Current Affairs 18th April 2018: Daily GK Update

• 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.

• 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.

• MOU on the Establishment of the ICCR Chair for Hindi Language between Indian Council for Cultural Relations and the University of Iceland.

• Sweden Capital- Stockholm, Currency- Swedish krona.
• Denmark Capital- Copenhagen, Currency- Danish krone.
• Iceland Capital- Reykjavik, Currency- Icelandic króna.

• Federation of Indian Export Organisations was set up in 1965.
• It was set up by Union Ministry of Commerce.

• 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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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).

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

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.