National
News
1. List of MOUs and
Agreements Signed on Visit of PM Modi to Stockholm
i. MOUs/Agreements between India and Sweden
·
Joint
Declaration on India-Sweden Innovation Partnership for a Sustainable Future
between Ministry of Science and Technology of India and the Ministry of
Enterprise and Innovation.
ii.
MOUs/Agreements between India and Denmark
·
MOU on
Cooperation in the field of Sustainable and Smart Urban Development between the
Ministry for Housing and Urban Affairs of India and the Ministry of Industry,
Business and Financial Affairs of Denmark.
·
MOU on
Cooperation in the fields of Animal Husbandry and Dairying between Department
of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare of India and the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration,
Ministry of Environment and Food of Denmark.
·
MOU on Food
Safety Cooperation between the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India and
the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration.
·
MOU on
Cooperation in Agricultural Research and Education between the Indian Council
of Agricultural Research and the University of Copenhagen, Faculty of Science,
Denmark.
iii. MOUs/Agreements between India and
Iceland
·
MOU on the
Establishment of the ICCR Chair for Hindi Language between Indian
Council for Cultural Relations and the University of Iceland.
Static/Current Takeaways Important for NABARD
Grade-A Exam 2018-
·
Sweden
Capital- Stockholm, Currency- Swedish
krona.
·
Denmark
Capital- Copenhagen, Currency- Danish
krone.
·
Iceland
Capital- Reykjavik, Currency- Icelandic
króna.
2. Commerce Ministry Launches Digital
Platform for MSME Exporters
i. Commerce and Industry Minister launched
the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) GlobalLinker
platform for MSME exporters in New Delhi. This move is aimed at
assisting the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) engaged
in exports.
ii. This initiative will help in expanding
India's multi-focused export strategy and also aid in connecting art and
artisans to the market. FIEO GlobalLinker is setup with a view to make the
business growth of SMEs simpler, more profitable and enjoyable.
Static/Current Takeaways Important for NABARD
Grade-A Exam 2018-
·
Federation
of Indian Export Organisations was set
up in 1965.
·
It was set
up by Union Ministry of Commerce.
3. DARPAN-PLI App Launched by Communications
Ministry
i. Minister
of Communications Manoj Sinha launched
here the DARPAN (Digital Advancement of Rural Post Office for a New
India)-PLI App, which will help in collection of premium for Postal
Life Insurance (PLI) and Rural Postal Life Insurance (RPLI) policies
at Branch Post Offices anywhere in India, with online updation of the policies.
ii. Further, with the launch of this App,
indexing of maturity claims in respect of PLI and RPLI policies can be done at
Branch Post Office itself, upon which the insurant will immediately be provided
with the request number for further references.
Static/Current Takeaways Important for NABARD
Grade-A Exam 2018-
·
Department
of Posts has launched DARPAN Project.
·
It aims at
connecting all 1.29 lakh Rural Branch Post Offices in the country to enable
them to do online Postal and Financial Transactions.
4. Odisha’s 2nd Longest River Bridge Opened
i. The much-awaited bridge 'Ib
Setu' built over the Ib river in Sambalpur district was
thrown open to the public by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. The 2.5-km-long
bridge, which is the State’s second longest bridge, has been built in
three years at a cost of Rs. 117.50 crore.
ii. The bridge has helped establish direct road
connectivity between Sambalpur and Brajarajnagar and the distance
has now been reduced by 50 km.
Static/Current Takeaways Important for NABARD
Grade-A Exam 2018-
·
Odisha
CM- Naveen Patnaik, Governor- Satya
Pal Malik (In-charge).
·
Hirakud Dam
built on Mahanadi River is situated in Odisha.
5. Signature
of MoU Between GIFAS (France) and SIDM (India)
i. The
Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) and the Groupement des
Industries Françaises Aeronautiques et Spatiales (GIFAS) signed an
MoU on the sidelines of a major industrial mission in India in the field
of aerospace and defence organised by GIFAS with the support of SIDM.
ii. This agreement aims to promote a sustainable
framework for present and future partnerships and cooperative actions between
the French aerospace industry and the Indian defence industry by reaffirming
the necessity to expand trade, through stronger economic and industrial
cooperation, between France and India, and towards export customers.
Static/Current Takeaways Important for NABARD
Grade-A Exam 2018-
·
France
Capital- Paris, Currency- Euro, President- Emmanuel
Macron.
