Tuesday 31 December 2019

China to issue revised local GDP figures under new mechanism from 2020

China to issue revised local GDP figures under new mechanism from 2020

China will revise its historical regional GDP data under a unified accounting mechanism from early next year. The Chinese economy grew at an annual pace of 6.0 per cent in the July-September quarter, the slowest growth since 1992.

The National Bureau of Statistics new mechanism will unify the standards and procedures for calculating national and local GDP numbers which had been calculated under different accounting methods adopted by local and national statistics authorities since 1985.

  the reform is expected to close the current discrepancy between national and regional figures, improving data quality while enhancing the credibility of the government statistics.

Monday 30 December 2019

Dennis Muilenburg, CEO of Boeing resigned

Dennis Muilenburg,  CEO of Boeing  resigned

Boeing’s CEO is resigning amid ongoing problems at the company over the troubled Max 737 aircraft.

The board of directors said Monday that Dennis Muilenburg is stepping down immediately.

The board’s current chairman, David Calhoun, will become president and CEO on Jan. 13.

Board member Lawrence Kellner will become non-executive chairman of the board.

Boeing said that it would halt Max  737 production in January.

Sunday 29 December 2019

Astronaut Christina Koch created record for longest single spaceflight by woman

Astronaut Christina Koch created record for longest single spaceflight by woman

NASA Astronaut Christina Koch creates a record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman, surpassing the earlier record of 288 days in space.

When she arrives back on Earth in February 2020, she will have spent more than 300 days in space.

She is onboard the International Space Station since 14th March 2019.

Saturday 28 December 2019

China successfully launches largest carrier rocket

China successfully launches largest carrier rocket

China has successfully launched the largest carrier rocket of the country, Long March-5, from Wenchang Space Launch Center in south China's Hainan Province today.

The rocket, also known as CZ-5, blasted off with more than 1,000 tonnes of thrust at 8.45 pm.

The Chinese space authorities declared the mission a "complete success" just over half an hour after the lift-off when the Shijian-20 satellite it carried entered its designated orbit.

It is the country's third attempt to launch the rocket.

The first attempt was made in 2016. However, during the first attempt, the rocket failed to reach the speed required for the early phase of the flight. The second attempt also failed.

Friday 27 December 2019

Virat Kohli named in Wisden cricketers of the decade list

Virat Kohli named in Wisden cricketers of the decade list

Indian skipper Virat Kohli has been named in the Cricketers of the decade list alongside four others by the Wisden Cricketers' Almanac.

Apart from Kohli, South African duo of Dale Steyn and AB de Villiers, Australia's Steve Smith and women's all-rounder Ellyse Perry also found a place in the list of five cricketers of the decade.

Kohli, who has scored 5,775 more international runs than anyone else in the last 10 years, has arguably been the best batsman over the last decade.

The 31-year-old Indian was named captain of the Wisden Test team of the decade, while also featuring in the ODI Eleven.

In the past decade Kohli has hoarded 7,202 runs in Tests including 27 hundreds, while in the shorter formats the Indian skipper has amassed 11,125 runs in ODIs and 2,633 runs in T20s.

Kohli, who averages more than 50 in all formats, has already amassed 70 international hundreds and is only behind Ricky Ponting and Sachin Tendulkar. He is also third in the list of leading run-scorers of all time behind Ponting and Tendulkar.

Thursday 26 December 2019

Ashleigh Barty, Rafael Nadal Named ITF World Champions

Ashleigh Barty, Rafael Nadal Named ITF World Champions

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has announced that Australia’s Ashleigh Barty and Rafael Nadal of Spain have been named 2019 ITF World Champions.

Barty is the first Australian to be named ITF Women’s World Champion having become the first Australian woman to reach No.1 in the world rankings since Evonne Goolagong Cawley in 1976. She claimed her first Grand Slam title at Roland Garros, lifted the trophy at the WTA Finals in Shenzen and led Australia to their first Fed Cup by BNP Paribas final since 1993.

Nadal, is named ITF World Champion for the fourth time

Nadal is the fifth player to finish as year-end No.1 on five or more occasions alongside Jimmy Connors, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Pete Sampras. He won 58 of the 65 matches he contested in 2019 and has only lost one match since Wimbledon.

ITF Doubles World Champions

Timea Babos of Hungary and France’s Kristina Mladenovic will receive the award in the women’s doubles category

The men’s doubles World Champions are Colombia’s Juan Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah who became the first Colombians to win a Grand Slam men’s doubles title with victory at Wimbledon

The ITF World Champions will receive their awards at the 2020 ITF World Champions Dinner on Tuesday 2 June, in Paris, during Roland Garros.

Wednesday 25 December 2019

Vernon Philander announces retirement from all forms of cricket

Vernon Philander announces retirement from all forms of cricket

South Africa all-rounder Vernon Philander on Monday announced international retirement from all forms of cricket after the conclusion of the upcoming Test series against England.

Philander was picked for the four-match England Test series. In an international career that has spanned more than 12 years, he has played 97 matches across all three formats, taking a combined 261 wickets with 1784 runs scored.

In his Test debut against Australia, he bowled a famous spell of 5/15 that bowled out visitors for 47 in their second innings at Newlands and handed eight wickets win to Proteas.

Tuesday 24 December 2019

Ecuador declared emergency after fuel spill in Galapagos Islands

Ecuador declared emergency after fuel spill in Galapagos Islands

Ecuador has declared emergency to contain the environmental impact of a fuel spill in the Galapagos Islands, after a barge carrying 600 gallons of diesel fuel sank.

The Islands are located 1,000 kilometers east of mainland Ecuador.  The accident occurred when a crane collapsed while loading a container onto the barge. The falling container destabilized the ship, causing it to sink.
  
Ecuadorian navy and national police were coordinating with the nature reserve authority, Galapagos National Park (GNP) to resolve the emergency and assess environmental damage.

Latin American Galapagos archipelago, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to one of the most fragile ecosystems on the planet.

Monday 23 December 2019

Manuel Marrero Cruz appointed as Cuba's first PM in more than 40 years

Manuel Marrero Cruz appointed as Cuba's first PM in more than 40 years

In Cuba, President Miguel Díaz-Canel has appointed Manuel Marrero Cruz as the country's first prime minister in more than 40 years.

It was reinstated under the rules of a new constitution for the communist-run island passed earlier this year.

Marrero, who has served as tourism minister for 16 years and is an architect by trade, helped boost Cuba's economy by making tourism one of the engines of growth.

The post of prime minister was scrapped in 1976 by the then-revolutionary leader Fidel Castro.


Sunday 22 December 2019

2019 FIFA Club World Cup

2019 FIFA Club World Cup

The 2019 FIFA Club World Cup was the 16th edition of the FIFA Club World Cup, a FIFA-organised international club football tournament between the winners of the six continental confederations, as well as the host nation's league champions.

The tournament was hosted by Qatar between 11 and 21 December 2019, taking place at two venues in Doha

Liverpool won the final 1–0 after extra time against Flamengo for their first FIFA Club World Cup title.

Champions    England Liverpool (1st title)
Runners-up    Brazil Flamengo
Third place    Mexico Monterrey
Fourth place    Saudi Arabia Al-Hilal
Tournament statistics
Matches played    8
Goals scored    30 (3.75 per match)
Attendance    166,426 (20,803 per match)
Top scorer(s)   
Algeria Baghdad Bounedjah
Libya Hamdou Elhouni
(3 goals each)
Best player(s)    Egypt Mohamed Salah
Fair play award    Tunisia Espérance de Tunis

Saturday 21 December 2019

Ethiopia launched its first satellite

Ethiopia launched its first satellite

Ethiopia launched its first satellite , a landmark achievement for the country's space program that caps a banner year for the African space industry.

The launch, which was originally scheduled for September, took place at 03.21hours GMT from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in Xinzhou, Shanxi Province, China.

The Chinese satellite was designed and built at a cost of $8 million, with China paying around $6 million of the capsule’s price, according to the head of the Ethiopian Space Science and Technology Institute (ESSTI) at Addis Ababa University. Though it was launched from China its command and control center is based at the Entoto Observatory and Space Science Research Center (EORC) in Ethiopia, which is part of the Ethiopian Space, Science and Technology Institute (ESSTI).

this was the eighth launch of an African satellite this year, topping the previous record of seven in 2017.

The launch makes Ethiopia the eleventh African country to put a satellite into space. Egypt was the first in 1998.

The 70 kilogram remote sensing satellite is to be used for agricultural, climate, mining and environmental observations, allowing the Horn of Africa to collect data and improve its ability to plan for changing weather patterns for example. The satellite will operate from space around 700 kilometers above the surface of earth.

Friday 20 December 2019

FIFA rankings

 Belgium remains top of this month’s  nearly unchanged FIFA rankings, followed by France, Brazil and England.

The best mover in the new ranking was Korea Republic, jumping 1 place to the 40th place, while the biggest drop was Hong Kong, who dropped two spots to 141st place.


The Indian men's football team remained static at 108th spot in the year-ending FIFA rankings issued today.

India, however, lost 11 places throughout the year. With 1187 total points, India is placed at 19th spot among Asian countries headed by Japan 28th.

India was placed at 97th in the December FIFA rankings of last year. The best ranking for the team this year was 101 in April and June.

In the Asian rankings, Japan is followed by Iran (33), Korea (40), Australia (42) and continental champion Qatar (55).

Thursday 19 December 2019

Amitabha Bagchi won 2019 DSC Prize

Amitabha Bagchi won 2019 DSC Prize

The 8th edition of the IME Nepal Literature Festival, held from December 13-16 at Pokhara, concluded with the announcement of the winner of DSC Prize for South Asian Literature 2019.

