Introduction
The article Current Affairs One Liners February 2019 includes One Liners with an explanation, analysis and issues of current events, including political or industrial controversy or public policy issues in the month of February.
Feb 2019
1. Important Days
- National Science Day 2019 is "Science for people and people for science." The day marks important discovery made by scientist CV Raman - the Raman Effect.
- US President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was supposed to build on their historic first summit in Singapore but they failed to bridge their differences and did not sign a joint statement as initially scheduled.
- The Samjhauta Express Train service between Pakistan and India has been suspended until further notice, Dawn NewsTV reported citing railway authorities.
- Tensions between India and Pakistan rose following the February [latex]14^{th}[/latex] terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district in which 40 CRPF soldiers were killed. Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror group claimed responsibility for the attack.
- Pakistan closed its airspace for commercial flights and suspended flight operations across major airports, including in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi, for an indefinite period in the wake of the escalating tensions with India.
- Egyptian capital Cairo after a train crash sparked a fire, Health Minister Hala Zayed said. The Ramses station in Cairo was set ablaze after the train collided with the platform and its fuel tank exploded.
- Nepal tourism minister Rabindra Adhikari killed in helicopter crash. It has been learnt that the tourism minister along with other officials had planned to visit Pathibhara Temple
- Union minister and Shiromani Akali Dal leader Harsimrat Kaur Badal is the sitting MP from Bathinda Lok Sabha constituency in Punjab.
- Qureshi said Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan is ready to talk to Indian PM Narendra Modi over telephone and “extend an invitation of peace”.
- The government sources said, “India is waiting for immediate, credible and verifiable action against terrorists and their proxies.”
- Air Marshal (retd) S Varthaman said in a statement his son talked (in purported videos circulating on social media) like a “true soldier” despite being in captivity
- The National Centre for Disease Control has reported 14,803 confirmed cases across states till February [latex]24^{th}[/latex], with 448 deaths. This is less than half the 1,103 deaths confirmed in all of 2018.
- The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has launched its own payment aggregator system, IRCTC iPay, a step which will help promote government's Digital India initiative.
- KKR already operates two local non-bank financiers — KKR India Financial Services and KKR India Asset Finance — in the country
- At the Inter bank Foreign Exchange (forex) market, the domestic unit opened almost flat at 71.08. It then shuttled between a low of 71.49 and a peak of 70.94, before finally ending at 71.24, showing a loss of 17 paise.
- Kyrgios leveled his head-to-head record with Nadal at 3-3 and will play three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka for a place in the semi-finals.
- Windies 39-year-old opener Chris Gayle has become the first ever batsman to smash 500 sixes in international cricket and the second batsman to slam 300 ODI sixes.
- England smashed 24 sixes in the fourth ODI against Windies to set the world record for hitting most sixes by a team in an ODI.
- Madrid were the better side for at least half of a wild Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu but three goals conceded in 28 chaotic, second-half minutes sent Barca through to the final with a 3-0 victory.
- The National Youth Parliament Festival 2019 awards were given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
- Minister of state in Prime Minister’s office, Dr. Jitendra Singh presented National e-Governance Awards 2019 in New Delhi with a view to recognize and promote excellence in implementation of e-Governance initiatives.
- The Central Zone Power Distribution Company (CZPDC), Bhopal and West Zone Power Distribution Company (WZPDC), Indore were conferred with the “Saubhagya Award”
- National Book Trust (NBT) appointed educationist and authorGovind Prasad Sharma as its new Chairman replacing Baldeo Sharma.
- IDBI Bank (Industrial Development Bank of India) appointed Hemand Bhargava as non-executive non wholetime Chairman for a period of 3 years or till he continues as the chairman-in-charge and MD of LIC (Life Insurance Corporation of India).
- Muhammadu Buhari, who is a member of All Progressive Congress (APC) has defeated Atiku Abubakar with more than three million votes in the election to become the President of Africa’s most populous country – Nigeria for the second time.
- Journalist Barkha Dutt took to Twitter to criticise the government launching Khelo India app amid the increasing Indo-Pakistan tensions.
- Facebook CFO David Wehner has said the social media giant will launch a 'clear history' tool this year, which will let users view information about apps and websites visited by them and clear that history from their accounts.
- IT services major Wipro said it will sell its cloud-based businesses Workday and Cornerstone OnDemand to US-based Alight for $110 million (over ₹780 crore).
1. Important Days
- World NGO Day is an international calendar day annually observed on the [latex]27^{th}[/latex] of February. Officially recognized and declared by the 12 member countries of the IX Baltic Sea NGO Forum of the Council of the Baltic Sea States in 2010.
- After speaking with the foreign ministers of India and Pakistan, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said, “We encourage India and Pakistan to exercise restraint, and avoid escalation at any cost.”
- Fifteen years ago, the major terrorist training camp of the Jaish-e-Mohammed in Balakot in Pakistan found a mention in a purported secret US Defence Department file leaked by WikiLeaks.
- Huawei Rotating Chairman Guo Ping, who was speaking at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, said, "The US security accusation on [Huawei] 5G has no evidence, nothing".
- Former Real Madrid and Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho said that the next club he joins must have a strong sense of "structural empathy" to help him cope with the demands of modern football.
- PM Modi cut short his interaction with the youngsters at the National Youth Festival 2019 to attend a meeting to review security situation.
- An Airport Authority of India notification said No Flights were permitted to operate to and from Amritsar, Pathankot, Srinagar, Jammu, Leh, Shimla, Kangra, Kullu Manali airports due to “technical reasons”.
- Karnataka tribal communities allege false rejection of claims under FRA. The Siddis, an ethnic group in Uttara Kannada, filed over 2,300 claims of residence but nearly half were rejected.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the world's largest Bhagavad Gita at ISKCON temple in south Delhi's East of Kailash.
