02nd July 2019 Current Affairs
Special Economic Zones (Amendment) Bill, 2019 passed by the Parliament
- The Parliament passed The Special Economic Zones (Amendment) Bill, 2019 which became the first legislation to be passed by the newly constituted 17th Lok Sabha.
- It will replace the Special Economic Zones (Amendment) Ordinance, 2019, which was promulgated in March 2019 and amends Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Act 2005.
- Introducing the bill, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said that special economic zones (SEZs) play an important role in promoting exports and economic growth of the country.
- The Special Economic Zones (Amendment) Bill, 2019 will replace the Special Economic Zones (Amendment) Ordinance, 2019, which was promulgated in March.
Note:
About Lok Sabha
Seats: 545 (543 Elected + 2 Nominated)
Protem Speaker: Virendra Kumar
New Zealand bans single-use plastic bags
- New Zealand has banned single-use plastic shopping bags & introducing hefty fines for businesses that continue to provide them.
- Plastic pollution is a growing global concern, with a million birds & 100,000 plus marine mammals injured or killed every year.
- Companies that break New Zealand’s ban will face heavy penalties, including fines of up to 100,000 New Zealand dollar (USD 67,000).
- “New Zealanders are proud of our country’s clean, green reputation and want to help ensure we live up to it.
Note:
About New Zealand
Capital: Wellington Trending
Prime minister: Jacinda Ardern
India slips 1 place to 74th in terms of money in Swiss Banks
- According to the annual banking statistics report compiled by the Swiss National Bank (SNB), India has slipped to 74th place in terms of money parked by its citizens with Swiss banks by the end of 2018.
- While with maximum holdings, UK (United Kingdom) has remained top in the list.
- In comparison, the top-ranked UK accounted for more than 26 per cent of the total foreign funds parked with Swiss banks at the end of 2018.
Note:
About Swiss Banks
Headquarters: Basel, Switzerland
Founded: 1872
Successor: UBS
Defunct: 1998
India Refrains From UNGA voting on Capital Punishment
- India has abstained from voting on a United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution to find the possibility to end the trade in goods used for capital punishment and torture.
- The 193-member UN General Assembly Friday adopted the resolution ‘Towards torture-free trade: examining the feasibility, scope and parameters for possible common international standards’ by a recorded vote of 81 in favour to 20 against, with 44 abstentions.
Note:
About UNGA
President: María Fernanda Espinosa
Headquarters: New York, United States
Founder: United Nations
Founded: 1945
FinMin to launch 11th tranche of Electoral Bonds sale to start from July 1
- The Finance Ministry of India has launched the 11th tranche of Electoral Bonds sale from July 1-10.
- In this regard, India’s largest Public Sector Bank (PSB), State Bank of India (SBI) has been authorised to issue and encash electoral bonds in the XI phase of sale through its 29 branches.
- This is the first issuance of electoral bonds after the formation of the new government.
Note:
About SBI
Chairperson: Rajnish Kumar
Headquarters: Mumbai
Founded: 1 July 1955
Indian pro boxer Vaibhav Yadav wins WBC Asia title
- Indian pro boxer Vaibhav Yadav became the WBC Asia silver welterweight champion after defeating Thailand’s Fahpetch Singmanassak in the title bout held in Pattaya, Thailand.
- Yadav, a cousin of Commonwealth Games gold-medallist Vikas Krishan who has also turned pro now, clinched a third-round knockout over Singmanassak.
- The fight, which took place on Sunday night, was conducted by the Asian Boxing Council and approved by the World Boxing Council (WBC).
Note:
About World Boxing Council
President: Mauricio Sulaimán
Founder: Adolfo López Mateos
Founded: 1963
Headquarters: Mexico City, Mexico
Max Verstappen wins Austrian Grand Prix 2019
- In Formulae 1 Austrian Grand Prix 2019, Red Bull’s Red Bull’s Max Verstappen won the race while Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was placed second and Mercedes’ V. Bottas stood at the 3rd position.
- The 21-year-old mounted a brilliant comeback drive after a poor start dropped him from second to eighth, resulting in Verstappen and Leclerc duelling for the lead in the final few laps at the Red Bull Ring.
Note:
About Austrian Grand Prix
Founded: 1963
First held: 1963
In recognition of best practices in CSR, NALCO has selected for the prestigious President’s award
- A Navaratna Company based on Odisha, The National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO), has been selected for the President’s Award for Excellent CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) programme.
- For introducing and implementing star rating schemes like ‘Nalco ki Ladli’, Corporate Affairs Department of the Central Government has selected the NALCO at the national level.
- The Scheme, provides adoption of poor girl students to enable them to study and settle in life.
- At present, NALCO has adopted 416 poor girl students from 66 villages Angul and Damanjodi sectors in 45 schools.
