Current Affairs - 2018 

January 2018 

Current Affairs 2018 - January

Current Affairs 2018 - January

01 January

• Arunachal Pradesh declared open defecation-free State
• Saudi Arabia, UAE introduce VAT for first time
• NASA to launch Parker Solar Probe to explore sun’s outer atmosphere

02 January

• Venezuela raises minimum wage 40%
• Vidarbha defeats Delhi to win Ranji Trophy for the First Time
• India and Pakistan exchange list of nuclear sites for 27th consecutive year
• Vijay Keshav Gokhale appointed as Foreign Secretary of India
• Kolkata bans public display of weapons
• Bhavantar Bharpai scheme in Haryana
• No more aid to Pakistan: Trump
• China shuts down its legal Ivory Trade
• WCD launches online portal ‘NARI’ for women empowerment
• Indian Golfer Shiv Kapur wins Royal Cup at Pattaya
• Assamese and Manipuri versions of PM Narendra Modi Official Website launched

03 January

• Sathiyan surpasses Kamal to be highest-ranked Indian paddler
• 171st Araadhanai Music Festival begins in Tamil Nadu
• UNESCO enters Turkey’s Endangered ‘Bird Language’ in Intangible Cultural Heritage List
• Bulgaria takes over revolving EU presidency
• Former RAW chief Rajinder Khanna appointed Deputy NSA
• Pakistan State Bank allows use of Chinese Yuan for Bilateral Trade & Investment activities
• California’s new law on cannabis use
• Six countries enter UN Security Council

04 January

• Pak Navy successfully tests missile in Arabian Sea
• Israel passes law requiring super-majority to relinquish control over Jerusalem
• Bharat Biotech’s Typbar-TCV: WHO approves Indian typhoid vaccine for global use
• APGVB introduces Desktop ATMs in Rural India
• Sushma Swaraj embarked on tour of 3 Southeast Asian Nations
• Nation-wide cleanliness survey ‘Swachh Survekshan’ launched
• 4 January: World Braille Day

05 January

• Iceland becomes first country to legalise equal pay
• Haryana makes Solar plants mandatory in new buildings
• MAS chief Ravi Menon named best central bank governor in Asia-Pacific
• Vocalist Radha Vishwanathan passes away
• Three Ministries sign MoU for a Technology Mission for Indian Railways
• Meghalaya signs host city contract for 39th National Games in 2022

06 January

• India excludes Pakistan from a SAARC Initiative
• US lists Pakistan with ten other nations for Religious Freedom Violations
• World Book Fair 2018 starts in New Delhi
• India GDP growth likely at 6.5% in 2017-18: CSO
• Bellucci to come back from 5-month ban
• Himalayan Hydro Expo 2018 kicked off at Kathmandu
• HRD Ministry releases All India Higher Education Survey

07 January

NASA’s Astronaut John Young Passes Away

Federer-Bencic Lead Switzerland to Hopman Cup Title

24th Federation Cup All India Carrom Championship

Former President of Japan’s Toyota dies at 88

Lagaan actor Shrivallabh Vyas passes away

Elina Svitolina Wins Brisbane International

08 January

• Indian Railways to equip all 8,500 stations with Wi-Fi to boost Digital India.
• Bhagwat to hoist the national flag in Kerala on Jan 26.
• Uttar Pradesh government orders removal of unauthorized loudspeakers.
• Google doodle pays tribute to fearless Nadia on her 110th birth anniversary.
• Centre gives a nod to construction of 14,000 bunkers along LoC, IB.
• Chinese city gets face recognition tech for registering marriages.
• UK PM Theresa May to reshuffle cabinet today.
• Chinese startup unveils ‘car of future’ for $45,000.
• Uber re-launches autorickshaw service in India.
• Baba Ramdev-led Patanjali Ayurved plans massive online push.
• SpaceX to launch world’s most powerful rocket by ‘end of January’.
• China’s 8.5-tonne space lab set to fall to earth by March.
• Barcelona sign 160-million-euro Coutinho in the 3rd richest deal.
• Everton’s Mirallas re-joins Olympiakos on loan.
• Makhaya Ntini steps down as Zimbabwe bowling coach.
• John Young, US astronaut who set records in space with NASA, is dead at 87.

