INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Kazakhstan to rename country's capital Astana as Nursultan
Kazakhstan's parliament voted to rename the country's capital Astana as Nursultan in honour of longtime ruler Nursultan Nazarbayev, a day after he resigned as president. Astana is now officially renamed Nursultan. Kazakhstan's new interim president Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposed renaming the capital.
- Astana replaced Kazakhstan's largest city Almaty as the capital in 1997.
BANKING & FINANCE
SBI inks pact with Bank of China for business opportunities
SBI has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Bank of China, third-largest bank in the world by capital size and one of the major players in the Chinese banking sector, to enhance business synergies between both the banks. This MoU will facilitate the clients of both the banks to access banking products and services of each other, which will lead to a mutually beneficial relationship.
- Through this pact, both SBI and BoC will gain direct access to their respective markets of operation. Both banks' clients will be able to use the vast combined network to expand their businesses abroad.
SPORTS
Deal signed to host T10 league for five years in Abu Dhabi
The Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi will be the new home of T10 cricket for the next five years, starting with the 2019 season. Abu Dhabi Cricket (ADC), in partnership with Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC) and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), has signed a five-year agreement with the organizers of the T10 Cricket League.
- T10 was first introduced to the UAE in 2017. The first match of the T10 League 2019 will be held on October 23.
India wins 368 medals at Special Olympics World Summer Games
India returned with 368 medals, including 85 gold, at the Special Olympics World Summer Games which was held at Abu Dhabi, UAE from March 14 to 21. The Indian team of 284 athletes also clinched 154 silver and 129 bronze medals in its highly successful campaign at the prestigious event.
- Indian powerlifters bagged the maximum number of medals — 20 gold, 33 silver and 43 bronze. Roller Skating earned India 49 medals — 13 gold, 20 silver and 16 bronze.
APPOINTMENTS
Sudin Dhavalikar, Vijay Sardesai Appointed Goa Deputy CMs
Sudin Dhavalikar and Vijai Sardesai were appointed deputy chief ministers in the BJP led government in Goa. The development came soon after Chief Minister Pramod Sawant proved the majority of his two-day old government in the state Assembly floor test without any hiccups.
- Dhavalikar and Sardesai, who represent Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party and Goa Forward Party respectively, were sworn in as ministers along with Sawant.
EC appoints Shailendra Handa & Madhu Mahajan as Special Expenditure Observers
Election Commission has appointed two eminent former Civil Servants Shailendra Handa and Ms. Madhu Mahajan as Special Expenditure Observers for the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections. Shailendra Handa has been deployed in Maharashtra and Madhu Mahajan has been deployed in Tamil Nadu.
- The Special Observers will supervise and monitor the work being done by the electoral machinery.
AWARDS/ RECOGNITION
Brazilian astronomer Marcelo Gleiser wins 2019 Templeton Prize
Brazilian physicist and astronomer Marcelo Gleiser has been awarded the 2019 Templeton Prize, worth $1.4m, for his work blending science and spirituality. Gleiser is the first Latin American to win the award, which honours “a living person who has made an exceptional contribution to affirming life's spiritual dimension”.
- Previous winners of the award, started in 1972 by late global investor Sir John Templeton, include the Dalai Lama and Mother Teresa. In 2018, it was won by King Abdullah II of Jordan.
Political psychoanalyst Ashis Nandy honoured with Hans Kilian Award
Sociologist and political psychoanalyst Ashis Nandy was named recipient of Hans Kilian Award for the year 2019. He was chosen for his efforts to adapt western traditions of thought such as psychoanalysis to non-western context.
- He is internationally renowned political psychologist, social theorist, and critic from India.
Piyush Goyal among seven Indians in 'World's 100 Most Influential People in Climate Policy for 2019'
Union Ministers Piyush Goyal and Dr Harsh Vardhan are among the 7 Indians who have been named in the 'World's 100 Most Influential People in Climate Policy for 2019' for taking steps in order to combat climate change. Piyush Goyal has led the fast track electrification of nearly 18,000 unelectrified villages while Harsh Vardhan launched the anti-plastic bag campaign in Delhi and the "Green Shopper Campaign", which promotes business partnerships with manufacturing of environment-friendly products.
- Mukta Tilak, Jyoti Kirit Parikh, Sunita Narain, Vandana Shiva, Upendra Tripathy & Varshini Prakash were among other people.
OBITUARIES
Former SC judge Satya Brata Singh passes away
Former Supreme Court judge Justice Satya Brata Sinha passed away following age related ailments. Justice Sinha, 75, was appointed as a judge of the apex court in 2002 and he retired in 2009.
- He was earlier designated as a senior advocate by the Patna High Court and in 1987, he became a judge there.
IMPORTANT DAYS
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on 21 March. On that day, in 1960, police opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration in Sharpeville, South Africa, against the apartheid pass laws.
- The theme of this year is, "Mitigating and countering of rising nationalist populism and extreme supremacist ideologies".
International Day of Forests
The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 21 March the International Day of Forests (IDF) in 2012. The Day celebrates and raises awareness of the importance of all types of forests. On each International Day of Forests, countries are encouraged to undertake local, national and international efforts to organize activities involving forests and trees, such as tree planting campaigns.
- The theme for each International Day of Forests is chosen by the Collaborative Partnership on Forests. The theme for 2019 is Forests and Education.
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