Coal Miners Day

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This day was established in 1975 to show the appreciation for the sacrifices, honour the accomplishments and remember the tragedies that these hardworking individuals experience.

International Firefighters’ Day

Large Asteroid on Near Miss Course for Earth on a Friday the 13th in 2029, Impact Exercise Conducted

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The 340m wide asteroid named 99942 Apophis will fly past Earth like a ‘moving star- like point of light’ on April 13, 2029. It will fly above the earth’s surface at 30,500 km and first become visible with a naked eye in the night sky over the Southern Hemisphere from the east coast to the west coast of Australia.

Apophis asteroid will pass by Earth in a near-miss trajectory on Friday, April 13, 2029 Source:NDTV

India, Australia agree to further deepen counter-terrorism co-operation

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India and Australia held the 11th Meeting of Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism at Canberra, Australia.

Vodafone Idea signs multi-million dollar IT deal with IBM for a hybrid cloud-based digital platform

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India’s largest telecom operator Vodafone Idea Ltd notified a 5-year multi-million-dollar IT outsourcing deal with IBM.

Vodafone Idea collaborates with IBM Source:hansindia.com

This partnership will offer Vodafone Idea with a hybrid cloud based digital platform to enable engagement with its 387 million subscribers (as of 31 December, 2018), thus boosting business efficiency, scale and easiness of its business processes. Moreover, IBM’s analytics, AI (Artificial Intelligence), IoT (Internet of Things) and security capabilities will boost Vodafone Idea’s progression.

The Caravan’s Nileena MS wins ACJ Award for Investigative Journalism for article on coal allotment

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Journalist Nileena MS, whose story titled “Coalgate 2.0” published in The Caravan magazine, won the Asian College of Journalism(ACJ) Award for Investigative Journalism 2018.

Nileena MS has won the Asian College of Journalism’s (ACJ) Award for Investigative Journalism, 2018. The article was published in “The Caravan Magazine Source:The Caravan

“Coalgate 2.0” investigates the allotment of “captive coal blocks” in Chhattisgarh to the Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam in a joint venture with a subsidiary of the Adani Group despite a landmark Supreme Court judgement from September 2014. The court had cancelled permissions for captive mining of coal blocks and was considered to have put a halt on the Coalgate scam.

Indian Defence Ministry Approves $520M Kamov Ka-31 Helicopter Deal With Russia

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The Indian Defence Ministry has approved a $520 million (INR 3,600 Crore) deal for 10 Kamov Ka-31 helicopters with Russia to strengthen its capability against aerial threats to its aircraft carriers and large warships.

Ministry of Defence approved Indian Navy’s Rs 3,600 crore deal for 10 ‘Kamov Ka-31’ Helicopters Source:FUTURE UNIVERSE,YouTube

These 10 helicopters would be deployed on the aircraft carriers and warships of the Indian Navy including the INS Vikrant and Grigorovich-class frigates.

World Press Freedom Day

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This year marked the 26th celebration of World Press Freedom Day which was observed with a theme “Media for Democracy: Journalism and Elections in Times of Disinformation”.

National Space Day 2019

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National Space Day is observed on the first Friday of May every year.

Indian Navy kicks off Exercise Varuna along with France Navy off Goa

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The 17th edition of the Indo-French bilateral naval exercise Varuna 19.1 is underway and as part of the Harbour phase crews onboard the ships will have interaction and discussions about the wide spectrum of the exercises and maritime security.

This year’s Ex Varuna is not only complex but is also focused on carrier operations and Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) training and Mutual Logistics Support Agreement (MLSA) will be in force too which has been inked between India and France.

The main idea behind this drill is to develop the ability between the navies of both countries Source:News Bharati

From the Indian side aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, destroyer INS Mumbai, the Teg-class frigate, INS Tarkash, the Shishumar- class the submarine, INS Shankul, and the Deepak- class fleet tanker, INS Deepak are participating.

Aircraft carrier FNS Charles de Gaulle, two destroyers, FNS Forbin and FNS Provence, the frigate FNS Latouche-Treville, the tanker FNS Marne and a nuclear submarine have come from France.

The 2nd part of the naval exercise, Varuna 19.2, will be held at May-end in Djibouti.