The $25,000 award went to Amitabha Bagchi for his 2018 novel, Half the Night is Gone.

 The DSC Prize, instituted in 2010, awards fiction from the South Asian region, which includes Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, as well as from the diaspora.

Ninety books had been submitted for the prize this year.

Wednesday 18 December 2019

Virat Kohli retained top spot in ICC Test rankings

Virat Kohli retained top spot in ICC Test rankings

With 928 points, Kohli is 17 points clear of Australia's Steve Smith who scored 43 and 16 in the first Test against New Zealand which Australia won by 296 runs.

Cheteshwar Pujara with 791 and Ajinkya Rahane 759 held on to their fourth and sixth spots respectively. Among the bowlers, Bumrah slipped to the sixth spot in the list headed by Australia's Pat Cummins.

India's Ravindra Jadeja,  remained at number two, behind Jason Holder of the West Indies among Test all-rounders.

In the ICC World Test Championship, India stand on top with 360 points, way ahead of Australia 216, Sri Lanka 80, New Zealand 60 and England 56.

Tuesday 17 December 2019

International Tea Day

International Tea Day

International Tea Day was observed annually on December 15.

It has been celebrated since 2005 in tea producing countries like India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Vietnam, Indonesia,Bangladesh, Kenya, Malawi, Malaysia, Uganda and Tanzania

International Tea Day aims to draw global attention of governments and citizens to the impact of the global tea trade on workers and growers, and has been linked to requests for price supports and fair trade

In 2015, the Indian government proposed expanding the observance of International Tea Day through the UN Food and Agriculture Organization

The United Nations General Assembly has designated May 21 as International Tea Day based on a proposal moved by India

Monday 16 December 2019

Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI)

Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI)

According to the CCPI, none of the countries has yet achieved a performance across all indicators that can be qualified as “very high” because no country fulfils the requirements to limit global warming to well below 2°C, as agreed in the Paris Agreement.

This is why the first three places in the final ranking remain unoccupied. In the index for 2019, Sweden led the ranking, followed by Morocco and Lithuania. The last three ranks were taken by Saudi Arabia, the USA and Iran.

 EU countries such as Sweden (4th) and Denmark (5th), one of the best climbers, achieve overall high or very high ratings, the performance of EU countries varies largely.

China, the largest global emitter slightly improves its ranking in the index to 30th place.

While only two G20 countries, the UK (7th) and India (9th), are ranked in the high category, eight G20 countries are remaining in the worst category of the index.

Australia (56th out of 61), Saudi Arabia and above all the US perform particularly poor.


The index is jointly presented by Germanwatch, NewClimate Institute and Climate Action Network.

Sunday 15 December 2019

25th United Nations Climate Change conference.

The 2019 United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP25, is the 25th United Nations Climate Change conference.

It was held in Madrid, Spain, from 2 to 13 December 2019 under the presidency of the Chilean government.

The conference incorporates the 25th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the 15th meeting of the parties for the Kyoto Protocol (CMP15), and the second meeting of the parties for the Paris Agreement (CMA2).

More than seventy countries committed to net zero carbon emissions by 2050, even if major emitters have not yet done so.  More than 100 cities did the same, including several of the world’s largest.

Small island states together committed to achieve carbon neutrality and to move to 100 per cent renewable energy by 2030.  And countries from Pakistan to Guatemala, Colombia to Nigeria, New Zealand to Barbados vowed to plant more than 11 billion trees.

More than 100 leaders in the private sector committed to accelerating the green economy.

A group of the world’s largest asset-owners, controlling $2 trillion, pledged to move to carbon-neutral investment portfolios by 2050. 

Saturday 14 December 2019

Angela Merkel, Tops Forbes’ 16th Annual List of The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women


Angela Merkel, Tops Forbes’ 16th Annual List of The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women

The World’s Most Powerful Women List Highlights the Female Leaders, Entrepreneurs, Investors, Philanthropists and CEOs Who Are Wielding Their Influence to Drive Change

The women on Forbes’ 2019 ranking represent women in six categories: business, technology, finance, media & entertainment, politics & policy, and philanthropy.

For the ninth consecutive year, German Chancellor Angela Merkel took the No. 1 spot, also marking her 14th total appearance on the list. Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank  is at spot to No. 2.

 Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, is in the No. 3 spot this year

she is the highest-ranking and most powerful female elected official in American political history.

 the top five include  Ursula Von Der Leyen, President of the European Commission (No. 4) and Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors (No. 5).

13th South Asian Games concluded in Nepal

13th South Asian Games concluded in Nepal

13th South Asian Games concluded in Nepal

 closing ceremony was held at historic Dasaratha Rangshala in Kathmandu.

 India finished on top with 312 medals comprising 174 gold, 93 silver and 45 bronze.


Thursday 12 December 2019

ISRO successfully launched earth observation satellite RISAT-2BR1

ISRO successfully launched earth observation satellite RISAT-2BR1

Indian Space Research Organization's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle achieved a landmark with its 50th mission lifting off successfully from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.

 The 628-kilogram RISAT-2BR1 is the second radar imaging satellite in the RISAT-2B series and along with the CARTOSAT-3 is part of a group of satellites that will boost  India's earth imaging capabilities from space.

The satellite will help in agriculture, mining, forestry and coastal management, soil monitoring, disaster management support and round the clock border surveillance.

The RISAT satellites are equipped with a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) that can take pictures of the earth during day and night and also under cloudy conditions.

RISAT-2BR1 has a powerful resolution allowing two objects separated by 35-centimetre distance to be distinctly identified and will cover a swathe of 5 to 10 kilometres.

PSLV-C48 also carried nine customer satellites including one each from Israel, Italy and Japan and six from the USA as co-passengers.

The first satellite in the RISAT-2B series was launched earlier this year to replace the ageing RISAT-2. The RISAT-2BR1 will be followed by two more satellites of the same series next year to complete a quartet of satellites with advanced earth imaging abilities.

Wednesday 11 December 2019

World's 1st fully electric commercial aircraft takes inaugural test flight in Canada

World's 1st fully electric commercial aircraft takes inaugural test flight in Canada

the world's first fully-electric commercial aircraft took its inaugural test flight yesterday, in Vancouver, Canada.

the technology would mean significant cost savings for airlines, including zero emissions.

the range is enough to start the revolution, adding that batteries and electric motors will eventually be developed to power longer flights.

The e-plane, a 62-year-old, six-passenger DHC-2 de Havilland Beaver seaplane retrofitted with an electric motor

 The e-plane has to be tested further to confirm it is reliable and safe.

In addition, the electric motor must be approved and certified by regulators.

Tuesday 10 December 2019

World observes Human Rights Day

World observes Human Rights Day 

Human Rights Day is celebrated annually across the world on 10 December every year.

The world observes Human Rights Day today.

The Day is celebrated on the 10th December every year to commemorate the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), which was adopted and proclaimed by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1948 as the shared standard yard stick to protect human rights across the globe.

The Declaration recognizes that the inherent dignity and the equal and inalienable rights of mankind are the foundation of justice, freedom and peace in the world.

It reaffirms the faith of the people of United Nations in the fundamental human rights.

The United Nations’ theme for this year’s Human Rights Day is - Youth Standing up for Human Rights.

This is aimed at encouraging youth all over the world under the generic call to action Stand Up for Human Rights.

The youth will be celebrated as agents of change and encouraged to amplify their voices against racism, hate speech, bullying, discrimination and fight for climate justice among other issues and engage a broad range of global audiences in the promotion and protection of rights.

Monday 9 December 2019

Finland elected Sanna Marin, the youngest-ever Prime Minister

Finland elected Sanna Marin, the youngest-ever Prime Minister

Finland elected a 34-year-old former transport minister to the post of the prime minister, making her the youngest head of government in the country's history.

Sanna Marin will replace outgoing leader Antti Rinne

Parliament is expected to formally swear in the new prime minister tomorrow.

Sanna Mirella Marin is a Finnish politician. A Social Democrat, she has been member of the Parliament of Finland since 2015 and the Minister of Transport and Communications since 6 June 2019.

Finland is a Northern European nation bordering Sweden, Norway and Russia.

President: Sauli Niinistö
Capital: Helsinki
Currency: Euro

Saturday 7 December 2019

Saudi Aramco announced biggest ever IPO

Saudi Aramco announced biggest ever IPO

Saudi Arabia, state oil company Aramco has set a share price for its much-anticipated initial public offering.

Aramco has set a share price that will value the company's initial public offering (IPO) at 25.6 billion Dollar, making it the largest ever seen.

the IPO will consist of 3 billion shares, or 1.5% of the company, offered for 8.00 to 8.53 Dollar per share.

The Saudi's state-owned crude oil company had announced in November that it would be putting shares up for sale.

The move is part of the country's plan to diversify its economy away from its dependence on oil and increase the country's sovereign wealth fund for investment in other projects.

Aramco's IPO tops a record-breaking 25 billion dollar IPO in 2014 from Chinese internet giant Alibaba.

Friday 6 December 2019

World Soil Day

Every year, December  5 is celebrated as the World Soil Day to highlight  the soil's importance on Earth. Soil is one of the basic requirements for survival

The International Year of Soils, 2015 (IYS 2015) was declared by the Sixty-eighth session of the United Nations General Assembly on December 20th, 2013 after recognizing December 5th as World Soil Day

  2019, theme   'Stop soil erosion, Save our future'.

It aims at raising awareness on the importance of sustaining healthy ecosystems and human well-being.

Thursday 5 December 2019

Sundar Pichai promoted as Alphabet CEO

 Sundar Pichai promoted as Alphabet CEO

Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin have announced that they are stepping down from the leadership role of the parent company Alphabet.

