daily updates 25 March 2019

National News

1. NITI Aayog’s FinTech Conclave Held In New Delhi
i. NITI Aayog has organized a day-long FinTech Conclave at Dr. Ambedkar International Center, New Delhi. The Conclave was inaugurated by RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das.
ii. The objective of the conference is to shape India’s continued ascendancy in FinTech, build the narrative for future strategy and policy efforts, and to deliberate steps for comprehensive financial inclusion.
Static/Current Takeaways Important For LIC AAO Mains Exam:

NITI Aayog: National Institution for Transforming India.

NITI Aayog CEO: Amitabh Kant, Vice Chairman: Rajiv Kumar.

International News

2. President Kovind Embarks On State Visit To Croatia, Bolivia And Chile
i. President Ram Nath Kovind embarked on a state visit to Croatia, Bolivia and Chile to hold talks with the leaders of these countries and strengthen ties in trade, investment and renewable energy.
ii. India will be conducting separate bilateral forums with Croatia, Bolivia and Chile during President Kovind's visit to these countries. President Kovind will first visit Croatia in what would be the first visit by an Indian president to the European country. 
Static/Current Takeaways Important For LIC AAO Mains Exam:

Croatia Capital: Zagreb, Currency: Croatian kuna.

Bolivia Capital: Sucre, Currency: Bolivian boliviano.





Chile Capital: Santiago, Currency: Chilean peso.



3. Oman Signs Agreement Allowing United States Military To Use Its Ports
i. Oman has signed an agreement with the United States of America that allow American ships and warplanes to take advantage of his ports and airports. 
ii. The agreement will allow the US forces to take advantage of the facilities offered at some of the Sultanate’s ports and airports during visits of the US military vessels and aircraft. 
Static/Current Takeaways Important For LIC AAO Mains Exam:

Oman Capital: Muscat, Currency: Omani rial, PM and Sultan: Qaboos bin Said al Said.

Ranks and Reports

4. IGI Airport Delhi Becomes The 12th Busiest Airport In The World
i. In accordance with the preliminary world airport traffic rankings for 2018 released by Airports Council International (ACI), Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) of New Delhi has elevated 4 ranks to reach at 12th spot in terms of the busiest airport as compared to 2017’s 16th spot.
ii. The list of world’s busiest airports by passenger traffic ranking has been topped by Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (US) followed by Beijing Capital International Airport (China) and Dubai International Airport (UAE). 
5. India Ranks 76th On WEF Global Energy Transition Index
i. India has moved up 2 places to rank 76th on a global energy transition index. The annual list, compiled by Geneva-based World Economic Forum (WEF), has ranked 115 economies on how well they are able to balance energy security and access with environmental sustainability and affordability.
ii. Sweden remains on the top and is followed by Switzerland and Norway in the top three.
Static/Current Takeaways Important For LIC AAO Exam 2018:

The founder and Chairman of WEF- Klaus Schwab.

WEF Headquarters- Switzerland.

Resignations

6. Naresh Goyal Steps Down From Jet Airways Board
i. Jet Airways Founders Naresh Goyal and wife Anita Goyal have stepped down from the board of the cash-strapped airline. With this, Naresh Goyal ceases to be Chairman. Another director Kevin Knight has also resigned.
ii. The board also approved the issue of 11.4 crore equity shares to the lenders upon conversion of Re 1 of the outstanding debt. Lenders will infuse up to Rs 1,500 crore via debt instruments.
7. AIBA President Gafur Rahimov Resigned
i. The Amateur International Boxing Federation (AIBA) President Gafur Rahimov announced his resignation claiming that political based discussions were harming the organizations progress. Rahimov will be replaced by an interim president.
ii. Rahimov was elected in November 018 despite being on the U.S. Treasury Department’s sanctions list “for providing material support” to a criminal organization.

