Current Affairs April 20, 2018 S.No Topic Page Number 1 World News 2-3 2 National News 4-5 3 State News 6-7 4 Banking & Economy 8-9 5 Sports 10 6 Awards & Honours 11 6 Appointments & Resignation 12 7 Books & Authors 13 8 Science & Techonology 14 1
World News Prime Minister Narendra Modi s UK Visit Overview On April 18, 2018 Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in London, United Kingdom (UK) for a four-day official visit, during which, he held bilateral meeting with UK Prime Minister Theresa May and attended Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in London on April 19, 2018. India and UK sign 10 agreements in several sectors including cyber-relationship and Ganga rejuvenation Indian IT body National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) has partnered with techuk to launch the UK-India Tech Alliance aimed at strengthening the technology sectors in both the countries. Through UK-India Joint Statement issued during the visit of Prime Minister Modi to UK, both the countries have agreed to reinforce the Strategic Partnership, based on shared values, common law and institutions. Saudi Arabia unveils first new cinema On 18 April 2018, Saudi Arabia unveiled its first cinema in more than 35 years with a private screening of the mega hit Hollywood movie Black Panther, as a trial run before movie theaters are opened to the public. The private screening was made in an invitation-only event. This has been done after Saudi Arabia lifted the ban on cinemas in 2017 as part of a liberalization initiative. US firm AMC Entertainment has been offered the first license to operate movie theatres in Saudi Arabia. It was earlier said that, the movie theaters are expected to open to the public in May 2018. It is said that, test screenings would be done for few days and an online ticketing system will be formally launched. The first meeting of the BRICS Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors On 19 April 2018, the first meeting of the BRICS Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors was held in the sidelines of the IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington D.C., United States. The first meeting of the BRICS Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors. Subhash Chandra Garg, Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs (EA) represented Ministry of Finance, India, in the meeting. 2
Improving the project pipelines of New Development Bank (NDB) evenly across member countries expansion of NDB s membership proposal of South African Presidency for setting up a working group on illicit financial flows BRICS Task Force on Public Private Partnership issues related to BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA) BRICS Bond Fund India, Afghanistan held bi-lateral meet on drugs On 20 April 2018, India and Afghanistan held bi-lateral talks to discuss issues related to illicit drug trafficking and narcotics abuse, in New Delhi. The Indian side was led by Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Director General Abhay. The Afghan side was led by Director (International Affairs) of the Ministry of Counter Narcotics Abdul Qayyom Samer. Discussions were held on cooperation between India and Afghanistan for exchange of ideas, sharing of best practices and enhancing areas of cooperation in the drug crime domain. India is located between two major narcotics regions: the Golden Crescent (Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran) and the Golden Triangle (Myanmar, Laos and Thailand). It is prone to transit, tra fficking and consumption of opium derivatives and its different forms. Swaziland king Mswati III renames country Kingdom of eswatini Swaziland s King Mswati III has changed the name of the country to the Kingdom of eswatini. The monarch made the announcement at the dual celebration to mark his 50th birthday and the African nation s 50 years of independence. The Kingdom of eswatini, which was a British protectorate for more than 60 years, is Africa s last absolute monarchy. US senate narrowly confirms Trump s new NASA Chief Jim Bridenstine, a congressman from Oklahoma, US Navy veteran, and former pilot, was confirmed on a 50-49 vote and will become the 13th administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) seven months after Trump named him to lead the agency. 3
