Current Affairs Update 18 September 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. 18 September 2018
President Kovind Launches Logo and Portal for Commemorating 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi
- The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind launched the logo and the web portal (http://gandhi.gov.in/) for commemoration of 150th birth anniversary of Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, at Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi on September 18.
- The designs of the logo with 4 colour guide are available on the web-site for download.
Harsh Vardhan Inaugurates LOTUS-HR For Sewage Water Treatment
- Union Science & Technology minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan inaugurated Local Treatment of Urban Sewage Streams for Healthy Reuse (LOTUSHR) project at Sun Dial Park in New Delhi on September 18. The is a joint initiative of Indian and Dutch scientists.
- LOTUSHR can convert 10 lakh litre of sewage into clean water and generate 3 tonnes of biofuel.
- The project will include treating Barapullah drain to produce clean water, which can be reused for various purposes, while simultaneously recovering nutrients and energy from the urban waste water, thus converting the into profitable mines.
- Dr.Vardhan also inaugurated two bio toilets supported by DBT-BIRAC (Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council) and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation installed at the Sun Dial Park.
India- World Bank Signs US$ 74 Million Financing Loan Agreement for Uttarakhand Workforce Development Project
- India has signed a Loan Agreement with the World Bank for IBRD Credit of US$74 million equivalent for the Uttrakhand Workforce Development Project (UKWDP).
- A Project Agreement was also signed to improve the quality and relevance of training at priority Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and to increase the number of labor-market-relevant workers through short term training in Uttrakhand.
- Twenty-five ITI’s have been selected – 13 located in District Centers and 12 ITI’s that are well-linked to industries. Two out of four women’s ITIs in the State will be included in the list.
- The Project has a 5-year grace period, and a maturity of 17 years. The closing date for the Project is 30th June, 2023.
PM Modi Launches Projects Over Rs 500 Crore in Varanasi
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the Foundation Stone for various development projects worth Rs 557 crore in his Lok Sabha constituency Varanasi on September 18, 2018.
- The projects include Integrated Power Development Scheme for Puraani Kashi and Atal Incubation Centre at Banaras Hindu University (BHU). Among the projects for which foundation stone was laid was the Regional Ophthalmology Centre and Vaidik Vigyan Kendra at Benares Hindu University (BHU).
Germany Unveils World’s First Hydrogen Powered Train
- Germany has rolled out the world’s first hydrogen-powered train, Coradia iLint, that can travel up to 140 kilometers per hour.
- Two models of the bright blue low noise train has been built by French TGV-maker Alstom and will ply a 100 km (62-mile) route between the towns and cities of Cuxhaven, Bremerhaven, Bremervoerde and Buxtehude in northern Germany.
- Hydrogen trains are equipped with fuel cells that produce electricity through a combination of hydrogen and oxygen, a process that leaves steam and water as the only emissions.
INSV Tarini Crew Felicitated With Tenzing Norgay Award
- The all-women crew of INSV Tarini has bagged the prestigious Tenzing Norgay National Adventure award for sailing across the world for eight long months.
- The award is the highest national recognition for outstanding achievements in the field of adventure on land, sea and air.
- The INSV Tarini team, led by Lt. Commander Vartika Joshi, is comprised Lieutenant P. Swathi, Lieutenant Pratibha Jamwal (Air Traffic Control specialists), Lieutenant Vijaya Devi, Sub Lieutenant Payal Gupta (both Education officers) and Lieutenant B Aishwarya, a naval architect.
7th UNWTO Global Summit on Urban Tourism organised in Seoul
- The 7th UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Global Summit on Urban Tourism has been organised in Seoul, South Korea.
- Theme of the event: ‘A 2030 Vision for Urban Tourism’
- The Summit will seek to encourage new strategic approaches to the challenge of a growing tourism sector and its impact on urban destinations.
IATA ties up with YES Bank for EasyPay Scheme
- The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has rolled out a new payment model for travel agents named EasyPay Scheme.which aims to ease cash flows for airlines.
- Currently, travel agents in India receive seven-day credit to pay airlines for ticket bookings under the IATA’s billing and settlement plan. Agents are required to furnish a bank guarantee to avail credit.
- Under the EasyPay scheme announced today, agents will be able to make payments using a debit card. IATA has tied up with Yes Bank to implement the scheme.
Interest on masala bonds to be tax-exempt : CDBT
- Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has announced tax exemption on interest payable by Indian companies to non-residents, including foreign companies, on “masala bonds” issued between September 17, 2018 and March 31, 2019.
- Till now, interest payable on such bonds issued before July 1, 2020 was liable for concessional rate of tax of five per cent.
- Rupee-denominated or masala bonds are sold outside India but in rupee terms.
Varun Dhawan and Anushka Sharma signed as ambassadors of Skill India Campaign
- Bollywood stars Varun Dhawan and Anushka Sharma have been signed as Ambassadors on to promote and endorse the Skill India Mission.
2018 Emmy Winners: A Complete List
- The 70th Primetime Emmy Awards was held live on September 17, 2018, at the Microsoft Theater in Downtown Los Angeles, California.
- The 2018 award honored the best in U.S. prime time television programming from June 1, 2017 until May 31, 2018, as chosen by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
Book on Athlete Dutee Chand titled “Story so far” to be authored by Sundeep Misra
- A book on Indian athlete Dutee Chand titled “Story so far” will be released in 2019. The book is authored by Journalist, author and filmmaker Sundeep Misra.
- Sundeep Mishra has previously authored a biography of hockey legend Dhanraj Pillay. (“Forgive me Amma – The life and times of Dhanraj Pillay”)
Independent India’s first woman IAS officer Anna Malhotra dead
- India’s first woman IAS officer post-Independence, Anna Rajam Malhotra passed away at 91.
- Malhotra joined the civil services in 1951 and opted for the Madras cadre. She then served in the Madras state under Chief Minister C Rajagopalachari.
Former Odisha Minister Dolagobinda Pradhan Passes Away
- Veteran freedom fighter and former Odisha Minister Dolagobinda Pradhan passed away at his residence Bhubaneswar after a brief illness. He was 93.
- Pradhan was elected to the state Assembly twice from Cuttack Sadar constituency in 1980 and 1990. He was a minister from 1989 to 1990.