DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS: APRIL 18, 2018

NATIONAL

India Signs Loan Agreement With World Bank For Meghalaya

India signs a loan agreement of USD 48 million for the Meghalaya Community – Led Landscapes Management Project (MCLLMP) was signed with the World Bank.

The Loan Agreement was signed by Mr. Sameer Kumar Khare, Joint Secretary (MI), Department of Economic Affairs on behalf of the Government of India and Mr. Hisham A Abdo Kahin, Acting Country Director, World Bank (India) on behalf of the World Bank.

The Objective of the Project is to strengthen community-led landscapes management in selected landscapes in the State of Meghalaya. The closing date of the Project is 30th June, 2023.

World Bank

Headquarters:  Washington, D.C., United States

CEO:  Kristalina Georgieva

India-Wiesbaden Conference 2018 held in New Delhi

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in cooperation with Germany and the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) hosts the India-Wiesbaden Conference 2018 in New Delhi.

Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) will be the industry partner for the event.

The title of the Conference is ‘Securing Global Supply Chains through Government-Industry Partnerships towards Effective Implementation of UNSC Resolution 1540’.

The Wiesbaden Process was initiated by the Government of Germany in 2012 to strengthen the implementation of UNSC 1540 through Government-Industry partnerships.

TRAI launches beta portal for comparing telcos’ tariffs

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has unveiled the beta version of a portal that aims to bring on one platform, the tariffs offered by telecom operators in different service areas.

It is expected to provide more transparency and information on multiple tariff offerings by telecom operators, helping consumers at large.

The beta version of tariff data is made available on the Trai website www.trai.gov.in.

TRAI

Headquarters: New Delhi

Chairman: Ram Sewak Sharma

‘Gagan Shakti’: Indian Air Force Conducts Mega Drill

The ongoing nationwide mega-combat exercise of the Indian Air Force or IAF began in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district to examine the strategic preparedness of its infrastructure in the area.

‘Gagan Shakti’ is the IAF’s biggest such exercise in decades, to check its operational preparedness with a focus on dealing with all possible security challenges, including from China and Pakistan.

The drill held close to china, which is just 230km from the Indo-China border.

INTERNATIONAL

UK Joins International Solar Alliance

The United Kingdom  has joined the India-led International Solar Alliance (ISA) ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s four-day visit to Britain.

At an event held at the London Stock Exchange as part of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2018 (CHOGM), Britain formally announced its membership of the alliance. The UK becomes the 62nd country to join ISA.

ISA is an inter-governmental treaty-based organisation that aims to mobilise $1 trillion in funds for future solar generation, storage and technology across the world. It was launched by Modi in 2015.

ISA

Head: H.E. Upendra Tripathy

Headquarters: Gurugram, Haryana

AGREEMENTS

First India-Nordic Summit held in Stockholm

The first India-Nordic Summit was held in Sweden, Stockholm.

India and the five Nordic nations, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, Norway and Finland has agreed to deepen cooperation in innovation and climate change in the first India-Nordic Summit.

They also reaffirmed the importance of free trade as a catalyst for achieving inclusive growth and realising the Sustainable Development Goals amid rising protectionist tendencies displayed powerful economies.

Ahead of the Summit, Modi held separate bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Denmark, Iceland, Norway and Finland.

Agreements/MoUs’ signed by India with Nordic Nations

Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson: Raveesh Kumar

India, Sweden agree upon ‘win-win’ joint action plan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Swedish counterpart, Stefan Lofven has agreed upon a joint action plan (JAP) and an Innovation Partnership for both countries.

It is to take forward a wide range of initiatives in defence, trade and investment, counterterrorism, renewable energy, smart cities, women’s skill development, space and science and healthcare.

The JAP is described as a “win-win partnership” for New Delhi and Stockholm.

The Swedish government will start the Innovation Partnership by providing up to 50 million Swedish kronor (Over $59 million) for innovation cooperation with India in the field of smart cities and sustainability.

Sweden

Capital: Stockholm

Currency: Swedish Krona

APPOINTMENTS

Lt Gen PP Malhotra Takes Over As Director-General Of NCC

Lieutenant General PP Malhotra assumed charge as Director General of National Cadet Corps (NCC), the largest uniformed youth organization in the world.

Prior to assuming his present appointment, he was the Chief Engineer of the Army’s premier Northern Command.

He will be replacing  Lt Gen BS Sahrawat.

The National Cadet Corps is the Indian military cadet corps with its headquarters at New Delhi.

OBITUARY

Veteran Journalist S Nihal Singh Passes Away

The veteran journalist S Nihal Singh has passed away.

S Nihal Singh had worked with several leading newspapers including The Indian Express, The Statesman and Khaleej Times.

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Haemophilia Day – April 17

Every April 17 World Haemophilia Day is recognised worldwide to increase awareness of haemophilia and other inherited bleeding disorders.

World Haemophilia Day was started in 1989 by the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH).

The theme for 2018 is sharing knowledge.

World Heritage Day – April 18

Annually April 18 is observed as the International Day for Monuments and Sites (IDMS) or World Heritage day.

The theme of 2018 is Heritage for Generations.

The theme emphasizes on inter-generational transfer of knowledge.