National News SJVN signs MoU with Ministry of Power; will strive to achieve 9200 Million Units in FY 2018-19 SJVN Limited, the operator of one of the largest Hydro Power Plants in the country i.e. 1500 MW Nathpa Jhakri Hydro Power Station, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ministry of Power, Govt. of India for the year 2018-19, here today. As per the targets set in the MOU, SJVN shall strive to achieve 9200 Million Units generation during the year under Excellent category. Further, SJVN will have Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) target of Rs. 900 crore and Turnover target of Rs. 2175 crore under Excellent category along with other targets related to operational efficiency and Project monitoring. India, Eritrea sign MoU on Foreign Office Consultations On April 20, 2018, India and Eritrea signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Foreign Office Consultations in New Delhi. The MoU will facilitate a structured dialogue for strengthening bilateral corporation between both the countries. It will be instrumental in taking forward the warm and cordial relation between India and Eritrea in political, commercial and education spheres. India has been providing capacity building assistance to Eritrea in several fields such as legislative drafting, technical scholarships (agriculture, education, health), and food aid. e-sanad portal and National Academic Depository integrated On 18 April 2018, the integration of e-sanad portal and NAD National Academic Depository (of HRD Ministry) was launched by Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi. Minister of State for HRD (Human Resource Development), Dr. Satyapal Singh said that the integration of e-sanad and NAD National Academic Depository, will improve transparency in the Indian education system. The government had launched e-sanad portal in 2017 to digitise the process of attestation of documents for those going abroad, without visiting government offices for the purpose. National Academic Depository was launched by the government to digitally store school learning certificates, degrees and other academic awards of institutions of higher education. 4
Taipei World Trade Centre opens in Delhi In a bid to promote trade between India and Taiwan, Taipei World Trade Centre (TWTC) launched its office at New Delhi on April 19, 2018. Taipei World Trade Centre will serve as a single venue that combines consulting service on trade-related issues, trading partners, suppliers, and markets for international business. On the occasion of launch, leading Indian trade bodies such as Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Society of Manufactures of Electric Vehicles (SMEV), PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry and World Trade Center, Mumbai notified MoUs with TWTC for enhancing trade collaboration. In context of this news, it is important to note that gross volume of the bilateral trade between India and Taiwan currently stands at 6.3 billion. Parcel Directorate inaugurated by Shri Manoj Sinha Minister of State for Communications (Independent Charge) and Minister of State for Railways Shri Manoj Sinha has inaugurated the newly created Parcel Directorate in the Department of Posts. The global decline in letter mail, and India being no exception to this trend has been offset by an increase in packets and parcels. This is primarily on account of the e-commerce boom in India, with e-tailers requiring integrated collection, aggregation, sorting, transmission and delivery systems. 5
State News Two day Regional Conference on Urban Development: Technological Solutions and Governance Challenges begins in Ahmedabad Organisers: The conference is organized by Ministry of Finance, along with the Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), Gujarat Council, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), an autonomous research organization under the Ministry of External Affairs. The Conference is a lead-up event to the 3rd Annual Meeting of AIIB that would be held on 25 and 26 June 2018 in Mumbai. The Conference was attended by experts, policy practitioners, officials from central government, industry leaders, bilateral partners and representatives of Multilateral Development Banks like AIIB. Issues related to financing, institutional and regulatory environment, technological options for sustainable future, financial sustainability etc. were discussed in the conference. Gujarat launches magazine on hemophilia to spread awareness On World Haemophilia Day (17th April 2018), Gujarat assembly Speaker Rajendra Trivedi launched Haemophilia Jagruti, a magazine to create awareness on haemophilia, an inherited bleeding disorder. Haemophilia Jagruti is a tri-monthly magazine. It aims to share knowledge and the research done on Haemophilia. Hemophilia affects over 6,000 people in Gujarat. In India there are more than 16,000 registered patients of hemophilia. It is a hereditary and genetic disorder that curbs the body s ability to control blood clotting. Even after a minor injury or cut, the patients blood does not clot normally due to the absence of clotting proteins named Anti Hemophilia Factors. Centre aims to make UP open-defecation Free State Union Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation (MDWS), Union Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) have come together to make Uttar Pradesh Open Defecation Free (ODF). To accomplish this feat, the ministries recently organised a training camp for nearly 1000 masons in Jhansi city for the construction of twin pit toilets. 6
