Daily updates 12 August 2019

International News

1. South Korea will remove Japan from preferred trade list
i. South Korea has decided to remove Japan from its preferred trade list. South Korea has taken this decision because Japan has failed to uphold international principles while managing its export controls on sensitive materials. Preferred trade list is a list of nations receiving preferential treatment in trade.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For RRB NTPC Mains:

• Capital of Japan: Tokyo; Currency: Japanese yen; PM: Shinzo Abe.
• Capital of South Korea: Seoul; Currency: South Korean won.

State News

2. Vice President launches 'Mukhya Mantri Krishi Ashirwad Yojana' in Jharkhand
i. Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu launched the Jharkhand government's 'Mukhya Mantri Krishi Ashirwad Yojana'. 
ii. Under this scheme, money would be directly transferred into the bank accounts of farmers in the state. Features of the scheme are:

• Rs 5,000 will be given to those farmers having 1 acre or less agricultural land.
• Rs 10,000 will be given to those farmers having 2 acres of agricultural land.
• Rs 15,000 will be given to those farmers having 3 acres of agricultural land.
• Rs 20,000 will be given to those farmers having 4 acres of agricultural land.
• Rs 25,000 will be given to those farmers having 5 acres of agricultural land.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For RRB PO Main 2019:

• Jharkhand Capital: Ranchi; CM: Raghubar Das; Governor: Draupadi Murmu.

3. 15-km long national flag unfurled in Raipur, Chattisgarh
i. In Chhattisgarh, thousands of students and members of several social organisations unfurled a 15-km long national flag by forming a human chain in Raipur ahead of the Independence day.
ii. This event was organised by Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam Foundation to entered the Champions Book of World Records (for the longest tricolour).

Static/Current Takeaways Important For RRB NTPC/IBPS RRB Main 2019:

• CM of Chhattisgarh: Bhupesh Baghel; Governor of Chhattisgarh: Anusuiya Uikey.

Banking

4. RBL Bank launches India's first health-focused credit card
i. Private sector bank, RBL Bank and digital healthcare platform Practo have partnered to launch an industry-first co-branded health credit card. This credit card is powered by Mastercard.
ii. RBL Bank's new credit card offers benefits like online consultations with doctors and a free health check-up.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For RRB Main 2019:

• Managing Director & CEO of RBL Bank: Vishwavir Ahuja; Headquarter: Mumbai.

Agreements

5. Rel Jio & Microsoft partners to offer cloud infrastructure for businesses
i. Reliance Jio and Microsoft announced a partnership to accelerate the digital transformation in India. Under this deal, Microsoft will bring in the Azure Cloud on Jio Network and target the enterprise and business users seeking a technological shift.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For IBPS RRB PO Mains:

• Chief Executive Officer of Microsoft: Satya Nadella.
• Chairman of Reliance Industries Limited: Mukesh Ambani.

Appointments

6. Chandrima Shaha to be the first woman president of INSA
i. Chandrima Shaha is set to be the 1st woman president of the Indian National Science Academy. Her tenure will begin from January 2020. Chandrima Shaha was formerly the Director of the National Institute of Immunology, Delhi.

Awards

7. Lionel Messi Wins UEFA Goal of the Season Award 2018-19
i. Barcelona's Lionel Messi has been awarded UEFA's Goal of the Season award 2018-19 for his free-kick against Liverpool. 
ii. Cristiano Ronaldo was runners-up in the UEFA award for the goal he scored for Juventus against his former team Manchester United.

Summits and Conferences

8. Environment minister Prakash Javadekar launches website for COP14
i. Union Environment minister launched a website 'unccdcop14india.gov.in, which contains all the information related to COP14 . 
ii. The 14th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (COP14), will take place on 2-13 September 2019 at Greater Noida, India.
iii. The aim of the conference includes Reversing land degradation and its outcomes while accelerating positive achievements for people and for ecosystems with a view to delivering on Sustainable Development Goals.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For RRB NTPC/IBPS RRB Main 2019:

• Union Environment Minister: Prakash Javadekar.

Books and author

9. Vice President’s book titled “Listening, Learning & Leading” released
i. Home Minister Amit Shah released a Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu's book titled “Listening, Learning & Leading”. 
ii. The book captures the glimpses of the Vice President’s 330 public engagements across the country in the last 2 years. The book also showcases the Vice President’s feat as the Rajya Sabha Chairman in enhancing its effectiveness and promoting its efficiency.

