Top 10 Weekly Current Affairs: 8 October to 13 October 2018

#MeToo movement in India: NCW asks sexual abuse survivors to lodge formal complaints

As the #MeToo movement gets bigger in India, the National Commission for Women (NCW) on October 10, 2018 urged the victims of sexual abuse to register their written complaints with authorities concerned, including with the National Commission for Women.

The commission took note of the #MeToo accusations and noticed that in many such cases of sexual harassment, the victims do not want to go beyond naming and shaming the alleged offenders and lodge a formal complaint.

The commission appreciated the bravery shown by those who have spoken out and came forward to help punish the persons responsible for such incidents. It condemned any act of invasion of private space of women.

World Bank launches first Human Capital Index, Singapore tops list

The World Bank launched its first Human Capital Index (HCI) in Bali, Indonesia on October 11, 2018, as part of the World Development Report 2019. The index ranks countries based on their success in developing human capital.

The index ranks 157 countries based on their education and health outcomes and the impact they are having on productivity. While Singapore tops the rankings, African countries occupying the bottom spots.

Global temperature could exceed 1.5°C in just 12 years: UN report

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) approved a Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C on October 6, 2018 at Incheon, South Korea. In the new assessment, IPCC issued its the most extensive warning on the risks of rising global temperatures and said that limiting global warming to 1.5°C would require rapid, far-reaching and unprecedented changes in all aspects of society.

The special report titled ‘Global Warming of 1.5°C’ traces the impact of global warming of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels and related global greenhouse gas emission pathways, in the context of strengthening the global response to the threat of climate change, sustainable development and efforts to eradicate poverty. The report says that going past 1.5°C is dicing with the planet's liveability and the temperature could be exceeded in just 12 years, by 2030.

Government sets up Strategic Policy Group to assist National Security Council

The Union Government on October 8, 2018 constituted the Strategic Policy Group, headed by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, to assist the National Security Council.

The Members of the SPG will include Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog, Cabinet Secretary, Chiefs of the three defence services, RBI Governor, Foreign Secretary, Home Secretary, Finance Secretary, and Defence Secretary.

The Strategic Policy Group (SPG) will assist the National Security Council and undertake among other tasks, a long-term strategic review of country's security affairs.  It will act as a principal mechanism for inter-ministerial coordination and integration of relevant inputs in the formulation of national security policies.

Nikki Haley resigns as US Ambassador to United Nations

Indian-American Nikki Haley on October 9, 2018 resigned as the United States Ambassador to the United Nations. President Donald Trump made the formal announcement of her resignation and applauded her work. He cited that Haley wanted to take a break.

Haley, former South Carolina governor, gave no reasons for her exit, however, dismissed speculations that she was planning to run for Presidential bid in 2020. Rather, she said she would be campaigning for Trump's re-election in two years from now.

Government launches Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme 2018 -19: Important Information & FAQs

The Union Government, in consultation with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), on October 8, 2018 decided to issue Sovereign Gold Bonds 2018-19.

The Sovereign Gold Bonds will be issued every month from October 2018 to February 2019 through banks, Stock Holding Corporation of India Limited (SHCIL), designated post offices, and recognised stock exchanges such as the National Stock Exchange and Bombay Stock Exchange. The Bonds will be issued by Reserve Bank India on behalf of the Government of India.

The Sovereign Gold Bonds are government securities denominated in grams of gold. They are substitutes for holding physical gold. One need to pay the issue price in cash for purchasing the bonds and the bonds can be redeemed in cash on maturity.

Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Nestle found to be worst plastic polluters: Break Free From Plastic Movement

The ‘Break Free From Plastic Movement’ on October 9, 2018 revealed that Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Nestle are among the companies that contribute most to ocean pollution with single-use plastics.

As per the study, Coca-Cola, Pepsi and Nestle were the most frequent companies in contributing to ocean pollution, identified in 239 cleanups and brand audits spanning 42 countries and six continents. Over 187,000 pieces of plastic trash were audited, identifying thousands of brands which package their products in the single-use plastics that pollute oceans and waterways globally.

Tushar Mehta appointed as Solicitor General of India

Senior Advocate Tushar Mehta was on October 10, 2018 appointed as the Solicitor General of India with effect from the date of assumption of charge of the office for a period till June 30, 2020 or until further orders.

His appointment was approved by the Appointment Committee of Cabinet. Presently, Mehta is serving as the Additional Solicitor General (ASG) of India. He was appointed ASG in 2014 after the Modi government came to power.

The post of the Solicitor General of India has been lying vacant for the last 11 months after Senior Advocate Ranjith Kumar resigned on October 20, 2017. The Solicitor General is the second highest ranking law officer of the Union Government after the Attorney General.

Denis Mukwege, Nadia Murad win 2018 Nobel Peace Prize

The Norwegian Nobel Committee on October 5, 2018 awarded the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize to Denis Mukwege and Nadia Murad “for their efforts to end the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and armed conflict”.

Both Mukwege and Murad made a crucial contribution to focus attention on combating war crimes. Both of them have helped to give greater visibility to war-time sexual violence, so that the perpetrators can be held accountable for their actions.

Global Hunger Index 2018: India ranks 103rd out of 119 countries

As per the 2018 Global Hunger Index (GHI), published on October 10, 2018, the level of hunger and undernutrition worldwide fell to 20.9, down from 29.2 in the year 2000. India was ranked 103rd out of 119 qualifying countries.

South Asia’s child wasting rate constitutes a critical public health emergency. The child wasting rate for the region is amplified by India, which has the region’s largest population and highest level of child wasting at 21 percent. In South Asia and Africa south of the Sahara, the rates of undernourishment, child stunting, child wasting and child mortality are unacceptably high.

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