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All India Radio News Summary: 11 DECEMBER 2017

All India Radio News Summary: 11 DECEMBER 2017

  1. Indian economy likely to grow by 7.2 per cent in 2018 and 7.4 per cent in 2019, says a UN report.

A UN report has said, Indian economy is likely to grow by 7.2 per cent in 2018. It will go up further to 7.4 per cent in the following year on the back of strong private consumption, public investment and the on-going structural reforms.  

  • The report has also projected a positive outlook despite the slowdown early this year and the lingering effects of demonetisation.  
  • The ‘World Economic Situation and Prospects 2018’ report unveiled by United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) said, overall economic outlook for South Asia is seen largely favourable and steady for the short term, notwithstanding significant medium-term challenges.

 

  1. India calls upon WTO members to find permanent solution to the public food stockpile issue, concerning 800 million hungry people across the globe.

India has called upon WTO members to find a permanent solution to the public food stockpile issue, saying it concerns the survival of 800 million hungry people across the globe.

 

  • It also asked them to refrain from raising new issues, especially those which are not linked to trade.
  • In his address at the plenary session of the 11th ministerial conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Buenos Aires, Commerce and Industry Minister said, a successful resolution of the food security issue would fulfil the collective commitment to the global community.
  • Minister urged the member countries to reaffirm their commitment to a rule-based multilateral trading system as it would benefit the entire world.

 

  1. Western disturbance brings widespread rain in several parts of North India; Air quality improves in the National Capital.

Rain triggered Western Disturbance has lashed several parts of North India including the national capital, bringing the mercury down by several notches.

  • Downpour also brought down pollution level in the national capital.  
  • The Air quality Index which was 361 yesterday evening has come down to 278 this morning.
  • The pollution levels are likely to dip further today as light rain and drizzle triggered by a western disturbance is expected to continue.

 

In Himachal Pradesh, wide spread rain lashed several parts including capital Shimla.

The higher reaches of tribal districts of Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur and Pangi Bharmour in Chamba and Dhauladhar ranges in Kangra district are experiencing snowfall.

 

Western Disturbances

A Western Disturbance is an extratropical storm originating in the Mediterranean region that brings sudden winter rain to the north-western parts of the Indian subcontinent.

  • It is a non-monsoonalprecipitation pattern driven by the westerlies. 
  • The moisture in these storms usually originates over the Mediterranean Seaand the Atlantic Ocean.
  • Extra tropical storms are a global phenomenon with moisture usually carried in the upper atmosphere, unlike their tropical counterpartswhere the moisture is carried in the lower atmosphere.
  • In the case of the subcontinent, moisture is sometimes shed as rain when the storm system encounters the Himalayas.
  • Western Disturbances are important for the development of the Rabi crop, which includes the locally important staple wheat.

 

  1. Russia, India, China foreign ministerial meeting underway in New Delhi.

The meeting will review global and regional issues of mutual interest including trade, connectivity and terrorism as well as discuss trilateral exchanges and activities.

  • External Affairs Minister held separate bilateral meetings with Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in New Delhi.
  • India has strongly recommended a comprehensive policy for dealing with global terrorism. After the 15th Russia-India-China (RIC) Foreign Ministers’ meeting in New Delhi, External Affairs Minister said, the policy should deal with extremism, counter religious fanaticism and prevent recruitment of terrorists.
  • On Climate Change, it was argued that there is a need to ensure fair implementation of the Paris Agreement.
  • India and her Russia reviewed bilateral relations. External affairs minister it is well known that relations between India and Russia are close and friendly.
  • A range of issues were discussed including, terrorism, with his Indian and Russian counterparts during the meeting.
  • The fight against terrorism should be united and there must not be any kind of compromise on it.                  
  • Russia-India-China have reiterated the importance of trilateral format as a platform to foster closer dialogue and practical cooperation in identified areas.
  • In a joint Communiqué, the three countries said, their cooperation is not directed against any other country.

 

  1. Government to launch ‘Khelo India’ programme to bring sports into mainstream; New Pan Indian Sports Scholarship to cover 1,000 most talented young athletes each year

Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports said, the government will launch a ‘Khelo India’ programme for the period 2017-18 to 2019-20. 