09 January

• India’s fastest supercomputer established at IITM, Pune.
• Indian Space Research Organisation to launch 31 satellites.
• Kapikl Mohan, chairman of  Mohan Meakin Ltd, manufacturer of Old Monk Rum passes away.
• SBI raises $2 billion to fund overseas business.
• Beard care market reaches Rs 100 crore.
• Indian company Adani among top 15 global utility solar power developers.
• Union Government to start strategic divestment of Air India.
• Ricky Ponting is Australia’s assistant coach for T20s.
• Barcelona buys Philippe Coutinho for 160-million-euros.
• Usain Bolt gets a trial with Borussia Dortmund.

10 January

• Supreme Court makes national anthem optional in theaters.
• India’s first all-women railway station enters Limca book of records.
• Maldives foreign minister on a three-day visit to India.
• First security dialogue between India and Indonesia was held in New Delhi.
• Executive chairman of Breitbart News, Steve Bannon Steps down.
• Khadi to enter shopping malls.
• ICICI Bank and Ola partners to offer integrated services.
• Morgan Stanley to invest in Indian stent manufacturer SMT.
• Ashish Dikshit was appointed as the managing director of Aditya Birla Fashion.
• Ahmedabad Smash Masters enter semi finals of Pro Badminton League.
• Solomon Deksisa, Bornes Kitur to run at the Mumbai Marathon.

11 January

• Maharashtra govt to create quota for orphans aspiring to take competitive exams.
• Women BSF bikers to debut on Republic Day Parade.
• Former minister Dr Rajeev Bindal was elected as the Speaker of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly.
• Renowned scientist Sivan K was appointed as the chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation.
• Counter-terrorism, security and trade to be the top agenda at India-ASEAN Summit.
• Two Indian-origin MPs get promoted in Theresa May’s government reshuffle.
• Rewa Solar to get Rs. 2,800 crore funding from International Finance Corporation.
• KKR-backed Emerald Media buys Ketan Mehta’s animation studio.
• Central Govt raised Rs 1,200 crore from the sale of 2.5% stake in NMDC.
• Kerala Blasters defeat Delhi Dynamos 3-1.

12 January

• Indian Space Research Organisation launched its 100th satellite from Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota.
• India to get 10,000 seaplanes in the next 2 years.
• MEA confirms India-Pakistan National Security Advisor meet.
• Indian-American politician Aruna Miller to run for elections from Maryland.
• Julian Assange gets Ecuador citizenship.
• Bank of Baroda to sell Nainital Bank.
• Kuants raises Rs 50 lakh from angel investors.
• Vatika Hotels buyout Goldman Sach‘s stake.
• FC Goa defeats Jamshedpur FC.
• Sarita Devi, Sonia Lather enter finals of National Women’s Boxing Championship.

13 January

• India and Malaysia held a 5th Bilateral Technical Meeting in New Delhi.
• National Youth Day was celebrated on January 12.
• India and Canada to sign an MoU for cooperation in Science and Technology.
• Solar ferry in Kerala completes one year of operation.
• India to revive missile deal with Israel.
• Sri Lanka lifts ban on women buying, selling alcohol.
• Saudi Women allowed to attend a football game for the first time.
• US Ambassador to Panama, John Feeley Resigns.
• Norwegian fertiliser giant Yara International, announced the completion of its acquisition of Tata Chemicals Ltd’s urea plant.
• Israel to invest $68.6 million in India to boost cooperation.
• Hyderabad Hunters reach their maiden final in the Premier Badminton League.
• India beat Pakistan by seven wickets in the Blind Cricket World Cup.

14 January

• Maharashtra power transmission company to purchase 1000 MW solar power.
• Indian Peacekeepers rebuild bridge in South Sudan.
• Former Union minister Raghunath Jha has passed away.
• Morgan Stanley values Zomato at $2.5 billion.
• Indian-origin businessman Sunny Verghese has been appointed as the Chairman of World Business Council for Sustainable Development.
• Teen Murti Chowk in Delhi, renamed after Israeli city Haifa.
• Two new Metro corridors to start operations in Kolkata.
• India ranked 30th on WEF global manufacturing index.
• Football Delhi and ASSOCHAM signs MoU to develop the sport.

