 A 33-year-old man Colin O’Brady from the United States has become the first person to complete a solo trek across Antarctica without any assistance. He finished the 1,500km journey across the frozen continent in 54 days, lugging his supplies on a sledge as he skied in bone-chilling temperatures from north to south. |
| Source- The Guardian |
 The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will capture the payment habits of individuals in six cities Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru and Guwahati. For the purpose, the central bank has launched a ‘Survey on Retail Payment Habits of Individuals (SRPHi)’. According to RBI release, the survey will cover a sample of 6,000 individuals from various socio-economic backgrounds across six cities. Sigma Research & Consulting Pvt Ltd has been engaged to conduct the fieldwork of the survey on behalf of the RBI. |
| Source- The Economic Times |
 State-owned United Bank of India announced that the government has decided to infuse Rs 2,159 crore in the bank as part of Rs 28,615 crore capital infusion to be done in about half a dozen banks. The government has decided to pump Rs 28,615 crore into seven public sector banks (PSBs) through recapitalization bonds soon. Out of these seven PSBs, Bank of India is likely to get the highest amount of Rs 10,086 crore. |
| Source- The Moneycontrol |
 According to data furnished by the Reserve Bank of India, between 2015 and 2017, private lender ICICI Bank penalized the highest number of employees for defrauding bank assets in the last three year out of 60 scheduled commercial banks operating in India. It is followed by State Bank of India and Punjab National Bank. In all, banks took action against a staggering 13,949 officials, of which 16%, or 2,236, belonged to ICICI. |
| Source- RBI |
 India’s institutional framework to support microfinance would get a boost with Reserve Bank of India clearing a proposal to dig in an existing Rs 1000-crore corpus for funding microlenders. Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) had kept this money for some other purposes and had recently sought RBI’s approval for using it for the microfinance sector. The development bank will now use the money to offer soft loans to MFIs on a condition that end borrowers should get loans at 15-17% rate, which is significantly lower than the prevailing 20-22% market rate. |
| Source- The Economic Times |
 The 42nd Indian Social Science Congress was inaugurated by Manipur governor DrNajma Heptulla at KIIT University campus in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The theme of the Congress was ‘Human Future in Digital Era.’ |
| Source- Odishadiary.com |
 The Union Cabinet approved amendments to the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012. The changes prescribe stringent punishment, including the death penalty for aggravated penetrative sexual assault of children. Further, hefty fine would be imposed for not deleting, not destroying child pornographic material or not reporting child pornography. Attempt to inject hormones in children to make them major has been made an aggravated offence under Section 9 of the POCSO Act. |
| Source- Press Information Bureau (PIB) |
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Varanasi and Ghazipur in Uttar Pradesh. During the visit, he laid the foundation stone of medical College in Ghazipur in the presence of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. He took stock of the preparations for the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas to be held in Varanasi. The PM also dedicated the 6th International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), South Asia Regional Center (ISARC) to the nation. The Institute is built at the campus ofNational Seed Research and Training Center (NSRTC) in Varanasi. The One District, One Product Regional Summit was held at Deendayal Hastakala Sankul (Trade Facilitation Centre & Crafts Museum) in Varanasi. The scheme is aimed at enhancing the skills of local people and increasing the reach of the indigenous trades, crafts and products from small towns and small districts in the state. |
| Source- Indiatoday |
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Rs. 4,500 crore financial assistance to Bhutanfor its 12th five-year plan after holding wide-ranging talks with his Bhutanese counterpart Lotay Tshering. The new five-year plan of Bhutan began in 2018 and will continue till 2022. |
| Source: NDTV |
 The Union Cabinet has approved the Gaganyaan project under which a three-member crew will be sent to space for at least seven days, Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad stated. The project will cost INR 10,000 crore. The Gaganyaan project was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day speech. He had stated that the mission will be undertaken by 2022. India has already inked agreements with Russia and France for assistance in the ambitious project. |
| Source: The Hindu |
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