IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS
OF APRIL 21st &22nd , 2019
IMPORTANT
CURRENT AFFAIRS OF APRIL 21st &22nd, 2019
1.
49th International Earth Day is being observed
on 22nd April 2019.
a. The world's
first ever Earth Day was celebrated on 22nd April 1970, in the
United States of America to increase public awareness about environmental problems.
b. It was
founded by United States Senator Gaylord Nelson, as a reaction to a
massive oil spill in California in 1969.
c. The aim of
the day is to bring attention to environmental issues to spark changes that
will result in a healthy, sustainable environment.
d. Theme
of International Earth Day2019 : "Protect
Our Species"
2.
Iran and Pakistan are going to create a joint
'reaction force' on border between the two countries.
a. Iran's
President Hassan Rouhani has said. The
force, which was announced during Pakistan PM Imran Khan's
visit to Iran, is intended to boost border security and foster bilateral
ties.
b. Note : Iran has
been complaining for years about recurring attacks by Pakistani militants on
its security forces.
3.
India has dropped 2 places on recently released 'World Press
Freedom Index 2019' to be ranked 140th out of 180
countries.
a. The index has
been released by Reporters Without Borders.
b. The index has
been topped by Norway (1st) and Turkmenistan (180th) in
the bottom position.
c. Top 3
countries in World Press Freedom Index 2019
i) Norway
ii) Finland
iii) Sweden
4.
21st April is Civil Service Day.
a. Purpose of
this day : To rededicate and recommit themselves to the cause of the
people.
b. The day
provides an unique opportunity for introspection as also for working out future
strategies to deal with the challenges being posed by the ever changing times.
c. Note : The Civil
Services Day 2019 was not observed due to Lok Sabha elections.
d. The
Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances has stated that the
Civil Services Day will be celebrated once the new government takes over or may
even consider clubbing this year’s celebrations with the next year’s programme.
5.
Thousands of people attended the stone-laying ceremony of
the 1st traditional Hindu temple in UAE capital Abu Dhabi.
a. Mahant Swami
Maharaj, spiritual head of the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam
Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), which is constructing the temple, presided over
the ceremony.
b. Indian
Ambassador to the UAE, Navdeep Suri, was also
present at the event.
6.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced
that it has not issued any direction on a 5-day working week for commercial
banks.
a. This comes
amid media reports that commercial banks would have a 5-day week as per RBI
instructions.
b. Currently,
branches of commercial banks observe holiday only on the second and fourth
Saturdays of a month apart from Sundays.
7.
The world's largest cryptocurrency exchange Binance has
launched its own blockchain titled 'Binance Chain' to rival
Ethereum network.
a. Binance
Chain will allow crypto startups to issue coins directly on the
company's platform and will serve as the basis of Binance's planned
decentralised exchange.
b. The
Malta-based exchange's native cryptocurrency, known as BNB, will move off the
Ethereum network to the new blockchain.
8.
India rose to 17th position in Global Startup
Ecosystem in 2019, up from the 37th spot in 2017, as per
StartupBlink.
a. The country
list was topped by the US, followed by the UK and Canada.
9.
The Asian Tea Alliance (ATA), a union of 5
tea-growing and consuming countries, was recently launched in Guizhou in
China.
a. The members
of the alliance are the Indian Tea Association, China Tea Marketing
Association, Indonesian Tea Marketing Association, Sri Lanka Tea Board and
Japan Tea Association.
10. Saudi
Arabia and the UAE today announced financial
support of 3 billion dollars for the people of Sudan following
the overthrow of longtime leader Omar al-Bashir.
a. The
assistance bundle entails 500 million USD deposit into Sudan's central bank to
strengthen the country's liquidity and monetary reserves.
b. The remaining
amount will be dedicated to support the people of Sudan, across food,
medicines, and fuel derivatives.
11.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is
going to recommend Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman for
the gallantry medal Vir Chakra for shooting down Pakistani
F-16 jet.
a. Further, the
12 Mirage 2000 pilots who bombed targets in Pakistan's Balakot are being
recommended for the Vayu Sena Medal.
