Current Affairs Today 17th and 18th April 2024 Daily GK Update

Daily Current Affairs 17th and 18th April 2024 Daily GK Update

Current Affairs Quiz 2024, Daily gk updates and Current affairs play a major role in any competitive exam. so here we are providing the current affairs quiz on a daily basis for Bank, SSC, Railway and Other Government Competitive Examinations.

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National News

India’s electronics exports increase 23.6% to $29.12 billion in FY24

  • India exported electronics goods worth $29.12 billion in 2023-24 (FY24), up 23.6 per cent compared to a year ago, even as the country’s total exports contracted 3 per cent.
  • According to commerce department officials, the top five export market of electronics good are — the US, United Arab Emirates, Netherland, United Kingdom, and Italy.
  • During FY24, exports also ventured into new markets, such as Montenegro, Cayman Islands, El Salvador, Turkmenistan, Mongolia, Honduras and St Vincent.

Lightstorm signed with IIT Madras to launch employment skilling initiative

  • The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with digital infrastructure provider Lightstorm for employment enablement and skill development programme in the country
  • The collaboration aims to address the skill gap among underprivileged students and support underserved youth, women, and job seekers from tier II and III cities.
  • It will provide extensive placement assistance, including job readiness facilities, for students pursuing degrees in arts, science, and commerce.
  • The ‘Employment Enablement Programme through Skill Development’ is a meticulously designed curriculum that aims to upskill students with essential topics that are highly practical and relevant in the current job market.

IITs in News

  • SJVN partners with IIT-Patna to improve tunneling project performance
  • IIM Mumbai and Starburst collaborate to boost aerospace, defence startups
  • IIT Madras hosts the 6th Shaastra Rapid FIDE Rated Chess Tournament
  • Starburst Accelerator SARL partners with IIT Madras to establish €100 million startup hub
  • IIT Madras develops customisable ‘Electric Standing Wheelchair’

IIT Madras launches India’s 1st mobile medical devices calibration facility

  • The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras has launched India’s first medical devices calibration facility on wheels.
  • The facility can calibrate up to 45 different life-saving medical devices including defibrillator analyser, electrical safety analyser, gas flow analyser, and dialysis reference meter.
  • The calibration of medical devices on a regular basis is must to ensure accurate diagnosis and treatment of patients.
  • This vehicle will go to the doorsteps of labs and calibrate life-saving medical equipment. The equipment will be tested in just a few hours.

International News

France hosts the International Humanitarian Conference

  • An international humanitarian conference for Sudan and neighbouring countries was held in the French capital, Paris.
  • Objective – To raise funds for the people of Sudan who have been caught in a war between Sudan’s army and the rebel paramilitary force Rapid Support Forces.
  • The conference was organized in response to the United Nations’ funding appeal on 7 February 2024.
  • France, Germany and the European Union organized the International Humanitarian Conference for Sudan and neighbouring countries.
  • Ministers and representatives of over 58 states, including neighbouring and regional countries and donors, attended the conference.

Banking and Financial

Bank of India signed with IMGC for mortgage guarantee on home loans

  • Public sector lender Bank of India and Indian Mortgage Guarantee Corporation (IMGC) have signed a pact to provide mortgage guarantee-backed home loan products in the affordable housing segment.
  • It will cover salaried and self-employed home loan customers.
  • IMGC’s guarantee will mitigate the risk of defaults for the bank, allowing it to potentially offer more favourable loan terms to borrowers, the company said in a statement.
  • Leveraging IMGC’s guarantee expertise and the bank’s extensive network of over 5,100 branches across India, this collaboration will enable the lender to provide home loan products with greater flexibility and security to potential homeowners.

Recent MoUs Signed in Banking Sector

  • Karnataka Bank partnered with FISDOM to offer 3-in-1 accounts (savings, demat, and trading) through its mobile banking app, KBL Mobile Plus.
  • PhonePe partners with eSewa and Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN) Pokhara to promote UPI in Nepal
  • ICICI Lombard ties up with Policybazaar to offer insurance products
  • SINE, IIT Bombay Collaborates with Canara Bank for Financing of Startups
  • J&K Bank partnered with Paymart India to launch virtual ATM Facility

SBI Life launches IdeationX

  • SBI Life Insurance has launched the 1st edition of ‘IdeationX’, a pioneering initiative that promises to revolutionize the future of the insurance industry.
  • The innovative platform aims at engaging and encouraging future leaders from B-Schools across the country to think, innovate and present unconventional life insurance solutions that address consumer’s evolving insurance needs and contribute towards reshaping India’s life insurance sector landscape.
  • The key objective behind this initiative is to involve the young minds who are the future leaders of the country, to identify various insurance needs and conceptualize product solutions addressing those needs.
  • The inaugural edition of SBI Life- IdeationX witnessed enthusiastic participation from over 1000 young minds representing B-Schools such as NIA in Pune, NIRMA in Ahmedabad, SIES in Mumbai, KJ Somaiya in Mumbai, IMI in Kolkata, BML Munjal in Gurgaon, IMT in Hyderabad, and XIME in Bangalore.

