TNPSC Current Affairs February 26, 2020

www.tnpsc.academy – TNPSC Current Affairs February 26, 2020 (26/02/2020)

Download as PDF

 

Topic: Latest Diary of Events

H1N1 infection

Five judges of the Supreme Court of India have been affected by Swine Flu which is caused by the H1N1 virus.

What is Swine flu (H1N1)?

Also called as pig influenza, swine flu, hog flu and pig flu. It is an infection caused by any one of several types of swine influenza viruses. Swine influenza virus is any strain of the influenza family of viruses that is endemic in pigs. Influenza A (H1N1) virus is the subtype of influenza A virus that is the most common cause of human influenza. It is an orthomyxovirus that contains the glycoproteins haemagglutinin and neuraminidase.

Haemagglutinin causes red blood cells to clump together and binds the virus to the infected cell.

Neuraminidase is a type of glycoside hydrolase enzyme which helps to move the virus particles through the infected cell and assist in budding from the host cells.

_

Topic: Current Socio-Economic Issues

What are Masala Bonds?

Asian Development Bank (ADB) has listed its 10-year masala bonds worth Rs 850 crore on the global debt listing platform of India INX. The proceeds would be used to support local currency lending and investment in India.

Background:

India INX is the country’s first international exchange, located at International Financial Services Centre, GIFT City in Gujarat. ADB’s masala bonds are listed on both Luxembourg exchange and India INX.

What are Masala Bonds?

They are bonds issued outside India by an Indian entity or corporate. These bonds are issued in Indian currency than local currency.  Indian corporates usually issue Masala Bonds to raise funds from foreign investors. As it is pegged into Indian currency, if the rupee rates fall, investors bear the risk. The first Masala bond was issued in 2014 by IFC for the infrastructure projects in India.

How does Masala Bonds help bond issuer?

As Masala bonds are issued directly in Indian rupees, the investor needs to bear the exchange rate risks. Rupee rate falls will not affect the issuer of Masala Bonds. In simpler words, as Masala Bonds are rupee-denominated bonds, the risk goes directly to the investor.

Who is eligible to invest in Masala bonds?

Investors from outside of India who would like to invest in Indian assets can invest in Masala bonds. Indian entities like HDFC, NTPC and Indiabulls Housing have raised funds via Masala Bonds.

_

Topic: Latest Diary of Events

World Air Quality Report 2019

World Air Quality Report 2019 was released by the pollution tracker IQAir and Greenpeace. The ranking is based on a comparison of PM 2.5 levels. Bangladesh emerged as the most polluted country for PM 2.5. Pakistan, Mongolia, Afghanistan and India followed behind respectively.

Background: PM 2.5 includes pollutants such as sulfate, nitrates and black carbon. Exposure to such particles has been linked to lung and heart disorders and can impair cognitive and immune functions.

Performance of India:

Twenty-one of the world’s 30 cities with the worst air pollution are in India.

Six cities from India are in the top ten. Ghaziabad, an area close to New Delhi in northern Uttar Pradesh state, is ranked as the world’s most polluted city, with an average PM 2.5 concentration measurement of 110.2 in 2019.

National air pollution in India decreased by 20% from 2018 to 2019, with 98% of cities experiencing of varying levels of improvement.

The report points to economic slowdown, favorable weather conditions, and efforts towards cleaning the air as reasons behind the decrease.

 _

Topic: Latest Diary of Events

Girl Child Protection Day

The birth anniversary of former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa’s birth anniversary will be observed as ‘Girl Child Protection Day’ on February 24th.

In this regard, the state government has announced the following measures. When the orphan girl residing in government-run homes complates 21 years of age, the state government will deposit ₹2 lakh in the bank in their name. The state Government also increased the monthly amount paid to the foster parents of the girls to ₹4,000 from ₹2,000.

_

Topic: Latest International Events

Trump Visit

The US President Donald Trump visited India. Trump later visited Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad and Taj Mahal. He did not mention anything about Mahatma Gandhi in the visitors’ book. The leaders then addressed a large gathering at Motera stadium or Sardar Patel Stadium in Ahmedabad, India.

As of 2020, it is the largest cricket stadium in the world India celebrated the visit of the US President by naming the event as “Namaste Trump”.

India and US will sign two defence deals for helicopters. Around 24 MH-60R helicopters are to be signed for Indian Navy and six AH-64E helicopters are to be signed for Apache helicopters. Donald Trump became the seventh US president ever to travel to India and the first one to land in Ahmedabad.

_

Topic: Latest Diary of Events

Indra Dhanush Exercise 2020

The 5th edition of the Exercise Indra Dhanush commenced on 24th February, 2020. It is a joint air force exercise between the Indian Air Force and the Royal Air Force of the United Kingdom.

_

Topic: Latest Diary of Events

30 Years Egypt Ruler Mohammed Hosni Mubarak passes away

The Egypt ruler Mohammed Hosni Mubarak died at the age of 91. He was severely ill in the last months of his life. He served as the President of Egypt between 1981 and 2011.

Initially he served as an air force officer. It is to be noted that he undertook training in Soviet Union in 1961 at the Kant Air Base near Bishek.

Revolution:

Mubarak was ousted from his rule in 2011. He and his sons were detained on allegations of corruption and abuse of power. In January 2011, wide protests began in Egypt demanding Mubarak’s resignation. Following the protest, he resigned in February. The Egyptian Military took over the power after his resignation.