GK and Current Affairs Updates

NATIONAL:

Indian President Ram Nath Kovind is to visit three nations in the West African region.

• Indian President Ram Nath Kovind is to visit three nations in the West African region. His tour to the countries began on 28 July. He has become the first Indian head of state to visit West African nation Benin. He will visit the Gambia and Guinea. Until now, no Indian head of state has yet visited the places.  Kovind is visiting to improve India's ties with the western nations.

Aim:

The President's tour is to recast India's ties with Africa. It aims for a major growth pole and a major source of resources.

Kovind to visit 3 African Countries:

On 28 July, Kovind started his visit with Benin. It is one of India’s key trading partners in West Africa.

After visiting Benin, he will be visiting Gambia. New Delhi has extended several Lines of Credit to Gambia, including $6.7 million in 2006 for a tractor assembly plant, approximately $27 million for construction of National Assembly Building Complex.

After that visit, he will be visiting Guinea. In 1960-1980, India was an influential country in Africa as India supported independence and decolonization in the continent.

Previous visits:

As India focused on closer ties with developed economies for investments and technology, Benin's President Boni Yayi visited New Delhi for the third India-Africa Summit in October 2015.

Benin’s current President Patrice Talon visited India to Attend  annual Meeting of African Development Bank (ADB) held in Ahmedabad in May 2017.

26-million-year-species-vine-snake-western-ghats

Pro Ahaetulla antique, 26 million years old species of Vine snake found in the southern  Western GhatsResearchers from Indian Institute of Science(IISc), Bengaluru discovered new vine snake species named Pro Ahaetulla antique (member of the Ahaetuliinae family) evolved around 26 million years ago in the southern Western Ghats.

The common name suggested for these individuals is ‘keeled vine snake’.

Vine snakes get their names due to their slender bodies and vine-like appearances.

There are 4 species of commonly distributed vine snakes, and another one was discovered in Odisha recently in India

This research report has been published in the journal PLOS ONE in collaboration with researchers from Chennai Snake Park, Chennai, and Bombay Natural History Society, Mumbai.

The study was funded by the Department of Biotechnology(DBT), Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC), DBT-IISc Partnership Programme and the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund.

INTERNATIONAL:

Apple to acquire Intels smartphone modem business for a transaction value of $1 billion.

• Apple announced the acquisition of chip-maker Intel's smartphone modem business for $1 billion.

There are around 2,200 Intel employees will join Apple along with intellectual property, equipment and leases, the Cupertino-based iPhone.

The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2019.

This agreement us to focus on developing technology for the 5G network while retaining critical intellectual property and modem technology that our team has created.

Apple will hold over 17,000 wireless technology patents, ranging from protocols for cellular standards to modem architecture and modem operation. Intel will retain the ability to develop modems for non-smartphone applications, such as PCs, internet-of-things devices and autonomous vehicles. Johny Srouji, Apple's senior vice president of Hardware Technologies said that Apple is excited to have excellent engineers to join its growing cellular technologies group.

Apple has been working on its own chips for quite some time.

Intel's technology could help the iPhone maker accelerate its plans.

Apple may have paid chip-maker Qualcomm somewhere between $5 billion-$6 billion for an agreement to dismiss all ongoing litigations, including those with Apple's contract manufacturers.

Intel working on a chipset for the iPhone maker, with the chip expected to be part of iPhones by 2020.

DAYS:

World Hepatitis Day was observed on 28 July.

• World Hepatitis Day was observed on 28 July every year. The Day aims to raise awareness about the disease which causes inflammation of the liver. The day has been observed since 2010. Study says that the disease claims around 1.4 million lives every year.  In 2004, the Patient groups of European and Middle Eastern observed the day as International Hepatitis C Awareness Day. The first World Hepatitis Day was observed in 2008. It was declared by the World Hepatitis Alliance. But in May 2010, the World Health Assembly changed the day to 28 July.

A study by the World Health Organization (WHO) said that the second major killer infectious disease is Hepatitis, first being tuberculosis.

Theme:

The 2019 theme for the day is 'Invest in eliminating hepatitis'. The theme is fixed by the World Health Organization every year. This year the World Hepatitis Day was hosted by Pakistan. All the global events related to the day were held in Islamabad on 27-28 July, 2019.

Hepatitis:

Hepatitis is an inflammatory condition caused by the viral infection caused in liver. The disease is also caused by the use of drugs, toxins, alcohol. Hepatitis is preventable and treatable. Nearly 80% of the people who are affected by Hepatitis still lack prevention, testing, and treatment services. Hepatitis is of A,B,C,D,E types.

OBITUARIES:

Former Union Minister S Jaipal Reddy passed away on 28 July.

• The Congress leader and former Union Minister S Jaipal Reddy, 77, passed away on July 28. He was suffering from pneumonia.

Jaipal's Career:

S Jaipal Reddy was a five-time member of Lok Sabha, four-time MLA and two-time Rajya Sabha member. He was known for his oratory skills. He held the petroleum portfolio but was shifted to science and technology. In 1977, the former Minister quit the Congress in protest against former prime minister Indira Gandhi’s imposition of the Emergency. In 1998, in IK Gujral cabinet he served as a Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting. After 21 years in 1999 he returned to Indian National Congress, he was elected as a Union Minister for the Ministry of Earth Sciences and the Ministry of Science and Technology from 29 October 2012 to 18 May 2014.

