IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF JULY  26^th , 2019

              IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF JULY 26^th,  2019

1.      Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will be on a 3 day visit to Southeast African country Mozambique to further strengthen defence relations.

a.       During the visit, Mr Singh will hold talks with the President, Defence Minister, Foreign Minister and Interior Minister of Mozambique.

b.       3 MoUs and agreements will be signed in the fields of exclusive economic zone surveillance, sharing of white shipping information and hydrography.

c.       There will also be a ceremony of handing over two fast interceptor boats and 44 SUVs from India to Mozambique.

2.      The US Justice Department is set to resume the use of death penalty after 16 years. 

a.       The department has immediately scheduled executions of 5 death row federal inmates. 

b.       Note : US President Donald Trump has called for increasing the use of the death penalty for drug traffickers and mass shooters.

3.      The 20th Anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas is being celebrated across the country today. 

a.       The central theme of this year's celebrations is ‘Remember, Rejoice and Renew’.

b.       This day marks the victory of Indian armed forces in Operation Vijay in 1999, when they evicted the infiltrators backed by Pakistani army from high outposts in Kargil sector.

c.       The Kargil war was fought for more than 60 days and ended with India regaining control of all the previously held territory. 

d.       The victory of Tiger Hill was one of the crucial achievements in the 60- day long conflict.

e.       The celebrations of 20th Anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas began in Delhi on the 14th of this month.

f.        The Victory Flame traversed through 11 towns and cities and finally reached Dras. 

g.       At Drass, the victory flame was received from Major DP Singh and passed on to Param Veer Chakra awardee Yogendra Yadav and then to Army Chief Bipin Rawat to merge at Kargil War Memorial with eternal flame.

h.       Defence Minister of India : Rajnath Singh

4.      The Supreme Court today ordered cinema halls across the country to screen clips on prevention of child abuse and prosecution of crimes against children. 

a.       The court asked the Ministry of Women and Child Development to ensure suitable clips are screened. 

b.       The apex court also ordered TV channels to show these clips along with child helpline numbers.

5.      The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has announced the 2nd successful orbit-raising move of India's second Moon mission Chandrayaan-2.

a.       The 3,850-kg Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft is planned to undergo three more such orbit raises before attempting India's first soft Moon landing on September 7. 

b.       If successful, India will become the first in the world to land on Moon's south polar region.

6.      The Lok Sabha has passed The Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2019.  

a.       This Bill seeks to amend the Companies Act, 2013.

b.       It aims to tighten Corporate Social Responsibility compliance, transfer certain responsibilities to National Company Law Tribunal and recatgorise certain offences as civil offences.

7.      The Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan today held discussions with Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources of Saudi Arabia Khalid Al-Falih to further enhance bilateral hydrocarbon cooperation.

a.       Both the Ministers discussed further enhancing India-Saudi Arabia hydrocarbon cooperation to become a strong pillar of the existing overall strategic partnership between the two countries. 

8.      Karnataka BJP President BS Yediyurappa took oath as the Chief Minister of Karnataka for the 4th time today. 

a.       This comes after the HD Kumaraswamy-led Congress-JD(S) coalition government collapsed after losing the confidence motion by six votes yesterday. 

9.      The International Cricket Council (ICC) has appointed Pakistan Cricket Board's Chairman Ehsan Mani as Chairperson of ICC's Finance and Commercial Affairs Committee (F&CA). 

10. World Championships bronze medallist Simranjit Kaur (60kg) and GeeBee Boxing silver medallist Dinesh Dagar (69kg) confirmed their places in finals of the 23rd President’s Cup in Indonesia today.

a.       Ankush Dahiya (64kg) and Ananta Pralhad Chopade (52kg) made it to semi-finals of the competition. 

b.       Neeraj Swami (49kg) has assured himself of a medal after making his way into the semifinals.

11. Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir (27) has announced his retirement from Test cricket, saying he wants to concentrate on white-ball cricket. 

a.       Amir, who was Pakistan's highest wicket-taker in the 2019 World Cup, represented his nation in 36 Tests and picked up 119 wickets. 

b.       He made his Test debut against Sri Lanka as a 17-year-old in 2009.