‘Rani Abbakka Pade’ makes an instant impact

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Mangaluru Police Commissioner Sandeep Patil flagged off the all-women police patrol unit named ‘Rani Abbakka Force’ in the city to handle issues pertaining to Women and Children.

The ‘Rani Abbakka Pade’ that was created on April 30 Source:The Hindu

The Force has been named after the 16th-century warrior of coastal Karnataka, Queen Abbakka of Ullal near Mangaluru, who fought the Portuguese in the 16th century.

Total 50 women policewomen have been allotted in ‘Rani Abbakka Force’ and each patrol team has five policewomen.

Government and IIT-Delhi to set up a Centre of Excellence for Waste to Wealth Technologies

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Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India and Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) have inked Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for setting up a Centre of Excellence for Waste to Wealth Technologies in India as a commemoration of 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi on 2 October 2019.

The MoU has been signed by Principal Scientific Advisor to the Govt of India, Prof K. Vijay Raghavan and Director, IIT Delhi, Prof V. Ramgopal Rao in New Delhi.

What is Co-Location Case?:It is a system in trade execution, where a broker’s server is kept in the exchange premises to decrease latency or delay in computational terms.

NSE officials found guilty in co-location case move SAT

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Market regulator, Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has banned NSE, National Stock Exchange from gaining access to the securities market for a period of 6 months.

SEBI also fined NSE a sum of Rs.1,000 crore, that is, Rs. 624.89 crore and an additional 12% interest, from 1st April 2014 for NSE’s failure to exercise effective due diligence during co-location facility. The amount is to be deposited in the Investor Protection and Education Fund (IPEF).

16th Ministerial Meeting of Asia Cooperation Dialogue held in Doha, Qatar

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Theme ‘Partners in Progress’

US Air Force General Tod Wolters sworn in as NATO commander

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Tod D. Wolters, the former pilot, who has served in Afghanistan and Iraq, has been declared as the Supreme Allied Commander Europe(an important position in world defence) for a tenure of 2 to 3 years during the ceremony at NATO‘s (The North Atlantic Treaty Organization) military headquarters in Mons, southern Belgium.

The ‘Rani Abbakka Pade’ that was created on April 30 Source:The Hindu

The Force has been named after the 16th-century warrior of coastal Karnataka, Queen Abbakka of Ullal near Mangaluru, who fought the Portuguese in the 16th century.

Total 50 women policewomen have been allotted in ‘Rani Abbakka Force’ and each patrol team has five policewomen.

ADB Launches $5 Billion Healthy Oceans Action Plan

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Asian Development Bank (ADB) launched 5$ billion Action Plan for Healthy Oceans and Sustainable Blue Economies for the Asia and Pacific region. This will support ADB’s developing member countries’ efforts for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), inclusive of the SDG 14: Life Below Water.

NOTE:Among the 10 rivers that transports 88% to 95% of plastics into the sea globally, 8 are in Asia and Pacific region.

The Healthy Oceans Action Plan was launched at the 52nd Annual Meeting of ADB’s Board of Governors, Fiji.

Asia-Pacific to grow 5.7% this year: ADB

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According to Takehiko Nakao, President and Chairperson of Asian Development Bank, the Asia-Pacific region is supposed to grow at 5.7% in 2019 but the rising trade tensions might hinder its growth.

ADB’s Asian Development Outlook 2019 report released in April states that developing Asia comprising of 45 countries is estimated to grow by 5.7% in 2019 (which is pointed out by Nakao). However, the growth outlook for developing Asia is approximated to come down to 5.6% in 2020.

ADB’s lending hiked to a high of 21.6 $ billion in 2018 which was 10% higher as compared to 2017.

London tops to attract Indian FDI with record investments in 2018: report

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London emerged as the top choice for Indian investors ahead of other cities such as Dubai and Singapore, with investments by Indian companies in the British capital reaching an all-time high last year with 52 projects, ahead of the US (51) and the UAE (32), in 2018, said London & Partners (L&P)

e-Governance Services India ties up with IIT-Kanpur to upscale Unnat Bharat Abhiyan

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Common Service Centre’s (CSC) e-Governance Services India Limited, a special purpose vehicle under the Ministry of Electronics & IT, on Friday said it has tied up with Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Kanpur to upscale ‘Unnat Bharat Abhiyan’.

