NATIONAL NEWS
Isro’s PSLV-C45 places Emisat, 28 foreign satellites in orbits
The Indian Space Research Organisation placed Defence Research Development Organisation-developed electronic intelligence satellite Emisat and 28 foreign satellites in orbits. Emisat, weighing 436kg, is meant for helping the military locate hostile radars. This comes days after India test-fired an anti-satellite (ASAT) missile in the Mission Shakti operation.
- PSLV-C45 carrying Emisat, 28 foreign satellites and three scientific instruments lifted off from the second launch pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. This will be the 71st launch vehicle mission for Sriharikota. The satellite that weighs 436 kg will monitor and provide locations for enemy radar sites deep in their territory.
- Extra info.:
ISRO Headquarters: Bengaluru
Director: K. Sivan
Assam district develops app 'Sankalp' for first-time voters
A district in western Assam is going the digital way to attract the first-time voters towards the election process and ensure their participation. The district administration of Bongaigaon has developed a ‘Sankalp’ mobile phone application to especially reach out to the first-time voters.
- Voters will have to input a few details, like name and age, and the app will track their polling station and other details. They will also be able to sign a digital ‘sankalp patra’, promising to cast their votes on the day of polling.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Shanghai becomes world's first district with 5G coverage
Shanghai claimed that it has become the world's first district using both 5G coverage and broadband gigabit network as China seeks to establish lead over the US and other countries in the race to develop next generation cellular mobile communications.
- 5G is the next generation of cellular technology with download speeds that are 10 to 100 times faster than 4G LTE networks. The 5G stations are being installed in different parts of China, including Tibet, as part of Huawei's plans to lead the 5G trials despite the opposition.
China launches new data relay satellite
China sent a new data relay satellite into orbit from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in Sichuan Province. The Tianlian II-01 satellite was launched by a Long March-3B carrier rocket.
- The Tianlian II-01 will provide data relay, measurement and control, transmission services for manned spacecraft, satellites, carrier rockets and other non-spacecraft users. The satellite is developed by the China Academy of Space Technology under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.
BANKING & FINANCE
Vijaya-Dena-BoB merger gets effective from April 1
Bank of Baroda will acquire Vijaya and Dena Bank to create India’s second largest public sector bank behind State Bank of India (SBI) effective from April 1. This is the first threeway merger of banks in India. The combined bank will have a geographical reach of more than 9,500 branches, more than 13,400 ATMs with 85,000 employees serving 120 million customers.
- Both banks will have access to BoB’s international presence at 101 offices. Unique programmes of Vijaya Bank like SRTO funding, plantation financing will be available to customers of the other two banks.
- The government in September last year announced the first-ever three-way consolidation of banks in India, with a combined business of Rs 14.82 lakh crore, making it the third-largest bank after State Bank of India (SBI) and HDFC Bank.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
GST revenue collections at new high, total Rs 1.06 lakh crore in March
Gross revenue on account of Goods and Services Tax (GST) in March totalled Rs 106,577 crore, marking 15.6 per cent growth over the revenue in same month of previous year. Of this, Central GST was Rs 20,353 crore, State GST Rs 27,520 crore, Integrated GST Rs 50,418 crore (including Rs 23,521 crore collected on imports) and cess Rs 8,286 crore (including Rs 891 crore collected on imports).
- The total revenue earned by Central Government and state governments after regular and provisional settlement in March 2019 was Rs 47,614 crore for Central GST and Rs 51,209 crore for State GST.
SPORTS
Roger Federer lifts his 4th ATP Miami Open title
Roger Federer lifted his fourth ATP Miami Open title with an emphatic 6-1, 6-4 win over defending champion John Isner. In his 50th Masters final, the Swiss fourth seed produced some typically sublime ground strokes and wrapped up the match in an hour and three minutes.
- It is Swiss player's 28th Masters title and the 101st overall for a player who has won 20 Grand Slam singles titles.
APPOINTMENTS
Vijay Chandok appointed as MD and CEO of ICICI Securities
Executive Director of ICICI Bank, Vijay Chandhok appointed as MD and CEO of ICICI Securities, a subsidiary of ICICI bank. He will succeed Shilpa Naval Kumar. He joined the ICICI Group in 1993.
- At present, he is on the boards of ICICI Bank UK PLC and ICICI Bank Canada and is the Chairman of ICICI Investment Management Company.
- Extra info.:
Industrial Credit and Investment Corporation of India (ICICI) Headquarters: Mumbai
Filmmaker Rima Das becomes TIFF's 'Share Her Journey' ambassador
Assamese Filmmaker Rima Das has joined as an official Ambassador of Toronto International Film Festival’s ‘Share Her Journey.’ The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) has launched the five years ‘Share Her Journey’ campaign in 2017 in order to increase participation, skills and opportunities for women behind and in front of the camera.
- She has also won several national and international awards for her film Village Rockstars that has rocked the film industry for depicting the natural scenery of the state of Assam and its uniqueness.
Manu Sawhney takes over as Chief Executive of ICC
Manu Sawhney took over as the International Cricket Council (ICC) Chief Executive. Sawhney has been working alongside the outgoing CEO David Richardson for the last six weeks to ensure a smooth transition within the organisation.
- Richardson will remain with the ICC until July as originally planned to oversee the delivery of the upcoming Men's Cricket World Cup 2019. The 50-over World Cup will be hosted in England from May 30 to July 14.
- Extra info.:
ICC Headquarters: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
India retain top-spot in ICC Test rankings
India have retained the International Cricket Council (ICC) Test Championship Mace as they secured the number one spot on the ICC Test Team Rankings while New Zealand have ensured second place.
- India secured 116 points. South Africa finished third with 105 points while Australia finished fourth with 104 points.
OBITUARIES
Tripura BJP leader Dilip Sarkar passes away
Senior Tripura BJP leader and five-time MLA Dilip Sarkar passed away at a private hospital in Delhi after prolonged illness. Sarkar, 61, a former state PWD Minister in the Congress-Tripura Upajati Juba Samity (TUJS) alliance government between 1988 and 1993.
- Sarkar, elected to the state assembly five times since 1988, joined the ruling BJP along with other Congress leaders in 2017.
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