NATIONAL NEWS
DRDO Successfully Flight Tests Indigenously Developed Missile System SFDR
The second indigenously developed ‘Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR)’ propulsion-based missile system was successfully flight tested in Odisha by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The success of SFDR propulsion technology is a significant milestone and will pave the way for the development of long-range air-to-air missiles in the country.
- Unlike conventional rockets that carry propellant and oxidizer, Ramjet uses the air as an oxidizer just like a jet engine. Therefore the weight of the fuel required is eliminated. The Indian SFDR will be used as variants of missiles such as the advanced version of ASTRA.
- Extra info.:
DRDO Chairman: G Satheesh Reddy
Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated 13th PETROTECH 2019 in Greater Noida
The 13th International Oil and Gas Conference - PETROTECH - 2019 got underway at India Expo Mart, Greater Noida. Over 95 Energy Ministers from partner countries are expected to participate in the three day Conference.
- India is the third largest consumer of crude oil and petroleum products and the government has taken several measures to provide energy for all. The theme of the conference is Collaborating For Sustainable and Secure Energy Access for all.
Harsimrat Kaur inaugurates Himachal’s first mega food park in Una
Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal inaugurated Cremica Food Park, which is the first mega food park of Himachal Pradesh. The mega food park has been set up at a cost of Rs 107.34 crore. This is the first mega food park operationalised in Himachal Pradesh.
- The Cremica Mega Food Park will benefit people of Una district and nearby districts of Kangra, Hamirpur and Bilaspur.
Sapta Shakti Command of Indian Army conducting 'Exercise Rahat' in Jaipur
In Rajasthan, Jaipur based Sapta Shakti Command of Indian Army is conducting a two- day Joint Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Exercise “Exercise Rahat”. The exercise began in Jaipur. It involves all stake holders at the national and state level. This is the eighth such exercise conducted by the Indian Defence Forces.
- The exercise is being conducted in pursuance of the directions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during Combined Commanders Conference - 2015, to achieve ‘Disaster Resilient India’.
Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurates IAV in Thiruvananthapuram
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the Institute of Advanced Virology (IAV) in Thiruvananthapuram. A first of its kind research institute that is linked to the Global Virus Network (GVN), it will operate from the Bio 360 Life Sciences Park at Thonnakkal in the capital city.
- The institute can confirm the viruses causing infectious diseases and detect new ones without delay in order to plan preventive measures. The institute is affiliated to the Global Virus Network, which has 45 centres of excellence in over 29 countries.
Arundhati Scheme announced by Assam Govt
The government of Assam has announced a new scheme called Arundhati to provide gold at free of cost to the brides. Under the scheme, the government of Assam aims to provide 1 Tola Gold to brides belonging to all such communities of Assam where it is customary to provide gold at the time of the wedding.
- The government has set aside Rs 300 cr has been for the implementation of the Arundhati Scheme. The scheme is named after Arundhati, wife of great sage Basistha.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Multinational maritime exercise Cutlass Express 2019 held in Djibouti
The annual multinational maritime exercise Cutlass Express was held from 27 Jan to 06 Feb 19. The exercise is aimed to improve law enforcement capacity, promote regional security and progress inter-operability between the armed forces of the participating nations for the purpose of interdicting illegal maritime activity in the Western Indian Ocean.
- The annual Exercise Cutlass Express is sponsored by U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) and conducted by Naval Forces Africa (NAVAF). The participating nations in the exercise Cutlass Express 2019 were Canada, Comoros, Djibouti, France, India, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Portugal, Seychelles, Somalia, Tanzania, The Netherlands and the United States. The Indian Navy was represented in the exercise through INS Trikand.
- Extra info.:
Djibouti Capital: Djibouti
Currency: Djiboutian franc
BOOKS & AUTHORS
Manish Tewari launches book on economic justice
Former Union Minister and author Manish Tewari launched "What Marx Left Unsaid", authored by Malay Chaudhuri, Arindam Chaudhuri and Che Kabir Chaudhuri at the India International Centre in New Delhi. It was launched to commemorate the 200th birth anniversary of Karl Marx.
- The book is jointly written by three generations of authors from the same family, and has been published by Times Group Books.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
Mukesh Ambani tops Hurun India Philanthropy list 2018
Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) Chairman Mukesh Ambani topped the Hurun India Philanthropy List 2018 with the highest contribution of Rs 437 crore between October 2017 and September 2018. Ambani was followed by Piramal Group Chairman Ajay Piramal who made Rs 200 crore donations during the period.
- The list, compiled by the Hurun Research Institute, ranks individuals from India who donated Rs 10 crore and above between October 1, 2017 and September 30, 2018. The total Indian philanthropy amount in the list stands at Rs 1,560 crore. The list included 39 Indians with the average contribution per philanthropist being Rs 40 crore.