‘Unnat Bharat Abhiyan’ is an initiative of the Ministry of HRD. It aims to find solutions to accelerate sustainable growth in rural India.

Through CSC, they will adopt gram panchayats and equip themselves with citizen-centric services. IIT Kanpur has adopted 5 villages for its holistic development. The villages are situated on the outskirts of Kanpur and are as follows: Hridayapur, Baikanthpur, Ishwariganj, Pratappur Hari and Saxupurva.

World Password Day

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WORLD PASSWORD DAY. The Registrar of National Day Calendar has designated the first Thursday of May of each year as World Password Day. World Password Day is a celebration to promote better password habits.

World Tuna Day 2019

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World Tuna Day was observed on May 2 worldwide to highlight the importance of tuna fish and to promote more sustainable fishing practices which will help in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

PUTIN SIGNS LAW TO HELP RUSSIA HAVE 'SOVEREIGN INTERNET' THAT CAN BE DISCONNECTED AT WILL

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Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed into law a measure that expands government control over the internet and which critics say will lead to widespread censorship. Putin is expecting that this law will give Russia a 'sovereign internet' which Kremlin can disconnect from the global internet at will.

Demonstrators at an opposition rally in Moscow last month protest against the bill about sovereign RuNet and censorship on the Internet. Source:rferl.org

The law, requires internet providers to install equipment to route Russian internet traffic through servers in the country. Proponents said it is a defence measure in case the United States or other hostile powers cut off the internet for Russia.

Roskomnadzor’s chief (Roskomnadzor is Russia’s chief media regulator), Aleksandr Zharov, notified that the measures would also target the Telegram app widely used by Russians.

The text of the law was published on 1st May 2019 and will come into effect after November.

PayPal OneTouch experience powered by Google Smart Lock launched in India

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PayPal has launched its new OneTouch experience in India using Google’s Smart Lock feature. The new OneTouch experience allows customers to register their Android devices with PayPal and enables them to stay logged into the platform for any subsequent purchases.

India is the first market, where the company will be testing out this new feature. Source:The Indian Express

PayPal’s Buyer Protection feature will provide an extra layer of security to this feature for eligible transactions, that is, if items that are purchased online mismatch with the description of the product that was sold, the Buyer Protection feature enables them to claim a refund for eligible transactions.

BSNL launches 'Bharat Fibre' broadband service in Kashmir Valley

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State-owned telecom firm BSNL has become the first operator to start optical fibre-based high-speed broadband service in Pulwama with the launch of 'Bharat Fibre'.

This is the first such FTTH service deployment in Kashmir Valley. Source:Business Today

BSNL provides FTTH service with a monthly charge in the range of Rs 777-16,999 in over 160 telecom districts with a minimum speed of 2 megabit per second (mbps).

Apurvi Chandela is world number one in 10m air rifle, Anjum claims second position

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Indian shooting ace Apurvi Chandela on Wednesday attained the world number 1 position in the women’s 10m air rifle event while compatriot Anjum Moudgil rose to number two after consistent performances in recent years.

Apurvi Chandela achieves World No. 1 ISSF Rankings in 10m Air Rifle Source:The Hindu

LIC HFL launches UDYAM-a skilling centre for marginalized youth in Bangalore

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With an objective to empower youths of this country, LIC Housing Finance Ltd (LIC HFL) has launched ‘UDYAM’, a skilling centre in Bangalore for marginalized youth. It has been launched in association with Lok Bharti Education Society, the implementing partner.

International Labour Day

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Also known as May Day the International Labour Day was observed on May 1st.

Maharashtra Day

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Maharashtra Day is celebrated every year on 1st May to mark the Maratha speaking region that attained statehood on 1st May 1960.

Kumar Sangakkara becomes first non-British MCC president

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The former Sri Lanka batsman 41-year-old Kumar Sangakkara has been appointed as the first non-British president of Marylebone Cricket Club.

Sri Lankan cricketer Kumar Sangakkara named as first non-British President of MCC Source:The Guardian

MCC is the guardian of the Laws of the game and it was founded in 1787 and has been based at Lord’s, which it owns, since 1814.