NATIONAL:

Noida to get 100 charging stations for electric vehicles

• Hundred charging stations for electric vehicles are in the offing for Noida

The authority is planning a tie-up with a government-backed agency for setting up infrastructure for mobility based on clean energy. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) expected to be signed between Noida Authority and EESL.

The MoU will be signed in the presence of NOIDA Chairperson Alok Tandon, CEO Ritu Maheshwari and EESL Managing Director Saurabh Kumar

• The authority is also planning to lease five electric vehicles from EESL to be used for official purposes. Three of these stations will be on the road, while three off-road.

• Vehicle – Features Vehicle growth in the country has been rapid in recent years.

The need for switching to cleaner technology in the transport sector, around Rs.1.2 lakh crore could be saved in imported crude oil.

The central government issued a set of guidelines to set up charging stations for electric vehicles across the country, outlining ways to build such fuelling points every 25 km. The government expects 25 percent of the total vehicles on roads will be electric vehicles by 2030.

• The ministry made amendments to the Model Building Byelaws (MBBL) 2016 and the Urban Regional Development Plans Formulation and Implementation (URDPFI) Guidelines.

Nagaland government has planned to form a commission to frame the modalities of creating RIIN

• The Nagaland government has planned to form a commission to frame the modalities of creating the Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN) on 27 July. It aims to prevent issuance of indigenous inhabitant certificates to ineligible persons.

Aim:

The RIIN aims to provide protection to genuine citizens who are permanent settlers of Nagaland and non-Nagas will not be harassed during preparation of the list of indigenous citizens. It also aims to help identify the citizens who settled in Nagaland prior to December 1, 1963 as it was the day when it became a full-fledged State.

• Board Members:The new Commission would be headed by retired Chief Secretary Banuo Z. Jamir as chairman. The Home Commissioner and the Commissioner Nagaland will be ex-officio members of the panel. The members of the panel are T. Kiheto Sema, S. Chingwang Konyak as members. Justice (Retd.) and Zelre Angami as the advisor to the Commission.

INTERNATIONAL:

IAF gets its first batch of the AH 64E Apache helicopters of the 22 helicopters

• US aerospace major Boeing handed over the first batch of the AH-64E Apache helicopters of the 22 helicopters to the Indian Air Force (IAF). The next batch of four choppers will be delivered in the month of August.The agreement:

In September 2015, the IAF signed a multi-billion dollar contract with the US government and Boeing Ltd for 22 Apache helicopters.

Also, in 2017, the Defence Ministry approved to buy 6 Apache helicopters along with weapons systems from Boeing for the Army for the cost of Rs.4,168 crore.

• This will be its first fleet of attack choppers.AH-64E Apache attack helicopter:

The AH-64E Apache attack helicopter is one of the world’s most advanced multi-role combat helicopters. These helicopters are flown by the US Army. It has a spectrum of capabilities for virtually any mission requirement. It has greater thrust and lift, joint digital operability, improved survivability and cognitive decision.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY:

GST Council to decide on tax cut on electric vehicles this week

• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman chair the 36th meeting of the GST Council through videoconferencing in Delhi. It is the first GST Council meeting after the Union Budget placed before the parliament in July 5 .The GST Council is expected to announce its decision lowering tax rates for electric vehicles solar power projects and rationalisation of GST rates on lottery.

• GST rates - Electric vehicles: The several sops for the electric vehicle (EV) sector includes income tax exemption and reduction in custom duties for certain components.The government is expected to push for a GST rate cut on EVs from 12% to 5%.The issue of GST rate cut on EVs earlier sent to a rate fitment committee to a rate fitment committee.

The Modi government wants to encourage domestic manufacturing of e-vehicles.

The GST rate for petrol and diesel cars and hybrid vehicles is already at the highest bracket of 28% plus cess.

GST rates on lottery:

The GST Council is likely to look at the issue of taxation of lotteries.

The two rates of GST on the lottery. The 12% GST is levied on lottery run by the state government and 28%.GST is levied on lotteries authorized by the state government.

Several industry bodies have demanded that the GST Council should expand

APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATION:

Lt Gen Paramjit Singh is appointed as the next Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) of the Indian Army

• Lt Gen Paramjit Singh is appointed as the next Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) of the Indian Army. He will oversee various operations of the Indian Army including along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir. He will take over the position on 15 October 2019. He will replace Lt Gen Anil Chauhan who has been appointed new General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Command.

• Lt Gen Paramjit Singh:

Lt Gen Paramjit Singh has vast experience in counter-terror operations. He is currently serving as the General Officer Commanding of the Army's Nagrota-based XVI Corps.

• He has extensive experience of counter-terror operations including the 2016 surgical strike. He was involved in the planning of the 2016 surgical strikes on terror launch pads across the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir.

SPORTS:

The third edition of Khelo India Youth Games will be held in Guwahati in 2020 January

Ministry of Sports has announced that the third edition of Khelo India Youth Games will be held in Guwahati from January 18-30, 2020. The announcement was made by the Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju on 27 July. It will be conducted in partnership with IOA, SGFI, and Assam.

Participants: It is expcted that more than 10,000 athletes and officials will be participating in the mega event.

