NATIONAL:
1. Parliament Panel Report
Why in news: Railways suffered loss due to injudicious procurement of machine by Patiala Locomotive
Key points:
• According to the report, the Patiala Locomotive Works (PLW) embarked on a procurement initiative for an additional CNC Horizontal Boring and Milling Machine in pursuit of increased production targets.
• As per the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), it cost a financial loss of Rs 25.43 crore to the Railways.
• The PAC, in its report tabled in the Lok Sabha, carried out a detailed examination based on the CAG report, which was laid on the table of the House on December 21, 2022.
• The report recommends the ministry to establish a mechanism for periodic review of procurement policies in line with evolving directives to prevent recurrence of such infructuous expenditure in future.
2. Hajipur-Sagauli Project
Why in news: Railways mismanaged land purchase for Hajipur-Sagauli project
Key points:
• According to a Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report, the Hajipur-Sagauli New Line project registered a huge cost escalation of Rs 2,066.78 crore in January 2019 due to indecisiveness of the Railway Administration.
• The Hajipur-Sagauli New Line project was sanctioned by the Ministry of Railways in 2003-04.
• The project involves four districts of Bihar i.e. Vaishali, Muzaffarpur, East Champaran, and West Champaran.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. 7th Indian Ocean Conference
Why in news: 7th Indian Ocean Conference to get underway in Perth, Australia
Key points:
• The 7th edition of the Indian Ocean Conference will get underway in Perth, Australia soon.
• External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar would address the inaugural session of the Conference.
• Theme-"Towards a Stable and Sustainable Indian Ocean”
• Indian Ocean Conference is a flagship consultative forum for countries in the Indian Ocean Region.
• It is organized annually by the External Affairs Ministry, in association with the India Foundation.
2. Ecuador
Why in news: Ecuador's High Court decriminalised euthanasia, following lawsuit by terminally ill patient
Key points:
• Ecuador’s high court has decriminalized euthanasia.
• The decision came in response to a lawsuit from a terminally ill woman diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as ALS.
• In Latin America, Colombia previously had been the only country to decriminalize euthanasia, in which doctors used drugs to kill terminally ill patients.
• The practice is also legal in Belgium, Canada, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain and several states in Australia. Chile is debating the matter.
3. IMF Warned Maldives in High ‘Debt Distress' Risk
Why in news: IMF warned Maldives in high ‘debt distress' risk amid growing reliance on China
Key points:
• The strategically important nation is currently governed by a pro-China government.
• Since the rise of Mohamed Muizzu as Maldives President in November last year, Beijing has pledged more funding for the island nation.
• During the tenure of former president Abdulla Yameen, the Maldives borrowed heavily from China for construction projects.
• As a result, the Maldives owed around 42% of its more than $3 billion foreign debt to China in 2021.
• With increasing proximity to China, the Maldives is distancing itself from India.
• The Indian troops operating three reconnaissance aircraft in the Maldives have been directed to leave by May 10.
ECONOMY:
1. Offshore Wind Energy Projects
Why in news: ONGC, NTPC Green Energy Limited Signed Joint Venture Agreement to focus on offshore wind energy projects
Key points:
• This collaboration aims to lead renewable energy initiatives, both domestically and internationally.
• Besides offshore wind projects, the agreement extends to ventures in storage, e-mobility, carbon credits, and green hydrogen business, including derivatives like Green Ammonia and Green Methanol.
• These PSUs aim to make substantial contributions to India's renewable energy landscape, fostering innovation and environmental responsibility.
SPORTS:
1. Tawangchu Tides International Kayaking Championship-2024
Why in news: Tawangchu Tides International Kayaking Championship-2024 began in Arunachal Pradesh
Key points:
• The three-day Tawangchu Tides International Kayaking Championship-2024 kick started in Tawang District, Arunachal Pradesh.
• The event is being organized by an organization called “SWYTCH”.
• The goal of this initiative is to position Arunachal Pradesh as a global hub for kayaking, with the aspirations to host future World Championships.
Persons/Places in News:
1. Super 30 founder Anand Kumar
Why in news: UAE granted Golden Visa to educator and Super 30 founder Anand Kumar
Key points:
• The coveted Golden Visa, introduced by the UAE in 2019, grants long-term residency, permitting independent living, working, and studying.
• Individuals in the fields of science, knowledge, culture, and art are granted the Golden Visa.
• Kumar was named in Time magazine's list of Best of Asia 2010.
• In 2023, he was awarded the Padma Shri, fourth highest civilian award by the Government of India for his contributions in the field of literature and education.
State/UT:
Karnataka:
1. State-wide Ban on Hookah
Why in news: Karnataka government imposed immediate ban on tobacco and non-tobacco hookah in public places.
Key points:
• This decisive action is backed by alarming data from the WHO Global Adult Tobacco Survey-2016-17 (GATS-2), which states that 22.8% of adults in Karnataka use tobacco, with 8.8% being smokers.
• Tobacco-based shisha and "herbal" shisha emit smoke laden with toxic agents, heightening the risk of cancers, heart disease, and lung disease.
Delhi:
1. Equal Rights to the Transgender Community
Why in news: Delhi govt announced free bus rides for transpeople
Key points:
• The scheme aims to provide convenience and equal rights to the transgender community.
• The free bus scheme for women was launched in October 2019 and has been successful thus far.
• The scheme will be available to all members of the transgender community, regardless of where they live.
Bihar:
1. Bihar Orthopedic Association Conference (BOACON)
Why in news: Rajgir to host ortho meet from Feb 9
Key points:
• The three-day Bihar Orthopedic Association Conference will start in Rajgir from February 9.
• Orthopedics from across the country will take part in the conference, while its official inauguration will be done on February 10.
• This annual conference will mark golden jubilee of BOACON.
• Theme-'Tips, Tricks and Innovation'.
2. Patna declaration
Why in news: Bihar to bring 'Patna declaration' at international workshop to discuss bird conservation efforts
Key points:
• A three-day international workshop was held in the Bihar capital from February 5.
• The international workshop was organised by the Department of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (DEFCC) of Bihar government in association with the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS).
• Its main was to check Illegal hunting of wild and migratory birds and suggest measures to strengthen their conservation efforts in countries falling in the Central Asian Flyway (CAF).
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