Latest Current Affairs – April 18 2018
1. US imposes travel restrictions on Pakistani diplomats
The US has imposed travel restrictions on Pakistani diplomats, who will now need prior permission from US authorities to travel beyond 40 kilometres of the city they are posted in, Under Secretary for Political Affairs Thomas Shannon said. This came in response to similar restrictions imposed on US diplomats in Pakistan. The new restrictions will take effect from May 1.
2. Amazon launches web browser in India which uses less data
Amazon has launched an Android web browser app called Internet which is designed to use minimal storage and data. The app supports private tabs that don’t save browser history and shows cricket news and general headlines on its homepage. It’s only available to users in India for now and is supported on devices running Android 5.0 or higher.
3. Mobile application on diabetes case launched
In order to enable people to access essential diabetes care, a mobile application was launched today by the George Institute for Global Health, India under its the “IMPACT Diabetes” programme.
The programme will train female community health workers, popularly known as ASHAs (Accredited Social Health Activists), in the use of mobile application in Haryana’s Rohtak district.
4. Bandhan Bank among Top 50 Most Valuable Brand In India
Bandhan Bank, the private sector lender, has entered the list of the top-50 most valuable companies in terms of market capitalization (m-cap) following a sharp surge in its stock price post listing. Bandhan Bank, with an m-cap of Rs 640 billion, stood at 50th position in overall m-cap ranking on the BSE at 10:37 am, the exchange data shows. The bank climbed 5 positions in the m-cap pecking order since its debut on the bourses on March 27, 2018.
Bandhan Bank has a very healthy business mix – on the asset side 96.5% of total advances qualifying as priority sector lending (PSL) and on the liability side 33.2% of total deposits in the low-cost current account & savings account (CASA).
5. UK Joins International Solar Alliance To Mark Narendra Modi Visit
The United Kingdom has joined the India-led International Solar Alliance (ISA) ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s four-day visit to Britain. At an event held at the London Stock Exchange as part of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2018 (CHOGM), Britain formally announced its membership of the alliance, which aims to raise $1 trillion of private and public finance to provide affordable and sustainable energy for all by 2030. The UK’s partnership will involve providing expertise and advice to the alliance, but no monetary contributions.
6. April 18: World Heritage Day
April 18 is International Day For Monuments and Sites, also called World Heritage Day. As of 2018, India alone has 36 world heritage sites, the sixth most of any country. Italy leads with 53 sites followed by China with 52 sites. The International Council on Monuments and Sites’s decision was approved by the United Nations’ General Assembly, with an aim towards increasing awareness about the rich heritage history of the world and to strive towards ensuring protection and preservation of the monuments and sites. India has 36 world heritage sites as of now, as approved by the UNESCO.
7. Government launches DARPAN-PLI App
With a view to achieve total digitisation of postal operations in the country, under the IT Modernisation Plan, Department of Posts has launched DIGITAL ADVANCEMENT OF RURAL POST OFFICE FOR A NEW INDIA (DARPAN) Project, which aims to connect all 1.29 lakh Rural Branch Post Offices in the country, to enable them to do online Postal and Financial Transactions.
Hand held devices with SIM connectivity and solar power backup are being installed in all Branch Post Offices in the Country. The total Project cost is more than Rs.1300 crores. 61,941 Branch Post Offices have been rolled out under DARPAN Project.
8. Former US First lady Barbara Bush passes away
Former first lady Barbara Bush died at the age of 92. Mrs. Bush served as the country’s first lady from 1989 to 1993. She passed away shortly after deciding to forgo further medical treatments for her failing health. Mrs. Bush’s funeral will be held at St. Martin’s Church in Houston, where she and the former president have been devoted members for decades.
Mrs. Bush is the mother of George W. Bush, the 43rd president of the United States, and Jeb Bush, the former governor of Florida who ran for president of the United States in 2016.
9. Cate Blanchett to head Cannes Film Festival jury
Actress Cate Blanchett will lead the jury of the 71st Cannes Film Festival. Filmmakers Ava DuVernay and Denis Villeneuve and actors Kristen Stewart and Lea Seydoux are also a part of it. The jury will include five men and four women from seven nationalities and five continents. Also serving on the jury are Chinese actor Chang Chen, French director Robert Guediguian, Burundian singer Khadja Nin and Russian director Andrey Zvyagintsev.
10. Google to provide ‘confidential mode’ soon on its mailing service
Tech giant Google is set to launch a new security layer for its mailing service Gmail that will help users to purge a mail or text after a period of time. The ‘confidential mode’ will enable users to set a passcode to open emails, which will be generated through text message. In addition, one can set expiration date for sent emails. The new Gmail mode will available after its revamp.