- The scheme promotes Hon’ble Prime Minister’s call for Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao.
Note:
About NALCO
NALCO: National Aluminium Company
Headquarters: India
Founded: 1981
N.S. Vishwanathan reappointed RBI deputy governor for 1 year
- Appointments Committee of Cabinet has approved the extension of Vishwanathan’s term as RBI deputy governor by one year with effect from 4 July.
- He is in charge of regulation of banks, non-banking finance companies and cooperative banks.
- Vishwanathan is one of the three deputy governors, besides B P Kanungo and M K Jain, working at the central bank.
- Viral Acharya had last month resigned from the post of deputy governor, RBI.
Note:
About RBI
Headquarters: Mumbai
Founder: British Raj
Founded: 1 April 1935, Kolkata
Governor: Shaktikanta Das
China tests JL-3 Submarine-launched Ballistic Missile
- China has successfully tested the Julang (JL)-3, a next-generation intercontinental submarine-launched ballistic missile.
- China has always followed a defence policy which is defensive in nature and an active defence military strategy.
- The development of weapons and equipment is to meet the basic needs of safeguarding China’s national security.
Note:
About China
President: Xi Jinping
Capital: Beijing
Currency: Renminbi
India signs ₹200 crore anti-tank missile deal with Russia
- India signed a deal to acquire Strum Ataka anti-tank missile from Russia for its fleet of Mi-35 attack choppers.
- Deal for missiles is around ₹200 cr in order to give an added capability to the Mi-35 attack choppers to take out enemy tanks/armoured element.
- “The deal for acquiring ‘Strum Ataka’ anti-tank missiles was signed with Russia under the emergency clauses through which the missiles would be supplied within three months of contract signing.
- The deal for the missiles is worth around ₹200 crore and would give an added capability to the Mi-35 attack choppers to take out enemy tanks and other armoured elements.
Note:
About Russia
Currency: Russian ruble Trending
Capital: Moscow
President: Vladimir Putin
Try out the quiz ?
1. Special Economic Zones (Amendment) Bill, 2019 has passed by the Parliament. This Bill will amends which of the following Act.?
The Parliament passed The Special Economic Zones (Amendment) Bill, 2019 which became the first legislation to be passed by the newly constituted 17th Lok Sabha. It will replace the Special Economic Zones (Amendment) Ordinance, 2019, which was promulgated in March 2019 and amends Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Act 2005.
2. Which country has banned single-use plastic shopping bags?
New Zealand has banned single-use plastic shopping bags & introducing hefty fines for businesses that continue to provide them.
3. What is India's rank in terms of money parked in Swiss Banks by its citizens?
According to the annual banking statistics report compiled by the Swiss National Bank (SNB), India has slipped to 74th place in terms of money parked by its citizens with Swiss banks by the end of 2018.
4. How many members are in the UN General Assembly?
The 193-member UN General Assembly Friday adopted the resolution ‘Towards torture-free trade: examining the feasibility, scope and parameters for possible common international standards’ by a recorded vote of 81 in favour to 20 against, with 44 abstentions.
5. Which Public Sector Bank has been authorised to issue and encash electoral bonds?
The Finance Ministry of India has launched the 11th tranche of Electoral Bonds sale from July 1-10. In this regard, India’s largest Public Sector Bank (PSB), State Bank of India (SBI) has been authorised to issue and encash electoral bonds in the XI phase of sale through its 29 branches.
6. Who has won Asian title of World Boxing Council?
Indian pro boxer Vaibhav Yadav became the WBC Asia silver welterweight champion after defeating Thailand's Fahpetch Singmanassak in the title bout held in Pattaya, Thailand.
7. Austrian Grand Prix 2019 has won by..........
In Formulae 1 Austrian Grand Prix 2019, Red Bull’s Red Bull's Max Verstappen won the race while Ferrari's Charles Leclerc was placed second and Mercedes’ V. Bottas stood at the 3rd position.
8. NALCO has been selected for the President’s Award for Excellent CSR programme for which scheme?
A Navaratna Company based on Odisha, The National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO), has been selected for the President’s Award for Excellent CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) programme. For introducing and implementing star rating schemes like ‘Nalco ki Ladli’, Corporate Affairs Department of the Central Government has selected the NALCO at the national level.
9. Who has been reappointed as deputy governor of RBI?
Appointments Committee of Cabinet has approved the extension of N.S. Vishwanathan's term as RBI deputy governor by one year with effect from 4 July.
10. 'Julang-3' is the next-generation intercontinental submarine ballistic missile of which country?
China has successfully tested the Julang (JL)-3, a next-generation intercontinental submarine-launched ballistic missile.
11. India has signed ₹200 crore anti-tank missile deal with which country?
India signed a deal to acquire Strum Ataka anti-tank missile from Russia for its fleet of Mi-35 attack choppers.