12. 5 wrestlers including Commonwealth Games gold medallist Bajrang Punia have been selected for the 2019 Senior Wrestling World Championships. 

a.       The tournament is the first phase to earn a spot in the 2020 Olympic Games. 

b.       Other wrestlers who were selected in their respective categories are Ravi Kumar (57 kg), Deepak Punia (86 kg), Mausam (97 kg) and Sumit (125 kg).

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.

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF JULY  23^rd & 24^th , 2019

              IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF JULY 23^rd & 24^th,  2019

1.      Ministerial meeting of Coordinating Bureau of Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) was recently held at Caracas (capital city of Venezuela). 

a.       Theme for 2019 NAM Meet : Promotion and Consolidation of Peace through Respect for International Law.

b.       Important Note : Venezuela has held the presidency of NAM since the year 2016  which will now be passed on to Azerbaijan in October 2019.

2.      Pakistan's ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has said that US President Donald Trump has accepted Prime Minister Imran Khan's offer to visit Pakistan. Khan extended the invitation to Trump during his first official trip to the US.

3.      23rd July is National Broadcasting Day.

a.       On this day in 1927, India got its first radio station.

b.       Note : The first station of the Indian Broadcasting Company (IBC) was inaugurated at Bombay by the British Viceroy of India Lord Irwin on 23rd July 1927.

c.       Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting - Prakash Javadekar

4.      Nation remembered freedom fighters Chandra Shekhar Azad and Lokmanya Tilak, on their birth anniversaries on 23rd July 2019.

a.       Indian nationalist leader Bal Gangadhar Tilak's birth anniversary. 

i)       Popularly called 'Lokmanya', meaning 'accepted by the people', Tilak was born onJuly 23, 1856 in Maharashtra. 

ii)     The pioneer of the Swadeshi Movement, he is also widely known for his quote 'Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it'.

b)     Indian revolutionary Chandra Shekhar Azad, popularly known as 'Azad', was born on this day (23rd July) in the year 1906.

i)       He fought for the Indian independence struggle till the age of 24 years, before shooting himself to keep his pledge of never being caught alive.

5.      Congress-JD(S) alliance government in Karnataka failed to prove majority in the Assembly during the floor test. 

a.       Amid the political crisis, Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy resigned from the post after meeting state Governor Vajubhai Vala. 

6.      The Madhya Pradesh Assembly unanimously passed a bill providing 27% reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in the state. 

a.       The OBCs currently get 14% reservation. 

b.       The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (SCs/STs) get 16% and 20% reservation respectively in the state.

c.       Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister : Kamal Nath

7.      Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath today announced that a 251-metre-tall statue of Lord Ram will be built in Ayodhya, which he claimed will be the world's tallest statue. 

a.       At 251 metres, it'll stand taller than the 182-metre-tall Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel statue (Statue of Unity) in Gujarat.

8.      The Indian Army has ruled that the next of kin of a dead ex-serviceman can now sport his or her medals at homage ceremonies, no matter whether he or she is a civilian or serving in the armed forces. 

9.      The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has announced India's 1st mission to the Sun, Aditya-L1, aimed at studying its corona. 

a.       ISRO Chairman K Sivan had revealed the mission is planned to be launched in the first half of 2020.  

10. India's fastest train Vande Bharat Express today successfully completed its test run from New Delhi to Katra in 8 hours. 

a.       The train can run up to a maximum speed of 160 km per hour. 

11. Scientists in Bangladesh have developed a method to convert Jute fibre into low-cost Bio-Degradable cellulose sheets.

a.       Dubbed as Sonali (Golden in Bengali), the cellulose sheet has been developed by the team of scientist working for state-run Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC). 

b.       The commercial production of these bags is likely to start by end of 2019.

12. 2-time Olympic gold medal winning Hockey Player Keshav Dutt and former India Football Captain Prasun Banerjee are selected for Mohun Bagan Ratna Award 2019.

a.       Other winners of Mohun Bagan Awards 2019

i)       Best Football Player for the season 2018-19 Award : Arijit Bagui

ii)     India’s hat-trick hero of 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup Award : Mohammed Shami

iii)   Lifetime Achievement Award : Ashok Chatterjee (Footballer) 

iv)   The awards will be given away on annual celebration of Mohun Bagan Day (29 July).

13. India today announced that 272 foreigners, Non-Resident Indians, Overseas Citizens of India and Indian-origin people have been conferred with the Padma awards since 1954.