15 January

• Indian Government to auction ‘enemy’ properties worth Rs 1 lakh crore.
• Sushma Swaraj met Israeli PM Netanyahu.
• India to host two-day international meet on disaster relief along with the UN.
• Journalist and writer Gnani Sankaran passes away.
• Indian Origin artist Aziz Ansari becomes first Asian to win Golden Globe award.
• Amazon and Patni Joint Venture gets Rs 100 crore in funding.
• Uber re-launches auto service in India.
• India beat Australia by 100 runs in U-19 World Cup.
• Hyderabad Hunters won the PBL title by defeating Bengaluru Blasters.

16 January

• Shiv Sena, NCP join hands to capture power in Thane Zilla Parishad.
• Bihar CM’s fifth phase of ‘Vikas Samiksha Yatra’ to begin today.
• Government to launch ‘operation digital board’.
• Indo-US joint military exercise Vajra Prahar to take place in Seattle.
• Myanmar says the first camp for Rohingya will be ready next week.
• Britain scrambles 2 typhoon jets to intercept Russian planes.
• Air India to be split into four separate companies ahead of the sale.
• TCS bags Marks & Spencer deal to help become a digital-first business.
• Micromax to launch India’s first Android Go smartphone this month.
• Alibaba-owned DingTalk enterprise messaging app launched in India.
• Ford plans $11 billion investment, 40 electric vehicles by 2022.
• Manchester United great Ryan Giggs takes the appointment as new Wales manager.
• Paul Lambert takes the appointment as Stoke City manager.
• India’s youth women boxers bag three gold and one bronze at Nations Cup.
• Khelo India anthem launched by sports minister Rajyavardhan Rathore.
• P Gopichand inaugurates Bennett University sports complex.
• Zombie singer Dolores O’Riordan dies at 46.
• Ex-Union Minister Raghunath Jha passes away.

17 January

• India to buy guns worth Rs 3,547 crore for border troops on the fast-track basis.
• PM Modi and Israel PM Netanyahu to visit Vadrad in Prantij.
• India attends its first Shanghai Cooperation organisation military cooperation meeting.
• Odisha government appoints new collectors in eight districts.
• Uber limits driver hours in Britain to 10.
• The US withholds $65 million from Palestinian aid programs.
• Muhajirs in US launch ‘Free Karachi’ campaign.
• TCS wins $6 billion in contracts in a month.
• RCom to lay $600 million submarine cable to carry data across Europe, Asia.
• Patanjali to launch textile portfolio comprising clothing line, footwear around Nov.
• Nestle sells US candy business to Ferrero for $2.8 billion amid health push.
• Isro releases the first image captured by Cartosat-2 series.
• Roger Federer receives twin nominations for 2018 Laureus Awards.
• India to host Afghanistan for the historic one-off Test match in Bengaluru from June 14.

18 January

• Uttar Pradesh government plans metro services in Agra, Kanpur, Meerut by 2024.
• Suresh Prabhu says India to become $5 trillion economies in 8-9 years.
• Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu to meet Jewish leaders in Mumbai today.
• Sushma Swaraj meets Bangladesh Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali.
• Maharashtra new policy to create 10,000 start-ups and 5 lakh jobs in the state.
• China planning to send robot submarine to the sunken ship.
• The US withholds $65 million from Palestinian aid programs.
• Apple plans new US campus and will spend $350 billion over next 5 years.
• Ravi Shankar’s brand Sri Sri Tattva to open 1000 stores by December.
• Maharashtra govt signs MoU with Israel firm.
• Ronaldinho retires from football.
• Everton FC signs Theo Walcott from Arsenal FC.
• India enters final of Blind Cricket World Cup.
• Veteran Akali leader Manjit Singh Calcutta passes away.

