Top GKToday’s News Headlines – 22 August 2019
Here are the top News Headlines of 22 August 2019 for all competitive examinations of India.
India Current Affairs
Zambian president Edgar Lungu visits India
Zambian president Edgar Lungu held delegation level talks with PM Modi at Hyderabad House in New Delhi and met President Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The two nations sign MoUs on boosting cooperation in six areas including mineral resources, defence, arts and culture.
Defence Minister approves restructuring of Army headquarters
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh approved several proposals for restructuring of Army headquarters including creation of an Independent Vigilance Cell under direct charge of the Army Chief.
Former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram arrested by CBI for interrogation in INX media case
Former Finance Minister and Congress leader P. Chidambaram arrested by CBI for interrogation in INX media case after he failed to get any immediate relief from arrest from the Supreme Court.
Teachers’ training programme NISHTHA (National Initiative for School Heads and Teachers Holistic Advancement) launched
Union HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ has introduced teachers’ training programme NISHTHA (National Initiative for School Heads and Teachers Holistic Advancement) which is the largest of its type in the world.
Chandrayaan-2 enters lunar orbit
ISRO’s Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft, sent for study of moon, on July 22 has entered the lunar orbit. Next target is landing on lunar surface of lander named Vikram and Rover named Pragyan on September 7.
Govt. to allow access to 137 mountain peaks including Kanchenjunga to foreign mountaineers and trekkers
In a bid to boost tourism in the hills, the government has decided to provide access to 137 mountain peaks in the country including Kanchenjunga to foreign mountaineers and trekkers.
Allahabad High Court bans playing of DJ in UP
In view of the rising levels of sound pollution in the urban environment, the Allahabad High Court has banned the playing of DJ in UP calling it a grave threat to human health.
Former MP CM Babulal Gour dies in Bhopal at the age of 89
Veteran BJP leader Babulal Gour, who was CM of MP in Aug 2003-Nov 2004, passed away in Bhopal at the age of 89. He worked at a textile mill in Bhopal before joining politics and was a founder member of Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS).
17 MLAs sworn in as ministers in B. S. Yeddyurappa cabinet in Karnataka
17 MLAs, 16 from BJP and one independent, were sworn in as ministers by Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala in the cabinet of B. S. Yeddyurappa led BJP government in Bengaluru. Yeddyurappa had become CM on July 23 after the fall of JDS- Congress coalition.
UP CM Yogi Adityanath expands cabinet, inducts 23 new ministers
For the first time after forming government in 2017, UP CM Yogi Adityanath expanded his cabinet. As many as 23 new ministers were sworn in by Governor Anandiben Patel at the Raj Bhavan in Lucknow.
Haryana govt. increases family income ceiling for BPL eligibility from Rs. 1000 to Rs. 15000
Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar has declared an increase in the family income ceiling for BPL eligibility for availing of various government welfare schemes from Rs. 1000 to Rs. 15000
Rajiv Gauba appointed next Cabinet Secretary for a period of two years
Ajay Kumar is new Defence Secretary, Brij Kumar Agarwal as Secretary to the Lokpal
Bureaucrat Rajiv Gauba promoted from Home Secretary to Cabinet Secretary for a period of two years. Among other appointments, Ajay Kumar is the new Defence Secretary, Brij Kumar Agarwal is Secretary to the Lokpal and Subash Chandra as Secretary of Department of Defence Production.
Economy & Corporate Current Affairs
BSE Sensex: 37,060.37 (–267.64), NSE Nifty: 10,918.70 (–98.30)
For the second straight day BSE Sensex and Nifty registered a decline and closed at 37,060.37 (–267.64) and 10,918.70 (–98.30) respectively.
Power Ministry introduces SARAL – ‘State Rooftop Solar Attractiveness Index’, Karnataka ranked first
Union Power Minister R. K. Singh introduced the ranking of states in terms of rooftop solar power capacity through SARAL – ‘State Rooftop Solar Attractiveness Index’. Karnataka is the top-ranked state followed by Telangana, Gujarat and AP.
Funds transfer through RTGS to begin one hour earlier from 7 AM from August 26: RBI
Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) System facility will be open for funds transfer by customers and inter-bank transactions from 7AM from August 26, one hour earlier than 8 AM now.
Railways to prohibit single-use plastic from October 2
The Railways Ministry has instructed its units to disallow the usage of single-use plastic material that is of thickness below 50 microns from Oct 2 to cut down on creation of plastic waste.
Railway Ministry approves running of Ahmedabad-Mumbai Tejas Express train by private company (IRCTC)
After Lucknow-Delhi Tejas Express, the Railway Ministry has approved running of Ahmedabad-Mumbai Tejas Express train by private company. The train will be operated by IRCTC which will decide on the fares.
Tolls to become cash free from December 1, vehicles without FASTag to be denied entry into highways
With the coming into effect of the Motor Vehicles Amendment Bill 2019, collection of tolls on national highways will become cash free from December 1 and vehicles without FASTag will be denied entry.
Maruti Suzuki launches new 6-seater multi-purpose vehicle XL6 priced at Rs. 9.79 lakh
Maruti Suzuki has launched new 6-seater multi-purpose vehicle XL6 based on Ertiga platform and priced at Rs. 9.79 lakh for the base model. XL6 will be sold exclusively from Maruti’s premium Nexa outlets.
World Current Affairs
EAM S. Jaishankar arrives in Kathmandu on two-day visit to Nepal
EAM S. Jaishankar arrived in Kathmandu on two-day visit to Nepal and paid a courtesy call to the country’s PM K. P. Sharma Lithe will cochair the meeting of fifth India-Nepal Joint Commission with his Nepalese counterpart on Aug 22. India handed over assistance of NPR 2.45 billion for housing reconstruction schemes in Nuwakot and Gorkha Districts.
Vice President Venkaiah Naidu meets President of Estonia President Kersti Kaljulaid in Tallinn
Vice President Venkaiah Naidu met President of Estonia President Kersti Kaljulaid in capital Tallinn. They had discussions on a wide range of issues to boost bilateral cooperation in fields such as trade and cyber security.
NSA Ajit Doval meets his Russian counterpart Nikolai Patrushev in Moscow
NSA Ajit Doval met his Russian counterpart Nikolai Patrushev in Moscow and both officials reiterated their countries’ resolve to respect each other’s sovereignty and avoid interference in internal affairs.
Saudi Arabian women above 21 years can travel abroad without permission from male guardian
Saudi Arabian women above 21 years of age will no longer require permission from male guardian to travel abroad, according to a decision announced by the country’s Foreign Ministry.
Sports Current Affairs
India’s men’s hockey team defeats NZ 5-0 to win Olympic test event in Tokyo
India’s men’s hockey team, captained by Harmanpreet Singh, defeated New Zealand 5-0 in final to win Olympic test event in Tokyo.
India’s women’s hockey team beat hosts Japan 2-1 to clinch Olympic test event in Tokyo
India’s women’s hockey team captained by Rani Rampal beat hosts Japan 2-1 to clinch Olympic test event in Tokyo.
Paytm bags title sponsorship rights for Indian cricket team for five more years
Paytm was granted title sponsorship rights for Indian cricket team for five more years by the BCCI. Paytm to pay INR 326.80 crores for 2019-23 home season.
CISF win 10 medals ‘World Police and Fire Games’ at Chengdu in China
Personnel of CISF won 10 medals, including five gold, at the ‘World Police and Fire Games’ held at Chengdu in in China’s southwestern Sichuan province from August 8 to 18.
