DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS: APRIL 9, 2018

NATIONAL

Dharmendra Pradhan launches PMUY scheme in Delhi

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan launched Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) scheme in Delhi and distributed new LPG connections and cylinders to beneficiaries.

The target of Ujjwala connections has been increased from the existing target of 5 crore to 8 crore by 2020.

The PMUY was launched at Yamuna Sports Complex in New Delhi.

This Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana has transformed the lives of more than 3.5 crore women.

TamilNadu Government Launches ‘Uzhavan’ Mobile App

Chief Minister K Palaniswami has launched the bi-lingual ‘Uzhavan’ (farmer) app.

The app can be used by farmers to get information on farm subsidies, book farm equipment and related infrastructure and get details on their crop insurance, besides receiving weather forecast for the next four day

He also launched the ‘Amma Bio-Fertiliser’ scheme, named after late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. The initiative was aimed at better management of nature farming, and help boost and maintain soil fertility.

UP Government launches Ganga Hariteema Yojana

In Uttar Pradesh Ganga Hariteema Yojana is being launched in 27 districts of the state located on the bank of river Ganga.

The objectives of the schemes include enhancing green cover in the catchment areas of the river Ganga and to control the land erosion. Plantation will be carried out in one-kilometre areas from the banks of river under the scheme.

The scheme is also known as Ganga Greenery scheme.

The scheme was launched by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in a function organized on the bank of Sangam the confluence of rivers of Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati.

CM Biplab Deb launches state component of PMKVY

Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb of Tripura launched State Component of Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) 2.0 under Directorate of Skill Development.

CM Biplab Kumar Deb also inaugurated “Universal Health Coverage: Everyone, Everywhere.

While addressing the launch, CM Biplab Kumar Deb assured that the target to give training to more than 1 lakh 16,000 youths by 2020 will be achieved and as a result, the problem of unemployment prevailing in the state will be solved.

Tripura is the first state in the North East to implement the state component of PMKVY through Directorate of Skill Development (DSD).

India and Equatorial Guinea sign four agreements

Three agreements were signed between India and Equatorial Guinea, in the presence of Indian President Ram Nath Kovind and his Equatorial Guinea counterpart, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo.

The Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed towards affirming cooperation in the fields of medicinal plants, traditional systems of medicine, and health and medicine sector. An action plan was also devised on cooperation in the field of Information and Communicational Technology (ICT).

The two countries agreed to work together at UN, where Equatorial Guinea has just begun a two year term on the Security Council.

Equatorial Guinea

Capital: Malabo

Currency: Central African CFA franc

Prime Minister: Vicente Ehate Tomi

Patna Tops In 4G Connectivity Among 20 Largest Cities

Patna tops in 4G connectivity among 20 of India’s largest cities. It has emerged ahead of the likes of Bengaluru, Mumbai and Delhi.

Four cities from India’s central and eastern regions—Patna, Kanpur, Allahabad, Kolkata, Bhopal and Lucknow—made it to the top 10.

The report was given by OpenSignal and it was measured in terms of 4G availability metric which indicates where users can access LTE network more of the time.

INTERNATIONAL

Desert Tiger 5: UAE, Malaysia joint military exercise

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Malaysia concluded “Desert Tiger 5” joint military exercise aimed at sharing expertise and enhancing joint military actions.

The Desert Tiger 5, joint military exercise was held in Dubai, UAE.

Brigadier Saeed Rashid Al Shehi, deputy commander of the UAE land forces, and General Dato’ Sri Zulkiple bin Hj Kassim, Malaysian chief of army, attended the conclusion ceremony of the joint military drill.

UAE provides $200m to Lebanese Army, security forces

The UAE has announced financial support of $200 million to be split equally between the Lebanese armed and the security forces to contribute to the stability and welfare of the country.

The support is part of the UAE’s efforts to contribute to the stability and welfare of Lebanon and its people.

Lebanon

Capital: Beirut

Currency: Lebanese pound

Prime Minister: Saad Hariri

UAE

Capital: Abu Dhabi

Currency: United Arab Emirates dirham

Prime Minister:Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

BANKING AND ECONOMY

India’s Foreign Exchange Reserves Hit A Life-Time High

The country’s foreign exchange reserves hit a life-time high of $424.361 billion af

ter rising by $1.828 billion in the week to March 30.

In the previous week, the reserves had increased by $1.197 billion to $422.532 billion.

The country’s reserve position with the IMF also increased by $2.8 million to $2.083 billion.

Foreign-exchange reserves (also called forex reserves or FX reserves) is money or other assets held by a central bank or other monetary authority.  

APPOINTMENTS

Deutsche Bank Names Christian Sewing New CEO

Deutsche Bank AG has appointed Christian Sewing as the chief executive officer.

He will replace the current chief executive officer John Cryan.

Garth Ritchie has been promoted to Deputy CEO.

Sewing, a lifelong Deutsche Bank employee, will take over with immediate effect.

Deutsche Bank AG is a German investment bank and financial services company.

Headquarters: Frankfurt, Germany

SPORTS

Commonwealth Games 2018: Jitu Rai wins gold, Om Mitharval bags bronze in shooting

Bahrain grand Prix 2018: Sebastian vettel

Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel won the Bahrain Grand Prix and Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas clinched the second spot.

Mercedes’  Hamilton, who started only ninth, completed the podium in the third place.

Leander Paes Becomes Most Successful Player In Davis Cup

Paes created a new world record by becoming the most successful doubles player in Davis Cup history, winning his 43rd such match.

Paes was tied on 42 wins with Italian great Nicola Pietrangeli for a long time.

In the 43rd match, Paes and Bopanna beat China’s Mao-Xin Gong & Di Wu to create history  in Tianjin, China.

The Davis Cup is a well-known international team event in men’s tennis run by the International Tennis Federation (ITF).

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