NATIONAL NEWS
Africa-India joint field training exercise (AFINDEX-19) starts in Pune
The inaugural Africa-India Field Training Exercise-2019 for India and African nations called AFINDEX-19 started with a grand opening ceremony at Aundh Military Station, Pune. Contingents of the 17 African Nations came together for the opening ceremony along with a contingent of Maratha Light Infantry representing India.
- The aim of the exercise is to practice the participating nations in planning and conduct of Humanitarian Mine Assistance and Peace Keeping Operations.
3rd Indo-Japan Workshop On Disaster Risk Reduction Held In New Delhi
The 3rd Indo-Japan Workshop on Disaster Risk Reduction was held in New Delhi. The workshop was attended by about 140 delegates from Japan and India including experts from both the governments, top premium research institutes, city administrators, specialized Disaster Management agencies and private sector.
- It was inaugurated by Dr. P. K. Mishra, Additional Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister. The collaboration between cities, research institutions and private sector will also result in mutual benefit and long-term Disaster Risk Reduction.
Maldives Sign Agreement With Exim Bank To Finance Infrastructure Projects
Maldives finance ministry has signed an agreement with India’s Export-Import bank (EXIM) for line of credit (LOC) of 800 million US dollars to finance the new government’s infrastructure projects. The agreement with EXIM Bank was signed in presence of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj two-day visit to Male. The concessional loans will be used to provide water and sewerage services on several islands.
- The external affairs minister also announced the Indian government’s decision to renew the quota for essential commodities, including river sand and stone aggregate for 3 years with effect on April 1.
- Extra info.:
Maldives Capital: Male
Currency: Maldivian rufiyaa
Inter-ministerial panel set up by Govt for monitoring and sanctioning of projects under FAME-II programme
The government has constituted an inter-ministerial panel for monitoring, sanctioning and implementation of projects under the Rs 10,000-crore FAME-II programme, aimed at incentivising clean mobility. The Rs 10,000-crore programme under the second phase of the FAME India scheme will be implemented over a period of three years with effect from April 1, 2019.
- Under phase-II of Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles in India (FAME-II) scheme, 10 lakh registered electric two-wheelers with a maximum ex-factory price will be eligible to avail incentive of Rs 20,000 each. It will also support 5 lakh e-rickshaws having ex-factory price of up to Rs 5 lakh with an incentive of Rs 50,000 each.
India and Afghanistan signed an MoU to collaborate on Digital Education Initiatives
The Ministry of Human Resource Development signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Higher Education, Afghanistan to work on Digital Education Initiatives that will include many programs developed by Indian Institutes of Technology. IIT Madras will also be a part of the collaborations.
- Sharing of Online Education Platform, named ‘Study Webs of Active Learning for Young Aspiring Minds' (SWAYAM) developed by Government of India, facilitating use of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) available in SWAYAM Platform by students and faculty of the educational institutions in Afghanistan.
- Extra info.:
Capital: Kabul
Currency: Afghan afghani
Ola Signs MoU With Telangana To Implement Smart Traffic Solutions
Ola, one of the world’s largest ride-hailing platforms, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Telangana, to support their efforts towards strengthening the traffic infrastructure in Hyderabad city.
- Under the partnership, Ola share intelligent insights that enable the Government to implement smart solutions to enhance the mobility experience in the city.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
TROPEX 19 held in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Indian Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba will preside over the debrief of the recently-commenced annual Theatre Level Readiness and Operational Exercise (TROPEX 19) at Kochi, besides holding deliberations on the road map for future operations.
- A day-long review of TROPEX 19 by the Chief of the Naval Staff with all Operational Commander's is intended to examine the conduct of the exercise and assess the operational preparedness of the Indian Navy.
Venezuelan Capital Caracas Is The Cheapest City In The World : Cost Of Living 2019
Paris, Singapore and Hong Kong are most expensive cities in the world while Delhi, Chennai and Bengaluru are among the cheapest places to live, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit's 2019 Worldwide Cost of Living Survey. Zurich, Switzerland, was placed at fourth position. Japan's Osaka shared the fifth place with Geneva, also in Switzerland.
- The world's cheapest cities include Caracas (Venezuela), Damascus (Syria), Tashkent (Uzbekistan), Almaty (Kazakhstan), Karachi (Pakistan), Lagos (Nigeria), Buenos Aires (Argentina) as well as the three Indian cities of Bengaluru, Chennai and Delhi.
BANKING & FINANCE
Net Direct Tax Collection Figure Has Crossed The Rs 10 Lakh Crore Mark
The net direct tax collection figure has crossed the Rs 10 lakh crore mark helped by the fourth and final installment of tax payment. The net direct tax collection during April-January of this fiscal stood at Rs 7.89 lakh crore as against Rs 12 lakh crore targeted for the entire fiscal of 2018-19.