Khelo India is national level multidisciplinary grassroots games in India. It is held for two categories, mainly U-17 years school students and U-21 college students.

NATIONAL:

GUJRAT state assembly broke the record for longest sitting on a single day.

• Gujarat assembly’s Friday’s proceedings commenced at 10 am and concluded at around 12:09 am on Saturday, clocking more than 12 hours and nine minutes.

• The 14th Gujarat Legislative Assembly has broken its 1993 record of the longest sitting on a single day with its proceedings lasting for more than 12 hours and nine minutes on Friday-Saturday

• The “historic” feat was celebrated by the legislators and officials after the announcement was made by the Speaker.

• The proceedings of the Assembly had lasted for 12 hours and eight minutes on January 6, 1993.

• The Assembly has 182 MLAs

INTERNATIONAL:

Meeting of the BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs / International Relations.

• The meeting of the BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs / International Relations took place on 26 July 2019, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with the representation of the Federative Republic of Brazil, the Russian Federation,the Republic of India, the People's Republic of China and the Republic of South Africa.

• The Ministers exchanged views on key issues on the international agenda.Theyalso reviewed with satisfaction the progress of BRICS cooperation featuring mutual respect and understanding, equality, solidarity, openness, inclusiveness and mutually beneficial cooperation. The Ministers agreed to further deepen BRICS three-pillar-driven cooperation in the areas of economy, peace and security and people-to-people exchanges.

• The Ministers reaffirmed the commitment toupholding and respecting international law and toan internationalsystemin which sovereign States cooperate to maintain peace and security, advance sustainable development and ensure the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all. Theyunderlined support for multilateralism and the central role of the UN in international affairs,and the commitment to uphold the purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. They reiterated the urgent need to strengthen and reform the multilateral system, including the UN, the WTO, the IMF, and other international organizations. The international system,including international organizations, in particular the United Nations,which Ministers stressed must be driven by Member States, should promote the interests of all.The Ministers reaffirmedthe commitment to the principles of mutual respect, sovereign equality, democracy, inclusiveness and strengthened collaboration,andto build a brighter shared future for the global community through mutually beneficial cooperation.To this end, international governance should be more inclusive, representativeand participator.

Iran Tests Medium-Range Missile.

• A Shahab-3 medium-range missile. It can fly 1,000 kilometers, or 620 miles.

• The missile was launched from the southern coast of Iran and landed east of Tehran, the official said on Thursday, adding that it flew about 1,100 kilometers, or about 680 miles, and stayed inside Iran for the entire flight.

AWARDS:

TIFF 2019: Meryl Streep to receive inaugural TIFF Tribute acting award.

• Meryl Streep will be the first recipient of an acting award bestowed as part of the Toronto International Film Festival.

• The festival's organizers announced Friday that Streep will receive the inaugural TIFF Tribute Actor Award during a Sept. 9 charity gala.

• Streep stars in Steven Soderbergh's upcoming Panama Papers film The Laundromat with Gary Oldman and Antonio Banderas. The film will have its North American premiere at TIFF.

• The award is separate from honours bestowed on films screening at the September festival.

SPORTS:

One gold, five silver medals for India at Makran Cup boxing

• Deepak Singh (49kg) was the lone Indian boxer

• Deepak Kumar produced a late surge to steal a silver in the men’s 10m rifle event at the Asian Games, giving the shooting contingent its second medal at the ongoing continental championships.

• China’s defending champion Yang Haoran was a cut above the rest, winning the gold with an aggregate of 249.1.

About Deepak Kumar:

• Deepak Kumar

• Date of Birth: November 5, 1987

• Event at Asian Games: men’s 10m air rifle

• Past performance (if any): N/A

• Best performance so far: Bronze, Commonwealth Championship in 2017

• Brief Description: Deepak Kumar has been the most consistent 10m air rifle shooter after Ravi Kumar in the last year.

NATIONAL:

Lok Sabha passed the 2019 Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill

• Lok Sabha passed the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2019 on 25 July. The Bill was introduced by the Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. The bill is for the justice, respect and dignity of women.

• Provisions of th eBill: The Bill criminalises instant triple talaq among Muslims. It also approves a jail term of three years for the husband.

The bill will replace the ordinance passed by the previous government in February. It should be noted that around 20 Muslim countries in the world, including Pakistan and Malaysia, have banned the triple talaq.

Opposition:

The Bill was opposed by BJP ally Janata Dal (United). The party said that it will create distrust among a particular community.

The Companies Amendment Bill, 2019 introduced in Lok Sabha on 25 July

• The Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2019 has been introduced in Lok Sabha on 25 July. The Bill was introduced by the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

• Provision of the Ordinance:

16 of the offences that are punishable with fine or imprisonment, or both has been recategorised as it empowers the adjudicating officers, who are appointed by the central government, may now levy penalties instead.

The ordinance prohibits a company from issuing shares at a discount, except in certain cases.

• It also says that a company can not commence business unless it files a declaration within 180 days of incorporation or files a verification of its registered office within 30 days of incorporation.

The companies must register charges such as mortgages on its property within 30 days of creation of charge.

Lok Sabha cleared the Unlawful Activities Prevention (Amendment) Bill, 2019

• Lok Sabha cleared theUnlawful Activities Prevention (Amendment) Bill, 2019. The Bill aims to end terrorism.

