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Current Affairs Weekly Capsule I

14th to 20th April 2019 Current Affairs Weekly Capsule I 9thto 15th

September 2018

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testbook.com

Current Affairs Weekly Capsule I

14th to 20th April 2019 Current Affairs Weekly Capsule I 9thto 15th

September 2018

2 | P a g e

Table of Contents

Awards & Honours .................................................................................................................................................................................... 3

Days & Events ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 4

International Affairs .................................................................................................................................................................................. 5

National Affairs ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 7

Personalities in News .............................................................................................................................................................................. 10

Government Policies & Schemes ............................................................................................................................................................ 11

Science & Technology ............................................................................................................................................................................. 11

Business & Economy ............................................................................................................................................................................... 13

Sports ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 17

Defence ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 19

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Awards &Honours

Indian-American scientist in Hall of Fame

• An Indian-American scientist and social activist has been inducted into the Cleveland International Hall of fame for his contribution in applications in systems biology, global issues and sustainable development.

• Prof Sree Sreenath was inducted into it, along with five other inductees Dr. Akram Boutros, Ingrida Bublys, Paul Burik, Richard Fleischman, and Marilyn Madigan.

Source Link: https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/indian-american-inducted-into-cleveland-international-hall-of-fame-119041900798_1.html

UN honoured Indian peacekeepers

• United Nations honoured 150 Indian peacekeepers serving with the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) with medals of honour for their dedicated service and sacrifice.

• UNMISS is working to deter violence against civilians by providing a safe and secure environment for South Sudanese people.

• UNMISS is committed to helping build durable peace in South Sudan.

Source Link: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/150-indian-peacekeepers-in-s-sudan-awarded-medal-of-honour-for-dedicated-service/articleshow/68916972.cms

Police officers awarded for writing book

• A Delhi Police officer has been awarded 'Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant Award' for his book 'Samvidhan Kavya'.

• Bureau of Police Research and Development gave the award to Special Commissioner of Police (Operations) Sunil Kumar Gautam for 2018-19.

• The book presents the provisions of the Constitution in a simple and poetic form.

Source Link: https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/police-officers-awarded-for-writing-book-on-constitution-in-poetry-119041801294_1.html

SFB awarded Clement Model 2019 Award

• Fincare Small Finance Bank (SFB) has been awarded the Celent Model Bank 2019 Award in the category of Financial Inclusion, for 'Redesigning Lending to Reach Small Businesses'.

• The award recognizes LAP (Loans Against Property) D.Lite, a tab-based solution designed and developed in-house by Fincare SFB.

• LAP D.Lite is one of the 22 initiatives from around the world to receive this award.

Source Link: https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-

stories/fincare-small-finance-bank-awarded-the-celent-model-bank-2019-award-119041600716_1.html

Aretha Franklin's posthumous win

• Aretha Franklin received the Pulitzer Prize Special Citation honor.

• She became the first individual woman to earn a special citation prize since the honor was first awarded in 1930.

• Franklin died on August 16, 2018, at her home in Detroit from pancreatic cancer.

Source Link: https://www.news18.com/news/buzz/pulitzer-prize-aretha-franklin-makes-history-with-posthumous-win-2105691.html

NASA awarded 3 Indian teams

• NASA awarded 3 teams from India as part of its annual Human Exploration Rover Challenge,

• The team from KIET Group of Institutions, Uttar Pradesh, won the AIAA Neil Armstrong Best Design Award.

• The Mukesh Patel School of Technology Management and Engineering, Mumbai, Maharashtra, won the Frank Joe Sexton Memorial Pit Crew Award.

• A team from LPU, Punjab, won the STEM Engagement Award.

Source Link: https://www.firstpost.com/tech/science/nasa-awards-three-indian-teams-at-annual-human-exploration-rover-challenge-6455091.html

Datamatics won IMC award

• Datamatics Global Services Ltd. (DGSL) won IMC Digital Technology Awards 2018 under the Excellence in Emerging Technology category for TruBot, its Robotic Process Automation product and TruAI, its AI platform.

• The award ceremony was held on 12th April 2019 at St Regis, Mumbai.

• The IMC Awards recognize achievements across all areas of the IT industry.

Source Link: https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/datamatics-wins-imc-digital-technology-award-2018-for-trubot-and-truai-in-emerging-technology-large-category-119041600283_1.html

UNESCO Cano Press Freedom Prize announced

• The UNESCO/Guillermo Cano Press Freedom Prize 2019 has been awarded to Reuters reporters Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo.

• The prize carries a reward of $25,000 Prize.

• It recognises the exceptional courage in reporting on alleged human rights violations in Myanmar's state of Rakhine.

• The award was established in 1997 and named after Guillermo Cano Isaza

Source Link: https://en.unesco.org/prizes/guillermo-cano

Budenholzer received NBCA Coach of the Year

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• Budenholzer was named the 2019 recipient of the Michael H. Goldberg NBCA Coach of the Year honors.

• He, in his first year as head coach of the Bucks, led the franchise to the top record in the entire NBA.

• Budenholzer also led the Bucks to their first divisional title since the 2000-2001 season.

Source Link: https://sports.yahoo.com/nba-peers-name-bucks-mike-budenholzer-as-coach-of-the-year-204728309.html

Digital Sukoon receives Best Digital award

• Digital Sukoon founder, Sudhanshu Kumar was honoured with the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Nobel Award by International Human Rights Council on 10 April 2019.

• Digital Sukoon received the Best Digital Agency of the Year 2019.

• Digital Sukoon provides a comprehensive 360-degree solution to their clients for the promotional needs by creating innovative campaigns and optimum usage of technology tools..

Source Link: https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/digital-sukoon-founder-sudhanshu-kumar-receives-best-digital-agency-award-119041000740_1.html

Days & Events

World Heritage Day: 18 April

• April 18 is annually observed as the International Day for Monuments and Sites (IDMS), also known as World Heritage Day.

• This day is celebrated to remind the citizens about beautiful places or heritage sites in our country.

• The theme for 2019 is Rural Landscapes.

• The day was proposed by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) on 18 April 1982.

Source Link: https://www.india.com/buzz/world-heritage-day-2019-why-april-18-is-celebrated-as-international-day-for-monuments-3634586/

Mujibnagar Day observed in Bangladesh

• In Bangladesh, the historic Mujibnagar day is being observed on 17 April 2019.

• The day marks the oath-taking ceremony of Bangladesh's first government in 1971 at Baidyanathtala in Meherpur.

• The day is being observed by political parties and social and cultural organisations through various programs across Bangladesh.

SourceLink: http://www.newsonair.com/News?title=Historic-Mujibnagar-day-being-observed-today-in-Bangladesh&id=362361

World Haemophilia Day: April 17

• April 17 is observed as the World Haemophilia Day every year.

• It was started in 1989 by the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) which chose to bring the community together on April 17 in honour of WFH founder Frank Schnabel’s birthday.

• World Hemophilia Day theme for the year 2019 is ‘Outreach and Identification’.

Source Link: https://www.wfh.org/en/whd

Important days

• National Safe Motherhood Day (NSMD) is observed annually on 11 April.

• The theme of 2019 NSMD is "Midwives for Mothers".

• The aim of the day is to raise awareness about the proper healthcare of women and maternity facilities to pregnant and lactating women.

• International Day of Human Space Flight is observed on 12 April

Source Link: https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/national-safe-motherhood-day-1554899175-1

World Allergy Week 2019 : 7-13 April

• World Allergy Week 2019 was observed from 7 to 13 April 2019.

• The theme for World Allergy Week 2019 is “The Global Problem of Food Allergy”.

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• World Allergy Week is a global campaign of the World Allergy Organisation (WAO), which aims to raise awareness of the impact of allergy in our communities.

Source Link: http://www.byscoop.com/world-allergy-week-2019-7-13-april/

International Affairs

Asian Tea Alliance launched in China

• The Asian Tea Alliance, a union of 5 tea-growing and consuming countries, was launched in Guizhou, China on 19 April 2019.

• The members of the alliance are the Indian Tea Association, China Tea Marketing Association, Indonesian Tea Marketing Association, Sri Lanka Tea Board and Japan Tea Association.

• It plans to work towards enhancing tea trade, cultural exchanges and globally promoting tea.

