Daily Current Affairs Updates – 21st April 2017:
Daily Current affairs News Updates about the National and International events were listed here. Candidates those who are preparing for IBPS/SBI/PO/Clerk exam and all other competitive exams can use this.
- http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/VyQLQ/~3/FbIIQHZar-I/daily-current-affairs-updates-21st-April-2017.html
Can't pass an order on reclaiming Kohinoor: SC
The Supreme Court today said it could not pass an order for reclaiming the Kohinoor from the United Kingdom or to stop it from being auctioned. Disposing of a plea seeking directions to bring the treasured diamond back to India, a bench headed by Chief Justice J S Khehar said it could not ask a foreign government not to auction a property. The court made it clear it could not pass an order with regard to a property which was in another country.The apex court referred to an affidavit filed by the Centre and said, the government of India continues to explore ways and means with the UK government on the issue.
FM Jaitley raises issue of tightening of H-1B visa regime with US Secy Wilbur Ross in Washington
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley raised the issue of recent executive orders on H-1B visa regime with US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross in Washington DC. Mr Jaitely outlined the significant contributions, the skilled Indian professionals have made to the US economy and expressed the hope that the US administration will take this aspect into consideration while taking any decision. US President Donald Trump had recently signed an executive order for tightening the rules of the H-1B visa programme to ensure that the visas are given to what he called the most-skilled or highest paid petitioners. Mr Jaitley is on a five-day visit to the United States to attend the Spring Meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund as well as deliberations of G20 nations.
Finance Minister: Arun Jaitley
Union Cabinet approved to introduce Constitution (123rd Amendment) Bill 2017 in Parliament
The Union Cabinet gave its ex-post facto approval for introduction of Constitution (123rd Amendment) Bill 2017 and National Commission for Backward Classes (Repeal) Bill, 2017 in the Parliament. Moreover, the Cabinet also approved retention of posts/incumbents and office premises that are held by the existing National Commission for Backward Classes.It calls for constitution of a Commission under Article 338B for socially and educationally backward classes by name of National Commission for Backward Classes.
India develops National Action Plan to combat Antimicrobial Resistance
J P Nadda, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, announced the finalization of India’s comprehensive and multi-sectoral National Action Plan.The announcement was made at the Inter-Ministerial Consultation on AMR containment held in New Delhi.The National Action Plan aims to enhance awareness, strengthen surveillance, improve rational use of antibiotics, reduce infections and promote research. The plan highlights the need for tackling antimicrobial resistance (AMR) across multiple sectors such as human health, animal husbandry, agriculture and environment in consideration of the “One-HealthApproach”.
Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare: J P Nadda
INS Darshak conducting joint hydrographic survey of Sri Lankan bay
The Indian Navy's hydrographic survey ship, INS Darshak, jointly with Sri Lankan Navy, is undertaking a hydrographic survey of Weligama Bay. The announcement was made by the Indian Navy on a social media platform. INS Darshak, which is on a two-month deployment in the Sri Lankan waters, jointly with the Sri Lankan Navy is surveying the bay, which was last studied in the year 1901.INS Darshak is a hydrographic survey ship in the Indian Navy. The vessel is under the Eastern Naval Command.
INS Darshak: Indian Navy's hydrographic survey ship
SC questions Centre for making Aadhaar mandatory for procuring PAN card
The Supreme Court today questioned the Centre for making Aadhaar mandatory for procuring Permanent Account Number (PAN) card. Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the Centre, told a bench headed by Justice A K Sikri that they have found that people were giving details of PAN cards which have been procured on the basis of fake documents. Rohatgi said there were instances that one person was having a number of PAN cards and these fake cards were being used to divert funds to shell companies.
1948 Mahatma Gandhi stamps sold for record 500000 pounds
A set of four rare stamps featuring the portrait of Mahatma Gandhi were sold for record 500000 pounds by listed stamp dealer Stanley Gibbons. The block of four was sold to a private collector-investor in Australia for the highest ever price for Indian stamps. The purple-brown stamps are inscribed with the word 'Service' and were issued to the then Governor-General's Secretariat for official use.