Recent Facilities Launched in Banking & Insurance Sector

  • BharatPe to launch a new app called ‘ZeroPe’, an app designed for medical loans.
  • Bandhan Mutual Fund launched Bandhan Innovation Fund
  • Canara Bank unveiled a series of new products Canara UPI 123PAY ASI, Canara HRMS Mobile App for Staff, Canara Angel, Canara Heal
  • Tata AIA unveils payment solution system on WhatsApp
  • Axis Bank launches Digital US Dollar Fixed Deposits for NRIs at GIFT City
  • Federal Bank launched a RuPay smart key chain called ‘Flash Pay’ for contactless NCMC payments

UNCTAD forecasts India’s GDP growth at 6.5% in 2024

  • In a recent report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), India’s economy is forecasted to grow at a rate of 6.5 percent in 2024.
  • This projection follows a growth of 6.7 percent in 2023, indicating a continued upward trend. The report highlights India’s position as the fastest-growing major economy globally.
  • According to the UNCTAD report, multinational companies are expanding their manufacturing operations in India to enhance their supply chain diversification.
  • This move is expected to bolster Indian exports, contributing positively to economic growth. The growth observed in 2023 was attributed to robust public capital investment and expansion in the service sector.
  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has set a slightly higher estimate, projecting a 7 percent growth rate for the current financial year 2024-25.

Updated GDP List

  • UNTCAD – 6.5% (FY24)
  • Moody’s Analytics – 6.1% (FY24)
  • ADB –7.6% (FY24), 7% (FY25), 7.2%(FY26)
  • World Bank – 7.5% (FY24), 6.4% (FY25), 6.5% (FY26)
  • S&P – 7.6% (FY24), 6.8% (FY25)
  • CRISIL – 6.8% (FY25)
  • Morgan Stanley – 6.8%(FY24), 6.8% (FY25)
  • World Bank – 6.4% (FY25), 6.5% (FY26)
  • India Ratings – 6.7% (FY24)

Appointment

Kuwait’s Emir appoints Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah al-Ahmad al-Sabah as PM

  • Kuwait’s Emir has appointed Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah al-Ahmad al-Sabah as the new Prime Minister of Kuwait.
  • Former Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Sabah al-Salem al-Sabah resigned in April only a few months after he was designated to form a government.
  • His resignation was a procedural move after a new parliament was elected that month, the fourth since December 2020.

About Kuwait

  • Capital – Kuwait City
  • Currency -Kuwaiti dinar
  • Prime Minister – Ahmad Nawaf Al-Ahmad al-Sabah

Newly Appointed Prime Minister & President

  • PM of Ireland – Simon Harris (youngest PM of nation, 37)
  • President of Slovakia – Peter Pellegrini
  • President of Egypt – Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi (3rd term)
  • PM of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) – Judith Suminwa Tuluka (nation’s first female PM)
  • President of Senegal – Bassirou Diomaye Faye

BharatPe appoints Nalin Negi as CEO

  • Fintech major BharatPe has appointed Nalin Negi as its chief executive officer, after more than a year after he took over as interim CEO and CFO.
  • Negi was appointed as its chief financial officer in 2022 after its then top executive Suhail Sameer stepped down in January 2023.
  • He was was instrumental in driving the company’s significant growth and strategic advancements across key business segments.
  • Under his leadership, BharatPe witnessed a remarkable 182 per cent increase in revenue from operations in FY23 and achieved its first EBITDA positive month in October 2023.

Recent Appointment in Banking & Insurance Sector

  • Additional Director Suryoday SFB – Deepak Kumar Sharma
  • Independent director of RBL Bank -Murali Ramakrishnan
  • Chief Distribution Officer of Future Generali India Insurance Company – Ramit Goyal (replace Raghavendra Rao)
  • CFO of Punjab & Sind Bank – Arnab Goswamy (replace Mahima Agarwal)
  • Chief Risk Officer of Bank of Maharashtra – Subhasish Roy
  • MD & CEO of Axis Capital – Atul Mehra

Georgieva selected for second term as IMF Managing Director

  • The International Monetary Fund’s executive board selected Bulgarian economist Kristalina Georgieva to serve as managing director for a second five-year term, starting on Oct. 1, 2024.
  • The Board commended Ms. Georgieva’s strong and agile leadership during her term, navigating a series of major global shocks.
  • Georgieva is the second woman to head the IMF and the first person from an emerging market economy. She is the IMF’s 12th managing director since its founding in 1944.