- Bharti Airtel Chairman Sunil Mittal said the government must encourage 5G rollout in the country at the earliest and ensure 5G spectrum is made available at a "reasonable price"
- Delhi government presented a ₹60,000-crore budget for the fiscal year 2019-20. About ₹3,914 crore has been allocated for the housing and urban development sector, which is 33.49% higher than the revised estimates in 2018-19.
- The National Investigation Agency (NIA) carried out searches at seven locations in Jammu and Kashmir in connection with a terror funding case.
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said Allahabad Bank, Corporation Bank and Dhanlaxmi Bank have been removed from the Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) framework.
- RBI has said it will issue guidelines to private banks and foreign banks on sound compensation policy.
- The government has detected Rs 20,000 crore worth GST evasion so far this fiscal and will take more steps to check frauds and increase compliance, a senior tax officer.
- Kotak Mahindra Bank said it has increased its foreign shareholding limit to 45% from the existing 43%. This comes amidst an RBI directive asking the private sector lender to reduce its CEO Uday Kotak's stake in the bank to 15% by March 2020.
- India’s Saurav Ghosal made his way into the quarterfinal with a hard fought win over Wales player Joel Makin in the PSA World squash championship.
- Rafa Nadal showed no signs of rust in his first action in a month as the top seed easily dispatched Mischa Zverev 6-3 6-3 at the Acapulco International.
- Mahesh Elkunchwar, an eminent Indian Playwright, has been chosen for this 2019’s META Lifetime Achievement Award.
- G.R. Karthikeyan was awarded the Lifetime Achievement award at the FMSCI annual awards function held in Mumbai, Maharashtra. He is the father of Narain Karthikeyan– India’s first Formula One racer.
- Former CEO of Pepsico Indra Nooyi has joined Amazon‘s Board of Directors. She is second woman on the Amazon’s Board of Directors, the first one being Starbucks executive Rosalind Brewer.
- Dr. K. J. Srinivasa (IFS:2002) has been appointed as the next High Commissioner of India to the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and is expected to take up the assignment shortly.
- Queensland University researchers have developed a method to extract liquid silicate from waste glass, which can be used to produce "thousands of products" including toothpaste, fertilisers and detergents.
- France's Avenir Telecom unveiled its smartphone with an 18,000mAh battery named Energizer P18K Pop at 2019 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.
- NASA has chosen a new $42-million mission to help scientists understand and eventually forecast the space weather around the Earth from the International Space Station.
- The book titled 'Quality, Accreditation and Ranking - A Silent Revolution in the Offing in Indian Higher Education' edited by EPSI's Alternate President, Dr. H Chaturvedi was released by the Hon'ble Vice President Naidu.
1. Important Days
- National Pistachio Day is celebrated on February [latex]26^{th}[/latex] of every year. National Pistachio Day is dedicated to popular, ancient, and healthy nut – Pistachio (native to the Middle East).
- Kim Jong-un became the first leader of North Korea to travel to Vietnam since his grandfather, Kim Il-sung, visited in 1964 when he arrived for a summit with US President Donald Trump.
- The former US envoy to the UN lauded the Trump Administration for "restricting assistance to Pakistan" but added saying that much more needs to be done.
- Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, in a hurriedly summoned security meeting after Indian Air Force's (IAF) multiple aerial strikes at terror launch pads across the Line of Control (LoC)
- Afghanistan has complained to the United Nations about violations of its territory by Pakistan’s military, including shelling of Afghan territory, violation of its airspace by military aircraft and construction of military posts and barriers on its soil.
- Prime Minister Theresa May plodded on with her belief that Brexit will happen on March [latex]29^{th}[/latex], while her ministers, MPs across the political spectrum and even the European Union believe an extension to Article 50 is a “rational decision”.
- India's strike wherein three terrorist camps were destroyed and up to 300 terrorists were killed, lasted only 21 minutes, as per reports.
- Indian Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale called the strikes on 3 Pakistan-based terror camps "non-military pre-emptive action".
- Former Indian Administrative Service Officer Shah Faesal has announced that he is launching a new political party.
- Several leaders of the SP and BSP in Uttar Pradesh joined the BJP in the presence of state BJP chief Mahendra Nath Pandey.
- RPI chief and Union minister Ramdas Athawale has demanded either North-East Mumbai or South Central Mumbai constituency in Mumbai, and Latur, Solapur or Ramtek from the remaining part of the state for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
- The Karnataka government sought help from the Indian Air Force as it raced to contain fires raging in Bandipur forests, home to one of the country’s most popular tiger habitat and where an estimated 3,000 hectares of land is estimated to have been burnt down over the last five days.
- The RBI has extended its February [latex]28^{th}[/latex] deadline for completion of KYC norms for digital wallets by six months. It said the decision was based on stakeholders' requests to defer the deadline over difficulties in undertaking Aadhaar e-KYC.
- Reliance Jio's deficit would be a bigger one than those of its larger rivals Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea
- Sebi says Anand Rathi, Geofin Comtrade not fit for commodity derivatives trading. The firms can appeal against the order within 45 days at the Securities Appellate Tribunal
- India's economy likely grew at its slowest pace in over a year in the October - December quarter as weaker rural incomes and softer urban demand weighed on consumption, a Reuters poll showed.
- The GST rate cut will be a momentary infusion of notional positive sentiment, said Om Ahuja of K. Raheja Corp
- Second seed Federer had to deal with a tricky opponent and strong gusts at the Aviation Club in front of nearly 5,500 fans at the Aviation Club, needing all three sets to make it past the opening round.
- Uttar Pradesh batsman Suresh Raina has become the first Indian cricketer to reach the 8,000-run mark in T20 cricket.
- New Zealand moved up to the second spot in the Test team rankings, the best ever achieved by the nation.
- President of India Ram Nath Kovind February [latex]26^{th}[/latex]will be presenting the Gandhi Peace Prize for the years 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 at Rashtrapati Bhawan.
