NATIONAL NEWS
India join hands with Japan and UAE to set up two projects in Africa
India is joining hands with Japan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to implement 2 projects in Africa as it seeks to extend its footprint on the continent where strategic rival China has made deep inroads.
- While India will build a cancer hospital in Kenya in collaboration with Japan, it will partner with the UAE to set up an information and communications technology (ICT) centre in Ethiopia.
- Extra info.:
Japan Capital: Tokyo
Currency: Japanese yen
UAE Capital: Abu Dhabi
Currency: Dirham
4th Resilient Cities Asia-Pacific Congress 2019 started in New Delhi
The 4th Resilient Cities Asia-Pacific Congress 2019 organised by the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) and co-hosted by South Delhi Municipal Corporation started in New Delhi. It will conclude on 17th April 2019. It offers a lot of innovative solutions that build resilience to climate change at the sub-national level.
- Local governments in the Asia Pacific region is the main target of the event. The RCAP 2019 is a platform for discussing the opportunities and mechanisms of executing the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
Govt approves MoUs between India, Bolivia in geology, traditional systems of medicine
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave its ex-post facto approval to the Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) between India and Bolivia on cooperation in the field of geology and mineral resources and traditional systems of medicine and homeopathy. The MoUs were signed in Bolivia in March 2019.
- The MoU in the field of geology and mineral resources will provide an institutional mechanism between India and Bolivia for cooperation.
- Extra info.:
Bolivia Capital: Sucre
Currency: Boliviano
EsselWorld launches India's first foreign interactive bird park in Mumbai
India’s first foreign interactive and exotic world park was inaugurated by EsselWorld in Mumbai. Bird lovers are up for a treat with this interactive bird park in Gorai area of Mumbai. The rain forest themed park is spread across 1.4 acres and is home to over 500 exotic birds from more than 60 species.
- It also houses a special birds’ kitchen and healthcare centre. Some of the key attractions in the park are African Grey Parrot, Blue Gold Macaw, Cockatiel and Rainbow Lorikeet among others.
Sub-sonic cruise missile 'Nirbhay' successfully test-fired
NIRBHAY, the long-range, sub-sonic, cruise missile was successfully tested with a sharper ‘terrain hugging capability’. The indigenously developed missile was test-fired from the ITR, Chandipur, off the Odisha coast. In the controlled flight, the missile was manoeuvred at low altitudes of as less as 5 mt to a range of 2.5 km, according to the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO).
- The NIRBHAY missile has a range of 700 km to 1,000 km. The guidance, control and navigation systems of the missile are configured around the indigenously designed Ring Laser Gyroscope and MEMS based.
Rongali Bihu Festival celebrated in Assam
Assam’s most awaited festival the Rongali Bihu, also known as ‘Bohaag Bihu’ which marks the beginning of the new Assamese calendar year started. Assam celebrates major agricultural events as the festival of Bihu.
- This festival is observed at almost the same time as Baisakhi in Punjab, Poila Baisakh in Bengal, Puthandu in Tamil Nadu and Vishu in Kerala.
Home Expo India 2019 Begins in Greater Noida
The 8th edition of Home Expo India 2019 began at India Expo Centre and Mart in Greater Noida. It covers sectors with maximum thrust and growth potential in home decor, furnishing, furniture, flooring and textiles. About 500 companies in permanent marts will be exhibiting their collection under these categories.
- The three-day exhibition has been organized by the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
China develops world's first armed amphibious drone boat
China has successfully tested the world’s first armed amphibious drone boat which the Chinese military analysts claimed could be used in land assault operations and is capable of forming a combat triad with aerial drones and other drone ships.
- Built by Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group under China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC), the drone ship, named Marine Lizard, successfully passed delivery checks and left factory in Wuhan, capital of Central China’s Hubei Province.
UAE to host world’s foremost Artificial Intelligence Summit
UAE is set to host the world’s foremost Artificial Intelligence,AI Summit to empower global dialogue on the future of government, business and society. The inaugural 'AI Everything', AIE will take place at the Dubai World Trade Centre, between 30 April and 1 May.
