NATIONAL NEWS
India, Sweden ink pact to collaborate on solutions for smart cities
India and Sweden launched a joint programme that will work towards addressing a range of challenges around smart cities and clean technologies among others.
- The programme was co-funded by Indian Department of Science and Technology (DST) and Swedish agency Vinnova.
- Extra info.:
Capital: Stockholm
Currency: Swedish krona
India’s population grew at 1.2 % average annual rate between 2010 and 2019: UN report
India’s population grew at an average annual rate of 1.2 per cent between 2010 and 2019 to 1.36 billion, more than double the annual growth rate of China, according to a report by the United Nations Population Fund. India’s population in 2019 stood at 1.36 billion, growing from 942.2 million in 1994 and 541.5 million in 1969.
- India’s population grew at average annual rate of 1.2 per cent between 2010 and 2019, the UN sexual and reproductive health agency said in the State of World Population 2019 report.
- In comparison, China’s population stood at 1.42 billion in 2019, growing from 1.23 billion in 1994 and 803.6 million in 1969.
National Green Tribunal imposes Rs 100-crore penalty on Andhra Pradesh govt over illegal sand mining
The National Green Tribunal has slapped an interim penalty of Rs 100 crore on the Andhra Pradesh government for inaction to prevent illegal sand mining in the state. A bench, headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel, directed the chief secretary of Andhra Pradesh to forthwith prohibit all unregulated sand mining.
- The tribunal directed the state government to deposit Rs 100 crore 'environment compensation' with the Central Pollution Control Board within a month.
BANKING & FINANCE
HDFC AMC ranked 1st in terms of Assets: AMFI Report
India’s asset management companies (AMCs) own assets under management (AUM) worth Rs24.46 trillion according to data released by the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI).
- HDFC Asset Management Co. Ltd claimed the top spot with an average AUM of Rs3.42 trillion, overtaking ICICI Prudential Asset Management Co. Ltd with an average AUM of at Rs3.20 trillion.
- Extra info.:
HDFC Headquarters: Mumbai
CEO: Aditya Puri
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
Govt retains general provident fund interest rate at 8% for Apr-Jun quarter
The government has retained the interest rate for General Provident Fund (GPF) and other related schemes at 8 per cent for the April-June quarter. The rate is in line with that of Public Provident Fund. The interest rate on GPF was at 8 per cent in the January-March quarter of 2018-19.
- The interest rate will be applicable on provident funds of central government employees, railways and defence forces.
SBI and PAISALO Digital Limited enable MSME segment with income generation loans
PAISALO Digital Limited signed the first co-origination loan agreement with State Bank of India, the first agreement of its kind in the country that State Bank of India has signed. Introducing a platform for the last mile customer, the loan ticket is designed at Rs 10,000 to 2 lakh.
- PAISALO Digital Limited is a leading systemically important non-deposit taking NBFC registered with the Reserve Bank of India, in operations since 1992. The agreement was signed with a vision of empowering the AGRI, MSME segment and small businesses.
Uber launches 'Vouchers' for businesses in India
Global ride-sharing major Uber launched "Uber Vouchers" for businesses globally including in India. Developed on the "Uber for Business (U4B)" platform, the "Vouchers" are now being made available in most countries where Uber operates.
- The "Vouchers" can be sent over email, social media and mobile messaging. The feature was beta tested with over a 100 Uber partners globally before the final release.
SPORTS
Kohli is 'leading cricketer in the world' for third consecutive year
Indian skipper Virat Kohli has been named as the 'leading cricketer of the year' for the third year in a row by the Wisden Cricketers' Almanack for his performance in the 2018 English summer.
- Kohli was named not just the 'leading cricketer in the world' but he also featured in the 'five cricketers of the year.' Other players who joined Kohli in the 'five cricketers of the year' list are Tammy Beaumont, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, and Sam Curran.
- Indian Women team batter Smriti Mandhana was named as the 'leading women cricketer in the world'.
- Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan was named as the 'leading T20 cricketer of the year' for the second consecutive year.
Indonesian Nuraeni named best athletic coach in Asia
Indonesian Eni Nuraeni was named by Asian Athletic Association (AAA) as the best athletic coach in Asia for short-haul run category this year.
- Eni coaches young sprinter Lalu Muhammad Zohri to win the 100m gold medal in 10.20 seconds in the 2019 Grand Prix Malaysia Open athletics championships.
Shot putter Manpreet Kaur banned for 4 years after failing dope test
Asian champion shot putter Manpreet Kaur has been banned for four years by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) for flunking four dope tests in 2017.
- The period of suspension would begin from July 20, 2017, the date of her provisional suspension, according to an order of the anti-doping disciplinary panel (ADDP) of the NADA.
APPOINTMENTS
Vikram Nath appointed as first Chief Justice of new Andhra Pradesh High Court
Justice Vikram Nath, the senior most judge of Allahabad High Court, was appointed as the first Chief Justice of the newly-constituted Andhra Pradesh High Court.
- The new Andhra Pradesh High court was established on January 1 this year following the division of a combined high court of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
Gargi Kaul appointed Defence Finance Secretary
In a bureaucratic reshuffle, the Centre has appointed Gargi Kaul, a 1984-batch officer of the Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IA&AS), as Secretary, Defence Finance. Kaul was earlier Financial Advisor, Defence Services in the Defence Ministry.
- In the MEA, Jerath was replaced by 1990-batch IAS officer of Jammu and Kashmir cadre Raj Kumar Goyal, who was appointed as Additional Secretary and Financial Advisor.
Israeli PM Netanyahu set for record 5th term
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was poised to secure a record fifth term in office despite running neck and neck with his rival Benny Gantz in the general election.
- Ninety seven per cent of the votes had been counted showing Netanyahu's right-wing Likud party tied with ex-military chief Gantz's centrist Blue and White alliance with 35 seats each.
- Extra info.:
Israel Capital: Jerusalem
Currency: Israeli new shekel
Algeria's parliament appoints Abdelkader Bensalah interim president
Algeria's parliament appointed the upper house chairman Abdelkader Bensalah as interim president for the next 90 days following the resignation of Abdelaziz Bouteflika.
- Bensalah will run the country until new elections are held, according to the North African country's constitution.
- Extra info.:
Algeria Capital: Algiers
Currency: Dinar
Jean Michel Lapin announced as Haiti's new Prime Minister
Haiti's President Jovenel Moise confirmed Jean-Michel Lapin as the country's new prime minister, just weeks after the Chamber of Deputies censured his predecessor's six-month-old government.
- Lapin is the third head of government under president Moise, who has led the Caribbean island nation since February 2017.
- Extra info.:
Haiti Capital: Port-au-Prince
Currency: Haitian gourde
Karnam Sekar to take over as MD, CEO of Indian Overseas Bank
The government said Karnam Sekar, MD and CEO of the erstwhile Dena Bank, will take over as MD and CEO of Indian Overseas Bank from July 1. His term will end in June next year. He will work as officer on special duty and whole-time director with IOB till the end of June this year.
- Also, R A Sankara Narayanan, former MD and CEO of Vijaya Bank, will move to Canara Bank in the same position. His term will end in January 2020.
- Extra info.:
Indian Overseas Bank Headquarters: Chennai
AWARDS
Digital Sukoon founder, Sudhanshu Kumar receives Best Digital Agency award
Digital Sukoon founder, Sudhanshu Kumar was honoured with the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Nobel Award by International Human Rights Council at Hotel Sea Princess Juhu Mumbai.
- Among the awardee, Digital Sukoon was the Best Digital Agency of the Year 2019 to receive the award.
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