Source Link: https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-business/asian-tea-alliance-launched-in-china/article26892695.ece

Walmart, Amazon kicked off pilot program

• Amazon and Walmart kicked off a 2-year government pilot program allowing low-income shoppers on government food assistance in New York to shop and pay for their groceries online for the first time.

• ShopRite will join the 2 retailers on the program.

• The pilot program will test both online ordering and payment.

SourceLink: https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/walmart-amazon-kick-off-government-online-pilot-program-1555695844182.html

7th China Int Tech Fair kicked off

• The 7th China International Technology Fair opened on 18 April 2019 in Shanghai, a national-level professional fair focused on international technology trade.

• With an exhibition space covering 35,000 square meters, the fair has five exhibition areas including professional technologies, technological innovation, and trade services.

Source Link: http://www.newsonair.com/News?title=7th-China-International-Technology-Fair-kicks-start-in-Shanghai&id=362438

WHO issued guidelines on digital health tech

• The WHO has released new recommendations on 10 ways countries can use digital health technology, accessible via mobile phones, tablets and computers, to improve people’s health and essential services.

• The guidelines demonstrate that health systems need to respond to the increased visibility and availability of

information.

Source Link: https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/who-issues-guidelines-on-digital-health-technology/article26883911.ece

Nepal launched its first satellite from USA

• Nepal successfully launched its first satellite NepaliSat-1 into space from America on 18 April 2019.

• The satellite developed by the Nepalese scientists was launched from Virginia in the US, according to Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST).

• Nepali scientists, Aabhas Maskey and Hariram Shrestha developed the satellite under the BIRDS project of their institute.

SourceLink: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/nepal-launches-its-first-satellite-from-usa/articleshow/68935141.cms?from=mdr

IMF and WB launched learning coins

• The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank have together launched a private blockchain with a pseudo-token.

• The new token, called 'Learning Coin' and only accessible within the IMF and World Bank, has a purpose to teach relevant individuals within the organizations about blockchain.

• Though the coin has no real value, hence the description pseudo-token.

Source Link: https://www.investinblockchain.com/breaking-world-bank-launches-learning-coin-for-its-in-house-purposes/

Scientists elected fellows of Royal Society

• 51 eminent scientists have become Fellows of the Royal Society, as well as ten new Foreign Members and one Honorary Fellow for their exceptional contributions to science.

• This year’s newly elected Fellows and Foreign Members of the Royal Society have been drawn from diverse fields of enquiry - epidemiology, geometry, climatology.

Source Link: https://royalsociety.org/news/2019/04/royal-society-announces-2019-fellows/

Boeing conducted test flight of 737 MAX

• Boeing has conducted a final test flight of a 737 MAX model with an updated anti-stall system prior to its certification by aviation authorities.

• Test pilots have completed 120 flights totaling more than 203 hours of airtime with the software fix for the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS).

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SourceLink: https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/boeing-conducts-final-test-flight-of-737-max-with-software-fix-1555559969726.html

Mt Everest to get an eco-friendly toilet

• Mount Everest will get an eco-friendly toilet at a Chinese campsite 7,028 m above sea level in an ongoing campaign to deal with the peak’s waste problem.

• Decades of commercial mountaineering have turned Mount Everest into the world’s highest rubbish dump.

• The toilet will make it easy to collect the human waste produced by the climbers.

SourceLink: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/china-to-add-eco-friendly-toilet-on-mount-everest/tackling-the-waste-problem/slideshow/68873338.cms

Mujibnagar Day observed in Bangladesh

• In Bangladesh, the historic Mujibnagar day is being observed on 17 April 2019.

• The day marks the oath-taking ceremony of Bangladesh's first government in 1971 at Baidyanathtala in Meherpur.

• The day is being observed by political parties and social and cultural organisations through various programs across Bangladesh.

SourceLink: http://www.newsonair.com/News?title=Historic-Mujibnagar-day-being-observed-today-in-Bangladesh&id=362361

Notre Dam in Paris caught fire

• A major fire engulfed the medieval cathedral of Notre-Dame in Paris, one of France's most famous landmarks.

• The 850-year-old Gothic building's spire and roof have collapsed but the main structure, including the two bell towers, has been saved.

• Notre-Dame has stood tall above Paris since the 1200s.

• A Unesco World Heritage site, it was built in the 12th and 13th centuries.

Source Link: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-47941794

Uber to launch IPO

• Uber revealed the paperwork for its giant IPO.

• This paperwork doesn't yet include key details, like how much the company expects to charge for each share of its stock, or how many shares it will sell.

Source Link: https://www.businessinsider.in/Heres-whos-getting-rich-on-Ubers-massive-IPO/articleshow/68841564.cms

Unique oil-eating bacteria discovered

• At the bottom of the Mariana Trench, the deepest part of the Earth’s oceans, scientists have discovered unique oil-eating bacteria.

• But the new research reveals the Mariana Trench is home to the greatest concentration of these life forms anywhere in the world.

• The 2,550km long ocean trench is located in the western Pacific Ocean and reaches a maximum depth of about 11,000 metres.

SourceLink: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/bacteria-oil-eating-mariana-trench-uea-pollution-a8866911.html

World's biggest airplane took flight

• The largest airplane ever created and its record-breaking 385-foot wingspan took off for the very first time on 13 April 2019.

• The aircraft, from the company Stratolaunch, has been eight years in the making.

• By 2022, the company hopes to use the twin-fuselage, six-engined, catamaran-style aircraft to launch satellite-bearing rockets into space.

SourceLink: https://arstechnica.com/science/2019/04/stratolaunch-the-worlds-biggest-airplane-takes-flight/

Last female of rare turtle species died

• The only known female member of one of the world’s rarest and most endangered turtle species died on 13 April 2019. It was more than 90 years old.

• The female Yangtze giant softshell turtle died at the Suzhou Zoo in Suzhou, China.

• The death means only three giant softshell turtles remain in the world.

Source Link: https://www.geek.com/news/last-female-of-worlds-rarest-turtle-species-dies-in-china-zoo-1782952/

IMO’s new rule on information exchange

• A new global rule mandated by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) for national governments to introduce electronic information exchange between ships and ports took effect from 8 April 2019.

• The rule seeks to make cross-border trade simpler.

• The rule is mandatory under IMO’s Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic (FAL Convention).

SourceLink: https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/logistics/imos-new-rule-on-electronic-information-exchange-between-ships-and-ports-comes-into-force/article26771859.ece

Abdelkader: Interim President of Algeria

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• The Algerian Parliament on 9 April 2019 confirmed upper house Speaker Abdelkader Bensalah as the interim President of the country.

• The interim President has to conduct the elections within 90 days and cannot legally contest in the polls.

• On 2 April 2019, Bouteflika resigned as Algeria's president before his mandate was to end on April 28, after remaining in power for about 20 years.

Source Link: https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/algeria-parliament-confirms-abdelkader-bensalah-as-new-interim-president-protesters-reject-decision-119041000106_1.html

Lapin confirmed as Haiti’s new Prime Minister

• Haiti’s President Jovenel Moise confirmed Jean-Michel Lapin as the country’s new Prime Minister.

• Lapin, the former culture and communications minister, was named acting prime minister on 21 March 2019.

• Lapin is the third head of government under president Moise, who has led the Caribbean island nation since February 2017.

Source Link: https://haitiantimes.com/2019/04/11/lapin-confirmed-as-haitis-new-prime-minister/

National Affairs

Chemists and druggists are passes

• First coined in 1945, the words ‘chemist’ and ‘druggist’ are headed for a change, with the Union Health Ministry replacing them with ‘pharmacy’.

• The phrase ‘chemists and druggists’ was coined over seven decades ago, is quite old, and has lost its relevance in the current scenario.

• The matter was deliberated upon by the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB).

Source Link: https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/chemists-and-druggists-are-pass-from-now-all-will-be-pharmacies/article26893115.ece

14 products receied GI tags

• Himachali Kala Zeera, Jeeraphool from Chhattisgarh and Kandhamal Haldi from Odisha are among the 14 products that have received Geographical Indication (GI) tag from the government for 2019.

• The other products which received this tag include Coorg Arabica coffee from Karnataka, Wayanad Robusta coffee from Kerala, Araku Valley Arabica from Andhra Pradesh, and Sirisi Supari from Karnataka.