These masons will also go through skilling sessions under the guidance of NSDC. The plan is to impart training to 50000 masons in future. This is the first training camp, launched as a part of an intense drive towards making India Open Defecation Free (ODF) by October 2019. 7
Banking & Economy India contributing to global growth in financial inclusion: World Bank report As per the report, number of account holders in India rose from 35 percent of the adults in 2011 to 53 percent in 2014 and 80 percent in 2017. This growth has been largely attributed to Government s Jan Dhan Yojana, launched in 2014. 51.4 crore accounts have been opened globally from 2014 to 2017. During this period 28.17 crore Jan Dhan Accounts were opened in India, constituting almost 55 percent of the accounts opened globally. Highlighting the growth of digital payments in India, the report states that 36 percent of account owners in India are already using their accounts to make or receive digital payments. India is world s sixth largest economy: IMF India has replaced France on the 6 position. United States of America, China, Japan, Germany, and the United Kingdom are ahead of India in the ranking. India has improved on structural reforms in the recent past, also through GST, which will help eliminate internal barriers for trade, increase efficiency, and improve tax compliance. The report has said that, the medium-term growth outlook for India is strong. It has said that, India s high public debt and recent failure to achieve the budget s deficit target require continued fiscal consolidation into the medium term to further strengthen fiscal policy credibility. Standard Chartered ties up with Zoho Standard Chartered Bank has announced an alliance with Zoho, a software products company, to offer solutions to enhance corporate banking experience. The bank s business account holders can now pay their suppliers and automate reconciliation right from Zoho Books, Zoho s cloud accounting software. INFIN8: A new revolution in finance sector VikramRaichura, CEO of VivaConnect along with RadhikaRaichura, announced their new venture INFIN8. 8
INFIN8 offers a quick and easy process of connecting potential borrowers with multiple lenders through both online (APP and Web) and offline, through India s most premium number 8080808080 World Bank: 19-crore Indian adults don t have bank account India has 19 crore adults without a bank account despite the success of the ambitious Jan Dhan Yojana, making it the world s second largest unbanked population after that of China, the World Bank said. Besides, almost half of the bank accounts remained inactive in the past year, the multilateral financial institution said in a report, even as it lauded the Government s financial inclusion scheme, the Jan Dhan Yojana, for bringing in additional 31 crore Indians into formal banking system by March 2018. It also said the country s adult population with a bank account has more than doubled to 80 per cent since 2011. The Jan Dhan Yojana was launched by the Modi government in 2014. Zoom announces mega partnership with Myntra Zoom, part of the Times Network has announced a partnership with India s leading online fashion e-tailer, Myntra. This partnership is slated to be one of the biggest-ever brand partnerships in the television history in India. As per the terms of this partnership, Zoom will transition from being just a TV channel to the best entertainment and style destination across every medium viz. TV, Social, On- Ground and Digital. On April 19, 2018, Zoom unveiled its new avatar, Zoom Styled by Myntra. 9
Sports FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 unveils official mascot On 18 April 2018, Son of Dreams was unveiled as official Mascot of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019, in Beijing, China. Son of Dreams was born in China on 8 August 2015. Son of Dreams magical horns give him the power to see in the future, visualizing plays and moves before they happen in real. The selection of Son of Dreams as China 2019 s Official Mascot was conducted through a unique process of FIBA. The mascot finalists are: a Chinese dragon ( Son of Dream ), a Siberian tiger ( Speed Tiger ) and a lion ( Qiu Qiu ). Para-athlete Shrimant Jha bags bronze at Asian Armwrestling C ship Differently-abled Indian arm wrestler Shrimant Jha clinched the bronze medal at the Asian Armwrestling Championship, which is being held from April 16 to April 22 in Kazakhstan. The 25-year-old, resident of Naxal-hit Chhattisgarh finished behind Tajikistan s Firuz and Magolia s Munkhbold to settle for the bronze in the 80kg senior category. 16th Federation Cup Jr National athletics ch ship begins in Coimbatore Over 800 athletes from 32 states across the country will take part in the 16th Federation Cup Junior National athletics championship, beginning at Coimbatore on April 20, 2018. The meet will serve as the selections trials for the 18th Asian Junior Athletic Meet to be held at Gifu, Japan, in June. The three-day event will see 440 boys and 352 girls in the age group of 16 to 20 years take part in 44 events. 10