Reliance Realty's smart fintech centre in Navi Mumbai gets state govt nod
Reliance Realty will develop Maharashtra's first and largest smart fintech centre in Navi Mumbai. The Department of Information Technology, Government of Maharashtra and the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) have granted approval to Reliance Realty for development of the smart fintech centre at its Dhirubhai Ambani Knowledge City in Navi Mumbai.
- Reliance Realty, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Reliance Communications, has already started major infrastructure development initiative in this regard.
SPORTS
SAI win women's national hockey title
Sports Authority of India (SAI) beat Chandigarh to win the 9th Hockey India Senior Women National Championship 2019 (B Division) in Hisar, Haryana. Sonia, Anima Tiru, Alka Dungdung and Pramila Sorena scored a goal each to clinically demolish Chandigarh's defence.
- In the match for the third place, Steel Plant Sports Board beat UCO Bank 1-0. Mamta Bhatt scored the lone goal of the match.
Railways win men's national hockey title
Railways came up with a scintillating performance to dethrone defending champions Punjab 3-2 in the final of the 9th Senior National Men Hockey Championship 2019 in Gwalior. Both teams rallied cautiously in the first quarter as they kept the defences tight to prevent space in the striking circle. In the bronze medal match, Petroleum Sports Promotion Board beat Punjab and Sind Bank 4-1.
Shane Warne named brand ambassador of Rajasthan Royals
Australia spin legend Shane Warne was named as the brand ambassador of Rajasthan Royals for the upcoming Indian Premier League. Warne, who led Rajasthan Royals to its first and only IPL title in 2008, was the mentor of the side last season. But this year the Australian will be associated with the team in a new role.
- Besides, Rajasthan Royals has also decided to change its jersey colour from blue to pink this year.
Corentin Moutet wins Chennai Open ATP challenger title
France’s Corentin Moutet, the second-seed, beat Andrew Harris of Australia 6-3, 6-3 in the singles final to win the title in Chennai Open ATP Challenger tennis tournament in Chennai. It was the second Challenger title for Moutet.
AWARDS
Grammy Awards 2019 Announced
Female artists and hip-hop stars won big at the 2019 Grammy Awards. Kacey Musgraves, Lady Gaga, Childish Gambino, Cardi B were some of the winners at this year's award ceremony. Musgraves took home four honours, winning album of the year for 'Golden Hour' along with three others: best country album, best country song for 'Space Cowboy' and best country solo performance for 'Butterflies'.
- While Gambino made history by nabbing first-ever wins in the song of the year category and record of the year category. 'This Is America' became the first rap song to win the prestigious awards.
- Cardi B also broke ground, becoming the first solo female artist to take home a rap album Grammy Award. Lady Gaga too won big at the award ceremony with taking home three Grammys. Dua Lipa was named the new artist.
- Brandi Carlile, was one of the early winners, taking home awards for best American roots performance for 'The Joke', best American roots song for the same title and best Americana album for 'By the Way, I Forgive You'.
- Click here to read the full list of winners
BAFTA Awards 2019 Announced
"Roma" and "The Favourite" won big at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts awards. "Roma," Alfonso Cuaron's Spanish language black-and-white Netflix film, took home some of the biggest prizes, snagging best film, best film not in the English language, best director and best cinematography.
- "The Favourite," starring Olivia Colman as Queen Anne, entered the event with 12 nominations and went home with seven awards. "A Star is Born" got seven nods, including Bradley Cooper for best actor, best director and Lady Gaga for best actress, but walked away with just one award, for original music.
- "Bohemian Rhapsody," the biopic about Freddie Mercury and British rock band Queen, also received seven nominations, despite controversy surrounding the film's original director. It took home two awards.
- Click here to read the full list of winners
OBITUARIES
Bollywood Actor Mahesh Anand passes away
Bollywood actor Mahesh Anand, who was known for playing negative roles in the movies of 80s and 90s passed away. He was 57. He was last seen in Govinda's 2019 release Rangeela Raja.
IMPORTANT DAYS
World Pulses Day
February 10, 2019, was celebrated as the first World Pulses Day. The Year 2016 was celebrated as International Year of Pulses to highlight the contribution of Pulses to sustainable food production and towards food security and nutrition.
- Building on the positive momentum of the International Year of Pulses, the UN General Assembly passed the resolution to celebrate 10 February as World Pulses Day to keep the positive momentum surrounding these healthy, nutritious, protein-rich, nitrogen-fixing legumes alive after the FAO’s successful 2016 International Year of Pulses Campaign.
- Extra info.:
FAO Headquarters: Rome, Italy
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