Sports

10. Rafael Nadal wins Montreal Masters title
i. Rafael Nadal wins in Montreal to win 35th Masters crown. He defeated Russian Daniil Medvedev by 6-3, 6-0. With the win, he also extended his record haul of Masters 1000 titles. Nadal has successfully defended a hard court title for the first time in his career.

11. Chennai Lions beat Dabang Delhi to win UTT
i. Chennai Lions wins the Ultimate Table Tennis league. They defeated Dabang Delhi in the finals by 8-1. Chennai Lions collected the winner’s share of Rs. 75 lakh while Delhi settled for Rs. 50 lakh.
Petrissa Solja, Tiago Apolonia, Sharath Kamal and Petrissa starred for the Chennai Lions.

12. Bajrang Punia wins gold at Tbilisi Grand Prix
i. Bajrang Punia wins gold at Tbilisi Grand Prix held in Tbilisi, Georgia. He defeated Iran’s Peiman Bibyani by 2-0 in the 65 kg final of the men’s freestyle competition. It was the 4th gold of the season for the Asian Games champion.

13. Sourabh Verma wins Hyderabad Open
i. Indian Badminton star Sourabh Verma clinched the Men's Singles title in the Hyderabad Open.
ii. He beat Singapore's Loh Kean Yew in a 52-minute final clash. Sourabh Verma belongs to Madhya Pradesh.

Important Days

14. World Biofuel Day: 10th August
i. World Biofuel Day is observed every year on 10th of August to create awareness about the importance of non-fossil fuels as an alternative to conventional fossil fuels. Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas organized an event on World Biofuel Day in New Delhi.
ii. The theme for the year 2019: Production of Bio-diesel from Used Cooking Oil.
iii. In association with the Health Ministry, Food Safety and Standard Authority of India has started an initiative of "Repurpose Used Cooking Oil" and a mobile app in which the used oil will be collected from hotels and restaurants and sent to the biodiesel plants for blending.

15. International Youth Day: 12 August
i. The International Youth Day 2019 is observed across the world on 12 August with the theme“Transforming education”.
ii. International Youth Day 2019 will examine how Governments, young people and youth-led and youth-focused organizations, as well as other stakeholders, are transforming education so that it becomes a powerful tool to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Miscellaneous

16. Dr Vikram Sarabhai's 100th Birth Anniversary
i. The country is celebrating the 100th birth anniversary of scientist and innovator Dr Vikram A Sarabhai. He is considered as the father of India's space program.
ii. The lander of Chandrayaan-2, India's second mission to the moon, is named 'Vikram' to honour the late Dr Vikram Sarabhai.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For RRB Main 2019:

• ISRO Director: K. Sivan; Headquarters: Bengaluru; Established: 1969.

Daily updates 10 August 2019

National News

1. President approves Motor Vehicles Amendment Act, 2019
i. President has approved the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019. The bill amends the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. 
ii. The act aims to make Indian roads safer, reduce corruption and use technology to overhaul the country's transportation system. Some main features of the act are:

• The Bill proposes a scheme to allow cashless treatment of victims in a road accident during the golden hour. The golden hour is defined as the time period of up to one hour following a traumatic injury, during which the likelihood of preventing death through prompt medical care is the highest.
• The Bill proposes to increase the minimum compensation for hit and run cases. In case of the death, the compensation has been raised from Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 2,00,000, and in case of grievous injury it will be from Rs. 12500 to Rs. 50,000.
• The new law also allows the centre to ask manufacturers to recall vehicles in case of defects that cause harm to the environment.
• The law has proposed stiffer penalties for traffic rule violations such as over-speeding, dangerous driving, driving under the influence of alcohol and other offences such as not wearing a helmet or driving without licence.

2. 'One Nation, One Ration Card' to be rolled out in India by June 1, 2020
i. "One Nation One Ration Card" scheme to be rolled out in India from June 1, 2020. To implement the scheme successfully, the centre has kick started inter state portability of ration card pairing two states each.
ii. The pairs are made between Telangana-Andhra Pradesh as well as Maharashtra-Gujarat. This means that beneficiaries living in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh can buy their quota of ration from the Public Distribution System (PDS), also called ration shops, in either of the states.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For IBPS RRB PO Mains:

• Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution: Ram Vilas Paswan.

3. KVIC launches "Leather Mission" on World Tribal Day
i. The Khadi and Village Industry Commission has launched "Leather Mission" on World Tribal Day. Under this mission, the commission will give leather kits to the leather artisans across the nation.
ii. KVIC also distributed 50 leather kits and 350 bee-boxes in Rajasthan's Sirohi district on the World Tribal Day.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For EPFO/LIC ADO Mains:

• Chairman of KVIC: Vinai Kumar Saxena.