Source Link: https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/14-products-from-different-states-receive-gi-tag-so-far-this-year-119041800503_1.html

Delhi Police launched 2 helpline numbers

• The Delhi Police launched 2 helpline numbers as a precautionary measure to curb noise pollution and incidents of mob lynching in the national capital.

• The 2 helpline numbers 155270 and 155271 are operated by the Police Control Room.

• These will remain operational 24x7 to ensure quick response and action into complaints of mob violence or calls related to noise pollution.

Source Link: https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/delhi-police-launches-2-helpline-numbers-to-curb-noise-pollution-and-incidents-of-mob-lynching-119041801285_1.html

20 states joined helpline number 112

• 20 states and UTs have so far joined a pan-India network of single emergency helpline number '112' on which immediate assistance can be sought by anyone in distress.

• The '112' helpline is an integration of police (100), fire (101) and women (1090) helpline numbers and the project is being implemented under the Nirbhaya Fund.

• It is similar to '911' in the United States.

Source Link: https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/20-states-join-pan-india-single-emergency-helpline-number-112-119041900207_1.html

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HAL resumed tests of jet trainer

• Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) has resumed test-flying its intermediate jet trainer (IJT) in a modified version after a gap of almost 3 years.

• It had halted flight tests of the IJT in 2016 after the aircraft encountered problems while undergoing critical spin tests.

• The trainer aircraft, called the HJT-36, is being developed for new pilots of the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy.

Source Link: https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/hal-resumes-tests-of-jet-trainer/article26882991.ece

Guwahati fuel stations go cashless

• In a major step towards Digital India, the petrol pump owners of Guwahati, have decided to go cashless completely from 18 April 2019.

• The petrol pump owners have been facing trouble over cash transaction after the enforcement of Model Code of conduct (MCC) for the Lok Sabha Elections.

• The owners expressed that they had to face numerous hassles during cash deposits into the banks.

Source Link: https://nenow.in/north-east-news/assam-guwahati-fuel-stations-go-cashless-from-thursday.html

Govt targetes IRCTC, IRFC IPOs

• The government is targeting to raise about ₹1,500 crore from initial public offerings (IPOs) of two railway companies, IRCTC and IRFC, by September 2019.

• Earlier in April 2019, the government raised about ₹480 crore by selling 12.12% stake in Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL).

• The government has budgeted to raise ₹90,000 crore by way of CPSE disinvestment in the current financial year.

Source Link: https://www.livemint.com/market/stock-market-news/govt-targets-irctc-irfc-ipos-by-sept-to-raise-about-rs-1-500-crore-1555569608805.html

Indiabulls got IRDAI approval

• Indiabulls General Insurance has received preliminary approval from regulator Irdai to foray into non-life business.

• In January, another subsidiary Indiabulls Life Insurance Company had received R1 approval from Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India.

• The company is in the process of moving ahead with the next step of filing its application for registration with Irdai.

SourceLink: https://www.livemint.com/insurance/news/indiabulls-takes-first-step-towards-general-insurance-gets-irdai-approval-1555570991994.html

Thunderstorm leaves 50 dead in 4 states

• Over 50 people were killed as rain, coupled with thunderstorm and lightning, hit several parts of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra overnight.

• The unseasonal rain and storm also caused damage to property and crops in Gujarat and Rajasthan.

• Rajasthan witnessed 25 deaths, followed by Madhya Pradesh with 15 and10 people were killed in Gujarat, three were killed in Maharashtra.

Source Link: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/rain-thunderstorm-leave-over-50-dead-in-four-states/article26867927.ece

Jet Airways seek Rs. 400 crore

• The Jet Airways board authorised its management to engage with lenders to secure at least a few hundred crore rupees of interim funding to continue operations.

• The CEO approached the lenders to release Rs.400 crore for the sake of the employees and to prevent a shutdown.

• Jet requires at least Rs.1,000 crore to meet its immediate needs.

Source Link: https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/jet-airways-seeks-rs-400-crore-infusion-to-avert-shutdown/article26860348.ece

IDBI Bank launched paperless account

• The NRIs living in nearly 40 countries will now be able to open an account in IDBI Bank without submitting paper documents.

• IDBI Bank has launched 'NRI-Insta-Online' account opening process for NRIs residing in the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) member countries.

• The person will not be required to furnish physical documents as well as KYC proofs for opening an account with the bank.

SourceLink: https://www.businesstoday.in/current/corporate/idbi-bank-brings-paperless-account-facility-for-nris-living-in-nearly-40-countries/story/337818.html

Durjanpur to be renamed as Shivdham

• The MHA approved a proposal to change the name of a village in Madhya Pradesh from 'Durjanpur' to 'Shivdham'.

• The move came after the Home Ministry got no objection from the Geographical Survey of India (GSI), the Department of Post, the Ministry of Railways.

• Some of the name change proposals cleared by the Home Ministry in recent past include Arikkod as Areekode and Laxman Garh as Adawala.

Source Link: https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/mha-gives-nod-to-rename-durjanpur-in-mp-s-katni-as-shivdham-119041600605_1.html

BBC India launched Chatbot

• BBC India launched an experimental interactive election chatbot in Hindi and English on Facebook's Messenger

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platform as part of a series of Indian General Election-related content.

• The chatbot allows users to interact with the BBC, ask questions and get regular updates as the elections unfold.

• The special election coverage will be available on smartphones

Source Link: https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/bbc-india-launches-interactive-election-chatbot-119041601150_1.html

TikTok blocked by Google in India

• Google has complied with an Indian court order to block access to the popular app TikTok over government concerns with illicit content.

• The move could handicap the app's owner, China's Bytedance Ltd., the world's most highly valued startup, in one of its most promising markets.

Source Link: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/google-blocks-tiktok-in-india-after-court-order-optimistic-says-app-2024251

Home Expo India 2019 began

• The 8th edition of HOME EXPO INDIA 2019 opened at India Expo Centre and Mart, Greater Noida on 16 April 2019.

• The 3-day exhibition has been organized by the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH).

• Buyers from more than 50 countries including USA, Europe, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, UAE, Lebanon, Iran, Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa, will be visiting the home expo.

SourceLink: http://pib.nic.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1570776

Workshop on Loss & Damage conducted

• A 1-day National Consultation on Loss and Damage was hosted by the Ministry of Environment in New Delhi on 16 April 2019.

• India has been experiencing weather and climate-related loss and damage, the Kerala floods and Ockhi being the rarest of the rare events.

• The workshop had 2 technical sessions on topics including ‘Strengthening response to address loss and damage’.

SourceLink: http://pib.nic.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1570790

SC banned mining activities in Kaziranga park

• The Supreme Court has banned all mining activities along the Kaziranga National Park and catchment area of rivers originating in Karbi Anglong Hills in Assam.

• A bench comprising Justices Arun Mishra and Deepak Gupta issued a notice to the Assam government and sought its reply within 3 weeks.

Source Link: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/supreme-court-bans-mining-activities-along-kaziranga-park/story-DXpNbLQzU1FEmHSoZzIalM.html?utm_campaign=fullarticle&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=inshorts

100 sanitary pad machines to be installed

• As part of a police welfare scheme, Mumbai Police is set to install over 100 sanitary pad vending machines and incinerators for women police officers across the city.

• Action Committee Against Unfair Medical Practices along with Brihan Mumbai police have launched a project "Smart Maitrin".

• Under this project,140 sanitary pad machines will be installed at 93 police stations across the city.

Source Link: https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/mumbai-over-100-sanitary-pad-vending-machines-to-be-installed-for-women-police-officers-119041600137_1.html

Greenam Energy set up power plant

• Greenam Energy has set up its first floating solar power plant at Tuticorin.

• AM International Group Founder-Chairman Ashwin Muthiah laid the foundation stone for the power plant, which would lead to significant energy savings.

• The 24 MW floating solar power plant would be one of its kind and the first floating renewable energy initiative to optimise energy production in industrial plants.

Source Link: https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/greenam-energy-lays-foundation-for-floating-solar-power-plant-119041500841_1.html

Himachal Pradesh celebrated 72nd state day

• The 72nd Himachal Day was celebrated with gaiety and fervour in the state on 15 April 2019.

