TOP CURRENT AFFAIRS 18th October 2018
India & China to resume the Annual Joint Army Exercise
India & China will resume the Annual Joint Exercise “Hand-in-hand” in December this year, in the Chengdu region. In the exercise, 175 personnel will take part from each side. 11Sikh Light regiment under the Northern Command will represent India. The aim of this exercise is to understand transnational terrorism and evolve joint drills for the conduct of counter-terrorism operations, in addition to Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief operations.
Last year the exercise could not happen due to the aftermath of the Doklam standoff but following the Wuhan Summit, the two countries have tried to normalize diplomatic relations.
The Ministry of Rural Development conducted gap analysis of 3.5 lakh villages across the country
The Ministry of Rural Development has conducted a gap analysis of more than 3.5 lakh villages, in more than 1.6 lakh Panchayats under the Mission Antyodaya Convergence Scheme. The parameters were -:
1. Infrastructure
2. Economic Development & Livelihood
3. Irrigation Facilities
4. Health
5. Nutrition & Sanitation
6. Women Empowerment
7. Financial Inclusion
The highest number of villages in the top 10 rank are from Andhra Pradesh, which means it stands first, followed by Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, & others.
According to the survey, 95% of villages have electricity for their domestic use while the govt. had claimed earlier this year that 100% of villages have electricity connections.
Also, only 58% i.e. more than 2 lakhs of villages are Open Defecation Free while according to Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan- Gramin, 5.13 lakh of villages are Open Defecation Free.
Only 21% of villages have community waste disposal system. More than 73 % of villages are connected with an all-weather road.
Canada Legalises Marijuana-:
After a century-old ban, finally, adults of Canada can legally smoke marijuana as the country legalizes it. Canada is the first industrialized nation to make it legal.
Supreme Court orders premature release
Supreme Court has ordered the immediate release of persons who are entitled to ‘premature release’ Any person who is above 60 years of age and who already served 16 years in the jail without remission is entitled to be considered for premature release.
Kulgod, Karnataka’s village is the best
Karnataka’s Kulgod village has topped under the Mission Antyodaya scheme of the Centre. According to the survey under the scheme, it is the most developed village all over the country.
Praveen Chitravel bags bronze in the triple jump.
In the ongoing Youth Olympics, Praveen Chitravel bags bronze in the triple jump.
Renowned Hindi author, Mamta Kalia awarded Vyas Samman.
Renowned Hindi author, Mamta Kalia has awarded Vyas Samman for her novel “ Dukkham Sukkham”. It was the 27th Vyas Samman awarded to her. The first Vyas Samman was given in 1991 to Ram Vilas Sharma.
“The Paradoxical Prime Minister”
Congress Parliamentarian Shashi Tharoor has authored a book named “ The Paradoxical Prime Minister: Narendra Modi & His India”. The book has 50 chapters and it will release on 26th Oct. 2018.
2nd World Conference on Access to Medical Products- Achieving the SDGs 2030
The Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare in support with World Health Organisation is organizing “2nd World Conference on Access to Medical Products- Achieving the SDGs 2030” at New Delhi. The aim of the conference is to take forward the recommendations from the 1st World Conference 2017 and build on the work done for access to medical products.
India ranked 81st at the 2018 Henley Passport Index
India has ranked 81st at the 2018 Henley Passport Index with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 60 destinations which means Indians have access to travel to 60 destinations without a visa.
The Henley Passport Index is topped by Japan with having access to 190 destinations. Singapore secured second positions with having access to 189 destinations. The ranking is based on the data from the International Air Transport Association, which maintains the world’s largest database of travel information.
Manbooker Prize 2018
Annaburn from Northern Ireland become 1st woman since 2013 to win Britain’s Manbooker Prize for her novel ‘Milkman’.
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