• Provisions of the Bill: The Bill will now empower the government to designate individuals as terrorists. If any person commits or participates in acts of terrorism or involved in terrorist, he/she can be designated as terrorist.

The Director-General of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) can now grant approval of seizure or attachment of property when the case is investigated by the agency.

• Bill was opposed: The amendments to the Bill was opposed saying that the legislation violates Article 21 and also lacks judicial review. Also, the opposition said that the intent of the Bill will be used to just detain people in jail and deny them a trial. The Bill was also termed as anti-federalism and anti-people.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY:

RIL became the top Indian company in the latest Fortune Global 500 list

• Reliance Industries (RIL) has topped the Indian company to feature in the latest Fortune Global 500 list. RIL has moved 42 positions from its previous and has secured 106th ranking. The Indian company that stands next to RIL is the state-run Indian Oil Corporation (IOC). It has secured 117th rank.

RIL:

The profit of RIL has been increased from $62.3 billion to $82.3 billion in 2019. IOC has recorded a 17.7% growth in revenue from $65.9 billion to $77.6.

• Other Indian Companies in the list:

The other companies that are included in the Fortune Global 500 list are ONGC that ranked 160, State Bank of India that ranked 236, Tata Motors that ranked 265, Bharat Petroleum which ranked 275 and Rajesh Exports that ranked 495.

APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATION:

Priti Patel has been appointed as the Britains first Indian origin home secretary

• Priti Patel has been appointed as the Britain's first Indian-origin home secretary which is a part of Prime Minister Boris Johnson's top team on 25 July. She will replacePakistani-origin Sajid Javid. He has been transferred to the Treasury department as the first ethnic minority Chancellor of the Exchequer.

• About Priti Patel:

Patel was a prominent member from the Conservative Party leadership. She was a member of the Back Boris campaign. Since 24 July 2019, she has been Secretary of State for the Home Department. Also, a Member of Parliament for Witham in Essex since 2010. She was previously International Development Secretary from 2016 to 2017. Patel has also served as a junior Treasury minister. She has released a report on the British economy arguing for lower taxes and for a new Bank of England mandate more focused on asset price inflation and financial imbalances.

Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury appointed PAC Chairman

• Congress party leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury appointed as the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).The post was held by Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge .He recently concluded elections lost from Gulbarga constituency in Karnataka to BJP's Umesh Jadhav.Chowdhury along with former Union Ministers Satyapal Singh and Jayant Sinha elected as the members of PAC

• The other members elected to the committee from Lok Sabha are TR Baalu (DMK), Subhash Chandra Baheria, Sudheer Gupta, Darshana Vikram Jardosh, Ajay (Teni) Misra, Jagadambika Pal, Vishnu Dayal Ram, Ram Kripal Yadav (all BJP), Bhartruhari Mahtab (BJD), Rahul Ramesh Shewale (Shiv Sena), Rajiv Ranjan Singh (JD-U) and Balashowry Vallabbhaneni (YSRC Party).

SPORTS:

Boxing Legend Manny Pacquiao won WBA Super Welterweight title 2019

• Manny Pacquiao(40) won the WBA (World Boxing Association) welterweight championship 2019. He defeated  Keith Thurman of US at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, United States. Two judges scored it 115-112 in favor of Pacquiao. The one judge scored it 114-113 to Thurman.

• The eight-division world champion Pacquiao improved to 62-7-2 score with 39 knockouts. He is currently serving as a senator of the Philippines won 12 major world titles as well as being the first boxer to win the lineal championship in five different weight classes.

• He won the “Best Fighter ESPY Award. He currently ranks No. 4 in Boxer's ranking of the greatest pound for pound boxers of all time.

NATIONAL:

Asian Development Bank sanctions Rs 1,925 cr power project in Tripura.

• Asian Development Bank (ADB) sanctioned a Rs 1,925 crore project for up-gradation of power generation and distribution in Tripura, Deputy Chief Minister Jishnu Dev Varma.

The amount was recently sanctioned to the Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL) after the state government had sought the ADB's assistance, Dev Varma who is also the power minister.

The project sanctioned for upgrading capacity of 63 MW Rokhia Project to 120 MW

It is at an estimated cost of Rs 699.80 crore.

The project sanctioned for upgrading capacity of 63 MW Rokhia Project to 120. They modernising Gumti Hydro Electric Project at an estimated cost of Rs 1225.88 crore.

Rokhia project is located at West Tripura district

North East Council approved sanction of Rs 12.7 crore for an overhaul of the 49.15 km-long Ambassa-Gandacherra power transmission line.

APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS:

LSE appoints economist Francisco Ferreira to Amartya Sen Chair in Inequality Studies.

• Economist Francisco Ferreira, who oversees the World Bank’s research program on poverty and inequality, has been appointed the inaugural Amartya Sen Chair in Inequalities Studies at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).

• The chair was announced in March to honour Nobel laureate Sen, who was professor of economics at LSE from 1971-82.

• Ferreira, who studied at LSE, has spent most of his career at the World Bank, most recently as acting director of the World Bank’s research department.

Priti Patel appointed home secretary, Javid gets finance in Johnson’s office.

