Current Affairs 26th February 2019

Current Affairs 26th February 2019 - Important Points

• New Export Pathway to India via Chabahar Port launched by - Afghanistan
• Kelly Knight Craft is the new US ambassador to the UN declared by -  President Donald Trump 
• Afghanistan Posts Highest Ever T20 International Score against - Ireland
• World-Class Initiative in India launched by - Deloitte
• PM Modi dedicates National War Memorial to the nation on - 25th February 2019
  Current Affairs 26th February 2019 - Details

New Export Pathway to India via Chabahar Port launched by - Afghanistan

Afghanistan has released a new export pathway to India via the Chabahar Port of Iran. 23 trucks carrying 57 tonnes of Dry fruits, textiles, carpets & mineral products were dispatched from western Afghan city, Zaranj to Iran’s Chabahar port. The consignment would be further shipped to Mumbai.
Chabahar port is perceived as a testimony of healthy co-operation between India, Iran & Afghanistan that will ensure economic growth. The Chabahar Port of Iran delivers easy access to the sea for Afghanistan. India has invested in the growth of this pathway as well as Chabahar port. This pathway permits both India & Afghanistan to engage in trade bypassing Pakistan.
India-Afghanistan Trade

• Afghanistan exports to India mounted at $740 million in 2018 & India is the largest export destination for Afghanistan. The new pathway is one of the many enterprises undertaken by the governments of India & Afghanistan to enhance trade ties.
• To boost the trade ties, both India & Afghanistan had reputed an air corridor in the year 2017. The
  initiation of new avenues for Afghanistan to trade with India will benefit Afghanistan in reducing its trade deficit.
• Subsequently the withdrawal from JCPOA & re-imposing of permissions on Iran, United States had approved an exception for the development of Chabahar port since the new transportation corridor could contribute suggestively for Afghanistan’s economy & meet their requirements of non-sanctionable goods including food & medicines.

Kelly Knight Craft is the new US ambassador to the UN declared by -  President Donald Trump 

United States President Donald Trump has declared the submission of Kelly Knight Craft as the new
United States ambassador to the United Nations. The position of the United States ambassador to the
United Nations was vacant due to the resignation of Nikki Haley. Kelly Knight Craft is presently working
as the United States ambassador to Canada. This selection would be formalised after the sanction by the United States Senate.
Functions of the United States ambassador to the United Nations

• Representing the United States on the United Nations Security Council & during almost all plenary summits of the General Assembly.
• Keep posted the United States State Department about the programmes at the United Nations.
  Making endorsements to the State Department & the president as to what type of action the US should pursue.
• The United States ambassador to the United Nations presently holds the Cabinet-level position. Reports suggest that role will undoubtedly be relegated from the Cabinet-level position.
  Kelly Knight Craft
• Kelly Knight Craft is presently working as ambassador to Canada and was the 1st female to ever hold the position.
• Previously she had worked as an alternate delegate to the United Nations during President George W Bush’s reign where her focuses included Africa.

Afghanistan Posts Highest Ever T20 International Score against - Ireland

Afghanistan has formed history in its 2nd T20 International against Ireland at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Dehradun, Uttarakhand. Afghanistan scored 278 runs for the loss of 3 wickets in the 20 overs & registered the highest-ever total in T20s. Afghanistan broke the record of Australia who had scored 263/3 back in 2016 against Sri Lanka.  Hazratullah Zazai was the star performer in Afghanistan’s team with 162 runs from just 62 balls. He hit Eleven fours & Sixteen sixes & scored 140 runs from boundaries only.
Usman Ghani also completed an important partnership with his 73 scores from 48 balls including Seven fours & 3 sixes. The 236 runs partnership of Hazratullah Zazai & Usman Ghani beat the past record of Australia’s Aaron Finch & Darcy Short who had a score 223 runs.
India is Hosting Afghanistan’s home series

• Afghanistan hit by war is still in the process of recovery, thus the Afghanistan Cricket team is making noteworthy progress. Lack of essential infrastructure, law & order issues makes it intolerable to host the cricket matches.
• India which is the time-tested friend of Pakistan is hosting the home series for Afghanistan & is delivering all infrastructural facilities for the nation to augment its excellence in the game of cricket.
• In a noteworthy development, all international teams touring India will now play a practice match against Afghanistan.

World-Class Initiative in India launched by - Deloitte

Deloitte has declared the release of its worldwide initiative “World-Class” in India for the empowerment of females. The initiative was released by Deloitte’s Global CEO, Punit Renjen in the presence of Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas & Skill Development &Entrepreneurship.
World-Class Initiative

• In India, the initiative goals to support 10 million girls & females by 2030 via education & skills
  development.
• To achieve the aim of World-Class Initiative, Deloitte will bring into line with firms including Katha & Pratham in India.
• World-Class program in India will emphasis on educating girls retention rate in school, higher
  educational results, & skills development for females to access employment.
• The enterprise goals to give a boost to female education since almost 40% of girls aged 15-18 years drop-out of school & college, & only 26% of females are employed.
• Via the World-Class Initiative in India Deloitte goals to fuel India’s growth story by helping India to
  encash its demographic dividend. 
• Internationally, the World-Class initiative pursues to prepare 50 million people by 2030, to be better fortified for the future of work, in-line with the UN’ Sustainable Development Goals.

PM Modi dedicates National War Memorial to the nation on - 25th February 2019

PM Narendra Modi on February 25th, 2019 dedicated the National War Memorial to the country in a solemn ceremonial function in New Delhi. The National War Memorial, situated near the India Gate in New Delhi, is an appropriate tribute to the soldiers who laid down their lives shielding the country, after-independence.
Layout of National War Memorial

The layout of the National War Memorial consists of 4 concentric circles, namely:
1. Amar Chakra/Circle of Immortality
2. Veerta Chakra/Circle of Bravery
3. Tyag Chakra/Circle of Sacrifice
4. Rakshak Chakra/Circle of Protection
National War Memorial Complex
The National War Memorial complex consists of a central pillar, an eternal flame, & 6 bronze murals portraying famous battles fought by Indian Army, Air Force & Navy.
Busts of the 21 awardees of Param Veer Chakra have been installed at Param Yoddha Sthal of the Memorial which also consists of 3 living awardees- Subedar Major (Hony Capt) Bana Singh (Retd), Subedar Major Yogendra Singh Yadav & Subedar Sanjay Kumar.
The Memorial complex is in synchronization with the current layout & symmetry of the royal Rajpath & Central Vista.
The complex is a memorial of the sacrifices made by Indian soldiers since Independence with the names of 25942 martyrs engraved in stone.
The memorial also has other features, including artificial lighting in the evenings, & a walking plaza.
The entry to the National War Memorial complex is free for all, but the main area & Param Yoddha Sthal will have time limitations.