• Governor Acharya Devvrat unfurled the national flag at an event on the historic Ridge maidan in Shimla to mark the day.

• He inspected an impressive parade led by Parade Commander Deputy Superintendent of Police Shakti Singh.

Source Link: https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/himachal-pradesh-celebrates-72nd-state-day-119041501162_1.html

Rotary Club of Madras North started project

• Project Kannamma is the initiative of the Rotary Club of Madras North to provide sanitary napkins to the students.

• It was started in August 2018 by providing free, biodegradable sanitary napkins to 82 students at the Government High School in Uthandi of Tamil Nadu.

• The sanitary napkins are provided by the Irula Tribal Women's Welfare Society (ITWWS).

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Source Link: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/project-kannamma-provides-sanitary-napkins-to-government-school-students-in-chennai/article26633733.ece

4th RC Asia-Pacific Congress began

• The 4th Resilient Cities Asia-Pacific Congress 2019 started in New Delhi.

• It is organised by the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) and co-hosted by South Delhi Municipal Corporation.

• It will conclude on 17th April 2019.

• It offers a lot of innovative solutions that build resilience to climate change at the sub-national level.

Source Link: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2019/04/15/resilient-cities-asia-pacific-rcap-congress/

Bamboo rice in Odisha after four decades

• Bamboo rice has shown up in Odisha nearly after four decades.

• Odisha had last witnessed Bamboo rice in 1979.

• The Forest Authorities of Chandaka-Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary in Cuttack district have opened up the gates for the forest dwellers to collect the Bamboo rice.

• The rare rice grows out of a dying bamboo shoot.

SourceLink: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/agriculture/four-decades-later-bamboo-rice-shows-up-in-odisha-63883

Medical devices to get CDSCO certification

• All imported, as well as locally manufactured medical devices sold in India will soon be required to clear specific safety and quality standards.

• The move is aimed at preventing fiascos such as the one involving Johnson and Johnson hip implants.

• The import, manufacture, and sale of all medical devices will need to be certified by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).

SourceLink: https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/govt-makes-it-mandatory-for-all-medical-devices-to-get-cdsco-certification-1555271040953.html

RBI employees not government servants

• The Madras High Court observed that the employees of RBI cannot be referred to as 'government servants' while identifying their employment status.

• The observation came after an RBI employee, E. Manoj Kumar, moved the High Court seeking the declaration of his result in the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC).

SourceLink: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/rbi-employees-arent-government-servants-madras-high-court/articleshow/68883988.cms

Essel World launched bird park

• Essel World launched an interactive bird park in Gorai recently.

• The first-of-its-kind rain forest-themed park spread across 1.4 acres is home to over 500 exotic birds from more than 60 species.

• The park is equipped with small ponds for aquatic birds, dense cover of trees for birds to incubate their eggs and a water stream that offers drinking water to birds.

SourceLink: https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/essel-world-launches-interactive-bird-park/article26811307.ece

Apollo Hospitals launched advanced centre

• On World Parkinson’s Day, Apollo Hospitals launched an advanced centre for movement disorders.

• It will offer medical and surgical treatment for patients affected by various movement disorders including Parkinson’s Disease.

• The centre would offer Deep Brain Stimulation surgeries and other services to treat a wide spectrum of diseases such as Parkinson’s Disease, cerebral palsy, and dystonia.

SourceLink: https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/apollo-launches-advanced-centre-for-movement-disorders/article26811997.ece

Personalities in News

Indian-American scientist in Hall of Fame

• An Indian-American scientist and social activist has been inducted into the Cleveland International Hall of fame for his contribution in applications in systems biology, global issues and sustainable development.

• Prof Sree Sreenath was inducted into it, along with five other inductees Dr. Akram Boutros, Ingrida Bublys, Paul Burik, Richard Fleischman, and Marilyn Madigan.

Source Link: https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/indian-american-inducted-into-cleveland-international-hall-of-fame-119041900798_1.html

Rakesh Suryakant resigned as Adani CFO

• Adani Enterprises' CFO Rakesh Suryakant Shah has resigned.

• Rakesh Suryakant Shah has tendered his resignation as chief financial officer (CFO) with effect from April 16, 2019.

• Adani Enterprises is a diversified conglomerate with business interests across integrated coal management and mining, solar cells and module manufacturing, agri-storage infrastructure and food products. SourceLink: https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/rakesh-suryakant-shah-resigns-as-adani-enterprises-cfo-1555512516387.html

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FIFA banned former football President

• FIFA banned former Brazilian Football Confederation president Jose Maria Marin from all football-related activities for life.

• In August 2018, Marin who led Brazil’s organizing committee for the 2014 World Cup, was sentenced to 4 years in prison for racketeering, money laundering, and wire fraud.

• Earlier Marin was arrested at a luxury Zurich hotel in May 2015.

SourceLink: https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12040/11694789/fifa-ban-former-brazilian-football-president-jose-maria-marin-for-life

Time 100 most influential people report

• The Time 100 most influential people of 2019 includes lawyers Arundhati Katju and Menaka Guruswamy.

• They were instrumental in the Supreme Court partly striking down Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code.

• Reliance Industries (RIL) Chairman Mukesh Ambani also featured in the TIME magazine's list of 100 most influential people.

Source Link: https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/arundhati-katju-menaka-guruswamy-time-list-of-100-most-influential_in_5cb71a44e4b082aab08f5495

MS Dhoni: Brand ambassador of redBus

• Bus ticketing platform redBus has appointed cricketer icon MS Dhoni as its brand ambassador.

• He will drive all major campaigns for the brand across media platforms and will soon appear in his first promotional concept for the brand.

• The CEO of redBus is Prakash Sangam.

• redBus commands a strong foothold in the Indian online bus ticketing segment.

Source Link: https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/redbus-ropes-in-ms-dhoni-as-brand-ambassador-119041500966_1.html

Julian Assange arrested in London

• Wikileaks co-founder Julian Assange has been arrested at the Ecuadorian embassy in London.

• He took refuge in the embassy in 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden over a sexual assault case that has since been dropped.

• He will face up to five years in US prison if convicted on the charges of conspiracy to commit computer intrusion.

Source Link: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-47891737

Government Policies & Schemes

New Urea Policy 2015 extended

• The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved to extend the duration of New Urea Policy 2015 for existing gas-based urea unit from 1 April 2019 until further orders.

• The move will facilitate the continuation of operations and regular supply of urea to farmers.

• At present, there are 31 urea units in the country of which 28 units are gas-based.

SourceLink: https://www.livemint.com/industry/agriculture/ccea-approves-extension-of-new-urea-policy-2015-for-existing-units-1555316163485.html

Science & Technology

220 million yr old dinossaur fossils found

• A site containing the 220-million-year-old fossilised remains of nearly a dozen dinosaurs has been discovered in western Argentina.

• There are almost ten different individuals, it's a mass of bones, there's practically no sediment.

• This discovery is doubly important because there are at least seven or eight individuals of dicynodonts, the ancestors of mammals, the size of an ox.

Source Link: https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/scientists-unearth-220-million-year-old-dinosaur-fossils-in-argentina-119041800473_1.html

Scientists identified green material

• Researchers have identified an eco-friendly solid that could replace the inefficient and polluting gases used in most refrigerators and air conditioners.

• When put under pressure, plastic crystals of neopentylglycol yield huge cooling effects, and are competitive with conventional coolants.

• The material is inexpensive, widely available and functions at close to room temperature.

Source Link: https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/scientists-identify-green-material-for-refrigeration-119041800908_1.html

Nepal launched its first satellite from USA

• Nepal successfully launched its first satellite NepaliSat-1 into space from America on 18 April 2019.

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• The satellite developed by the Nepalese scientists was launched from Virginia in the US, according to Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST).

• Nepali scientists, Aabhas Maskey and Hariram Shrestha developed the satellite under the BIRDS project of their institute.

SourceLink: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/nepal-launches-its-first-satellite-from-usa/articleshow/68935141.cms?from=mdr

IMF and WB launched learning coins

• The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank have together launched a private blockchain with a pseudo-token.

• The new token, called 'Learning Coin' and only accessible within the IMF and World Bank, has a purpose to teach relevant individuals within the organizations about blockchain.

• Though the coin has no real value, hence the description pseudo-token.