Google CEO Indian-American Sundar Pichai will be assuming the role of Alphabet CEO, making him one of the most powerful corporate leaders of the world.

Pichai Sundararajan, also known as Sundar Pichai, is an Indian American business executive, the chief executive officer of Alphabet Inc. and its subsidiary Google LLC. Pichai began his career as a materials engineer and joined Google as a management executive in 2004.

Alphabet Inc. is an American multinational conglomerate headquartered in Mountain View, California. It was created through a corporate restructuring of Google on October 2, 2015, and became the parent company of Google and several former Google subsidiaries




Wednesday 4 December 2019

NATO leaders will meet to mark 70th anniversary of alliance

NATO leaders will meet  to mark 70th  anniversary  of alliance

The leaders of North Atlantic Treaty Organization, NATO, will meet today to mark the 70th anniversary  of the organization in London.

The two-day summit includes receptions at Buckingham Palace and Downing Street plus a working session at a golf resort in outer London.

the twenty-nine member alliance is the world's biggest military alliance.

NATO was founded in 1949 for the collective defence of its members, linking the security of the United States with its European allies against the Soviet Union.

Tuesday 3 December 2019

Lionel Messi won sixth Ballon d’Or, Megan Rapinoe won women’s Ballon d’Or

Lionel  Messi won sixth Ballon d’Or, Megan  Rapinoe won women’s Ballon d’Or

The 2019 Ballon d'Or was the 64th annual ceremony of the Ballon d'Or, presented by France Football, and recognising the best footballer in the world for 2019. The winner was announced in Paris on 2 December 2019

Lionel Messi won the award for a record sixth time in his career

Megan Rapinoe won the 2019 Ballon d'Or Féminin for best female player in the world

Matthijs de Ligt won the 2019 Kopa Trophy for the best player in the world under the age of 21

Alisson won the inaugural Yashin Trophy as the best goalkeeper in the world in 2019

 The Ballon d'Or is an annual football award presented by France Football. It has been awarded since 1956, although between 2010 and 2015, an agreement was made with FIFA and the award was temporarily merged with the FIFA World Player of the Year, and known as the FIFA Ballon d'Or.

However, the partnership ended in 2016 and the award reverted to the Ballon d'Or, while FIFA also reverted to its own separate annual award (now named The Best FIFA Men's Player).

Monday 2 December 2019

13th South Asian Games formally begins in Kathmandu

13th South Asian Games formally begins in Kathmandu

13th South Asian Games have formally begun in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal.

Over 2700 athletes from seven South Asian Countries participated in the march past.

Nepali Cricketer Paras Khadka took oath representing players while Nepal’s Badminton Referee Deepak Thapa took oath on behalf of referees and judges of the games.

During 10 days biggest sporting event of South Asia, 2715 athletes compete for 1119 medals including 319 Gold in 26 game categories.

India is represented by 487 athletes.

The closing ceremony will be held on 10th December.

Sunday 1 December 2019

India, Japan will hold Foreign and Defence Ministerial Dialogue

India, Japan will hold Foreign and Defence Ministerial Dialogue

The meeting would provide an opportunity for the two sides to further strengthening defence and security cooperation to provide greater depth to the ‘India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership’.

The two sides will also exchange views on the situation in the Indo-Pacific region and their efforts for achieving their shared objective of peace, prosperity and progress for a better future for the people of the two countries and the region.

The meeting is being held in pursuance of the decision taken  during the 13th India-Japan Annual Summit held in Japan in October 2018 to institute a Foreign and Defence Ministerial Dialogue for further deepening bilateral Security and Defence cooperation.

Saturday 30 November 2019

Former Japan PM Yasuhiro Nakasone

Former Japan PM Yasuhiro Nakasone

Yasuhiro Nakasone was one of the longest-reigning Prime Minister

Yasuhiro Nakasone was a Japanese politician who served as Prime Minister of Japan from 1982 to 1987.

 He was a member of the House of Representatives for more than 50 years

Friday 29 November 2019

Saudi Arabia elected to UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee

Saudi Arabia elected to UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, member state of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), was elected to the World Heritage Committee for the first time, days after winning the membership in the UNESCO Executive Board.

The announcement comes a week after the Kingdom was elected to the UN heritage body’s executive board for 2019-2023

There are five sites in Saudi Arabia that are currently on UNESCO’s World Heritage List

The World Heritage Committee meets once a year, and consists of representatives from 21 member states to the convention elected by the general assembly.



Thursday 28 November 2019

Sumatran rhinoceros are extinct in Malaysia

Sumatran rhinoceros are extinct in Malaysia

The Sumatran rhinoceros is now extinct in Malaysia. The country’s last rhino, Iman, died of cancer on Saturday

 Tam, Malaysia’s last male rhino, died in May.

The species is down to about 80 individuals, all living in Indonesia.

The Sumatran rhinoceros, also known as Asian two-horned rhinoceros, is a rare member of the family Rhinocerotidae and one of five extant species of rhinoceros.

Wednesday 27 November 2019

Lakshya Sen wins Scottish Open title

Lakshya Sen wins Scottish Open title

In badminton, India's Lakshya Sen has won the Scottish Open men's single title, defeating Brazilian Ygor Coelho to seal his fourth title in three months.

Entering the tournament as the top seed, the world number 41 registered an 18-21, 21-18, 21-19 win in 56 minutes to claim the title in Glasgow.

The 18-year-old Indian started his year with a silver medal at the Polish Open International Challenge in March.

Lakshya Sen went on to win the Belgian International in September, his first title of the year.

Within a month, Lakshya won his first BWF Super 100 title at the Dutch Open, with the second one coming soon after, at the SaarLorLux Open in Germany.

He will be next seen in action in the Syed Modi International Championship, starting tomorrow in Lucknow.

Tuesday 26 November 2019

International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

The United Nations General Assembly has designated November 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (Resolution 54/134)

The premise of the day is to raise awareness of the fact that women around the world are subject to varoious forms of violence

furthermore, one of the aims of the day is to highlight that the scale and true nature of the issue is often hidden.

the theme uses the orange colour to symbolize hope and a brighter future without violence against women

Monday 25 November 2019

Researchers find aquatic environment on Earth with complete absence of any form of life

Researchers find aquatic environment on Earth with complete absence of any form of life

Researchers have found an aquatic environment on the Earth with complete absence of any form of life.

They say the research may lead to an improved understanding of the limits of habitability.

The study, published in the journal, Nature Ecology and Evolution, revealed that any form of microbial life was absent in the hot, saline, hyperacid ponds of the Dallol geothermal field in Ethiopia.

Study co-author Purificacion Lopez Garcia from FECYT said they have verified that there's no microbial life in these salty, hot and hyperacid pools or in the adjacent magnesium-rich brine lakes.

According to the researchers, the study helps in understanding the limits of habitability and presents evidence that there are places even on Earth's surface which are sterile though they contain liquid water.

Sunday 24 November 2019

Rising surface temperature in Pacific for prolonged periods causes El Nino

Rising surface temperature in Pacific for prolonged periods causes El Nino

A study shows, rising surface temperature in the tropical Pacific Ocean for prolonged periods leads to a climate process called the El Nino, which has become more extreme due to human-induced climate change.

The researchers, including the Georgia Institute of Technology in the US, said El Ninos have become more intense in the industrial age, which stand to worsen storms, drought, and coral bleaching.

The major study with physical evidence spanning millennia, compared chemical deposits found on present-day corals that are dependent on water temperature with similar deposits on older coral records representing relevant sea surface temperatures from the past 7,000 years.

The study said the industrial age swings in the tropical Pacific wind and ocean temperatures called El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is 25 per cent stronger than in the pre-industrial records.

The researchers found patterns in ENSO with swings of heating and cooling of the equatorial Pacific waters.

They also found that the recordings of sea surface temperatures registered in the coral chemical deposits were astonishingly accurate.

Saturday 23 November 2019

International Children’s Peace Prize 2019 awarded to Divina Maloum and Greta Thunberg

International Children’s Peace Prize 2019 awarded to Divina Maloum   and Greta Thunberg 

Divina Maloum (14) from Cameroon and Greta Thunberg (16) from Sweden both received the International Children’s Peace Prize 2019 .

Divina received the International Children’s Peace Prize for her peaceful fight against extremist violence and radicalization.

Greta received the prize for her international student climate activism.

The International Children’s Peace Prize is awarded annually to a child who has made a significant contribution to advocating children's rights and improving the situation of vulnerable children

The prize is an initiative of Marc Dullaert, founder of the KidsRights Foundation, an international children's aid and advocacy organisation based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Friday 22 November 2019

World Television Day

World Television Day

in December 1996 the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 21 November as World Television Day commemorating the date on which the first World Television Forum was held in 1996

television continues to be the single largest source of video consumption

In 2013, 79% of the world's households owned a television set

The global observance day acknowledges the role of broadcast media. Writers, journalists, bloggers and others associated with the medium come together to promote this day. The interaction between emerging and traditional forms of broadcast creates a great opportunity to raise awareness about the important issues facing our communities

Thursday 21 November 2019

World Children’s Day

World Children’s Day

World Children’s Day was first established in 1954 as Universal Children's Day and is celebrated on 20 November each year to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and improving children's welfare.

November 20th is an important date as it is the date in 1959 when the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. It is also the date in 1989 when the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Since 1990, World Children's Day also marks the anniversary of the date that the UN General Assembly adopted both the Declaration and the Convention on children's rights.

Wednesday 20 November 2019

World Antibiotic Awareness Week (WAAW) 2019

World Antibiotic Awareness Week (WAAW) 2019

World   Antibiotic Awareness Week (WAAW) will be celebrated this year from 18-24   November 2019.

It is one of the most important global events of the United Nations having included   antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as one of the biggest threats to global health.

