A study on “Global Estimates of Modern Slavery” was conducted by a Walk Free Foundation (WFF), Australia based Human Rights Group.
The report was published on behalf of the global body International Labour Organisation (ILO).
The country wise figures are not mentioned in the report but it has revealed that 40.3 million people are victims of modern slavery in 2016.
Global Slavery Index is computed by WFF every year.
Anna Politkovskaya Award
The award is given by a London-based non-governmental organisation “Reach All Women in War (RAW in War)”.
The organisation supports women human rights defenders and victims of war.
The award was instituted in the name of well-known Russian Journalist who was killed in 2006 in Moscow for uncovering state corruption and rights abuses.
Journalist-activist Gauri Lankesh becomes first Indian Journalist to win this award.
The award is also given to Gulalai Ismail, a Pakistani peace activist who has faced death threats for speaking out against the Taliban.
The institute also honoured Rohingya refugee Jamalida Begum, who spoke out publicly about her rape by Myanmar security forces.
Kaleshwaram Project
NGT has recently ordered an interim stay on Telangana government’s Kaleshwaram lift irrigation project.
Pranahitha-Chevella Lift Irrigation Scheme was taken up in 2007 to utilise the water of Pranhita tributary of Godavari River.
After the formation of Telangana, the project was redesigned into two sections.
The original component serving the Adilabad area was called the Pranahitha project.
The second part is called Kaleswaram Project serving the Karimnagar, Warangal, Nizamabad and Medak districts.
Water from Godavari River after the confluence by the Pranahita tributary is lifted to provide lift irrigation facility.
Lift Irrigation project - Pumps are used to lift the water from canals or rivers at lower level to the area at higher level for irrigation purpose.
Committee on Corporate Governance
Uday Kotak on corporate governance has proposed rules aimed at bringing more transparency to the functioning of boards in the listed companies.
The committee also proposed several measures to strengthen the role of independent directors.
One of the proposals is to keep out relatives of promoter group from occupying the independent director’s place on the board.
It recommended an amendment to regulate the information rights of significant shareholders and promoters.
The other key proposal is to separate the role of Chairperson and MD/CEO at listed entities with more than 40 per cent public shareholding with effect from April 1, 2020.
SEBI regulations do not mandate a separation of these posts.
Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI)
Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City)'s International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) has bagged the 10th spot in GFCI.
GIFT IFSC is ranked tenth, ahead of Luxembourg, Seoul, Abu Dhabi, Toronto and Beijing in the list of the GFCI report.
The report presents parameter for measuring the attractiveness of financial centres and understanding the growth and competitiveness of financial centres.
It is produced bi-annually by the China Development Institute (CDI) in Shenzhen and a commercial think tank in London.
Global Aurora
Recently, a strong solar storm hit Mars sparking a global aurora and doubling radiation levels on the red planet.
This aurora is 25 times brighter than any previously seen by the MAVEN orbiter.
The event has occurred strangely during the Sun’s 11-year sunspot and storm-activity cycle.
These events will improve the understanding the effects of solar storm on the Martian environment.
Source: The Hindu, BusinessLine, Business Standard
