrs Irani expressed her gratitude to Home Minister Amit Shah for speedy
intervention and ensuring efficacy in fructifying these initiatives. She
said, the step will go a long way in addressing women and children safe in
the country.
::ECONOMY::
OECD projects India’s growth rate at 6.6% in 2020-2024
- India’s gross domestic product (GDP) could grow 6.6% in 2020-24, lower
than its 2013-17 average of 7.4%, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation
and Development (OECD) said on Saturday.
- While reliance on consumption will continue, the large informal labour
share indicates that there is room to strengthen the consumption base.
- “Sustaining efforts to prop up the health of the banking sector is a
vital challenge, while bridging the disparity in urban and rural
infrastructure is important for spreading investment and economic
opportunities while addressing urbanisation,” it said.
- The organisation has predicted a regional GDP growth of 5.7% over
2020-24, down from 6.7% in 2013-17.
- As per the report, China would need to bridge the gap between demand and
supply of digital talent, while improving digital literacy and increasing
access to digital devices are critical in India.
India to strengthen connectivity with ASEAN nations
- Prime Minister NarendraModi has said that ASEAN related Summits are key
elements of India’s foreign policy, most notably the Act East Policy.
- In his departure statement before leaving for Bangkok, Mr Modi said,
India is eager to improve connectivity with ASEAN nations. He said, there
will be meetings with various world leaders to discuss important bilateral
and global issues.
- The Prime Minister said, the East Asia Summit gives an opportunity to
present India's vision for the Indo-Pacific region. He said, at the Regional
Comprehensive Economic Partnership Summit, the leaders will take stock of
the progress in RCEP negotiations.
- Mr Modi said, during the summit, the leaders will consider all issues
including whether India’s concerns and interests in trade in goods,
services, and investments are being fully accommodated.
::INTERNATIONAL::
UN chief warns Asian countries on its coal addiction
- The Chief of the United Nations has warned Asia to quit its addiction to
coal in a bid to tackle climate change.
- UN Secretary-General AntónioGuterres said countries in the region were
among the most vulnerable to global warming and should be on the front line
of efforts to stop it. He cited a new study that found that Asian countries
were at particular risk of climate-driven flooding.
- Coal is a major source of power in many Asian countries. Speaking to
reporters in the Thai capital Bangkok today, Mr.Guterres described climate
change as the defining issue of our time.
- The UN Chief referenced a study published on Tuesday, which found that
climate change would put millions of more people at risk from coastal
flooding by 2050 than previously thought. The majority of those implicated
were in developing countries across Asia, the study said.
::SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY::
Scientists decode Big Bang explosion phenomenon
- The universe began with the Big Bang, and now scientists have explained
how the mysterious explosion may have taken place around 13.8 billion years
ago.
- The Big Bang theory states that all matter that exists today in the
universe sprung forth from a single point in an epic explosion.
- The research, published in the journal Science, details the mechanisms
that could cause the explosion, which is key for the models that scientists
use to understand the origin of the universe.
- The team uncovered the criteria for creating a Big Bang-type explosion
while exploring methods for hypersonic jet propulsion.
- The finding may have applications in faster air and space travel, and
improved power generation, including reactions that generate zero emissions
as all of the products used in the combustion are converted into energy, the
researchers said.
::SPORTS::
South Africa wins Rugby world cup
- South Africa galloped by England to win the Rugby World Cup in Japan.
- The Springboks claimed the Cup for the first time since 2007. It was a
rematch of the final game of 2007. Both teams scored only penalty kicks in
the first half. South Africa led 12-6 at half time.
- In the second half, the Springboks' MakazoleMapimpi and Cheslin Kolbe
each pushed the ball across the line for the only two tries of the game. The
final score was 32-12.