This year, #WorldAntibioticAwarenessWeek is raising   awareness on the global effort to address #AMR. 

In Asia and the Pacific, #2019WAAW is calling to improve awareness and   understanding of the risks of AMR, strengthening evidence-based AMR-mitigation strategies through surveillance and research, promoting good practices and prudent use of antimicrobials in food and agriculture.



Tuesday 19 November 2019

6th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus held in Bangkok

6th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus held in Bangkok

The 6th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) will be held in Bangkok, Thailand .

Defence Ministers of ADMM-Plus countries will attend the meeting.

The meeting was held on subject of the “Sustainable Security”

The meeting issued a joint statement on advancing partnership for sustainable security.

Monday 18 November 2019

Gotabaya Rajapaksa won Sri Lanka Presidential election

Gotabaya Rajapaksa won Sri Lanka Presidential election

Sri Lanka's former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa has won the Presidential election.

He is the brother of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Gotabaya got 52.25 per cent of the total valid votes.

Gotabaya will be sworn in as the new President tomorrow

Lieutenant Colonel Nandasena Gotabaya Rajapaksa, RWP, RSP, psc, GR is a Sri Lankan politician, technocrat, military officer, and the President-elect of Sri Lanka, having gained a majority in the 2019 Presidential election, which he contested from the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, which is lead by his brother, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon) is an island nation south of India in the Indian Ocean


Capitals: Colombo, Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
Currency: Sri Lankan rupee

Sunday 17 November 2019

International Day for Tolerance

International Day for Tolerance

The International Day for Tolerance is an annual observance day declared by UNESCO in 1995 to generate public awareness of the dangers of intolerance.

 It is observed on 16 November

In 1995, UNESCO established the Madanjeet Singh Prize for the promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence to commemorate the 125th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

Saturday 16 November 2019

David villa announced retirement

David villa announced retirement

Former Valencia, Barcelona and Spain striker David Villa has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 37.

David Villa Sánchez is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a striker for Japanese club Vissel Kobe.

he played 98 matches for the Spain national team.

He played three World Cups, he was a  member of the Spain team, which was  World Cup winner in 2010

His won 2011 UEFA(Union of European Football Associations) Super Club, 2011 Club World Cup and three La Liga titles with Barcelona.

He scored the highest 59 goals for Spain.

Friday 15 November 2019

FIFA names Arsene Wenger as global football development chief

FIFA names Arsene Wenger as global football development chief

Veteran coach Arsene Wenger has been named FIFA's Chief of global football development. FIFA said, the former Arsenal and Monaco coach would be responsible for the growth of the game for both men and women around the world and would also be the leading authority on technical matters, including potential changes to the sport's laws.

It added that Wenger, 70, would also be tasked with coach education and aiding a programme designed to help former players enter management.

The new role brings Wenger back to the game for the first time since 2018, when he left Arsenal after 22 years in charge.

Wenger made the Gunners one of the strongest sides in Europe, winning three Premier League titles and seven FA Cups and taking his team to the 2006 Champions League final.

Thursday 14 November 2019

Japanese spacecraft starts year-long journey home from asteroid

Japanese spacecraft starts year-long journey home from asteroid

After departing from a distant asteroid, Japan's Hayabusa2 spacecraft started its year-long journey home after successfully completing its mission to bring back soil samples and data that could provide clues to the origins of the solar system.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency says the spacecraft left its orbit around the asteroid Ryugu, about 300 million kilometres from Earth.

Hayabusa2 made two touchdowns on the asteroid and successfully collected data and samples during its 1½-year mission since arriving there in June 2018.

The spacecraft is expected to return to Earth in late 2020 and drop a capsule containing the precious samples in the Australian desert.

Scientists hope the samples contain carbon and organic matter that could explain how they are related to Earth.

Wednesday 13 November 2019

Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah maintain top positions in ICC ODI ranking

Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah maintain top positions in ICC ODI ranking

In Cricket, Indian skipper Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah have maintained their top spots in the latest ICC ODI Player Rankings.

Kohli is at the top of the rankings for batsmen, followed by his deputy Rohit Sharma.

In the bowlers' rankings, Bumrah maintained his top spot followed by New Zealand's pacer Trent Boult.

Hardik Pandya is the only Indian to feature in the top 10 among all-rounders. He is at number 10.

England's World Cup hero Ben Stokes tops the chart followed by Mohammad Nabi of Afghanistan.

Tuesday 12 November 2019

BRICS trade ministers meeting began in Brasilia

BRICS trade ministers meeting began in Brasilia

Ahead of upcoming BRICS 2019 summit, BRICS trade ministers meeting has started in Brasilia.

The meeting will focus on trade facilitation, investment promotion and cooperation in customs among other issues.

Getting through comparative advantages of all the BRICS countries to develop upon shared prosperity in the present global economic situation will be the focus.

MoU on trade and investment promotion between agencies of all the 5 BRICS countries will be signed after the meeting.

the meeting of BRICS power ministers where deliberations will focus on clean energy and harnessing the strengths of each other in the energy sector will be organized later

Monday 11 November 2019

abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference.

abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference.

ADIPEC 2019 will be held on 11-14 November at ADNEC in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

The Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) is located in the capital city’s Diplomatic District

The Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC) is one of the world’s most influential events for the oil and gas industry .

 the event hosts more than 2,200 exhibiting companies from 135 countries around the world. Situated at a cross roads of east meets west, ADIPEC is the largest oil and gas exhibition and conference in Asia, Africa, Europe, and the MENA region attracting 145,000+ trade professionals across the world.

Sunday 10 November 2019

Cyclone Bulbul

Cyclone Bulbul

Cyclone Bulbul is a Cyclone near Bangladesh

Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Bulbul is an active tropical cyclone

 Originating from the remnants of Severe Tropical Storm Matmo over the southern Bay of Bengal in early November, Bulbul slowly intensified into a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm.

 It is only the fourth tropical cyclone ever recorded to regenerate over the Andaman Sea, having crossed Southeast Asia overland.

In addition, it is only the second to make it to hurricane strength, the last being in 1960

Saturday 9 November 2019

International Day of Radiology

International Day of Radiology

The International Day of Radiology (IDoR) is an annual event promoting the role of medical imaging in modern healthcare.

It is celebrated on November 8 each year and coincides with the anniversary of the discovery of x-rays.

It was first introduced in 2012, as a joint initiative of the European Society of Radiology (ESR), the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), and the American College of Radiology (ACR).

The International Day of Radiology is acknowledged and celebrated by nearly 200 national, sub-speciality, and related societies around the world.

The theme of 2019 is ‘sports imaging’.

Friday 8 November 2019

Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan re-elected as President of UAE

Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan re-elected as President of UAE

The UAE's Supreme Council of the Union has re-elected Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan as its President for a fourth five-year term, in accordance with the provisions of the UAE Constitution.

President Sheikh Khalifa was first elected President of the UAE by the Supreme Council of the Union on 3rd November, 2004.

Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan is the current President of the United Arab Emirates, the Emir of Abu Dhabi, the Supreme Commander of the Union Defence Force and the chairman of the Supreme Petroleum Council.

The United Arab Emirates is an Arabian Peninsula nation settled mainly along the Persian (Arabian) Gulf. The country is a federation of 7 emirates consisting of Abu Dhabi (which serves as the capital), Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain

Capital: Abu Dhabi
 Currency: United Arab Emirates dirham

Thursday 7 November 2019

19th Council of Ministers Indian Ocean Rim Association meeting in Abu Dhabi

 19th  Council of Ministers  Indian Ocean Rim Association  meeting in Abu Dhabi

The theme is "Promoting a Shared Destiny and Path to Prosperity in the Indian Ocean."

During this week’s ministerial meeting, the United Arab Emirates will take over from South Africa as IORA Chairman, for a two year period running to 2021. Founded in 1997, the Association, whose headquarters are in Mauritius, is an inter-governmental organisation with 22 member states as well as nine dialogue partners.

These partners are countries situated outside the region but who have interests within it. It seeks to promote sustained growth and balanced development within the region.

Wednesday 6 November 2019

Excess amount of lead found in water supply of major cities in Canada

Excess amount of lead found in water supply of major cities in Canada

In Canada, an investigation has found the excess amount of lead in the water supply of major cities.

Out of 12,000 samples taken from 2014 to 2018, one third exceeded the national safety guideline of 5 parts per billion.

The biggest source of lead in Canada's drinking water is antiquated pipes and public service lines that connect people's homes to the main water supply.

Lead contamination has been linked with low IQ in children, hypertension and heart disease.

Tuesday 5 November 2019

US formally notifies UN about its withdrawal from Paris Climate Accord

US formally notifies UN about its withdrawal from Paris Climate Accord

The US has formally notified the United Nations that it was withdrawing from the Paris climate accord.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced the withdrawal, saying the agreement had imposed what he called an unfair economic burden on the US.

notification begins a one-year process of exiting the global climate change accord, culminating the day after the 2020 US election.

The agreement brought together 188 nations to combat climate change.

It committed them to keeping rising global temperatures below 2 Celsius above pre-industrial levels and attempting to limit them even more, to a 1.5 Celsius rise.

The US contributes about 15 per cent of global emissions of carbon.

Last year, announcing his decision to withdraw from the Paris accord, President Trump said he would exit or re-negotiate any deal which fails to serve America's interests.

Monday 4 November 2019

14th East Asia and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)

14th East Asia and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) summit was held in Bangkok .

The East Asia Summit (EAS) is a unique leader led platform of the Asia-Pacific where they hold discussions on various development aspects in the region.

The agenda for the today’s East Asia Summit is to review the future direction of EAS cooperation and exchange views on regional and international issues.

