Important Days:
1.
April 10 - World Homoeopathy Day (WHD) is observed every year to pay tribute to Dr. Christian Friedrich
Samuel Hahnemann, founder and father of Homeopathy system of medicine. On this occasion, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu inaugurated
scientific convention on WHD 2018 in New Delhi organised by Ministry of AYUSH.
The theme of two-day convention wass “Innovate: Evolve, Progress: Exploring
Science since 40 years”.
Tamil Nadu :
1. Mahindra Defence Systems
signed an agreement with ShinMaywa Industries, Japan, to manufacture and
assemble amphibious aircraft ShinMaywa US-2 in India at the 10th edition of DefExpo in Chennai, Tamil Nadu .
As per the MoU, both the companies will develop a strategic partnership.
ShinMayway US-2 is a unique aircraft. It is the only ‘in-service’ open
sea-capable amphibian aircraft with advanced equipment suitable for rough sea
operations.
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National:
1.
A MoU between India and United Kingdom and
Northern Ireland on the return of Illegal Migrants was approved by the cabinet. This
MoU will streamline the procedure of return of nationals (to
their Home country) who are caught to be staying illegally, in the other
country (either in India or United Kingdom) in a specified time-frame.
Besides, it will also facilitate the Visa Free Agreement for holders of
diplomatic passports as well as liberalization of United Kingdom (UK)
Visa Regime for Indians travelling to the UK legally.
2.
Union
Cabinet has given its approval for delegating the powers to Minister of
Petroleum and Natural Gas and Finance Minister to
award the Blocks/Contract Areas to successful bidders under Hydrocarbon
Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP) after International Competitive Bidding
(ICB).
3.
The revision
of pay and allowances of Lieutenant Governors of Union Territories was approved
by the union cabinet. The revision will bring the pay and allowances of Lieutenant
Governors of Union Territories at par with that of the Secretary to the
Government of India. Pay and allowances of Lieutenant Governors of Union
Territories was last revised with effect from January 1, 2006 from Rs. 26,000/-
(fixed) per month to Rs.80000/- (fixed) per month plus dearness allowance,
sumptuary allowance at the rate of Rs. 4,000/- per month and local allowances. After
that, with effect from January 1, 2016, pay of officers of the rank of
Secretary to the Government of India was revised from Rs. 80,000/- to Rs. 2,25,000/-
per month as per Central Civil Services (Revised) Pay Rules, 2016. Thus, with
this approval, pay and allowances of Lieutenant Governors of Union
Territories too has been revised from Rs. 80,000/- to Rs. 2,25,000/- per month
with effect from January 1, 2016.
4. ‘Project Dhoop’ to address rising incidence
of Vitamin D deficiencies (VDD), particularly amongst the young people was
launched by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) along with
National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), New Delhi
Municipal Council (NDMC) as well as North MCD Schools. The project aims to
encourage schools to shift their morning assembly to around noon-time, mainly
between 11 am to 1 pm to ensure maximum absorption of Vitamin D in students
through natural sunlight.
5. According to recently published study, over
quarter of nitrogen on Earth (26% of nitrogen in natural ecosystems) comes from
weathering of planet’s bedrock. For centuries, prevailing
science indicated that all of nitrogen on Earth available to plants comes from
atmosphere. This study could greatly improve climate change projections.
6. The Unique Identification Authority of
India (UIDAI) has brought in secured digitally-signed QR Code on e-Aadhaar will
contain photo of Aadhaar holder in addition to existing facility of demographic
details. It will allow various user agencies like banks to verify the
genuineness of the Aadhaar card. It will also have UIDAI digital signature to
make this information more secured and tamper-proof.
7. The Union Government has modified the rules
notified last year on sale of livestock by removing the word ‘slaughter’. The
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules, 2017,
had kicked up a political storm after it banned sale of cattle for slaughter in
animal markets. The 2017 rules notified on May 23, 2017, have been
replaced with draft rules called Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Animal
Markets Rules, 2018. It has also watered down clauses on preventing
cruelty and rules for markets in border areas.
8. Jharkhand government will be providing
employment to one lakh youths through skill development this year focusing on
the six most backward districts of the state. The
chief minister of the state also asked the officers to ensure placements of
students from ITIs, polytechnics and engineering colleges. The state
government aims to bring qualitative changes in the lifestyle of the youth by
training them and giving them employment. Besides this, skill
development centres will be opened in tribal-dominated areas of the backward
districts.
9. The state government of Haryana has
launched water ATM policy to provide clean drinking water at public places to
the people of the state. The information was shared by
the state’s Urban Local Bodies Minister Kavita Jain on April 9, 2018. The
Minister said that with the development, the residents of the cities in Haryana
can now look forward to having a water ATM every 400 metres. A proposal to this
effect was approved by the state’s Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.
10. Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI)
Airport entered the club of the top 20 airports across the world, as per the
Airport Council International’s preliminary report on airport traffic for 2017,
published on April 9, 2018. Indira Gandhi International
Airport climbed up from the 22nd to the 16th position as the busiest airport in
the world this year. The airport was ranked as India's busiest airport for
passenger traffic, which grew by 14.1 percent year over year. While, New York’s
John F. Kennedy International Airport was pushed out of the top 20 club, with
the entry of the IGI Airport.
11. The National Convention of Swachhagrahis
(cleanliness ambassadors) at Motihari, in East Champaran district of Bihar was
addressed by PM Modi to celebrate the centenary of Champaran Satyagraha led by
Mahatma Gandhiji with the theme “Satyagraha
se Swachhagrah”. While addressing the convention, PM Modi outlined that
sanitation coverage in India has expanded from about 40 percent in 2014, to
about 80 percent today.During the event, PM Modi also distributed awards to
Champion Swachhagrahis.
12. Indian
Consortium consisting of IOCL, BPCL and HPCL signed
a MoU with Saudi Aramco,
the state-owned oil company of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at
the 16th International
Energy Forum Ministerial Meeting in New Delhi to
jointly develop and build Ratnagiri
Refinery & Petrochemicals Ltd. (RRPCL), an integrated refinery and
petrochemicals complex, in the State of Maharashtra. RRPCL entails investment of Rs. 3 lakh crore
and will be world’s largest refining & petrochemicals project. On
completion, it will be capable of processing 1.2 million barrels of crude oil
per day and will also produce a range of refined petroleum products, including
petrol and diesel meeting BS-VI fuel efficiency norms.
13. Gujarat is to set up India’s largest
5,000MW solar park in Dholera Special Investment Region (DSIR). It will be established on 11,000 hectares of land
along the Gulf of Khambhat in the Dholera Special Investment Region (DSIR).
The construction of this solar park will attract an investment of Rs 25,000
crore and provide employment for more than 20,000 people. Gujarat state
government has also planned to set up a 200MW wind park in DSIR. It would
attract additional investment of Rs 1,400 crore.
14. Animal Husbandry Secretary Tarun Shridhar launched a website of Pashu
Chikitsak Mahasangh, the topmost body for state veterinary associations.
Tarun Shridhar inaugurated the website ‘www.pashuchikitsakmahasangh.in‘. He dedicated it to veterinarians.
15. Uttar
Pradesh cabinet approved construction of an integrated sugar complex in
Pilibhit and setting up a Tiger Conservation Foundation in Dudhwa. 40.308
hectare land of the sugar mill will be offered on 30 years lease. The ownership of the land will be with the sugar
mill company. The cabinet also approved setting up of Dudhwa Tiger
Conservation Foundation, as said by central government in 2007.A
committee has been set up to monitor the foundation. It is headed by the forest
minister and has 12 members.A four member committee has been formed to
monitor the day to day works. It is led by the regional director of Dudhwa.
International:
1. Ban Ki-moon ( Former UN Secretary General )
was elected as Chairman of Boao Forum for Asia replacing Japan’s Yasuo Fukuda. Zhou
Xiaochuan (Former governor of People’s Bank of China ) was appointed
vice-chairman. Both the appointments took place during second session of
annual Boao Forum, known as “Asian Davos” underway in China’s Hainan province.
Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) is a non-profit organisation that hosts high-level
forums for leaders from government, business and academia in Asia and other
continents to share their vision on most pressing issues in this dynamic region
and world. It is modelled on annual World Economic Forum (WEF) held annually in
Davos, Switzerland. It was established in 2001. Its first meeting was held in
April 2002 and since then it is held annually. It takes its name from town of
Boao in China’s southern Hainan province, which has been permanent venue for
its annual conference since 2002.
2. A MoU was signed between Singapore and
China to promote greater collaboration between companies from both countries in
third-party markets along China’s ambitious Belt and Road routes. The
MoU will see the formation of a working group between Singapore’s Ministry of
Trade and Industry (MTI), China’s National Development and Reform Commission
and Enterprise. The working group will identify sectors and markets of mutual
interest, organise business-matching activities and forums to facilitate
third-party market cooperation between Singapore and Chinese companies under Belt
and Road Initiative (BRI).
3. The world’s first microfactory that can
transform components from electronic waste items into valuable materials for
re-use was launched by the IIT-trained Australian scientist of Indian origin
Veena Sahajwalla. The e-waste microfactory uses green manufacturing technologies
to turn many types of consumer waste such as glass, plastic and timber into commercial
materials and products.
4.
Kate
Brown (The Governor of Oregon state) has signed the Net Neutrality bill on
April 9, 2018 which bans Internet operators from offering paid prioritisation
services to customers, into law. The new law makes it illegal
for the state's public agencies to work with Internet Service Providers (ISPs)
that take part in discriminatory activities such as paid prioritisation and
blocking legal content online.