- Former Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby announces retirement. Abou Diaby, 32, played for Arsenal between 2006-2015 and won the FA Cup twice.
- Kazakhstan’s president appointed Askar Mamin as the prime minister of the country. In a written statement, the Kazakh Presidency said President Nursultan Nazarbayev presented Mamin, 53, as the candidate for the post to the approval of the lawmakers at a parliamentary session.
- A Team of Scientists from Harvard-Smithsonian Centre for Astrophysics had discovered a exo planet named ‘hot Earth’ that orbit’s its dwarf star in eleven hours by using the data of NASA’s planet-hunting satellite Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS).
- Young Malayalam filmmaker Nayana Sooryan, who had assisted several prominent directors in the industry, was found dead at her residence here, police said.
1. Important Days
- The Deccan Festival brings the spirit of Hyderabad city to life. The festival essentially celebrates the Qutab Shahi era. The love of art and literature of the city is reflected in the Deccan Festival.
- A Bangladeshi man who was shot dead after he tried to hijack a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight carried a toy pistol and did not have any explosives on him, police
- North Korea could become one of the world's "great economic powers" if it relinquishes its nuclear weapons, US President Donald Trump has said.
- French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe urged partners to stand with Paris in driving back jihadi violence in the Sahel.
- The EU has asked Pakistan to take "clear and sustained" actions targeting not only all UN-listed transnational terrorist groups but also individuals claiming responsibility for attacks in the wake of the Pulwama terror strike.
- The girl was admitted to Dufferin Hospital and one of the accused was nabbed, superintendent of police (SP) transGanga Narendra Kumar Singh said.
- The Supreme Court dismissed a petition seeking a probe by a retired top court judge into the Jammu and Kashmir terror attack.
- The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women has praised Odisha government for proposing 33% reservation for women in Parliament and Assemblies.
- Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that the government's efforts to thwart several attacks had resulted in far lesser incidents of terrorism than prior to 2014.
- Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, a Hindu parliamentarian from Pakistan, met PM Narendra Modi and Union Minister Sushma Swaraj at an event in Delhi.
- Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot criticised the Centre's PM-KISAN scheme saying the scheme will not help PM Narendra Modi retain power in the upcoming elections.
- Hold polls so new govt can defend Article 35 A,” Omar tells Centre. National Conference leader Omar Abdullah said the only responsibility of the Centre and the Governor now is to hold elections.
- Employment generation in the formal sector hit a 16-month high of 7.16 lakh in December 2018, according to the EPFO payroll data.
- SoftBank Group Corp.-backed and Bengaluru-based advertising tech startup, InMobi, plans to invest about $100 million over the next three years in TruFactor, its wholly owned business unit that has been created to provide security, privacy, governance and compliance services to telecom services providers.
- Jet Airways (India) Ltd's largest lender State Bank of India (SBI) said media reports on the state-run bank referring the debt-laden carrier to the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) to recover loans were "speculative", and that no such decision had been taken.
- The GST rate cut is for under-construction property or ready-to-move-in flats where the completion certificate is not issued at the time of sale. The new GST rates in the real estate industry will be effective from 1 April
- A government job is always sought-after due to the life-time financial security and the other social benefits it offers
- World Bank, United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women(UN Women), and Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI)
- Jio Saavn– an India-based global audio and music that it scored the 1st rank among Indian companies and 28th rank globally in the 2019 list of “50 Most Innovative Companies”.
- Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri tried to replace the world’s most expensive goalkeeper with Willy Caballero towards the end of a cagey 120 minutes that ended 0-0.
- Melbourne Herald-Sun illustrator Mark Knight’s caricature in September showed a butch and fat-lipped Serena Williams throwing a temper tantrum at last year’s US Open after losing to Naomi Osaka.
- Manchester City beat Chelsea 4-3 on penalties after a goalless 120 minutes to win their second straight League Cup.
- Defending his teammate Umesh Yadav's bowling in the death overs in the first India-Australia T20I, pacer Jasprit Bumrah said, "You try your best, and you’re clear in your execution. Some days it works, some days it doesn’t.
- Inter Milan, now nine points behind Napoli in third, are just two points ahead of city rivals AC Milan who remain fourth after a 3-0 win over Empoli.
- Oil and Natural Gas Corporation(ONGC)’s Rajahmundry unit won the Energy and Environment Foundation Global Clean Awards-2019
- Harmanpreet Singh was awarded the 2018 Player of the Year award while women’s team striker Lalremsiami as the Rising Player of The Year,by the Asian Hockey Federation.
- The following is the complete list of Oscar winners from night’s 91st Academy Awards ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.