Source Link: https://www.investinblockchain.com/breaking-world-bank-launches-learning-coin-for-its-in-house-purposes/

Mars based simulator unveiled in Gobi Desert

• In the middle of China’s Gobi desert sits a Mars base simulator, the facility is full of teenagers on a school trip.

• Surrounded by barren hills in northwestern Gansu province, Mars Base 1 opened on 17 April 2019

• Its aim is to expose teens and soon tourists to what life could be like on the planet.

Source Link: https://www.firstpost.com/tech/science/mars-simulation-base-in-chinas-gobi-desert-is-finally-opening-to-the-public-6466071.html

SpaceX to fly its DART mission

• NASA announced that SpaceX will fly its Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) planetary-defense mission.

• The total launch cost for NASA is estimated to be about $69 million.

• DART - Double Asteroid Redirection Test.

• It is a planned space probe that will demonstrate the kinetic effects of crashing an impactor spacecraft into an asteroid moon for planetary defense purposes.

SourceLink: https://www.techtimes.com/articles/241635/20190416/nasa-grants-elon-musks-spacex-69-million-contract-to-fly-spacecraft-into-asteroid-whats-the-objective-of-dart-mission.htm

IDRBT set up 5G lab for banking sector

• The Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology (IDRBT) has launched a 5G Use Cases Lab for banking and financial sector.

• The 5G technology, along with blockchain, will be progressively adopted by banks.

• The use of 5G will change a range of technologies and applications including point of sale machines in the banking sector which were now using 2G.

Source Link: https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/money-and-banking/idrbt-sets-up-5g-lab-for-banking-financial-sector/article26818363.ece

Deepest radio images of sun created

• Scientists have captured the deepest radio images of the Sun, an advance that may help reliably predict space weather and its possible effects on Earth.

• Sun's emission can change within a second and can be very different, even across nearby frequencies.

• The Sun has some of the most powerful explosions in the solar system.

Source Link: https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/deepest-radio-images-of-sun-created-119041700265_1.html

Titan has 100 m deep methane lakes

• Saturn's largest moon Titan has small liquid lakes that run more than 100 metres deep, perched atop hills and filled with methane.

• This was founded by scientists using data from NASA's Cassini spacecraft.

• The findings are published in the journal Nature Astronomy.

• They provide new information about the way liquid methane rains on, evaporates from and seeps into Titan.

Source Link: https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/saturn-s-moon-titan-has-100-m-deep-methane-lakes-nasa-119041700262_1.html

Earth's surface heating up: NASA study

• Satellite measurements by NASA researchers have verified the ground-based data which shows the Earth's surface has been warming globally over the past 15 years.

• The team used measurements of the 'skin' temperature of the Earth taken by a satellite-based infrared measurement system called AIRS from 2003 to 2017.

• The study was published in the journal Environmental Research Letters.

Source Link: https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/earth-s-surface-heating-up-nasa-study-confirms-119041700365_1.html

Google opened AI lab in Ghana

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• Ghana and Google have cooperated to open Africa’s first AI research laboratory, which, experts hope, will take on some of the region’s struggles.

• Africa has many challenges where the use of AI could be beneficial, sometimes even more than in other places.

• The AI research lab will work to create solutions for healthcare, educations, and agriculture.

SourceLink: https://edition.cnn.com/2019/04/14/africa/google-ai-center-accra-intl/index.html

NASA found Alien World

• NASA's newest planet hunter has discovered its first Earth-size alien world.

• The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) spotted the planet, as well as a weird sub-Neptune world, circling the star HD 21749, which lies about 53 light-years from Earth.

Source Link: https://www.space.com/nasa-tess-first-earth-size-exoplanet-discovery.html

Astronomers discovered 3rd planet

• Astronomers have discovered a third planet in the Kepler-47 system, securing the system’s title as the most interesting of the binary-star worlds.

• Using data from NASA’s Kepler space telescope, a team of researchers, led by astronomers at San Diego State University, detected the new Neptune-to-Saturn-size planet orbiting between two previously known planets.

SourceLink: http://newscenter.sdsu.edu/sdsu_newscenter/news_story.aspx?utm_campaign=fullarticle&utm_medium=referral&sid=77597&utm_source=inshorts

Electricity from falling snow created

• Scientists have designed a first-of-its-kind 3D-printed device that can produce electricity from falling snow.

• The device designed by researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in the US is inexpensive, small, thin and flexible like a sheet of plastic.

• The device can work in remote areas because it provides its own power and does not need batteries.

Source Link: https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/novel-device-creates-electricity-from-snowfall-119041600313_1.html

New sensor can detect dangerous chemicals

• Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the US have developed a spectrometer that can be used in smartphone-sized devices to detect dangerous chemicals.

• Spectrometer could be integrated with the camera of a typical cellphone.

• The device collects information about each individual pixel in an image to identify materials or detect specific objects

Source Link: http://www.newsonair.com/News?title=New-sensor-can-detect-dangerous-chemicals&id=362062

Impact of space travel on astronauts revealed

• Scientists have found no major epigenetic differences in astronaut Scott Kelly, who spent a year in space aboard the International Space Station, and his twin brother, Mark Kelly, who remained on Earth.

• Epigenetic changes involve chemical tweaks to DNA that can influence gene activity.

• The changes affect when and how a gene is read, or expressed, for its protein-encoding instructions.

Source Link: http://www.newsonair.com/News?title=Twins-study-reveals-impact-of-space-travel-on-astronauts&id=362153

A new human ancestor species discovered

• Scientists have identified a new human ancestor species named 'Homo luzonensis' in the Philippines.

• They are classified as a separate species on the basis of 13 bones and teeth from two adults and one child found in a cave on the island of Luzon in the Philippines.

• They are estimated to be three to four feet tall.

Source Link: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/paleontologists-unearth-fossils-belonging-previously-unknown-species-ancient-human-180971941/

Business & Economy

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Tata Sponge to shift base to Kolkata

• Tata Sponge Iron Ltd has decided to shift its registered office from Keonjhar in Odisha to Kolkata.

• Tata Sponge has recently acquired Kolkata- based Usha Martin's steel business at a cost of Rs 4,090 crore.

• In 1991, Tata Steel acquired Ipicol's entire stake and Tata Sponge became an associate company of Tata Steel.

Source Link: https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/tata-sponge-iron-to-shift-base-to-kolkata-119041900221_1.html

Gold imports dipped 3% in FY19

• The country’s gold imports dipped about 3% in value terms to $32.8 billion during 2018-19, which trend is expected to keep a lid on the current account deficit.

• Total imports of the precious metal in 2017-18 had stood at $33.7 billion, according to data from the Commerce Ministry.

• After recording negative growth in February, the imports grew 31.22% to $3.27 billion in March.

Source Link: https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-business/gold-imports-dip-3-to-328-bn-in-fy19/article26892699.ece

Funds to implement 10% EWS quota approved

• Union cabinet approved the sanction of Rs 4315.15 crore for the 158 Central Educational Institutions for implementation of reservation in admission to students belonging to Economically Weaker Section (EWS).

• Over 2 lakh additional seats will be created in 158 CEIs across the country to implement 10% reservation for the Economically Weaker Section (EWS).

SourceLink: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/10-ews-quota-funding-now-at-election-commissions-doorstep/articleshow/68384284.cms

Fintech startups to test regulatory sandbox

• RBI proposed that fintech start-ups could set up a regulatory sandbox or live-testing of innovative products and services.

• This would be done in segments such as retail payments, money transfer, artificial intelligence and data analytics in the financial sector.

• A regulatory sandbox (RS) refers to live-testing of new products or services in a controlled and test regulatory environment.

Source Link: https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/rbi-proposes-to-allow-fintech-start-ups-to-test-regulatory-sandbox-119041801129_1.html

Exim Bank funded projects in Rawanda

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said Exim Bank has provided soft loans of USD 266.60 million to Rawanda for various projects.

• The funding is done in 3 separate tranches to support agricultural projects, development of special economic zones (SEZs) and for financing road projects.

• USD 66.60 million will be funded for the Base-Butaro-Kidaho Road Project.

Source Link: https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/exim-bank-funds-projects-worth-usd-267-mn-in-rawanda-119041801140_1.html

I-T Dept proposes new norms for taxing MNCs

• The income tax department proposed a change in the methodology for taxing multinational companies (MNCs).

