06 February 2017 - Daily Current Affairs

06 February 2017 - Daily Current Affairs

Science & Defence

India successfully test-fires nuclear-capable Agni-1

• India has successfully test-fired nuclear capable Agni-I ballistic missile as part of a user trial from a test range off the Odisha coast.
• The trial was conducted by the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) of the Indian Army from Launch Pad 4 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Abdul Kalam Island in Balasore, Odisha.
• Ground radars, telemetry stations, and naval ships positioned close to the intended impact point monitored the course of the missile.
• Agni-I is a single stage, solid fuel, road and rail mobile, short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) developed by DRDO of India under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program.

Note:

• Agni missiles consist of one (short range) or two stages (intermediate range).
• These are rail and road mobile and powered by solid propellants.

Japan launches the smallest rocket ever to carry tiny satellite into orbit

• The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has launched the world’s smallest rocket from the Uchinoura Space Center in Kagoshima prefecture, Japan.
• The objective of the launch for testing the ability of JAXA to launch low-cost rockets that can put microsatellites into space at affordable rates.
• The rocket measuring 10 meters in length, 50 centimeters in diameter and some 2.6 tons in weight.
• The satellite was developed by the University of Tokyo to capture images of the Earth’s surface.

International Appointments

Jerome H Powell sworn in as 16th Chairman of Federal Reserve

• Jerome H. Powell took the oath of office as the 16th Chairman of the Federal Reserve for a four-year term.
• The oath was administered by Vice Chairman Randal K. Quarles in the Board Room.
• He succeeded Janet Yellen, the first woman to lead the US central bank.
• Earlier, Mr. Powell served as a member of the Board of Governors.
• In November 2017, Powell was nominated for the post by President Donald Trump.

Note:

• The Federal Reserve System is the central banking system of the United States.
• It was created on December 23, 1913, with the enactment of the Federal Reserve Act, after a series of financial panics (particularly the panic of 1907) led to the desire for central control of the monetary system in order to alleviate financial crises.

Important Dates

6^th February: International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation 

• International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation is a United Nations-sponsored annual awareness day that takes place on February 6 as part of the UN's efforts to eradicate female genital mutilation.
•  It was first introduced in 2003.

National Affairs

PM Modi to go on 4-day visit to Palestine, UAE, Oman on 9th February

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will go on four days visit to Palestine, UAE, Oman on 9^th February.
• This will be the first-ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Palestine.
• During the visit, the Prime Minister will hold discussions on matters of mutual interest with their leaders, apart from participating in many community events.
• In Dubai (UAE), Prime Minister would be addressing the Sixth World Government Summit being at which India has been extended 'Guest of Honour' status.
• Prime Minister Modi will lay the foundation of a Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi.
• At Oman, he will address a community event at a stadium in Muscat.

Maharashtra govt approves new wildlife sanctuary at Ghodazari

• The Maharashtra Govt. has approved ‘Ghodazari’ in Chandrapur district as a new wildlife sanctuary in the state.
• The decision was taken at the 13th meeting of the Maharashtra State Board for Wildlife chaired by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Note:

• Wildlife sanctuaries are established by IUCN category IV protected areas.

Railways to phase out diesel locos in Delhi by March 2019

• According to the railway board, no diesel locomotive will be allowed in the Delhi area after March 2019.
• They also released the news bulletin ’GARVITA’ and launched a mobile app for public transparency.
• Railways will be completely LED lit in the next eight months.
• The railway ministry has set a target of 2022 to switch to electric locomotives completely by phasing out their diesel counterparts with a focus on increasing speed.

Lt Gov of Delhi today launches upgraded version of original Himmat App & QR code

• Anil Baijal (Lieutenant Governor of Delhi) has launched the upgraded version of original Himmat App and QR code containing complete information of taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers across the NCR- region.
• The new version with a new logo is called ‘Himmat Plus’.
• ‘Himmat Plus’ intends to ensure that only genuine and verified drivers take the passengers to their destination from Airport and Metro stations.
• This app has been transformed into 'Utility' app from an 'Emergency Safety' app and it is linked to police's Facebook page and Twitter handle.
• It has a special feature like scanning QR code for drivers of taxi cabs, auto and e-rickshaws and Report Journey button which when pressed sends the location with driver's unique ID to police headquarters.

 Sports

Shubhankar Sharma wins Malaysia title after stunning final round

• India's Golfer Shubhankar Sharma (21-year) roared back from a four-stroke deficit to claim a remarkable two-shot win at the Maybank Championship in Malaysia for his second European Tour title.
• He shot 10 birdies in a sizzling closing round of 10-under-par 62 to aggregate 21-under for the tournament, finishing ahead of joint overnight leader Jorge Campillo who carded a 68.
• Now, He is the two-time winner of the Asian Tour and European Tour.