- However, the GST collection is expected to rise to Rs 7.61 lakh crore in the next fiscal.
SPORTS
Asian wrestling championship taken away from India, to be now held in Thailand
The United World Wrestling (UWW) has taken away the hosting rights from India for the junior Asian Championship. It is the first sporting event to be taken away from India after the denial of visas to Pakistan’s shooters last month for the ISSF World Cup prompted the International Olympic Committee to censure the Indian Olympic Association.
- The UWW had asked all its affiliated federations to suspend all communication with the Wrestling Federation of India.
- Extra info.:
UWW Headquarters: Corsier-sur-Vevey, Switzerland
Thailand Capital: Bangkok
Currency: Thai baht
Rajasthan Royals launches cricket academy in UK
The Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Rajasthan Royals launched its first cricket academy in the UK. The Star Cricket Academy based at Reed's School in Surrey joined hands with Rajasthan Royals to relaunch the facility as the 'Rajasthan Royals Academy'.
- It has a state-of-the-art cricket centre named the Jarrett Centre with an indoor cricket training facility run by former professional batsman Siddharth Lahiri, along with his team of elite coaches.
Bengaluru FC won their first ISL Title beating FC Goa
Bengaluru FC scored in the 27th minute of extra time to beat FC Goa in the final of the Indian Super League to secure their maiden ISL title. With this win, Bengaluru FC have become the first team to win both the I-League and the ISL titles.
Sai Praneeth Finishes With Silver At Swiss Open Badminton Tournament
Indian shuttler Sai Praneeth won the silver medal at the Swiss Open after losing the men's singles final to world number two and top-seeded Chinese shuttler Shi Yuqi in Basel, Switzerland.
- The 2019 Swiss Open, officially the YONEX Swiss Open 2019, was a badminton tournament which took place at St. Jakobshalle in Basel, Switzerland.
China Topped Medal Tally At Asian Youth Championships
Indian youth team finish second in the overall medals tally with a total of 26 medals including eight gold, nine silver and nine bronze medals. China topped the overall medals tally with 31 medals that included 12 gold, 11 silver and eight bronze medals.
- Japan finished third with 20 medals that included 6 Gold, 8 Silver and 6 bronze. Asian Youth Athletics Championships 2019 was held in Hong Kong.
APPOINTMENTS
Pramod Sawant sworn in as Goa CM
Former Speaker of Goa legislative assembly and BJP MLA Pramod Sawant was sworn in as the 11th Chief Minister of Goa. Vijai Sardesai from the Goa Forward Party and Sudin Dhavalikar from Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party, both alliance partners, have been inducted as Deputy Chief Ministers.
- Sawant, 45, was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor Mridula Sinha at a formal ceremony held at the Raj Bhavan in Panaji.
K M Mammen Elected Chairman Of Automotive Tyre Manufacturers' Association (ATMA)
K.M. Mammen, CMD, MRF and Anshuman Singhania, whole-time director of JK Tyre and Industries, have been unanimously elected as chairman and vice-chairman, respectively, of Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ATMA).
- ATMA acts as a key link between tyre makers and the Centre, and assists in policy formulation on the sector. It regularly publishes industry data and brings out status notes on industry issues.
- Extra info.:
ATMA HQ: New Delhi
AWARDS
C Prem Kumar Clinched Gollapudi Srinivas award for his Tamil film ‘96’
C Prem Kumar's 96, with Vijay Sethupathi and Trisha, has clinched this year's Gollapudi Srinivas Award. The prize money of Rs 1.5 lakhs will be handed over to the first-time director on August 12. The award, which was first announced in 1997, went to Leslie Carvalho's debut work.
- Since then many first works have been honoured with the Gollapudi Srinivas trophy. Shyamaprasad's Agni Sakshi (Malayalam), Shonali's Bose's Amu (English), Aamir Khan's Taare Zameen Par (Hindi) and Gyan Correa's The Good Road (Gujarati) are some of the award winners.
Hindi Writer Leeladhar Jagudi Will Be Honoured With The Vyas Samman 2018
Noted Hindi writer Leeladhar Jagudi will be conferred with the Vyas Samman 2018 for his collection of poems 'Jitne Log Utne Prem.' Along with a cash prize of Rs 4 lakh, he will be given a citation. The award was initiated in 1991 by the KK Birla Foundation.
- His famous works include, Shankhmukhi Shikharo Par, Natak Jaari Hai, Raat Ab Bhi Maujood Hai and Bhay Bhi Shakti Deta Hai.
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