On the other hand, RCEP is a comprehensive free trade agreement being negotiated between ASEAN nations and ASEAN’s free trade agreement partners that include India and China among others.

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is a proposed free trade agreement (FTA) between the ten member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam) and its six FTA partners (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand).

Sunday 3 November 2019

Maisnam Meiraba Luwang wins boys' singles U-19 title

Maisnam Meiraba Luwang wins boys' singles U-19 title

Maisnam Meiraba Luwang clinched the boys' singles U-19 title at the Woncheon Yonex Korea Junior Open Badminton International Challenge 2019 in Miryang, Korea on Friday.

The top seed from Manipur needed just 36 minutes to brush aside the challenge of 15th seed Lee Hak Joo of Korea in a 21-10 21-13 win.

eighth seed, Sathish Kumar Karunakaran, who had bowed out to Luwang 16-21, 22-24 in the semi-final yesterday claimed bronze in the same category.

It is the 16-year-old Luwang's third international title this year following his triumphs at the Russian Junior White Nights 2019 and India Junior International 2019.

Saturday 2 November 2019

Indian women's team wins ACC Emerging Asia Cup

Indian women's team wins ACC Emerging Asia Cup

India claimed the Women’s Emerging Asia Cup 2019 after beating host Sri Lanka by 14 runs under the Duckworth/Lewis method.

India A posted 175/9 in 50 overs

India won the Emerging Asia Cup 2019 title at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka

Friday 1 November 2019

35th ASEAN Summit begins in Bangkok

35th ASEAN Summit begins in Bangkok

The 35th ASEAN Summit began today in Bangkok.

The summit will continue till November 4.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a group of ten member countries that encourages political,economic and social co-operation in the region.

Advancing Partnership for sustainability is the theme of the summit.

During five days summit East Asia summit (EAS)  and Regional Comprehensive Economic Summit ( RCEP)  will be also  held.

Apart from leaders of 10 Asean countries head of  Eight dialogue partner countries including India, USA China, Japan , republic of Korea , Australia and  New Zealand are also participating in the summit.

The summit would  discuss comprehensive and sustainable ASEAN economic development and s on negotiations related to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) including market opening.

The RCEP is a proposed free trade agreement( FTA) between the ten members state of ASEAN and its parter countries.The summit is likely to discuss security and cyber crime.

Thursday 31 October 2019

Sharjah International Book Fair 2019

Sharjah International Book Fair 2019

The 38th edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) 2019 was inaugurated

Nearly 1800 exhibitors from 77 countries are participating in the Fair.

The fair will showcase 987 activities presenting scientific, knowledge and literary themes.

this year's book fair will be carrying the theme of the Sharjah World Book Capital (SWBC), 'Open Books Open Minds', to promote books and reading across age groups and communities.

Republic of Mexico has been declared as the Guest of Honour at the  38th edition of SIBF.

Sharjah International Book Fair is an annual event and runs for 11 days.

Wednesday 30 October 2019

Sri Lankan Cabinet approved MCC grant of 480 million from US

Sri Lankan Cabinet approved MCC grant of 480 million from US

Sri Lankan Cabinet has approved the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) grant of 480 million US dollars from the US Government.

MCC consists of grant funds for traffic management in Colombo, road construction island-wide and land administration improvements covering the whole country.

Sri Lanka is the 37th recipient of such grant funds from the people of the United States of America.


Tuesday 29 October 2019

International Animation Day

International Animation Day

October 28, the International Animation Day (IAD) was an international observance proclaimed in 2002 by the ASIFA as the main global event to celebrate the art of animation.

This day commemorates the first public performance of Charles-Émile Reynaud's Théâtre Optique at the Grevin Museum in Paris, 1892.

 IAD was initiated by ASIFA

The 2019 IAD poster was  created by Giannis Koutsouris

Sunday 27 October 2019

Mokgweetsi eric keabetswe masisi elected as President of the Republic of Botswana

Mokgweetsi eric keabetswe masisi elected as President of the Republic of Botswana

The ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) has won the general election after securing 29 national assembly seats, representing 51 percent of the vote

Botswana voted on Wednesday to elect 57 national assembly and 490 local government representatives, with the candidate of the winning party set to become president.

Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi is the fifth and current President of Botswana, serving since 2018. He has also served as Minister of Education since 2014, and previously he was Minister of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration from 2011 to 2014. He was first elected to Parliament in 2009

Botswana, a landlocked country in Southern Africa, has a landscape defined by the Kalahari Desert and the Okavango Delta, which becomes a lush animal habitat during the seasonal floods.

Capital: Gaborone

Currency: Botswana pula

Saturday 26 October 2019

18th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement

18th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement

As many as two dozen heads of state and governments have arrived in Baku on Thursday, the capital of Azerbaijan, to attend a two-day Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) summit.

The 18th forum of the 120-member group covering 55% of the world's population is expected to discuss responses to contemporary challenges around the world,

Since becoming a NAM member in May 2011, Azerbaijan is hosting the summit for the first time.

NAM summit is held every three years since its inception in 1961 at Belgrade under the leadership of India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru along with Josip Broz Tito of Yugoslavia, Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt, Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, and Sukarno of Indonesia.

They were committed to keeping their foreign policy non-aligned and not participating in military and political blocs.

They also stressed the need for peaceful coexistence based on the principles of independence and equality.

Friday 25 October 2019

China to host the inaugural edition of expanded 24-team Club World Cup

China to host the inaugural edition of expanded 24-team Club World Cup

China will host the inaugural edition of the expanded 24-team Club World Cup.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino made the announcement after a meeting in Shanghai of the FIFA Council, the decision-making unit of football's world governing body.

Calling it a historic decision, he said, the FIFA Council has decided, unanimously, to appoint China as the host of the new FIFA World Cup for Clubs.

current Club World Cup features seven teams including the holders of the UEFA Champions League. Qatar will host the competition this year and in 2020.

Tuesday 22 October 2019

Lebanon Cabinet approved economic reforms

Lebanon Cabinet approved economic reforms

The Lebanon Cabinet approved economic reforms

Lebanon's 30-member Cabinet also approved halving of ministerial wages

 there is to be a 50 per cent decrease in salaries of all current and former presidents, lawmakers and ministers.

key measures bring in no new taxes or fees on citizens or public sector employees.


Monday 21 October 2019

World Osteoporosis Day

World Osteoporosis Day

World Osteoporosis Day is observed annually on October 20th, and launches a year-long campaign dedicated to raising global awareness of the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis and metabolic bone disease.

Organized by the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF), the World Osteoporosis Day campaign is accompanied by community events and local campaigns by national osteoporosis patient societies from around the world with activities in over 90 countries

World Osteoporosis Day was launched on October 20th 1996 by the United Kingdom’s National Osteoporosis Society and supported by the European Commission.

Since 1997, the awareness day  has been organised by the International Osteoporosis Foundation.

In 1998 and 1999, the World Health Organization acted as co-sponsor of World Osteoporosis Day.

Sunday 20 October 2019

British Parliament voted against Brexit

British Parliament voted against Brexit

The Prime Minister Boris Johnson will now have to ask the European Union (EU) for an extension to that deadline after Member of Parliaments backed a motion designed to rule out a no-deal exit by 322 votes to 306.

 Prime Minister Boris Johnson  will bring in legislation tomorrow to implement the deal he struck with Brussels this week.

 MPs could also be given another vote on the deal tomorrow if Commons Speaker John Bercow allows it.

Saturday 19 October 2019

IMF Members agree to double pool of money to aid distressed countries

IMF Members agree to double pool of money to aid distressed countries

Global Finance Ministers agreed to double a key pool of money that the International Monetary Fund can use to aid distressed countries but again put off giving more votes to major emerging economies.

The IMF has been working to restructure its voting shares to give more weight to growing economies like China, India and Brazil but some traditional powers have resisted since they stand to lose influence in the institution.

The Washington-based lender, founded in the wake of World War II, has traditionally been controlled by the United States and western European countries.

 But major developing economies, which account for a growing share of global GDP, warn that without a shift of the power structure the IMF risks losing legitimacy and the ability to influence economic policies.

But the IMF's governing body did agree to a plan to shore up the crisis lender's resources, doubling to 500 billion dollars a temporary fund provided by 40 of the fund's 189 members.

The IMF gets most of its resources through member quotas but since the review was pushed back it will rely on the special fund, known as the New Arrangements to Borrow, NAB, to ensure it has sufficient resources to ward off a new crisis. The NAB was rolled back following the global financial crisis and the current iteration was approved for five years through November 2022.


Friday 18 October 2019

EU and UK reach an agreement on Brexit deal

EU and UK reach an agreement on Brexit deal

Negotiators from the European Union and the UK have reached an agreement on a Brexit deal before a meeting of European leaders in Brussels.

British lawmakers voted narrowly in favour of holding the first Parliamentary Session on a Saturday in 37 years, to debate the government's new Brexit deal.

Members of the lower chamber House of Commons voted 287 to 275 in favour.

It would only be Parliament's fifth Saturday session since the eve of World War II.

The two sides have been working on the legal text of a deal, but it will still need the approval of both the UK and European Parliaments.

Britain is due to leave the European Union by 31st of October

Thursday 17 October 2019

Global Handwashing Day

Global Handwashing Day

Global Handwashing Day is an international handwashing promotion campaign to motivate and mobilize people around the world to improve their handwashing habits.

Washing hands at critical points during the day and washing with soap are both important.

 The theme for the year 2019 is “Clean Hands For All”.

Global Handwashing Day occurs on 15 October of each year.

 

Wednesday 16 October 2019

ICC changed super over rule for all its major events

ICC changed super over rule for all its major events

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has changed the super over rule for all its major events following the uproar over the outcome of the men's World Cup final this year when England were declared winners against New Zealand on boundary count.