• Priti Patel, who was sacked as international development secretary in 2017, was on Wednesday appointed to the key role of UK home secretary by the new Prime Minister, Boris Johnson - the senior-most portfolio held by an Indian-origin MP in British history.

• London-born Patel, 47, has been an MP from Witham in Essex since 2010. An admirer of Margaret Thatcher, she was in the forefront on behalf of the David Cameron government (2010-2015) during the November 2015 visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to London.

Tesla Co-founder and CTO JB Straubel stepping down after 16 yrs

• Tesla has announced its Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) JB Straubel is stepping down from his role after nearly 16 years. The automaker's Technology VP, Drew Baglino, will take over the role of CTO.

SPORTS:

Kristof Milak created a new world record in the 200 metres butterfly at the 2019 FINA world championship.

• Hungaian swimmer Kristof Milak created a new world record in the 200 metres butterfly at theFINA world championship 2019 in Gwangju, South Korea. He clocked 1:50.73. He broke the record set by Michael Phelps who clocked 1:51.51 in an event in Rome 2009.

Kristóf Milák:

Milák is a swimmer from Hungary. He won the world championships gold in South Korea. He is is currently holding the world record in 200m butterfly.He won the silver medal, and set a new junior world record and a new national record a timing of 50.62 at the 2017 World Aquatics Championships. He won three gold medals and one silver medal at the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics.

NATIONAL:

Andhra Pradesh Becomes First State to Reserve 75% Private Jobs for Local Youths

• Andhra Pradesh became the first state to reserve jobs for local youth. The Andhra Pradesh Assembly passed the Andhra Pradesh Employment of Local Candidates in Industries/Factories Act, 2019.

• Industries/Factories Act, 2019 reserves 75% private jobs across all categories in industrial units, factories, joint ventures as well as the project that are in public-private partnership (PPP) mode.It reserves 75 per cent jobs in industrial units, factories, joint ventures and projects set up under public-private partnership mode.The new law states that if a company does not find the necessary skills in locals, then it will need to train them in association with the state government.

Around no company will be able to hide behind the excuse of not finding skilled local labourers.

• Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy agreed to provide quota in local jobs during his ‘padyatra’ in the state.  The government announced 1.33 lakh village volunteer jobs for unemployed youth in the state.Several states have put forth the idea of reserving jobs for locals. 

• Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath would bring in a law to reserve 70% jobs for locals where Congress came to power in December 2018.

INTERNATIONAL:

Nigeria set to host 2020 FIFA women U-20 World cup

• India and South Korea presented their bids for the 2020 U20 Women’s World Cup but India named the 2020 U17 Women’s World Cup host.The last FIFA event held in Nigeria .The 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup won by Switzerland.

FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup:

It is an international association football tournament.It is organized by FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association), for national teams of women under the age of 20. The tournament is held in even-numbered years.It was first conducted in 2002 in Canada. France hosted the 2018 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup (9th edition). Japan emerged as a champion.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY:

Income Tax Department to celebrate Aaykar Diwas 2019

• Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) will observe and celebrate the 159th Income Tax Day on 24th July, 2019. It was on 24th July, 1860 The Income Tax introduced for the first time in India by Sir James Wilson to compensate for the losses incurred by the British regime

• This incident took place during the first war of independence against British Rule. The week preceding the AaykarDiwas 2019 marked by various activities undertaken by the regional offices of the department across the country. Several field offices undertook a grievance redressal week to help redress pending grievances of the taxpayers.

• Some field stations made free legal aid available to taxpayers in conjunction with the local Tax Bar Association. Several field stations holding functions felicitating super senior tax payers for their contribution to nation building, while also recognizing the hard work put in by the officers and officials of the department in various designated areas of work.

• The department will launch a  “Kardaata e-SahyogAbhiyaan” The main aim is to assist and support taxpayers  and other stakeholders in enabling them to e-file their returns and discharge other tax related obligations.

Larsen and Tourbo Tech Company to partner with UTC for Collins Aerospace

• L&T Technology Services (LTTS) selected as a strategic partner by United Technologies Corporation (UTC) for Collins Aerospace.It is a subsidiary of UTC Collins Aerospace comprises former UTC Aerospace Systems, Rockwell Collins and BE Aerospace is one of the leading providers of intelligent solutions for the global aerospace and defence industries.

• L&T Technology Services

L&T Technology Services is a long-standing engineering partner for UTC.

Collins Aerospace comprises of the former UTC Aerospace Systems, Rockwell Collins and BE Aerospace.

• It is one of the leading providers of intelligent solutions for the global aerospace and defense industries. LTTS is a long-standing engineering partner for UTC.

They got 'UTC Supplier Gold' since 2015. LTTS recognized as UTAS Supplier of Year in April 2016. It is for its high-quality services and value creation.

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION:

Mohun Bagan Ratna Award 2019: Keshav Dutt, Prasun Banerjee

• Keshav Dutt, Prasan Banerjee Chosen for Mohun Bagan Ratna Award 2019

Two-time Olympic gold medal-winning hockey player Keshav Dutt and former India football captain Prasun Banerjee will get this year’ MOHUN BAGAN Ratna Award on the annual celebration of Mohun Bagan Day on July 29.