- Best Director: Alfonso Cuarón in “Roma" (Netflix)
- Best Actress: Olivia Colman in “The Favourite" (Fox Searchlight)
- Best Actor: Rami Malek in “Bohemian Rhapsody" (20th Century Fox)
- Best Supporting Actor: Mahershala Ali in “Green Book" (Universal)
- Best Supporting Actress: Regina King in “If Beale Street Could Talk" (Annapurna Pictures)
- Best Original Song: “Shallow" from “A Star Is Born" (Warner Bros.) Music and Lyrics by Lady Gaga, Mark Ronson, Anthony Rossomando and Andrew Wyatt
- Best Original Score: “Black Panther" (Walt Disney)Music and Lyrics by Ludwig Goransson
- Best Adapted Screenplay: “BlacKkKlansman" (Focus Features)Written by Charlie Wachtel & David Rabinowitz and Kevin Willmott & Spike Lee
- Best Original Screenplay: “Green Book" (Universal) Written by Nick Vallelonga, Brian Currie, Peter Farrelly
- Achievement in Visual Effects: “First Man" (Universal) Paul Lambert, Ian Hunter, Tristan Myles and J.D. Schwalm
- Best Documentary Short Subject: “Period. End of Sentence." (A Pad Project Production) Rayka Zehtabchi and Melissa Berton
- Best Animated Short Film: “Bao" (Walt Disney) A Pixar Animation Studios Production, Domee Shi and Becky Neiman-Cobb
- Best Live Action Short Film: “Skin" (Salaud Morisset) A New Native Pictures Production
- Best Animated Feature Film: “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" (Sony Pictures Releasing) Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, Rodney Rothman, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller
- Best Foreign Language Film: “Roma" (A Netflix/Participant Media/Esperanto-Filmoj Production)
- Achievement in Sound Mixing: “Bohemian Rhapsody" (20th Century Fox) Paul Massey, Tim Cavagin and John Casali
- Achievement in Sound Editing: “Bohemian Rhapsody" (20th Century Fox) John Warhurst and Nina Hartstone
- Achievement in Cinematography: Alfonso Cuarón in “Roma" (Netflix)
- Achievement in Production Design: “Black Panther" (Walt Disney) Hannah Beachler, Jay Hart
- Achievement in Film Editing: “Bohemian Rhapsody" (20th Century Fox) John Ottman
- Achievement in Costume Design: “Black Panther" (Walt Disney) Ruth Carter
- Achievement in Makeup and Hairstyling: “Vice" (Annapurna Pictures) Greg Cannom, Kate Biscoe and Patricia DeHaney
- Best Documentary Feature: “Free Solo" (National Geographic) A National Geographic Documentary Films/Little Monster Films/Itinerant Media/Parkes MacDonald/Image Nation Production
- Brijbhushan Sharan Singh was elected as the President of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) for a third time.
- The governor of Gezira state, Mohamed Tahir Ayala was appointed as Sudan’s Prime Minister. Sudan’s Defence Minister Awad Mohamed Ahmed Ibn Auf was appointed as first vice president while remaining in his defence post.
- Iran launched a cruise missile from a submarine for the first time during ongoing annual military drill named “Velayat-97” in the Strait of Hormuz.
1. Important Days
- Central Excise Day is observed in India on 24 February every year to encourage the employees of excise department to carry out the central excise duty in a better way to prevent corruption.
- Pakistan’s Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said the Punjab government took administrative control of Madrassatul Sabir and Jamia-e-Masjid Subhanallah in Bahawalpur in line with the decisions taken during the National Security Council meeting.
- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un told US State Secretary Mike Pompeo he didn't want his children to live with the burden of nuclear weapons, according to a report quoting a former CIA officer.
- A record number of Afghan civilians were killed last year due to stepped up aerial attacks by US-led forces and more suicide bombings, according to the UN.
- Billionaire Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett has said he is hoping for an "elephant-sized" acquisition but the "prices are sky-high for businesses possessing decent long-term prospects".
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched ₹75,000 crore farmers income scheme from Uttar Pradesh's Gorakhpur.
- The main driver's screen and windows of at least six coaches of India's fastest train, Vande Bharat Express, were damaged when it was hit by stones during its Varanasi-New Delhi journey
- Congress leader P Chidambaram termed Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme as a "bribe for votes". "The greater shame is that the Election Commission is unable to stop the 'Bribe for Votes'," he added.
- Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis increased the bonus for paddy cultivation from ₹200 to ₹500 per quintal.
- Addressing his last Mann Ki Baat session in his present term, PM Narendra Modi said that the next broadcast will be in May.
- A team of CBI officers was beaten up and held hostage by family members of another CBI officer who had been suspended over his alleged involvement in a land scam.
- Gaurav Dutt, a retired 1986-batch West Bengal cadre IPS officer, allegedly committed suicide earlier this week.
- Markets regulator SEBI has ordered seizure of alleged illegal gains worth ₹1.02 crore from ADF Foods' promoters Bhavesh and Priyanka Thakkar and four others in an insider trading case.
- An SBI-led consortium is considering interim funding of ₹500 crore for Jet Airways but a final decision is yet to be taken, PNB MD Sunil Mehta said.
- The proposed bid by the Centre to reduce GST on the under-construction houses to a maximum of five percent without input tax credit (ITC) has been welcomed by developers who think it will revive demand.
- The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has constituted three working groups to study and recommend measures to facilitate trade, promote exports and improve compliance.
- India captain Virat Kohli warned the World Cup-bound squad to not drift away from "one-day mould of things" during the upcoming IPL. "We'll have to be very wary of bad habits that might creep in during IPL," he added.
- CoA chief Vinod Rai has said boycotting World Cup match against Pakistan would be like "shooting ourselves in the foot".
- An Asian snooker meet, which was to be held in Bengaluru next month, has been called off after India refused visas to six Pakistani and Pakistan-origin players.
- Shooter Saurabh Chaudhary won gold medal in men's 10m Air Pistol event at ISSF World Cup in New Delhi with a world record score of 245 points in the final.
- Jharkhand's wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan became only the second Indian batsman after Unmukt Chand to score two consecutive tons in T20s after reaching the landmark for his state's team in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2019.
- Barcelona twice came from behind against Sevilla owing to goals from Lionel Messi, who then completed his hat-trick with Barcelona's third goal.
- The Digital India Awards are aimed at encouraging Government entities, which have made significant contributions towards the implementation of e-Governance and shown an exemplary & innovative
- Jindal Steel and Power Ltd (JSPL) was conferred with the prestigious ‘FICCI CSR Award‘ for Women Empowerment for its innovative and high impact women empowerment programmes, implemented by the company’s CSR Arm – JSPL Foundation, across its operational areas in India.
- Kareena Kapoor Khan is named as the brand ambassador of Swasth Immunised India, a year-long campaign initiated by Network18 and Serum Institute of India which promotes immunisation of babies under two years of age.
- Justice Uma Nath Singh took the oath as the first lokayukta of Nagaland. He was formerly the Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court. His tenure would last for a period of 5 years or until he turns 70, whichever occurs earlier.
- Princess Rima bint Bandar replaced Prince Khalid bin Salman, the younger brother of the powerful crown prince who was appointed vice defence minister in a flurry of late-night royal decrees announced on state media.
