RAJASTHAN

• Now, defence classes in Rajasthan schools

 

• Rajasthan Sainik Kalyan Board has decided to coordinate with the state education department to hold defence classes in schools to encourage students to join the Indian armed forces.

 

• The classes are likely to be half-an-hour long daily in government schools. The board claims they are working on making a detailed plan for this initiative and aim to begin the classes from the new academic session.

 

INTERNATIONAL

 

·         US to back out from INF Treaty

 

• The U.S is suspending its obligations under the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treatyeffective February 2 and will withdraw from the treaty in six months. T

 

• Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty is Nuclear disarmament agreement and Signed onDecember 1987.

 

• It is a 1987 arms control agreement between the United States and the Soviet Union with an Unlimited duration

 

 

 

·         Qatar won their First-ever Asian Cup Title In Football by defeating Japan

 

 

• Qatar won its first major soccer title by beating four-time champion Japan 3-1 in the 17th edition of the AFC Asian Cup held in United Arab Emirates(UAE).
• Sudan born Almoez Ali, became the first player to score nine goals at a single Asian Cup.

 

 

·         Defence Ministry approves procurement of 73,000 assault rifles from US

 

 

• Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharamanapproved the procurement of around 73000 Sig Sauer rifles from United States of America under fast track procurement mode in a major move towards infantry modernization.
• USA will have to deliver the Sig Sauer rifles which is used by US forces as well as several other European forces within one year of finalization of the deal.
• The Procured rifles will replace INSAS rifles and the new rifles will be used by the troops deployed along the 3600 km border with China.

 

 

NATIONAL

 

• Special Postage Stamp on Kumbh Mela Released

 

• Union Minister of State for Railways and Communication Mr Manoj Sinha released a special postage stamp of the Indian Postal Department on Kumbh Mela.

 

• Its cost is five rupees.

 

• Prayagraj Ardh Kumbh Mela 2019 is the Ardh Kumbh Mela being held at Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh from 15 January to 4 March 2019.

 

• ISRO to launch its 40th communication satellite GSAT-31 on Feb 6

 

• The Indian Space Research Organisation, ISRO, is all set to launch its 40th communication satellite GSAT-31 on February 6 from the spaceport in French Guiana.

 

• The satellite with a mission life of 15 years will provide continuity to operational services on some of the in-orbit satellites and augment the Ku-band transponder capacity in Geostationary Orbit.

 

• GSAT-31 is scheduled for launch onboard the Ariane-5 (VA247) from Kourou in French Guiana. The satellite provides Indian mainland and island coverage.

 

• ISRO also said the GSAT-31 will be used for supporting VSAT networks, television uplinks, digital satellite news gathering, DTH television services, cellular back haul connectivity and many such applications.

 

·         Assam tops in budgetary practices followed by states: Transparency International

 

• According to a survey by Transparency International, Assam tops in the ranking of best practices followed by states in budget formulation.
• Assam is the only state which has published a citizens budget in the public domain and Assam government is only government to conduct budget awareness campaign across 17 districts.
• Assam was followed by Andhra Pradesh and Odisha while Meghalaya, Manipur, and Punjab were figured at lower positions.

 

 

·         Indus River Dolphin declared Punjabs State aquatic animal

 

• Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singhdeclared one of the rarest mammal, Indus River Dolphin, which is only found in Beas River, as Punjab State Aquatic Animal.

 

• Chief Minister approved to declare Kanjli Wetland and holy Kali Bein River as a wildlife conservation reserve to mark the historic celebration of 550th Parkash Purb of Sri Guru Nanak Dev.