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Daily Current Affairs – 18 February 2023
This post contains the current affairs for 18 February 2023. These current affairs are important for banking exams, insurance exams and other competitive exams like IBPS PO and Clerk, SBI PO and Clerk, RBI Assistant and Grade B, etc. You can also attempt our Current Affairs Quiz after reading our daily current affairs.
National
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar Unveiled Bust of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in Fiji
- External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar recently unveiled a bust of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at the India House in Suva, Fiji.
- It must be noted that S Jaishankar is in Fiji from February 15-17, 2023 to attend the 12th World Hindi Conference.
- The year 2023 marks 75 years of the establishment of India-Fiji diplomatic ties.
- India and Fiji has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and official passports.
- Fiji Prime Minister – Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka
- President of Fiji – Ratu Williame Katonivere
Defence
Garuda Aerospace unveils ISR capable solar-powered drone SURAJ
- Drone startup Garuda Aerospace has launched a solar-powered drone named as “SURAJ” at Aero India 2023 show in Bengaluru.
- The drone was unveiled by Principal Scientific Advisor to Defence Minister and former DRDO Chief Dr. Satheesh Reddy.
- SURAJ is a high-altitude drone designed specifically for surveillance operations.
- It has ISR (intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance) capability and is equipped with Artificial Intelligence, machine learning and bionic chip for advanced real-time information to the high command and protecting jawans on the ground.
- The drone SURAJ has unique J-shaped wings equipped with solar-powered cells which serve as its primary fuel source.
IAF develops ‘Vayulink’ platform for jammer-proof communication with base station
- The Indian Air Force has developed an innovative solution known as ‘Vayulink’ that would help pilots to deal with bad weather and also provide them jammer-proof uninterrupted communication with the base station.
- Vayulink is an ad-hoc data link communication system, which uses the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) that is also known as NAVIC, to send radio communication to the base station when the signals are low.
- When Vayulink is installed in an aircraft, it will give position of other aircrafts close by, encrypted traffic data over secured channel so that pilots are able to know where the ground forces are present.
HAL gets DGCA approval for indigenously developed ‘black boxes’
- The Bengaluru-headquartered Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) has received the Indian Technical Standard Order (ITSO) authorisation from Directorate General of Civil Aviation for its indigenously developed Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR).
- ITSO is a minimum performance standard for specified materials, parts, processes, and appliances used on civil aircraft.
- CVR and FDR are popularly known as ‘black boxes’.
- They record critical flight parameters and audio environment in a crash proof memory, which are later used for investigation of aircraft incident or accident..
- However, these black boxes are painted in orange colour to help in their recovery following an aircraft accident.
Military Exercise
6th Indo-US Joint Counter Terrorism Exercise TARKASH culminates in Chennai
- The Indo-US joint exercise named TARKASH was held in Chennai from January 16 till February 14, 2023.
- It was the 6th edition of the Joint Counter Terrorism Exercise TARKASH.
- TARKASH joint exercise was conducted between the National Security Guard (NSG) and US Special Operations Forces (SOF).
- For the first time, this exercise included “Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) terror response” in its drill, since chemical and biological warfare are recognised as a growing threat to the world now.
Appointment
Ramesh Bais replaces Bhagat Singh Koshyari as new Governor of Maharashtra
- Ramesh Bais has been named as the new Governor of Maharashtra by the President Draupadi Murmu, as a part of the major Governor reshuffle.
- He is the 22nd Governor of Maharashtra.
- Before this, 75-years-aged Bais was the Governor of Jharkhand.
- He will rePlace outgoing Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari (80), who has opted for a life of retirement.
Chetan Sharma resigns as BCCI’s Chief Selector
- The Chairman of BCCI’s national selection committee, Chetan Sharma, has resigned from his post on February 17, 2023, following a sting operation by a news channel, where he was allegedly seen revealing confidential information.
- He sent his resignation to BCCI Secretary Jay Shah.
- Sharma was reinstated as BCCI’s chief selector in January 2023.
- The members of the selection panel now includes Shiv Sunder Das, Salil Ankola, Subroto Banerjee and S Sharath.
YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki steps down, Indian-American Neal Mohan named new head
- Alphabet-owned YouTube Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Susan Wojcicki has announced her plan to step down after nine years at the helm of the world’s largest online video platform.
- Wojcicki became CEO of YouTube in 2014.
- An Indian-American Neal Mohan, who is currently the chief product officer at YouTube, will replace the 54-year-old Wojcicki as the new CEO.
Lt General MV Suchindra Kumar named as new Vice Chief of Army Staff
- Government has approved the appointment of Lt General MV Suchindra Kumar as the new Vice Chief of Army Staff.
- He will replace Lt Gen BS Raju, who has been appointed as Chief of Jaipur-headquartered South Western Army Command. He shall succeed Lt Gen AS Bhinder.
- Apart from this, Lt Gen NSR Subramani has been appointed as the Central Command chief in Lucknow.
- All these appointments will come into effect on March 01, 2023.
Sports
India’s first frozen-lake marathon ‘Last Run’ to be held at Pangong Tso in Ladakh
- In India, the first-ever “frozen-lake marathon” will be held at Ladakh’s Pangong Tso on February 20, 2023.
- The 21-kilometre marathon will be world’s highest “frozen-lake marathon, at a height of 13,862 feet.
- The marathon is being called the “Last Run” to highlight the issue of climate change.
- 75 selected athletes from India and abroad are participating in the run.
- It is being organised by the Adventure Sports Foundation of Ladakh (ASFL) in collaboration with the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council-Leh, the Tourism Department and the Leh district administration.
Important Days
First Global Tourism Resilience Day: 17 February 2023
- The first Global Tourism Resilience Day (GTRD) was observed on 17 February, 2023.
- GTRD aims to create greater consciousness about tourism resilience.
- The Global Tourism Resilience Day (GTRD) was designated by the United Nations on 06 February 2023, to underline the importance of tourism resilience.