- Leaked confidential emails of Facebook officials show they discussed actively tracking Android users to increase advertising revenue, The Guardian reported.
- Facebook has been accessing highly personal data including weight, blood pressure and ovulation status from at least 11 iOS apps, as per a Wall Street Journal report.
- Kodi Ramakrishna, Telugu film director died due to ill health. He directed more than 100 films over a period of 30 years.
1. International News
- US President Donald Trump has nominated Kelly Craft, currently the US envoy to Canada, as the country's next ambassador to the United Nations (UN).
- Hong Kong-based Nord Anglia Education has acquired Hyderabad-based private school chain Oakridge International Schools.
- Tensions have soared between the nuclear-armed rivals since a suicide attack last week killed 41 soldiers on the Indian side of divided Kashmir, the deadliest attack in years.
- Taken control of campus reported to be Jaish HQ, says Pakistan. Then hits delete. There was no explanation why the government had taken over the complex.
- Vietnam has threatened to deport Russell White and Howard X, the respective impersonators of US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, ahead of the summit between the two leaders.
- Talking to the reporters in the Oval Office, US President Donald Trump said, "Right now between Pakistan and India, there is a very, very bad situation, a very dangerous situation.
- Omar Abdullah thanks PM Narendra Modi for speaking against attacks on Kashmiris. For breaking his silence on attacks against Kashmiris.
- The alert was sounded after a threat call was received at the Air India control room in Mumbai regarding the hijacking of a flight to Pakistan.
- Goa Police bust Russian drug gang growing marijuana. Police say the Russian criminals also involved in robbing ATMs .
- The incident took place at the Halmira Tea Estate in Assam’s Golaghat district after the tea estate workers people consumed a locally brewed liquor called ‘sulai’, which is made of jaggery and ethyl alcohol.
- Protesters are opposing the state government move to grant permanent resident certificate (PRC) to six non-tribal communities in Arunachal Pradesh.
- There has been a considerable build-up of security forces across Jammu and Kashmir after reg February [latex]14^{th}[/latex] terror attack in Pulwama which killed 40 CRPF troopers.
- NHSRCL has invited the public to suggest names for the bullet train that will make its inaugural run between Ahmedabad and Mumbai in 2022, offering a Rs.50,000 cash prize for the winning entry.
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) allowed bank exposures to all non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), excluding core investment companies (CICs), to be risk weighted according to the ratings assigned by the rating agencies.
- To provide greater operational flexibility to non-banking lenders, the Reserve Bank created a single category for them by bundling their present three-tier structure.
- The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has issued lookout notices against former ICICI Bank CEO Chanda Kochhar, her husband Deepak Kochhar and Videocon Group managing director Venugopal Dhoot, officials said in New Delhi
- The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) formed a 4-member committee, headed by income tax commissioner Sanjeev Sharma,
- Apurvi Chandela shatters 10m air rifle world record. The Indian shot an astonishing 252.9 to win the top prize on day one of the competitions at the Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range.
- Talking about the India-Pakistan World Cup match, Team India captain Virat Kohli said that the team will go by what the government and the BCCI decide.
- NCA COO Tufan Ghosh supposedly looked to calm the trainers down by asking them to raise their hands, close their eyes and take a deep breath between interactions. This is an exercise that yoga instructors often ask their students to perform to cool their nerves down.
- Isner, who has dropped only one set in seven career wins over the left-hander, needed only 93 minutes to book a spot in the last four against Britain’s Daniel Evans.
- Badminton player PV Sindhu has become the first woman to fly in made-in-India Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas.
- India to attend OIC foreign ministers meet for first time. Sushma Swaraj will be the guest of honour at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation meet in the UAE next week.
- 33-year-old Ashoka University teacher and Wipro Sustainable Fellow, Divya Karnad became the First Indian Woman to be honoured with the “Global Future of Nature Award”
- India’s Mohd Mushtaque Ahmad was elected Vice-President of the Asian Hockey Federation(AHF) and Asima Ali was elected as the Executive Committee member, for a 4-year term in Gifu, Japan.
- Israel’s first moon lander, the 585 kg “Beresheet” (“Genesis” in Hebrew), was launched atop a Falcon 9 rocket from the private US-based SpaceX in Florida, United States.
- Japanese space agency JAXA has confirmed its spacecraft Hayabusa2 successfully landed on asteroid Ryugu and shot a bullet to collect samples blown by it.
- Google has announced it will end forced arbitration for all employee disputes, expanding its previous decision taken in November 2018 to end the same for individual sexual abuse complaints.
- Sixty-two-year-old AIADMK MP S Rajendran died in a road accident Tindivanam in Tamil Nadu's Viluppuram district.
1. Important Days
- World Thinking Day is celebrated all over the world on February [latex]22^{nd}[/latex] of every year by Girl Scouts and Girl Guides.
- North Korea, the president’s habit of making concessions on the fly presents an opportunity that’s likely to lead negotiators from Pyongyang to disregard the president’s staff to focus on what he might offer.
- National Security Committee chaired by Khan in Islamabad also decided to “accelerate action against proscribed organisations” and to notify Hafiz Saeed’s Jamaat-ut-Dawah (JuD) and Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation (FIF) as banned groups, an interior ministry spokesman said.
- White House to take a final call on it, before a formal regulation in this regard could be issued and the Department of Homeland Security can inform a federal court, where a lawsuit on this issue is pending.
- The Cuban Missile Crisis erupted in 1962 when Moscow responded to a US missile deployment in Turkey by sending ballistic missiles to Cuba, sparking a standoff that brought the world to the brink of nuclear war.
- International Olympic Committee (IOC) has decided to "suspend all discussions" with India regarding hosting of global events after it violated Olympic charter by denying visas to Pakistani shooters for World Cup
- The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has condemned the Pulwama terror attack and in its statement named Masood Azhar's Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) for the "cowardly suicide bombing".
