Latest Current Affairs – April 17 2018
1. NYT, New Yorker win Pulitzer for reporting abuse in Hollywood
The New York Times and The New Yorker magazine have won a joint Pulitzer Prize for their revelations of sexual harassment and abuse in Hollywood. The New York Times also won Pulitzers in the national reporting and editorial cartooning category. Other Pulitzer winners included Reuters, which won the 2018 prize in international reporting and feature photography categories.
2. TRAI unveils new website for comparing telcos’ tariffs
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Monday rolled out a new website that lets users compare telecom tariffs offered by different service providers. The portal ‘www.tariff.trai.gov.in’ is in its beta phase. TRAI has currently made tariff data available only for the Delhi circle, and has sought user feedback about the new site.
3. Kendrick Lamar becomes 1st rapper to win the Pulitzer prize
Kendrick Lamar became the first rapper to win a Pulitzer Prize for music. The 30-year-old won the Pulitzer for his album ‘DAMN’. The Pulitzer Prize for Music has been awarded 67 times since its inception in 1943 and this is the first time that it has been given to an artist outside of the classical or jazz community.
4. Myanmar to free over 8,500 prisoners in new year amnesty
Myanmar’s newly-elected President Win Myint has granted amnesty to over 8,500 prisoners in a move to bring about humanitarian support amid the country’s political reforms after decades of military rule. The prisoners will be freed as part of celebrations of the traditional Myanmar new year. Those to be released include the aged, people in ill health and drug offenders.
5. Veteran journalist S Nihal Singh passes away at 88
Veteran journalist and editor S Nihal Singh, who won the International Editor of the Year Award for his role in opposing the Emergency by former PM Indira Gandhi, passed away aged 88. When censorship was imposed during the Emergency period, Singh as The Statesman’s Editor published, “This issue of The Statesman appears under censorship” on the front page.
6. Bengaluru highest paying city in India, Pune second: Report
Bengaluru is the highest paying city in India with an average cost to company (CTC) of ₹10.8 lakh per annum, the Randstad Insights Report 2018 has revealed. Pune and Delhi-NCR are second and third on the list with average CTC of ₹10.3 lakh and ₹9.9 lakh respectively. Meanwhile, pharma and healthcare is the highest paying industry.
7. Scientists uncover enzyme used by plastic-eating bug
After the accidental discovery in 2016 of a bacterium which consumed plastic, researchers have now revealed the detailed structure of the enzyme produced by the organism. Researchers are hoping to speed up the enzyme’s process further by a few days, so the plastic could be recycled faster. It would help reduce digging of oil, used for making plastic, said researchers.
8. World Haemophilia Day – April 17
Every April 17 World Haemophilia Day is recognised worldwide to increase awareness of haemophilia and other inherited bleeding disorders. This is a critical effort since with increased awareness comes better diagnosis and access to care for the millions who remain without treatment.
World Haemophilia Day was started in 1989 by the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) which chose to bring the community together on April 17 in honour of WFH founder Frank Schnabel’s birthday.
In 2018 the theme is SHARING KNOWLEDGE MAKES US STRONGER.
9. ASCI becomes member of Ayush committee
The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) was on April 16, 2018 inducted to the Ayush Ministry’s empowered committee with an objective to control misleading advertisements and exaggerated claims of its drugs.
The seven-member committee of the Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) will be empowered to review and monitor the implementation of the provisions of The Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisement) Act, 1954.
The committee will make recommendations for regulatory action against misleading advertisements and advise the Central government for issuing any specific directions.
10. USFDA approves world’s first contact lens that automatically darkens when exposed to light
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved use of ‘Acuvue Oasys Contact Lenses’ with Transitions Light Intelligent Technology, world’s first contact lens that automatically darkens when exposed to bright light. It is first of its kind contact lens that incorporates same technology that is used in eyeglasses that automatically darken in the sun.
These contact lens are indicated for daily use to correct vision of people with non-diseased eyes who are nearsighted (myopic) or farsighted (hyperopic).
11. US adds India to the currency practices and macroeconomic policies monitoring list
The US Department of Treasury has added India in the monitoring list of its major trading partners that value close attention to their currency practices and macroeconomic policies. The list was part of semi-annual report on Macroeconomic and Foreign Exchange Policies of Major Trading Partners of the United States.
India is the sixth addition to the watch list which comprises China, Japan, South Korea, Germany and Switzerland. As per the media report, India has a USD 23 billion trade surplus with the United States.
12. Suresh Prabhu launches digital platform for MSME Exporters
The Minister of Commerce & Industry Suresh Prabhu launched the ‘FIEO GlobalLinker’, a digital platform for MSME exporters to digitise their businesses and join a global community of growing businesses. FIEO GlobalLinker will make the business growth of SMEs simpler, more profitable and enjoyable.
FIEO is available free of cost and it offers exporters a range of features and benefits like:Exporters will be able to find clients, suppliers and advisors using the search and review facilities of the platform.
13. India-Wiesbaden Conference 2018 held in New Delhi
India has hosted a global conference aimed at helping nations to implement a UN resolution that seeks to check proliferation of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons to terrorists and other non-state actors.
The ministry, in cooperation with Germany and the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), will host the India-Wiesbaden Conference 2018 from April 16-17, 2018, at the Federation House here.
The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) will be the industry partner for the event titled Securing Global Supply Chains through Government-Industry Partnerships towards Effective Implementation of UNSC Resolution 1540′.
The Wiesbaden Process was initiated by Germany in 2012 to strengthen the implementation of UNSC 1540 through government-industry partnerships.
14. India signed Loan Agreement With World Bank For USD 48 Million For Meghalaya
A Loan Agreement for IBRD loan of USD 48 million for the “Meghalaya Community – Led Landscapes Management Project (MCLLMP)” was signed with the World Bank. The Objective of the Project is to strengthen community-led landscapes management in selected landscapes in the State of Meghalaya. The Project consists of three components: (i) Strengthening Knowledge and Capacity for Natural Resource Management; (ii) Community-led landscape planning and implementation and (iii) Project Management and Governance.
The closing date of the Project is 30th June, 2023.
15. Indian Swimmer Double Crosses Bangla Channel Sets World Record
Pune-based 17-year-old swimmer Sampanna Ramesh Shelar has set a world record to double cross the Bangla Channel. Shelar, is the first person to swim to and fro from Saint Martin’s Island Jetty to Teknaf in Bangladesh also known as the Bangla Channel. An ambitious Shelar has now planned to participate in the upcoming swimming competition.
