Daily Current Affairs 1st August 2017

1. 'Longest' hanging pedestrian bridge opens in Switzerland

Switzerland is set to become the longest moving pedestrian bridge in the world, which has now been opened for travelers. This bridge, built near the Swiss city of Zermatt, is 1,620 feet long and is at an altitude of 278 feet.

•    This bridge has been named EuropaBrakki (Europe Bridge). This bridge connects two mountainous villages named Germet and Gretchen in Randa, Switzerland.

•    Zermatt Tourist Board says it is the longest in the world, hanging at a heady 85m above the Grabengufer ravine, although a 405m bridge in Reutte, Austria hangs 110m higher. The Europaweg replaces an older bridge which was closed in 2010 after it was damaged by falling rocks.
 

2. Typhoon Haitang strikes China

Typhoon Haitang struck China's eastern Fujian Province with incessant rain battering different parts of the region.

•    Typhoon Haitang, the 10th typhoon this year, made landfall at 4.40 pm in Pingtung on the island of Taiwan

•    According to the provincial meteorological observatory wind hit with a maximum speed of 18 meters per second, the tropical cyclone followed Typhoon Nesat which landed in the same city at 6 am on 30th of July 2017.
 

3. Swachh Survekshan-2018 launched in the country

Central Government launched ‘Swachh Survekshan-2018’ to rank all the 4,041 cities and towns of the country based on infrastructure development for improved sanitation services and their sustainability, outcomes, citizen connect and visible impact on ground.

•    Minister of Housing & Urban Affairs Shri Narendra Singh Tomar launched the survey, the third in the series and released a comprehensive Survey Tool Kit, explaining the methodology, weightages and new features and thrust areas  that helps cities and towns prepare for the field survey over the next six months.
 

4. Minority minister launches “Jiyo Parsi Publicity Phase-2” in Mumbai

Union Minister of state for Minority Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi launched “JIYO PARSI PUBLICITY PHASE – 2” function in Mumbai On July 29th 2017.In the year of 2013 “Jiyo Parsi Publicity Phase-1 has launched.

•    The main objective of the “Jiyo Parsi” scheme is to reverse the declining trend of Parsi population by adopting a scientific protocol and structured interventions, stabilize their population and increase the population of Parsis in India.

•    Ministry of Minority Affairs’ scheme has two components: Medical Assistance and Advocacy/Counselling.
 

5. ‘Rajaswa Gyansangam’ scheduled to be held  in New Delhi

A two day Conclave of Tax Officers entitled ‘Rajaswa Gyansangam’ will be held on 1st and 2nd September, 2017 at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi.

•    The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi will inaugurate this Conclave on the 1st day of September, 2017.

•    The focus of the discussion will be on GST as well as on unearthing black money.
 

6. Projects worth Rs 425 crore approved by NMCG

The Executive Committee of National Mission for Clean Ganga in its 4th meeting held approved seven projects worth Rs 425 crore in the sector of sewage infrastructure, Ghat development and research.

•    In sewage sector, three projects each in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have been approved.

•    For Uttar Pradesh, interception, diversion and STP projects for Unnao, Shuklaganj and Ramnagar have been approved. These three projects aim at creation of sewage treatment  at a total cost of Rs 238.64 crore.

•    While in Bihar, three projects at Sultanganj, Naugachia and Mokama with total estimated cost of Rs 175 crore have been approved.

7. Government enters into nine UAPAs with Indian taxpayers

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) entered into nine Unilateral Advance Pricing Agreements (UAPAs) with Indian taxpayers.

•    The APA Scheme endeavours to provide certainty to taxpayers in the domain of transfer pricing by specifying the methods of pricing and determining the Arm’s Length Price of international transactions in advance for a maximum period of five future years.

•    With this, the total number of APAs signed till date stands at 171 (Unilateral-159 and Bilateral-12).
 

8. RBI slaps Rs.3 cr penalty on Union Bank

The Reserve Bank of India has imposed a monetary penalty aggregating  Rs. 3 crore on Union Bank of India for non-compliance with the regulatory direction on ‘know-your-customer’ (KYC) norms.

•    KYC is a process by which banks obtain information about the identity and address of customers.

•    This action is based on deficiencies in regulatory compliance and is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the bank with its customers.

9. Rahul, Manu-Sumeeth clinch titles at Lagos Open

Indian shuttler C Rahul Yadav and men's doubles pair of Manu Attri and B Sumeeth Reddy clinched the men's singles and men's doubles title respectively at Lagos International challenge in Nigeria.
•    Fourth-seeded Rahul surpassed compatriot Karan Rajan Rajarajan 21-15 21-13 in the summit clash to lay claim to the title at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Nigeria.

10. India bags 24 medals at Jordan Open TT

India has bagged total 24 medals at the Jordan Junior and Cadet Open table tennis tournament.The event held in Amman the capital of Jordan.

•    The tally includes 7 Gold, 7 Silver and 10 Bronze medals. In the event India was the second best finishers.

 Points To Remember

Jordan :

• Capital: Amman
• Currency: Jordanian dinar
• King: Abdullah II of Jordan

11. Sebastian Vettel wins Hungarian Grand Prix

Sebastian Vettel won Hungarian Grand Prix and his team mate Kimi Raikkonen came second while Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton came third.

•    This is his fourth win of the season and 46th of his Formula One career.