Post demonetisation, World Bank drops India’s growth rate to 7 %
i.The World Bank has decelerated India’s growth for 2016-17 fiscal to 7% from its previous estimate of 7.6%.The World Bank stated that immediate withdrawal of a large volume of currency in circulation and subsequent replacement with new notes in India contributed to slowing growth.
ii.Also, the country would regain momentum in the following years with 7.6 and 7.8% growth. According to the report, India maintains the distinction of being the fastest growing emerging market economies of the world, bypassing China.
India, Kenya sign agreements in the area of agriculture
i.India and Kenya have signed agreements in the area of agriculture which was inked after delegation-level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta in New Delhi.
ii.India is collaborating with Kenya to raise agricultural productivity and the Loan of Credit Agreement of 100 million dollars signed for farm mechanization will open a new dimension of engagement between the two countries.
iii.Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that expansion of bilateral trade, greater flow of capital between two economies and stronger developmental partnership is a priority.
India, France strengthen 50 years space bond, ink pact for satellite launch
i.Indian Space Research Organisation and French Space agency (CNES) has signed a partnership agreement in satellite launch technology.
ii.The agreement was signed between ISRO Chairman Kiran Kumar and CNES President Jean-Yves Le Gall in the presence of visiting French Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean-Marc Ayrault.
iii.Space cooperation between France and India spans over 50 years and is of the cornerstones of the Indo-French strategic partnership.
Modi inaugurates Nobel Prize exhibition in Gujarat
i.Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the ‘The Nobel Prize’ exhibition at Science City in Gandhinagar.
ii.’The Nobel Prize: Ideas Changing the World’ contains several original artifacts, both from Alfred Nobel himself and from a number of Nobel Laureates.
iii.The exhibition is open to public until February 13, 2017, that too free of charge. It is a part of Nobel Prize Series India 2017, an extensive program of events taking place with the participation of nine Nobel Laureates
Railway minister launches new IRCTC app to promote digital ticketing
i.To promote ease of ticketing through digital transactions, railway minister Suresh Prabhu released the new passenger mobile the application named ‘IRCTC Rail Connect app’.
ii.Currently, e-ticketing system caters to over 10 lakh passengers daily (comprising 58% of total reserved passengers) and to increase the ease to users, a new Android-based mobile application for reserved booking IRCTC Rail Connect has been developed
BIS revises Indian Standard on gold hallmarking
i.Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has revised Indian Standard on gold hallmarking, which is effective from January 1, 2017.
ii.The hallmarked gold jewelry will now be available in three grades of 14 karat, 18 karats, and 22 karats.
iii.The cartage will also be marked on jewelry in addition to fineness for a convenience of consumers.
The USA calls for India, Pakistan & Afghanistan partnership on counter-terrorism
i.The United States has called for a partnership between India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan on counter-terrorism operations.
ii.State Department Deputy Spokesman Mark Toner told reporters in Washington that the security of the three countries is linked with one another.
Health Ministry to launch Measles-rubella vaccine to roll out in February 2017
Health Minister J P Nadda to launch Measles-rubella vaccine to roll out in Goa, Karnataka, Lakshadweep, Puducherry and Tamil Nadu between February 3 and 4, 2017 and the pneumonia vaccine will be introduced in Himachal Pradesh and parts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar from March 17.
China launches 1st commercial space mission with new rocket
i.China has successfully sent three satellites into space in its first commercial mission using an updated version of the low-cost Kuaizhou-1A rocket, amidst the Communist giant’s determined bid to expand its ambitious space program.
ii.The rocket, carrying the satellite JL-1 and two CubeSats XY-S1 and Caton-1, blasted off from northwestern China’s Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Gansu
Former wrestler Mahavir Singh Phogat’s biography released
i. Former wrestler and coach Mahavir Singh Phogat made his way to the launch of his authorized biography ‘Akhada’ in Chandigarh.
ii.Sports journalist Saurabh Duggal released the biography.
World Cup: FIFA to expand the competition to 48 teams
i.The Federation Internationale de Football Association FIFA has decided that the World Cup will be expanded to host 48 teams, up from 32.
ii. An initial stage of 16 groups of three teams will precede a knockout stage for the remaining 32 when the change is made for the 2026 tournament.
iii.The sport’s world governing body voted unanimously in favor of the change at a meeting in Zurich.
Jimmy Adams appointed new West Indies Cricket director
i.West Indies turned to former batsman Jimmy Adams into their new director of cricket Association.
ii.Adams played 54 Test matches for the Caribbean side and will be able to draw upon from his vast experience as he turns his attention to overseeing the development of West Indies cricket at all levels.
iii.The 49-year-old returned to Jamaica after ending a five-year spell as head coach of English county side Kent last October.He replaces Englishman Richard Pybus who had been in the position since November 2013.
Yana Kudryavtseva, 13-time gymnastics world champion, retires aged 19
Russian rhythmic gymnast Yana Kudryavtseva has retired from competition aged just 19, Kudryavtseva won 13 world championships from 2013 to 2015, making her the early favorite for the all-around gold medal at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, but a foot fracture disrupted her preparations
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