Awards

8. 64th Filmfare Awards Announced: Complete List of Winners
i. Winners of the 64th Filmfare Awards were announced at Jio Garden, BKC, Mumbai. 
ii. Alia Bhatt won Best Actress for playing the role of a spy while Raazi also fetched Meghna Gulzar the Best Director Filmfare Award. Raazi also grabbed the Best Film trophy. 
Here's the complete winner's list of 64th Filmfare Awards 2019
9. Lalit Kala Akademi Announces 60th National Academy Award Winners
i. The Lalit Kala Akademi (LKA) announced 15 winners of the 60th Annual Academy Awards. All the awardees were honored with a plaque, a shawl and prize money of Rs 1 lakh at the 60th National Exhibition of Art.
ii. The awardees selected by the two-tier jury are:
1.Chandan Kumar Samal (Odisha),
Gouri Vemula (Telangana),
Hemant Rao (Madhya Pradesh),
Hiren Kumar Chotu Bhai Patel (Gujarat),
Jaya Jena (Odisha),
Jayesh K.K (Kerala),
Jitendra Suresh Sutar (Maharashtra),
Douglas Maryan John (Maharashtra),
Pratap Chandra Chakraborty (West Bengal),
Rashmi Singh (Uttar Pradesh),
Sachin Kashinath Chaudhari (Maharashtra),
Sunil Kumar Viswakarma (Uttar Pradesh),
Tabassum Khan (Bihar),
Vasudeo Taranath Kamath (Maharashtra) and
Veenita Sadguru Chendvankar (Goa).
Static/Current Takeaways Important For LIC AAO Mains Exam:

Lalit Kala Akademi established in 1954 is an autonomous organisation under the Ministry of Culture.

It is headquartered in New Delhi.

Important Days

10. World Meteorological Day: March 23
i. World Meteorological Day is observed annually on March 23 to commemorate the establishment of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in 1950. 
ii. The theme 2019 was “The Sun, the Earth and the Weather”. The day was first observed in 1961.
Static/Current Takeaways Important for LIC AAO Exam:

World Meteorological Organization Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.

Books and Authors

11. Book Titled ‘Every Vote Counts’ of Navin Chawla Launched
i. Former Vice-President Hamid Ansari launched the book titled 'Every Vote Counts-The Story of India’s Elections'. 
ii. The author of this book is former Chief Election Commissioner Navin Chawla. 

Sports News

12. Suresh Raina 1st Cricketer To Score 5,000 Runs in IPL
i. Chennai Super Kings' Suresh Raina has become the first ever cricketer to reach 5,000 runs in Indian Premier League. 
ii. The 32-year-old left-handed batsman achieved the feat after scoring 15 runs in the IPL 2019 opener against Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Static/Current Takeaways Important For LIC AAO Mains Exam:

Suresh Raina is the 1st Indian to score 100 in all 3 formats.

daily updates 26 March 2019

Defence News

1. INS Kadmatt at Langkawi, Malaysia to Participate in LIMA-19
i. Indian Navy’s frontline ASW corvette, INS Kadmatt arrived at Langkawi, Malaysia on a 7 days official visit. 
ii. The ship is scheduled to participate in the 15th edition of Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition, LIMA-19 during the visit. The ship would be participating in numerous activities at Langkaw with 29 other participating navies, cultural exchange programmes, cross visits to ships, and sporting events.
2. Indian Navy Nuclear, Biological, Chemical Training Facility Launched
i. The Indian Navy's state of the art Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Training Facility (NBCTF) was inaugurated by Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba at INS Shivaji, Lonavala. 
ii. The training facility has been named ABHEDYA, which means impenetrable in Sanskrit.
Static/Current Takeaways Important for LIC AAO Exam:

Vice Admiral Karambir Singh has been appointed as the next Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS).

3. Chinook Helicopters Inducted In Indian Air Force
i. The Indian Air Force formally inducted the CH 47 F(I)- Chinook heavy-lift helicopters into its inventory at Air Force Station Chandigarh. IAF had signed a contract with M/s Boeing Ltd in September 2015 for 15 Chinook helicopters.
ii. The first batch of four helicopters has been delivered on schedule and the last batch is to be delivered by March 2020. These helicopters will be deployed in the Northern and Eastern regions of India. 
Static/Current Takeaways Important For LIC AAO Mains Exam:

Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa is the present Chief of the Air Staff of IAF.

4. Indian-Sri Lankan Joint Military Exercise MITRASHAKTI–VI Begins
i. The joint training exercise MITRASHAKTI – VI between Indian and Sri Lanka Army kick-started at Diyatalawa in Sri Lanka.
ii.  An Indian contingent of 120 Army personnel, including 11 officers arrived last evening to take part in the two-week long exercise. MITRASHAKTI is one of the largest bilateral armies to army exercises conducted in the region.