Pakistan to observe its retaliatory action against India on Feb 27 as 'Operation Swift Retort'

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The Pakistan Air Force announced to mark its retaliatory action on February 27 against the Indian air strikes on the Balakot terror camp as 'Operation Swift Retort'.

Nasscom partners with GE Healthcare to bring digital healthcare solutions to market

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The National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) through its Center of Excellence-Internet of Things (CoE-IoT) has announced partnership with General Electronics(GE) Healthcare to bring bring digital healthcare solutions to the market.

14th edition of Sino-Indian border trade opens at Nathu La

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The 14th edition of the annual Sino-Indian border trade opens at Nathu La, which is the frontier post at Sino-Indian border in Sikkim. Officials and traders of India and China made their presence at the border to symbolise the beginning of the border trade.

Every year, between 1st May to 30th November, the bilateral border trade between 2 nations is held for 4 days a week for 6 months.

BHEL, ARAI Sign MoU for E-Mobility Projects in India

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Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) and Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) have together signed an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) for effective cooperation on different projects related to e-mobility and implement solutions for electric & trolley bus, EV (Electric Vehicles) chargers, battery and charger testing, etc.

The term electro mobility refers to full and hybrid electric vehicles as well as those using hydrogen fuel cell technology.

Air Marshal Ghotia assumes charge as IAF’s Training Command Chief

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Air Marshal SK Ghotia VSM took charge as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Training Command. He will succeed Air Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria, who has recently assumed charge as Vice Chief of the Air Staff.

Goldman Prize Honors Environmental Activists Who Risk Their Lives

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The Goldman Environmental Foundation honoured 6 recipients of the 2019 with the world’s eminent award for grassroots environmental activists, the Goldman Environmental Prize.The Goldman Environmental Prize is also known as Green Nobel Prize and awards a cash prize of $200,000.

In 2019, Goldman Environmental Prize honoured 6 grassroots environmental activists for their exemplary work in protecting the nature Source:commondreams.org

UK Parliament declares 'climate emergency'

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Lawmakers in the UK Parliament have declared "an environment and climate emergency," making it the first country in the world to do so, according to the opposition Labour Party.

The UK Parliament becomes the first national government to pass an Environment and Climate Emergency Source:The Labour Party,Twitter Handle

The declaration was preceded by a visit by teenage activist Greta Thunberg (to the Parliament), the feature of David Attenborough’s documentary movie titled ‘Climate Change: The Facts’ and the 11-days of constant protest by an environmental group ‘Extinction Rebellion‘.

The decision of emergency in Parliament caters to national reductions and investment in the reduction of carbon emissions and saving the planet.

Compared to its 1990 levels, UK (United Kingdom) was later legally committed to an 80% reduction in carbon emissions by 2050 and recently featured as 1 of 18 developed economies to decrease CO2(carbon dioxide) emissions in the last 10 years.

International Jazz Day

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International Jazz Day was observed on 30th April 2019, globally, to recognize jazz and its diplomatic role in uniting people. The day was designated in 2011 by UNESCO. Jazz Day is chaired by Audrey Azoulay, Director general of the UNESCO along with UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Herbert Jeffrey Hancock.

India was world’s fourth biggest military spender in 2018, says SIPRI report

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The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute said the total world military expenditure rose to 1.82 $ trillion.

India’s military expenditure rises by 3.1% to reach $66.5 billion made it the 4th biggest after United States,China and Saudi Arabia and Pakistan’s by 11% to reach $11.4 billion in 2018

Top 10 contries in Total military spending Source:affairscloud

Read the full list here

Bharti AXA General to sell two-wheeler policies via WhatsApp

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Bharti AXA General Insurance, a joint venture between Bharti Enterprises and global insurance firm AXA said it will sell policies through social media messaging platform WhatsApp and has tied up with web aggregator Wishfin Insurance for speedy delivery of two-wheeler cover.

It sell the policies on the website of Wishfin's insurance arm Wishpolicy.

No manual intervention is required to buy the 2-wheeler insurance. Customers and policyholders can buy the 2-wheeler insurance on WhatsApp by giving a missed call to 8527844822.

India Ratings cuts India GDP growth forecast for FY20 to 7.3%

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India Ratings and Research Tuesday marginally lowered country's GDP growth projection for 2019-20 fiscal to 7.3 per cent from 7.5 per cent mainly due to below normal monsoon prediction and loss of momentum in industrial output.

