Important Current Affairs 18th October 2018 English

National News

Bihar's 'Shahi Litchi' Gets Geographical Indication Tag

After Katrani rice, Jardalu mango and Magahi paan (betel vine), Bihar's Shahi litchi has got the Geographical Indication (GI) tag and has become an exclusive brand in the national and international market.
Important:
The famous Shahi litchi, which is famous for its sweet, juicy, unique flavour and aroma, is mostly grown in Muzaffarpur and neighbouring districts including East Champaran, Vaishali, Samastipur and Begusarai.
The GI registration was done in the name of Litchi Growers Association of Bihar, which had applied for the tag.
Bihar produces 40 per cent of the litchi grown in the country on 38 per cent of the area.
Geographical Indication (GI) tag
A GI is a name or sign used on certain products which corresponds to a specific geographical location or origin such as a town, region, or country.

Not a single mobile phone faces disconnect threat, says DoT 

The Department of Telecommunications (DOT) and Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) on October 18, 2018 clarified in a joint statement that a few news reports stating that 50 crore mobile numbers are at the risk of disconnection are completely untrue and imaginary. 
The joint statement clarifies that the Supreme Court in its judgement in Aadhaar case has nowhere directed that the mobile number which has been issued through Aadhaar eKYC has to be disconnected. Therefore, there is no reason for panic or fear at all. 

PM Modi to inaugurate India's 1st national police museum this month
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate India's first national police museum in Delhi on the occasion of police commemoration day on October 21.
The museum - depicting the history, artefacts, uniform and gear of central and state police forces - is coming up as an underground facility in the premises of the national police memorial in Chanakyapuri area of Delhi.
The museum project is being steered by the Intelligence Bureau (IB) in coordination with the central armed police forces (CAPFs) that function under the command of the Union home ministry.

CSIR develops affordable Water Disinfection System “OneerTM”

Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (CSIR-IITR), Lucknow has developed an innovative technology for “Drinking Water Disinfection System” with Trade name “OneerTM” which was transferred to M/s Bluebird Water Purifiers, New Delhi in the presence of Union Minister of Science & Technology and Vice-President, CSIR, Dr. Harsh Vardhan. 
It is useful for continuous treatment of water and eliminates all disease causing pathogens such as virus, bacteria, fungi, protozoa and cyst to provide safe drinking water to domestic and communities settings as per National and International standards prescribed for potable water (BIS, WHO etc.).

Awards News
Irish Author Anna Burns wins Man Booker Prize 2018 for 'Milkman'
 
Anna Burns has become the first Northern Irish writer and the first woman since 2013 to win Britain's renowned Man Booker Prize for her novel 'Milkman'. 
Burns was born in the Northern Irish capital Belfast in 1962 and now lives in southern England. She had previously authored two novels - 'No Bones' and 'Little Constructions'.
Man Booker Prize
Established in 1969, the Man Booker Prize recognises the judges choice of "the best original novel written in English and published in the UK".
Last year’s Booker Prize went to “Lincoln in the Bardo,” by American writer George Saunders.

Science & Space News

BepiColombo: Joint Mission to Mercury
A British-built spacecraft will set off for Mercury this week in a mission which could finally determine if the nearest planet to the Sun has water.
BepiColombo, one of the most ambitious missions ever undertaken by the European Space  Agency (ESA), will send two orbiters to explore the fiery world where surface temperatures reach 842F (450C).
Only two spacecraft have been to Mercury up to now, Nasa’s Mariner 10 which flew past in 1974 and 1975 and Nasa’s Messenger which orbited the planet between 2011 and 2015.

International News

12th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit begins

•    The 12th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit begins in Brussels today. 
•    Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu will lead the Indian delegation at the two-day summit. 
•    The theme this year is, 'Global Partners for Global Challenges'.

Over 60,000 Indians Received Green Cards in 2017: United  States
 
Out of the over 600,000 Indians waiting for the most sought-after Green Card, only 60,394 have received the legal permanent residency last year which allows them to live and work in the US, according to the latest official figures.
Of the 60,394 Indians who received Green Cards in 2017, the maximum 23,569 were issued to the employment-based preferences like those on the H-1B visas.
Country-wise figures reveal that China topped the list with 71,565 Green Cards, followed by Cuba (65,028) and India (60,394).

The Statue of Unity dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel set to be unveiled on 31st October

The world's tallest statue, the Statue of Unity dedicated to the iron man of India Sardar Vallabh bhai Patel is all set to be unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 31st October, the birth anniversary of Sardar Patel.
Important:
•    The engineering marvel is vibration and earthquake proof and can withstand wind velocity of up to 60 metres/second.
•    The structure comprises of the Shrestha Bharat Bhavan, which is a 3-star lodging facility consisting 52 rooms.
•    The 182-metre statue is the tallest in the world and is twice the size that of Statue of Liberty in New York City, which stands at 93-metres and four times the size of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro. 
•    The statue costs Rs 2,389 crore and nearly 3,400 labourers and 250 engineers worked round the clock for 42 months to complete the project. 

Sports News
Akash Malik first Indian archer to clinch silver medal at Youth Olympic Games
 
Akash Malik became India's first silver-medallist in archery at the Youth Olympic Games being held in Buenos Aires, Argentina. 
The 15-year-old son of a farmer lost a one-sided final to Trenton Cowles of the USA 0-6 as India concluded the youth Olympics with three gold, nine silver, and one bronze. 
Akash Malik also won a gold medal at Asia Cup Stage-I, two bronze in Asia Cup Stage-II and silver and a bronze in the South Asian championship, in the last one year.