• This includes digital firms, having permanent establishment in India by giving weightage to factors like domestic sales, employee strength, assets and user base.

• MNCs that are incurring global losses or a global profit margin of less than 2% will be deemed to have made a profit of 2%.

Source Link: https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-business/i-t-dept-proposes-new-norms-for-taxing-mncs/article26883082.ece

UPI payments now live on ETMONEY app

• ETMONEY has integrated Unified Payments Interface (UPI) as a payment option on the application.

• The company hopes to simplify the user journey through the app, especially for making payments for mutual funds.

• It has set a target to grow to Rs 5,000 crore in mutual fund transactions in the next 12-18 months and is targeting 10 million users by the end of the current year.

Source Link: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-biz/startups/newsbuzz/upi-payments-is-now-live-on-etmoney-app/articleshow/68931120.cms?from=mdr

Uber won $1bn investment from Toyota

• Toyota and SoftBank Vision Fund unveiled an investment of $1 billion in U.S. company Uber to drive forward the development of driverless ridesharing services.

• Toyota has already invested $500 million in Uber as the firm races Google-owned Waymo and a host of other companies, including major automakers, to develop self-driving vehicles.

SourceLink: https://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/uber-wins-1bn-investment-from-toyota-softbank-fund/article26884801.ece?homepage=true

Canara Bank: 1st to meet RBIs EMV mandate

• Canara Bank has successfully rolled out major new functionality to support EMV card acquiring across its ATM network and Aadhaar Authentication.

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• It is the first public sector bank to shift to EMV chip and PIN for card present transactions across the country’s vast ATM network.

• The EMV shift is aimed at reducing lost and stolen card fraud and making counterfeit card fraud more difficult.

SourceLink: https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/technology/canara-bank-becomes-the-first-public-sector-bank-in-india-to-meet-rbis-emv-mandate-3838831.html

Mitsui to buy Reliance ethane carrier fleet

• Reliance Industries Ltd' wholly owned subsidiary Reliance Ethane Holding Pte. Ltd is selling its fleet of six very large ethane carriers (VLECs) through an investment deal with Japanese shipping group Mitsui OSK Lines Ltd.

• RIL has 100% holding in six limited liability companies (LLCs) which own the VLECs.

SourceLink: https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/mitsui-to-buy-reliance-ethane-carrier-fleet-1555487196202.html

FMCG growth to slow down in 2019

• India's fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry is likely to grow at a slower pace at 11-12% in 2019, almost 2% lower than that in 2018, as per a report.

• The industry is also expected to grow at 12-13% during the April to June quarter of the calender year 2019, according to Nielsen.

• In line with the FMCG growth forecast for Q1 2019 at 13-14%, this sector grew at 13.6%.

Source Link: https://www.livemint.com/industry/retail/fmcg-growth-to-slow-down-at-11-12-in-2019-nielsen-1555505252287.html

Govt bonds issuance jumped to Rs. 64,192 cr.

• The issuances of government-fully serviced bonds (GoI-FSBs) rose to ₹64,192 crore in the year ended March 2019 as compared to ₹15,095 crore during the last fiscal.

• These borrowings are estimated to have accounted for 0.34% of GDP for FY19 as compared to 0.09% of GDP for FY18.

• The total outstanding value of these GoI-FSBs stood at ₹88,454 crore at the end of FY19, according to Icra.

Source Link: https://www.livemint.com/market/stock-market-news/issuance-of-govt-bonds-jump-to-64-192-crore-in-fy19-report-1555524095958.html

Govt targetes IRCTC, IRFC IPOs

• The government is targeting to raise about ₹1,500 crore from initial public offerings (IPOs) of two railway companies, IRCTC and IRFC, by September 2019.

• Earlier in April 2019, the government raised about ₹480 crore by selling 12.12% stake in Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL).

• The government has budgeted to raise ₹90,000 crore by way of CPSE disinvestment in the current financial year.

Source Link: https://www.livemint.com/market/stock-market-news/govt-targets-irctc-irfc-ipos-by-sept-to-raise-about-rs-1-500-crore-1555569608805.html

IDRBT set up 5G lab for banking sector

• The Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology (IDRBT) has launched a 5G Use Cases Lab for banking and financial sector.

• The 5G technology, along with blockchain, will be progressively adopted by banks.

• The use of 5G will change a range of technologies and applications including point of sale machines in the banking sector which were now using 2G

Source Link: https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/money-and-banking/idrbt-sets-up-5g-lab-for-banking-financial-sector/article26818363.ece

Banks must flag bad loans

• RBI told the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) that banks had an obligation to mark bad loans as non-performing asset (NPA) after the default of 90 days.

• The banking sector regulator has moved the NCLAT seeking a modification of its February 25 order.

• An asset is tagged as non performing when it ceases to generate income for the lender.

Source Link: https://www.business-standard.com/article/finance/can-t-absolve-banks-obligation-to-declare-bad-loans-rbi-to-nclat-119041601186_1.html

China's GDP grew by 6.4%

• China's economy grew 6.4% in the first quarter of 2019, slightly more than expected.

• China's GDP reached 21.343 trillion yuan in the first 3 months of 2019, and the growth pace was the same with that of the fourth quarter of 2018.

• The first quarter GDP growth was in the range of 6% to 6.5% target fixed by the Chinese government for this year.

Source Link: https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/china-s-gdp-grew-by-6-4-per-cent-in-first-quarter-119041700361_1.html

Commerce industry laid down new procedure

• The commerce ministry has laid down a procedure for import of a few varieties of pulses for the current fiscal and has invited applications from millers.

• According to the ministry's foreign trade arm DGFT, millers and refiners of these pulses need license for imports.

• Procedure for import of 2 lakh tonne pigeon peas/toor dal, 1.5 lakh tonne urad dal, & 1.5 lakh tonne moong dal, is laid down.

Source Link: https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/commerce-ministry-lays-down-procedure-for-import-of-certain-pulses-119041700369_1.html

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Eligible NBFCs to get license

• Systematically important non-deposit taking NBFCs offering foreign exchange transactions on individual accounts will be eligible to obtain Authorised Dealer (AD) Category-II licence from it.

• AD-Cat II means entities that are authorised by the RBI to deal in foreign exchange for specified purposes.

• These include upgraded full-fledged money changers (FFMCs), and select regional rural banks.

SourceLink: https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/eligible-nbfcs-can-get-licence-to-offer-forex-transactions-to-individuals-rbi-3839491.html

ADB provided loan to India

• ADB committed to provide $3 billion in sovereign loans to India in 2018, the highest level of assistance since sovereign operations began in the country in 1986.

• The Asian Development Bank (ADB), owned by 68 member countries, committed a total of USD 3.88 billion.

• New commitments included USD 21.6 billion in loans, grants and investments from ADB's own resources.

SourceLink: https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/renewable/adb-committed-highest-ever-usd-3-bn-in-sovereign-loans-to-india-in-2018/68915025

RBI put Rs 50 notes into circulation

• The RBI has put into circulation 50 rupees denomination banknotes signed by its Governor Shaktikanta Das.

• The design of these notes is similar in all respects to 50 banknotes in Mahatma Gandhi new series.

• All banknotes in the denomination of 50 issued by the Reserve Bank in the past will continue to be legal tender.

Source Link: http://www.newsonair.com/News?title=RBI-puts-into-circulation-Rs-50-banknotes-signed-by-Governor-Shaktikanta-Das&id=362354

Volkswagen to expand corporate business

• Volkswagen announced the expansion of its corporate business centre (CBC) programme in India with the addition of 10 more such outlets across its sales network over the next three months.

• The company had first introduced CBC as a pilot project in Kochi. It was further introduced in Coimbatore.

SourceLink: https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/volkswagen-to-expand-corporate-business-centre-initiative-in-india-1555403821246.html

12 months to sell non-crore assets

• State-run companies will have 12 months to monetise non-core assets identified by a ministerial panel, failing which the finance ministry may restrict budgetary allocations to the CPSEs.

• The Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) issued the guidelines for monetisation of non-core assets of CPSEs and immovable enemy properties, following a Cabinet decision in February.

