Latest Current Affairs – March 18 2018
1. Prez Jinping 1st Chinese leader to take oath on Constitution
Chinese President Xi Jinping became the country’s first leader to take oath on the Constitution after he was unanimously re-elected to serve indefinitely. Jinping took oath as both the President and the head of the country’s military. The oaths of allegiance were added to the Chinese Constitution recently.
2. Crimea votes for first time in Russian presidential election
Citizens of the Russia-occupied Ukrainian region of Crimea voted for the first time in Russia’s presidential elections. However, Ukraine has barred Russian citizens on its territory from voting in the election in row over the annexation of Crimea. Russian President Vladimir Putin recently said that Russia will never give back Crimea to Ukraine.
3. Sri Lanka lifts nationwide emergency after 12 days
Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena announced that the nationwide state of emergency has been lifted. The emergency was imposed to control communal violence after Buddhists and Muslims clashed in the country’s central district of Kandy. Two people were killed and hundreds of Muslim-owned properties and over 20 mosques were damaged.
4. Chennaiyin FC won the Indian Super League for the second time
MS Dhoni, Abhishek Bachchan-owned Chennaiyin FC won the Indian Super League for the second time after defeating Bengaluru FC 3-2 in the final match. Chennaiyin, who had won the tournament for the first time in 2015, have equalled Kolkata-based ATK’s record of two ISL titles. Chennaiyin’s defender Mailson Alves, who scored a brace, was named player of the match.
5. Pakistan pulls out of WTO meet in India amid diplomatic tension
Pakistan will not attend a World Trade Organisation (WTO) meeting to be held in Delhi amid the ongoing diplomatic tension between the two nations. Tensions escalated as both Pakistan and India accused each other of harassing their diplomats. India has invited ministers of more than 50 nations including the US and China to attend the meet.
6. Maharashtra produces most biomedical waste in India
The Union Health Ministry has revealed that Maharashtra generates the highest amount of biomedical waste in India. The state produced over 70,000 kilograms of biomedical waste such as used syringes, bandages, and amputated body parts daily in 2016. Officials said that advanced medical treatment facilities and better reporting network in the state contributed to the high figures.
7. Mauritius President resigns amid financial scandal
Mauritius President Ameenah Gurib-Fakim resigned amid a financial scandal over the use of a credit card given by an NGO to buy personal luxury items. Gurib-Fakim’s lawyer said that she submitted her resignation in the “national interest”. Gurib-Fakim had earlier refused to resign and vowed to fight against the allegations.
8. First Mumbai Edition of Women of India Organic festival in Mumbai inaugurated
The first Mumbai Edition of Women of India Organic Festival 2018, organised by Mahila Arthik Vikas Mahamandal, Maharashtra and with the support of Women & Child Development Ministry, Government of India is inaugurated in Mumbai today. This year’s theme of festival is “Good for Women; Good for India; Good for You”.
“Women of India Festival” is celebrated since 2015. This is the third year, which is organised in the Mumbai by Mahila Arthik Vikas Mahamandal, Maharashtra. Around 500 women from all over India are participating in these 5 days event from 16 th to 20th March 2018.
9. Odisha Government to collaborate with RIMES for disaster management
The Odisha government is set to collaborate with the Thailand-based Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES) for strengthening its early warning services and enhancing preparedness for management of hazards in the State.
At present, India is chairing RIMES. Under the drought monitoring system, both institutions would work on a system to archive, analyse and visualise data, besides evaluating station performance and validating forecast data.
10. India inks $120 Million Loan agreement with to improve Rail Infrastructure
The Centre and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a loan agreement to the tune of USD 120 million for the completion of works for double-tracking and electrification of railway tracks along high-density corridors to improve operational efficiency of Indian railways.
The tranche 3 loan is part of the USD 500 million multi-tranche financing facility for the Railway Sector Investment Program approved by the ADB Board in 2011. The loan amount will be used to complete the ongoing works commenced under earlier tranches.
11. Prime Minister inaugurates 105th Indian Science Congress
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 105th Indian Science Congress which will take place till 20 March 2018 at Imphal in Manipur. Themed “Reaching the Unreached Through Science and Technology”, the conference will see social sciences and science coming together.
In his inaugural speech, Modi spoke about “scientific social responsibility” through science and technology. He urged an R&D-based approach to solve problems at institutional, corporate or school level.
12. Jaipur to witness 8th Theatre Olympics
Jaipur has geared up to grab the limelight as one of the co-hosts of the 8th Theatre Olympics, the largest international theatre festival to be held for the first time in India.
The Jaipur chapter of the Theatre Olympics, 2018, will be organised by the National School of Drama (NSD) under the aegis of Union ministry of culture in collaboration with the Ravindra Manch Society and state art and culture department.
13. Maharashtra Government bans use of plastic
The Maharashtra government has taken the decision to ban the use of plastic in two phases, a notification for which will be issued soon. The decision was taken at the cabinet meeting led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The government cited environmental and public health concerns for taking the significant step which would be strictly enforced in a time-bound manner.
- All the small and medium-scale industries and big industries which are involved in plastic businesses would be provided an adequate time frame to switch over to alternative modes of businesses.
- Various business models have been recommended by the government along with employment to the people engaged in the plastic industries.
- The supply of milk in plastic bags will have to be replaced with environmental friendly containers or bottles.
- Gradually, all types of food supply which is packaged in plastic will have to be replaced with environment friendly containers and boxes.