About Mohun Bagan Ratna Award

Mohun Bagan Ratna Award is an award presented each year on Mohun Bagan Day to outstanding former players. Every year 29 July is celebrated as Mohun Bagan Day. It is on this day in 1911 the Mariners became 1st club to defeat a British club. First recipient was former captain Sailen Manna in 2001. Mohun Bagan Day to outstanding former players. First recipient was former captain Sailen Manna in 2001.

Keshav Dutt

The 93 year old Dutt, who played as a half-back, was part of National hockey team that won gold medals after India’s Independence– 1948 London Games.From where India won the 1st gold post-Independence and 2nd Olympic gold in 1952 Helsinki.He is one of the oldest surviving hockey Olympians of country.Prasun Banerjee .The 64-year-old Banerjee, was a prominent midfielder of his times. He is the younger brother of iconic footballer P.K. Banerjee.

SPORTS:

Shiva Thapa Becomes Indias First Gold Medallist in Kazakhstan Presidents Cup

• Four-time Asian medallist Shiva Thapa became India’s first gold medallist at the President’s Cup boxing tournament in the finals in Astana, Kazakhstan

The newly-introduced Olympic category of 63kg. Thapa to fight Kazakhstan’s Zakir Safiullin in the summit clash. Thapa lost to Safiullin in the Asian Championship semifinal.

• The silver medal won by woman boxer Parveen (60kg) got defeated by Rimma Volosenko.Thapa defeated Kyrgyzstan’s Argon Kadiribekuulu 4-1 in the last-four stage Sweety Boora (81kg) and Duryodhan Singh Negi (69kg) ended their campaign with bronze medals.

NATIONAL:

Lok Sabha passed the Right to Information (Amendment) Bill, 2019 on 22 July.

• Lok Sabha passed the Right to Information (Amendment) Bill, 2019 on 22 July. The Bill amends the Right To Information Act. It aims at institutionalisation, streamlining and ease of delivery of services.

Aim:

• The Bill aims to give power to the Centre to set serving period and salaries of Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) and Information Commissioners.

• The Centre can also specify the stature of information commissioners from the equivalent of election commissioners, with their salaries and service conditions.

• The Centre will be fully committed to transparency and autonomy of the institution. The Bill also gives rights to the Centre to reduce an equal amount to the pension of the mentioned officials.

INTERNATIONAL:

Boris Johnson elected as UK Prime Minister.

• Boris Johnson elected as the leader of Britain's governing Conservative Party.

He is declared as country's next Prime Minister. Johnson will formally take over as Prime Minister.

He succeeds Theresa May.

She got stepped down over her failure to get parliament to ratify her Brexit deal.

Johnson served as UK foreign minister and London's Mayor.

Theresa May

She is a British politician who has been Leader of the Conservative Party since 23 July 2019.

She is the Member of Parliament for Uxbridge and South Ruislip since 2015

She served as an MP for Henley from 2001 to 2008.

She was Home Secretary from 2010 to 2016 and Leader of the Conservative Party from 2016 until 2019.

She is first elected to be the Member of Parliament for Maidenhead in 1997.

Boris Johnson

Boris de Pfeffel Johnson is a British politician

He is Leader of the Conservative Party since 23 July 2019.

He is selected as the Member of Parliament for Uxbridge and South Ruislip since 2015

He is the member of MP for Henley from 2001 to 2008.

APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS:

Sanjeev Kumar Singla is appointed as India's Ambassador to Israel.

• Senior diplomat Sanjeev Kumar Singla is appointed as the next Indian Ambassador to Israel.

The appointment was made confirmed this week Friday.

He is a 1997-batch Indian Foreign Service officer

He was serving as Private Secretary (PS) to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He got appointed to this particular post in the year 2014.

He will replace Pavan Kapoor who take charge as the Ambassador to Israel.

SPORTS:

Shane Lowry claimed the British Open 2019 at Royal Portrush, Northern Ireland.

• Irishman Shane Lowry claimed the British Open 2019 at Royal Portrush, Northern Ireland. It is his first major golfing title. He defeated Tommy Fleetwood and won the title. He is the second player from the country to claim the title. Earlier, the title was claimed by Padraig Harrington in 2007 and 2008.

He won USD1,935,000 which takes him to No.1 on the European Tour’s Race to Dubai.

British Open 2019:

British Open 2019 Championship is the 148th Open Championship. Events were held from 18-21 July at Royal Portrush Golf Club in Northern Ireland. This was the second time the country was hosting as it has hosted for the first time in 1951.

NATIONAL:

Chandrayaan 2 to be launched from Sriharikota at 2:43 pm on July 22

• Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)planned to launch India's second mission Chandrayaan -2 to the Moon at 2.43 pm today on July 22

About Chandrayaan - 2

Chandrayaan-2 planned to go the Moon's south polar region. The main aim is to explore its main surface for the signs of water and to find out the new form of energy. The 978-crore cost spent while the launch process

The second launchpad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, in Andhra Pradesh. The countdown announced on Sunday. It is a 20-hour countdown. The launch began at 6.43 pm.

India's second Moon odyssey launched 11 years after ISRO's successful first lunar mission Chandrayaan 1

Union Minister Piyush Goyal to launch Global Innovation Index 2019

• Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal planned to launch the Global Innovation Index (GII) on July 24. The theme of the event is "Evaluating the Medical Innovation Scenario of the Next Decade."They will launch in the presence of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) Director General Francis Gurry.

