Current Affairs Update 16 July 2018
Current Affairs is an important part for many exams. Be prepared for this section with ByScoop which brings all the important Current Affairs in one place. 16 July 2018.
‘Sulabh Jal’ Worlds cheapest drinking water project launched in Bihar
- The project — Sulabh Jal — was launched on July 14, 2018 in Darbhanga, Bihar by Sulabh International. It will convert contaminated pond water into safe drinking water.
- The water purification process has a capacity to purify 8,000 litres of water per day at nominal cost. Clean drinking water will be available at 50 paise/liter.
IIT-M unveils “word’s first” remotely operable LEAP Microscope
- The Indian Institute of Technology-Madras has launched a Rs 40 crore remotely operable miscroscope, “Local Electrode Atom Probe (LEAP)” claimed to be the world’s first of its kind, that would enable precise view of atoms of a material.
- The Local Electrode Atom Probe (LEAP) had been developed in a collaborative exercise involving eight top research institutions in the country, spearheaded by IIT-M.
SBI & Nabard tie-up to Support Farmers in Telangana
- The State Bank of India (SBI) and National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) have joined hands to provide collateral-free credit to certain categories of farmers in Telangana.
- The credit will be provided through Joint Liability Groups (JLGs) of the farmers that non-governmental organisations will help establish.
- For this purpose a tripartite Mou was signed between SBI and NABARD along with seven NGOs from Nizamabad, Medak and Warangal districts, for the promotion and credit linkage of 2,000 JLGs during the current year.
- Under the agreement, NABARD will provide assistance to NGOs for formation, nurturing and hand-holding of JLGs of oral lessees, share croppers and tenant farmers while SBI will provide collateral free credit support to the activity groups promoted by NGOs.
LIC board approves investment plan to buy 51% IDBI Bank stake
- Life Insurance Corporation of India board on July 16, 2018 gave its approval to buy 51 per cent stake in IDBI Bank Ltd. LIC would choose preferential share route to increase its stake.
- At present, the life insurer has around 7.5 per cent stake and will acquire the remaining stake from the government. The government has an 85.96% stake in IDBI Bank.
- As per current regulations, an insurance company cannot own more than 15 per cent in any listed financial firm. However, it can own more stakes of a listed firm by seeking permission from IRDAI. Earlier in June 2018, insurance regulator, Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) approved LIC’s proposal to increase its stake in troubled IDBI bank with certain terms and conditions.
IMF predicts India’s Growth rate at 7.3 and 7.5% for 2018 and 2019 resp
- IMF has revised its GDP growth rate prediction for India at 7.3% for 2018-19 and 7.5% for 2019-20 as against 7.4% and 7.8% earlier.
- With this India will still retain its top spot in the global growth league.
IFFCO launches iMandi App for rural digital revolution
- IFFCO, world’s largest processed fertilizer cooperative has launched a social e-commerce app and web portal, “IFFCO iMandi” to serve and connect the farmers digitally.
- iMandi is a strategic investment by IFFCO eBazar Ltd, which is 100% subsidiary of IFFCO with iMandi Pte Ltd, a Singapore based technology company.
- Under the Agri Inputs marketplace, farmer can presently buy all IFFCO products, including fertilisers (Chemicals, WSF, Organic, Bio, etc.), agro chemicals and seeds at a discounted price and get free delivery at their doorstep.
UK has topped 2018 ‘Soft Power 30’ index
- The UK has topped 2018 ‘Soft Power 30′ index, an annual global ranking of nations’ soft power. France was placed second. Third- Germany; Fourth- US. India did not feature in the list.
- India featured 8th in the list of 10 countries of Asia region in terms of soft power.
- Soft power is the ability to shape the preferences of others through appeal and attraction.
- The ranking was published by UK-based strategic communications consultancy firm Portland and the University of Southern California Center on Public Diplomacy.
India-Pakistan to Jointly Participate in Anti-Terror SCO Drill in Russia
- In a first, the militaries of India and Pakistan will be part of a mega anti-terror drill “Peace Mission” being organised by the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Russia to expand cooperation among the member countries to deal with terrorism and extremism.
- It will be for the first time since Independence that India and Pakistan will both be part of a military exercise.
- Around 200 Army and Air Force personnel from India will be participating in the exercise scheduled from August 20-29 at Chelyabinsk city in west-central Russia.
- The exercise will be joined by all SCO member countries including Russia, China, Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
- Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Headquarters: Beijing, China
Secretary General: Rashid Alimov
2018 FIFA World Cup Highlights
- France defeated Croatia to win its 2nd FIFA World Cup title 4-2. The final was held at Luzhniki Stadium, Moskva, Russia. The 2018 FIFA World Cup was the 21st FIFA World Cup
- France (2018, 1998) has become the third nation after Argentina (1978, 1986) and Uruguay (1930, 1950) to win FIFA World Cup titles.
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Wrestler Vinesh Phogat wins gold at Spanish Grand Prix wrestling tournament
- India’s Vinesh Phogat clinched the gold medal at the Spanish Grand Prix wrestling tournament by defeating Natasha Fox of Canada 10-0 in 50 kilogram freestyle category.
- The tournament was held in Madrid, Spain.
Ishwar Sharma, 8 year old named ‘British Indian Of The Year’
Ishwar Sharma, an 8-year old Indian-origin schoolboy in England, who is currently the under-11 UK national yoga champion has been named the ‘British Indian of the Year’ on July 15, 2018.
Indian boxers clinch top spot at Golden Glove of Vojvodina with seven gold medals
- Indian boxers won 17 medals at the 36th Golden Glove of Vojvodina youth tournament held at Subotica, Serbia. India ended up at top spot.
- India won 7 Gold medals, 6 Silver and 4 Bronze Medal.
- Kazakhstan was on second spot and Russia was on third spot.
Ramesh Powar named Indian women’s cricket team interim coach
- Former India off-spinner Ramesh Powar has been appointed the interim coach of the national women’s cricket team until the BCCI finds a suitable replacement for Tushar Arothe.
- Arothe was forced to resign in the wake of differences with senior players who were not happy with the coaching methods of former Baroda all-rounder.
Poet M.N. Vyasa Rao Passes Away
- Noted Kannada film lyricist and poet MN Vyasa Rao passed away due to a massive heart attack. He was 73.