19 January

• Mumbai’s first textile museum project is finally on track.
• Nitish Kumar launches project worth over Rs. 400 Crores.
• Yogi Adityanath to attend VHP seers meet in Allahabad today.
• Agni-5, Nuclear-capable fire and forget missile, successfully test-fired.
• Tamil Nadu to host first ever Defence Expo in April, says Nirmala Sitharaman.
• Niklaus-Samuel Gugger becomes first Indian-origin MP in Switzerland.
• The US tests nuclear power system to sustain astronauts on Mars.
• Indian origin MP is first female Muslim minister to address British parliament.
• Uber-SoftBank deal has closed, making SoftBank largest shareholder.
• Emirates throws Airbus A380 a lifeline with $16-billion deal.
• L&T Technology Services wins $50-million contract.
• Motorola to open 50 Moto Hubs in Delhi-NCR this month.
• Virat Kohli wins Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for Cricketer of the Year and ODI Cricketer of the Year award.
• Kohli becomes second Indian to reach 900-point mark in ICC rankings.
• India rise to 102nd spot in FIFA rankings.
• Gerard Pique renewed Barcelona contract until 2022.
• Actor-director Kashinath passes away.

20 January

• Nine new cities added to Smart Cities Mission.
• Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry to bring out a liveability index of 116 cities.
• Union Government to come up with India’s first National Urban Policyframework.
• CRPF DG Sudeep Lakhtakia has been appointed as the new chief ofNational Security Guard.
• Former Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel was appointed as the Governor of Madhya Pradesh.
• Vizhinjam Port CEO Santosh Kumar Mohapatra has resigned from his position.
• US to sell F-35 jets worth $6.53 billion to Belgium.
• In a first, Drone rescues swimmers in Australia.
• Britain appoints Loneliness Minister.
• Patanjali products enter fair price shops in Himachal Pradesh.
• Tata Steel has raised $1.3 billion from foreign investors through bonds.
• Bangladesh thrash Sri Lanka for biggest one-day win.
• Indian hockey defeated hosts New Zealand 3-1 in the Four Nations Invitational Tournament.

21 January

• 111 women were felicitated by President Ram Nath Kovind for their work in their respective fields.
• Lockheed Martin proposes to manufacture F-16 fighter jets in India.
• India became a member of export control regime Australia Group.
• World Economic Forum (WEF) to kick off in Davos on Monday.
• Island volcano in Papua New Guinea erupts.
• Tata Group to merge 5 private equity units into a single $1bn fund.
• ONGC buys government’s stake in HPCL for Rs 36,915 crore.
• Wipro headcount falls, to focus on local hiring.
• FC Goa defeats Kerala Blasters 2-1 in ISL.
• Vladimir Kramnik defeats Viswanathan Anand.
• `Dabbawalas’ of Mumbai to run the Mumbai Marathon.

22 January

• Piyush Goyal plans railway stations completely safe by 2022.
• India, Japan to introduce AI, robotics in defence sector.
• India begins talks with Russia for Rs 39,000 cr Triumf missile shield deal.
• Pawan Kalyan to announce political voyage from Telangana temple today.
• India to have automated ocean pollution system from April.
• Google doodle pays tribute to filmmaker Sergei Eisenstein on his 120th birthday.
• Saudi Arabia coalition announces $1.5 billion in aid for Yemen.
• US government to remain closed on Monday as Senate still short of a deal.
• India to become the fastest growing large economy in 2018, says Report.
• ONGC to acquire govt entire stake in HPCL for Rs 36,915 Cr.
• Honda Cars India recalls over 22,800 vehicles.
• Anand draws with Svidler at Tata Steel Chess.
• Watford hires former Malaga boss Javi Gracia to replace Marco Silva.

23 January

• PM Modi holds global CEO meet, pitches for business opportunities in India.
• Madhya Pradesh budget session to begin on February 26.
• Engine-less train with 160 kmph to be out in June.
• RSS to hold biggest volunteers’ meet in Meerut on Feb 25.
• Canadian PM Justin Trudeau to visit India from February 17 to 23.
• India, China to co-host energy meet in Delhi.
• India-UAE investment task force to facilitate over $1 billion into India.
• China donates over 32,000 solar power generators to Nepal.
• UAE launches an app for Indians seeking work visas.
• Chinese Navy gets new electronic warfare aircraft.
• Facebook to train 1 million people, businesses in EU by 2020.
• Airtel’s Wynk Music crosses over 75 million downloads.
• Apple joins Malala Fund to strengthen girl’s education in India, and globally.
• Amazon to introduce voice commands on Alexa for Android.
• IPL 2018 to begin on April 7 in Mumbai.
• Sanchez signs for Manchester United, Mkhitaryan joins Arsenal.

