1. DoT and ICRIER sign MoU to develop BRI for Indian States and UTs
The Department of Telecom (DoT) and the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop a Broadband Readiness Index (BRI) for Indian States and Union Territories (UT). The first estimate will be made in 2019 and subsequently every year until 2022.Shri. Sanjay Shamrao Dhotre, Union Minister of State for Human Resource Development, Communications and Electronics & Information Technology, Ms. Aruna Sundararajan, Chairman Digital Communications Commission& Secretary, DoT,Shri. Amit Yadav, Joint Secretary, DoT, Dr. Rajat Kathuria, Director and Chief Executive, ICRIER and Ms. Geetha Nair, Secretary, ICRIER were present at the signing ceremony.
2. Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Satya Pal Singh & Jayant Sinha elected as members of Public Accounts Committee
Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and former union ministers Satya Pal Singh and Jayant Sinha have been elected as members of Public Accounts Committee (PAC) from Lok Sabha with nine of 15 members belonging to the BJP. The other members elected to the committee from Lok Sabha are T R Baalu (DMK), Subhash Chandra Baheria, Sudheer Gupta, Darshana Vikram Jardosh, Ajay (Teni) Misra, Jagadambika Pal, Vishnu Dayal Ram, Ram Kripal Yadav (all BJP), Bhartruhari Mahtab (BJD), Rahul Ramesh Shewale (Shiv Sena), Rajiv Ranjan Singh (JD-U) and Balashowry Vallabbhaneni (YSRC Party). The PAC has 15 members from both Lok Sabha and seven from Rajya Sabha. It will be formally constituted after the Rajya Sabha sends names of its members.
3. Around 30 lakh workers enrolled under PM Shram Yogi Maandhan Scheme
Union Government today said that total thirty lakh 85 thousand 205 persons have been enrolled under Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan Scheme, PM-SYM, till 10th of this month. In a written reply in Lok Sabha, Labour and Employment Minister Santosh Kumar Gangwar said the government has launched the PM-SYM a voluntary and contributory pension scheme for the benefit of unorganized workers in February this year in the country. He said the scheme assures the minimum monthly pension of three thousand rupees to the beneficiaries after attaining the age of 60 years. The Minister said under this scheme, the subscriber is required to pay the prescribed contribution amount and the Central Government provides the equal matching contribution.
4. First-ever Himalayan States Conclave to be hosted by Uttarakhand on July 28, 2019
Uttarakhand will host the first-ever Himalayan states' conclave here on July 28 where the prime focus will be on sustainable development. The conclave will host the Chief Ministers of the Himalayan states - Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura, Mizoram and Nagaland, along with administrators and specialists. The discussions would be around environmental protection, Himalayan culture, and economic development, according to the official sources. Vice President of Niti Aayog Rajiv Kumar has also agreed to be part of this conclave.
5. IFFI to celebrates its special golden jubilee edition 2019 in Goa
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences president John Bailey will attend this year's edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar said Sunday. The festival, scheduled from November 20-28, would be held in a bigger way this time as it is the golden jubilee year of the prestigious film event, he told reporters in Panaji in the presence of Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. "Oscar Academy president John Bailey has confirmed his presence for the festival. He would be among several international dignitaries who will arrive in Goa to participate in the IFFI," Javadekar said.
6. As per the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2019 Report, more than 820 million people suffer from hunger
The report named State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2019 produced by the United Nations (UN) Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Food Programme (WFP) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) was released. It stated that in the year 2018, more than 820 million people suffered hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition worldwide. It is for the third year in a row the number has risen.
7. Foundation stone of Baba Guru Nanak International Varsity laid in Pak
The foundation stone of Baba Guru Nanak International University has been laid in Nankana Sahib in Pakistan's Punjab province by Chief Minister of Punjab Usman Buzdar. It is the birth place of founder of Sikhism Baba Guru Nanak Dev. The cost estimated for the Varsity is over Rs. 258 crores spread over 10 acres ahead of beginning of International Nagar Kirtan by Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee on July 25. This university would help promote religious tourism in Pakistan and also portray country’s good image at international level. A motel of Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab (TDCP) has also been installed to promote religious tourism.
8. World Bank Arbitration Court imposed $5.8 billion penalty on Pakistan
A World Bank arbitration court has imposed a penalty of over five billion dollars on Pakistan for unlawful denial of a mining lease to a company for the Reko Diq project in 2011. The Tethyan Copper Company had approached the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes in 2012 after the Balochistan government declined its lease request. The international tribunal on Saturday announced in a 700-page ruling that Pakistan has to pay Tethyan Copper $5.8 billion in damages, Samaa News reported.