Investment Expenditure Growth which is measured by gross fixed capital formation (GFCF) has also been downgraded to 9.2 percent from the earlier forecast of 10.3 percent for the year 2019-20, is another reason cited for lowering the growth forecast.

China launches two satellites for scientific experiments

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China successfully sent two Tianhui II-01 satellites into orbit at 6:52 a.m., Beijing Time, Tuesday from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China's Shanxi Province.The satellites were launched by a Long March 4B carrier rocket, which was the 303rd mission of the Long March series carrier rockets.

India’s military expenditure rises by 3.1% to reach $66.5 billion made it the 4th biggest after United States,China and Saudi Arabia and Pakistan’s by 11% to reach $11.4 billion in 2018

Two satellites named Tianhui II-01 launched by China Source:xinhuanet.com

PhonePe introduces new keyboard for seamless transaction

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Digital payments platform PhonePe launched a special keyboard on Tuesday that will allow users to transact conveniently and securely with just a click, anytime and anywhere using their Android Application.

Currently, Flipkart-owned PhonePe is the only player in India to introduce this user-friendly feature.

PhonePe launched new keyboard for secure and easy transaction Source:bgr.in

DCIL inks pact with WAPCOS to identify projects

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The Dredging Corporation of India Limited (DCIL) has inked an MoU with Water & Power Consultancy Services (India) Limited (WAPCOS), a mini-ratna PSU under Ministry of Water Resources, River Development, and Ganga Rejuvenation to jointly identify suitable future projects and carry out geotechnical investigation and engineering consultancy.

The other areas which can be included in joint projects are shallow water dredging, beach nourishment, lake rehabilitation, flood management, erosion control, river morphology etc.

ICRISAT-led team cracks genetic code to develop high-yielding chickpea

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The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics’ (ICRISAT) team partnered with the BGI-Shenzhen, China, involving 39 scientists from 21 research institutes worldwide, notified that scientists have successfully completed the largest-ever exercise of entire-genome re-sequencing of chickpea, by sequencing 429 chickpea lines from 45 nations to identify genes that are resistant to various extreme factors.

Meghalaya: GSI North Eastern Region installed geological display boards at Mawmluh cave, Therriaghat

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In Meghalaya, the Geological Survey of India (GSI) North Eastern Region (NER) installed two geological display boards at two important geological sites in the State with geo-scientific information which will help in creating awareness among visiting tourists, students and the general public.

The stalagmites from the Mawmluh cave have shown that there was a major climatic event about 4200 years ago.

International Dance Day

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Theme:“Dance and Spirituality”

Indian cyber insurance market grows 40%

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A report titled ‘Cyber Insurance in India- Mitigating Risks amid Changing Regulations and Uncertainties‘ by Data Security Council of India (DSCI) stated that cyber insurance market is gradually gaining momentum in India as cyber-theft has increased substantially to become one of the most prominent threats to the corporates’ operations.

ICICI, HDFC Ergo, Bajaj Allianz were the major sellers of cyber insurance policies,the insured amounts lies between 1$ million and 200$ million..

Valtteri Bottas claims Azerbaijan GP as Mercedes continues to dominate

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Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas won the Azerbaijan GP to move clear at the top of the drivers' standings after four races of the 2019 season.

The Finnish driver now has two wins and two second-place finishes but sits above teammate Lewis Hamilton, courtesy of a bonus point he claimed by recording the fastest lap in Australia.

Valtteri Bottas grabs Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2019 Source:Sky Sports

Indian Navy ships Kolkata, Shakti arrive in South Korea to participate in ADMM-PLUS

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INS Kolkata and INS Shakti arrived at Busan, South Korea to participate in ADMM-PLUS (ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting).The ships were welcomed into the harbour by officials from the Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy on arrival.

The Finnish driver now has two wins and two second-place finishes but sits above teammate Lewis Hamilton, courtesy of a bonus point he claimed by recording the fastest lap in Australia.

Indian Navy’s warships- INS Kolkata and INS Shakti at Busan, South Korea to participate in ADMM-PLUS Source:indiasentinels.com

Paytm launches recurring payments service for merchants

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Paytm has launched recurring payment (auto pay) service for merchants that are working on a digital subscription model. The move will allow the subscription-based businesses to collect payments from their subscribers effortlessly.

