VINTAGE

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF JULY  25^th , 2019

              IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF JULY 25^th,  2019

1.      A new India-UK bilateral pilot scheme has been launched to support Britain's universities to collaborate with Indian partners in order to send UK students to India during their studies.

a.       The "UKEIRI Mobility Programme: Study in India", an initiative of Universities UK International (UUKi) and British Council India, opened today and aims to generate up to 200 opportunities for undergraduate students at UK universities to visit India by March 2021.

b.       Priority for the programme to visit India during their courses will be given to students from traditionally under-represented groups.

2.      The Rajya Sabha today passed a bill making amendments to the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act by including death penalty for aggravated sexual assault on children.

a.       The bill also provides for fines and imprisonment to curb child pornography. 

b.       Union Minister for Women and Child Development : Smriti Irani 

3.      The Lok Sabha has passed the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill, 2019. 

a.       The bill empowers the government to designate an individual as a terrorist if the person commits or participates in acts of terrorism, prepares for terrorism, promotes terrorism or is otherwise involved in terrorism.

4.      Nalini Sriharan, a life convict in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, has been released on a month's parole to make arrangements for her daughter's wedding. 

a.       During the term of her parole, she cannot speak to politicians or media. 

5.      India is considering an option to raise $10 billion in one go from its 1st overseas bond sale in October. 

a.       The government would prefer to sell yen or euro-denominated debt so as to offer lower yields.

b.       Note : Former Reserve Bank Governor Raghuram Rajan recently warned that India's plan to issue bonds overseas has enormous risks but no real benefit.

6.      Facebook-owned WhatsApp's payments service WhatsApp Pay will be rolling out later this year in India.

a.       Facebook has been beta-testing the payments service in India with about 10 lakh users, the full roll-out of which was stuck over regulatory issues. 

b.       Note : The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had said it didn't comply with the data localisation norms of India.

7.      Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries Ltd. (RIL) becomes highest-ranked Indian company on Fortune Global 500 list. 

a.       It has jumped 42 places and was ranked 106 this year.

b.       Top 10 in Fortune Global 500 list 2019 :

i)       Walmart: United States (US) retail giant topped list.

ii)     Sinopec Group: Chinese state-owned oil and gas company

iii)   Royal Dutch Shell: Dutch company

iv)   China National Petroleum

v)     State Grid

vi)   Saudi Aramco: Saudi oil giant

vii) BP: British multinational oil and gas company

viii)                   Exxon Mobil

ix)    Volkswagen

x)      Toyota Motor

8.      The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has revealed India's second Moon mission, Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft's 1st Earth-bound orbit raising move was successfully performed today at 2:52 pm. 

a.       The spacecraft aims to achieve India's first soft-landing on the Moon's surface on September 7. 

b.       If successful, it'll make India the 4th country to accomplish a Moon landing and the first to reach its south polar region.

9.      Hollywood actor Rutger Hauer (75), best known for his role in the 1982 film 'Blade Runner', passed away in the Netherlands after suffering from a brief illness. 

a.       Hauer had also starred in films including 'Nighthawks', 'Dracula 3D' and 'Batman Begins'.

10. Boris Johnson took over as the new Prime Minister of UK following his official appointment by Queen Elizabeth II. 

a.       His appointment came minutes after his predecessor Theresa May submitted her resignation to the Queen. 

b.       Johnson defeated fellow Conservative Party member Jeremy Hunt to become the party leader and the UK's next Prime Minister.

11. The Indian government has appointed 1985 batch Gujarat cadre IAS officer Atanu Chakraborty as the new Economic Affairs Secretary replacing Subhash Chandra Garg.

a.       Subhash Chandra Garg will be the new Power Secretary. 

12. Priti Patel took charge as 1st Indian-origin Home Secretary of Britain in the newly unveiled Boris Johnson-led Cabinet. 

a.       The 47-year-old has replaced Pakistani-origin Sajid Javid, who has been moved to the Treasury department as the 1st ethnic minority Chancellor of the Exchequer. 

13. A Coffee table book titled ‘Fire and Fury Corp s– Saga of Valour, Fortitude and Sacrifice,‘ a repository of exemplary valour of Fire and Fury Corps and their utmost dedication to nation was released. 

a.       The book was released in Leh, in J&K by Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General Ranbir Singh on the occasion of nation celebrating 20th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas.

14. The medals for Tokyo 2020 Olympics were unveiled with exactly one year to go until the next year's Games. 

a.       The medals are 85 millimetres in diameter and feature Nike (Greek goddess of victory) in their design along with the Olympic symbol. 

b.       Important Note : These medals are made from recycled metals, collected from 6.21 million electronic devices donated across Japan.

15. Former Team India captain MS Dhoni will be with his Territorial Army unit of the Parachute Regiment (106 Para TA battalion) in Kashmir from July 31 to August 15. 

a.       The 38-year-old will undertake duties of patrolling, guard and post duty and will be staying with the troops. 

b.       Note : Dhoni holds the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army.