Today Current Affairs for Competitive Exams - Current Affairs 2019-2020 Online
If you are appearing for any Government Recruitment Exam, it is important that you are familiar with the happenings around the world. Current Affairs is an important part of your syllabus apart from English, Quantitative Aptitude or Logical Reasoning! Thus, we bring you the Important General Awareness in PDF. Now, Banking, SSC and Insurance aspirants can read the update containing all the Important Current Affairs 15th April 2019. You can also attempt yesterday's current affairs quiz:
Current Affairs Quiz – 14th April 2019
Important Current Affairs 15th April 2019
• Major decline in India's steel export o India's steel export to the US in 2018 declined by 49% to USD 372 million, while that of aluminum increased b y 58% to USD 221 million. o The date was given by the independent Congressional Research Service (CRS) report. o In 2018, the US imports of steel and aluminum products totalled USD 29.5 billion and USD 17.6 billion respectively.
Source Link: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/foreign-trade/major-decline-in- indias-steel-export-to-us-increase-in-aluminum-report/articleshow/68883316.cms
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• India to partner with Japan and UAE o India is joining hands with Japan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to implement two projects in Africa. o India will build a cancer hospital in Kenya in collaboration with Japan. o It will partner with the UAE to set up an information and communications technology (ICT) centre in Ethiopia.
Source Link: https://www.livemint.com/news/india/india-to-partner-with-japan-and-uae-to-set-up- two-projects-in-africa-1555261449239.html
• Medical devices to get CDSCO certification o All imported, as well as locally manufactured medical devices sold in India will soon be required to clear specific safety and quality standards. o The move is aimed at preventing fiascos such as the one involving Johnson and Johnson hip implants. o The import, manufacture, and sale of all medical devices will need to be certified by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).
Source Link: https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/govt-makes-it-mandatory-for-all-medical- devices-to-get-cdsco-certification-1555271040953.html
• New Urea Policy 2015 extended o The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved to extend the duration of New Urea Policy 2015 for existing gas-based urea unit from 1 April 2019 until further orders. o The move will facilitate the continuation of operations and regular supply of urea to farmers. o At present, there are 31 urea units in the country of which 28 units are gas- based.
Source Link: https://www.livemint.com/industry/agriculture/ccea-approves-extension-of-new-urea- policy-2015-for-existing-units-1555316163485.html
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• Tech can kill 45 million jobs in 6 years o The Advent of digital technologies will displace up to 45 million jobs by 2025. o Productivity gains through digital technologies will help create up to 65 million new jobs during the same timeframe, as per the McKinsey Global Institute report. o Retraining and redeployment will be essential to help some 10-45 million workers whose jobs could be displaced or transformed
Source Link: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/jobs/technology-can-kill-45-million-jobs- globally-in-the-next-6-years-report/articleshow/68632802.cms
• Additional post of Deputy CAG cleared o The government has decided to create an additional post of Deputy Comptroller and Auditor General, which will oversee coordination of audits of states as well as telecommunication. o The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 15 April 2019. o Expenditure on account of the creation of this post will be about Rs 21 lakh.
Source Link: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/cabinet-clears- additional-post-of-deputy-cag/articleshow/68886703.cms
• Uber to launch IPO o Uber revealed the paperwork for its giant IPO. o This paperwork doesn't yet include key details, like how much the company expects to charge for each share of its stock, or how many shares it will sell.
Source Link: https://www.businessinsider.in/Heres-whos-getting-rich-on-Ubers-massive- IPO/articleshow/68841564.cms
• RBI employees not government servants 3 | P a g e
o The Madras High Court observed that the employees of RBI cannot be referred to as 'government servants' while identifying their employment status. o The observation came after an RBI employee, E. Manoj Kumar, moved the High Court seeking the declaration of his result in the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC).
Source Link: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/rbi-employees-arent- government-servants-madras-high-court/articleshow/68883988.cms
• WPI inflation spiked to 3.18% in March o Wholesale price-based inflation rose for the second consecutive month to 3.18% in March on costlier food and fuel, as per a government data. o The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) based inflation was at 2.93% in February. It was 2.74% in March 2018. o Inflation in ‘Fuel and power’ category also spiked to 5.41%, from 2.23% in February.
Source Link: https://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/wpi-inflation-spikes-to-318-in-march-on- costlier-food-fuel/article26841767.ece?homepage=true
• Lewis Hamilton won Formula One's 1,000th race o In motor racing, Lewis Hamilton won the Chinese Grand Prix for a record sixth time on 14 April 2019. o He seized the overall lead from his Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas in Formula One’s 1,000th world championship race. o Valtteri Bottas was second for his team’s third one-two finish in as many races this season. Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel took third place.
