Daily Current Affairs 19 February 2018 1. Roger Federer wins Rotterdam Open for 97th career title ● Roger Federer celebrated his return to the top of the world rankings by winning the Rotterdam Open, his 97th career title. ● The 36-year-old, the oldest No.1 in history, thrashed Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov in the final. ● He is three years older than American Andre Agassi was when previously holding the record for oldest No.1 back in 2003. This was his third title in Rotterdam following successes in 2005 and 2012.
2. Arun Jaitley reaches Riyadh on a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia ● Finance Minister Arun Jaitley arrived in R iyadh on a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia. He will co-chair the 12th India-Saudi Arabia Joint Commission Meeting to be held in the Saudi capital Riyadh. ● Mr Jaitley along with his Saudi counterpart will also open the Saudi-Indian Business Council. ● Finance Minister will also visit India Pavilion at the Saudi National Heritage and Cultural Festival Janadriyah. ●
Mr Jaitley will meet with the Saudi Minister of Trade & Investment Majid Al-Qassabi to discuss the bilateral issues between the two countries.
Important points: Saudi Arabia ➢ King: Salman of Saudi Arabia ➢ Capital: Riyadh ➢ Currency: Saudi riyal
3. Modi to address World Congress on Information Technology in Hyderabad ● The city is set to host two mega technology events — Nasscom India Leadership Forum (ILF) and the 22nd
edition of the World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT). ●
The WCIT is being organised for the time in the country and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will deliver inaugurate the summit through a video conference, which will have the who’s who of the global IT industry in attendance.
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At least 20 CEOs from Fortune 500 companies and 100 other top executives besides over
5,000 delegates are expected to attend the conference.
4. 8th edition of the Theatre Olympics inaugurated in New Delhi ● The 8th edition of the Theatre Olympics was inaugurated by Vice-president Venkaiah Naidu in New Delhi. ● The event has been organised by National School of Drama under the aegis of Ministry of Culture. ● The theme of the festival is – “Flag of Friendship”. ●
51-day long nationwide theatre extravaganza will feature Indian and international theatre groups, eminent theatre personalities along with their performances. 30 countries are participating from across the globe.
5. Saudi women to start own business without male permission ● Women in Saudi Arabia can now open their own businesses without the consent of a husband or male relative, as the kingdom pushes to expand a fast-growing private sector. ● The policy change, announced by the Saudi government, also marks a major step away from the strict guardianship system that has ruled the country for decades. ● Women can now launch their own businesses and benefit from [governmental] e-services without having to prove consent from a guardian.