NATIONAL NEWS
Railways to run 100 summer special trains
The Indian Railways said that 100 summer special trains would be run to handle extra rush of passengers during this season. These special trains will be run from March 28. A superfast weekly special train between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Gorakhpur will make a total of 26 round trips between the two stations every Friday from April 12 to July 5.
- The Indian Railways will also run weekly special trains from the Lokmanya Tilak Terminus to Manduadih, from Pune to Gorakhpur and from Pune to Manduadih.
Ooty’s muon detection facility measures potential of thundercloud
For the first time in the world, researchers at the GRAPES-3 muon telescope facility in Ooty have measured the electrical potential, size and height of a thundercloud that passed overhead on December 1, 2014. At 1.3 gigavolts (GV), this cloud had 10 times higher potential than the previous record in a cloud.
- Using a computer simulation and the observed muon intensity variations, the group worked out the relationship with the electric potential of the cloud.
Facebook launches tools to boost election engagement
Social-networking site Facebook launched 2 new India-specific tools "Candidate Connect" and "Share You Voted" to boost civic engagement on its platform during the general elections that commence in April.
- While "Candidate Connect" will help people learn more about candidates, the "Share You Voted" will provide people with polling information and enable them to announce and celebrate their vote.
Vijaywada Railway Station Gets 'Gold Rating' For Green Measures
Vijayawada railway station, one of the busiest railway junctions in the country, has received Gold Rating by the Indian Green Building Council. Council Chairman Meka Vijaya Sai presented the gold rating shield to Divisional Railway Manager R Dhananjayulu.
- The station boasts of 100 per cent LED lighting,five star rated fans, pumps and motors and solar water heating systems.
Navy chief commissions ABHEDYA at INS Shivaji in Lonavala
Indian Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba commissioned a state-of-the-art "Nuclear, Biological, Chemical Training Facility - ABHEDYA", at INS Shivaji in Lonavla. The ceremony was attended by a host of dignitaries, including VAdm AK Chawla, FOC-in-C Southern Naval Command, VAdm GS Pabby, Chief of Materiel and Cmde BB Nagpal CMD, GSL.
- This unique facility will assist Indian Navy in providing realistic simulation of Nuclear, Chemical & Biological warfare to its personnel during their NBC damage control training, which till now was limited to theoretical training largely.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Bangladesh celebrates 49th Independence Day
Bangladesh celebrated the 49th Independence Day amid tight security. The day was celebrated with parades and paying of respects at Jatiyo Smriti Soudho, national memorial at Savar, on the outskirts of Dhaka.
- On March 26, Bangladesh commemorates the declaration of independence on late hours of March 25, 1971.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
Indian Incense Industry witnesses 8-10 percent growth in FY 2018-19
Incense sticks have been an integral part of Indian lifestyle. Adoption of agarbathis beyond praying rituals has given a boost to the category not only in India but in international markets as well.
- In the last financial year, agarbathi industry has witnessed a growth of 8-10% in the domestic market with Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, West Bengal and UP driving the maximum consumer demand.
Uber acquires rival Careem for USD 3.1 billion to expand in Middle East
Uber has confirmed that it is acquiring its Middle East rival Careem in a deal worth USD 3.1 billion. Careem was founded in 2012 as a ride-hailing service. Over the years, it expanded its services to include food and package delivery, bus services, and credit transfers.
- After the acquisition is complete, Careem will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Uber.
Apple partners with Goldman Sachs and Mastercard for Apple Card
Apple Inc. announced a new credit card in partnership with Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and Mastercard Inc. Cardholders receive a titanium card that has no card number, security code, or expiration date printed on the physical card.
- Apple uses machine learning to give cardholders more precise details about where their transactions occurred and lets users text for customer-service requests.
Adani becomes first Indian port operator to record 200 MMT cargo movement
Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) said that it has recorded cargo movement of more than 200 million metric tonnes (MMT) at nine ports along the east and west coasts, becoming the first Indian port operator to achieve the milestone.
- Adani Ports embarked its journey in 2001 and has become one of the largest port operators in the world.
