25th APRIL CURRENT AFFAIRS IN ENGLISH

1. 15th SCO Defence Ministers meeting in China

India is participating in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers Meeting for the first time.

• The 15th SCO Defence Ministers Meeting was held at Beijing in China on 24 April 2018.
• Speaking at the meeting, Raksha Mantri Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted India’s keen interest in developing an expanded partnership with the broader Eurasian region.
• In doing so, India has sought to build on her long-standing ties of deep mutual trust and confidence with Russia, vibrant historical and cultural linkages with countries of Central Asia and closer development partnership with China and to further enhance and deepen ties with all the member countries for mutual benefit.

2. Railways to hand over century-old heritage bridge to UP government

In a bid to save its heritage structures, the Railways has decided against dismantling the 113-year old Lord Curzon Bridge in Allahabad and will hand it over the Uttar Pradesh government for its preservation.

• The construction of the 61-metre- long Lord Curzon Bridge that caters to both rail and vehicular traffic was sanctioned in 1901 as a state railway bridge.
• The engineer-in-charge was Robert Richard Gales.
• It opened for railway traffic on June 15, 1905, and for road traffic on December 20, 1905.

3. PM launches Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan, at a public meeting, in Mandla in Madhya Pradesh.

• He unveiled a Road Map for overall development of tribals during the next five years.
• He laid the foundation stone of an LPG bottling plant of Indian Oil Corporation at Maneri, Mandla District. He also launched a Local Government Directory.  
• The Prime Minister felicitated the Sarpanches of villages which have achieved 100 percent smokeless kitchens, 100 percent vaccination under Mission Indradhanush, and 100 percent electrification under Saubhagya Scheme.

4. Conclusion of Exercise Gaganshakti-2018

The Indian Air Force conducted pan India Exercise Gagan Shakti-2018 from 08-22 Apr 2018.

• The aim of the exercise was real time coordination, deployment and employment of air power in a short and intense battle scenario. 
• During Gagan Shakti-2018, lAF exercised its entire war fighting machinery to validate its concept of operations and war waging capability.
• The focus of the exercise was to check the viability of our operational plans and learn meaningful lessons.

5. Rajnath Singh chairs third meeting of Island Development Agency

The Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh, chaired the third meeting of the Island Development Agency (IDA) In Delhi.

• The Island Development Agency reviewed the progress made towards preparation of Development Plans for identified Islands (four in A&N Islands i.e. Smith, Ross, Long, Avis and five in Lakshadweep i.e. Minicoy, Bangaram, Thinnakara, Cheriyam, Suheli).
• For these Islands, Final Site Suitability Reports have been prepared, Carrying Capacity determined and Environmental zoning carried out to ensure sustainable development.

6. 2 Day Secure India Conclave underway in New Delhi

The two-day Secure India Conclave got underway in New Delhi on 24 April 2018.

• The conclave is being organised by Global Counter Terrorism keeping in view Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of New India : Secure India 2018.
• Several sessions on Left Wing Extremism, internal security situation on Jammu and Kashmir, cyber security and other areas will be chaired by eminent personnel during the summit.

7. India and World Bank Signs Agreement to Improve Rural Road Network in MP

The Government of India, the Government of Madhya Pradesh and the World Bank have signed a $210 million loan agreement for the Madhya Pradesh Rural Connectivity Project.

• The Project is expected to improve the durability, resilience and safety of the gravel surfaced rural roads and enhance the capacity of the state to manage its rural roads network. 
• The Project will cover 10,510 km stretch of rural roads in Madhya Pradesh that fall under the Chief Minister’s Gram Sadak Yojana (CMGSY) program.
• Of this 10,000 km will be upgraded from existing gravel to bituminous surface roads, while 510 km of new roads will be built to the same bituminous surface standard. 

8. Egyptian photojournalist wins 2018 World Press Freedom Prize

Egyptian photojournalist Mahmoud Abu Zeid, known as Shawkan, is the recipient of the 2018 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize.

• Abu Zeid, a freelance photographer who has worked for photo agencies such as Demotix and Corbis, is one of the longest-detained journalists in Egypt.
• He was arrested on August 14, 2013, when hundreds were killed as security forces cleared two pro-Morsi protest camps in Cairo.

9. India win 8th South Asian Judo Championship

India have clinched the title of team champion in the 8th series of South Asian Judo Championship in Kathmandu.

• In the men's team category, India defeated arch-rivals Pakistan 3-2 in the finals to claim the title.
• Under the women's team category, India thrashed hosts Nepal 5-0 to seal the title.
• India ended their campaign in the tournament with a total of 12 Gold medals and three Bronze medals.