Daily Current Affairs 19th March, 2018

Daily Current Affairs 19 March 2018 for Banking/Insurance/SSC and other related exams.

NATIONAL NEWS

Ministerial meeting of WTO begins in New Delhi

The two-day informal World Trade Organisation (WTO) ministerial meeting got underway in New Delhi. Representatives from 50 countries are participating in the meet. Our correspondent reports the WTO is facing systemic challenges, particularly its dispute settlement arm.

KUSUM Scheme to Install Grid Connected Solar Plants in Rural India

The Indian government is in process of formulating ‘Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (KUSUM) scheme’ to harness solar power for rural India. The scheme will allow to setup grid-connected solar plants in rural areas.

• KUSUM will build 10,000 MW solar plant and provide 1.75 million off-grid agricultural solar pumps. The program aims to boost farmers’ income as they can sell their additional power to the main grid produced by solar plants located on their lands.

Punjab imposes permanent ban on Hookah bars

In a bid to combat various smoking-related diseases, the Punjab Government imposed a permanent ban on Hookah bars in the state.

• The state cabinet approved an amendment to the Cigarette & Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply, and Distribution) Act, 2003, to prevent and control diseases caused by the use of various tobacco products.

7th Women Science Congress Inaugurated at Imphal

The 7th edition of the Women science congress was formally inaugurated at the Centenary Hall of Manipur University, which is currently hosting the 105th Indian Science Congress.

• During the five-day programme, the focus will be on various scientific disciplines and how they can connect with the society.

Coast Guard commissions interceptor boat at Guj’s Porbandar

The Coast Guard commissioned an interceptor boat at Porbandar, Gujarat as part of its efforts to strengthen the security umbrella of the West coast.

• Indian Coast Guard Ship C-437 would strengthen the security umbrella of the West coast and also help augment patrolling to prevent illicit activities such as infiltration, smuggling and illegal fishing.

Phase I of Varuna 18, Indo-French Naval exercise, kick-started

The first phase of Indo-French joint naval exercise Varuna 2018 kickstarted at the Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) in Vasco, Goa. The exercise is being held in the Arabian Sea off the Goa coast.

• The second and third phases of the exercise will be held at the Chennai coast in April 2018 and in La Reunion Island in May 2018, respectively.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Putin wins Russian presidential elections

Russian President Vladimir Putin has won the presidential elections with 74 percent of votes polled, according to a state-run exit poll.

• Putin’s fourth term as president will extend until 2024, the first Kremlin leader to serve two decades in power since Josef Stalin.

Singapore named the world’s most expensive city

Singapore has been dubbed the world’s most expensive city to live in for the fifth year running in the Economist Intelligence Unit’s (EIU) Worldwide Cost of Living 2018 survey.

• The EIU’s annual ranking compares the prices of over 150 items in 133 cities around the world, such as bread, wine, cigarettes and petrol. It is designed to help hiring managers calculate fair salaries when relocating their employees overseas.

BANKING

SBI, IMGC sign MOU to offer mortgage guarantee backed home loan

India’s largest lender SBI and India Mortgage Guarantee Corporation (IMGC) signed a pact to offer mortgage guarantee scheme for prospective non-salaried and self-employed home loan customers.

• IMGC is a joint venture between National Housing Bank, Genworth Inc International Finance Corporation and Asian Development Bank. It is providing mortgage default guarantee to the lending Institutions in India.

SPORTS

Chennaiyin FC beat fancied Bengaluru FC to lift ISL trophy

Chennaiyin FC lifted their game to a level befitting the occasion and sent fancied Bengaluru FC crushing to a painful 2-3 defeat, clinching the Indian Super League (ISL) title.

Vidarbha Beat Rest Of India To Clinch Maiden Irani Cup Title

In Cricket, Reigning Ranji Trophy champions Vidarbha have lifted their maiden Irani Trophy. On the final day of the match, they beat Rest of India by virtue of their massive first innings lead.

Deepa Malik becomes Asian rank 1 in javelin F-53 category

Indian para-athlete Deepa Malik won a gold medal in the F-53/54 category javelin event at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Dubai and also became the Asian rank one in the F-53 category.

IMPORTANT DAYS

Global Recycling Day: 18 March

The Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) proclaimed March 18, 2018 the first Global Recycling Day. Based on the worldwide response, the organization was successful in calling attention to the issues facing the recycling industry and highlighting the importance of what it calls “the seventh resource.”

• BIR said recycling has to be a global process, with robust public education, industry cooperation and, notably, calls for international free trade of recycled material as a commodity. The organization also called for more responsible production, and encourages manufacturers to “design for recycling.”

Ordnance Factories Day: 18 March

Ordnance Factories Day is observed all over India on 18th March every year. The production of the oldest Ordnance Factory of India, which is located at Cossipore, Kolkata was commenced on 18th March 1802.

• The day is celebrated throughout the ordnance factories in which employees of all categories take part in various organized events.

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