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1. First-ever India Russia Strategic Economic Dialogue held at St. Petersburg

The first-ever India Russia Strategic Economic Dialogue was held at St. Petersburg in Russia.

• Indian side was led by NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Rajiv Kumar and Russian delegation headed by Economic Development Minister Maxim Oreshkin.
• It was created by PM Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin in their informal summit (held at Sochi in May 2018) to give big push to economic partnership between both countries.
• India has already launched Strategic Economic Dialogue with China.

2. 70-feet tall statue of Lord Buddha unveiled at Rajgir in Nalanda district

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has unveiled 70-feet tall statue of Lord Buddha at Rajgir in Nalanda district of state. It is second tallest statue of Buddha in the country.

• The statue has been installed above 16 metre radius pedestal in middle of lake Ghora Katora. Ghora Katora is natural lake surrounded by five hills.
• It has been made from 45,000 cubic foot pink sand stone.

3. SSB to patrol Dudhwa tiger reserve

Dudhwa Tiger Reserve and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) have joined hands to provide security to Dudhwa forests and its rich wildlife.

• It has been agreed that joint long route patrolling comprising SSB, Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF) and Dudhwa Tiger Reserve (DTR) field staff would be held at regular intervals.
• It is protected area in Uttar Pradesh that stretches mainly across the Lakhimpur Kheri and Bahraich districts.
• It comprises Dudhwa National Park, Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary and Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary.

4. Government of India and Asian Development Bank (ADB) sign $200 Million Loan to improve State Highways in Bihar

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of India signed a $200 million loan to finance widening and upgrading of about 230 Kilometers State Highways in Bihar to all-weather standards with road safety features.

• Since 2008, ADB has provided four loans to Bihar, amounting to $1.43 billion, to upgrade about 1,453 km of State Highways and to construct a New Bridge over the Ganga River near Patna.
• This BSHP-III project, approved by the ADB Board in October this year, will involve upgrading State Highways to standard two-lane width with road safety features.

5. Shri Kiren Rijiju to inaugurate NDMA's 14th Formation Day

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju, will inaugurate the 14th Formation Day of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). The theme of this year's Formation Day is Early Warning for Disasters.

• Early warning is a major element of disaster risk reduction and can minimise the loss of lives and economic impacts. Timely early warning is key to a structured and efficient response.
• To be effective, early warning systems need to involve the communities at risk, generate public awareness, effectively disseminate warnings and ensure there is a constant state of preparedness.

6. Task Force for drafting a New Direct Tax Legislation

In order to review the Income-tax Act, 1961 and to draft a new direct tax law in consonance with the economic needs of the country, a Task Force was constituted by the Government of India in November, 2017.

• In partial modification of the earlier order, the Government has appointed Shri Akhilesh Ranjan, Member (Legislation), CBDT as Convener of the Task Force. Other members of the Task Force remain unchanged.
• The Task Force shall submit its report to the Government by February 28, 2019.

7. Sunil Arora to be next Chief Election Commissioner

Election Commissioner Sunil Arora has been appointed as the next Chief Election Commissioner. He will take charge as the next CEC on December 2.

• A former bureaucrat, Sunil Arora was appointed as Election Commissioner in September last year. 62 year old Sunil Arora had been the Union Information and Broadcasting Secretary and Secretary in the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
• A 1980 batch IAS officer of the Rajasthan cadre, Sunil Arora has worked in ministries and departments such as Finance, Textiles and Planning Commission.

8. Sameer Verma wins Syed Modi International Badminton title 2018

India’s Sameer Verma has won Syed Modi India Grand Prix Gold badminton title 2018 in men’s singles category. In the final match held in Lucknow, he defeated China’s Lu Guangzu by 16-21,  21-19 and 21-14 score. Women’s singles title was won by China’s Han Yue after defeating India’s Saina Nehwal by 21-18, 21-8 score.

• It was launched by Uttar Pradesh Badminton Association (UPBA) in 1991 as ‘Syed Modi Memorial Badminton Tournament’ in memory of Syed Modi.
• It is held every year at Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.