Current Affairs 24th March 2018

National News

1. 7th India-Egypt Joint Commission Meeting Held in New Delhi

i. The 7th India-Egypt Joint Commission Meeting led by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry was held in New Delhi. 

ii. Both the sides reviewed the progress in the areas of political, trade & investment, S&T, cybersecurity, capacity building, security, space and culture. India and Egypt are two of the world's oldest civilisations that have enjoyed cordial relations based on commonality of views on regional and international issues.

Static/Current Takeaways Important for NABARD Grade-A Exam 2018-

• Cairo is the capital of Egypt.
• Egyptian pound is the currency of Egypt.

2. Union Agriculture Minister Addresses 5th India Maize Summit 2018

i. Union Agriculture Minister, Radha Mohan Singh had addressed the 5th India Maize Summit in New Delhi.

ii. The aim of the summit was to harness the potential of maize, technological innovations, promoting producer aggregation and linkages that are required.

3. Kerala CM Launches M-Kerala App

i. Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan launched M-Kerala, a unified app for all government services at #FUTURE 2018. It is a first-of-its-kind digital tech summit in the state.

ii. Kerala also becomes the state with the largest public Wi-Fi deployment in the country. The internet penetration in the state is at 52%. #FUTURE is Kerala's first-ever Global Digital Summit and was inaugurated by P Vijayan in Kochi.

Static/Current Takeaways Important for NABARD Grade-A Exam 2018-

• Palaniswamy Sathasivam is the present Governor of Kerala.

4. Andhra Pradesh Government Launches Multi-Utility Vehicle 'Naipunya Ratham'

i. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu launched the Naipunya Ratham, a multi-utility vehicle.  Also known as 'World on Wheels (WoW)', Naipunya Ratham is aimed at taking technology and innovation to the remote corners of the State.

ii. As part of the ‘Smart Village Smart Ward Programme’ of the state, the Naipunya Rathams will facilitate and look to improve digital literacy and digital skills. The State Government has allotted Rs 300 crore for the project.

Static/Current Takeaways Important for NABARD Grade-A Exam 2018-

• Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve is situated in Andhra Pradesh.

5. Navy Warship INS Ganga Decommissioned in Mumbai

i. INS Ganga, an indigenously built frigate of the Indian Navy, was decommissioned in Mumbai after over three decades of service. Commissioned in December 1985, the ship represented a big step forward in the nation's warship building capability.

ii. The special guest of honour for the ceremony was Vice Admiral (Retd) K K Kohli, the first Commanding Officer of INS Ganga.

Static/Current Takeaways Important for NABARD Grade-A Exam 2018-

• Sunil Lanba the 23rd Chief of the Naval Staff of the Indian Navy.

International News

6. World Tuberculosis Day- 24 March

i. Each year we commemorate World Tuberculosis Day on March 24 to raise public awareness about the devastating health, social and economic consequences of tuberculosis (TB) and to step up efforts to end the global TB epidemic.

ii. The date marks the day in 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch announced that he had discovered the bacterium that causes TB. The theme of World TB Day 2018 - “Wanted: Leaders for a TB-free world”.

Static/Current Takeaways Important for NABARD Grade-A Exam 2018-

• TB is a disease which in humans is usually caused by bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis).
• Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus is the WHO’s Director General.
• WHO Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

Business News

7. Reliance Signs Deal to Merge JioMusic With 'Saavn'

i. Mukesh Ambani-helmed Reliance Industries Ltd announced an integration with leading music app Saavn for its digital music service JioMusic.

ii. Reliance has executed definitive agreements for the combination of Saavn with JioMusic. The combined entity is valued at over $1 billion, with JioMusic’s implied valuation at $670 million.

Sports News

8. Hamilton Takes Record 7th Pole at Australian Grand Prix

i. Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton set a blistering time in his final lap of qualifying to take pole position at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix for a record seventh time, outpacing his nearest rival Kimi Raikkonen by a sizable 0.664 seconds.

ii. It’s the 73rd pole of Hamilton’s career.