International News

5. World’s First Wireless Electric Car Charging Station Introduced By Norway
i. Oslo, the capital city of Norway will become the world’s first city to install wireless, induction-based charging stations for its fleet of electric taxis with an aim to have a zero-emission cab system by the year 2023 according to a report by Reuters. 
ii. Norway wants all new cars to be zero emission by 2025 whereas other nations, like Britain and France, have similar goals for 2040.
Static/Current Takeaways Important for LIC AAO Exam:

Norway capital: Oslo, Currency: Norwegian krone. 

6. Trump Sign Proclamation Recognising Israel’s Sovereignty Over Golan Heights
i. US President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation recognising Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights and told the visiting Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, that Israel has an absolute right to self-defence.
ii. Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria in the 1967 war but its sovereignty over the territory is not recognized by the international community. Over the past years terrorist groups in southern Syria continued to make the Golan Heights a potential launching ground for attacks against Israel.
Static/Current Takeaways Important For LIC AAO Mains Exam:

Israel Capital: Jerusalem, Currency: Israeli new shekel.

Awards

7. Peter Tabichi Conferred With Global Teacher Prize For 2019
i. Peter Tabichi, a member of the Franciscan religious order has been conferred with the prestigious Global Teacher Prize for 2019 at a ceremony in Dubai hosted by Hollywood actor, Hugh Jackman.
ii. Peter Tabichi gives away 80% of his monthly income to the poor. The award recognises 'exceptional' teacher’s commitment to pupils in a remote part of Kenya’s Rift Valley.
8. ADNOC Awards Onshore Block To Indian Consortium
i. A consortium of two Indian oil companies, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, and Indian Oil Corporation Limited has been awarded the exploration rights for Abu Dhabi’s Onshore Block 1. 
ii. The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) signed agreements awarding the exploration rights. The award has been endorsed by Abu Dhabi’s Supreme Petroleum Council.

Sci-Tech News

9. ISRO Set To Launch 29 Satellites Including EMISAT
i. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch 29 satellites including the primary payload EMISAT, on the first of April. Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, PSLV-C45 will take off from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota tentatively at 9:30 AM carrying the satellites onboard.
ii. EMISAT has been developed for monitoring radar network by India. EMISAT, weighing 436 kg, is intended for electromagnetic spectrum measurement. It will be placed in an orbit of about 753 km altitude. 
Static/Current Takeaways Important For LIC AAO Mains Exam:

ISRO Director: K. Sivan, Headquarters: Bengaluru, Established in: 1969.

Committees in News

10. RBI Appoints 5 Member Committee To Deepen Digital Payments
i. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has appointed 5-member committee under the chairmanship of Nandan Nilekani to strengthen digital payments as well as to boost financial inclusion through Financial Technology. The committee would submit its recommendations within 3 months.
ii. This announcement was made by RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das at the first event of Financial Technology (Fintech) Conclave, which was organized by NITI Aayog in New Delhi.

Obituaries

11. Folk Artiste and Radio Commentator Anasuya Devi Passes Away
i. Kala Prapoorna awardee, Vinjamuri Anasuya Devi passed away at the age of 99 due to illness in the USA. She was an eminent folk artist, radio commentator, harmonium player, music composer, and author.
ii. In 1977, she was honored with a Doctorate by Andhra University. She was also an awardee of lifetime achievement award in America and ‘Queen of Folk’ award in Paris.

daily updates 27 March 2019

National News

1. PM Modi Addresses The Nation: India Becomes Elite Space Power
i. PM Narendra Modi addressed the nation. PM Modi announced that India has entered its name as an elite space power. An Anti-Satellite Weapon (A-SAT) successfully targeted a live satellite on a low earth orbit. The name of this mission was 'Mission Shakti'. 
ii. After the US, Russia, and China, India is the fourth country to acquire this space capability.
iii. Anti-satellite is a milestone for the country's security and technological achievement. India is a space superpower now.
2. 1st Indian Army Mountaineering Expedition To Mt Makalu Flagged Off
i. First Indian Army Mountaineering Expedition to Mt Makalu (8485m) comprising five Officers, two JCOs and eleven OR was flagged off by Director General Military Training. 
ii. In furtherance of the objective of summiting all challenging peaks above 8000M, Indian Army is launching its maiden expedition to Mt Makalu in Mar-May 2019.
Static/Current Takeaways Important For LIC AAO Mains Exam:

Makalu is the fifth highest mountain in the world at 8,485 metres.