6. India-Wiesbaden Conference 2018 Held in
New Delhi
i. The
Ministry of External Affairs in
cooperation with the Government of Germany and the United
Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) hosted the India-Wiesbaden
Conference 2018 in New-Delhi.
ii. Federation of Indian Chambers
of Commerce and Industry (FICCI)was 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’.
Static/Current Takeaways Important for NABARD
Grade-A Exam 2018-
·
Dilip Chenoy
is the Director General of FICCI.
·
Sanjaya Baru
is the Secretary General of FICCI.
·
FICCI was
established in 1927.
International
News
7. Bisket Jatra Being Celebrated in Nepal
i. The Jatra
begins in Nepal. It is
believed that the festival started during Malla dynasty. In Nepal, the
famous Bisket Jatra is being celebrated in Bhaktapur
and other parts of Kathmandu valley.
ii. The nine day annual festival marks
beginning of Nepali new year. The Jatra begins four days before the start of
new year.
Static/Current Takeaways Important for NABARD
Grade-A Exam 2018-
·
Nepal
Capital- Kathmandu, Currency- Nepalese
rupee, President- Bidhya Devi Bhandari, Prime
Minister- Khadga Prasad Oli.
8. FAO Designates 14 New Sites As GIAHS
i. Since
2016, fourteen new sites have been designated as Globally
Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS), including the first
ones in Europe.
ii. As with other designated sites, these systems highlight agricultural traditions that promote sustainability, safeguard biodiversity and protect the environment while supporting the social and economic development necessary for stable, decent livelihoods.
ii. As with other designated sites, these systems highlight agricultural traditions that promote sustainability, safeguard biodiversity and protect the environment while supporting the social and economic development necessary for stable, decent livelihoods.
iii. The 14 new sites are:
1. Siwa Oasis, Egypt 2016.
2. Chinampa Agriculture in the World Natural and Cultural Heritage Zone in Xochimilco, Tláhuac and Milpa Alta, Mexico 2017.
1. Siwa Oasis, Egypt 2016.
2. Chinampa Agriculture in the World Natural and Cultural Heritage Zone in Xochimilco, Tláhuac and Milpa Alta, Mexico 2017.
9. India Wins Election to Crucial NGO Committee in UN
i. India has
won an election to a
crucial non-governmental organisation committee in the United
Nations. It topped the election held by the Committee on Non-Governmental
Organizations in the Asia Pacific States category.
ii. India got the highest number of votes at 46, followed by Pakistan 43, Bahrain 40 and China 39. The Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations is a standing committee of Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
ii. India got the highest number of votes at 46, followed by Pakistan 43, Bahrain 40 and China 39. The Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations is a standing committee of Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
Static/Current Takeaways Important for NABARD
Grade-A Exam 2018-
·
The United
Nations is an international organization founded in 24th of October
1945.
·
It is
currently made up of 193 Member States.
·
The
Headquarters of UN: New York, USA.
·
Antonio
Guterres is the Secretary-General of United Nations.
10. World Heritage Day- 18 April
i. Every
year, 18th April is
celebrated Worldwide as World Heritage Day to create awareness
about Heritage among communities. This year the theme is 'Heritage for
Generations'.
ii. The theme emphasizes on inter-generational
transfer of knowledge. In India, World heritage day will be celebrated at
National Rail Museum, New Delhi.
Static/Current Takeaways Important for NABARD
Grade-A Exam 2018-
·
UNESCO- United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization.
·
France's
Audrey Azoulay- 11th
DG of UNESCO, Headquarters- Paris, France.
Awards
11. Aditi
Rao Hydari to Receive Dadasaheb Phalke Excellence Award for Bhoomi
Aditi Rao Hydari |
i. Aditi Rao
Hydari will receive Dadasaheb
Phalke Excellence Award 2018 for the Best Leading Lady
(Critics Award) for her memorable performance in Bhoomi.
ii. The award ceremony will be held in Mumbai. It
will be attended by producers, directors, distributors and exhibitors among
others from the film fraternity.
Economy News
12. India
to Grow at 7.4% in 2018: IMF
i. The
International Monetary Fund (IMF) has
stated that India is expected to grow at 7.4% in 2018 and 7.8%
in 2019 and would re-emerge as one of the fastest growing major
economies in the period.
ii. The IMF explained this is due to the strong
private consumption as well as fading transitory effects of the currency
exchange initiative and implementation of the national goods and services
tax.
Static/Current
Takeaways Important for NABARD Grade-A Exam 2018-
·
Managing
Director of IMF- Christine
Lagarde, Headquarters in- Washington DC, USA.