Awards & Honours World s Greatest Leaders in 2018: Mukesh Ambani ranks 24, thanks to Jio Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani, human rights lawyer Indira Jaising and architect Balkrishna Doshi have been named by Fortune magazine as the World s Greatest Leaders of 2018. The Fortune s 2018 ranking of the 50 Greatest Leaders featured the three Indians at the 24th, 20th and 43rd places respectively. The 2018 Fortune World s Greatest Leaders list has been topped by The Students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas and other schools of US that witnessed gun violence 11
Appointments & Resignations Dilip Chenoy new Secretary General of FICCI On 17 April 2018, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) informed that, it has appointed Dilip Chenoy as its new Secretary General. Dilip Chenoy replaces Sanjaya Baru as the Secretary General of FICCI. Sanjaya Baru had decided to step down from his position. Dilip Chenoy joined FICCI as Director General. Earlier, he was working as MD & CEO of the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) from May 2010 till October 2015. He was also Director General of Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) from 2004 till 2010. Rahul Kulshreshth appointed as the next Ambassador of India to Egypt Union Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has appointed Rahul Kulshreshth as the next Ambassador of India to Egypt. Kulshreshth is a member of the 1985 batch of the Indian Foreign Service (IFS). He is currently serving as Ambassador of India to the Republic of Turkey. Sanjay Bhattacharya appointed as the next Ambassador of lndia to Turkey Union Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has appointed Sanjay Bhattacharya as the next Ambassador of India to Turkey. Bhattacharya is a member of the 1987 batch of the Indian Foreign Service (IFS). He is currently serving as Ambassador of India to Egypt. Ravi Thapar appointed as the next Ambassador of India to Nicaragua Union Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has appointed Ravi Thapar as the next Ambassador of India to Nicaragua. Bhattacharya is a member of the 1983 batch of the Indian Foreign Service (IFS). He is currently serving as Ambassador of India to Panam. 12
Books & Authors Vice President Releases a Book titled Bhavdiye The Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu has advised the youth to protect preserve and celebrate Indian culture and traditions and youth that are both present and future of this country can achieve their life s goals with hard work and dedication. He was addressing the gathering after releasing a Book titled Bhavdiye based on Compilation of Letters written by Shri Kedar Nath Sahani. The Vice President said that Shri Kedar Nath Sahani was a writer, freedom fighter, social reformer and an icon who inspired others all over his life. Winning Like Sachin: Think & Succeed Like Tendulkar authored by Devendra Prabhudesai The anecdote finds a mention in a new book, winning like Sachin: Think & Succeed like Tendulkar, authored by Devendra Prabhudesai. Published by Rupa Publications, the book offers insights into the winning attributes and lessons from the cricketing icons life. 13
Science & Techonology NASA launches CHESS mission to study matter between stars On 17 April 2018, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) successfully launched Colorado High-resolution Echelle Stellar Spectrograph or CHESS 4 on a NASA Black Brant IX sounding rocket, from the Kwajalein Atoll in The Republic of the Marshall Islands. The CHESS 4 mission will study the interstellar medium (the matter between stars). It focuses on translucent clouds of gas that provide the fundamental building blocks for stars and planets. These clouds have very low densities. The only way to study them is to measure how a cloud is affected by a star and related outpouring of stellar material, the stellar wind moving through it. The payload will be recovered. It will be the second NASA astronomical mission with water recovery. CHESS 4 was earlier planned to be launched on 13 April 2018. Its launch was postponed due to high winds. The CHESS 4 instrument was developed by the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics at the University of Colorado, Boulder. 14