1) Global Recycling Day observed globally on 18th March
The mission of Global Recycling Day as set out by the Global Recycling Foundation:
•To tell world leaders that recycling is simply too important not to be a global issue and that a common, joined-up approach to recycling is urgently needed.
•To ask people across the planet to think resource, not waste, when it comes to the goods around us – until this happens, we simply won’t award recycled goods the true value and repurpose they deserve.
2) SC clears permanent commission for women in Indian Navy
•The bench, also comprising Justice Ajay Rastogi, rejected the Centre’s stand that sea sailing duties cannot be granted to SSC (Short Service Commission) women officers in the Navy as its Russian vessels do not have washrooms for them. The court was contrary to the Centre’s policy of 1991 and 1998 which lifted the statutory bar on the induction of women officers in the Navy. The bench quashed the prospective effect of the policy barring women officers inducted before 2008 from being granted permanent commission in the Navy. It also granted pension benefits to women officers who have retired and were not granted permanent commission.
3) Indian Navy installs Quarantine Facility at Visakhapatnam
•Indian Navy has established a Quarantine Camp at INS Vishwakarma in Eastern Naval Command (ENC). The Quarantine Camp has been set up for Indian nationals being evacuated from COVID-19 affected countries. This is an effort of Indian Navy to augment India’s fight against the spread of COVID-19. The Quarantine Camp has the capacity to accommodate nearly 200 personnel with all appropriate facilities.
•Indian nationals being evacuated from COVID-19 affected countries will be closely monitored by a team of naval personnel and medical professionals of ENC. The monitoring of evacuated persons will be done in accordance with the protocols laid down by the Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India.
4) $100 Billion coronavirus relief package signed by Donald Trump
•To ensure sick leave to Americans workers who fall ill from the new coronavirus, President of the United States, Donald Trump has signed a $100-billion emergency aid package. The $100 Billion coronavirus relief package aims to strengthen the protective measures against the pandemic caused by COVID-19.
•In the United States, the service sector have been hit hard after the closure of hotels, travel and entertainment sectors and the restrictions on restaurants and malls. The relief package will facilitate free coronavirus testing for those who need it, sick pay and paid family leave. The relief package will also bolster unemployment insurance for millions of Americans. It also includes the medical benefits and food aid for those affected by the pandemic.
5) Iraqi President appoints Adnan al-Zurfi as new PM-designate
•Iraqi President Barham Salih has appointed Adnan al-Zurfi as the country’s new prime minister. Al-Zurfi has 30 days to form his cabinet which he must then put to a vote of confidence in Iraq’s fractious Parliament. He will succeed Mohammed Allawi, the 1st politician named by the president as PM-designate who withdrew his candidacy for the post. Al-Zurfi was a former governor of the holy Shia city of Najaf & heads the Nasr parliamentary group of former Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi.
•Adel Abdul Mahdi was an interim PM who withdrew his candidature in December 2019 after heavy protest where 40 people were killed by security forces.
6) 7th World Cities Summit to be held in Singapore
•The 7th World Cities Summit (WCS) will be held from 5 to 9 July 2020 in Singapore. It is organized by Singapore’s Centre for Liveable Cities and the Urban Redevelopment Authority. The theme for WCS 2020 is ”Livable and Sustainable Cities: Adapting to a Disrupted World”. The WCS 2020 is held in conjunction with the Singapore International Water Week (SIWW) and the CleanEnviro Summit Singapore (CESG).
•Singapore Government invited Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to the WCS-2020. The WCS was inaugurated in the year 2008 and conducted once in 2 years. This platform brings Government leaders, Industrial experts to forge new partnerships and address liveable and sustainable city challenges, sharing integrated urban solutions and there will be discussions about how cities can cope with climate change, social shifts and technological disruptions with confidence.
7) A. Ajay Kumar becomes India’s next High Commissioner to Republic of Uganda
•Ajay Kumar has been appointed as the next High Commissioner of India to the Republic of Uganda. A. Ajay Kumar is currently posted as the Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs. Ajay Kumar is a 2001 batch IFS officer.
•Uganda is among the poorest countries on the African continent. One-third of the population here is forced to live below the international poverty line.
8) DAC approves procurement of Tejas fighter aircraft for IAF
•The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has approved the procurement of indigenous Tejas fighter aircraft for Indian Air Force. 83 indigenous Tejas fighter aircrafts will be procured for the Indian Air Force. The new procurement order is expected to provide a major boost to Make in India as the aircraft is indigenously designed. The Tejas aircraft is expected to become the back bone of the IAF’s fleet in the coming future.
•The Defence Acquisition Council has also approved the acquisition of indigenous defence equipments worth Rs 1,300 crore.
About “Tejas“:
•“Tejas” is an indigenously-designed Light Combat Aircraft. Tejas has been designed by Aircraft Development Agency (ADA) under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The Light Combat Aircraft has been manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). This is the new advanced Mk1A version of the Tejas aircraft which was ordered earlier.
9) Nitin Gadkari presents ‘Invincible – A Tribute to Manohar Parrikar’ to President
•Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways of India, Nitin Gadkari presented a copy of the book ‘Invincible – A Tribute to Manohar Parrikar’ to President Ram Nath Kovind at the Rashtrapati Bhawan on the first death anniversary of Manohar Parrikar.
•The “Invincible – A Tribute to Manohar Parrikar” was authored by Tarun Vijay and released by defence minister Rajnath Singh on 16th March 2020. Manohar Parrikar is a former Chief Minister of Goa and also as a Defence Minister of India who passed away on 17th March 2019.
10) “My Encounters in Parliament” authored by Bhalchandra Mungekar released
•The book titled “My Encounters in Parliament” authored by Bhalchandra Mungekar was released. Bhalchandra Mungekar is an Indian economist, a former member of Rajya Sabha. The book released in the presence of former Vice President- Hamid Ansari, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar, Communist Party of India (CPI) General Secretary D Raja and CPI (Marxist) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury.
