Current Affairs – April 6, 2018

S.No Topic Page Number

1 Important Days 2

2 World News 3 - 4

3 National News 5 - 6

4 State News 7

5 Banking & Economy 8 - 9

6 Sports 10

7 Appointments & Resignations 11

8 Obituaries 12

Important Days

International Day of Sport for Development and Peace

 In 2013, the United Nations General Assembly declared 6 April as the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace. This day commemorates the inauguration of first Olympic Games of the modern era, in Athens in 1896.  This day is celebrated to highlight the contribution of sports and physical activity to education, human development, healthy lifestyle and a peaceful world.  On this day, people are encouraged to promote the ways through which sport can help countries, communities and individuals to live a peaceful and prosperous life.  For the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace 2018, Division for Social Policy and Development (DSPD) of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) has launched the online campaign #PlayforGlobalGoals.

World News

Delhi tops in the list of Hospitality Index

 Global hospitality chain Airbnb announced that New Delhi and Maharashtra have been recognised as the most hospitable city and state respectively, according to its Hospitality Index.  As per the index, the most hospitable states were Maharashtra, Goa, Delhi, Karnataka and Kerala.  New Delhi led the charts as the most hospitable city in the country, followed closely by Jaipur, Cochin and Mumbai.

Global Logistics Summit Held In New Delhi

 The Global Logistics Summit was held in New Delhi.  It was organised by the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, along with FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry) and the World Bank Group.  The Summit acts as a platform to hold discussions for global experts, academics, government officials and private sector and industry representatives.  According to the Union Minister for Commerce & Industry and Civil Aviation, Suresh Prabhu, 56 new airports will be ready for operation in the next few years.

India and Canada signed MOU on foster cross-border partnerships

 The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has been apprised of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between India and Canada.  The MoU was signed on 21st February, 2018 in New Delhi.  The MoU aims at fostering cross-border partnerships focused on research excellence and industry-academic collaboration between India and Canada that brings robust innovation gains to both countries.

India ranks 9th globally in cryptojacking activities

 India has become the ninth most affected country in the world and second most affected country in Asia-Pacific Japan region in cryptojacking activities, as per the ‘Internet Security Threat Report’ presented by Symantec, a security solutions provider.

 The secret use of a computing device to mine cryptocurrency with the use of malware is called Cryptojacking.  According to the ‘Internet Security Threat Report’ by Symantec, Cryptojacking increased by 8,500% throughout the world in 2017.  India is one among the top five countries as a source for IoT (Internet of Things) attacks.

Qatar introduces national service for women

 Qatar has introduced national service for women for the first time as per a law issued by Qatar’s Emir Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.  On 4th April 2018, the Law No. 5 of 2018 on national service was issued by Emir Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.  According to the law, women above the age of 18 can volunteer for national service. Men between the ages of 18 and 35 are required to perform compulsory military service, and now the service period has been increased from three months to one year.  The new law also states that men must apply for compulsory enlistment in the military service within 60 days of turning 18 years.  Persons who are caught avoiding military service will be imprisoned up to three and a fine of up to 50,000 Qatari riyals will be imposed.

SAHYOG- HYEOBLYEOG 2018: Indian, Korean coast guards hold joint exercise off Chennai coast

 Indo-Korean joint anti-piracy, search and rescue exercise ‘SAHYOG- HYEOBLYEOG 2018’ was conducted off the Chennai coast today. The Korean Coast Guard ship ‘BADARO’ took part in the exercise. Indian Coast Guard ships and an aircraft also took part in it.  An official release said, as part of the exercise, ships of the Indian Coast Guard and the Korean vessel undertook tactical manoeuvres and drills to counter piracy and carry out maritime law enforcement tasks off Chennai coast.  Indian Coast Guard deployed a Dornier aircraft to carry out sea-air coordinated search along with ICG Shaurya, Rani Abbakka, C-423, C-431 in the exercise. Director General of Indian Coast Guard Rajendra Singh and Commissioner of Korean Coast Guard General Park Kyung reviewed the exercise.