Recurring payments are an automatic payment system wherein the merchants automatically charge their customers for a specified service on a pre-arranged schedule.This requires the merchant to first get explicit permission from the subscriber and post-one-time authorisation fee, the subscription amount will automatically get deducted after a regular interval.

Paytm Launches Recurring Payment Options for startups Source:Business Today

If the Paytm customer doesn’t have money in their wallet, the recurring payment can be deducted directly from the bank account or credit card.

Dilip Kumar appointed as Officer on Special Duty in office of Lokpal

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Senior IAS officer Dilip Kumar,a 1995-batch IAS officer of Punjab cadre was appointed as the Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the office of Lokpal.Which might be the very first appoinment of a bureaucrat in Lokpal.

GRSE to build eight ASWSWCs for Indian Navy

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The public sector Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited (GRSE) has been awarded a Rs 6,311 crore contract to build eight anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft for the Indian Navy.

The contract was signed by Joint Secretary & Acquisition Manager (Maritime Systems) Ravi Kant on behalf of the Ministry of Defence and S S Dogra, Director (Finance), on behalf of GRSE, in New Delhi.

GRSE to construct eight ASWSWCs for Indian Navy Source:zeenews.com

The first ship will be delivered to the Indian Navy in 42 months and subsequently, two ships will be required to deliver per year and the time of completion of the project will be 84 months.

Valtteri Bottas claims Azerbaijan GP as Mercedes continues to dominate

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Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas won the Azerbaijan GP to move clear at the top of the drivers' standings after four races of the 2019 season.

The Finnish driver now has two wins and two second-place finishes but sits above teammate Lewis Hamilton, courtesy of a bonus point he claimed by recording the fastest lap in Australia.

Valtteri Bottas grabs Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2019 Source:Sky Sports

India to install 54.7 GW wind capacity by 2022 against 60-GW target set by govt: Fitch Solutions

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Fitch Solutions Macro Research has said in a report that India is likely to install 54.7 GW of wind capacity by 2022 against the 60-GW target set by the government.

The country has set an ambitious target of installing 175 GW of renewable energy capacity by the year 2022, which includes 100 GW from solar, 60 GW from wind, 10 GW from bio-power and 5 GW from small hydro-power.

India to install 54.7 GW wind capacity by 2022 Source:hindawi.com

Govt hikes customs duty on wheat to 40%

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The government has hiked the customs duty on wheat to 40 per cent from 30 per cent to curb imports and protect the domestic industry.

Govt plans to launch GST e-invoices to curb tax evasion

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The government of India has formed a 13-member committee having representatives from GST Network (GSTN), central and state governments to examine the electronic tax invoice system of various countries like South Korea, Latin America to suggest a model for India.

The e-invoice system will replace the requirement of the generation of e-way bill for movement of goods. At present, the e-way bill is required for moving goods exceeding Rs. 50,000.

Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar (BCIM) Economic Corridor no longer listed under BRI umbrella

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India’s decision to skip the Belt and Road Forum (BRF) may have led to the exclusion of the Bangladesh- China- India- Myanmar (BCIM) Economic corridor from the list of projects covered by the China-led Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) umbrella.

The 2800 km BCIM corridor proposes to link Kunming in China’s Yunnan province with Kolkata, passing though nodes such as Mandalay in Myanmar and Dhaka in Bangladesh before heading to Kolkata.

The Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Corridor Source:Deccan Chronicle

IIT Madras team develops easy OCR system for nine Indian languages

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The research team from IIT Madras has used a multi-lingual Optical Character Recognition (OCR) scheme to develop a method for reading documents in Bharati script.The Bharati script is a conglomeration of 9 Indian languages, namely, Devnagari, Bengali, Gurmukhi, Gujarati, Oriya, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Tamil.

The researchers have also developed a finger-spelling method that can be used by hearing-impaired persons to generate sign language, in collaboration with TCS Mumbai.

Jamia team develops ultrasensitive quantum thermometer

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Researchers at Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, have developed an ultrasensitive quantum thermometer by using graphene quantum dots. It can precisely measure a wide range of temperature from 27 degree C to –196 degree C.