Important Current Affairs 20th September 2018 English

(International News)

India, Bangladesh jointly inaugurate three projects
 
Prime Minister Narendra  Modi and his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina jointly inaugurated multiple projects in Bangladesh, through video conferencing.
•    The first project -- Supply of 500 MW additional power supply from India to Bangladesh through Baharampur - Bheramara interconnection was unveiled by Prime Minister Modi, Bangladeshi counterpart Hasina and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
•    The second project -- construction work of the Bangladesh part of Akhaura-Agartala railway link was inaugurated by Indian and Bangladeshi Prime Ministers, and Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Deb.
•    The third project on the rehabilitation of Kulaura-Shahbazpur section of Bangladesh Railways was jointly inaugurated by the Prime Minister of both the countries.

India, Germany sign MoA on skill development
 
India and Germany has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) on skill development, which will provide dual vocational training to Indian youth.
According to a note issued by the German Embassy, students who complete specific training courses in India will get a certificate that it is recognised in India as well as in Germany. They can apply for jobs in companies in India and Germany as well.
A joint body called German Indian Institute of Vocational Education and Training (GIIVET) that has been set up will look after the programme.
Dual Vocational Training Programme
In Germany there is a special way of learning a trade: the Dual vocational training system. As part of the dual system, you will attend classes at a vocational school and receive on-the-job training at a company.

India and Morocco sign Air Services Agreement enabling greater connectivity
 
India and Morocco signed the revised Air Services Agreement between the two countries enabling greater connectivity through a modernized agreement.
Objective:-
This milestone is enabler for greater air connectivity between India and Morocco and will enable the airlines of each side to enter into code share with airlines of other party, as well as provide greater freedom in mounting direct flights.  
These developments in the Civil Aviation sector will enable the people of each country to travel to the other country leading to better economic and cultural ties.

Construction of India-Bangladesh oil pipeline
 
Assam based Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) and Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) has signed a sale-purchase Agreement for supply of High Speed Diesel (HSD) through the proposed 131 km Indo-Bangla friendship pipeline.
According to NRL, this long term Sale-Purchase Agreement pertains to sale of HSD by Numaligarh Refinery Limited to Bangladesh Petroleum Limited through the proposed Indo-Bangla Friendship pipeline from NRL’s Marketing Terminal in Siliguri to BPC’s Depot at Parbatipur. 
The pipeline will cost Rs. 363 crore, the route survey for the pipeline has been completed based on which the Detailed Feasibility Report has been prepared by Engineers India Limited (EIL). 

World-class convention centre to be built in Delhi
 
•    The foundation stone of India International Convention and Expo Centre (IICC) was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on September 20, 2018.  
•    The IICC is being developed as a state-of-the-art centre to promote meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) to boost industrial development in the country.
•    The project is planned over an area of 221.37 acres in Sector 25 Dwarka, New Delhi, at an estimated cost of Rs 25, 703 crores.
•    Upon completion, the centre will be the biggest indoor exhibition space in India and will rank among the world’s top 10. It is expected to host more than 100 national and international events every year.

Korean countries sign agreement on denuclearisation of Korean Peninsula
 
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in on September 19, 2018 signed an agreement on denuclearisation, reducing military tensions and defusing crisis on the Korean peninsula.

Korean peninsula
The Korean Peninsula is a peninsula located in East Asia. It extends southwards for about 1,100 km (680 mi) from continental Asia into the Pacific Ocean and is surrounded by the Sea of Japan (East Sea) to the east and the Yellow Sea to the west, the Korea Strait connecting the two bodies of water.

( National News)

K N Vyas appointed Atomic Energy Commission chief
 
Director of Bhaba Atomic Research Centre (BARC) Kamlesh Nilkanth Vyas has been appointed as Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy and Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission. 
Appointments Committee of Cabinet approved Mr Vyas' appointment for a period till he attains the age of 64 years that is upto 3rd of May, 2021. 
  
Besides, senior IAS officer Anindo Majumdar has been appointed as Secretary, Central Vigilance Commission.
 Atomic Energy Commission
•    The Atomic Energy Commission is the governing body of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Government of India. The DAE is under the direct charge of the Prime Minister.
•    The Indian Atomic Energy Commission was set up on 3rd August 1948 under the late Department of Scientific Research. 

(Defense News)
Exercise Aviaindra-18 Commences at Lipetsk (Russia) 
 
Exercise Aviaindra 18 is being conducted at Lipetsk, Russia from 17 Sep to 28 Sep 18 and will be conducted in Jodhpur, India from 10 Dec to 22 Dec 18. 
Exercise Aviaindra is an Air Force level exercise between India and the Russian Federation. First Aviaindra was conducted in 2014 and has been planned as a bi-annual exercise.
Aim of this Exercise:
The aim of the exercise is focused towards anti-terrorist operations in a bi-lateral scenario. The exercise would further enhance the co-operation and understanding each other’s Concept of Operations. In addition to flying exercise, there would be formal interactions, discussions, exchange of ideas and friendly sports matches to enhance bonhomie between the two Air Forces.