1) Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis launches portal for job seekers, employers
•Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis launched a web portal 'Mahaswayam' that will cater to job seekers, employers, entrepreneurs, and training institutes who can avail details regarding skill development and employment.
•Earlier, the state government ran three different portals- Maharashtra State Skill Development Society (MSSDS) portal for Skill Development, 'Maharojgar' for employment and 'Mahaswayamrojgar' for entrepreneurship. These three have now been merged into 'Mahaswayam', making it easier for all beneficiaries as well as the state to keep a track of the demand and supply of workforce.
2) Prithvi-II missile successfully test-fired
•India successfully test-fired its indigenously developed nuclear-capable Prithvi-II missile from a test range in Odisha as part of a user trial by the Army. The trial of the surface-to-surface missile, which has a strike range of 350 km, was carried out using a mobile launcher of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur, Odisha.
•As per the official report, the trial of the sophisticated missile was successful and the mission objectives were met.
About PRITHVI-II Missile in Brief-
1.The Prithvi-II missile is capable of carrying 500 kg to 1,000 kg of warheads and is thrusted by liquid propulsion twin engines.
2.It uses advanced inertial guidance system with manoeuvring trajectory to hit its target with precision and accuracy.
3.It is surface-to-surface missile, which has a strike range of 350 km,
4.The technological program was monitored by the scientists of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) as part of a training exercise.
3) India ranked 137th in the Global Peace Index 2017
•India has ranked 137th out of 163 countries on Global Peace Index 2017 published by The Institute of Economics and Peace. This is the eleventh edition of the Global Peace Index (GPI).
•Iceland has been named the world's most peaceful country, topping the Global Peace Index for the tenth consecutive year followed by New Zealand and Portugal at second and third position while Syria has been named the least peaceful country.
4) Japan launches satellite for high-precision positioning system
•Japan launched a satellite to help build a high-precision geolocation system that will complement the US-operated GPS. A 'H-IIA' rocket blasted off from the Tanegashima space center in southern Japan carrying the 'Michibiki' No.2 satellite.
•The Michibiki system is capable of covering the Asia-Oceania region and works with the US-operated Global Positioning System (GPS). Michibiki, meaning guidance in Japanese, is intended for civilian use, with a claimed positioning accuracy down to mere centimeters (inches). Though GPS is widely used in Japan, having supplementary satellites is important in a country where mountainous terrain and high buildings may interfere with GPS signals.
5) UN General Assembly elects Slovakia's Miroslav Lajcak as next president
•The UN General Assembly elected Slovak foreign minister Miroslav Lajcak to be the next president of the 193-member powerful body.
•Lajcak was elected by acclamation as President of the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly at a special session. The 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly will commence from September 12, 2017.
6) RBI appoints Ganesh Kumar as ED
•Reserve Bank of India has appointed S. Ganesh Kumar as Executive Director. His appointment is consequent upon voluntary retirement of Chandan Sinha.
•The central bank currently has 11 Executive Directors. As Executive Director, Ganesh Kumar will look after Department of Information Technology, Department of Payment and Settlement Systems and Department of External Investments and Operations. Prior to being promoted as ED, Ganesh Kumar was Chief General Manager-in-Charge, Department of Information Technology in the Reserve Bank.