5.
Around
1200 year-old Buddhist cliff carvings have been found in Tibet that may offer a
glimpse into Buddhist art and local history. Experts
believe that the carvings were created in the 9th century, based on their style.
According to the regional cultural relics protection research institute, the
discoveries dating back to the Tibetan Tubo Kingdom were found in Acur township
of Qamdo city.
6.
India
and Bangladesh signed an agreement to set up a 129.5 km oil pipeline aimed at
pumping oil from India to Bangladesh with a capacity of 1 million metric tons
per annum on April 9, 2018. This 129.5-km long oil pipeline
will be built from the Siliguri Marketing Terminal of the Numaligarah Refinery Ltd
(NRL) in India to the Parbaripur depot of the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation
(BPC).
7.
India
and Zambia signed four agreements as a part of Indian President Ram Nath
Kovind’s visit to three African countries. This
is the first visit to Zambia by an Indian president since 1989. Ram Nath Kovind
also addressed the Zambia-India Business Forum. India and Zambia
signed four agreements on double taxation avoidance,judicial cooperation, mutual
visa waivers for officials and diplomats and the Entrepreneurship Development
Institute that India will build in Zambia
Science and Technology/ Defence:
1.
The
first group of China's Yaogan-31 remote sensing satellites was launched into
space on April 10, 2018. The satellites were carried by
a Long March-4C rocket, the 271st mission for the Long March rocket family.
The mission also sent a micro nanotechnology experiment satellite into orbit. The
satellites will be used for electromagnetic environment surveys and other
related technology tests. China launched the first ‘Yaogan; series
satellite, Yaogan-1, in 2006.
2.
Gagan-shakti
(An all-encompassing war exercise) was launched by the Indian Air Force on
April 8, 2018. The two-week long exercise would conclude on April 22. During
the exercise, Indian Air Force will put into force its entire machinery to
validate its concept of operations and war waging capability. This exercise aimed at coordinating operations,
maintenance and administrative responses to achieve the stated objectives of
the Indian Air Force, in case of any contingency. The main aim of the
exercise is real time coordination, deployment and employment of air power in a
short and intense battle scenario.
3.
Scientists have successfully completed the
first test drive of a DNA ‘unicycle’ – a tiny machine made of genetic material
powered by chemical energy that could perform directed movements. The
tiny vehicle is only 30 nanometers in size. Fuel is given by the
protein “T7 RNA polymerase”, as per study published in the journal Nature
Nanotechnology. Researchers from the University of Bonn in Germany and
the University of Michigan in the US used structures made of DNA nano rings to
make the vehicle. The two rings are linked like a chain. This enzyme is
coupled to the ring that serves as an engine. It synthesizes an RNA strand
based on the DNA sequence. It uses the chemical energy released during this
process for the rotational movement of the DNA ring. This ever-expanding
RNA thread, which comes from the engine as a waste product, is used to keep the
tiny vehicle on its path by using markings on a DNA-nanotube track.
Economy:
1.
Online
cab aggregator platform Uber announced the launch of its new partner
(driver) app in India. The new app is more simple as
compared to previous version, provides a personalised experience, and has been
designed to support Uber drivers on every moment of their journey. Inputs collected by interacting with drivers
via groups sessions, ride alongs and in person meetings have been incorporated
in the new Driver app.
2.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) stated
that the Indian economy would expand by 7.3 % in fiscal year (FY) 2018 and 7.6
% in the next fiscal year on 11th April 2018. In
ADB’s Asian Development
Outlook (ADO) 2018 report, it stated that the reduction in growth to 6.6
% in FY2017 was partially due to demonetization. Also, issues related to
Goods and Services Tax (GST) disturbed operations of small and medium-sized
enterprises (SMEs) and exporters.
Appointments/ Resignation:
1.
Balram
Bhargava, professor of AIIMS was appointed as the Director General of Indian Council of Medical
Research (ICMR) and Secretary of the Department of Health Research. He
will have tenure of three years or until attainment of age of 60 years. ICMR is
India’s apex scientific body for the formulation, coordination and promotion of
biomedical research. It was established in 1911.
2.
Senior
IPS officer Rajesh Ranjan was appointed as the Director General of Central Industrial
Security Force (CISF). He will have tenure till November 30, 2020.
3.
Labour
Secretary M Sathiyavathy( IAS officer of 1982 batch) took charge as member of Union Public Service
Commission (UPSC). She was administered oath of office and secrecy as member by
Vinay Mittal, Chairman, UPSC.
4.
Inspector
General KR Nautiyal has been appointed as the
new Coast Guard Commander (Eastern
Seaboard).
Sports:
1. Indian ace shooter Heena
clinching the gold medal in women’s 25m pistol event at
the 21st Commonwealth Games (CWG) in Australia on April 10, 2018 at the Day 6 of Commonwealth Games 2018.
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