  • The initiative marks a watershed moment in the history of Indian sports, as it aims at mainstreaming sports as a tool for individual development, community development and national development.
  • The programme will cost nearly 1,700 crore rupees and will impact the entire sports ecosystem.

 

Some salient features of the programme:

  • A new Pan Indian Sports Scholarship scheme, which will cover 1,000 most talented young athletes each year across select sports disciplines, will be introduced.
  • Each athlete selected under the scheme will receive an annual scholarship worth 5 lakh rupees for 8 years.
  • The programme would cover about 200 million children in the age group of 10-18 under a massive national physical fitness drive.
  • The Khelo India campaign aims to promote 150 select schools in as many districts and 20 universities across the country, as hubs of sporting excellence.

 

  1. ASEAN-INDIA Connectivity Summit in New Delhi

Road Transport and Highways Minister said the Government is aiming to construct 40 Kilo Metres of road every day in the country by next year.

Addressing ASEAN-INDIA Connectivity Summit in New Delhi, he said,

  • India has made significant strides as far as construction of National Highways are concerned.
  • Recently the Centre has approved construction of over 34 thousand kilometres of road network over the next five years under the Bharatmala Pariyojana.
  • River and port connectivity is very important for boosting trade and investment in India as well as in the ASEAN region.

 

There is a strong case for improving maritime connectivity between Indian and ASEAN islands. The efforts are now towards sharing gains from reforms with ASEAN countries.

We share values reflective of a deep and sustained cultural connect and driven towards a common destiny of joint development of peace, stability and mutual trust and these are very important ingredients which connect ASIAN and India.

 

  1. Supreme Court agreed to hear the appeal of Unitech Limited, challenging the recent order of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT)

The Supreme Court agreed to hear the appeal of Unitech Limited, challenging the recent order of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) directing the central government to take over the management of the embattled real estate firm.

 

The NCLT had recently invoked the provisions of the Companies Act and allowed the central government to take over the Unitech Limited and appoint its nominee directors in the Board of the firm.

 

  1. US, South Korea and Japan begin joint exercise near Korean Peninsula to track missiles from North Korea. 

The United States, South Korea and Japan started joint exercise to track missiles from North Korea, following the nuclear-armed Pyongyang’s longest-range test launch to date.  

  • The two-day exercise – the sixth since June 2017, kicked off in waters near the Korean peninsula and Japan.
  • Aegis warships from each country will simulate detecting and tracking down potential ballistic missiles from the North and sharing information.
  • Two US ships are taking part in the drill, one each from the two Asian countries.

 

The trilateral drill comes less than two weeks after Pyongyang test-fired a new Intercontinental Ballistic Missile and declared it had achieved nuclear statehood, escalating global alarm over its weapons push.           

 

  1. Most destructive wildfire raging in southern California has expanded significantly

The Thomas fire in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties has consumed 230,000 acres, scorching an area larger than New York City. Fanned by strong winds, it has become the fifth largest wildfire recorded in state history. Residents in coastal beach communities have been ordered to leave.

There are also fears the blaze will seriously hit California’s multi-million dollar agricultural industry.

 

  1. Uttarakhand Government has taken a new initiative for energy conservation

Uttarakhand Government has taken a new initiative for energy conservation. The State Government has made it compulsory for all Government offices to install LED bulbs. This will reduce the consumption of electricity in offices and civic areas.

  • The State Government has made compulsory to install LED bulbs in all Government offices, educational institutions, civic bodies and institutes taking grants from the government.
  • The initiative aims at reducing consumption of electricity.
  • All District Magistrates and Head of Departments have been directed to strictly follow the orders following sanction the State Cabinet.
  • Purchase of sodium vapour lamps and incandescent lamps by all departments in the state has been banned.

 

  1. Finance Minister assures that public deposits in banks are safe amid rumours in social media about proposed FRDI bill.

The government said that public deposits in banks are safe and misconception about the proposed FRDI bill in social media is unfounded. Allaying fears of depositors, Finance Minister said the government is committed to strengthening the banking and financial institutions.

The Financial Resolution and Deposit Insurance, FRDI Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha in August this year. It is presently under the consideration of the Joint Committee of Parliament. The Committee is consulting all the stakeholders on the provisions of the Bill.