Source Link: https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/cpses-to-get-12-months-to-sell-non-core-assets-failure-may-lead-to-budget-cuts-119041501070_1.html

India's service exports rose 5.5%

• India's services exports rose 5.5% to $16.58 billion in February 2018-19 from $15.71 billion in the same month a year ago, as per the data from RBI.

• However, the exports during February 2019 were lower than January's USD 17.75 billion.

• Services imports in February 2018-19 declined by 3.3% to USD 9.81 million, as per the RBI data on 'India's International Trade in Services: February 2019'.

Source Link: https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/india-s-services-exports-rise-5-5-to-15-6-bn-in-feb-imports-down-3-3-119041501086_1.html

Exports outspace imports at 11%

• India’s exports rose to a five-month high of 11% in March on account of higher growth mainly in pharma, chemicals and engineering sectors.

• It marked the outbound shipments at $331 billion for FY 2018-19.

• Merchandise exports in March stood at $32.55 billion as against $29.32 billion last year.

• This is the best growth rate for exports since October 2018, when shipments grew by 17.86%

Source Link: https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-business/exports-outpace-imports-at-11-in-march/article26849851.ece

NBFCs raised Rs. 26,000 crore

• Non-banking finance companies (NBFCs) and microfinance companies (MFIs) raised about Rs. 26,200 crore through securitisation in FY19, a growth of 170% over FY18.

• In FY18, NBFCs and MFIs raised Rs. 9,700 crore through securitisation.

• The sectors faced tight liquidity conditions in FY19 after a series of defaults by Infrastructure Leasing and Finance Services (IL&FS).

Source Link: https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-business/nbfcs-mfis-raise-rs-26200-cr-via-securitisation-in-fy19/article26849868.ece

India narrowed trade deficit with China

• India cut its trade deficit with China by the most in more than a decade.

• India's exports to China jumped 31% year-on-year to $17 billion in the financial year ended March 31, 2019.

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• In the process, it cut the bilateral trade deficit by $10 billion to $53 billion.

Source Link: https://www.livemint.com/news/india/india-narrows-trade-deficit-with-china-by-10-billion-report-1555394989807.html

Major decline in India's steel export

• India's steel export to the US in 2018 declined by 49% to USD 372 million, while that of aluminum increased by 58% to USD 221 million.

• The Report was given by the independent Congressional Research Service (CRS).

• In 2018, the US imports of steel and aluminum products totaled USD 29.5 billion and USD 17.6 billion respectively.

SourceLink: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/foreign-trade/major-decline-in-indias-steel-export-to-us-increase-in-aluminum-report/articleshow/68883316.cms

WPI inflation spiked to 3.18% in March

• Wholesale price-based inflation rose for the second consecutive month to 3.18% in March on costlier food and fuel, as per a government data.

• The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) based inflation was at 2.93% in February. It was 2.74% in March 2018.

• Inflation in ‘Fuel and power’ category also spiked to 5.41%, from 2.23% in February.

SourceLink: https://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/wpi-inflation-spikes-to-318-in-march-on-costlier-food-fuel/article26841767.ece?homepage=true

Industrial growth declines to 20-month low

• Industrial growth slowed In February 2019 to 0.1%, driven by an across-the-board slowdown, especially in key sectors like manufacturing, mining, capital goods, and infrastructure.

• Growth in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) slowed in February from 1.44% in January.

• Within the Index, the mining and quarrying sector saw growth slowing to 2% from 3.92% over the same period.

Source Link: https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-business/industrial-growth-declines-to-20-month-low-inflation-up/article26826066.ece

Banks close FY19 with 13.24% credit growth

• According to the Reserve Bank data released on 11 April 2019, bank credit rose 13.24% to Rs 97.67 lakh crore for the fortnight to 29 March 2019.

• The deposits grew by 10.03% to Rs 125.72 lakh crore during the same period.

• In FY17, aggregate deposits in the banking system grew a mere 6.7% in 2017-18, while credit grew still lower at 4.54%, the lowest since fiscal 1963.

SourceLink: https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/economy/banks-close-fy19-with-13-24-credit-growth-deposits-up-10-03-3810851.html

Sports

Bajrang at top spot in world wrestling

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• Bajrang Punia regained the world number one spot in the men’s 65kg freestyle category in the rankings issued by United World Wrestling.

• He won gold in the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games as well as a silver in the World Championships 2018.

• He won a gold at the Dan Kolov-Nikola Petrov tournament in Bulgaria in March 2019. SourceLink: https://sportstar.thehindu.com/wrestling/world-wrestling-rankings-bajrang-punia-keeps-no-1-wrestler-rank/article26866406.ece

Mirabai to superhead India's campaign

• Former World Champion, Mirabai Chanu will spearhead India’s challenge at the Asian Weightlifting Championship, 2019 that began at Ningbo, China on 20 April 2019.

• She will be competing in the 49kg category from 48kg following the International Weightlifting Federations’s rejig of weight categories.

• Among male weightlifters, India’s hopes will be on Jeremy Lalrinnunga.

Source Link: http://www.newsonair.com/News?title=Asian-Weightlifting-C%26%2339%3bship%3a-Mirabai-Chanu-to-spearhead-India%26%2339%3bs-campaign&id=362457

Int. Hockey Fed imposed fine on Pakistan

• The International Hockey Federation (FIH) imposed a fine of 1,76,000 Euros on Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) for not honouring the Pro League commitments.

• The FIH has given the Pakistan sports body time until 20th June to pay the fine or else the penalty would be doubled.

• PHF was fined for not sending the national team for the Pro League matches in Argentina, Australia, and New Zealand.

SourceLink: http://www.newsonair.com/News?title=International-Hockey-Federation-imposes-fine-on-Pakistan&id=362377

Karnataka, Punjab win in Santosh Trophy

• Punjab defeated Sikkim 1-0 while Karnataka thrashed Assam 5-1 in Group B matches on the 8th day of the 73rd National Football Championship for Santosh Trophy.

• In the first match of the day, Karnataka proved too good for Assam in a lopsided match.

• Punjab skipper Taranjit Singh scored the all-important goal in the 20th minute. Source Link: https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/karnataka-punjab-win-in-santosh-trophy-119041500961_1.html

Harsheel Dani won Dutch Title

• India’s Harsheel Dani defeated Mads Christophersen of Denmark, world no 149, to clinch the 20th Victor Dutch International Badminton title in Wateringen.

• He won the Ghana international crown in 2018 and Karvy All India junior-ranking badminton tournament in 2012.

• The Victor Dutch International is the Netherlands’ second biggest badminton event Prize money of $10.000. SourceLink: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/badminton/mumbai-shuttler-harsheel-dani-wins-dutch-international-title/articleshow/68883160.cms

Prajnesh Gunneswaran rose to ranking 80

• In tennis, India's Prajnesh Gunneswaran achieved a career-high ranking of 80 in the latest ATP rankings released on 15 April 2019.

• He broke into the top 100 in February 2019, improved 2 places to become the sixth highest in terms of singles ranking in the history of Indian tennis.

• Another Indian Ramkumar Ramanathan dropped 16 spots to slip out of the top 150. He is now at the 157th position.

SourceLink: http://www.newsonair.com/News?title=Prajnesh-Gunneswaran-rises-to-career-high-ranking-of-80&id=362290

Lewis Hamilton won Formula One's 1,000th race

• In motor racing, Lewis Hamilton won the Chinese Grand Prix for a record sixth time on 14 April 2019.

• He seized the overall lead from his Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas in Formula One’s 1,000th world championship race.

• Valtteri Bottas was second for his team’s third one-two finish in as many races this season. Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel took third place. SourceLink: http://www.newsonair.com/News?title=Motor-racing%3a-Lewis-Hamilton-wins-Formula-One%26%2339%3bs-1%2c000th-race&id=362244

Meena Kumari clinched gold in Boxing World Cup

• India finished with 5 medals in the Boxing World Cup which concluded at Cologne, Germany on 13 April 2019.

• Meena Kumari Maisnam won gold in the 54 kg category.

• Sakshi (57 kg) and Pwilao Basumatary (64 kg) settled for the silver.

• Pinki Rani (51 kg) and Parveen ( 60 kg) won bronze.