9. The UK’s new £50 pound note features codebreaker Alan Turing
A new design for Britain’s highest value banknote has won acclaim not just for who it features but also a sneaky puzzle hiding in plain sight. Yesterday the Bank of England, which despite its name sets monetary policy for the entire UK, revealed who would be emblazoned on the new style 50 pound note, worth around A$90. It will feature a man who is widely credited with turning the Second World War in Britain’s favour but ended his life after being deemed a criminal due to his sexuality. The note will be the last note issued in England and Wales to move over to Australian-style polymer material from the current paper.
10. Justice AK Sikri appointed as the Judge of SICC
Former Supreme Court judge, Justice AK Sikri, has been appointed as an international judge of the Singapore International Commercial court (SICC). The President of the Republic of Singapore has made the appointment of Justice Sikri. It currently has 16 international judges as part of its panel. The SICC is a division of the Singapore high court and part of the Supreme Court of that country, designed to deal with transnational commercial disputes.
11. Kiran More appointed as USA cricket team’s interim coach
Former India stumper Kiran More, who was appointed USA's director of cricket last month, will take the additional responsibility of coaching the senior national team on an interim basis. More has been handed the job alongside a group of advisors, including former India players Sunil Joshi and Pravin Amre, following the resignation of head coach Pubudu Dassanayake. The 56-year-old More was brought on as director of cricket in June, alongside former West Indies batsman Kieran Powell as high performance manager, to oversee the operations.
12. Extinct bird Elektorornis chenguangi had an extra-long toe: Study
Researchers have discovered a bird foot from 99 million years ago that had a hyper-elongated third toe. This is the first time such a foot structure has been observed in birds, either extinct or living. The study, published in the journal Current Biology, suggested that this bird might have used its toes to hook food out of tree trunks. "I was very surprised when I saw the amber. It shows that ancient birds were way more diverse than we thought. They had evolved many different features to adapt to their environments," said first author Lida Xing. To study the Cretaceous period fossil, Mr Xing and his colleagues scanned the amber with micro-CT and created a 3D reconstruction of the foot.
The Department of Telecom (DoT) and the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop a Broadband Readiness Index (BRI) for Indian States and Union Territories (UT). The first estimate will be made in 2019 and subsequently every year until 2022.Shri. Sanjay Shamrao Dhotre, Union Minister of State for Human Resource Development, Communications and Electronics & Information Technology, Ms. Aruna Sundararajan, Chairman Digital Communications Commission& Secretary, DoT,Shri. Amit Yadav, Joint Secretary, DoT, Dr. Rajat Kathuria, Director and Chief Executive, ICRIER and Ms. Geetha Nair, Secretary, ICRIER were present at the signing ceremony.
2. Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Satya Pal Singh & Jayant Sinha elected as members of Public Accounts Committee
Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and former union ministers Satya Pal Singh and Jayant Sinha have been elected as members of Public Accounts Committee (PAC) from Lok Sabha with nine of 15 members belonging to the BJP. The other members elected to the committee from Lok Sabha are T R Baalu (DMK), Subhash Chandra Baheria, Sudheer Gupta, Darshana Vikram Jardosh, Ajay (Teni) Misra, Jagadambika Pal, Vishnu Dayal Ram, Ram Kripal Yadav (all BJP), Bhartruhari Mahtab (BJD), Rahul Ramesh Shewale (Shiv Sena), Rajiv Ranjan Singh (JD-U) and Balashowry Vallabbhaneni (YSRC Party). The PAC has 15 members from both Lok Sabha and seven from Rajya Sabha. It will be formally constituted after the Rajya Sabha sends names of its members.
3. Around 30 lakh workers enrolled under PM Shram Yogi Maandhan Scheme
Union Government today said that total thirty lakh 85 thousand 205 persons have been enrolled under Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan Scheme, PM-SYM, till 10th of this month. In a written reply in Lok Sabha, Labour and Employment Minister Santosh Kumar Gangwar said the government has launched the PM-SYM a voluntary and contributory pension scheme for the benefit of unorganized workers in February this year in the country. He said the scheme assures the minimum monthly pension of three thousand rupees to the beneficiaries after attaining the age of 60 years. The Minister said under this scheme, the subscriber is required to pay the prescribed contribution amount and the Central Government provides the equal matching contribution.