Source Link: http://www.newsonair.com/News?title=Motor-racing%3a-Lewis-Hamilton-wins- Formula-One%26%2339%3bs-1%2c000th-race&id=362244
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• Meena Kumari clinched gold in Boxing World Cup o India finished with 5 medals in the Boxing World Cup which concluded at Cologne, Germany on 13 April 2019. o Meena Kumari Maisnam won gold in the 54 kg category. o Sakshi (57 kg) and Pwilao Basumatary (64 kg) settled for the silver. o Pinki Rani (51 kg) and Parveen ( 60 kg) won bronze.
Source Link: http://www.newsonair.com/News?title=Meena-Kumari-Maisnam-clinches-gold-in- Boxing-World-Cup&id=362217
• Tiger Woods clinched his 5th Masters o Golfer Tiger Woods clinched his fifth Masters and a 15th major title. o He finished with a two-under-par 70 to win on 13 under, one clear of fellow Americans Dustin Johnson, Xander Schauffele and Brooks Koepka. o He is just three majors behind the all-time record of Jack Nicklaus.
Source Link: http://www.newsonair.com/News?title=Tiger-Woods-clinches-his-fifth- Masters&id=362256
• Mohd. Ishteyah: New Palestine PM o Palestine’s new PM Mohammed Ishtayeh and his 22-member cabinet took the oath of office a second time, on April 14, 2019. o Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has sworn in a new government led by a long-time ally from his Fatah party on 13 April 2019.
Source Link: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/04/palestinian-president-mahmoud-abbas-swears- government-190413173739450.html
• UAE to host world's foremost AI Summit o UAE is set to host the world’s foremost Artificial Intelligence, AI Summit to empower global dialogue on the future of government, business and society.
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o The inaugural 'AI Everything', will take place at the Dubai World Trade Centre, between 30 April- 1 May 2019. o It will be hosted by the UAE National Programme for Artificial Intelligence.
Source Link: http://www.newsonair.com/News?title=UAE-to-host-world%E2%80%99s-foremost- Artificial-Intelligence-Summit&id=362263
• New year celebrated in 3 states o President Ram Nath Kovind greeted citizens on Vishu, Bohag Bihu, and Naba Barsha. o PM Narendra Modi greeted people on the occasion of Bengali New Year Poela Boisakh, Assamese New Year Bohag Bihu and Malayalam New Year Vishu.
Source Link: http://www.newsonair.com/News?title=Prez-Kovind%2c-PM-Modi-greet-people-on- Vishu%2c-Bohag-Bihu-and-Naba-Barsha&id=362274
• Half Marathon organised by IAF o A Half Marathon was conducted in Delhi on 14 April 19 to mark the 100th birth centenary of the legendary Marshal of the Indian Air Force (MIAF) Arjan Singh. o A total of 800 air warriors from all the Air Force Stations and Units of the IAF in the Delhi NCR participated in the event. o The Half Marathon was flagged off by Air Marshal R Nambiar, from the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium at 0530h.
Source Link: http://www.pib.nic.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1570574
• UNESCO Cano Press Freedom Prize announced o The UNESCO/Guillermo Cano Press Freedom Prize 2019 has been awarded to Reuters reporters Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo. o The prize carries a reward of $25,000 Prize.
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o It recognises the exceptional courage in reporting on alleged human rights violations in Myanmar's state of Rakhine. o The award was established in 1997 and named after Guillermo Cano Isaza
Source Link: https://en.unesco.org/prizes/guillermo-cano
• Unique oil-eating bacteria discovered o At the bottom of the Mariana Trench, the deepest part of the Earth’s oceans, scientists have discovered unique oil-eating bacteria. o But the new research reveals the Mariana Trench is home to the greatest concentration of these life forms anywhere in the world. o The 2,550km long ocean trench is located in the western Pacific Ocean and reaches a maximum depth of about 11,000 metres.
Source Link: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/bacteria-oil-eating-mariana-trench-uea- pollution-a8866911.html
• World's biggest airplane took flight o The largest airplane ever created and its record-breaking 385-foot wingspan took off for the very first time on 13 April 2019. o The aircraft, from the company Stratolaunch, has been eight years in the making. o By 2022, the company hopes to use the twin-fuselage, six-engined, catamaran-style aircraft to launch satellite-bearing rockets into space.
Source Link: https://arstechnica.com/science/2019/04/stratolaunch-the-worlds-biggest-airplane-takes- flight/
• Last female rare turtle species died
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o The only known female member of one of the world’s rarest and most endangered turtle species died on 13 April 2019. It was more than 90 years old. o The female Yangtze giant softshell turtle died at the Suzhou Zoo in Suzhou, China. o The death means only three giant softshell turtles remain in the world.
