Goel likely quit over ‘ differences ‘with CEC
· The sudden resignation of Election Commissioner Arun Goel might have arisen during his visit to Bengal to oversee poll preparations . During the Bengal visit he didn’t accompany CEC Rajiv Kumar during a press conference .
· The two vacancies of the Election Commission are likely to be filled by March 15 , sources indicated on Sunday .
· A high level committee comprising PM Narendra Modi , a Union Minister and Adhir Ranjan. Chaudhary , the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha is likely to meet on March 14 to decide over this .
India signs free trade pact with 4 European nations , eyes 100 BN dollar in investment
· India signed a Free Trade Agreement with four European countries Iceland , Leischeatein , Norway and Switzerland on Sunday with a goal of reaching 100 billion dollars in investment in India and one Million jobs within 15 years .
· The Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement ( TEPA ) , marks the end of the second such full fledged FTA signed after India’s Agreement with UAE .
· The TEPA agreement has following important provisions
Ø India will reduce tariffs , increase market access and simplify custom procedures .
Ø The four countries will invest 100 billion dollars in 15 years in India . This is likely to create 1 million jobs .
Ø The FTA agreement for the first time also includes a chapter on human rights and sustainable development .
· EFTA is one of the three major European trade blocs , the other being the European Union ( EU ) and UK .
EFTA countries ( Norway , Switzerland ,Leistcher , and Iceland)
Gig workers suffers from lack of social security , regulation : study
· A study on gig workers who are involved in driving recently was conducted by the People’s Association in Grassroots action and Movements , and the Indian Federation for app based transport workers with technical support from the University of Pennsylvania and Friedrich – Ebert – Stiftung India ,a German foundation . The study was conducted over more than 10,000 cab drivers .
· It had following findings :
Ø Almost a third of app based cab drivers work for over 14 hours a day , while more than 83% work for more than 10 hours a day .
Ø Over 43% participants in the study earn less than Rs. 500 a day or Rs.15,000 a month .50 questions were asked from the participants in the survey .
Ø 40% of the app based drivers said that they never take a single day off in a
week .
PM launched various projects in Chhattisgarh and In UP
· PM launched Mahatari Vandan Yojna in Chhattisgarh . He also laid foundation stone of various projects worth Rs. 34000 crore in UP
· Mahtari Vandan Yojna – Under this scheme Financial assistance of Rs.1000 to all eligible married women in Chhattisgarh .
Twenty two fishermen were arrested on Charges of trespassing into Srilankan waters .
· A total of 22 fishermen were arrested by Srilankan Navy on Sunday .
· They included 13 from Nagapattinam. Seven from Padukottai , and two from Karaikal .
· They were fishing near Neduntheevu when the Srilankan Navy arrested them .
· They. were taken to the Kankesanthurai Naval base , coastal security guard sources said .
India Srilanka Maritime boundary ….Neduntheevu Island is also known as Delft island
Trinamool to contest all 42 seats in Bengal
· Putting to end speculations of seat sharing with Congress , Trinamool Congress on Sunday announced its candidates for all 42 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal .
· Congress President Mallikarjuna Kharge however has said that an alliance for Lok Sabha is possible Just before the withdrawal of nominations .
Report turns spotlight on India’s “zero food children”
· A study published recently in JAMA network open journal has following findings :–
Ø The study ranks India as the third highest percentage of zero food children . India ( 19.3% ) , ranks only better than Guinea ( 21.8 % ) and Mali ( 20 % ).
Ø In terms of numbers India has the highest number of Zero food children .
Ø Among the states UP ( 28. 4%). , Bihar ( 14.2% ) , Maharashtra ( 7.1% ) , and Rajstahan ( 6.5 % )
Ø The percentage here shows the percentage of “ zero food children” , children who have not eaten any food for 24 hours .
Ø Experts say that rapid urbanization is fuelling malnutrition in the country .
· JAMA network open is a monthly open access medical journal , published by the American Medical Association covering all aspects of biomedical sciences .
7396 Golden Langurs in India , reveals survey
· A recent study on Primates in India by the Primates Research Center North East ( PRCNE ) , Assam Forest Department , Bodoland Territorial Council , and Salim Ali Center for Ornithology a d Medical Sciences and Conservation Himalaya has following findings. There are an estimated 7,396 golden Langurs in India .
● Ripu Reserve Forest was found home to ( 2867 ) Golden Langurs .While Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary , had 838 individuals.
● Golden Langur is placed in the Endangered list in IUCN Red list . It is found mainly in western Assam and in the foothills of Black Mountain in Bhutan .
● Bongaigaon , Kokrajhar and Dhubri district are where these are widely spread .Manas Wildlife Sanctuary is a major hub for Golden Langurs .
World
Israel Hamas war rages in Gaza on the eve of Ramzan
· Deadly fighting is still going on in Gaza on Sunday between Israeli forces and Hamas militants .
· A Spanish charity ship with aid intended for the besieged enclave is awaiting clearance in Cyprus , Truce talk involving US , Qatar and Egyptian mediators fail to find results ahead of fasting months .
Bill on assisted dying to be tables in French Parliament in May : Macron
· French President Emanual Macron has said that a Bill on assisted dying would go before parliament in May .
· Only adults with full control over judgment , suffering an incurable and life threatening illness in the short to medium term and whose pain can not be relieved “ would be eligible “ to ask to be helped to die “ Mr Macron said .
· Minors and Patients suffering Psychiatric and Neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzhiemers will not be eligible .
France became the first country in World to include Right to abortion in its constitution .
· On March 8 ,On international Women’s day France became the first country to include the right to abortion as a “ guaranteed freedom “ in its constitution .
· Abortion is permissible in more than 40 European countries but in some countries it is limited .
· In India abortion is allowed in specific cases till 20 weeks of pregnancy mostly . And in certain cases till 24 weeks of Pregnancy .
Text / Context
Why did the EU impose a 1.2 billion Euro fine on Apple ?
· Following a complaint by Spotify that Apple is not letting users have alternative options to pay for their music subscription .
· The EU’s antitrust regulators have found that Apple unfairly favored Apple’s Music over its rivals .