National News

Govt forms committee to regulate online media

 The I&B Ministry has constituted a committee to frame rules to regulate news portals and media websites.  The committee includes secretaries of Ministries of I&B, Electronics and IT, Home, Legal Affairs and Department of Industrial policy and promotion.  The committee will also have representatives of the Press Council of India, News Broadcasters Association and Indian Broadcasters Federation.

Prime Minister to inaugurate International Energy Forum in New Delhi

 India will host the 16th International Energy Forum (IEF) Ministerial Meeting from 10-12th April 2018 in New Delhi.  The biennial IEF Ministerial Meetings are the world’s largest gathering of Energy Ministers who engage in a dialogue on global energy issues.  The IEF is an inter-governmental arrangement set up in 1991, based in Riyadh.  There are 72 member countries of IEF, including India.

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) proposes Wi-Fi grid to bring down cost of internet by 90%

 Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has proposed the concept of Public Data Office Providers, aimed at enhancing Wi-Fi connectivity and cutting internet costs by up to 90%.  TRAI recommended an ambitious model of a public Wi-Fi grid that also aims to push broadband proliferation in the country.  The grid or the mesh conceptualised by TRAI entails multiple providers coming together on one platform.

Union Government constitutes committee to regulate news portals

 The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) constituted a 10-member committee to regulate online portals, including news websites, entertainment.  The committee will include secretaries of departments of Home, Electronics and Information and Technology, Legal Affairs and Industrial Policy.

 The committee will look to bring online information dissemination under regulation. It will propose a policy for foreign direct investment (FDI).

State News

Jammu gets its first tulip garden at Sanasar

 Jammu’s first tulip garden has been set up at Sanasar in Ramban district of Jammu region.  This is the first tulip garden in Jammu region. A tulip garden is present in Srinagar region of Jammu and Kashmir.  This tulip garden has been set up at Sanasar health resort. Minister of State for Tourism, Priya Sethi said that, the tulip garden was opened for public on 29th March 2018.  The tulip garden was developed by the Floriculture Department. There are no time restrictions for visiting the garden. Also, no fee is charged from visitors.  This garden has been set up on half an acre of land near the Sanasar lake. Red, yellow and white tulips have been grown in the garden this year.

First ever “Van Dhan Vikas Kendra” to come up at Bijapur, Chhattisgarh

 The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has approved establishment of the first multipurpose “Van Dhan Vikas Kendra” on the pilot basis for establishment in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh.  The Kendra will provide skill and capacity building training and setting up of primary processing facility.  The Kendra will have processing facility for Tamarind brick making & Mahua flower storage facility.

Banking & Economy

Agreement between NPCIL and EDF of France

 Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and Electricite de France (EDF) of France have signed an Industrial Way Forward Agreement for implementation of six nuclear power reactor units at Jaitapur, Maharashtra with a total capacity of about 10,000 MW.  The Evolutionary Pressurized Reactors (EPRs) are evolutionary reactors, whose design has evolved from “KONVOI’ and “N4’ reactors which have been in operation in Germany and France respectively for about two decades.

Bank of Baroda slapped with Rs 9 crore fine over remittance scam

 The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has slapped Rs 9 crore penalty on Bank of Baroda for "failing" to adhere to anti-money laundering norms, and not having an effective system to report suspicious transactions linked to the Rs 6,000 crore scam in its Delhi-based branch.  The FIU has levied the maximum penalty of Rs 1 lakh, as stipulated under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), for each instance of "delayed" filing of Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) by the state-owned bank in the case.

Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) commissions hydro-electric project

 The Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) successfully commissioned the 330 MW Kishanganga Hydro-Electric Project in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K).  The project is located on the river Kishanganga, a tributary of the river Jhelum, in Bandipora district of J&K.  In the state of J&K, BHEL commissioned 33 hydro sets with a capacity of 1,477 MW.  1st and 2nd units of HEP were commissioned in March.

Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), PayPal sign MoU to empower SMEs

 Digital payments platform, PayPal, and the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), an apex international trade promotion organisation, announced a partnership to promote exports.  PayPal will work with FIEO to educate small and medium enterprises (SMEs) on how to leverage global opportunities.

IndiaFilings launches online income tax filing services

 IndiaFilings launches online income tax filing services IndiaFilings launches online income tax filing services  IndiaFilings’ online income tax filing service will help individuals and businesses file their income tax return using their platform.  All income tax returns like ITR-1, ITR-2, ITR-3, ITR-4, ITR-5, ITR-6 and ITR-7 can be filed online using their platform directly.  In order to prevent errors made by users while filing tax returns, intelligence and in-built algorithms have been incorporated in the platform.  Apart from this self-serve platform, IndiaFilings also offers assisted tax return filing services for all class of taxpayers beginning from Rs.488.

Ola unveils in-trip insurance: Cost starts at Re 1, covers up to Rs 500,000

 Ola has introduced an in-trip insurance programme for all its customers in India starting at just Re 1.  This in-trip insurance will cover for loss of belongings, missed flights, and medical expenses up to Rs 500,000 in case of an accident.  This service is optional. It will be available on rides taken in cabs, auto rickshaws, kaali- peeli cabs and e-rickshaws through Ola.  Ola has partnered with Acko General Insurance and ICICI Lombard General Insurance for this in-trip insurance programme.  Initially this service will be available in metro cities. Later it will be launched in the 110 cities where Ola operates.

RBI decides to set up Data Sciences Lab

 Reserve Bank of India has decided to set up Data Sciences Lab to improve its forecasting, surveillance and early warning detection abilities which will aid policy formulation.  RBI said the lab will comprise experts and budding analysts, who are trained in Computer Science, Data Analytics, Statistics, Economics, Econometrics and Finance.  The unit will become operational by December 2018.

Sports

India win South East Asian Women Handball C'ship

 India defeated Bangladesh by 27-10 in a one-sided match to win the fifth South East Asian Women Handball Championship at K.D. Singh Babu Stadium in Lucknow.  A total of five countries participated in the tournament.  While Nepal finished as runner-ups in the five-country tournament, Bangladesh settled for the third spot and a bronze medal.

Appointments & Resignations

Julius Maada Bio elected as Sierra Leone’s President

 Julius Maada Bio elected as Sierra Leone’s PresidentJulius Maada Bio – Sierra Leone’s President  On 5th April 2018, National Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone announced that Julius Maada Bio won the presidential elections with 51.8 percent votes. He belongs to the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP).  He defeated Samura Kamara. Samura Kamara was the candidate of All People’s Congress, which is the ruling party.  The presidential elections were conducted on 31st March 2018. Julius Maada Bio succeeds Ernest Bai Koroma.

Myntra appoints Mithun Sundar as Chief Revenue Officer

 Online fashion retailer Myntra today said it has appointed former PepsiCo executive Mithun Sundar as its Chief Revenue Officer.  He will assume office in June and report to CEO Ananth Narayanan, Myntra said in a statement.  Sundar, who succeeds Naresh Krishnaswamy, will be instrumental in continuing Myntra's growth pace, devising and implementing strategies for the next chapter in the brand's journey.

Obituaries

Ex-England midfielder Ray Wilkins passes away

 Former England captain and Chelsea midfielder Ray Wilkins has recently passed away following a cardiac arrest at the age of 61.  The former Manchester United midfielder had been admitted to St George's Hospital in Tooting, south-west London since Friday, after falling at his home in Cobham, Surrey.  Wilkins, who won 84 caps for England between 1976 and 1986.  His nickname was “Butch.” He played for teams like Manchester United, Chelsea and AC Milan.