13th APRIL CURRENT AFFAIRS IN ENGLISH

1. Economic Freedom Index 2018: India ranks 130

India jumped 13 places to achieve the 130th spot in this year's Index of Economic Freedom published by the Heritage Foundation, an American think-tank.

• As per the latest edition, India moved up to the 130th spot, up from 143 in 2017.
• India's economic freedom score was 54.5.
• Hong Kong topped the index followed by Singapore and New Zealand.

2. PM to inaugurate Dr. Ambedkar National Memorial at Alipur Road in Delhi

On the eve of the birth anniversary of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Dr. Ambedkar National Memorial at 26, Alipur Road in Delhi on April 13th.

• This is the place where Dr. Ambedkar attained Mahaparinirvana on 6th December 1956.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi had laid the foundation stone of the memorial on March 21, 2016.

3. PM Modi inaugurates 16th International Energy Forum Ministerial Meeting

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated 16th International Energy Forum Ministerial Meeting in New Delhi.

• It is the largest gathering of Ministers from energy consuming, producing and transit countries.
• Hosted by India and co-hosted by China and Korea, the meeting aims to focus on how global shifts, transition policies and new technologies influence market stability and future investment in the energy sector.

4. Eighth Regional 3R Forum concludes

The eighth 3R regional forum in Asia and pacific being held in Indore from the 9th April 2018 concluded with the adoption of chair summary by the participating nations reaffirming their commitment to promoting the principles of 3R - Reduce, Reuse & Recycle.

• Addressing the valedictory session Smt Maya Singh, Minister of Urban development , Govt of Madhya Pradesh appreciated the outcomes and achievements of the 3R forum and expressed confidence in Forum's capacity in propagation of 3R principles.
• The 3R forum legacy was handed over to the delegation of the Govt. of Thailand - the host of the next 3R forum to be held in Bangkok, which extended invitation to all the participant nations.

5. AIIB decides to invest $140M to improve Rural Connectivity in India

Approximately 1.5 Million rural residents in State of Madhya Pradesh are going to directly benefit from improved livelihoods, education and mobility with the USD $ 140-Million loan approved by the Board of Directors of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in a Meeting held recently in Beijing.

• The Project, co-financed with the World Bank, aims to improve the rural road connectivity and management for residents of about 5,640 villages who use the rural roads for daily activities.

6. NHAI signs agreement for its First International Project

To provide seamless vehicular movement for enhancing trade, business, health, education and tourism between Indian, Myanmar and Thailand, the National Highways Authority of India has signed an agreement for upgradation of Yagyi – Kalewa section of highway (Milepost 40/0 to Milepost 115/5) in Myanmar to two lane with earthen shoulder. 

• The agreement was signed by NHAI with M/s Punj Lloyd Ltd. – Varaha Infra Ltd. (JV). 
• The project has been funded by Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India and would be executed on EPC mode at a cost of Rs.1177 crores.    

7. AAI to develop Myanmar's Kalay Airport

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has signed an agreement with the Ministry of External Affairs, for preparation of a Detailed Project Report (DPR) on the first phase for development of the Kalay Airport as a green airport in Myanmar.

• AAI had developed more than 60 airports in metro and non-metro cities in India and now AAI wants to leverage its expertise to other countries on bigger scale.

8. Bhanu Pratap Sharma appointed chairman of Bank Board Bureau

 

The government has appointed former DoPT Secretary Bhanu Pratap Sharma as Chairman of the Banks Board Bureau (BBB).

• He replaces Vinod Rai, who was appointed as the first chairman of BBB for a two year term.
• Sharma has been appointed for two years.

9. Jayant Sinha to head Task Force for UAV technology

The Government has decided to constitute a Task Force under the chairmanship of Shri Jayant Sinha, Minister of State for Civil Aviation for fast-tracking the roll-out of   Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) technology.

• The Task Force will develop a roadmap with implementable recommendations for Central as well as State Governments, Industry and Research Institutions. 
• The Task Force will consist of representatives from the Government, PSUs, industry and sectoral experts and submit report within 6 months of its constitution. 
• The Headquarters of the Task Force will be at Ministry of Civil Aviation, New Delhi. 

10. Kidambi Srikanth World No 1, first Indian to reach top spot in men’s badminton

Kidambi Srikanth has scaled the peak of the men’s BWF men’s singles rankings for the first time.

• The 25-year-old shuttler’s prolific form in 2017, during which he won a record four Super Series titles, has helped him reach 76895 rating points, the best ever by an Indian male badminton player.
• He replaced Denmark's Viktor Axelsen to achieve the numero-uno spot in the latest BWF World Rankings.