- The cash-transfer scheme for small and marginal farmers ahead of a general elections, India’s first, is a major populist step by the Modi government to offset a challenging spell of rural crisis brought on by unprofitable sales of farm commodities.
- Pakistan has said it has "neither concern nor objection if India diverts water of Eastern rivers" (Ravi, Sutlej and Beas) to Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab.
- Pakistan asked the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to "dismiss or declare inadmissible" India's claim for relief to retired Indian Navy officer Kulbhushan Jadhav as the four-day oral submissions concluded.
- The Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), the third partner in the alliance, is likely to contest three seats, according to an SP leader who did not want to be named
- CBI issues lookout notice against Chanda Kochhar, 2 others in ICICI loan case. The CBI had on January 24 named the the Kochhars and Dhoot as accused in an FIR in the the Rs 3,250 crore loan case.
- The Jammu and Kashmir government on Friday moved the Supreme Court seeking the transfer of seven Pakistani terrorists from Jammu jail to Tihar prison here on grounds that they were allegedly indoctrinating local prisoners.
- The Finance Ministry announced a capital infusion of Rs 48,239 crore in 12 public sector banks (PSBs).
- RBI MPC minutes show collapse of food inflation was not the only reason for the shift to a growth-focused stance
- Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has decided to increase the interest rate on Employees’ Provident Fund for 2018-19 to 8.65% from 8.55% benefitting 6 crore EPFO subscribers
- The board of the bank fixed March [latex]11^{th}[/latex] , 2019, as record date for issuing and allotting equity shares of the Bank of Baroda to the Shareholders of Vijaya Bank and Dena Bank.
- Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has said if India forfeit their match against Pakistan in the 2019 World Cup, it'd be worse than surrender since it would be "defeat without a fight".
- The BCCI has prepared a draft letter asking ICC to ban Pakistan from the 2019 World Cup following the Pulwama attack, in which 40 CRPF jawans were martyred.
- Europa League: Arsenal, Chelsea cruise into last 16. After falling 1-0 in Belarus, Arsenal were level on aggregate after just three minutes when Zakhar Volkov sliced Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s low cross past Denis Scherbitski in his own goal.
- Three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray said before his first round exit at the Australian Open last month that the tournament could be his last as a professional due to severe hip pain.
- The Oscar trophies were made of painted plaster for three years, owing to a metal shortage during World War II.
- Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has been ranked by the Top Employers Institute as global Top Employer for the third year in a row.
- The PM administration gave the Secretary of Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Tarun Shridhar the additional charge of Secretary of Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
- Ajay Singh, president of the Boxing Federation of India was selected as the president of the Foundation Board for Better Boxing of AIBA (International Boxing Association).
- The Supreme Court appointed its former judge, Justice D K Jain as the first ombudsman for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
- Chinese news agency Xinhua unveiled the world’s first female AI news anchor Xin Xiaomeng. She has been developed in collaboration with Sogou Inc, a search engine company.
- A small brown rat of bramble cay melomys species lived on a tiny island off northern Australia and becomes the world’s first mammal to have become extinct due to “human-induced climate change”.
- The European Space Agency (ESA), using images obtained from its Mars Express satellite, has uncovered signs of ancient flowing water on Mars. A branching, dried out system of trenches and valleys hints at a warmer, wetter past for the Red Planet, ESA said.
- Apple has teamed with American investment firm Goldman Sachs to jointly create an iPhone-linked credit card focussed on Apple Pay, to be launched later this year, as per a Wall Street Journal report.
- Bengali singer Pratik Choudhary passed away in Kolkata, West Bengal due to cardiac arrest. Sakhi Tumi Kar (1980), Ek Je AachheKanya (2001) and Patalghar (2003) and has performed with famous singers in various concerts.
1. Important Days
- International Mother Language Day is a worldwide annual observance held on [latex]21^{st}[/latex] February to promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and promote multilingualism
- Donald Trump refuses to allow US-born woman who joined ISIS to return Hoda Muthana, 24, travelled to Syria over four years ago to join the ISIS.
- A new centrist party in the United Kingdom is on the cards as three MPs from the ruling Conservative Party joined eight former Labour MPs who quit their party to form what is called ‘The Independent Group’ in the House of Commons.
- Moscow ready to cut time for nuclear strike on US if necessary: Putin But in his toughest remarks yet on a potential new arms race, he said Russia's reaction to any deployment would be resolute and that U.S.
- Afghanistan's Foreign Ministry summoned the Pakistani ambassador over his remarks that Afghan peace talks could be affected.
- UK bans drones from flying within 5 km of airports. Operators of drones weighing more than 20 kg must register as of Nov. 30 and take an online competency test.
- The plea alleged that students from Kashmir Valley are being attacked at different educational institutions across the country after the Pulwama terror attack and authorities concerned should be directed to take actions to stop such assaults.
- Insuring India against health shocks. The PMJAY health insurance plan is milestone, but the government needs to create a robust health system.
- Kisan Credit Cards were first launched in 1998 to provide ready credit support to farmers, including small farmers for cultivation, consumption and investment needs.
- Army chief Bipin Rawat flies in HAL-made Tejas, says it’s a wonderful aircraft. General Rawat took to skies in the Made-in-India light combat aircraft Tejas as a passenger at the Aero India show in Bengaluru.
- India Korea Business Symposium in Seoul, he said India is now a more open economy and has attracted USD 250 billion foreign direct investment (FDI) in the last four years.
- Jammu and Kashmir were allegedly thrashed on a train in Delhi by two unidentified men while travelling to Sampla in Haryana for business
- SBI has announced an mega e-auction of more than 1000 residential and commercial properties to recover dues, the bank said in a statement. Participants in the February [latex]27^{th}[/latex] auction have to register.
- Finance ministry expects NPA recovery of Rs 1.80 lakh crore in FY19. Lenders are expecting to recover almost Rs 52,000 crore loan in case of Essar Steel while Rs 18,000 crore from Bhushan Power & Steel Ltd.
