Daily News

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World Bank announces 12 bn aid package to help countries combat coronavirus outbreak

World Bank unveiled a $12 billion aid package that will provide fast-track funds to help countries combat the coronavirus outbreak. The funds, some of which are targeted to the world's poorest nations, can be used for medical equipment or health services.

Did you Know

Fund will also include expertise and policy advice.

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Indian American Seema Verma named as key member of coronavirus task force in US

Leading Indian American health policy consultant Seema Verma has been appointed as one of the key members of the White House Coronavirus Task Force constituted by US President Donald Trump to combat the deadly disease COVID-9 that has infected many people.

Did you Know

Task force Head-Health & Human Services Secretary, Alex Azar.

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At $83.5 bn, India has 3rd highest trade-related illicit financial flow globally: GFI report

India has the 3rd-highest trade-related illicit financial flow among over 135 countries with a whopping $83.5 billion escaping the govt's tax net owing to trade-based money laundering tactics, according to a report released by Global Financial Integrity.

Did you Know

China (USD 457.7 billion) has the largest identified value gaps.

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Rs. 4,807 Cr deposited into bank accounts of 7.65 lakh farmers under farm loan waiver scheme: Maharashtra CM

Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray has informed that Rs. 4,807 Cr have been deposited into the bank accounts of 7.65 lakh farmers under the Mahatma Phule farm loan waiver scheme. Over 35 lakh farmers have uploaded their information on the scheme portal.

Did you Know

Accounts are to be linked with Aadhar for the waive off.

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Setu Bharatam scheme: All level crossings on National Highways to be replaced by Over Bridges or Road Under Bridges

Govt has envisaged replacement of all the level crossings on National Highways by Road Over Bridges/ Road Under Bridges under the Setu Bharatam scheme. Road Transport & Highways Ministry is implementing the scheme to ensure safe & smooth flow of traffic.

Did you Know

Scheme also aimed at reducing road fatalities by 50% by 2020.

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Rs 16,712 Cr loan sanctioned to women under 'Stand Up India' scheme: FinMin

Women account for over 81 per cent of the total beneficiaries under the 'Stand Up India' scheme with loans worth Rs 16,712 crore sanctioned for them in nearly 4 years’ time, the finance ministry said. The Stand-Up India scheme was launched on 5 April 2016.

Did you Know

International Women's Day is on March 8.

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Rs 33 Cr for Kaziranga under Project Tiger scheme

Financial assistance to the tune of Rs 1.51 crore has been sanctioned to Kaziranga National Park during the financial years 2018-19 and 2019-2020 under Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), Change Babul Supriyo said.

Did you Know

He is the Minister of Assam for Environment, Forest & Climate.

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NABARD infuses Rs 1.46 lakh Cr in rural banking system during current fiscal

National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has infused 1.46 lakh Cr in the rural banking system during the current fiscal. 66,397 Cr Rs have been given in short-term credit and 6,704 Cr Rs in long-term credit to rural cooperative banks.

Did you Know

Short-term refinance is essentially production credit.

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Government allows airlines to provide in-flight Wi-Fi services

Pilot-in-Command may permit the access of Internet services by passengers on board an aircraft in flight, through Wi-Fi on board, when laptop, smartphone, tablet, smartwatch, e-reader or a point of sale device is used in flight mode or airplane mode.

Did you Know

Boeing 787-9: 1st aircraft to provide in-flight Wi-Fi services.

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President of India to confer National Lalit Kala Akademi Awards to 15 artists in New Delhi

Lalit Kala Akademi’s 61st annual awards shall be conferred by the President Ram Nath Kovind to 15 artists at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. Lalit Kala Akademi, National Academy of Art, New Delhi was set up as an autonomous body, on 5th August 1954.

Did you Know

The Akademi was given statutory authority in 1957.

