Daily Current Affairs : April 27, 2018
Daily Current Affairs: April 27, 2018
National:
Shri Rajnath Singh chairs 23rd meeting of Western Zonal Council at Gandhinagar:
The 23rd meeting of the Western Zonal Council was held at Gandhinagar, Gujarat today under the Chairmanship of the Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh.
The meeting was attended by the Chief Ministers of Maharashtra and Gujarat, Ministers of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa and Administrator of the Union Territories of Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli, and senior officers from Central and State Governments.
The Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Vijay Rupani, in his welcome address, emphasised the need for coordination and cooperation of the Western Zonal States on the issue of marine security.
Static:
Rajnath Singh – Ministry of External Affairs
Constituency – Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
Van Dhan Scheme launched by PM to help increase tribal income through Value Addition:
The Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi launched the Van Dhan Scheme of Ministry of Tribal Affairs and TRIFED during the celebrations of Ambedkar Jayanti at Bijapur, Chattisgarh.
Emphasizing the important role of value addition in increasing tribal incomes, he stated that Van Dhan, Jan Dhan and Gobar-Dhan Schemes had the potential to change the tribal-rural economic system.
All these three schemes in tandem need to be promoted for this purpose by the State Governments.
Static:
Constituency of PM Modi – Varanasi Lok Sabha , Uttar Pradesh
Coastal Security Exercise ‘Sagar Kavach’ Held in Kerala:
The Indian Navy conducted a two-day Coastal Security Exercise ‘Sagar Kavach’ from April 24-26 off the coast of Kerala, Mahe, and Lakshadweep and Minicoy (L&M) Islands. The aim of the exercise was to enhance and assess the preparedness of all agencies towards dealing with an asymmetric threat emanating from the sea.
Static:
Chief of Navy Staff. – Admiral Sunil Lamba
International:
Historic Inter-Korean Summit begins in truce village of Panmunjom:
North Korea’s Kim Jong-un pledges ‘new history’ with South Korea North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has pledged a “new history” in relations with his neighbour as he became the first leader to set foot in South Korea since the end of the Korean War in 1953.
South Korean leader Moon Jae-in and Mr Kim shook hands at the border. Mr Kim said it was the “starting point” for peace, after crossing the military line that divides the peninsula.
Mario Abdo Benitez elected as New President of Paraguay:
Mario Abdo Benitez of Paraguay’s ruling Colorado Party narrowly defeated his opposition in the country’s presidential elections.
Mario Abdo Benitez’s 5-year term begins on 15th August 2018.
He belongs to the ruling Colorado Party. He had secured 46.5% of the votes, with 96% of 21,000.
India and Nepal IGC Meet Begins in Kathmandu:
India-Nepal Inter Governmental Committee (IGC) meeting on trade, transit and cooperation to Control Unauthorised Trade begins in Kathmandu today.
Indian side is led by Commerce Secretary Rita Teaotia. The main focus of 2 day meeting will be on further strengthening trade and investment ties between both the countries.
The IGC meeting provides a regular platform to review the implementation of past trade and transit agreements besides discussing new measures to facilitate bilateral trade and investment.
NSE Launches E-Gsec Platform For Bringing Retail Participation In Government Securities:
National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) has announced the launch of its “e – Gsec” platform for facilitating the non-competitive bidding in Government of India Dated Securities (G-Sec) and Treasury Bills (T-Bills).
This will allow retail investors to invest in Government Securities and hold them in existing demat accounts.
Static:
Chairman of the Board of Directors of NSE – Mr. Ashok Chawla
Managing Director and CEO of NSE. – Mr. Vikram Limaye
Norway Tops the List in World Press Freedom Index Report:
India’s ranking has fallen two places to 138th position in a ranking of 180 countries.
The report warned that hate crime is another issue plaguing India.
Norway topped the list of having the world’s freest press for the second year.
The Top 3 countries
- Norway
- Sweden
- The Netherlands.
Banking & Business:
Govt enters an agreement with World Bank on biotech:
The government has entered into a legal agreement with the World Bank for a flexible financing arrangement to accelerate research towards early development for biopharmaceuticals.
A Statement issued by the government said the mission has been approved at a cost of 250 million dollars for five years with 50 percent funding through the World Bank Loan.
The aim is to make India a hub for design and development of novel, affordable and effective biopharmaceutical products.
Microsoft is India’s most attractive employer, followed by Amazon:
Technology giant Microsoft India has been declared the most attractive employer brand, followed by e-commerce giant Amazon India.
