#Latest Current Affairs 17th February 2019 18 February 2019

‘Vande Bharat’ Express begins 1st commercial run: The Vande Bharat Express – India’s first semi-high speed train – began its first commercial run on Sunday.

President launches Digital Kisan Platform in 4th Agri Leadership Summit: President Ram Nath Kovind on Sunday graced the closing ceremony of the Fourth Agri Leadership Summit at Sonipat in Haryana. On the occasion, the President presented the Haryana Kisaan Ratna Puraskaar and the Haryana Krishi Ratna Puraskaar.

India set to present a case against Pakistan at FATF in Paris: India will present a dossier against Pakistan demanding to blacklist it for its role in abetting global terrorism at the Plenary session of the Financial Action Task Force in Paris.

Sushma Swaraj meets Iran’s Dy Foreign Minister; leaders discussed bilateral ties: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj met with Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Aragchchi on Saturday where the two ministers discussed bilateral ties and close cooperation between the countries to combat terrorism in the region.

Iran warns Pakistan to stay away from terrorism: Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Major General has accused Pakistan’s security forces of supporting the perpetrators of a suicide bombing that killed 27 troops on Wednesday.

PM Modi inaugurates various projects in Jharkhand: Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled multiple Projects pertaining to health, education, water supply, and sanitation in Hazaribagh. These projects are expected to benefit the tribal population of Jharkhand.

J&K administration withdraws security of 5 separatist leaders in aftermath of Pulwama terror attack: The Jammu and Kashmir administration today issued orders to withdraw security of five separatist leaders, including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. Besides the Mirwaiz, the security cover for Abdul Gani Bhat, Bilal Lone, Hashim Qureshi, and Shabir Shah has been withdrawn. The decision comes days after the Pulwama Attack.

PM Modi launches several development projects including Patna Metro Rail Project in Bihar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of various infrastructure and development projects worth 33,000 crore rupees at Barauni in Begusarai district of Bihar today. He laid the foundation stone of Patna Metro Rail Project at a cost of over 13,000 crore rupees via video conferencing. The project would be completed by 2024.

Army officers martyred in mine blast in Naushera sector: In Jammu and Kashmir, an Army officer was martyred while defusing an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in Naushera sector of Rajouri.

IAF conducts Day-Night exercise ‘Vayu Shakti’ in Rajasthan: The Indian Air Force put on a spectacular display of its operational capabilities during Day-Night exercise ‘Vayu Shakti’ at Pokhran range near Jaisalmer in Rajasthan.

EAM Sushma Swaraj arrives in Sofia, Bulgaria: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj arrived in Sofia in Bulgaria. This is the first ever visit by an Indian External Affairs Minister to Bulgaria. Ahead of the delegation level talks in Sofia, the foreign minister of Bulgaria welcomed Sushma Swaraj in Sofia.

Donations for families of CRPF martyrs can be made on MHA’s ‘Bharat Ka Veer’ portal: Those who want to make a donation to the families of CRPF jawans who were martyred in the Kashmir terror attack on February 14 may do so on the website bharatkeveer.gov.in

India raises basic customs duty on goods from Pakistan to 200%: India continues to toughen measures against Pakistan. India on Saturday raised the customs duty to 200 percent on all goods imported from the neighboring country.