The index covers 140 nations and it measures national competitiveness.
It accesses competitiveness through the factors that determine an economy’s level of productivity.
According to the recent report, United States ranked first followed by Singapore, Germany, Switzerland and Japan.
India has become the most competitive economy on the Global Competitiveness Index 2018.
India’s rank has been improved by five spots from last year.
India witnessed the largest gain among the G20 nations and highest among South Asian Countries.
As for the BRICS nations, China topped the list at 28th position followed by Russian Federation, India, South Africa and Brazil respectively.
The report stated that the global economy is projected to grow nearly 4% in 2018 and 2019.
Exercise Dharma Guardian
It is a joint military exercise between India and Japan.
It is the first ever such exercise and the first edition is going to be held in India.
The exercise will execute a series of drills to neutralise the threats faced in urban warfare scenario.
This exercise is seen as a yet another step in deepening strategic ties between the countries.
OneerTM
It is a water disinfection system developed by Council Scientific and Industrial Research and Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow.
The system will eliminate all disease causing pathogens such as virus, bacteria, fungi, protozoa to provide safe drinking water to communities.
It is useful for continuous treatment of water to meet National and International standards prescribed for potable water (BIS, WHO etc.).
The smaller unit of Oneer is particularly suitable for homes, street food vendors, and small establishments.
POSCO Act
The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 defines a child as any person below the age of 18 years.
The act provides protection to all children from the offences of sexual assault, sexual harassment and pornography.
Ministry of Women and Child Development has recently clarified that the POSCO act does not provide for any period of limitation for reporting the child sexual offences.
Now, any victim, at any age, can complain the sexual abuse faced by him/her as a child.
This has strengthened the legal provisions for the protection of children from sexual abuse and exploitation.
ASEM
The 12th Asia–Europe Meeting (ASEM) is going to be held in Brussels, Belgium.
The theme of this year's ASEM Summit is 'Global Partners for Global Challenges'.
ASEM is an exclusively Asian–European forum, established in 1996 at the first summit in Bangkok, Thailand.
It currently has 51 nations from the European Union and South Asia and 2 regional organisations (ASEAN, EU) as partners.
India is also a member.
The 3 pillars of ASEM are Political, Economic, Socio Cultural and Educational.
ASEM involves biennial meetings of Heads of State and Government, alternately in Europe and Asia, and biennial meetings of Foreign Ministers as well as political, economic, and socio-cultural meetings and events at various levels.
The grouping is a platform for non-binding discussion on economic and trade issues.