24 January

• Bihar govt sanctions Rs 100 crore a year for minorities.
• Sushma Swaraj meets Brunei FM, discusses ways to strengthen ties.
• Shiv Sena won’t ally with BJP in 2019 polls.
• The US congratulates India for joining Australia Group.
• UP Budget session from February 8 to March 20.
• RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat to hoist tricolour at Kerala school on Republic Day.
• US Senate confirms Jerome Powell as next chairman of the federal reserve.
• China to build 6-lane “Intelligent Expressway” by 2022.
• Scientists discover a piece of America in Australia.
• Jaitley says India to become one of three largest economies in 25 years.
• ONGC gets govt nod to sell a stake in IOC, GAIL to fund HPCL buy.
• Facebook invents a new time unit called ‘Flicks’.
• Toys ‘R’ Us to shut about 180 US stores.
• Atletico Madrid knocked out of Copa del Rey by Sevilla.
• Crystal Palace signs Poland defender Jaroslaw Jach on a three-year deal.
• Winger Aaron Lennon completes switch to Burnley from Everton.

25 January

• PM Modi holds talks with Myanmar and Vietnam.
• Amit Shah says BJP will contest Karnataka polls on its own.
• Naveen Patnaik suspends LS MP Bijayant Panda from BJD.
• Padma awards to be announced today.
• After 20 years, ITBP float returns to republic day featuring China border.
• First flight from Jewar likely by December 2021.
• Army gifts T-55 battle tank to Azam Khan’s university in Rampur.
• Google’s doodle celebrates Virginia Woolf on her 136th birthday.
• Chinese company launches bike-sharing platform in Indian cities.
• Indian telecom stocks fall after Jio cuts tariffs to counter Airtel data plans.
• Google rolls out audiobooks with Assistant integration on Play Store.
• NASA astronauts conduct first spacewalk of 2018.
• Mascherano joins galaxy of stars in China.
• Viswanathan Anand beats Gawain Jones in round 10 of Tata Steel chess.
• Leganes knocked out Real Madrid from Copa del Rey.

26 January

• The Jaipur Literature Festival 2018 begins today.
• Labour Ministry Plans to Issue UWIN Cards.
• 10 ASEAN Leaders to attend India’s Republic Day Celebration.
• Priyanka to be an ambassador of Harman Int.
• Sushma Swaraj inaugurated the Bharat-ASEAN Maitri Park in Delhi.
• Japan commits Rs 2,587 cr loan to Bengaluru water supply project.
• India Ranks 177 In EPI 2018.
• Vodafone And Flipkart Tie Up For 4G Smartphones.
• Govt Collects Rs 86,703 Cr Under GST In December.
• Ministry Of Road Transport & Highways Inks With IL&FS.
• NSIC Inks Pact With Malaysia’s SME Corporation.
• Narayanan takes the appointment as Director of ISROs Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre.
• Usha Ananthasubramanian becomes first woman chairman of IBA.
• Govt Announces Padma Awards 2018.
• Tamil Nadu clinches men’s crown.
• Bengali Actor Supriya Choudhury Passed Away.

27 January

• Republic Day parade: In a first, BSF puts women on 2 wheels.
• RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat hoists Tricolour at Kerala school.
• ASEAN leaders want India to be more pro-active in Indo-Pacific.
• Rahul Gandhi to launch Congress campaign for Meghalaya assembly polls on January 30.
• PM Modi holds talks with counterparts from Malaysia, Indonesia, Laos.
• China to establish international courts to deal with BRI cases.
• Republic Day celebrated in South Africa.
• India, the US to hold first 2-by-2 dialogue of defence in April.
• China likely to extend OBOR initiative across the Arctic unveils vision for ‘Polar Silk Road’.
• Xiaomi replaces Samsung as the top smartphone seller in India.
• Intel, Huawei achieve world’s first 5G NR Interoperability.
• Padma awards: Foreign Awardees Range from Yoga Guru to Indologist.
• Sevilla next up for giant-killers Leganes in Copa del Rey semifinals.
• IPL Auction 2018 to take place today.
• Unmukt Chand, Pradeep Sangwan help Delhi lift maiden Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

