Current Affairs 1st Aug 2017

Current Affairs 1st Aug 2017 - Important Points

• Delhi Metro declared as world’s first green metro on - 28th July 2017
• Strong adhesive for wound healing developed by - Scientists
• 2017 Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix won by - Sebastian Vettel
• US tests missile-defence system after North Korea missile launch on - 30th July 2017
• Jhulan Goswami and Subrata Bhattacharya felicitated by Mohun Bagan on - 29th July 2017
• Russia asks 755 US diplomats to leave country following American sanctions on - 30th July 2017
•  India, Pakistan had talks on hydropower projects under Indus Waters Treaty on - 31st July 2017
• 2017 FIBA Women's Asia Cup on - 29th July 2017
• Los Angeles announced its bid for - 2028 Summer Olympics
• Dhrupad maestro Ustad Hussain Sayeeduddin Dagar passed away on - 31st July 2017
• Lt. Gen Abhay Krishna appointed as Chief of Eastern Command on - 31st July 2017
• Swachh Survekshan 2018’s anthem ‘Swachhata Ki Jyot Jagi Hai’ released on - 31st July 2017
• New Trade and Transit agreement between India and Bhutan comes into force on - 29th July 2017
• World's longest pedestrian suspension bridge launched by - Switzerland
•  Niti Aayog Vice-Chairman, Arvind Panagariya resigned on - 1st August 2017
• LPG prices to be hiked by Rs 4 per month ordered by - Union Government
• Use of five harmful metals in firecrackers banned by - Supreme Court

Current Affairs 1st Aug 2017 - Details

Delhi Metro declared as world’s first green metro on - 28th July 2017

The Delhi Metro Railway Corporation (DMRC) was declared as the world’s first green metro on 28th July 2017 after it added a green certification to all its major buildings and installations. DMRC was also awarded the platinum rating for its depots and sub stations and 10 residential colonies for adherence to green building norms by the IGBC.

The Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) made this declaration during National Conference on Green Metro Systems.

Do you know?
DMRC became the first railway project in the world to be registered by the United Nations under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) in 2008 and the UNFCCC registered DMRC as the first transport sector project of the world under the Program of Activities back in 2015.

Strong adhesive for wound healing developed by - Scientists

A team of researchers from the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering and the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) developed a super strong, flexible bio-glue to heal wounds without causing toxicity. Main inspiration for this is taken from an adhesive material secreted by slugs that sticks to biological tissues.
Slugs secrete a special kind of mucus in its place naturally when threatened, makes it difficult for a predator to pry it off its surface. The research was reported in journal Science on 28th July 2017.

Important highlights

• This material is the combination of a very strong adhesive force and the ability to transfer and dissipate stress.
• It is a double-layered hydrogel consisting of an alginate-polyacrylamide matrix to support an adhesive layer that has positively-charged polymers projecting from its surface.
• There are three types of different bonds in polymer tissues which are covalent bonds between neighboring atoms, electrostatic attraction to negatively charged cell surfaces, and physical interpenetration making the adhesive extremely strong.

2017 Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix won by - Sebastian Vettel

Sebastian Vettel of Germany and the Ferrari driver won the Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix at the Hungaroring in Mogyorod on 30th July 2017.
Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen of Finland bagged the second place while Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas of Finland took the third place respectively. It was the eleventh round of the 2017 Formula One season and the 32nd running of the Hungarian Grand Prix.
More about Sebastian Vettel

• Born on 3rd July 1987 currently driving in Formula One for Scuderia Ferrari, Sebastian Vettel is a German racing driver.
• Four-time Formula One World Champion, he is having won the championship in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 with Red Bull Racing.
• He is among the most successful F1 drivers of all the time, as he is one of only four drivers to have won four or more driver's titles.
• He got a contract to be a Formula One driver with Scuderia Ferrari until at least the end of 2017.
• He started his career in Formula One as a test driver for BMW Sauber.
• He made his debut with the team at the 2007 United States Grand Prix after replacing the injured Robert Kubica.
• He became the youngest race winner at the time when he won at the 2008 Italian Grand Prix.

US tests missile-defence system after North Korea missile launch on - 30th July 2017

The United States (US) tested the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) system in Alaska on 30th July 2017 by launching a ballistic missile over the Pacific Ocean. The missile-defence system test came after North Korea conducted an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) test.

A medium-range target ballistic missile (MRBM) was launched by US Air Force C-17 over the Pacific Ocean and the THAAD weapon system detected, tracked and intercepted the target.
This was the 15th successful intercept out of the 15 tests carried out for the THAAD weapon system.

