Daily Current Affairs, 03rd March 2018

1)  World’s Largest Solar Park 'Shakti Sthala' Launched In Karnataka

•The Karnataka government inaugurated the first phase of a 2,000 megawatts (MW) solar park in the drought-prone district, Tumkur. The first phase of the Rs16,500 crore park called “Shakti Sthala” will generate 600MW, while the balance 1,400MW is expected to be commissioned by the end of 2018.

•The solar project is the largest in the world, is spread over 13,000 acres and five villages. It is part of the “Karnataka Solar Policy 2014-2021” which aims to decrease dependence on traditional power sources and move to environmentally friendly ones to meet the growing power needs of the state. The park ties in with the centre’s scheme to generate 100 gigawatts (GW) of solar power by 2020.

2)  Armen Sarkisian Elected Next Armenian President

•Armenian lawmakers elected Armen Sarkisian as the new president of Armenia. He will succeed Serzh Sarkisian. Armen Sarkisian was the ambassador to the United Kingdom.

•He will assume presidential duties after his predecessor steps down in April 2018. The political shift comes after President Sarkisian in 2015 initiated controversial constitutional amendments to turn the impoverished Moscow-allied country into a parliamentary republic with a powerful Prime Minister.

3)  India, Bangladesh, Russia Sign Pact For Rooppur Atomic Plant

•Indian companies can now participate in construction and installation works in the “non-critical” category for the Rooppur nuclear power plant in Bangladesh, according to the Russian atomic energy agency Rosatom. 

•The Rooppur project is the first initiative under an Indo-Russian deal to undertake atomic energy projects in third countries. This will also be the first time Indian companies will be able to participate in a nuclear power project abroad. India, Bangladesh and Russia signed an agreement in this regard in Moscow, Russia. 

4)  Vietnam President Tran Dai Quang Arrives In India On 3-Day Visit

•The Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang has arrived in India on the 3-day visit. He is scheduled to hold delegation level talks with PM Narendra Modi in New Delhi. Strengthening cooperation in the key areas of defence and trade will be high on the agenda.

•The two sides will sign MoUs in the areas of nuclear energy, agriculture and trade and investment. This is Tran's first visit to India as president.

5)  27th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup Hockey Tournament Begins In Malaysia

•The 27th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup Hockey tournament begins in the Malaysian city of Ipoh. Six nations – India, hosts Malaysia, defending champions England, Australia, Argentina and Ireland – are taking part in the tournament.

•India, currently the world number six side, will take on world number two Argentina in their opening round-robin match.

6)  Navjot Kaur 1st Indian Woman To Win Gold In Asian Wrestling Championship

•Navjot Kaur has clinched the 1st gold medal for India in the Asian Wrestling championship in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. She defeated Imai Miyu of Japan in the final of women’s 65 kg freestyle. With 1 gold, 2 silver and 1 bronze medal, India was at the second spot in the medals tally.

•Vinesh Phogat and Pinki of Indian Railways claimed silver medals while Sakshi Malik won a bronze in the 62-kilogram category. China was leading the table with 4 gold and 1 bronze medal while Japan was at the third place with 1 gold, 1 silver and 2 bronze medals.