4. President hosts 'At Home' reception for Freedom Fighters
i. The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, hosted an ‘At Home’ reception for freedom fighters.
ii. The reception was hosted on the occasion of the 77th anniversary of Quit India Day (August 9) at Rashtrapati Bhavan. On the occasion, the President honoured and felicitated 78 freedom fighters from across the country.

Agreements

5. Indian Bank signs up Corporate Agency pact with Chola MS
i. Indian Bank has entered into a corporate agency agreement with Cholamandalam MS General Insurance Company Ltd. 
ii. Under the agreement, Indian Bank will distribute the latter's insurance products ranging from motor, home, health PA, and travel insurance, and SME and commercial line of business etc. 
iii. All these products will be distributed through traditional and digital platform to Indian Bank customers.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For EPFO/LIC ADO Mains:

• Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Indian Bank: Padmaja Chunduru.

State News

6. UP's "Vriksharopan Mahakumbh" drive creates world record
i. Uttar Pradesh's "Vriksharopan Mahakumbh" drive has created world record after planting more than 22 crore saplings. The drive was launched on the occasion of 77th anniversary of Quit India Movement. More than 22 crore saplings were planted at 12.2 lakh locations under the drive in state. 
ii. Another record of "largest distribution of saplings in the world" was created when 76823 saplings were distributed free in just 6 hours in Prayagraj.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For IBPS RRB PO Mains:

• Chief Minister of UP: Yogi Adityanath; Governor of UP: Anandiben Patel.

Summits and Conferences

7. 3rd International Electric Vehicle (EV) Conclave held in Manesar
i. The 3rd International Electric Vehicle Conclave was inaugurated at the International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT) in Manesar, Haryana. 
ii. The Conclave was held to create a knowledge sharing platform to ensure flow of information at all levels in the automotive sector.
iii. The conclave was organized by ICAT in association with India Energy Storage Alliance with a focus on new trends and challenges in the field of electric mobility.

Sports

8. BCCI has agreed to come under NADA ambit
i. The Board Of Control For Cricket In India has agreed to come under the ambit of the National Anti-Doping Agency. 
ii. This decision makes Indian Cricket's governing body a sports federation as per government norms. As a result, all cricketers will now be tested by NADA.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For EPFO/LIC ADO Mains:

• Director General of NADA: Navin Agarwal; CEO of BCCI: Rahul Johri.

Defence

9. INS Tarkash arrives in Norway for a 3-day visit
i. INS Tarkash has arrived in Norway for a 3 day visit as part of Western Fleet Overseas Deployment. The ship is part of the Indian Navy's Western Fleet and is under the operational command of Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command. 
ii. INS Tarkash is one of the most powerful frontline frigates of the Indian Navy equipped with a versatile range of weapons and sensors.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For IBPS RRB PO Mains:

• Chief of the Naval Staff: Admiral Karambir Singh.

Daily updates 9 august 2019

National

1. 66th National Film Awards
i. The 66th National Film awards have been announced by Rahul Rawail, head of the Jury for feature films. 
ii. The Jury unanimously conferred the award for the Most Film Friendly State to "Uttarakhand" for furthering the growth of the film industry in the state including creating an environment for ease of filming in the state.
iii. To see the complete list of Award winners,

2. 5595 electric buses sanctioned under FAME scheme
i. The Department of Heavy Industry has sanctioned 5,595 electric buses under the phase II of Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles (FAME) India scheme. 
ii. The buses are sanctioned to 64 cities in 22 states and union territories for intracity and intercity operations in order to push for clean mobility in public transportation.
iii. The buses are expected to run about 4 billion km during their contract period and are expected to save cumulatively about 1.2 billion liters of fuel over the contract period, which will result into avoidance of 2.6 million tonne of CO2 emission.

3. India & Bangladesh to set up committee for optimum use of water resources
i. India and Bangladesh have agreed to set up a Joint Technical committee for optimum use of Ganges water. The river Ganga's water is being received by Bangladesh under the Ganga Water Sharing Treaty 1996.
ii. Both the countries have also agreed to prepare a framework for interim water-sharing agreement for 8 rivers including Feni, Gumti and Teesta.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For SBI Clerk Mains:

• Capital of Bangladesh: Dhaka; Currency: Taka; PM: Sheikh Hasina.