• The launch of GII mainly shows the innovation rankings of economies and findings for this corresponding fiscal year. The 12th edition of GII with 129 countries under its observation. The GII measures innovation friendly are based on the environment of global economies.There are around 80 entries.

Aim:

The main aim is to highlight the role and dynamics of medical innovation to implement the future of healthcare and the potential impact on the economic growth.

The GII started to assess the innovation capabilities of national economies worldwide. The initiative will make to feel the countries facilitate innovation was done by INSEAD and World Business in 2007.

INTERNATIONAL:

The US and South Korean military exercises to be held in August despite warning from North Korea

• The 19-2 Dong Maeng (alliance) exercise, an annual military exercise between the US and South Korean military exercises, will be held in the month of August, despite the warning from North Korea.

• The announcement was made by Choi Jong-kun, the secretary for peace planning to South Korean President Moon Jae-in.

• Earlier, the United States and South Korea had suspended a large-scale exercise and it also canceled a second exercise after the Singapore summit in June 2018.

• Reason:

The reason cited by South Korea is the exercise will affect the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) -U.S. working-level negotiations.

APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATION:

Sanjeev Kumar Singla is appointed as India's Ambassador to Israel

• Senior diplomatSanjeev Kumar Singla is appointed as the next Indian Ambassador to Israel. The appointment was made confirmed this week Friday.

• He is a 1997-batch Indian Foreign Service officerHe was serving as Private Secretary (PS) to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

•  He got appointed to this particular post in the year 2014. He will replace Pavan Kapoor who take charge as the Ambassador to Israel.

Rajya Sabha MP D Raja appointed as CPI General Secretary

• Rajya Sabha member D Raja is appointed the general secretary of the Communist Party of India (CPI) He will replace Sudhakar ReddyHe stepped down due to health reasons Reddy got elected to the post thrice The decision to appoint Raja to the post of general secretary taken at the party's national council meeting.

• About CPI - Lok Sabha Elections

It is the second-largest party in Indian Politics

But they face a worse crisis in the electoral numbers at an all-time low.

The party got only two seats in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections.

The candidates who won the election belongs to Tamil Nadu.

SPORTS:

PV Sindhu wins her first silver medal of the year at Indonesia Open

• World number five PV Sindhu won her first silver medal of the year after finishing second at the Indonesia Open.

• The 24-year-old lost her first final of the year to world number four Akane Yamaguchi 15-21, 16-21 in 51 minutes on july 21.Sindhu will next play the Japan Open, which is scheduled to begin on July 23.

INDONESIA OPEN 2019:

The 2019 Indonesia Open was the fourteenth tournament of the 2019 BWF WORLD TOUR and also part of the INDONESIA OPEN championships, which had been held since 1982. This tournament was organized by  Badminton  Association Of Indonesia and sanctioned by the BWF

Prithu Gupta of Delhi selected as Indias 64th Grandmaster

• Delhi's Prithu Guptabecome India's 64th Grandmaster. He got Elo around 2500 points.He defeated IM Lev Yankelevich in the fifth round of the Portuguese League 2019.

• He received his first GM norm at the Gibraltar Masters.He achieved his second norm at the Biel Masters on the same year.

• He got the final norm at the Porticcio Open and finally achieved the required ELO points

Indian bodybuilder Ravinder Malik won Mr South Asia title

• Indian Body builder Ravinder Malik won Mr South Asia Title.There are around 91 bodybuilders participated in the championship.The competition is organised by South Asian Bodybuilding and Physique Sports .

• The Federation under the auspices of Nepal Bodybuilding and Fitness Association.He won the overall champion of the 12th Asian Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Championship in Kathmandu.

• He won this title under 80 kg category .He was one among the nine people who the title among the same 80 kg Category.

NATIONAL:

The 10th edition of the Jagran Film Festival was inaugurated by Prakash Javadekar.

• Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Prakash Javadekar inaugurated the 10th edition of the Jagran Film Festival. The Delhi chapter has been scheduled from 18 to 21 July at Siri Fort Auditorium, New Delhi.

Important Film personalities like actor Anil Kapoor, choreographer Farah Khan, film producer Shobu Yarlagadda, director Ketan Mehta and film critic Rajeev Masand were present at the inauguration.

In the first day of the film festival, there were two panel discussions in the Cinema Summit category, on:

♦ Future of Cinema and Breaking Language Barriers in Indian Cinema with Yarlagadda and Mehta

♦ Changing Landscape of Bollywood with Khan.

The festival will travel its way from Delhi through various places like Kanpur, Lucknow, Allahabad, Varanasi, Agra, Meerut, Dehradun, Hisar, Ludhiana, Patna, Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Gorakhpur, Raipur, Indore and Bhopal. The festival will end on September 29 in Mumbai.

Minister of Human Resource Development Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank released Deeksharambh.

• Minister of Human Resource Development Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank released Deeksharambh, an UGC Guide to Student Induction Programme.

Deeksharambh:

Deeksharambh aims to help new students to adjust and feel comfortable in the new environment. It will also guide them to inculcate the ethos and culture of the institution and help the students to build bonds with other students and faculty members. It will also help them to expose to a sense of larger purpose and self-exploration.