The winners were named by HR service provider Randstad’s Employer Brand Research (REBR) 2018.
Twitter co-founder invests in Delhi-based AI startup Visit:
Twitter co-founder Biz Stone has invested in his “personal capacity” in a Delhi-based health startup that uses an artificial intelligence-based bot in its app as he wants to contribute to a future where AI is seen as a “positive enhancement of humanity”.
It introduced an artificial intelligence-based ‘chatbot’ that acts as a digital assistant to provide “smart help” to patients in accessing consultation from doctors.
Nabard targets to disburse over Rs. 10000 cr in 2017-18 in Telengana:
The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) has set a target to do a business of over Rs 10,000 crore in Telangana in the current financial year.
The bank has done a business of Rs 9,266 crore in 2016-17, the highest for the bank in the State. This was 16.12 per cent more than the previous year’s figure.
SmugMug acquires Flickr:
Two photo-sharing services are teaming up, as SmugMug buys Flickr from Verizon’s digital media subsidiary Oath.
In an FAQ about the deal, SmugMug says it will continue to operate Flickr as a separate site, with no merging of user accounts or photos
Square to Acquire Website Builder Weebly for $365 Million:
Square Inc. agreed to acquire website-builder Weebly for $365 million as the payments company seeks to expand its customer base and become a one-stop-shop for small and medium-sized businesses.
The acquisition is Square’s biggest so far and gives the company access to Weebly’s millions of customers and more than 625,000 paid subscribers. The transaction will give Square a new recurring revenue stream.
Awards and Honours:
CSIR bags National Intellectual Property (IP) Award 2018:
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is awarded the National Intellectual Property (IP) Award 2018 in the category “Top R&D Institution / Organization for Patents and Commercialization”.
Dr. Girish Sahni, DG, CSIR and Secretary, DSIR received the award at the hands of Mr. Suresh Prabhu, Hon’ble Minister, Commerce and Industry, Government of India, at a function organized by the Indian Intellectual Property Office and Confederation of Indian Chambers of Commerce (CII) in New Delhi, to celebrate the World IP Day.
CSIR has been ranked 9th in the world amongst the 1207 government institutions, with an overall global ranking of 75 in the world, covering 5250 institutions.
Static:
World Intellectual property Day – 26 April
CSIR has been ranked 9th in the world amongst the 1207 government institutions, with an overall global ranking of 75 in the world, covering 5250 institutions.
Santosh Gangwar gives away NSCI Safety Awards – 2017:
Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar, Minister of State (Independent charge) Ministry of Labour & Employment said that his Ministry is committed towards job security, wage security, social security and safety and health of each and every worker.
Altogether 70 organizations have been pronounced as winners of the awards in four awards categories – Sarva Shreshtha Suraksha Puraskar, Shreshtha Suraksha Puraskar, Suraksha Puraskar and Prashansa Patra.
These Awards are adjudged and declared every year by the National Safety Council, an autonomous society set up by the Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India.
Appointments & Resigns:
Mike Pompeo sworn in as US Secretary of State after Senate Confirmation:
Mike Pompeo has been sworn in as America’s 70th Secretary of State, after the US Senate confirmed his nomination. Earlier yesterday, Pompeo, the former CIA director, was confirmed by the Senate by 57-42 votes.
He replaced Rex Tillerson, who was fired by President Donald Trump last month.
Static:
United States of America:
President: Donald Trump
Capital: Washington, D.C
Currency: U.S Dollar
Senior advocate Indu Malhotra sworn-in as Apex Court judge:
Senior advocate Indu Malhotra took oath of the office as Supreme Court judge in New Delhi today. She was administered the oath of office by Chief Justice of India, Dipak Misra.
Ms Malhotra, a renowned arbitration expert, is the first woman judge to be appointed to the top post directly from the bar.
UN chief Antonio Guterres appoints Christine Schraner Burgener of Switzerland as special envoy on Myanmar:
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has appointed Christine Schraner Burgener of Switzerland as his new special envoy on Myanmar. Until her appointment, Burgener was the Ambassador of Switzerland to the Germany since 2015.
Sports:
Indian girls win under 12 South Asian Regional qualifying Tennis tournament defeating Nepal in final:
Indian girls have won Under 12 South Asian Regional Qualifying Tennis Tournament defeating host Nepal by 2-0 in the final.
India has qualified for ITF Asian 12 and Under Team Championship.
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