SourceLink: http://www.newsonair.com/News?title=Meena-Kumari-Maisnam-clinches-gold-in-Boxing-World-Cup&id=362217

Tiger Woods clinched his 5th Masters

• Golfer Tiger Woods clinched his fifth Masters and a 15th major title.

• He is just three majors behind the all-time record of Jack Nicklaus.

Source Link: http://www.newsonair.com/News?title=Tiger-Woods-clinches-his-fifth-Masters&id=362256

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Burka and Milaw won Paris Marathon

• Ethiopians Abrha Milaw and Gelete Burka won the men and women’s races to end Kenya’s dominance at Paris Marathon on 14 April 2019.

• Milaw won it in 2 hours, 07 minutes and 04 seconds.

• Clémence Calvin of France settled fourth in a personal best of 2:23:36.

Source Link: http://www.nagalandpost.com/ethiopian-runners-burka-and-milaw-win-paris-marathon/194092.html

Kento Momota won Singapore Open

• Japan's Kento Momota won the Singapore Open final 10-21, 21-19, 21-13 on 14 April 2019.

• The World champion dug deep to fight back from 16-11 behind in the second game to force a decider.

• In the women's final, Tai Tzu-ying claimed her second Singapore Open title with a 21-19, 21-15 victory over Japan's Nozomi Okuhara.

Source Link: https://www.thehindu.com/sport/other-sports/singapore-open-momota-and-tzu-ying-are-champions/article26836322.ece

Anand secured 5th place in chess

• Viswanathan Anand secured 5th place in the Shamkir Chess 2019 tournament, Shamkir, Azerbaijan.

• He drew with Veselin Topalov in the ninth round to finish fourth with 4.5 points, the same as Alexander Grischuk and Teimour Radjabov.

• He was placed fifth in the rankings behind Magnus Carlsen, Ding Liren, Sergey Karjakin, and Grischuk.

Source Link: http://aicf.in/anand-beats-giri-to-reach-2nd-place-in-shamkir-chess/

Inzamam become MCC Honorary Life Members

• Inzamam-ul-Haq and Mark Boucher, the former South Africa wicketkeeper, were made Honorary Life Members of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) on 12 April 2019.

• The two have been included in recognition of their outstanding achievements in cricket.

• Inzamam is now the fifth Honorary Life Member of the MCC from his country, after Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Shahid Afridi.

SourceLink: https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cricket/international/inzamam-ul-haq-mark-boucher-mcc-honorary-life-member/article26823134.ece

Defence

IN seek access to French base in Djibouti

• After operationalising the Mutual Logistics Support Agreement (MLSA) signed with France, the Indian Navy is looking for access to French naval base in Djibouti.

• Indian Navy Mig-29K fighters and French Navy Rafale-M fighters operating off their aircraft carriers will exercise together off Goa coast in May under the bilateral exercise Varuna.

SourceLink: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/navy-seeks-access-to-french-base-in-djibouti-for-refuelling/article26881399.ece

2nd edition of IN – VPN BILAT EX concluded

• The 2nd edition of 'Indian Navy-Vietnam Peoples’ Navy Bilateral Exercise' (IN – VPN BILAT EX) off Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam from 13-16 April 2019.

• The exercise was undertaken as a part of the ongoing Overseas Deployment of Eastern Fleet ships to South East Asian countries.

• IN Ships Kolkata participated in the exercise, comprising a harbour and a sea phase.

SourceLink: http://pib.nic.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1570838

Sunil Lanba on a visit to Thailand

• Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba will be on a 3-day bilateral visit to Thailand from 17 April 2019.

• The visit is intended to consolidate and enhance the maritime bilateral relations between India and Thailand and also to explore new avenues of defence cooperation.

• He will visit the Royal Thai Navy and Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters in Bangkok.

Source Link: http://www.newsonair.com/News?title=Chief-of-Naval-Staff-Admiral-Sunil-Lanba-will-be-on-3-days-bilateral-visit-to-Thailand-from-tomorrow&id=362332

Coast Guard ship Veera commissioned

• Chief of Army Staff General Bipin Rawat commissioned the Indian Coast Guard Ship Veera at a ceremony held at Naval Jetty, Visakhapatnam.

• Veera, third in the series of offshore patrol vessels of the Coast Guard, was built by L&T at its shipbuilding facility at Kattupalli in Chennai.

• Its induction will give a fillip to the maritime protection of India’s vast coastline of Eastern Seaboard.

SourceLink: http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2019/apr/16/coast-guard-patrol-ship-veera-commissioned-1964924.html

Govt granted financial powers to buy weapons

• In the wake of the Pulwama terror attack, the government has granted emergency powers to the three services to procure weapons and military hardware.

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• This would enhance their operational preparedness along the border with Pakistan.

• The threshold granted to the three forces a couple of weeks ago for each proposal is around Rs 300 crore.

Source Link: https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/post-pulwama-govt-grants-more-financial-powers-to-3-services-to-buy-weapons-119041601246_1.html

Army to hold joint exercise with coast guard

• Indian army chief General Bipin Rawat said the army is planning to carry out joint training and exercise with the Indian Coast Guard.

• He said the coast guard and the Indian Navy maintain coastal security and maritime surveillance.

• After commissioning the coast guard's offshore patrol vessel (OPV) Veera, he said Veera would help the coast guard monitor maritime boundaries more effectively.

Source Link: https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/army-to-hold-joint-exercise-with-coast-guard-says-rawat-119041501072_1.html

INS Magar reached Mozambique

• Another Indian naval ship INS Magar reached Mozambique's Beira city loaded with suitable relief material.

• The ship handed over 250 tonnes of rice and 500 kg of epidemic medicines for the population of Beira affected by Cyclone Idai.

• The material was received by Mozambican Minister of Agriculture Higino Francisco de Marrule.

Source Link: https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/ins-magar-loaded-with-relief-material-reaches-mozambique-119041501146_1.html

Marshal Arjan Singh's anniversary celebrated

• A bust of the late Marshal of the Indian Air Force, Arjan Singh, was unveiled at the Vayu Bhawan by Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa to mark the birth centenary of the celebrated war hero.

• Various events have been planned over a period of one year to commemorate the occasion.

• As a tribute to his vision, a seminar on 'Air Power in the 2040: Impact of technology' was also held on 15 April 2019.

Source Link: https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/iaf-to-celebrate-marshal-arjan-singh-birth-centenary-year-long-bust-unveiled-at-vayu-bhawan-119041600004_1.html

India, UK renewed MoU

• In an effort to further expand defence cooperation, India and the U.K. have renewed the Defence Equipment Memorandum between the two countries.

• The Memorandum of Understanding renews a previous Defence Equipment Cooperation MoU signed on April 1, 1997 which was renewed on April 20, 2007.

Source Link: https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/india-uk-renew-defence-equipment-memorandum/article26849911.ece

INS Kozhikode decommissioned

• Indian Naval Ship Kozhikode was decommissioned in a grand ceremony conducted at Naval Jetty in Visakhapatnam.

• Vice Adm S N Ghormade, Chief of Staff, Eastern Naval Command was the chief guest for the occasion.

• INS Kozhikode was commissioned on 19 December 1988 at Riga (erstwhile USSR) and was the sixth and the last of the modified NATYA class of minesweeper.

SourceLink: https://www.deccanherald.com/national/minesweeper-ins-kozhikode-decommissioned-728604.html

DRDO successfully test-fired Nirbhay

• India successfully test-fired its first Sub-sonic cruise missile, Nirbhay on 15 April 2019.

• The launch was conducted from a test range in Odisha at 11:44 am.

• The missile can be deployed from multiple platforms and was launched by DRDO from complex-3 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur.

• The last successful trial of ‘Nirbhay’ cruise missile was conducted on November 7, 2017.

Source Link: https://indianexpress.com/article/india/drdo-nirbhay-army-cruise-missile-odisha-5676752/lite/

Half Marathon organised by IAF

• A Half Marathon was conducted in Delhi on 14 April 2019 to mark the 100th birth centenary of the legendary Marshal of the Indian Air Force (MIAF) Arjan Singh.

• A total of 800 air warriors from all the Air Force Stations and Units of the IAF in the Delhi NCR participated in the event.

• The Half Marathon was flagged off by Air Marshal R Nambiar, from the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium at 0530h.

SourceLink: http://www.pib.nic.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1570574