About International Monetary Fund (IMF)

  • Founded – 1945
  • Headquarters- Washington, D.C.
  • Managing Director – Kristalina Georgieva (Bulgaria)
  • First Deputy MD – Gita Gopinath
  • Chief Economist – Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas (France)
  • Member countries – 190 (Andorra)

Bramha Kumar appointed as ambassador to Zimbabwe

  • Bramha Kumar has been appointed as India’s next Ambassador to Republic of Zimbabwe.
  • He is an Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer of batch 2005, Kumar is a Joint Secretary in MEA at present.

Recent Appointment in Foreign

  • Sita Ram Meena appointed as India’s Ambassador to Niger
  • Abhay Thakur appointed as India’s Envoy to Myanmar
  • Soumendu Bagchi appointed as India’s Ambassador to Iraq
  • Abhilasha Joshi appointed as India’s Ambassador to Chile
  • Vinay Kumar appointed as India’s Ambassador to Russia

About Zimbabwe

  • Capital – Harare
  • Currency – United States Dollar
  • Continent – Africa
  • President – Emmerson Mnangagwa

Awards

Adwaita Nayar named Young Global Leader in World Economic Forum’s Class of 2024

  • Adwaita Nayar, the co-founder of Nykaa and CEO of Nykaa Fashion, has been inducted into the esteemed World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders Community as part of the Class of 2024.
  • Comprising 90 remarkable individuals, this group of changemakers is at the forefront of shaping the future and fostering positive change through their innovative endeavors.
  • As the forum of young leaders completes 20 glorious years, this recognition reflects their commitment to fostering the next generation of changemakers.
  • Some of the world’s most powerful political and business leaders including several current and former Prime Ministers and Presidents, Nobel laureates, Fortune 500 CEOs and billionaires are a part of this league.

Recent Awards

  • South Asian Person of the Year award by Harvard University – Avantika Vandanapu
  • American President’s Volunteer Award 2024 – Lokesh Muni
  • John Dirks Canada Gairdner Global Health Award 2024 -Dr Gagandeep Kang
  • John L “Jack” Swigert, Jr Award 2024 – ISRO (for Chandrayaan -3)
  • Best Scientific Poster Award’ 2024 – Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospital
  • “Medal of Honour” at Consular Day 2024 – Neeraj A Sharma

Important day

17 April – World Hemophilia Day

  • World Hemophilia Day is observed every year on 17 April.
  • Objective – To raise awareness about hemophilia, a rare and inherited bleeding disorder.
  • Theme 2024 – Equitable access for all: recognizing all bleeding disorders.
  • World Hemophilia Day was first celebrated on the 17th of April 1989. It marks the birthday of Frank Schnabel, the founder of the World Federation of Haemophilia (WFH).

What is Hemophilia?

  • Hemophilia is an inherited genetic condition. There is no cure for hemophilia. However, symptoms can be managed and further complications can be avoided.
  • There are three types of hemophilia: Hemophilia A, B, and C.
  • Hemophilia can result in bleeding within joints, leading to chronic joint disease and pain.

18 April – World Heritage Day

  • World Heritage Day, also known as International Day for Monuments and Sites (IDMS), is celebrated annually on April 18 to honour and preserve our heritage.
  • Theme 2024 – Discover and Experience Diversity.
  • In 1982, The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) proposed the idea of observing World Heritage Day on April 18 every year. The following year, the proposal was approved at UNESCO’s General Conference.
  • Since then, the special day is observed every year on April 18. Heritage monuments and sites are often victim to human activities, natural disasters and urbanization. The day reinstates the importance of protecting and preserving them.

Obituary

Legendary English Cricketer Derek Underwood passes away

  • Derek Underwood, England and Kent’s legendary spinner, has passed away at the age of 78.
  • The slow left-arm orthodox spinner was known for his pin-point accuracy during his playing career.
  • Regarded as England’s best spinner in the post-World War II era, legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar hailed Underwood as one of the toughest bowlers the Indian batting legend ever faced.
  • Underwood bagged 297 wickets in 86 Test matches between 1966 and 1982. The spin-bowling icon dedicated his entire first-class career to Kent.
  • Underwood was 21 when he made his Test debut in 1966. He played his final Test for the Three Lions in 1982.

 

 

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