It is located in the Mahalangur Himalayas 19 km southeast of Mount Everest, on the border between Nepal and Tibet, China.



3. Important Cabinet Approvals: 27th March 2019
i. The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given the following set of approvals.  The important Cabinet Approvals are given as follows:
ii. The Cabinet:

Apprised about MoU for cooperation on youth matters between India and Morocco. 





Apprised about MoU on Antarctic cooperation between India and Argentine.





Apprised about MoU between India and Morocco to promote exchange of information and technical cooperation in the field of Housing and Human Settlement.





Apprised about MoU between India and Saudi Arabia for cooperation in the field of Housing.





Approves MoU between India and Republic of Korea on Startup Cooperation.





Approves MoU between India and Indonesia on combating illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and its precursors.





Approves acquiring land of Central Water Commission at Nallagandla, Hyderabad by Telangana State Government for road widening.





Approves creation of additional posts of three Judicial Members and three Technical Members in the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal.

International News

4. World’s Largest e-waste Recycling Hub Opened At The Dubai Industrial Park
i. The world’s largest e-waste recycling plant has been opened in Dubai Industrial Park, Dubai by ‘Enviroserve’ company with a total cost of $5 million. It will recycle Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), IT asset disposition (ITAD), refrigerant gas and specialized waste.
ii. The processing capacity of this recycling hub is 100,000 tonnes of total integrated waste (per year), of which 39,000 tonnes is e-waste. The project is supported by the Swiss Government Export Finance Agency.

Awards

5. President Kovind Honoured With Croatia’s Highest Award
i. President Ram Nath Kovind has been awarded the Grand Order of King Tomislav with Sash and Grand Star by the President of Croatia Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic for his exceptional contribution to the advancement of overall relations and development of mutual cooperation between India and Croatia and for promoting friendship and partnership between the people of both the countries. This is the highest award of the Republic of Croatia. 
Static/Current Takeaways Important For LIC AAO Mains Exam:

Croatia Capital: Zagreb, Currency: Croatian kuna.

Banking/Business News

6. RBI Slaps Rs 2 Crore Penalty On PNB
i. The Reserve Bank of India has slapped a penalty of Rs 2 crore on Punjab National Bank for non-compliance of regulatory directions with regard to SWIFT operations.
ii. SWIFT is a global messaging software used for sharing information on inter-bank transactions by financial entities.
Static/Current Takeaways Important For LIC AAO Mains Exam:

SWIFT is abbreviated as Society For Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications.

7. Apple Partners With Goldman Sachs And Mastercard For Apple Card
i. Apple Inc & Goldman Sachs Group Inc jointly launched the Apple Card credit card for iPhones.
ii. The card is tied to Apple Pay, a service that allows people to load banking information and pay in store or use it for purchases online.
Static/Current Takeaways Important For LIC AAO Mains Exam:

Apple Inc. CEO- Tim Cook; Headquarters- California, USA. 

Apple card is a virtual credit card that can be integrated into the Wallet app of the iPhone.

Sports News

8. Seamaster 2019 ITTF Challenge Plus Or Oman Open Table Tennis Held In Muscat
i. The Seamaster 2019 ITTF Challenge Plus commonly called Oman Open table tennis held in Muscat, Oman. Indian players G Sathyan and Archana Kamath excelled in the tournament. 
ii. G Sathyan won a bronze medal in the tournament. Archana Kamath bags U-21 silver with an excellent run in the Oman Open.
Static/Current Takeaways Important for LIC AAO Exam:

Oman Capital: Muscat, Currency: Rial.

9. Manu Bhaker-Saurabh Chaudhary Won Gold Medal At Asian Airgun Championship
i. In Shooting, Manu Bhaker and Saurabh Chaudhary have won a Gold medal in the 10-meter Air Pistol Mixed team event at the 12th Asian Airgun Championship at Taoyuan in Taipei.
ii. The pair made it to the Final after smashing the world record in the qualification. A second Indian team, comprising Anuradha and Abhishek Verma, also reached the Finals but finished fourth.

Obituaries

10. Scott Walker, Experimental Pop Hero, Passes Away
i. Scott Walker, one of the most innovative and enduring songwriters of the 20th century, has died aged 76.
ii. Walker first came to fame in the mid-1960s in the group the Walker Brothers, before creating a string of acclaimed solo albums – Scott, Scott 2, Scott 3 and Scott 4.