No red beacon on Delhi HC judges cars
Following Union government’s decision of barring the use of red beacons atop VVIP cars including the ones belonging to the President of India, the Prime Minister and the Chief Ministers from 1 May 2017, the Delhi High Court judges decided to give it up from the afternoon of 20 April itself.The decision was taken during a pre-lunch meeting where all the judges of the high court were present. In fact, the judge's vehicles parked at the high court were seen without the red beacon. The Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice S Muralidhar have never used the red light and nor have they ever taken Personal Security Officers, which they are entitled to.
Union Government and Naga rebel groups agree to extend ceasefire till April 2018
The Union Government and two Naga armed factions, namely National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Reformation (NSCN-R) and National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Neakpao-Kithovi (GPRN/NSCN), have agreed to extend the ceasefire till 27 April 2018. The decision over extension of ceasefire was taken at a meeting held between the officials of the Union Home Ministry and the Ceasefire Supervisory Board of Naga armed factions on 17 April 2017 in New Delhi. A ceasefire between the Union Government and NSCN-R and NSCN-NK is already in operation.
NSCN-R: National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Reformation
TIME releases list of 100 Most Influential People of 2017
Time Magazine on 20 April 2017 released the annual list of 100 most influential people of 2017. This year, only two Indians to feature on the list- Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Paytm founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma.Oscar winner Viola Davis, Grammy winner John Legend, actor Riz Ahmed, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and philanthropist Melinda Gates graced the five different covers of this year’s list of 100 most influential people.US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin and British Prime Minister Theresa May featured on the new list of 100 most influential people by the magazine.
Efforts will be made to connect Tiger Express with all Tiger National Parks : Suresh Prabhu
Rail Minister Suresh Prabhu has said that efforts will be made to connect Tiger Express with all the Tiger National Parks in the country. He was talking to media in Umaria last evening. He said that the Tiger Express is useful for the tourists. Mr. Prabhu said that new rail projects are being launched in Ujjain and Raipur.
Rail Minister:Suresh Prabhu
INTERNATIONAL
US President Trump set to launch another effort to roll back Obamacare
US President Donald Trump is set to launch another effort to roll back Obamacare. Reports say, he will seek Congressional approval for a new healthcare bill before he marks 100 days in office on the 29th of this month. Trump and Congressional Republicans suffered a major defeat last month when they were forced to withdraw a bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. The legislation was opposed by Democrats and hardline conservatives of the Republican Party.
Country: US.
Capital: Washington, D.C.
President: Donald Trump
Currency: United States Dollar
India contributes USD 250000 to United Nations election assistance programme
India in April 2017 contributed USD 250000 to the United Nations programme for helping countries to hold elections and develop their electoral systems. Eenam Gambhir, the first Secretary in India's Mission to the Unite Nations, presented the cheque to Kyoko Shiotani, Chief of the Office of the Under-Secretary-General at the UN Department of Political Affairs.It is India’s second contribution of USD 250000 to the programmes for electoral assistance and capacity building. The first contribution was made in the year 2012.
Australia unveils major changes to citizenship process
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on 20 April 2017 announced that migrants seeking Australian citizenship will have to undergo tougher tests on their English language skills and ability to demonstrate Australian values. The move is being considered as a major overhaul of its migration process. The move will make it difficult to gain citizenship.
Country : Australia
Capital :Canberra
Currency: Australian dollar
Prime minister: Malcolm Turnbull
Former Iranian President Ahmadinejad disqualified from running for president
Former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has been disqualified from running in next month's presidential elections. His name was left out of the final list of approved candidates that was announced on 20 April 2017.The decision was taken by the Guardian Council, a group of influential jurists and clerics that was charged with the responsibility of screening the candidates for the upcoming elections, which are scheduled to be held on 19 May 2017.
Country : Iran
Capital : Tehran
Currency: Iranian rial
President: Hassan Rouhani
Supreme leader:Ali Khamenei
US Vice President Mike Pence to arrive in Sydney,regional security &trade high on agenda
US Vice-President Mike Pence will arrive in Sydney tonight for a visit that is expected to focus on regional security concerns and trade. Mr Pence is wrapping up a tour to Asis reassuring allies of America's commitment to the region under the new Trump administration. A senior Australian official involved in this weekend's talks believed that military tensions in the South China Sea and on the Korean peninsula would feature prominently in discussions, as would the general security environment in east Asia.