As per new rule, in case of a super over tie there will be a repeated super over until one team has more runs than the other.

In July this year, England won their first-ever World Cup title. In the final, winner was not decided after the 50-over and super over action, both of which were tied.

In the end, England were announced as the winner as they had hit more boundaries, 26, as compared to New Zealand's 17 boundaries in the match.

Tuesday 15 October 2019

Nobel prize For Economics

Nobel prize For Economics

 Abhijit Banerjee and Esther Duflo of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Michael Kremer of Harvard University.

This is only the second time a woman has bagged the prestigious award, popularly called the Economics Nobel, and it is a first for a husband-wife duo to win in this discipline   Mr. Banerjee is married to Ms. Duflo

The 2019 Nobel Prize for Economics has been jointly won by Indian-American Abhijit Banerjee, his wife, Esther Duflo, and Michael Kremer of the United States for their experimental approach to alleviating global poverty.

 58-year-old Abhijit Vinayak Banerjee was educated at the University of Calcutta, Jawaharlal Nehru University and Harvard University, where he received his PhD in 1988. He is currently the Ford Foundation International Professor of Economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In 2003 he founded the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL), along with Esther Duflo and Sendhil Mullainathan, and he remains one of the lab’s directors.

Banerjee is a past president of the Bureau for the Research in the Economic Analysis of Development, a Research Associate of the NBER, a CEPR research fellow, International Research Fellow of the Kiel Institute, a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the Econometric Society, and has been a Guggenheim Fellow and an Alfred P. Sloan Fellow and a winner of the Infosys Prize.

Michael Robert Kremer is an American development economist who is the Gates Professor of Developing Societies at Harvard University

Monday 14 October 2019

three day long Indo-Bangla Baul Music Festival concluded

three day long Indo-Bangla Baul Music Festival concluded

A three day long festival of Baul songs named Indo-Bangla Baul Music Festival ended last evening with performances by Bauls from India and Bangladesh.

The program was organised to observe the 129th death anniversary of Baul saint Fakir Lalon Shah.

More than 25 Bauls performed during the program.

the festival lays emphasis on the liberal and secular values of the region and the message of humanistic philosophy.

The programme organised by the Lalon Biswasangha was supported by the Indian High Commission.

Sunday 13 October 2019

Japan affected by biggest typhoon 'Hagibis ' in 60 years

Japan affected by biggest typhoon 'Hagibis ' in 60 years

Japan,  endures what could be its worst storm for 60 years.

The eye of Typhoon Hagibis made landfall shortly before 19:00 local time in Izu Peninsula, southwest of Tokyo.

More than seven million people have been urged to leave their homes amid severe flood and landslide warnings.

Train services have been halted, and more than a thousand flights grounded.

 Two Rugby World Cup games scheduled for Saturday have been cancelled.

 Formula 1 has also cancelled Saturday's Japanese Grand Prix.

Japan's Meteorological Agency has warned half a metre of rain could fall on the Tokyo area between midday on Saturday and Sunday.

It could be the strongest storm the country has faced since Kanogawa Typhoon in 1958, which left more than 1,200 people dead or missing.


Saturday 12 October 2019

World Obesity Day

World Obesity Day

World Obesity Day is observed globally on 11 October with the view of promoting practical solutions to end the global obesity crisis.

 It is organised by the World Obesity Federation, a non-profit body which is in official relations with the World Health Organization
and is a collaborating body on the Lancet Commission on Obesity.

World Obesity states that its aim is to lead and drive global efforts to reduce, prevent and treat obesity.

The first World Obesity Day took place in 2015.

Friday 11 October 2019

Poland’s Olga Tokarczuk, Austria’s Peter Handke win Literature Nobels for 2018 and 2019

Poland’s Olga Tokarczuk, Austria’s Peter Handke win Literature Nobels for 2018 and 2019

Polish novelist Olga Tokarczuk and Austrian author Peter Handke,  won the 2018 and 2019 Nobel Prizes for literature on Thursday.

The rare double announcement came after no literature prize was awarded last year

Both winners will receive a full cash prize, valued this year at 9-million kronor ($918,000), a gold medal and a diploma.

Ms. Tokarczuk won the Booker International Prize in 2018 for 'Flights'.

She is only the 15th woman to win the Nobel literature prize in more than a century. Of the 11 Nobels awarded so far this week, all the other laureates have been men.

Thursday 10 October 2019

World Mental Health Day

World Mental Health Day

World Mental Health Day (10 October) is a day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy against social stigma.

It was first celebrated in 1992 at the initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health, a global mental health organization with members and contacts in more than 150 countries.

This day, each October, thousands of supporters come to celebrate this annual awareness program to bring attention to mental illness and its major effects on peoples' life worldwide.

 In some countries this day is part of an awareness week, such as Mental Health Week in Australia

Theme 2019     Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention

Wednesday 9 October 2019

Nobel prize in physics awarded for discoveries in cosmology

Nobel prize in physics awarded for discoveries in cosmology

Nobel Prize 2019 for Physics has been announced. Three scientists, James Peebles, Michel Mayor and Didier Queloz have won the Prize for their contribution to the understanding of the evolution of the universe and earth's place in the cosmos.

One half of the award was given to James Peebles for theoretical discoveries in physical cosmology and the other half jointly to Michel Mayor and Didier Queloz for the discovery of an exoplanet orbiting a solar-type star.

They will share a 9-million kronor cash award, a gold medal and a diploma. The laureates will receive them at a ceremony in Stockholm on December 10.

Tuesday 8 October 2019

World Habitat Day

World Habitat Day 

'The United Nations designated the first Monday of October of every year as World Habitat Day to reflect on the state of our towns and cities, and on the basic right of all to adequate shelter.

 In 1985 United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) declared the first Monday of October as World Habitat Day through Resolution 40/202. It was first celebrated in 1986.


The Day is also intended to remind the world that we all have the power and the responsibility to shape the future of our cities and towns.

Theme     2019     Frontier Technologies as an innovative Tool to Transform Waste into Wealth

Monday 7 October 2019

Novak Djokovic won Japan Open title

Novak Djokovic won Japan Open title

World number one Novak Djokovic won the Japan Open tennis title today defeating Australian John Millman 6-3, 6-2 in straight sets.

Djokovic, played in his first Japanese competition at the Ariake Colosseum at Tokyo

The Japan Open is a men's tennis tournament held in Ariake Tennis Forest Park with its center court Ariake Coliseum, located in Koto, Tokyo, Japan

 Held since 1973, the championship includes men's singles and doubles competitions.

the Japan Open was known as the Tokyo Outdoor Grand Prix and was part of the Grand Prix tennis tour between 1973 and 1989.
Contents

Novak Djokovic is a Serbian professional tennis player who is currently ranked world No. 1 in men's singles tennis by the Association of Tennis Professionals 

Sunday 6 October 2019

World Teacher's Day

World Teacher's Day

World Teachers' Day, also known as International Teachers Day, is an international day held annually on October 5.

Established in 1994, it commemorates the signing of the 1966 UNESCO/ILO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers  which is a standard-setting instrument that addresses the status and situations of teachers around the world.

This recommendation outlines standards relating to education personnel policy, recruitment, and initial training as well as the continuing education of teachers, their employment, and working conditions

World Teachers' Day aims to focus on "appreciating, assessing and improving the educators of the world" and to provide an opportunity to consider issues related to teachers and teaching.

The theme of this day for 2019 is Young Teachers: The Future of the Profession.

Saturday 5 October 2019

World Space Week

World Space Week

World Space Week is an annual holiday observed from 4 to 10 October in various parts of the world, including Europe and Asia.

World Space Week is officially defined as "an international celebration of science and technology, and their contribution to the betterment of the human condition".

 The week commemorates the launch of the first artificial satellite, Sputnik I on October 4, 1957, and its entry into force, on 10 October 1967.

The theme for the year 2019 is “The Moon: Gateway to the Stars”, celebrating the 50th anniversary of humankind’s first step on the Moon on 20 July 1969.

Friday 4 October 2019

World Women's Boxing Championship

 World Women's Boxing Championship

The World Women's Boxing Championship will begin at Ulan Ude in Russia .

The best female boxers in the world will compete in the 11th edition of the championships, the most prestigious boxing titles in the word.

 India will play with a ten-member squad comprising experienced and young boxers.

Six-time champion M C Mary Kom will start as a strong medal contender for India yet again in 51 kilogram category.

Spotlight will also be on former champion and Mary Kom's contemporary L Sarita Devi in 60 kilogram category.


Thursday 3 October 2019

Japan’s Kento Momota won Korea Open

Japan’s Kento Momota won Korea Open

Top-ranked Kento Momota of Japan clinched the men’s singles title at the Korea Open badminton tournament with a win over No 2 Chou Tienchen of Taiwan.

The 25-year-old downed Chou 21-19, 21-17 in a final that lasted 53 minutes.

 In the women’s final, China’s He Bingjiao defeated Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand 18-21, 24-22, 21-17.

South Korea dominated the women’s doubles, with Kim So-yeong and Kong Hee-yong beating compatriots Lee So-hee and Shin Seungchan 13-21, 21-19, 21-17.

Indonesian pair Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Rian Ardianto defeated Takeshi Kamura and Keigo Sonoda of Japan 21-16, 21-17 to clinch the men’s doubles title.

Wednesday 2 October 2019

International Day for Older Persons

International Day for Older Persons

The International Day of Older Persons is observed on October 1 each year.

On December 14, 1990 the United Nations General Assembly voted to establish October 1 as the International Day of Older Persons as recorded in Resolution 45/106.

