Gina Haspel Confirmed as first female Director Of CIA
The US Senate confirmed Gina Haspel as the first female director of Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Gina Haspel’s confirmation in a 54-45 vote follows a partisan fight among senators about the CIA’s Bush-era use of techniques such as waterboarding. The former CIA chief, Mike Pompeo, left to become US Secretary of State.
Shivangi Pathak Becomes Youngest Indian Woman To Scale Mount Everest
India’s Shivangi Pathak become youngest women of the country to scale Mt Everest from Nepal side. According to the Managing Director of Seven Summit Treks, Mingma Sherpa, 16-year-old Shivangi successfully stood atop world’s highest mountain. Born in Hisar of Haryana Shivangi climbed Mt Everest to spread the message that women could overcome any obstacle to achieve their goals.
Karnataka Chief Minister Yeddyurappa Resigns
BS Yeddyurappa resigned 55 hours after taking oath as the Karnataka CM, ahead of the floor test. BJP, with 104 seats, was seven short of the required number of 111. The Congress with 78 MLAs, the JD(S) with 36 and three others were also individually not in a position to form the government. But with BJP now exiting the picture, the Congress-JD(S) combine has 114 seats, more than the required number.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates 330-MW Kishenganga hydel power project in Srinagar
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 330-MW Kishenganga hydel power project in Srinagar. Jammu and Kashmir Governor, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari and Jitendra Singh were present on the occasion. The project has been built by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district. It has been constructed at a cost of 5200 crore rupees. It is expected to generate 1,713 million units of electricity per annum. Jammu and Kashmir would get 12 percent of power from the project. He also laid the foundation stone of the ring road project in Srinagar. This will boost connectivity with Bandipora, Uri, and Ganderbal. Earlier, PM Modi laid the foundation stone of Zojila Tunnel, providing all-weather connectivity between Srinagar, Kargil, and Leh.
World Bank extends $300 mn credit to scale up energy efficiency program
The World Bank Board of Executive Directors approved a $220 million (Rs 1,496 crore) loan and an $80 million (Rs 544 crore) guarantee for the India Energy Efficiency Scale-Up Program. The Program, to be implemented by the Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), will help scale up the deployment of energy saving measures in residential and public sectors, strengthen EESL’s institutional capacity, and enhance its access to commercial financing.
India’s climate change commitments to reduce carbon intensity by 33-35 per cent by 2030 from 2005 level will require a significant focus on energy efficiency improvements
Mumbai jeweller is first to be put on No Fly List for hijack scare
A Mumbai-based jeweller, who created a hijack scare onboard a Jet Airways flight in October last year, has become the first person to be put on the ‘National No Fly List’, eight months after it was unveiled. Incidentally, he was also the first to be booked under the stringent Anti-Hijacking Act which had replaced the vintage law of 1982.
Aadhaar, PAN mandatory for Customs broker licence: Tax Dept
The revenue department has made unique identity number Aadhaar and PAN mandatory for persons seeking a customs broker licence, according to a notification.
‘Customs broker’ is a person licensed to act as an agent on behalf of importer/exporter for transaction of business relating to entry or departure of conveyances or goods at any customs station, including audit. According to the Customs Brokers Licensing Regulations, 2018, notified by the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) recently, an applicant seeking to get a licence for customs broker should hold Aadhaar as well as PAN card.
LMW-ATC bags DRDO award
Textile machinery manufacturing major Lakshmi Machine Works (LMW) has bagged the DRDO Defence Technology Absorption Award, 2017.
The Advanced Technology Centre (ATC) of LMW recently bagged the award for successful delivery of airborne dome.
Choice Broking to acquire Inditrade equity broking biz for Rs 32 cr
The city-based Choice Equity Broking Pvt Ltd has entered into a definitive agreement with Kochi-based Inditrade Capital Ltd (formerly known as JRG Securities) to acquire the latter’s equity broking business for a consideration of Rs 32 crore in an all-cash deal subject to regulatory clearance.
