NATIONAL NEWS
Rajnath Singh inaugurates smart fencing project in Assam
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the BOLD-QIT (Border Electronically Dominated QRT Interception Technique) under Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS) on Indo-Bangladesh border in Dhubri district of Assam.
- With CIBMS project, MHA aims to improve the capability of BSF in detecting and controlling the cross border crimes like illegal infiltration, smuggling of contraband goods, human trafficking and cross border terrorism.
‘Azaadi Ke Diwane’ museum inaugurated at Red Fort
The ‘Azaadi ke Diwane’ museum dedicated to the unsung heroes of the country’s freedom struggle was inaugurated at the Red Fort premises. The Museum is built by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The Museum is part of Kranti Mandir Series to inspire the younger generation and to let them know the cost of freedom that the great fighters achieved by sacrificing their lives.
- Azaadi ke Diwane is a digitised and interactive museum with a state-of-the-art, informative and educational exhibition allowing the visitors to engage with the exhibits through multi-sensor technology.
India Signs Loan Agreement with the World Bank for USD 25.2 Million
The World Bank and the Government of India has signed a USD 25.2 Million Loan Agreement to support Chhattisgarh Public Financial Management and Accountability Program.
- The programs is the First Bank-Financed State-Level Project in Chhattisgarh to support the State’s Reforms in Expenditure Management, covering issues like Expenditure Planning, Investment Management, Budget Execution, Public Procurement and Accountability.
World Bank to give Rs 2,200 cr for Andhra healthcare project
The World Bank will provide Rs 2,200-crore loan to Andhra Pradesh for a project aimed at strengthening the state's overall healthcare systems. The Central and state governments and the World Bank signed the loan agreement for a $328-million project to improve the quality and responsiveness of public health services and increasing access of population to an expanded package of primary health services.
- The AP Health Systems Strengthening Project (APHSSP) will be implemented in the state with a focus on improved quality of care, improved responsiveness of public health services and increased access to an expanded package of primary health services, said the state government.
India has seven of the world's 10 cities with worst air pollution
A new study now finds that India accounts for seven of the world's 10 cities with the worst air pollution. On the other hand, Chinese cities have seen a marked improvement. According to the study, Gurugram is the world's most polluted city. The study was conducted by Greenpeace and AirVisual, and found Gurugram had an average air quality index of 135.8 in 2018 almost three times the level which the US Environmental Protection Agency regards as healthy.
- According to the study, the problem is particularly pronounced in South Asia. Eighteen of the world's top 20 most populated cities are in India, Pakistan or Bangladesh. These include major population centres of Lahore, Delhi and Dhaka, which placed 10th, 11th and 17th respectively.
Rs 14,467 cr jewellery park to come up in Navi Mumbai
An ultra-modern and high-tech gems and jewellery park will be developed at a cost of Rs 14,467 crore on a 21-acre complex in Navi Mumbai. It is likely to be ready by 2022.
- Union Commerce Minister Suresh Prabhu and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis laid the foundation stone of the proposed India Jewellery Park (IJP) in the presence of Industry Minister Subhash Desai and Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) Chairman P.K. Agarwal.
Aircraft spares production hub to come up in Konkan: Prabhu
Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu announced that an aircraft components manufacturing hub would be set up in Maharashtra's coastal Konkan region and would boost employment opportunities for the local youth.
- Besides, he said that youth of both sexes will be specially trained for getting suitable jobs in the aviation sector, including the planned aircraft components hub, while inaugurating the Sindhudurg Airport at Chipi with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Bharat Electronics launches SWAGAT- Automatic Fare Collection Gating System
Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), a defence public sector undertaking, presented SWAGAT - the Automatic Fare Collection Gating System. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the system as part of the inaugural of Phase I of the Ahmedabad Metro.
- SWAGAT is an initiative steered by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) in collaboration with BEL and Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC) with the support of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI) and State Bank of India (SBI).
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Kylie Jenner becomes world’s youngest self-made billionaire
Kylie Jenner was named the youngest self-made billionaire of all time by Forbes magazine. Jenner, 21, the half-sister of reality television stars Kim, Khloe and Kourtney Kardashian, made it onto the annual Forbes list of billionaires after debuting her Kylie Cosmetics online in 2015 .
- Forbes said she was both the world's youngest billionaire and also the youngest self-made billionaire ever. The richest person in the world remained Amazon.com Inc Chief Executive Officer Jeff Bezos, whose net worth increased to $131 billion from $112 billion in 2018.