The THAAD interceptors are meant to help guard the US against a missile attack from a country such as North Korea. It is a ground-based missile defense system designed to target and hit short, medium and an intermediate-range ballistic missiles. US has also deployed THAAD in South Korea to guard it against North Korea's shorter-range missiles.

More about Terminal High Altitude Area Defence System (THAAD)

• It is designed to intercept and destroy ballistic missiles.
• Hit-to-kill technology used by THAAD destroys the target with with the kinetic energy of the incoming warhead.
• With a range of 200 km and can reach an altitude of 150 km.
• Its radar system detects the missile launch and then command and control the launch of the missile.

Jhulan Goswami and Subrata Bhattacharya felicitated by Mohun Bagan on - 29th July 2017

Mohun Bagan conferred former club captain and coach Subrata Bhattacharya with the prestigious Mohun Bagan Ratna Award at the club's annual day program in Kolkata on 29th July 2017.
The city football giant also felicitated Women cricket team of India veteran pacer Jhulan Goswami with a special award.
Also, former club striker Balwant Singh was awarded the Best Football Player of the Year prize.
The Best Cricket Player of the Year award was given to Debabrata Das.
The Lifetime Achievement Award was bestowed to former Bengal batsman Shyam Sundar Mitra

Russia asks 755 US diplomats to leave country following American sanctions on - 30th July 2017

Russian President Vladimir Putin asked 755 US diplomats to leave the country on 30th July 2017.
Once US Congress approved sanctions against Russia, In response to that Russia took this action.

Prior to this, a bill approved by the US Senate to toughen sanctions on Russia to allegedly meddle in the 2016 US Presidential election and for its annexation of Crimea in 2014.
Putin during an interview to a Russian TV channel said, more than 1000 people are working at the US embassy and consulates in Russia, 755 of them should stop their activities and return.
While announcing Putin stated Russia had run out of patience waiting for relations with the United States to improve.
In addition, the Russian Foreign Ministry on 28th July 2017 demanded that Washington should cut its diplomatic presence in Russia to 455 by September; the same number Moscow has in the US.

 India, Pakistan had talks on hydropower projects under Indus Waters Treaty on - 31st July 2017

India and Pakistan held talks on two hydropower projects, namely Kishenganga and Ratle, under the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) at the World Bank headquarters in Washington on 31st July 2017.

Union Water Resources Secretary Amarjit Singh led the Indian delegation during the talks. The delegation included officials from ministries of external affairs and water resources.
World Bank Vice President for South Asia region Annette Dixon - in a letter to the Indian Ambassador to the US, Navtej  Sarna - had welcomed the participation of both the countries in the dialogue. She also assured neutrality and impartiality of the international body in to help both the nations to find an amicable way forward.

The World Bank at Washington held meeting to put efforts to resolve the issues raised by Pakistan over India's hydroelectricity projects.
Both the countries last held talks over the two projects in March 2017 during the meeting of Permanent Indus Commission (PIC) in Pakistan.

2017 FIBA Women's Asia Cup on - 29th July 2017

 India defeated Kazakhstan, 75-73, to clinch the FIBA Women's Asia Cup’s Division B title on 29th July 2017. The thrilling final held at the Kanteerava Indoor stadium in Bengaluru.
The Basketball Federation of India (BFI) announced a cash award of Rs 10 lakh for the Indian team to celebrate the win. Also, Japan defeated Australia 74-73 in the Division A summit clash.

More about FIBA Women's Asia Cup

• It is an International basketball tournament for women's national team from FIBA Asia and FIBA Oceania.
• It was the qualifying tournament for FIBA Asia at the 2018 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup in Spain.
• The tournament was held from 23rd to 29th July in Bengaluru.

Los Angeles announced its bid for - 2028 Summer Olympics

Los Angeles has formally announced its bid for the 2028 Summer Olympics after agreeing on a deal with the Olympic organizers.
This deal with Olympic organizers has paved the way for Paris to host the Summer Olympics in 2024.
After this Los Angeles will be hosting the games for the third time since it first hosted these in 1932. Last olympics it hosted were in 1984.

Key Highlights

• Games in Paris, the French capital, have marked 100 years since the last time it hosted the Games.
• Paris last hosted the Olympics in 1924 and had narrowly lost out to London for the right to host the 2012 Games.
• Olympic and Paralympic bid committee of Los Angeles in cooperation with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced the same on 31st July 2017.
• The LA bid committee said in a statement that Los Angeles will be hosting the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games 2028.
• Los Angeles had been in a race with Paris to host the 2024 Games where the winner will be named by the IOC on September 13th in Lima, Peru.
• Los Angeles and Paris, were competing for the 2024 Summer Games after several other contenders withdrew.

