Latest Current Affairs – March 19 2018
1. Punjab to impose permanent ban on hookah bars
The Punjab Cabinet has decided to amend the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act to impose a permanent ban on hookah bars instead of issuing temporary orders every two months. The proposed amendment is reportedly aimed at ending the culture of hookah and consumption of tobacco among the Punjab youth and will be presented in the Punjab Assembly.
2. Karnataka govt seeks separate religion status for Lingayats
The Karnataka government has accepted the suggestion of an expert panel and sought separate religion status for the Lingayat community. The recommendation will now be forwarded to the Centre, which will take the final call on the matter. The casteless sect was founded by 12th-century social reformer Basavanna, who was opposed to Brahminical practices.
3. Venezuelan city issues own currency amid cash shortage
Amid a shortage of banknotes in the country, Venezuelan city of Elorza has begun issuing its own currency. The currency, which is available in two denominations, features the face of local independence leader José Andrés Elorza. The new currency notes are being sold at municipality offices via bank transfer and can only be used in the city.
4. Vladimir Putin elected as Russia’s President for 4th term
Vladimir Putin has been elected as the President of Russia for his fourth term with over 76% of the votes, and will now lead the country for another six years. Putin, who has ruled Russia as either Prime Minister or President since 1999, was already the country’s longest-serving leader since Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin.
5. Dinesh Karthik 1st Indian to win a T20I with a last-ball six
Dinesh Karthik has become the first Indian to win a T20I with a six off the match’s last ball. Karthik’s eight-ball innings against Bangladesh featured three sixes and two fours, struck at 362.5 strike rate. Further, Karthik is the first batsman in T20Is to hit a six when at least 5 runs were required to win off the final delivery.
6. PM Modi lays foundation stone for Navi Mumbai International airport
PM Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the Navi Mumbai International Airport. Maharashtra Governor C Vidyasagar Rao and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis along with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari also attended the ceremony. The airport is being built at the cost of ₹16,700 crore, more than five times the estimated cost when it was first proposed in 1998.
7. India beat Bangladesh to win Nidahas Trophy
India defeated Bangladesh by four wickets in the final of the T20I tri-series in Colombo to register their fourth consecutive T20I series victory. With their eighth successive T20I victory against Bangladesh, India maintained their 100% win record against the neighbours. India had defeated New Zealand, Sri Lanka and South Africa in their last three T20I series respectively.
8. Vidarbha win Irani Cup after posting 800 in 1st innings
Vidarbha claimed the Irani Cup trophy after posting a total of 800/7d in the first innings of their drawn final against Rest of India. The match featured a 286-run innings from 40-year-old Wasim Jaffer. Notably, Vidarbha remained unbeaten throughout the domestic first-class season, winning seven and drawing three of the 10 first-class matches they played this season.
9. Rohit Sharma reaches 7,000 T20 runs, third Indian to do so
Indian opener Rohit Sharma has become the third Indian batsman to score 7,000 runs in T20 cricket, achieving the feat during his 56-run knock in the T20I series final against Bangladesh. Rohit joined Suresh Raina and Virat Kohli, who have scored 7,378 and 7,095 T20 runs respectively.
10. President Kovind inaugurates Festival of Innovation and Entrepreneurship
President Ram Nath Kovind has inaugurated a Festival of Innovation and Entrepreneurship and presented the Gandhian Young Technological Innovation awards at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The five day festival is an initiative to recognise, respect, showcase, reward innovations and to foster a supportive ecosystem for innovators. The innovations showcased can positively impact fields such as agriculture, rural development, sanitation, health, women and child development, biotechnology and medicine.
11. Two-day ministerial meeting of WTO begins in New Delhi
A 2-day informal World Trade Organisation Ministerial meet began in the national capital with the intent to forge cooperation. Representatives from 50 countries are participating in the meet.
The meet will will provide an opportunity for free and frank discussions to representatives from several developed and developing countries.The meet is also expected to help resolve several complex issues.Addressing the meet. WTO Director General said discussion are on with the US for reforming the institution.
