Current Affairs 29th october 2015

• Asia Pacific region most disaster prone part of the world: UN Report

The Asia Pacific region is the most disaster prone part of the world as it had suffered around 1,625 disasters in the decade through 2014.

It was revealed in recently released 2015 United Nations Asia-Pacific Disaster Report.

Key highlights from Report

• Disasters in Asia Pacific region accounted for 40 percent of the global total and claimed over half a million of lives over the decade.
• The region needs to spend more on adapting to climate change and preparing for more extreme weather and disaster risks.
• The disasters in past decade have affected around 1.4 billion people and caused over 523 billion dollars in economic damage.
• Around 772 million poor people from this region which tends to be worlds populous region are vulnerable to disasters.
• The largest losses are linked to frequent floods and earthquakes in this region.
• Majority of disasters are cross-border in nature including floods, cyclones, droughts and earthquake. So, regional cooperation is crucial among nations in region.
• UN has urged the region’s governments to invest more in adapting and preparing for disasters may worsened by its rapid economic growth and mushrooming population.

• 33 per cent quota for women in government jobs in MP

• The Madhya Pradesh government  has decided to provide 33 percent reservation to women in government jobs. 
• The decision in this regard was taken during a cabinet meeting presided over by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

With this decision the reservation to women in government jobs in the state has been increased from present 30 per cent to 33 per cent. However in this regard, permission would be sought from the Election Commission as by-polls are slated to be held in two places in the state next month.

Other decisions taken by the Madhya Pradesh government :-

• Madhya Pradesh will cut its annual budget by 15 per cent this year to compensate losses of farmers. The state has planned to extend a minimum Rs 7,000 crore support to drought-hit farmers this season.
• Government is committed to extend support of Rs 7,000 crore; Rs 3,000 crore for soyabean crop loss, Rs 3,000 crore against crop insurance and Rs 1,000 crore interest waiver this year.
• The state govt. has also decided to give monthly pension of 2500 rupees to the relatives of those who were killed in anti-Sikh riots of 1984 in the state.

• J&K state will host South Asian Rugby 7’S Championship in 2016

It was announced by Jammu and Kashmir Minister for Youth Services and Sports Molvi Imran Raza Ansari that South Asian Rugby 7’S Championship in 2016 will be hosted by Kashmir Valley.

According to the decision, the championship will be held at Bakhshi Stadium from 18th June to 20th June 2016.

Eight teams will participate in the championship which will comprise of 180 participants from various countries like India, Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, .

The minister also said that the government wants such events to be held in the state for the promotion of sports activities at global level. He also said that the Council would provide all possible support to make the event a success and will provide various facilities like boarding, lodging and logistic for smooth conduct of the event.

• Russia will launch manned moon missions by 2029

 Roscosmos, the Russian Federal Space Agency, announced to launch a manned flight to the moon till2029.

Russian scientists are working on creating a new spacecraft specifically designed for moon missions.

The first test flight of spaceship is expected in 2021. In 2023, it will dock with the International Space Station, and in 2025, the spaceship will carry out its first unmanned mission to the moon.

Do You Know :

On 25th February 1992, the Russian Federal Space Agency was established and is responsible for the Russian space science program and general aerospace research. It was previously called as the Russian Aviation and Space Agency.

• IOC has allowed refugees to compete in Olympics for the first time

It was announced by Thomas Bach, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) chief that refugees who are highly qualified athletes will be allowed to compete in the Olympic Games.

According to the announcement, the athletes will be able to compete for the 2016 Summer Olympics and Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

As the refugee athletes have no national anthem to play for them, they will be welcomed to the Olympic Games with the the IOC anthem and IOC flag