Source Link: https://www.geek.com/news/last-female-of-worlds-rarest-turtle-species-dies-in-china- zoo-1782952/
• Egypt unveiled 4300 years old Tomb o Egypt unveiled the 4,300-year old tomb of a Fifth Dynasty nobleman adorned with colourful reliefs and well-preserved inscriptions a month after being discovered. o The tomb is located south of Saqqara, a vast necropolis south of Cairo, and belongs to a senior official named Khuwy. o It is mostly made of white limestone bricks and is adorned with ornate paintings.
Source Link: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6921401/Egypt-tomb-unveiled-Saqqa- necropolis-Khaled-al-Enani.html
• Burka and Milaw won Paris Marathon o Ethiopians Abrha Milaw and Gelete Burka won the men and women’s races to end Kenya’s dominance at Paris Marathon on 14 April 2019. o Milaw won it in 2 hours, 07 minutes and 04 seconds. o Clémence Calvin of France settled fourth in a personal best of 2:23:36.
Source Link: http://www.nagalandpost.com/ethiopian-runners-burka-and-milaw-win-paris- marathon/194092.html
• Budenholzer received NBCA Coach of the Year
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o Budenholzer was named the 2019 recipient of the Michael H. Goldberg NBCA Coach of the Year honors. o He, in his first year as head coach of the Bucks, led the franchise to the top record in the entire NBA. o Budenholzer also led the Bucks to their first divisional title since the 2000- 2001 season.
Source Link: https://sports.yahoo.com/nba-peers-name-bucks-mike-budenholzer-as-coach-of-the- year-204728309.html
• Kento Momota won Singapore Open o Japan's Kento Momota won the Singapore Open final 10-21, 21-19, 21-13 on 14 April 2019. o The World champion dug deep to fight back from 16-11 behind in the second game to force a decider. o In the women's final, Tai Tzu-ying claimed her second Singapore Open title with a 21-19, 21-15 victory over Japan's Nozomi Okuhara.
Source Link: https://www.thehindu.com/sport/other-sports/singapore-open-momota-and-tzu-ying-are- champions/article26836322.ece
• Obituaries o Former Shiromani Akali Dal legislator Nand Lal passed away in a hospital in Punjab's Mohali on 14 April 2019 after a prolonged illness. o Actor JK Rithesh, who was last seen essaying the role of an antagonist in the Tamil political satire drama LKG, passed away on 14 April 2019 afternoon.
Source Link: https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/former-punjab-mla-nand-lal- passes-away-119041400336_1.html
• Jean Michel: New PM of Haiti
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o President Jovenel Moise announced that Jean Michel Lapin will be the new Prime Minister of Haiti, a French-speaking Caribbean Community country. o Lapin had been serving as acting prime minister ever since 93 of the 103 members of the Chamber of Deputies voted in favour of removing Prime Minister Jean-Henry Ceant. o The capital of Haiti is Port-au-Prince and Haitian gourde is its currency.
Source Link: https://www.telesurenglish.net/news/Jean-Michel-Lapin-Is-Haitis-New-Prime-Minister- 20190409-0032.html
• Julian Assange arrested in London o Wikileaks co-founder Julian Assange has been arrested at the Ecuadorian embassy in London. o He took refuge in the embassy in 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden over a sexual assault case that has since been dropped. o He will face up to five years in US prison if convicted on the charges of conspiracy to commit computer intrusion.
Source Link: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-47891737
• Anand secured 5th place in chess o Viswanathan Anand secured 5th place in the Shamkir Chess 2019 tournament, Shamkir, Azerbaijan. o He drew with Veselin Topalov in the ninth round to finish fourth with 4.5 points, the same as Alexander Grischuk and Teimour Radjabov. o He was placed fifth in the rankings behind Magnus Carlsen, Ding Liren, Sergey Karjakin, and Grischuk.
Source Link: http://aicf.in/anand-beats-giri-to-reach-2nd-place-in-shamkir-chess/
• Essel World launched bird park o Essel World launched an interactive bird park in Gorai recently.
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o The first-of-its-kind rain forest-themed park spread across 1.4 acres is home to over 500 exotic birds from more than 60 species. o The park is equipped with small ponds for aquatic birds, dense cover of trees for birds to incubate their eggs and a water stream that offers drinking water to birds.
Source Link: https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/essel-world-launches-interactive-bird- park/article26811307.ece
• Apollo Hospitals launched advanced centre o On World Parkinson’s Day, Apollo Hospitals launched an advanced centre for movement disorders. o It will offer medical and surgical treatment for patients affected by various movement disorders including Parkinson’s Disease. o The centre would offer Deep Brain Stimulation surgeries and other services to treat a wide spectrum of diseases such as Parkinson’s Disease, cerebral palsy, and dystonia.
Source Link: https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/apollo-launches-advanced-centre-for- movement-disorders/article26811997.ece
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