Top GKToday’s News Headlines – 23 August 2019
Here are the top News Headlines of 23 August 2019 for all competitive examinations of India.
National Current Affairs
24th Meeting of the Western Zonal Council held at Panaji, Goa
Union Home Minister Amit Shah chairs the 24th Meeting of the Western Zonal Council at Panaji, Goa that was attended by CMs and administrators of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu. Issues discussed included modalities for allocation of surplus land of Central Government for housing for poor and increase of banking coverage in remote villages.
Vice President returns from his visit to three Baltic countries
Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu returned from his visit to three Baltic countries — Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. Parliaments — Lithuanian: Seimas, Latvia: Saeima, Estonia: Riigikogu. Capitals — Lithuania: Vilnius, Estonia: Tallinn, Latvia: Riga
Ajay Kumar Bhalla appointed new Home Secretary
Ajay Kumar Bhalla, currently serving as an officer on special duty in the home ministry, was appointed as the new Union home secretary. He replaces Rajiv Gauba, who was appointed as the new cabinet secretary.
The Diary of Manu Gandhi (1943-44) released in New Delhi
The Diary of Manu Gandhi (1943-44), edited and translated by Tridip Suhrud, was released in New Delhi. Manu Gandhi (Mridula) was a grandniece of Mahatma Gandhi.
ISRO releases first Moon image captured by Chandrayaan-2
The first picture of Moon captured by India’s Chandrayaan-2 satellite, currently in the lunar orbit, was released by space agency ISRO. The picture was taken by Chandrayaan-2’s LI4 Camera from an altitude of about 2,650 km from the lunar surface.
Business, Economy and Finance Current Affairs
BSE Sensex: 36,472.93 (–587.44), NSE Nifty: 10,741.35 (–177.35)
The benchmark BSE Sensex declined 587.44 points to close at 36,472.93 points while the NSE Nifty ended 177.35 down at 10,741.35.
Sabka Vishwas – Legacy Dispute Resolution Scheme to become effective from September 1
The government has notified Sabka Vishwas – Legacy Dispute Resolution Scheme notified that will become effective from September 1. The scheme has been launched to enable taxpayers to close their pending disputes relating to legacy Service Tax and Central Excise cases.
Power Minister R. K. Singh approves proposal to declare ocean energy as Renewable Energy
Power Minister R. K. Singh has approved a proposal to declare ocean energy as Renewable Energy. It will cover various forms of ocean energy such as tidal, wave, ocean thermal energy conversion etc. These shall be eligible for meeting the non-solar Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPO).
Environment Ministry to waive off lease rent of Rs. 30,000 per Mega Watt for wind power projects
Ministry of Environment has decided to waive off the mandatory charging of lease rent of Rs. 30,000 per Mega Watt for wind power projects. Currently, to establish wind power project over forest land, the existing procedure requires payment of mandatory charges for compensatory afforestation and Net Present value.
Government to launch e-commerce marketing platform Bharatcraft portal
The government will launch an e-commerce marketing platform Bharatcraft portal which will provide a platform for MSMEs to markets and sell their products. This was announced by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari in an event in New Delhi.
Akshay Kumar highest ranked Indian on Forbes magazine’s World’s Highest-Paid Actors Of 2019 list
Akshay Kumar if the highest ranked Indian and fourth on Forbes magazine’s World’s Highest-Paid Actors Of 2019 list that has been topped by Dwayne ‘Rock’ Johnson. Akshay earned $65 million tween June 1, 2018, and June 1, 2019 while Dwayne Johnson earned $89.4 million.
Amazon Fresh store to deliver goods in 2-hour in Bengaluru
Amazon India announced the launch of Amazon Fresh store with 2-hour delivery in Bengaluru.
International Current Affairs
India’s Statue of Unity, Soho House among Time’s 100 greatest places in the world
India’s Statue of Unity of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Mumbai’s Soho House have found place among Time’s 100 greatest places in the world. Standing tall at 597 ft on an island in the Narmada River, the world’s tallest statue towers over the Sardar Sarovar Dam in Gujarat.
PM Modi reaches Paris on the first leg of his 3-nation tour to France, UAE and Bahrain
PM Modi reached Paris on the first leg of his 3-nation tour to France, UAE and Bahrain where he held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron. The two leaders reviewed the entire gamut of the dynamic and multi-faceted bilateral relations.
Indo-Nepal Joint Commission meeting held in Kathmandu
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and his Nepali counterpart Pradeep Kumar Gyawali co-chaired the 5th round of Indo-Nepal Joint Commission meeting in Kathmandu. The focus was on the areas of connectivity and economic partnership, trade and transit, power and water resources, culture and education.
Bulgaria’s Kristalina Georgieva set to become new IMF MD
IMF executive board has recommended scrapping age limit of 65 years for candidates for the post of Managing Director to enable 66-year old Bulgaria’s Kristalina Georgieva to occupy the post.
Abdalla Hamdok takes charge as Sudan’s new Prime Minister
Abdalla Hamdok has taken charge as Sudan’s new Prime Minister in capital Khartoum as the country embarked on a three-year transition to civilian rule earlier this month.
US approves possible USD 8 billion sale of F-16 fighter jets to Taiwan
The Donald Trump administration in US has approved the possible USD 8 billion sale of F-16 fighter jets to Taiwan raising China’s hackles which considers the island nation its renegade province.
Iran unveils its new home-grown air defence system Bavar-373
Iran unveiled its new home-grown air defence system. Called Bavar-373, Iranians have claimed it as their first domestically produced long-range missile defence system.
UN days celebrated on August 21 and August 22
UN observed International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism on August 21. The International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief was observed on August 22.
Sports Current Affairs
Govt. to launch ‘Fit India Movement’
‘Fit India Movement’ will be launched by PM Modi on August 29. An advisory committee under the chairmanship of sports minister Kiren Rijiju has been formed for this purpose.
Vikram Rathour is new batting coach of India’s men’s cricket team
Vikram Rathour has been appointed as the new batting coach of India’s men’s cricket team by the BCCI. Bharath Arun and R Sridhar have been retained as bowling and fielding coaches respectively.
