GUJARAT

Government working on new traffic policy
As horrid traffic conditions become a key political issue with economic, health and public safety effects, the state government has woken up to the issue and is working on a new policy intervention. The state urban development department has begun developing a new “Integrated Traffic Management Policy”. The policy aims to holistically approach the problem instead of piecemeal solutions.
Choked by traffic bottlenecks and congestion, almost all municipal corporations in Gujarat suffer from acute transportation problems. These become more complex as the town grows. As a town grows, it performs more varied and complex functions and more people travel for education, work or to shop. Growing populations and the increasing number of vehicles in cities have numerous adverse effects. Air pollution is worsening by the day. The number of road accidents are rising. Traffic congestion in increasing. Parking space and pedestrian space are becoming critical issues. The new policy will tries to resolve all these issues, said an urban development department source.

INTERNATIONAL

· Australia’s Fleet Space to launch first 2 satellites with ISRO, SpaceX

Australian Internet of Things (IoT) startup Fleet Space Technologies has announced launch plans for its first two nanosatellites, Centauri I and II,in the second half of 2018.
10-kg nanosatellite Centauri I will be launched on Indian space agency ISRO’sPolar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
Centauri II will be launched on SpaceX’s Falcon 9.

· Indian government declares tariffs cut on Asian imports under APTA

The government has implemented thetariff concessions agreed to under the Asia Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA) by cutting duties on the import of 3,142 items from the signatories to the accord, including China.
On January 13, 2017, the 4th round of trade negotiations under the agreement was conducted. The results of the fourth round of negotiations under APTA have been implemented with effect from 1st July 2018 among six countries namely, Bangladesh, China, India, Lao PDR, Republic of Korea and Sri Lanka.

· China approves 1 billion dollar aid to Pakistan

After Pakistan has been placed in ‘grey list‘ by Financial Action Task Force (FATF), China approved USD 1 billionloan to Pakistan.
The idea behind putting Pakistan in the FATF grey list is to deplete its economy and eventually pull the plug on terror groups.

Gk bit – FATF

Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is an intergovernmental organization founded in 1989 on the initiative of the G7 to develop policies to combat money laundering and terrorism financing.

NATIONAL

· Delhi launches Happiness Curriculum for govt schools

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and the Dalai Lamalaunched a ‘Happiness Curriculum‘ for students studying in Class Nursery to Class 8 in government schools.
The curriculum will include a 45-minute‘Happiness’ class, which will include meditation, value education, and mental exercises.

· Bombay Stock Exchange to delist 222 companies from 4th July

Leading stock exchange BSE(Bombay Stock Exchange ) will delist as many as 222 companies from July 4, 2018 as trading in their shares has remained suspended for over six months.
Earlier in May, the exchange had delisted over 200 companies.
Six firms- Asian Electronics, Birla Power Solutions, Classic Diamonds (India) Ltd, Innoventive Industries, Paramount Printpackaging and SVOGL Oil Gas and Energy-that have been compulsorily delisted by the NSE, would also be delisted from the BSE from July 4.

· Bhitarkanika National Park became largest habitat of Endangered Estuarine Crocodiles

Bhitarkanika National Park is located in Kendrapara district of Odisha in eastern India.

101 nesting sites of estuarine crocodiles were found this time by enumerators.

Estuarine crocodiles are also found in West Bengals Sundarban areas having the country’s largest mangrove cover.

· Vikram Dogra become the first Indian Army officer to complete world’s toughest Ironman Triathlon

Ironman Triathlon comprises three consecutive events: a 3.8-km swim, 180-km cycling and 42.2-km marathon, to be completed within 17 hours.
Major General Vikram Dogracompleted the triathlon in 14 hours and 21 minutes to earn the ‘Ironman’ title.
Ironman Austriawas held in the scenic town of Klagenfurt and over 3000 athletes participated in the event.

· Successful launch of SES 12 satellite will help fast track Digital India

The successful launch of SES-12, new mega satellite recently, would help support India’s growing direct-to-home(DTH) TV market, as more and more consumers in rural India embrace the medium.
SES-12s high throughput capacity over South Asia and India will help to fast-track Digital India, and financial inclusion initiatives.

· Numaligarh Refinery Ltd became 1st oil PSU to introduce online legal compliance

Numaligarh Refinery Ltd (NRL) in Assam has become the first oil public sector undertaking (PSU) to adopt an online legal compliance system by introducing ‘Legatrix‘.
The cloud-based compliance management system was inaugurated by NRL Managing Director S K Barua in Guwahati.
This will contribute towards the “Digital India Mission”.

· Defence ministry approves 17 ‘baffle’ shooting ranges for Indian Army

At a cost of Rs 238 crore, defence ministry has approved the construction of 17 new “baffle”firing ranges to prevent accidents due to stray bullets, for the Army.
The proposed baffle shooting ranges can facilitate firing from 300 to 500 meters.
There are 60 similar firing ranges existing across India.

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