- Microsoft Corp co-founder Bill Gates remained in the No. 2 position while Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg dropped three places to No. 8.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
SBI, Hitachi arm to roll out digital payments platform
State Bank of India (SBI) and Hitachi Payment Services Pvt Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hitachi Ltd, launched their merchant-acquiring joint venture, SBI Payment Services Pvt Ltd (SBIPSPL), in Mumbai, for establishing a digital payments platform for India and other countries in the region.
- The joint venture (SBI has a 74 per cent stake, and the balance is with Hitachi Payment Services) will facilitate expansion of the digital payments landscape in India via its digital payments platform.
RBI to inject durable liquidity worth Rs 12,500 cr
Based on an assessment of prevailing liquidity conditions and also of the durable liquidity needs going forward, the Reserve Bank has decided to conduct purchase of Government securities under Open Market Operations for an aggregate amount of Rs 125 billion through multi-security auction using the multiple price method.
- The financial sector has been facing liquidity crunch for more than four months since the Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services Ltd (IL&FS) defaulted in its payment obligations, triggering reluctance among lenders to lend to the NBFC sector.
World Bank-India ink $250-mn pact to boost rural income
The World Bank and the Government of India signed a $250-million agreement for the National Rural Economic Transformation Project (NRETP) focused on promoting "women-owned and women-led" farm and non-farm enterprises.
- The National Rural Economic Transformation Project (NRETP) is in addition to the $500-million National Rural Livelihoods Project (NRLP) approved by the World Bank in July 2011.
Mumbai world's 16th most costly prime residential market: Report
Mumbai, the financial capital of the country, is the 16th most expensive prime residential market in the world, a Knight Frank report said. The Maharashtra capital is the only Indian city to feature in the global top 20 list of expensive prime residential markets recorded in The Wealth Report 2019.
- Delhi (55th) and Bengaluru (56th) fared better than Mumbai with a 1.4 per cent and 1.1 per cent price appreciation, respectively, according to the Knight Frank Prime International Residential Index.
- The Philippines' capital Manila topped the global list with the highest price appreciation of 11.1 per cent last year, followed by Edinburgh (Scotland) in second position with 10.6 per cent rise.
Singapore was the only Asian city after Manila to feature in the top-ten list, with a price appreciation of 9.1 per cent.
SPORTS
Srikanth 8th in BWF World rankings
India's Kidambi Srikanth has been placed at the eighth spot in the men's singles list in the latest BWF world rankings release recently. Kento Momota of Japan is at the top spot.
- The BWF World Ranking is the official ranking of the Badminton World Federation for badminton players who participate in tournaments sanctioned by Badminton World Federation.
APPOINTMENTS
National Archives of India gets new DG
Central Government has appointed IAS officer P Venkata Ramesh Babu as the Director General of the National Archives of India. Ramesh Babu, Chairman and Managing Director of Rural Electrification Corporation Limited, is a 1985 batch IAS officer.
- Earlier, he has also served as the Principal Secretary, Department of Finance in Andhra Pradesh government. The National Archives of India functions under the Ministry of Culture.
AWARDS
Phani Bhushan Biswas wins Sulabh Sculpture Award
Nonagenarian artist Phani Bhushan Biswas was awarded the Rs 10 lakh "Sulabh Sculpture Award" on the 49th Foundation Day of Sulabh International in New Delhi. Biswas, who hails from the Sitamari district in Bihar, received the award from Sulabh International founder Bindeshwar Pathak.
- Launched in 1970 as a small campaign in Bihar, the 'Sulabh movement' gained momentum owing to its contribution and engagement in the field of sanitation and social upliftment.
Japanese architect Arata Isozaki wins Pritzker Prize
Japanese architect Arata Isozaki has received this year's Pritzker Prize, widely considered to be the profession's highest honour. He is the 46th Pritzker laureate and the eighth Japanese architect to receive the honour.
- Isozaki will be awarded the prize of $100,000 in May at a ceremony at the Chateau de Versailles in France.
Indore bags Swachh Survekhshan Award 2019 for being the cleanest city
Indore in Madhya Pradesh bagged the title of India's cleanest city in the central government's cleanliness survey for the third consecutive year. New Delhi Municipal Council area got the cleanest small city award while Uttarakhand's Gauchar was adjudged Best Ganga Town in the survey.
- The Swachh Survekshan Awards 2019 were conferred by President Ram Nath Kovind at a brief ceremony in New Delhi. These cleanliness awards are given by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
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