- FDs continue to be popular investment products not just among senior citizens, who are looking for guaranteed income, but also among investors who can’t stomach risk.
- Sony said it would open up an internal accelerator programme to external entrepreneurs, including a partnership with Tokyo University under which students can turn ideas into businesses.
- Windies opener Chris Gayle smashed his 477th six in international cricket during the first ODI against England today, breaking ex-Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi's record of hitting most sixes in international cricket.
- ICC has received over four lakh applications for tickets of India-Pakistan 2019 World Cup match which is scheduled to take place on June [latex]16^{th}[/latex] in Manchester, tournament managing director Steve Elworthy revealed. "The stadium (Old Trafford) only holds 25,000 people.
- Champions League: Manchester City late comeback stuns Schalke. Sterling tucked away the winner at the Veltins Arena in the 90th minute just after substitute Leroy Sane fired home a stunning free-kick for the Premier League leaders.
- Shubhankar, it is about setting things right, and the 22-year-old hopes Mickelson, given the time they spent in the leader group last year, will be at hand to view his attempt to finish better than T9 after leading for two rounds.
- Isner fired 18 aces, saved both break points he faced and broke Lacko three times on the way to victory, his fourth in four career meetings with Lacko.
- Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Information and Broadcasting Minister presented the 7th National Photography Awards in New Delhi. 13 people were awarded in total, in different categories.
- Walmart CEO Doug McMillon in an earnings call said the US retail giant was disappointed over India's newly imposed FDI rules on e-commerce and lack of consultation during the change.
- Anirban Mukherjee, presently the co-chief executive of Reliance Payments has been appointed as the CEO of PayU India.
- Turkish firm Melike Altinisik Architects has won the international competition to design the "world's first pioneer" Robot Science Museum in Seoul, South Korea, which it claims will be built using robots.
- Earth's atmosphere reaches up to 6.3 lakh kilometres away, or around 50 times its diameter, a new study based on over 20-year-old observations by ESA/NASA's SOHO observatory has claimed.
- Australia-based scientists have found 'killer T-cells' can fight all influenza (flu) virus types, potentially leading to the development of a one-time universal vaccination.
- Bollywood film producer and father of filmmaker Sooraj Barjatya, Raj Kumar Barjatya, has passed away in Mumbai.
- Mr.Namwar Singh from Varanasi, a famous Hindi author and known for his different approach in Hindi literature through criticism. He died in New Delhi at the age of 92.
1. Important Days
- The United Nations' (UN) World Day of Social Justice is annually observed on February [latex]20^{th}[/latex] to encourage people to look at how social justice affects poverty eradication.
- Separately, State Department Deputy Spokesperson Robert Palladino expressed “strong support” for India and asked Pakistan to “punish anyone responsible” for the February [latex]14^{th}[/latex] attack.
- Around 200 families are trapped in Syria by the Islamic State, whose forces are stopping many from fleeing, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet said.
- Nearly 8,000 feet up at a training center in the California mountains, the air is thin, the snow is chest high and the temperature is plunging.
- Alexandre Ziegler, the French Ambassador to India, has said France has been trying to designate Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist for two years.
- Supreme Court’s five-judge Constitution Bench to hear the matter on February [latex]26^{th}[/latex] The matter, which was earlier scheduled to be heard on January [latex]29^{th}[/latex], was adjourned as Justice SA Bobde of the five-member bench was not available.
- After PM Modi meeting, Saudi sees $100 bn investment opportunity in India. Saudi crown prince Mohammad bin Salman said that his country had invested as much as $44 billion in India since 2016.
- Farmers to march to Mumbai again to press for unfulfilled promises. Farmers’ outfit All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) had held a similar protest in March last year to press for the same demands.
- Justice L Nageswara Rao said he had appeared for Bengal as a lawyer and therefore cannot hear the case. The Supreme Court has now posted the matter for hearing on February [latex]27^{th}[/latex].
- Punjab Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu was more concerned about his friendship with Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan than the well-being of India, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal claimed
- Earthquake of 4.0 magnitude hits Baghpat in UP, tremors felt in Delhi-NCR. The epicentre of the earthquake was Baghpat in Uttar Pradesh, about 40 kilometres from Delhi.
- Kerala Congress president Mullappally Ramachandran announced that his party was willing to hold a political dialogue with the CPI(M) if the ruling party shunned its violent brand of politics.
- Chilling lessons from the near-INR100-crore Cosmos Bank heist Small-town India is cybercrime’s new breeding ground, but its ganglords can't be touched
- GST Council defers decision on tax on real estate; extends deadline for sales returns. The due date for filing summary sales return - GSTR-3B - is February [latex]20^{st}[/latex].
- FDI during April-December 2018-19 falls 7% to $33.49 billion. A decline in foreign inflows could put pressure on the country's balance of payments and may also impact the value of the rupee.
- The companies while importing the products had paid 12% Goods and Services Tax when they were required to pay only 6%.
- The first-of-its kind ‘Trip Protector’ insurance policy was launched by HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company which is the third-largest non-life insurance provider in the private sector in India.
- Nitin Gadkari to unveil Rs 11,000 crore highway projects in UP. Gadkari will inaugurate in Moradabad the 146-km Aligarh-Moradabad stretch on NH-93 built at Rs 950 crore.
- Saudi Arabia asks India to allow foreign ownership in real estate Al-Munajjed said numerous Indian entrepreneurs were active in his country, though the official number was small.
- Five batsmen were dismissed for ducks as Oman got all out for 24 runs in 17.1 overs against Scotland in a 50-over (List A) match.
- Ross Taylor smashes record as Black Caps flay Bangladesh attack. Ross Taylor’s 47th ODI half-century took his career tally in the 50-over format to 8,026 runs, overtaking Stephen Fleming’s 8,007
- Barcelona failed to score despite managing 25 shots in their goalless stalemate at Lyon in the Champions League last-16, leaving the tie finely balanced ahead of next month’s second leg.
