Current Affairs for SSC CGL Exams - 12 SEPTEMBER 2019

SSC CGL Current Affairs

::NATIONAL::

The Union Cabinet is likely to approve an ordinance prohibiting the manufacture and sale of e-cigarettes in the country. The law would make production, manufacture, import, export, transport, sale, distribution or advertisements of e-cigarettes a cognizable offence.
Anti-tobacco health experts are calling it a move in the right direction but the tobacco industry and its allies state that if enforced, this would be a “draconian law hitting at the livelihood of many.”
As per the draft bill, the offence will be punishable with jail up to one year or fine up to ₹1 lakh or both for first-time offenders, and jail of up to three years and fine up to ₹5 lakh for repeat offenders. Storage of e-cigarettes shall also be punishable with imprisonment up to six months or fine up to ₹50,000 or both.

Prime Minister NarendraModi on September 11 asserted that livestock had always been vital for the rural economy in India and stressed that his seriousness towards protection of cows could be gauged by the vaccination scheme introduced by the government.
Citing a scheme run by the Rwandan government to tackle malnutrition and poverty through the distribution of cows to elaborate on the role of cows in the rural economy, Mr.Modi explained that as per Rwanda’s scheme a cow was donated to each household.
Asserting that “some people created a storm” after he had visited the African country last year and donated “250 cows” to its villagers, Mr.Modi said it was unfortunate that there were some in the country who were critical of the Centre’s cow conservation policies.
Later in the evening, Mr.Modi tweeted that he was saddened to see heaps of plastic being removed from the bodies of cows being operated at the PashuArogyaMela in Mathura.

Union Minister of Commerce & Industry and Railways, PiyushGoyal, held a meeting with around 100 domestic industry, manufacturers, associations of various sectors and users today in New Delhi to discuss and provide a holistic view about regulatory instruments for the formulation and implementation of effective trade policy and development strategy.
Regarding corruption issues that are delaying consignments,the Minister requested exporters to write directly to Secretaries of line ministries or to Commerce & Industry Ministry as Government of India is committed to ensuring a corruption free environment in each and every Ministry and Department of the Government.

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has rejected the National Stock Exchange’s request to grant ‘recognised association’ status to the commodity derivatives segment, citing violation of certain Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) norms and Income Tax rules.
Derivatives trading in recognised exchanges is not treated as speculation. According to Sec 43(5) of the Income Tax Act, any derivative transaction entered into at a recognised stock exchange is not treated as speculative, and losses can be set off against normal business profit.
Rule 6DDC deals with recognised exchange status. NSE launched commodity derivatives trading in October 2018 and currently offers contracts in gold, silver and brent crude.

UN chief Antonio Guterres warned on Wednesday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plan to annex a key part of the occupied West Bank would violate international law.
"They would be devastating to the potential of reviving negotiations and regional peace, while severely undermining the viability of the two-state solution," he said.
Mr. Netanyahu's controversial pledge involves extending Israel's sovereignty over the Jordan Valley and the northern Dead Sea, which account for one-third of the West Bank, if he wins next week's elections.
It would not include however annexing any Palestinian cities such as Jericho.
The pre-election promise late Tuesday drew immediate condemnation from Arab powerhouses with many warning -- like Guterres -- of disastrous consequences for the stagnant Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully flight tested an indigenously-developed low weight, fire and forget Man Portable Antitank Guided Missile (MPATGM) in the ranges of Kurnool on September 11.
According to a press release, the missile was launched from a man portable tripod launcher, while the target was mimicking a functional tank.
The missile hit the target in top attack mode and destroyed it with precision. All the mission objectives were met, the press release added.
This is the third series of successful testing of MPATGM. The missile is incorporated with state-of-the-art Infrared Imaging Seeker along with advanced avionics.
The test paves the way for the Army to have developed third generation man portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile indigenously.