Do you know?
Tokyo, Japan will be hosting the 2020 Summer Olympics.

Dhrupad maestro Ustad Hussain Sayeeduddin Dagar passed away on - 31st July 2017

Ustad Hussain Sayeeduddin Dagar, a classical vocalist and one of the leading exponents of Dhrupad tradition, passed away on 31st July 2017 due to a brief illness in Pune.

Known as Sayeed Bhai to his admirers, Sayeeduddin belongs to Dagar family of musicians that is the only one to practice Dhrupad which is a form of Hindustani classical vocal music. He was the 19th generation of the family practising this form of music. Sayeeduddin's sons Nafeesuddin and Aneesuddin Dagar will now be the 20th generation of the family to practice Dhrupad after his demise.

More about Ustad Hussain Sayeeduddin Dagar

• Born in Alwar, Rajasthan in 1939, he started his musical journey at the age of six.
• He learned the Dhrupad music under the guidance of his father Ustad Hussainuddin Khan Dagar in Banaras.
• He came to Pune in 1984 where he worked to popularise Dhrupad in Maharashtra.
• He also served as the President of Dhrupad Society Jaipur and Pune.
• He conducted workshops and interactive lectures on Dhrupad in India and twice a year abroad in France, Holland, Belgium and Germany.

Do you know?
Dhrupad is a Sanskrit blend of Dhruva which means immovable and Pad means verse.
It was first mentioned in 3rd Century B.C. in the Natyashastra having its roots in ancient times.

Lt. Gen Abhay Krishna appointed as Chief of Eastern Command on - 31st July 2017

Lt. General Abhay Krishna, who owns extensive service experience of the Northeast India, was
appointed as the Chief of the Indian Army's Eastern Command on 31st July 2017. Krishna succeeds Lt. Gen Praveen Bakshi after his retirement from service.
His appointment comes at a time when India is facing a stand-off with Chinese troops along the Sikkim sector. He was currently serving as the Head of the Army's Jaipur-based Southwestern Command.
More about Lt General Abhay Krishna

• While commissioned into the Rajputana Rifles in 1980, Lt Krishna has commanded an infantry battalion in Sikkim.
• He was taking care of planning operations as Brigadier General Staff of the Dimapur-based 3 Corps.
• Krishna has served four terms of duty along the Line of Actual Control on the northern borders and also commanded a Rashtriya Rifles Battalion in the Kashmir Valley.
• He has served twice as an UN observer in Rwanda, Mozambique and Burundi.

Swachh Survekshan 2018’s anthem ‘Swachhata Ki Jyot Jagi Hai’ released on - 31st July 2017

The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs released the Swachh Survekshan 2018’s anthem ‘Swachhata Ki Jyot Jagi Hai’  that states that the flame of sanitation has been lit on 31st July 2017.

The anthem was launched with an intention to inspire the people to participate in the Swachhata Jan Andolan and connect themselves with the ‘Swachhata Survekshan-2018’.

Prasoon Joshi has scripted this Anthem, Babul Supriyo sang it, Akriti Kakar,Udit Narayanan, Shreya Ghoshal, Alka Yagnik and Shann Banerjee.  Shankar Mahadevan directed the music with him.

Producer Mukesh Bhatt has visualized it free for the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
The song also includes Amitabh Bachhan and Sachin Tendulkar messages. This anthem will now be extensively used on various platforms including social media in order to connect the people with the sanitation survey.  It is also planned to dub the song into regional languages for wider outreach.

New Trade and Transit agreement between India and Bhutan comes into force on - 29th July 2017

The new bilateral Agreement on Trade, Commerce and Transit between India and Bhutan came into force on 29th July 2017 aiming to strengthen the bilateral relations between both the countries.
The Agreement provides for a free trade regime between the territories of Bhutan and India. It also provides for a duty-free transit of Bhutan merchandise for trade with third countries.
Important Highlights

• The agreement was last renewed on 29th July 2006 for ten years.
• The validity of the same was extended (with effect from July 29th, 2016) for one year or till the new agreement comes into force, through the exchange of diplomatic notes.
• The new agreement was signed on 12th November 2016 by the State Minister, Ministry of Commerce and Industry on behalf of the Government of India.
• As per the pact’s provisions, it has come into force with an effect from 29th July 2017, a date that was mutually decided by the both the nations.
• The new pact will be helping strengthen the bilateral trade relations between India and Bhutan.
• In the addition to that, the new agreement removes the need of having an annual consultation between Bhutan and India for the transit of goods of both countries along with the goods originating in third country.