4. Union HRD Minister to launch ‘Samagra Shiksha-Jal Suraksha’ drive
i. Union HRD Minister will launch ‘Samagra Shiksha-Jal Suraksha’ to create awareness about Water Conservation among all school students in the country. So that they can become competent, conscientious and committed water citizens of our nation. The department has prepared a detailed outline to implement this programme in all the schools in the country.

Five Major Objectives:

• To educate students learn about conservation of water.
• To sensitize students about the impact of scarcity of water.
• To empower students to learn to protect the natural sources of water.
• To help every Student to save at least one litre of water per day.
• To encourage Students towards judicious use and minimum wastage of water at home and school level.

Target

1 Student - 1 Day - Save One Litre Water
1 Student - 1 Year - Save 365 Litres Water
1 Student - 10 Years - Save 3650 Litres Water

Static/Current Takeaways Important For SBI Clerk Main 2019:

• Union HRD Minister:  Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’.

5.  NITI Aayog to launch the 4th Edition of WTI Awards
i. The NITI Aayog will launch the 4th Edition of Women Transforming India (WTI) Awards. The WTI Awards is being organized in collaboration with the United Nations to recognize women entrepreneurs from across India.
ii. This year’s theme is ‘Women and Entrepreneurship’, in continuation of the theme for WTI Awards 2018. WhatsApp has collaborated with NITI Aayog for WTI Awards 2019 and will be providing support amounting to US$100,000 to the award winners.
iii. The Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) is a Government of India initiative by NITI Aayog to promote and support aspiring as well as established women entrepreneurs in India, assist and handhold them in their journey from starting to scaling up and expanding their ventures.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For RRB NTPC/IBPS RRB Main 2019:

• CEO NITI Aayog: Amitabh Kant; Vice Chairman: Rajiv Kumar.

6. President signs National Medical Commission Bill into a law
i. President Ram Nath Kovind has signed National Medical Commission Bill which was passed by both houses of Parliament. 
ii. The NMC bill aims at mega reforms in the medical education sector and will replace the nearly 63-year-old Indian Medical Council Act. The bill will ensure probity, quality education and bring down costs of medical education.
iii. National Medical Commission Bill will also simplify procedures and provides wider access to people for quality healthcare. The NMC will have eminent medical personalities as members who will be appointed for only one term of four years and will not be eligible for any further extension.

International

7. Rohingya refugees get identity cards in Bangladesh
i. 5 lakh Rohingya refugees living in Bangladesh have been issued identity documents by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). UNHCR’s Bio-metric Identity Management System (BIMS) fraud-proof cards are being issued jointly by Bangladeshi authorities and UNHCR to all verified refugees over the age of 12.
ii. These cards will help in establishing and safeguarding the right of Rohingya refugees to return to their homes in Myanmar. UNHCR’s (BIMS) captures bio-metric data, including fingerprints and iris scans, which secure each refugee’s unique identity as well as other important information such as family links.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For SBI Clerk Main 2019:

• UNHCR Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland; UNHCR Head: Filippo Grandi.

8. Iran unveils three new precision-guided missiles
i. Iran unveiled 3 precision-guided missiles. The new line-up of air-to-air missiles named the "Yasin", "Balaban" and a new series of the "Ghaem" were developed jointly by the ministry and Sa Iran, also known as Iran Electronics Industries.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For RRB NTPC/IBPS RRB Main 2019:

• President of Iran: Hassan Rouhani; Capital of Iran: Tehran.
• Currency of Iran: Rial.

State in News

9. ADB to provide $200 million for rural road project in Maharashtra
i. Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a USD 200 million loan for improving road infrastructure in 34 districts of Maharashtra. 
ii. The aim of the project is to connect rural areas with markets and services. Roads in rural areas would be upgraded to all weather standards which will boost links between local residents and economic centres across the state.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For SBI Clerk Mains:

• President of ADB: Takehiko Nakao; Headquarters: Manila, Philippines.

Rank and Report

10. Manipur tops in Breastfeeding, Infant & Young Child Feeding Practices
i. Manipur has topped the rankings in Breastfeeding and Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices in the country. Health and Family Welfare Minister released a report on Breastfeeding. Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Bihar are at the bottom positions in the report card.
ii. The Breastfeeding report card has been developed by devising a composite score based on 3 indicators namely early initiation of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding for six months and complementary feeding at 6-8 months of child's age.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For EPFO/LIC ADO Main 2019:

• Union Health and Family Welfare Minister: Dr Harsh Vardhan.