Student Induction Programme:

UGC has planned to conduct awareness programmes and training programme for teachers in different regions of the country in order to spread awareness about Deeksharambh.

The programme intended to empower the aspirant learners to face the Competitive world with confidence, open new horizons of life leading to character building based on Universal Human values such as Truth, Righteous conduct, Love, Non-violence, Peace and assist in developing self awareness, compassion and oneness.

Tata becomes Indias most valuable brand for 2019 according to Brand Finance India 100 2019 report.

• According to the London-based consultancy Brand Finance annual report , “Brand Finance India 100 2019”, “

Tata” become India’s most valuable brand for the second straight year in 2019 the brand value of $19.6 billion.

The followed by LIC(Life Insurance Corporation) (2nd )with $7.3 billion and Infosys (3rd )$6.5 billion.

The  brand value of  Tata increased to 37% with $19.6 billion

It is the highest in the top 25 compared to $14.23 billion in 2018.

TATA group’s brand present across autos, IT services, steel, and chemicals.

Brand Finance, calculates the value of brands based on the ‘royalty relief approach estimates likely future sales that are attributable to a brand based on the royalty rate.It also ranks brands based on its strength & performance with its competitors.

About TATA group:

Founder: Jamsetji Tata

Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra,

Chairman : Natarajan Chandrasekaran

INTERNATIONAL:

Benjamin Netanyahu becomes the longest serving Prime Minister of Israel.

• Benjamin Netanyahu became the longest serving Prime Minister of Israel. He overthrew the record set by David Ben-Gurion, Israel's founding father and first leader. Netanyahu has spent 4,876 days,more than 13 years, in office as on 20 July, 2019. Netanyahu is the Israel's youngest-ever Prime Minister as won his first election in 1996, at the age of 46.

Israel:

President: Reuven Rivlin

Prime Minister: Benjamin Netanyahu

Capital: Jerusalem

Official languages: Hebrew

Currency: New shekel (ILS)

NATIONAL:

Jio overtakes Airtel to become India's 2nd largest operator by users.

• Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries' telecom unit Reliance Jio has overtaken rival Bharti Airtel to become India's second-largest operator by subscribers as of May. Jio ended the month with 32.3 crore wireless customers as against Airtel's 32.04 crore users, data from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India showed. Vodafone Idea remained India's top operator with 38.76 crore customers.

Centre plans to introduce the Dam Safety Bill, 2019 in Parliament.

• The Centre plans to introduce the Dam Safety Bill, 2019 in Parliament after getting clearance from the Union Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA). The Bill aims to put in place a systematic procedure to ensure that India’s 5,600 dams are made and maintained safely.

• Provisions of the Bill:

• The Bill make provisions for the establishment of a National Dam Safety Authority as a regulatory body to implement the policy. The State Dam Safety Organisation will be manned by officers from the field dam safety.

• Implementation of the project:

• The CCEA has approved the Rs.1,600 crore for initiate the Dibang Multipurpose Project in Arunachal Pradesh, India’s largest hydropower project. The total cost estimated for the Project is Rs.28080.35 crore, which includes IDC&FC of Rs.3974.95 crore. The estimated completion period for the project sis 9 years from receipt of Government sanction.

• Reason why Centre is introducing now?

• The Bill have been introduced since 2010 in various edition in the State but has never been successfully passed. This is because, States have opposed at various times. Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Odisha have opposed the Bill and citied reasons that the introduction of the bill will encroach upon the sovereignty of States to manage their dams.

INTERNATIONAL:

Asia has 60% of hungry people in the world.

• Asia they are 820 million people enough to eat in 2018, up from 811 million in the previous year.

It is the third year of increase in a row.

This underscores the immense challenge of achieving the Sustainable Development Goal of Zero Hunger by 2030

The edition of the annual ‘The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World’.

The ‘immense challenge’ to reach the target of zero hunger more than 820 million people worldwide.

There are about 820 million people to eat in 2018, up from 811 million in the previous year.

This underscores the immense challenge of achieving the Sustainable Development Goal of Zero Hunger by 2030

AGREEMENTS AND MOUS:

US firm identifies 200 potential Indian partners.

• US defence manufacturer Lockheed Martin Corporation has identified 200 potential partners with which it could team up under the Make in India programme to manufacture defence equipment or components locally

• India is now a “major defence partner” of the US and the two countries are in talks on the “Industrial Security Annex” that will guide the sharing of technology with private entities. India has also been changing its defence procurement policy to assist defence manufacturing in India, and sharing of critical technology with India is becoming simpler

• Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures, a JV between Lockheed Martin and Tata group has already delivered 108 empennages for the C-130J Super Hercules military transport aircraft. TataAdvanced Systems Limited has manufactured 150 cabins for the S-92 helicopters.

AWARDS:

Sachin Tendulkar inducted into ICC Hall of Fame.

• Ex-India batsman Sachin Tendulkar, ex-South Africa pacer Allan Donald and ex-Australia Women pacer Cathryn Fitzpatrick have been inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame. Sachin is the sixth Indian cricketer after Anil Kumble, Sunil Gavaskar, Bishan Singh Bedi, Kapil Dev and Rahul Dravid to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame. Sachin played 664 international matches, scoring 34,357 runs.