Daily News

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Govt. teams up with Google for flood warning

Union Water Resources Ministry has teamed up with Google to generate flood warnings.

A Google Maps user will be able to see what regions are likely to see water logging first and if their neighbourhood is under threat.

Currently, the Central Water Commission (CWC) warns of floods based on the rising water levels in reservoirs and if these are nearing a dam’s ‘danger marks.’

An experimental version of the exercise will be offered “free of cost” as part of the company’s “Corporate Social Responsibility.”

Did you Know

Google CEO: Sundar Pichai
Headquarters: California, United States
Founders: Larry Page, Sergey Brin

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Government plans largest National Data Centre in Bhopal

The government plans to set up India's largest National data centre in Bhopal.

It will be the fifth National Data Centre will come up in Bhopal with capacity of five lakh virtual servers.

Did you Know

The National Data Centres - that host Government websites, services and apps - are currently operational at four locations - Pune, Hyderabad, Delhi and Bhubaneswar.

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AP’s largest petroglyph site discovered at Kandanathi

Kandanathi, a tiny village located about 5-km south of Yemmiganur mandal headquarters in the district, is the biggest petroglyph site in Andhra Pradesh.

Kandanathi has the first biggest explored petroglyph site in the State with the detection of nearly 200 engravings, peckings and bruisings.

The earliest discovery of petroglyphs (bruising) was on the Kupgallu Hill in Bellary district of Karnataka by Fawcett in the year 1892.

Did you Know

Petroglyph- Petroglyphs are rock carvings (rock paintings are called pictographs) made by pecking directly on the rock surface using a stone chisel and a hammerstone.

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Trains to get vacuum bio-toilets

The Indian Railways is mulling to replace bio-toilets with upgraded vacuum bio-toilets like those in an aeroplane.

There is a plan to install bio-toilets in 18,750 more coaches by March 2019, costing the national transporter around ₹250 crore.

Did you Know

The vacuum toilets, which cost around ₹2.5 lakh per unit, will be odour-free and cut down water usage by 1/20th and have much lesser chances of getting blocked.

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Visva-Bharati to set up yoga village

Visva-Bharati University (VBU) will set up a yoga centre inside the campus, named yoga gram (village).

The campus at Santiniketan will have several single-storied buildings, termed as kuthis (cottages) that is the first phase of the yoga gram project.

The cottages will be built inside a mango grove.

Did you Know

Visva-Bharati is a public central university located in Santiniketan, West Bengal.
It was founded by Rabindranath Tagore.
Founded in 23 December 1921.

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World Bank approves $700 mn to improve primary education in Bangladesh

The World Bank has approved $700 million to help Bangladesh achieve its education for all vision by improving the primary education sector.

The Quality Learning for All Program (QLEAP) will cover more than 18 million children studying in pre-primary level to grade 5.

Did you Know

World Bank
World Bank Headquarters: Washington, D.C., United States
President: Jim Yong Kim
CEO: Kristalina Georgieva
Founded in: 1944

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1.5 lakh teachers to be brought under School Education Department in Chhattisgarh

The Chhattisgarh cabinet approved “merger” of ‘shikshakarmi’, who are presently working under Panchayats and other local bodies, with the state school education department.

Under the first phase, the merger of at least 1.03 lakh teachers, who will be completing eight years of service will be carried out from July 1.

The teachers will get benefits of the recommendations of the pay commission such as pay scale, allowances and promotions, which the regular teachers are entitled to.

The state cabinet also approved the implementation of the PM's National Health Protection Mission under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme.

Did you Know

Ayushman Bharat Scheme
Families included in the scheme will get healthcare assistance of up to Rs. 5 lakh per year.
Beneficiaries under the CM's Health Insurance Scheme will receive Rs. 50,000 for availing health facilities.
The scheme will be launched on August 15.
The scheme will be implemented by two nodal agencies in the state - Sanjivani Sahayata Fund and Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana.

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TS to set up special turmeric cell

The Union Commerce Ministry is proposing to set up a special cell for turmeric in Nizamabad.

This in association with TS government agencies can help in improving the production, quality, marketing and export of turmeric.

The major concern was ‘curcumin’ content which is less than 5% in crop grown in TS whereas it is 8% in the crop grown in North-East.

Did you Know

India is the largest producer, consumer and exporter of turmeric.
UAE is major exporter of turmeric accounting for 18% followed by US with 8%.
India exports only 6.2% of its total production.
Major markets are Erode and Salem (TN), Sangli (Maharashtra), Nizamabad and Warangal (Telangana) and Duggirala (Andhra Pradesh).

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IRDAI sets up panel to review norms for insurance marketing firms

Regulator IRDAI has set up a 10-member panel to review norms related to insurance marketing firm (IMF) with an aim to increase insurance penetration in the country.

The new distribution channel of IMF was introduced in 2015 by IRDAI, with the objective of increasing insurance penetration through an area–wise registration approach.

Did you Know

Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India
Founded in: 1999
Headquarters: Hyderabad
Chairman: Subhash Chandra Khuntia

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India, Italy agree to revitalise bilateral ties

India and Italy agreed to boost cooperation in counter-terrorism and cybersecurity.

Both sides agreed to mutually identify new areas of cooperation to boost trade and investment linkages.

The year 2018 also marks the 70th year of establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Did you Know

Italy Capital: Rome
Currency: Euro
Prime Minister Prof. Giuseppe Conte