27 January 2020 - Daily Current Affairs
1. NBA legend Kobe Bryant passes away
- US basketball legend Kobe Bryant (41-year) passed away in a helicopter crash with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna.
- The crash occurred in the foggy hills above Calabasas, California, about 30 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles.
- Bryant was a 5-time NBA champion and 2-time Olympic gold medallist is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players in history.
Arts & Culture
2. ‘Innovation Festival’ begins in Arunachal Pradesh
- The ‘Innovation Festival’ kicked off at the Science Centre in Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh.
- The festival is being organized by the Arunachal Pradesh State Council for Science & Technology in collaboration with the National Innovation Foundation.
- The aim of the festival is to foster the culture of innovation among all people of the state, especially in all the educational institutions.
National Affairs
3. Nitin Gadkari launches Web Portal “GATI”
- The Union Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari has launched an online Web Portal ‘GATI’ on the pattern of ‘PRAGATI’, to Monitor Road & Highways Projects.
- The GATI portal has been created by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
- A total of 500 projects (including delayed ones) costing around Rs 3 lakh crore were taken up for review during the meeting.
Arts & Culture
4. Arunachal CM dedicates Padi Yubbe Outdoor Stadium
- Chief Minister of Arunachal Pema Khandu dedicated the Padi Yubbe outdoor stadium to the people of Lower Subansiri district in the state.
- The stadium has been named after the first Cabinet Minister from Apatani community.
- The chief minister also unveiled the memorial statue of Padi Yubbe and paid homage to him.
International Affairs
5. Switzerland Mints World’s Smallest Gold Coin Features Einst
- In Switzerland, State-owned Swissmint has minted world’s smallest gold coin measuring 2.96-millimetre (0.12-inches).
- The coin features the image of Albert Einstein sticking out his tongue.
- Swiss mint has minted just 999 such coins.
- Famed physicist Einstein was granted Swiss citizenship in the year 1901
- He was also a recipient of the 1921 Noble Prize for physics.
International Affairs
6. Global Unemployment increase by around 2.5 million in 2020
- The International Labour Organization has released a report titled “World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends 2020”.
- It predicts that unemployment is like to increase by around 2.5 million in 2020.
- The report also revealed that after nine years in decline, the rate of global unemployment remained unchanged in 2019, at 5.4%.
- It is expected to stay the same for the next two years, due to fluctuations in the population seeking work.
Schemes
7. Maharashtra govt launches 'Shiv Bhojan' scheme
- Maharashtra government has launched 'Shiv Bhojan' scheme to provide a meal to the poor for just 10 rupees.
- Under the pilot scheme, thalis or lunch plates would be available to people at designated centres/ canteens during a stipulated time in all the districts.
- The 'thali' consists of two chapatis, one vegetable, rice and dal.
- At least one 'Shiv Bhojan' canteen has been started at district headquarters.
National Affairs
8. Country's first Super Fab Lab inaugurated in Kerala
- The country's first Super Fab Lab was launched at the Integrated Startup Complex of the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM).
- The lab will give a major push to the hardware industry in the country and the only such facility outside the U.S.
- The Super Fab Lab will function in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
State Affairs
9. India’s First War Memorial for Service Animals come up inin
- The Government of India (GoI) has planned to set up a first-of-its-kind war memorial for service animals in Meerut Uttar Pradesh.
- India’s first war memorial for animals including dogs, horses and mules will be dedicated to the contributions and heroics of animals who lost their lives in counter-insurgency operations in Kashmir and in the battlefield during the Kargil War, while helping the Army.
National Affairs
10. Government to sell 100% stake in Air India
- The government issued the preliminary information memorandum for 100% stake sale in national carrier Air India.
- As part of the strategic disinvestment, Air India would also sell 100 per cent stake in low-cost airline Air India Express and 50% shareholding in joint venture AISATS.
- The government has set 17th March as the deadline for submitting the Expression of Interest (EoI).
