Daily current affairs dated 18 April, 2017

Daily current affairs dated 18 April, 2017

285 killed in Thingyan water festival

In Myanmar at least 285 people were killed and 1073 others were injured during a four-day annual Thingyan Water Festival. A total of 272 people were killed during the festival last year. The festival marks the beginning of Burmese New Year and is observes as public holiday.

World Heritage day being observed on 18 April, 2017

The theme of the World Heritage Day was “Sustainable Tourism”. The day aims to spread awareness of the importance of protecting and preserving various sites around the world that have achieved 

world Heritage status. World Heritage sites are officially recognized by the UN and the UNESCO.

Canadian river to disappear in four days

The Slims river in Canada has disappeared in just four days because of melting glaciers. The incident took place between May 29 and 29 last year, when the Kaskawulsh Glacier in Canada’s Yukon region suddenly diverted into another river. The scientist described it as the first case of ‘river piracy’. The incident illustrates how global warming can dramatically change the geography.

SC collegium clears 90 names

The Supreme Court has cleared “every pending file” on appointments of higher judiciary. The names cleared by the collegium include lawyers and judicial officers. Names cleared include those recommended by high court collegiums as well as names previously cleared by the Supreme Court collegium but returned by the centre.

China says CPEC not about Kashmir issue

China on Monday sought to allay India’s concerns over the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, saying it has “no direct link” with the Kashmir issue. It also said that the New Delhi was welcome to participate in the ‘One Belt One Road’ project. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi made the statement at press conference on the One Belt One Road (OBOR) summit to be held here from May 14-15.

TV to come under Working Journalists Act

Centre has initiated steps to bring the electronic and digital media journalists too under the ambit of the Working Journalists Act, 1955. If necessary, the BJP-led NDA government would amend the Working Journalists Act. Govt. has taken steps to ensure stringent enforcement of the Labour Laws and implementation of Wageboard recommendations.

Orbital ATK set to launch Cargo to space

A rocket packed with food and supplies for the Astronauts living at the international Space /station is schedule to blast off from a NASA launch pad. The cargo ship is operated by Orbital ATK, and is the company’s seventh mission to space as part of a $ 1.9 billion contract with NASA. The spacecraft is loaded with supplies, hardware and experiments on growing food and cancer therapies.

SBI become most valued PSU stock

SBI has surpassed oil exploration major Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) to become most valued public sector under taking (PSU) stock in terms of market capitalization (m-cap). SBI with m-cap of Rs 239,808 crore  was ahead of ONGC having m-cap of Rs 236,003 crore. Previously, the m-cap of ONGC and SBI was Rs 234,977 crore and Rs 234,902 crore respectively.

Maoist Leader Narayan Sanyal passes away

Narayan Sanyal alias Bijoy-da, the Naxalite leader who joined Maoist politics in 1967 and played an instrumental role behind the formation of  CPI (Maoist) in 2004. Sanyal was among the last links between the Charu Majumdar-led CPI (ML)- considered the father of the left wing insurgency in India – and its offshoot CPI (Maoist). Sanyal was a member of the banned CPI(Maoist)’s politburo.

Australia Abolishes visa programme for Indians

Australia has abolished a visa programme used by over 95,000 temporary foreign workers, majority of them Indians. The move is seen as a measure to tackle the growing unemployment in the country. The programme known as 457 visa allows business to employ foreign workers for a period up to four years in skilled jobs where there is a shortage of Australian workers.

Data on sea level rise

A report includes recent scientific advances on the role of polar ice loss and new information on the expected sea level changes. The report states that there is a 67% probability that the bay area will experience sea level rise between the 1.0 foot and 2.4 feet by 2100. After the 2050, sea level rise projections increasingly depend on the trajectory of greenhouse gas emissions.

Govt. Plans to sell stock in 7 PSUs

The government plans to sell minority stake in seven PSUs, including bluechips such as IOC, SAIL and NTPC, which have a potential to raise over Rs 34,000 crore. The other companies which are on the radar include NHPC, PFC, REC and NLC India Ltd. There are already 12 PSUs for which the government has secured approval from the Cabinet to go ahead with disinvestment.