Awards

11. BAFTA LA to honour Steve Coogan with Charlie Chaplin Award
i. Actor Steve Coogan will be felicitated with the Charlie Chaplin Award by the British Academy's Los Angeles branch. He will receive the honour during the 2019 Britannia Awards.
The Charlie Chaplin Britannia Award for Excellence in Comedy recognises the talents whose popularity and cultural impact exemplifies the uniquely transcendent quality of excellent comedy.

12. ISRO announces Vikram Sarabhai Journalism Award 2019
i. Centenary year celebrations of Dr Vikram Sarabhai, father of Indian space programme, ISRO institutes two categories of awards in journalism.
ii. ISRO has announced its “Vikram Sarabhai Journalism Award in Space Science, Technology and Research” to recognize and reward journalists who have actively contributed towards the field of space science, applications, and research.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For SBI Clerk Main 2019:

• ISRO Director: K. Sivan; Headquarters: Bengaluru; Established in: 1969.

13. 4th edition of National Entrepreneurship Awards, 2019
i. The 4th edition of the National Entrepreneurship Awards, instituted in a bid to recognize and encourage outstanding Indian Entrepreneurs and catalyse a cultural shift in youth for entrepreneurship by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE).
ii. The National Entrepreneurship Awards (NEA)2019 aim to honour outstanding young 1st generation entrepreneurs and ecosystem builders for their exceptional contribution in entrepreneurship development.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For SBI Clerk Main 2019:

•  Minister for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship: Dr Mahendra Nath Pandey.

Science and Technology

14. SpaceX launches Falcon 9 loaded with Israel's AMOS-17
i. US carrier rocket Falcon 9 loaded with Israeli AMOS-17 communication satellite successfully lifted off from a space centre in Florida, spacecraft manufacturer SpaceX.
ii. Amos-17, built by Boeing, will provide Ka, Ku and C-band signal transmission and expand Israeli communications satellite operator Spacecom's coverage in Africa, the Middle East and Europe.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For EPFO/LIC ADO Main 2019:

• Founder of SpaceX: Elon Musk; Established in: 6 May 2002.

Sports

15. Amla retires from international cricket
i. South African batsman Hashim Amla has retired from all formats of international cricket. 
ii. Amla played 124 Tests, 181 ODIs and 44 T20Is between his 15-year-long cricketing career. 
iii. Scoring more than 18,000 runs, including 55 centuries and 88 other scores in excess of 50.

16. World Archery suspends AAI for violating guidelines
i. The World Archery (WA) has suspended the Archery Association of India for violating its guidelines. 
ii. The AAI violated the WA's guidelines by electing two parallel bodies. As per the suspension order, the last event in which the Indian archers can participate under the Indian flag is the World Archery Youth Championships to be held in Madrid.

17. Cricket Australia unveils new transgender inclusive policy
i. The Cricket Australia has announced new transgender inclusive policy. This policy will enable transgender players to play the game of cricket at the highest levels. 
ii. The decision aligns in accordance with the International Cricket Council’s (ICC’s) gender recognition policy and gender diversity guidelines.
iii. The policy sets out a testosterone limit for transgender and gender-diverse players who want to play for state and national women’s teams.

Important Days

18. International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples: 9 August
i. United Nations observes 9th August every year as International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples. 
ii. The day is celebrated to raise awareness of the needs of these population groups. This year’s observance is dedicated to Indigenous Peoples’ Languages in view of 2019 being marked as the International Year of Indigenous Languages.

Theme for year 2019: Indigenous Languages.

Static/Current Takeaways Important For EPFO/LIC ADO Mains:

• Headquarters of United Nations: New York, USA; Founded: 24 October 1945.
• Secretary General of the United Nations: Antonio Guterres.

19. Nagasaki Day: 9th August
i. Japan commemorates the 9th August every year as the Nagasaki day. On August 9, 1945, the United States dropped an atomic bomb on Nagasaki, Japan. 
ii. It was code named "Fat Man" due to the design of the bomb as it had a wide, round shape. This happened 3 days after dropping an atomic bomb on Hiroshima. 
iii. An area of about 5 square miles was completely obliterated and around 65,000 people were killed in the bombing. Nagasaki and Hiroshima continue to feel the impact of the destructive bombing even today.

Miscellaneous

20. Virasat-e-Khalsa Museum in Punjab sets record
i. The Virasat-e-Khalsa Museum in Punjab’s Anandpur Sahib town is all set to find a place in the Asia Book of Records for becoming the most visited museum in the Indian sub-continent in a single day.
ii. The museum had witnessed a record footfall of 20,569 visitors on a single day on March 20, becoming the most visited museum in the Indian sub-continent in a single day.