- The two-day event will bring together world leaders to define the underlying pillars of governance, business and society - augmenting the world’s happiness.
BANKING & FINANCE
IDRBT sets up 5G Lab for banking, financial sector
The Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology (IDRBT), an arm of Reserve Bank of India, has launched a 5G Use Cases Lab for banking and financial sector. The 5G technology, along with blockchain, will be progressively adopted by banks.
- The use of 5G will change a range of technologies and applications including point of sale machines in the banking sector which were now using 2G.
- Extra info.:
IDRBT Headquarters: Hyderabad
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
Bajaj Finserv launches industry first proposition to pay electricity bill on EMIs
Bajaj Finserv through its lending arm Bajaj Finance Ltd. has launched a unique proposition through its campaign #BijliOnEMI wherein customers buying air-conditioners on EMI can avail an Insta Credit loan in their Bajaj Finserv Wallet which they can use to pay their electricity bills on EMI.
- Customers buying air conditioners of Rs 20,000 and above will be eligible for an Insta Credit loan of Rs 5000 and for those purchasing air conditioners above Rs 40,000 will receive Rs 7000 as an Insta Credit loan to their Wallet.
SPORTS
Mumbai shuttler Harsheel Dani wins Dutch Badminton International title 2019
India’s Harsheel Dani, a former junior national champion, defeated Mads Christophersen of Denmark, world no 149, to clinch the 20th Victor Dutch International Badminton title in Wateringen, The Netherlands with a 15-21, 21-12, 21-13 victory in a 47-minute clash.
- It was the second win for Dani opposite Christophersen. The 22-year-old won the Ghana international crown in 2018 second Karvy All India junior-ranking badminton tournament in 2012.
Tiger Woods Wins 2019 Masters To Claim 15th Major in Golf
Tiger Woods produced a scintillating finish to win a fifth Masters title and end an 11-year wait to claim a 15th major. There were raucous celebrations around the 18th green as Woods finished with a two-under-par 70 to win on 13 under, one clear of fellow Americans Dustin Johnson, Xander Schauffele and Brooks Koepka.
- The triumph came 10 years, nine months and 29 days after his last major title at the 2008 US Open. Woods is three behind his Nicklaus' overall major tally of 18.
ICC partners with UNICEF to organise #OneDay4Children at World Cup
International Cricket Council (ICC) Cricket for Good in partnership with UNICEF announced #OneDay4Children, a tournament-wide campaign focussed on bringing the world of cricket together as one team to help build a better world for every child, at the World Cup.
- Former England batsman and #OneDay4Children ambassador Nasser Hussain along with all-rounder Chris Woakes launched the campaign.
AWARDS
Jailed Reuters journalists win Pulitzer for Rohingya report
Jailed Reuters journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo won a Pulitzer Prize for international reporting for uncovering Rohingya killings in Myanmar's Rakhine state. The two reporters were imprisoned by authorities in Myanmar, on charges of breaking the country's Official Secrets Act, while they were conducting investigations into the killings.
- They have been handed a total sentence of seven years in jail - a move that has been slammed by human rights and press freedom groups all around the world.
NY Times, Wall Street Journal win Pulitzers for probe on Trump
The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal were awarded Pulitzer Prizes for their separate investigations of President Donald Trump and his family. The Times won the prestigious journalism award for explanatory reporting for its probe of the Trump family's finances that "debunked his claims of self-made wealth and revealed a business empire riddled with tax dodges.
- The South Florida Sun Sentinel won the Pulitzer for public service for its coverage of failings by school and law enforcement officials before and after the February 2018 massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
OBITUARIES
Space scientist and Padma-Shri awardee Dr SK Shivakumar passes away
Renowned space scientist and former Indian Space Research Organisation Satellite Center (ISAC) director Dr SK Shivakumar passed away after suffering from an illness. Dr Shivakumar was part of the team that developed the telemetry system for Chandrayaan-I - India’s first lunar exploration mission.
- He has served as director of ISAC and ISTRAC, two of Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) centres.
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