12. The London
School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) has set up the Amartya
Sen Chair in Inequality Studies to honour the Nobel laureate.
a. Amartya Sen
Chair in Inequality Studies is a living embodiment of the LSE’s enduring
commitment to working for the betterment of society through research, education
and public engagement.
b. Note : Sen was a
professor of economics at LSE between 1971 and 1982.
13.
Noted Bengali folk singer Amar Pal (96)
passed away.
a. He is one of
the legendary figures to popularise Bengali folk songs.
b. His playback
in Satyajit Ray directed Hirak Rajar Deshe 'Kotai Ranga Dekhi Duniyay' was one
of the hit songs among Bengali circles.
c. The West
Bengal Government conferred Sangeet Mahasamman on him in 2012
for his outstanding contribution in the field of music.
14.
The Indian Navy launched guided missile destroyer Imphal at
Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders in Mumbai yesterday.
a. Imphal is the
3rd ship to be launched under a project in which ships are built to carry and
operate two multiple role helicopters.
15. The Department
of Atomic Energy (DAE) chief K N Vyas has
announced that India will soon have 12 more nuclear
plants to improve the power situation and ensure there's a free flow
of uninterrupted power supply for both industries and residential use.
a. Nuclear
technology's an "irreplaceable source of clean, pollution-free
energy", he added.
b. He said it's
also useful for doctors and scientists.
16. The UAE
Cabinet has adopted the National Artificial Intelligence
Strategy 2031.
a. Its aims at
positioning the UAE as a global leader in artificial intelligence by 2031 and
to develop an integrated system that employs artificial intelligence in vital
areas in the country.
b. The strategy
includes eight objectives and a number of initiatives, aimed at employing
artificial intelligence in vital areas such as education, government services
and the community wellbeing.
17.
Microblogging platform Twitter today appointed Manish
Maheshwari as its new Managing Director for the
India market effective April 29.
a. Before
joining Twitter, Maheshwari served as the Chief Executive
Officer of the media firm Network18 Digital.
18. Ukrainian comedian Volodymyr
Zelenskiy, who played president in a TV series, has won the
country's Presidential election by receiving 73.19% of the
votes.
a. His opponent,
incumbent President Petro Poroshenko saw support of 24.48% and admitted defeat.
19.
In Football, the Services lifted
the Santosh Trophy 2019 by defeating Punjab in the final at
Ludhiana today.
20. Fabio
Fognini became the 1st Italian to win an ATP Masters 1000 title at
the Monte Carlo Masters by defeating Dusan Lajovic.
21. Kenya's former
Olympic 1500 metres champion Asbel Kiprop has been
handed a 4-year ban for doping.
a. The
29-year-old, who also won three world championship golds, tested positive for
the banned substance erythropoietin (EPO).
22. The venue for
the IPL 2019 final has been shifted from Chennai to Hyderabad after
Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) failed to get permission to get three
closed stands of MA Chidambaram Stadium open.
a. The three
stands make up for more than 12,000 tickets.
b. Chennai will
now host Qualifier 1 while Visakhapatnam will host the Eliminator and Qualifier
2.
23. The Asian
Weightlifting Championships began in Ningbo (China)
today.
a. The
competition will continue till the 28th of this month.
b. As many as
278 participants from 28 nations and regions, including China, Japan, South
Korea, India, Iran and North Korea have registered for the competition.
c. Former World
Champion, Mirabai Chanu will spearhead India’s challenge at
the Championship.
24. Indian
athletes won 5 medals on the opening day of the Asian Athletics Championships in
Doha.
a. Javelin
thrower Annu Rani and 3000-meter steeple chaser Avinash
Sable won the silver medals yesterday.
b. Quartermiler M
P Poovamma, 5000-meter runner Parul Choudhary and
10000-meter runner Gavit Murali Kumar bagged a bronze
each.
