1. India to host
8th BRICS Summit in October in Goa
1. India will
host the eighth annual Summit of BRICS from October 15-16 in Goa in its
capacity as chair of the influential bloc comprising five countries with 42 per
cent of the world population and combined GDP of over USD 16 trillion.
2. India has
assumed BRICS Chairmanship from the Russian Federation for the year 2016. BRICS
is an association of five countries viz. Brazil, Russia, India, China and South
Africa. On this occasion, Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj
formally unveiled the BRICS Logo for the duration of India’s BRICS Chairmanship
and also launched website. India has assumed BRICS Chairmanship for second time
and had hosted the BRICS Summit in 2012 for first time in New Dehli.
3. The 7th BRICS
Summit was held in the Russian city of Ufa in July 2015.
2. Ashok Lahiri
Committee constituted to review excise duty imposed on different jewellery
articles in Budget 2016-17
1. The Union
Ministry of Finance on 21 March 2016 constituted a Sub-Committee under the
aegis of the High Level Committee (HLC) to review issues related to excise
duty.
2. The committee
will be headed by former Chief Economic Advisor Dr Ashok Lahiri and will review
excise duty imposed on different jewellery articles in Budget 2016-17.Before
finalising its report the committee will interact with trade and industry on
tax laws.
3. Lori Robinson
nominated as first US female Combatant Chief
1. US Defence
Secretary Ash Carter announced on 18 March 2016 that President Barack Obama has
nominated General Lori Robinson to lead the United States Northern Command
(USNORTHCOM) and NORAD. This will make her the first woman to command a major
Unified Combatant Command.
2. The position
is one of the most senior in the US military and must be confirmed by the
Senate. If approved by the Senate, US Air Force General Lori Robinson will be
the new North command chief and will be responsible for any missile threats
against the homeland.
4. Nepal signed
agreement with China to extend the strategic Tibet rail link to Nepal
1. Nepal signed
10 agreements with China on 21 March 2016 in Beijing. These include a landmark
transit treaty to end its total dependence on India and extension of the
strategic Tibet rail link to Nepal.
2. The
agreements were signed during the Nepalese Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s
maiden visit to China and held wide-ranging talks with Chinese Premier Li
Keqiang and called on President Xi Jinping.
3. China firmly
supported efforts of Nepal to safeguard sovereignty, independence and
territorial integrity as well as the Nepali people's choice of development
path. China also promised that it will not interfere in internal affairs of
Nepal.
The two
countries have also started working on the first draft of a free trade
agreement.
5. March 22:
World Water Day
1. Every year
World Water Day (WWD) is observed globally on 22 March to preserve and ration
consumption of water.
2. Theme:
“Better Water, Better Jobs”. It focuses on the central role that water plays in
creating and supporting good quality jobs. Almost half of the world’s workers
(nearly 1.5 billion) people work in water related sectors and nearly all jobs
depend on water and those that ensure its safe delivery.
6. Indian Coast
Guard ship Arnvesh commissioned at Visakhapatnam
1. The fast
patrol vessel (FPV) of the Indian Coast Guard ICGS Arnvesh was commissioned at
Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The ship is primarily intended to undertake
coastal patrol, surveillance at sea, anti-smuggling, anti-piracy operations and
search and rescue operations.
2. The vessel
among the 20 FPVs indigenously built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL). It is
capable of carrying a crew of five officers and 34 men on board. The ship is
50-metre long, 300-tonne vessel. The vessel is propelled by triple Rolls Royce
Kamewa water jets. It can achieve a maximum speed of 33 knots.
1. India to host
8th BRICS Summit in October in Goa
1. India will
host the eighth annual Summit of BRICS from October 15-16 in Goa in its
capacity as chair of the influential bloc comprising five countries with 42 per
cent of the world population and combined GDP of over USD 16 trillion.
2. India has
assumed BRICS Chairmanship from the Russian Federation for the year 2016. BRICS
is an association of five countries viz. Brazil, Russia, India, China and South
Africa. On this occasion, Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj
formally unveiled the BRICS Logo for the duration of India’s BRICS Chairmanship
and also launched website. India has assumed BRICS Chairmanship for second time
and had hosted the BRICS Summit in 2012 for first time in New Dehli.
3. The 7th BRICS
Summit was held in the Russian city of Ufa in July 2015.
2. Ashok Lahiri
Committee constituted to review excise duty imposed on different jewellery
articles in Budget 2016-17
1. The Union
Ministry of Finance on 21 March 2016 constituted a Sub-Committee under the
aegis of the High Level Committee (HLC) to review issues related to excise
duty.
2. The committee
will be headed by former Chief Economic Advisor Dr Ashok Lahiri and will review
excise duty imposed on different jewellery articles in Budget 2016-17.Before
finalising its report the committee will interact with trade and industry on
tax laws.
3. Lori Robinson
nominated as first US female Combatant Chief
1. US Defence
Secretary Ash Carter announced on 18 March 2016 that President Barack Obama has
nominated General Lori Robinson to lead the United States Northern Command
(USNORTHCOM) and NORAD. This will make her the first woman to command a major
Unified Combatant Command.
2. The position
is one of the most senior in the US military and must be confirmed by the
Senate. If approved by the Senate, US Air Force General Lori Robinson will be
the new North command chief and will be responsible for any missile threats
against the homeland.
4. Nepal signed
agreement with China to extend the strategic Tibet rail link to Nepal
1. Nepal signed
10 agreements with China on 21 March 2016 in Beijing. These include a landmark
transit treaty to end its total dependence on India and extension of the
strategic Tibet rail link to Nepal.
2. The
agreements were signed during the Nepalese Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s
maiden visit to China and held wide-ranging talks with Chinese Premier Li
Keqiang and called on President Xi Jinping.
3. China firmly
supported efforts of Nepal to safeguard sovereignty, independence and
territorial integrity as well as the Nepali people's choice of development
path. China also promised that it will not interfere in internal affairs of
Nepal.
The two
countries have also started working on the first draft of a free trade
agreement.
5. March 22:
World Water Day
1. Every year
World Water Day (WWD) is observed globally on 22 March to preserve and ration
consumption of water.
2. Theme:
“Better Water, Better Jobs”. It focuses on the central role that water plays in
creating and supporting good quality jobs. Almost half of the world’s workers
(nearly 1.5 billion) people work in water related sectors and nearly all jobs
depend on water and those that ensure its safe delivery.
6. Indian Coast
Guard ship Arnvesh commissioned at Visakhapatnam
1. The fast
patrol vessel (FPV) of the Indian Coast Guard ICGS Arnvesh was commissioned at
Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The ship is primarily intended to undertake
coastal patrol, surveillance at sea, anti-smuggling, anti-piracy operations and
search and rescue operations.
2. The vessel
among the 20 FPVs indigenously built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL). It is
capable of carrying a crew of five officers and 34 men on board. The ship is
50-metre long, 300-tonne vessel. The vessel is propelled by triple Rolls Royce
Kamewa water jets. It can achieve a maximum speed of 33 knots.