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By FY22, corporate loan defaults may rise by another Rs 2.54 lakh crore: India Ratings

An analysis of the top 500 debt heavy private companies by India Ratings showed that around 16% of the existing corporate debt is vulnerable. There is a possibility that these loans, worth around Rs 10.52 lakh Cr, could turn bad over the next 3 years.

Did you Know

An additional Rs 2.54 lakh crore of delinquent debt can occur.

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Centre has approved highways projects worth Rs 2,185 Cr for Puducherry

Centre has approved road & highways development projects worth Rs 2,185 Cr for Puducherry. Centre has approved development of highways & introduction of four-way lanes linking the UT with important segments. Nitin Gadkari recently visited Puducherry.

Did you Know

Puducherry Chief Minister- V Narayanasamy.

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National Chambal sanctuary declared as eco-sensitive zone

National Chambal sanctuary has been declared as an eco-sensitive zone by the central government. The decision to declare the area as an eco-sensitive zone will prohibit the construction of hotels or resorts within an area of 0-2 km from the sanctuary.

Did you Know

The Project is managed by the Wildlife wing of UP Forest Dept.

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35th edition of AAHAR begins in New Delhi

35th edition of AAHAR - the Food and Hospitality fair began in New Delhi. ITPO is organizing the fair, along with the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Agriculture & Processed Food Products Development Authority & several apex industry associations.

Did you Know

India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) Chairman- LC Goyal.

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Rangotsav begins at Barsana in Mathura, UP

The famous Rangotsav began at Barsana in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh- the place which is famous for its colourful Holi festivities. Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the ten-day Rangotsav and also participated in the Laddoo Holi.

Did you Know

Chadi Maar Holi & Dau ji ka Aurangabad are part of this.

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Azlan Shah Cup Hockey Tournament postponed from April to September due to Coronavirus

The Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament has been postponed from April to September in the wake of the COVID-9 outbreak across the world. The event which was scheduled to be held in Ipoh, Malaysia from April 11-18, will now be held from September 24-October 3.

Did you Know

India was not supposed to participate this year.

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68th All India Police Athletic Championship kick starts in Haryana

68th All India Police Athletic Championship-2019 began at Bhanu in Panchkula District of Haryana. Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Kiren Rijiju declared the meet open at Basic Training Centre of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).

Did you Know

Govt aims to bring India in top 10 in the 2028 Olympics.

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FIH rankings: Indian men's hockey team climbs to fourth position

Indian men's hockey team has gained the 4th position, their highest since the inception of the FIH world rankings in 2003, in the recently released chart. India's excellent form in the 1st 3 rounds of the 2nd edition of FIH Hockey Pro-League is the cause.

Did you Know

Belgium, Australia & Netherlands are at the 1st,2nd & 3rd ranks.

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Ajay Bhushan Pandey appointed new Finance Secretary

Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the designation of Ajay Bhushan Pandey as the new Finance Secretary. Currently, he is the Revenue Secretary under the Union Finance Ministry. He will replace incumbent Finance Secretary Rajiv Kumar.

Did you Know

He spent 9 years with Unique Identification Authority of India.

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March 4: National Security Day

March 4 is commemorated as National Security Day to praise the work of security forces, who ensure that the citizens of India sleep can sleep peacefully, without fretting over the security of the country. Day is also known as Rashtriya Suraksha Diwas.

Did you Know

India has the world's third largest military force.

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Tribal affairs ministry constitutes committee on CFR guidelines under FRA

The Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs has brought back the Model Guidelines for Conservation, Management and sustainable use of Community Forest Resources (CFR Guideline) under the Forest Rights Act, 2006 (FRA), four years after it went into cold storage.

Did you Know

NC Saxena heads the committee on CFR guidelines.

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Scientists found bacteria that can replace fertilizers, fungicides in tea plants

Scientists at Institute of Advanced Study in Science & Technology, Guwahati found plant-growth-promoting & antifungal activities of endophyticactino bacteria associated with tea plant & related genera, Eurya to find potent plant growth-promoting strains.

Did you Know

Team isolated 46 endophyticactino bacteria for the study.