The holiday was observed for the first time on October 1, 1991.

The holiday is celebrated by raising awareness about issues affecting the elderly, such as senescence and elder abuse.

 It is also a day to appreciate the contributions that older people make to society.

Tuesday 1 October 2019

Walk for peace has been organized to mark Gandhiji’s 150th anniversary in Dubai

Walk for peace has been organized to mark Gandhiji’s 150th anniversary in Dubai

Four-Kilometre walk for Peace and Tolerance by people of different nationalities will mark the Gandhi Jayanti celebrations in Dubai.

The programme organized by the Indian Consulate in Dubai along with the local community and the host government will be organized at the Zabeel Park in Dubai.

Gandhi Bhajan and a meditation session will be other activities to mark the 150th Birth Anniversary celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi.

Painting and debate competitions are being organized by the Indian Consulate in various schools of the United Arab Emirates as well.

Later in the week , a cycle rally will be organized in Ajman to commemorate the occasion.

A special exhibition of photographs on, life and principles of Mahatma Gandhi is also being planned during the week in Dubai and other Emirates of the UAE.

Monday 30 September 2019

World Deaf Day

World Deaf Day is celebrated every year in last week (last Sunday of the month of September) of the September to draw the attention of general public, politician and development authorities towards the achievements of the deaf people as well as deaf people community.

Throughout the celebration of the event, all the deaf people organization worldwide are encouraged greatly to fulfill the demands and needs of the deaf people as well as increasing their rights all over the world.

The World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) is an international non-governmental organization that acts as a peak body for national associations of Deaf people, with a focus on Deaf people who use sign language and their family and friends.

World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) headquartered in Helsinki, Finland

Sunday 29 September 2019

India-funded school building inaugurated in Nepal

India-funded school building inaugurated in Nepal

In Nepal, a new school building constructed with New Delhi's assistance of 38.60 million Nepali rupees was inaugurated

The three-story building of Kuleshwor Awas Secondary School comprises 20 classrooms, separate sanitation facilities for boys and girls on each floor, an underground water tank, a septic tank and furniture.

The school, established in 1989 by Kuleshwor Awas Pariwar Kalyan Sanstha, is run with community support.

At present, over 800 students are enrolled in the school. Of them, over 50 per cent are girls.




Saturday 28 September 2019

20 countries including India signed agreement to stop spread of fake news online

20 countries including India signed agreement to stop spread of fake news online

Twenty countries, including France, Britain and India, have signed an agreement at the United Nations to stop the spread of fake news on-line.

The signatories, which also included South Africa and Canada, committed to promoting independently reported, diverse and reliable information on the internet under an accord initiated by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), a press freedom watchdog.

the agreement underlined the responsibility of internet providers to promote trustworthy content and pluralism to escape the current information chaos.



Friday 27 September 2019

former french president jacques chirac

former french president jacques chirac

Jacques René Chirac was a French politician who served as President of France and ex officio Co-Prince of Andorra from 1995 to 2007.

Chirac was previously the Prime Minister of France from 1974 to 1976 and from 1986 to 1988, as well as the Mayor of Paris from 1977 to 1995.

Thursday 26 September 2019

Gandhi Solar Park inaugurated at UN headquarters

Gandhi Solar Park inaugurated at UN headquarters

a programme hosted by India in New York where  world leaders inaugurated the Gandhi Solar Park at the UN headquarters and released a commemorative stamp issued by the UN on the occasion of Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary.

The United Nations commemorated 150th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi by planting 150 trees and India erected 195 solar panels on the terrace of UN.

 "Gandhi Solar Park"  has a capacity of a 50 kilowatt

Wednesday 25 September 2019

The Best FIFA Football Awards 2019

The Best FIFA Football Awards 2019 were held on 23 September 2019 at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan, Italy

The Best FIFA Men's Player
Lionel Messi    


The Best FIFA Men's Goalkeeper
Alisson

The Best FIFA Men's Coach
Jürgen Klopp

The Best FIFA Women's Player
Megan Rapinoe

The Best FIFA Women's Goalkeeper
Sari van Veenendaal    

The Best FIFA Women's Coach
Jill Ellis

FIFA Fair Play Award
Marcelo Bielsa and the Leeds United squad

FIFA Puskás Award
Dániel Zsóri

FIFA Fan Award
Silvia Grecco


FIFA FIFPro Men's World11
Goalkeeper
Brazil Alisson     England Liverpool
Defenders
Spain Sergio Ramos     Spain Real Madrid
Netherlands Matthijs de Ligt Netherlands Ajax    Italy Juventus
Netherlands Virgil van Dijk     England Liverpool
Brazil Marcelo     Spain Real Madrid

Midfielders
Belgium Eden Hazard     England Chelsea    Spain Real Madrid
Netherlands Frenkie de Jong     Netherlands Ajax    Spain Barcelona
Croatia Luka Modrić     Spain Real Madrid

Forwards
Argentina Lionel Messi     Spain Barcelona
Portugal Cristiano Ronaldo     Italy Juventus
France Kylian Mbappé     France Paris Saint-Germain

FIFA FIFPro Women's World11

Goalkeeper
Netherlands Sari van Veenendaal England Arsenal    Spain Atlético Madrid

Defenders
England Lucy Bronze     France Lyon
France Wendie Renard     France Lyon
Sweden Nilla Fischer     Germany VfL Wolfsburg    Sweden Linköpings FC
United States Kelley O'Hara     United States Utah Royals FC

Midfielders
France Amandine Henry     France Lyon
United States Julie Ertz     United States Chicago Red Stars
United States Rose Lavelle     United States Washington Spirit

Forwards
Brazil Marta     United States Orlando Pride
United States Alex Morgan     United States Orlando Pride
United States Megan Rapinoe     United States Reign FC

Tuesday 24 September 2019

International Day of Sign Languages

International Day of Sign Languages

International Day of Sign Languages (IDSL) is celebrated annually across the world on 23 September every year along with International Week of the Deaf.

The objective of the day is to raise awareness of the importance of sign language in the full realization of the human rights of people who are deaf.

The choice of 23 September is the same date that the World Federation of the Deaf was established in 1951.

 The theme of this day for 2019 is “Sign Language Rights for All”.

Sign languages are fully-fledged natural languages, structurally distinct from the spoken languages.

Monday 23 September 2019

World Rose Day

World Rose Day

World Rose Day is observed in the memory of 12-year-old Melinda Rose from Canada who was diagnosed with Askin's Tumour, a rare form of blood cancer.

September 22 is observed as World Rose Day, for bringing happiness in the lives of people around the world who are fighting with cancer.

It's also a day to spread awareness about the disease.

On World Rose Day, hand-made roses, cards and gifts are offered to cancer patients.

Special events are organised to give strength to those suffering from cancer. 

Rose, a symbol of love, tenderness and concern, is offered to cancer patients to give them strength as they face the cancer battle.

Sunday 22 September 2019

International Day of Peace

The International Day of Peace, sometimes unofficially known as World Peace Day, is a United Nations-sanctioned holiday observed annually on 21 September.

It is dedicated to world peace, and specifically the absence of war and violence, such as might be occasioned by a temporary ceasefire in a combat zone for humanitarian aid access.

The day was first celebrated in 1981, and is kept by many nations, political groups, military groups, and people.

The theme  2019 is ‘Climate Action for Peace’.

 The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future.

there are 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are an urgent call for action by all countries - developed and developing - in a global partnership

Saturday 21 September 2019

Hurricane Imelda

Hurricane Imelda

Texas is facing the wrath of Hurricane Imelda which has led to heavy rains & flash floods in its southern parts on Thursday.

Jefferson county received a maximum rainfall of 43.15 inches

Texas governor declares state of disaster for flooding in 13 counties that are currently experiencing widespread flooding due to tropical storm Imelda

Tropical storm Imelda made landfall near Freeport along southeastern coastal Texas, about 100 km south of downtown Houston, Tuesday afternoon.

Thursday 19 September 2019

official mascot for Beijing Winter Olympics and Paralympics 2022 revealed

 official mascot for Beijing Winter Olympics and Paralympics 2022 revealed

An animated giant panda named "Bing Dwen Dwen" and a red lantern baby called "Shuey Rhon Rhon" have been unveiled as the two mascots for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The mascots, revealed on Tuesday night at Beijing's Shougang Ice Hockey Arena, are strongly associated with the host nation's culture.

The giant panda, which will be the Olympic mascot, is often regarded as a symbol of China. Its helmet is also indicative of the snow and ice of winter sports.

The name "Bing Dwen Dwen" is a combination of several meanings in the Chinese language, with "Bing" the Chinese word for "ice", and "Dwen Dwen" meaning robust and lively.

The Paralympic mascot choice of the lantern is seen as "symbolic of harvest, warmth and light". In the name "Shuey Rhon Rhon", "Shuey" is the Chinese word for "snow" and "Rhon Rhon" has the duel meaning of tolerance and integration.

the launch sees the end of a submission process which began on August 8, 2018 and saw more than 5,800 design proposals from China and abroad were recieved

Wednesday 18 September 2019

where did SCO exercise “Tsentr (centre) 2019” commenced ?

where did SCO exercise “Tsentr (centre) 2019” commenced ?

Options

1) china

2)South korea

3)russia

4)Japan

answer

2)South korea

Other details


A week-long multinational military exercise ‘TSENTR’ [Centre] 2019 has commenced in Russia’s Donguz under the ambit of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)

All the eight Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states  will be taking part in the exercise.

 




Tuesday 17 September 2019

Bangladesh Prime Minister Hasina receives Dr Kalam Smriti International Excellence Award

Bangladesh Prime Minister Hasina receives Dr Kalam Smriti International Excellence Award

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh was conferred the Dr Kalam Smriti International Excellence Award 2019 in Dhaka today.