BANKING NEWS
Parliamentary panel calls RBI Governor Urjit Patel on note ban issue
Reserve Bank of India, Governor, Urjit Patel has been asked by a Parliamentary panel to appear before it again on May 25 over demonetisation issue. Sources said in New Delhi that the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance has decided to call RBI Governor and ministry officials again to appear before it to brief the members about demonetisation as discussion on it is yet to be concluded. The Committee headed by former Union Minister and senior Congress leader M Veerappa Moily had in January also called finance ministry officials besides top RBI officials to discuss the demonetisation of currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 and the impact thereof.
Mastercard creates credit card with fingerprint scanner
American financial services corporation Mastercard has created a credit card with a built-in fingerprint scanner, allowing its users to make payments by scanning their fingerprint instead of providing a PIN or a signature. The card is no thicker than a normal credit card. It works with all existing chip-and-PIN readers and is currently being trialled in South Africa.
BUSINESS AND ECONOMY NEWS:
Rupee weakens 9 paise against dollar at 64.65
The rupee weakened by 9 paise to 64 point 65 against the dollar in early trade today at the Inter-bank Foreign Exchange market on increased demand for the American currency from importers and banks. The rupee edged higher by 2 paise against the Dollar to close at 64.56 in yesterday's trade. Meanwhile, the benchmark BSE Sensex was trading up 83 points at 29,585 when reports last came in. Similarly, The Nifty At NSE gained 24 points to 9,160.
GST reform is really an act of courage: IMF Chief Lagarde
IMF Chief Christine Lagarde has said, "The GST reform is really an act of courage," adding, she expects "some positive outcome" as a result of the decision. Lagarde also stated she is impressed by other reforms, like the bankruptcy reform, being carried out by Indian government. Commenting on demonetisation, Lagarde said the situation after the move has "improved significantly".
Organisation: IMF
Leader: Christine Lagarde
Headquarters: Washington, D.C., United States
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY:
'3D quantum liquid crystals' detected as new state of matter
Caltech Physicists have discovered the first 3D quantum analog of a liquid crystal, a new state of matter with possible applications in quantum computing. Liquid crystals' molecules flow freely like in a liquid but are all oriented in the same direction, as in a solid. In a "quantum" liquid crystal, electrons behave like the liquid molecules having a directional flow.
AWARDS AND HONOURS :
First female MBBS doctor from Indore presented with Padma Shri
The 91-year-old gynaecologist, Dr. Bhakti Yadav was presented with the Padma Shri award at her residence on 20 April 2017. The award was presented to her by district collector P Narahari in the presence of the state’s Finance Minister Jayant Malaiya and Mayor Malini Gaud, as she was unable to attend the function organised in New Delhi on 13 April where the President of India, Pranab Mukherjee had given away the prestigious civilian awards to the recipients.The award aims to recognize her selfless service towards her patients, especially the ones from a poor background.
SPORTS NEWS:
PV Sindhu moves to 3rd position in world ranking
Five Indian shuttlers were upgraded in the latest BWF rankings released today. Rio Olympics silver medallist P.V. Sindhu moved to number 3. Slipping to number five last week, Sindhu earned two spots in the latest ranking on the basis of making the quarterfinals of the recently concluded Singapore Open Super Series. London Olympics bronze medallist Saina Nehwal also jumped up a place to be ranked eighth. In the men's singles, Ajay Jayaram moved a place to 13th position to remain as the highest-ranked Indian. Kidambi Srikanth and B Sai Praneeth both jumped as many as eight positions each. Srikanth is now placed at 21st and Praneeth at 22nd position.
Tennis star Rohan Boppana enters quarter-finals of Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters in Monaco
India’s Rohan Bopanna and his Uruguayan partner Pablo Cuevas has been advanced to the quarter-finals of the Monte-Carlo Masters. They defeated the fifth seeded pair of Rajeev Ram and Raven Klaasen 6-7, 6-4, 10-6. Ram and Klaasen of USA and South Africa respectively, took the upper-hand with a win in the tie-break in the first set. The Indo-Uruguyan pair, though, fought back valiantly in the second, taking a crucial break before clinching the set 6-4 to push the encounter into a tie-breaker. It was a tense tie-breaker with both sides not giving an inch to the other. Bopanna and Klasse held on to take the decider 10-6. In the quarter-finals, they will face top-seeds Henri Kontinen and John Peers.
For More Daily Current Affairs Updates – Click Here
No comments:
Post a Comment