ICICI Pru Mutual Fund launches Bharat Consumption Scheme
ICICI Prudential announced launched the ICICI Prudential Bharat Consumption Scheme. The Scheme aims to benefit from the Indian consumption story, considered as one of the fastest growing consumption markets globally.
- The benchmark for the Scheme is Nifty India Consumption Index and will be managed by Rajat Chandak and Dharmesh Kakkad. The overseas investments of the scheme will be managed by Priyanka Khandelwal.
SPORTS
Manu Bhaker-Saurabh Chaudhary bag Gold medal in 10m Air Pistol Mixed event at Asian Airgun C’ship
In Shooting, Manu Bhaker and Saurabh Chaudhary have bagged a Gold medal in the 10-metre Air Pistol Mixed team event at the 12th Asian Airgun Championship at Taoyuan in Taipei.
- The pair made it to the Final after smashing the world record in the qualification. 17-year-old Manu and 16-year-old Saurabh shot a combined score of 784, breaking the record set by Russians Vitalina Batsarashkina and Artem Chernousov at the European Championships.
APPOINTMENTS
Comoros President Azali Assoumani re-elected
Comoros President Azali Assoumani was re-elected according to results published by the electoral commission of the Indian Ocean archipelago. Azali, who first took office in 2016, was way ahead of his closest rival Mahamoudou Ahamada, who garnered only 14.62 percent of the ballots cast.
- The Comoros is a volcanic archipelago off Africa’s east coast, in the warm Indian Ocean waters of the Mozambique Channel.
- Extra info.:
Comoros Capital: Moroni
Currency: Comorian franc
Basketball Federation of India appoints Serbian Veselin Matic as coach of Indian men’s team
The Basketball Federation of India roped in Veselin Matic as the new head coach of the Indian men’s basketball team. Zoran Visic, who was earlier in charge of both the men’s and women’s national sides will continue with the women’s team after the recruitment of Visic took over the men’s side for the FIBA World Cup and the Asian qualifiers after taking over following a poor run during the Commonwealth Games in 2018.
- The Serbian will be tasked with turning around the fortunes of the men’s national team as well as sort an alleged rift among the group of players.
AWARDS
President Kovind receives Croatia's highest civilian order
President Ram Nath Kovind received Croatia's highest civilian order, the Grand Order of the King of Tomislav, during his official visit to the nation. The civilian order is awarded to heads of state for their contribution towards the strengthening of ties between the European nation and their respective country, amongst other things, according to Kumar.
- Kovind, who is the first Indian President to visit Croatia, is currently on a three-country trip from March 25 to April 4.
- Extra info.:
Croatia Capital: Zagreb
Currency: Croatian kuna
OBITUARIES
Malayalam writer Ashita passes away
Well-known Malayalam writer and poet Ashita passed away at the age of 63 at a private hospital in Thrissur. Some of her noted works include 'Apoorna Viramangal, 'Vismaya Chhihnangal and Ashithayude Kathakal.
- Ashita has been the recipient of several awards including the prestigious Padmarajan Award - Thathagatha (2000), Lalithambika Antharjanam Award (1994) and Edaserri Award (1986).
The Beat singer Ranking Roger passes away
Ranking Roger, popularly known as the vocalist of The Beat, has passed away. He was 56. He had suffered a stroke last summer and was diagnosed with two brain tumours and lung cancer in recent months.
- Roger founded The Beat in Birmingham in 1978. The band was behind the hit songs "Mirror in the bathroom", "Too nice to talk to" and their cover versions of "Can't get used to losing you".
Former Australian spinner Bruce Yardley passes away
Bruce Yardley, the former Australian spin bowler, coach and, commentator passed away after a prolonged fight with cancer at the age of 71.
- The off-spinner played 33 Tests and seven ODI's for Australia between 1978 and 1983. He also enjoyed a long career at Western Australia.
Scott Walker, Experimental Pop Hero, Passes Away
Scott Walker, one of the most innovative and enduring songwriters of the 20th century, has passed away aged 76. Walker first came to fame in the mid-1960s in the group the Walker Brothers, before creating a string of acclaimed solo albums – Scott, Scott 2, Scott 3 and Scott 4 – that are regarded as some of the most adventurous and boundary-pushing pop albums of the era.
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