14. Noted Carnatic vocalist S. Sowmya won the 2019 Sangita Kalanidhi Award of Music Academy. 

a.       She will preside over 93rd annual conference of Academy to be held between 12 December 2019 and 1 January 2020.

b.       Other Awardees :

                                           i.      Sangita Kala Acharya Awards : Seetha Narayanan and M.S. Sheela(Vocalists)

                                         ii.      TTK Awards : Vyasarpadi Kothandaraman (Nagaswaram player) and Rajkumar Bharathi (vocalist)

                                       iii.      Musicologist Award : Aarti N. Rao

                                       iv.      Nritya Kalanidhi Award (for Dance) : Priyadarshini Govind.

15. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has assigned B P Kanungo (Deputy Governor) to run the Monetary Policy Portfolio after the resignation of fellow Deputy Governor Viral Acharya. 

a.       Kanungo, who will retain his currency management portfolio, would become the 6th  member of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC). 

16. China-backed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has pulled $200 million of funding for Andhra Pradesh's new capital Amaravati. 

a.       This comes after the World Bank withdrew $300 million of funding after the central government dropped support for the Amaravati project. 

b.       The two were due to provide the majority of the $715 million cost of funding for transport, sanitation and water supply.

17. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) today revised downward India's growth forecast for 2019-20 to 7% from 7.3% due to "a weaker-than-expected outlook for domestic demand". 

a.       The projection was slashed by 30 bps to 7.2% for the next financial year too. 

18. Former Chinese Premier Li Peng (90) died today. 

a.       He was referred to as the "Butcher of Beijing" for his role in the Tiananmen Square crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in 1989. 

b.       He served as China's 4th Premier from 1987 to 1998 and held several posts in the Communist Party.

19. Biswabhusan Harichandan took oath as the new Governor of Andhra Pradesh at a function held at the temporary Raj Bhavan, Vijayawada. 

a.       Acting Chief Justice of the state High Court C Praveen Kumar administered the oath of office to Harichandan. 

20. Eastern Army Commander Lt Gen Manoj Mukund Naravane has been appointed as next Vice-Chief of Armed Force. 

a.       He is going to replace Lt Gen D Anbu who is set to retire on 31 August 2019.

21. Army veteran Mark Esper was sworn in as the US' Defence Secretary following confirmation by the Senate. 

a.       Esper replaces James Mattis, who resigned in December last year following differences with US President Donald Trump over the withdrawal of American troops from Syria. 

22. Former Union Minister Kalraj Mishra took oath as the new Governor of Himachal Pradesh in Shimla. 

23. Boris Johnson was elected as the leader of Britain's governing Conservative Party and the next Prime Minister of UK. 

a.       He is going to replace Theresa May, who stepped down over her failure to get parliament to ratify her Brexit deal. 

24. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially recognised the Indian Cricketers' Association (ICA), the body formed as per the board's new constitution. 

a.       The ICA is a non-profit company and is aimed at conserving and advancing the welfare of former players. 

b.       Kapil Dev, Ajit Agarkar and Shantha Rangaswamy are the directors of ICA and will hold their positions until elections are held.

25. Indian table tennis players Harmeet Desai and Ayhika Mukherjee won the Men's and women's singles titles at the 21st Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships at Cuttack today.

26. Following the suspension of Zimbabwe Cricket by the ICC, Zimbabwe's all-rounder Solomon Mire has announced his retirement from cricket. 

a.       Mire featured in 47 ODIs, nine T20Is and two Tests for Zimbabwe, scoring 955, 253 and 78 runs in the formats respectively.

27. Fast bowler Lasith Malinga is going to retire from ODI cricket after Sri Lanka's first ODI of the 3-match series against Bangladesh on July 26. 

a.       The 35-year-old, who made his ODI debut on July 17, 2004, has taken 335 wickets in 225 ODIs. Only Muttiah Muralitharan (523) and Chaminda Vaas (399) have taken more wickets than Malinga in ODIs for Sri Lanka.

28. Former Barcelona captain Andres Iniesta has been named the latest La Liga Icon. 

a.       The La Liga Icons initiative aims to expand La Liga brand through a strategy focused on digital dissemination, allowing La Liga to connect with fans globally.