 The award has been instituted in the memory of former Indian President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

 The award is given every year to honour statesmen or leaders who have shown excellence in their fields to achieve the best for their countries.

Earlier, the Presidents of the Maldives, Ghana and Mauritius received the prestigious award since its introduction in 2015

Monday 16 September 2019

Who won the FIBA World Cup?

Who won the FIBA World Cup?

Options

1) Spain

2) Argentina

3) China

4)Japan

answer

1) Spain


Other details

The 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup was the 18th tournament of the FIBA Basketball World Cup for men's national basketball teams.

Spain captured their second title after beating Argentina in the final

France went on to win the bronze medal for the second consecutive time after defeating Australia.

The tournament was hosted in China and was rescheduled from 2018 to 2019, becoming the first since 1967 that was not occur in the same year as the FIFA World Cup (which was held the previous year).

The tournament expanded from 24 to 32 teams

The tournament also served as qualification for the 2020 Summer Olympics.

The defending champions were the United States,



Sunday 15 September 2019

who won the U-19 Asia Cup cricket title?

who won the U-19 Asia Cup cricket title?

Options

1) Bangladesh

2)India

3)Sri lanka

4)nepal

answer

2)India

Other details

India won the Under-19 Asia Cup title, with a five-run win over Bangladesh in the final at Colombo, Sri lanka .

Defending a total of 106, India dismissed Bangladesh for 101 in 33 overs.

Atharva Ankolekar,  took  5 for 28 from 8 overs

 

Saturday 14 September 2019

where will 2020 Women's U-17 World Cup be organised?

where will 2020 Women's U-17 World Cup be organized?

Options

1) Nepal

2)Bhutan

3)India

4)Sri lanka

answer


2)Bhutan


Other details

The FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, to be hosted by India, will be held from 2nd to 21st November next year.

The event of the FIFA will be held in four cities across the country.

 Last month, the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar has been provisionally confirmed as a venue, pending FIFA approval.

Kolkata, Navi Mumbai, Panaji and Ahmedabad are in the running for the other three host cities.

India was announced as the host country in March this year.

Spain are the defending champions, having won the title of the biennial tournament in 2018.

As India has got an automatic qualification as hosts, it is not entering the Asian qualification campaign in the AFC U-16 Women's Championship which will be held in Thailand from 15th to 28th of this month

 

Wednesday 11 September 2019

76th Venice International Film Festival Awards

76th Venice International Film Festival Awards

    Golden Lion: Joker, by Todd Phillips
    Grand Jury Prize: An Officer and a Spy, by Roman Polanski
    Silver Lion: Roy Andersson for About Endlessness
    Volpi Cup for Best Actress: Ariane Ascaride for Gloria Mundi
    Volpi Cup for Best Actor: Luca Marinelli for Martin Eden
    Best Screenplay Award: No.7 Cherry Lane, by Yonfan
    Special Jury Prize: The Mafia Is No Longer What It Used to Be, by Franco Maresco
    Marcello Mastroianni Award: Toby Wallace, Babyteeth



    Best Film: Atlantis by Valentyn Vasyanovych
    Best Director: Théo Court for White on White
    Special Jury Prize: Verdict by Raymund Ribas Gutierrez
    Best Actress: Marta Nieto for Madre
    Best Actor: Sami Bouajila for Bik eneich - Un fils
    Best Screenplay: Revenir by Jessica Palud
    Horizons Prize for Best Short: Darling by Sam Sadiq

Lion of the Future

    Luigi De Laurentiis Award for a Debut Film: You Will Die at 20 by Amjad Abu Alala

Venezia Classici Awards

    Best Documentary on Cinema: Babenco: Tell Me When I Die
    Best Restored Film: Ecstasy (1933)

Special Awards

    Golden Lion For Lifetime Achievement: Pedro Almodóvar and Julie Andrews

Autonomous sections

The following collateral awards were conferred to films of the autonomous sections:

Venice Days

    SIAE Award: Marco Bellocchio for The Traitor

Tuesday 10 September 2019

where was innovation exhibition organized?

where was innovation exhibition organized?

Options

1) Hongkong

2)Singapore

3)Beijing

4)Tokyo

answer

2)Singapore


Other details

 innovation exhibition is being organized  in Singapore

around 60 startups from India are participating.

Monday 9 September 2019

Where is 24th World Energy Congress being organized?

Where is 24th World Energy Congress being organized?

Options

1) Abu Dhabi

2)dubai

3)riyadh

4)doha

answer

1) Abu Dhabi

Other details

The 24th World Energy Congress will commence today in Abu Dhabi'

Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the President of the United Arab Emirates.

The four-day World Energy Congress aims to bring together international energy stakeholders, including governments, private and state corporations, academia and media.

With over 15,000 participants expected, the Congress is set to welcome over 250 high-level speakers, 72 Ministers, 500 CEOs, 1000 media persons with 40,000 square-metre exhibition space that will cover the entire energy spectrum.

 

Sunday 8 September 2019

who won the US Open women's singles title?

who won the US Open women's singles title?

Options

1) Elina Svitolina

2)Bianca Andreescu

3)Serena Williams

4)Belinda Bencic

answer

2)Bianca Andreescu

other details

Canadian teenager Bianca Andreescu stunned Serena Williams 6-3, 7-5 to grab the US Open 2019 women's singles title.

The 19-year-old Andreescu becomes the first Canadian singles player to win a Grand Slam event. With the victory, Andreescu also jumps into the top 10 in the WTA rankings.

The 19-year-old teen is also the first woman to win the trophy at Flushing Meadows in her tournament debut in the Open era.

After open era, which began in 1968, professionals were allowed to participate in the majors

Naomi Osaka was the defending champion,

Andreescu was the youngest person since Svetlana Kuznetsova in the 2004 US Open to win a Grand Slam title

Serena Williams, has lost each of her last four Grand Slam finals, all with a chance to tie Margaret Court's record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles.

Thursday 5 September 2019

US imposed sanctions on shipping network of which country?

US imposed sanctions on shipping network of which country?

Options

1) russia

2)Iran

3)China

4)North Korea

answer

2)Iran


Other details

The United States has imposed sanctions on a shipping network,    run by Iran.

The sanctions were announced  on 16 entities, 10 people and 11 vessels by US 

Wednesday 4 September 2019

Where was UNICEF South Asian Parliamentarian conference held?

Where was UNICEF South Asian Parliamentarian conference held?

options

1) bhutan

2)nepal

3)Sri Lanka

4)bangladesh

answer

3)Sri Lanka


Other details

UNICEF South Asian Parliamentarian conference was hel d in Colombo

The event in Colombo was organized by Sri Lankan Parliament together with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to celebrate the 30-year anniversary of the convention of the rights of the child 

Tuesday 3 September 2019

when is International Primate Day celebrated?

when is International Primate Day celebrated?

Options

1) September 2

2)September 3

3)September 1

4)September 4

answer


3)September 1


Other details

International Primate Day, September 1, is an annual educational observance event organized since 2005

Primates are a very large family of about 200 species, include monkeys, bonobos, lemurs, orangutans, 

 Statements on  'Great Apes' which focus largely or entirely on apes would not include all primates.

70+% of Asia’s primates are threatened with extinction
 

Monday 2 September 2019

where was fourth South Asian Speakers’ summit organized?

where was fourth South Asian Speakers’ summit organized?

Options

1) sri lanka

2)bhutan

3)Maldives

4)nepal

answer

3)Maldives


Other details

 the fourth South Asian Speakers’ summit began in the Maldives capital, Male.

 The two-day Speakers' meeting being hosted at the Majlis building in Malé, focuses on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals

The agenda of Summit includes panel discussions on equal pay, youth employment, nutrition, food security and delivering the Paris agreement on climate change.

The summit is due to end with the adoption of the Malé Declaration, with a summary of conclusions and recommendations.

Sunday 1 September 2019

Jurgen Stock is Secretary-General of which organization?

Jurgen Stock is Secretary-General of which organization?

Options

1) FBI

2)CIA

3)INTERPOL

4)Scotland yard

answer

3)INTERPOL


Other details

The International Criminal Police Organization, more commonly known as INTERPOL, is an international organization that facilitates worldwide police cooperation and crime control

Jürgen Stock is a German law enforcement officer and academic. He has served as Secretary General of Interpol since 7 November 2014

Headquarters: Lyon, France
Governing body: INTERPOL General Assembly
Agency executives:
Kim Jong Yang, President;
Alexander Prokopchuk, Vice President;
Jürgen Stock, Secretary General

Saturday 31 August 2019

when is International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances observed?

when is International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances observed?

Options

1) August 30

2)August 29

3)August 28

4)August 27

answer

 1) August 30


Other details

The International Day of the Disappeared, on August 30 of each year, is a day created to draw attention to the fate of individuals imprisoned at places and under poor conditions unknown to their relatives and/or legal representatives.

 It is estimated that secret imprisonment is practiced in about 30 countries

 The International Day of the Disappeared is an opportunity to highlight these institutions' work, increase public awareness, and to call for donations and volunteers. 



Friday 30 August 2019

which govt presented bill to shrink country's parliament by 25 %?

 which govt presented bill to shrink country's parliament by 25 %?

options

1) France

2)Germany

3)Spain

4)italy

answer

1) France


Other details

In France, President Emmanuel Macron's government moves a bill to shrink the country's parliament by 25 per cent as part of an overhaul of country's institutions.

The government introduced a draft law today that would reduce the number of seats in the lower house of parliament, the National Assembly, from 577 to 433.

The Senate would go from 348 to 261 members.

The bill also allows for 20 per cent of seats to be based on party lists instead of individual candidates.