28 January

• Now you can listen to All India Radio from anywhere in the world.
• Japan‘s foreign minister Taro Kono attended Indian embassy’s Republic Day celebrations in Tokyo.
• Union Government to fund 90% of the cost of Ken-Betwa River linking project.
• 4 NH stretches to be used for emergency landing by IAF.
• Finland‘s President Sauli Niinisto, won his second term.
• India and Cambodia signed 4 pacts to boost connectivity and defence ties.
• India and Seychelles signed an agreement that allows India to build military infrastructure on Assumption Island.
• J&K Businessmen signed an MoU with it’s counterparts from PoK to boost cross-LoC trade.
• Lulu Group to invest Rs 2,500 cr in Telangana.
• Mahindra & Mahindra, set to manufacture and sell vehicles in Detroit, USA.
• 50 nations invited for trade talks by India.
• India lost the Four-Nations Invitational Tournament to Belgium.
• Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, administered the Khelo India pledge in New Delhi.

29 January

• Indian Railway launches first touch-screen inquiry systems for passengers at New Delhi station.
• Himachal Pradesh CM Jai Ram Thakur launches ‘Shakti’ app for women’s safety.
• PM lauds ‘nari shakti’ in year’s 1st radio talk.
• Budget Session 2018: Economic Survey to be tabled today.
• Manipur CM awards Rs 20 lakh to Mirabai Chanu.
• Australia plans to enter top ten defence export countries.
• China approves the technical plan for 600 kmph maglev train.
• Japan Finance Minister hails Indo-Japan ties in 2017.
• Google Clips, the $249 AI-powered clip-on camera goes on sale.
• Apple might launch four iPhones this year, including one with a large OLED display.
• Chris Gayle goes to Kings XI Punjab, Rajasthan Royals stage up with Jaydev Unadkat bid.
• Weeping Roger Federer hails emotional 20th grand slam title.
• Suresh Raina recalled for South Africa T20Is.
• Ikea founder Ingvar Kamprad dies at 91.

30 January

• ADR report shows BJP received 89% of corporate donations in 2016-17.
• Faridabad second most polluted city in the country, Gurgaon stands at 12th.
• Foundation stone for Bandhwari waste unit likely to be laid Feb 15.
• Sushma Swaraj to visit Nepal this week.
• JD(U)’s Sharad Yadav faction to launch new party in February.
• North Korea cancels the joint performance with South Korea.
• India Institute launched at Birmingham University.
• Alibaba, Foxconn lead $350 million in funding for Chinese electric car startup.
• Nokia introduces ReefShark 5G chipsets, will start shipping in Q3.
• OPPO partners Qualcomm to make 5G-ready smartphones.
• China, Pakistan ink 6 agreements for the development of Gwadar port.
• Vijay Keshav Gokhale takes the appointment as foreign secretary. Beckham formally handed Miami MLS franchise.
• Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge moves to West Brom on loan.
• Australia to host World T20 in 2020 across eight cities.

31 January

• Rahul Gandhi to kick-start poll campaign in Karnataka on Feb 10.
• Defence budget unlikely to go up.
• Yashwant Sinha launches political platform Rashtra Manch, Shatrughan joins in.
• Himachal Pradesh launches a new model to help distressed farmers.
• Pakistan extends Munabao-Khokhrapar rail link for three years.
• Petrol, diesel prices largely aligned to global rates.
• Microsoft acquires cloud-based gaming start-up PlayFab.
• A report says with $8,230 billion, India is world’s 6th wealthiest country.
• Ola to expand to the Australian market.
• Lt. Gen Anil Chauhan takes charge as DGMO of Indian Army.
• NITI Aayog member Dr Vinod Paul wins the global award.
• Man City sign French defender Aymeric Laporte.
• WWE signs Shadia Bseiso, first woman wrestler from the Arab world.