World's longest pedestrian suspension bridge launched by - Switzerland

Switzerland is now home to the world's longest suspension footbridge that was inaugurated on 29th July 2017. The Charles Kuonen Suspension Bridge has broken all the record with its length of 1621 feet and height of 279 feet making it the longest bridge in the world. The bridge is named after Charles Kuonen who is a psychologist and winery co-owner.

It passes through the valley between the towns of Zermatt and Graechen and also cuts the journey across the valley from three to four hours to a mere 10 minutes.
The total journey time between Graechen and Zermatt is about two days in actual.

Guinness is yet to recognize the bridge as the longest. The current recognized longest pedestrian suspension bridge is the Kokonoe Yume Bridge in Japan measuring 1279 feet.

 Niti Aayog Vice-Chairman, Arvind Panagariya resigned on - 1st August 2017

Arvind Panagariya, Vice-Chairman of Niti Aayog announced his resignation from the post on 1st August 2017. Panagariya has revealed that he will return to the field of academics in the US. His last working day in office would be 31st August 2017.
Panagariya was the first one to hold the post of Vice- Chairman in Niti Aayog and was appointed to the position in January 2015. His resignation now brings an end to his two and a half year-long stint with the Government of India’s policy think-tank.

More about Arvind Panagariya

• He is an Indian-American economist.
• He is best known for his market-friendly views and is a close associate of his well-known trade economist, Jagdish Bhagwati.
• He was appointed the head of the rejigged plan panel in 2015 and held a cabinet rank.
• Before taking his position at Niti Aayog, he was working as an economics professor at the Columbia University and as a Chief Economist at the Asian Development Bank.
• From Princeton University, he did his Ph.D. in economics.
• Panagariya has also previously worked at the World Bank, World Trade Organization, the International Monetary Fund and the UN Conference on Trade and Development.

Do you know?
NITI (National Institution for Transforming India) Aayog came into effect on 1st January 2015.
The BJP government established this scheme replacing the 65-year-old Planning Commission.

LPG prices to be hiked by Rs 4 per month ordered by - Union Government

With an aim to remove all subsidies by March 2018, the Union Government has ordered state-run oil companies to increase subsidized cooking gas, LPG, prices by four rupees per cylinder monthly. The information in this regard was provided in the Lok Sabha by Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on 31st July 2017.
In a written reply, Pradhan informed that the government in its order dated 30th May 2017 has authorized the oil companies to increase the price by four rupees excluding tax per month. The order came into effect on 1st June 2017. He added that it will be in effect until the reduction of government subsidy to 'nil', or till March 2018 until further orders, whichever comes earliest.

Key Highlights

• Oil companies have increased rates twice since then, the last being on 1st July 2017 when rates were increased by Rs 32 per cylinder.
• This hike was because of the 30th May 2017 order as well as a reflection of hiked tax rates on it under the Goods and Services Tax regime. It was the steepest increase in six years.
• The government had previously asked the Public sector oil marketing companies (OMCs) like Indian Oil (IOC), Bharat Petroleum (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum to get the rates increased for subsidized domestic LPG by Rs 2 for every 14.2-kg cylinder monthly (excluding VAT).
• Every household is entitled to 12 cylinders of 14.2-kg each at subsidized rates in a year.
• Any requirement beyond that is to be bought at market price.
• Reports suggested that there are as many as 18.11 crore customers of subsidized LPG in India, it includes 2.5 crore poor women who were granted free connections during the last one year under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojna.
• There are another 2.66 crore users of non-subsidized cooking gas.

Use of five harmful metals in firecrackers banned by - Supreme Court

The Supreme Court of India announced on 31st July 2017 a ban on the use of five metals including arsenic,lithium, mercury, lead and antimony in firecrackers, deeming them as harmful for the environment.
A bench of justices headed by Justice Madan B Lokur made this decision who cited air pollution as one of the main reasons behind the move.
The order came after the Central Pollution Control Board's (CPCB) Member Secretary informed the apex court that standards on air pollution caused because of the bursting of firecrackers are yet to be laid down and the exercise would be completed by 15th September.
The CPCB also stated that till the project completion, no firecrackers manufacturers should contain the banned metals in any form whatsoever.

The bench in its judgement stated that it is the responsibility of the Petroleum and Explosive Safety Organization (PESO) to ensure compliance in Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu particularly. The apex court also made it clear that for setting up of standards for firecrackers, collaborative efforts will going to be made between PESO and CPCB.