4. First-ever Himalayan States Conclave to be hosted by Uttarakhand on July 28, 2019
Uttarakhand will host the first-ever Himalayan states' conclave here on July 28 where the prime focus will be on sustainable development. The conclave will host the Chief Ministers of the Himalayan states - Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura, Mizoram and Nagaland, along with administrators and specialists. The discussions would be around environmental protection, Himalayan culture, and economic development, according to the official sources. Vice President of Niti Aayog Rajiv Kumar has also agreed to be part of this conclave.
5. IFFI to celebrates its special golden jubilee edition 2019 in Goa
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences president John Bailey will attend this year's edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar said Sunday. The festival, scheduled from November 20-28, would be held in a bigger way this time as it is the golden jubilee year of the prestigious film event, he told reporters in Panaji in the presence of Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. "Oscar Academy president John Bailey has confirmed his presence for the festival. He would be among several international dignitaries who will arrive in Goa to participate in the IFFI," Javadekar said.
6. As per the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2019 Report, more than 820 million people suffer from hunger
The report named State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2019 produced by the United Nations (UN) Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Food Programme (WFP) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) was released. It stated that in the year 2018, more than 820 million people suffered hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition worldwide. It is for the third year in a row the number has risen.
7. Foundation stone of Baba Guru Nanak International Varsity laid in Pak
The foundation stone of Baba Guru Nanak International University has been laid in Nankana Sahib in Pakistan's Punjab province by Chief Minister of Punjab Usman Buzdar. It is the birth place of founder of Sikhism Baba Guru Nanak Dev. The cost estimated for the Varsity is over Rs. 258 crores spread over 10 acres ahead of beginning of International Nagar Kirtan by Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee on July 25. This university would help promote religious tourism in Pakistan and also portray country’s good image at international level. A motel of Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab (TDCP) has also been installed to promote religious tourism.
8. World Bank Arbitration Court imposed $5.8 billion penalty on Pakistan
A World Bank arbitration court has imposed a penalty of over five billion dollars on Pakistan for unlawful denial of a mining lease to a company for the Reko Diq project in 2011. The Tethyan Copper Company had approached the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes in 2012 after the Balochistan government declined its lease request. The international tribunal on Saturday announced in a 700-page ruling that Pakistan has to pay Tethyan Copper $5.8 billion in damages, Samaa News reported.
9. The UK’s new £50 pound note features codebreaker Alan Turing
A new design for Britain’s highest value banknote has won acclaim not just for who it features but also a sneaky puzzle hiding in plain sight. Yesterday the Bank of England, which despite its name sets monetary policy for the entire UK, revealed who would be emblazoned on the new style 50 pound note, worth around A$90. It will feature a man who is widely credited with turning the Second World War in Britain’s favour but ended his life after being deemed a criminal due to his sexuality. The note will be the last note issued in England and Wales to move over to Australian-style polymer material from the current paper.
10. Justice AK Sikri appointed as the Judge of SICC
Former Supreme Court judge, Justice AK Sikri, has been appointed as an international judge of the Singapore International Commercial court (SICC). The President of the Republic of Singapore has made the appointment of Justice Sikri. It currently has 16 international judges as part of its panel. The SICC is a division of the Singapore high court and part of the Supreme Court of that country, designed to deal with transnational commercial disputes.
11. Kiran More appointed as USA cricket team’s interim coach
Former India stumper Kiran More, who was appointed USA's director of cricket last month, will take the additional responsibility of coaching the senior national team on an interim basis. More has been handed the job alongside a group of advisors, including former India players Sunil Joshi and Pravin Amre, following the resignation of head coach Pubudu Dassanayake. The 56-year-old More was brought on as director of cricket in June, alongside former West Indies batsman Kieran Powell as high performance manager, to oversee the operations.
12. Extinct bird Elektorornis chenguangi had an extra-long toe: Study
Researchers have discovered a bird foot from 99 million years ago that had a hyper-elongated third toe. This is the first time such a foot structure has been observed in birds, either extinct or living. The study, published in the journal Current Biology, suggested that this bird might have used its toes to hook food out of tree trunks. "I was very surprised when I saw the amber. It shows that ancient birds were way more diverse than we thought. They had evolved many different features to adapt to their environments," said first author Lida Xing. To study the Cretaceous period fossil, Mr Xing and his colleagues scanned the amber with micro-CT and created a 3D reconstruction of the foot.
