NATIONAL NEWS
India-Singapore Joint Military Exercise ‘Bold Kurukshetra–2019’ starts
Military forces of India and Singapore got together to participate in a joint exercise in Babina Cantonment in Jhansi. The three-day exercise, ‘Bold Kurukshetra–2019’, is being conducted to develop military technology, boost maritime security and bolster the nations’ fight against terrorism.
- The Singapore military would undergo training and participate in firing exercise with their Indian counterpart. This will be the 12th in the series.
- Extra info.:
Singapore Capital: Singapore city
Currency: Singapore dollar
India's first indigenously built Dhanush howitzer inducted in Army
In a major boost to India's firepower, country's first indigenously designed and developed Dhanush artillery gun was inducted in the Indian Army. The Dhanush gun system is based on the designs of the Bofors howitzer which was inducted in the Army in the 1980s and would be the third type of artillery gun to be inducted into the force after the K-9 Vajra and the M-777 ultra-light howitzers.
- The weapon is the product of joint efforts by the Ordnance Factory Board and the Indian Army with contributions from DRDO, DGQA, DPSUs such as BEL, PSUs such as SAIL and several private enterprises.
IIT-Madras tops HRD's national ranking of higher institutes
The Indian Institute of Technology(IIT), Madras, topped the national ranking of higher institutes released by the ministry of Human Resources Development (HRD). The Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, and IIT-Delhi were ranked second and third in the list respectively. Of the top 10 institutes, seven are IITs.
- The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) were ranked seventh and 10th respectively. The Delhi University's Miranda House was ranked the best among colleges across the country, while the varsity's St Stephen's College was ranked fourth.
- The HRD ministry has been publishing the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) since 2016.
Guwahati Railway Station 1st To Get ISO Certification In India
The Guwahati Railway Station has become the first ever railway station in the Indian Railways to get an ISO certification from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) for “providing passenger amenities in a clean and green environment.” The station also has amenities such as High-class reserve (VIP) lounge, waiting rooms, AC and non-AC retiring rooms, food courts and sanitation facilities.
- ISO stands for “International Organisation for Standardisation” that is responsible for establishing the standard in different areas of activities.
Around 5,000 Naga Konyak women dance set a Guinness World Record in Nagaland
In an attempt to set a new Guinness World Records in the category of ‘largest traditional Konyak dance display,’ around 5,000 Konyak community women, all decked up in colourful traditional attire, danced to the tune of a ceremonial song at Nagaland, coinciding with the Aoleang festival.
- The theme of this year’s Aoleang, also called Mini Hornbill festival, was ‘Empowering women for cultural heritage.’
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
London becomes first city to implement 24x7 pollution charge zone
London became the first city in the world to implement a special Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) that would charge an entry fee for older vehicles if they do not meet the emission standards. In an attempt to reduce air pollution and protect public health, the ULEZ will be operational for 24 hours and seven days a week.
- As part of the efforts to combat air pollution, London's famous red bus fleet is also being upgraded. By October 2020, all of 9,200 vehicles will meet or exceed ULEZ standards.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
India retained top spot in remittances in 2018: WB
India has retained its spot as the world's top remittance recipient with its diaspora sending $79 billion back home in 2018, the World Bank has said in a report. India was followed by China ($67 billion), Mexico ($36 billion), the Philippines ($34 billion) and Egypt ($29 billion), according to the latest edition of the World Bank's Migration and Development Brief.
- In 2016, India received $62.7 billion in remittances and in 2017 it was $65.3 billion.
BSE ties up with HDFC Bank to give boost to startups platform
BSE (formerly Bombay Stock Exchange) announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with HDFC Bank to spread awareness about the benefits of listing on BSE Startups platform.
- BSE had launched the Startups platform on December 22 last year to encourage entrepreneurs to get listed and raise equity capital for their growth and expansion.
- Extra info.:
HDFC CEO: Aditya Puri
Headquarters: Mumbai
RBI issues norms for banks to set up currency chests
The Reserve Bank of India came out with guidelines for banks to set up new currency chests, which include minimum area of 1,500 square feet for strong room. For those situated in hilly/ inaccessible places, the strong room/ vault area of at least 600 sq ft.
- Besides, the new chests should have a processing capacity of 6.6 lakh pieces of banknotes per day.
Automobile industry marks a growth of 6.26 pc in 2018-19
The automobile industry produced a total 3.09 crore vehicles during April to March 2019 as against 2.9 crore in the corresponding period of previous year, marking a growth of 6.26 per cent, the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) said.
- The overall automobile exports out of India grew by 14.5 per cent. While passenger vehicles exports declined by 9.64 per cent, commercial vehicles, three wheelers and two wheelers registered a growth of 3.17 per cent, 49 per cent and 16.55 per cent.
India’s GDP expected to accelerate moderately to 7.5% in 2019-20: World Bank
India’s GDP growth is expected to accelerate moderately to 7.5 per cent in Fiscal Year 19-20, driven by continued investment strengthening, particularly private-improved export performance and resilient consumption, the World Bank has said.
- The real GDP growth is estimated at 7.2 per cent in FY18/19, the World Bank said in its latest report on South Asia ahead of the spring meeting of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.
SPORTS
Isaak Hayik, 73, crowned world's oldest soccer player
Isaak Hayik of Or Yehuda, Israel, has set a new world record as the oldest active player in a professional soccer match after tending the goal for Ironi Or Yehuda in game against Maccabi Ramat Gan.
- Hayik, who turns 74 this week, was officially recognized with a Guinness World Records certificate after the game presented by a Guinness representative from London.
APPOINTMENTS
Graham Reid appointed Indian men's hockey coach
Hockey India has named Graham Reid as the new chief coach of the Indian men's hockey team. The 54-year-old will join the team in Bengaluru shortly for the ongoing national camp at the Sports Authority of India.
- Reid has a decorated playing career as the defender/midfielder for the Australian national team and was part of the silver medal winning team at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
- Extra info.:
The Sports Authority of India Headquarters: Delhi
OBITUARIES
Veteran Kerala Politician K.M. Mani
Veteran Kerala politician K M Mani passed away at Kochi. He was 86. Mani, who had been serving as the founder chairman of Kerala Congress (M) party, was a sitting MLA over the last 54 years and also served as a minister in Kerala for 25 years.
- A native of Pala, Mani began his political career as an Indian National Congress worker. He was a founder member of the Kerala Congress party and later formed the Kerala Congress (M), a key coalition partner of the Congress-led UDF in Kerala.
Malaysian golfer Arie Irawan passes away
Malaysian professional golfer Arie Irawan has passed away at the age of 28 in China where he was competing in the Sanya Championship. Irawan had been competing in the PGA Tour Series-China's Sanya Championship, where he missed the 36-hole cut but had remained on-site.
- Irawan, who attended the University of Tulsa on a golf scholarship, turned professional in 2013 and won two Asian Developmental Tour events in his seven-year career.
Former South Africa all-rounder Elriesa Theunissen-Fourie passes away
Former South Africa Women all-rounder Elriesa Theunissen-Fourie passed away in a road accident in Stilfontein. She represented South Africa in three one-day internationals and one Twenty20 international. Her last match for South Africa came in an ODI against Bangladesh Women in September 2013.
- She was also a part of the South African squad in the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2013 in India, and made her ODI debut during the tournament, against Sri Lanka Women in Cuttack.
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