- Top seed Dominic Thiem was knocked out the Rio Open in the first round going down 6-3, 6-3 to Laslo Derje, a result that gave the unheralded Serbian his first victory over a top 10 player in his career
- Sunil Chhetri, was awarded India’s first-ever “Football Ratna”by Football Delhi president Shaji Prabhakaran, former player and administrator at the All India Football Federation(AIFF)
- Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was given the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Laureus World Sports Awards in Monaco.
- The Astronomical Society of India will be presided over by a woman, GC Anupama for the first time in its history.
- A.K. Sharma has been reappointed as the Director (Finance) of Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) for a period of 3 months.
- Lieutenant General Depinder Singh Ahuja, awardee of the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, has taken charge as the new Chief of Staff at the headquarters of the Southern Command in Pune, Maharashtra.
- India will witness 'Super Snow Moon 2019', the brightest and largest supermoon of the year, on February[latex]19^{th}[/latex] at around 9:30 pm IST.
- Bandicoot, a drainage-cleaning robot, has been introduced for the first time in India at the Kumbakonam city corporation as part of efforts to rid of manual scavenging at the cost of Rs 18 lakh in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
- Microsoft detailed India's readiness for AI in a white paper titled ‘Age of Intelligence’. Focusing on making India a digital economy, with modern mobile infrastructure, skilling up the workforce and reduced data costs and cross-industry collaboration
1. Important Days
- February [latex]19^{th}[/latex], National Vet Girls ROCK Day recognizes the immense dedication of the nearly 2 million U.S. veteran women.
- While commenting on the Pulwama attack, Pakistan PM Imran Khan said, "If India thinks it will attack us and we will not think of retaliating, we will retaliate."
- A coalition of 16 US states led by California has sued President Donald Trump's administration over his decision to declare a national emergency.
- Denise Buchanan, 57, has struggled in vain for years for the Church to officially recognise her as a victim - even writing to the Pope himself - while the priest who abused her has escaped justice.
- The founder of Chinese telecom giant Huawei has hit back at US efforts to blacklist the company, saying defiantly that the world cannot do without Huawei and its "more advanced" technology.
- A new round of talks between the United States and China to resolve their trade war will take place in Washington
- Election Commission reviews poll security, no word on J&K election schedule. The Centre had earlier mooted holding elections to the assembly and the Lok Sabha in the state around the same time.
- Two aircraft of Indian Air Force’s Surya Kiran Aerobatics Team collided at the Yelahanka airbase in Bengaluru.
- The Panic Button, which was conceived in 2015, will be launched across 14 states at a cost of Rs 321.69 crore made available from the Nirbhaya Fund, said an official statement.
- BJP MLA T Raja Singh demanded the removal of Indian tennis player Sania Mirza as the brand ambassador of Telangana because she is a "bahu of Pakistan".
- Indian Railways’ Mission 100 per cent electrification and de-carbonization agenda, DLW has developed a new prototype electric locomotive converted from diesel locomotive.
- Sources in the Yuvajana Sramika Rytu Congress party said it was the fifth time that Srinivas met Jagan Reddy in the last six months. Jagan Reddy is Naidu’s bitter rival and a strong contender for the chief minister’s post.
- RBI to pay Rs 28,000 crore as interim dividend to government. This is the second successive year when an interim dividend has been provided. This takes the government's total surplus to Rs 68,000 crore.
- Merger of three general insurers likely in FY20. National Insurance, United India Insurance and Oriental India told to make operations more efficient.
- The Trump administration has pressured allies to shun networks supplied by Huawei Technologies Ltd., threatening the company’s access to 5G markets.
- Tax concession limit for startups raised to Rs 25 crore, other norms relaxed. Giving a major relief to startups, the government has decided to relax angel tax norms for startups, including increasing the investment limit to Rs 25 crore for availing income tax concessions by startups.
- Former South African batsman Herschelle Gibbs has said that England and India are the two standout contenders for the 2019 World Cup.
- Referring to the Pulwama attack, Cricket Club of India (CCI) Secretary Suresh Bafna said if Pakistan continues with this attitude, India should not play them in the upcoming World Cup.
- India pacer Mohammad Shami donated ₹5 lakh to the CRPF families' welfare fund to support the families of 40 CRPF jawans, who were martyred in the Pulwama attack. Under-fire Chelsea manager Sarri doesn’t fear the sack
- Maurizio Sarri faces a fight to save his job after FA Cup holders Chelsea crashed to a 2-0 fifth round defeat at Stamford Bridge.
- Paul Pogba set up United’s opening goal for Ander Herrera with a majestic cross and the France star added the second himself as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side produced a commanding display at Stamford Bridge.
- The standing ovations and the longest cheers were reserved for recently-retired Alpine skier Lindsey Vonn, football manager Arsene Wenger and Indian NGO Yuwa for winning the Laureus Sport for Good Award for empowering women in Jharkhand through soccer.
- Mallakhamb coach, Uday Deshpande and batswoman, Smriti Mandhana, were awarded the Maharashtra State Government’s Shiv Chhatrapati Award by the State’s Governor C. Vidyasagar Rao
- A Jharkhand based NGO Yuwa won the Laureus Sports for Good Award.Yuwa, working for girl empowerment, became the third Indian entry to receive this honour.
- President Ram Nath Kovind presented the Rabindranath Tagore Award for Cultural Harmony for the year 2014, 2015 and 2016 at the Pravasi Bhartiya Kendra, New Delhi.
- The Supreme Court dismissed a plea challenging the appointment of M Nageswara Rao as the interim chief of CBI.
- Indian-origin global negotiator, Professor Faizel Ismail, was appointed as the director of South Africa’s Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance.
- German sports and lifestyle brand PUMA has appointed the 6 time world champion woman M C Mary Kom as its new brand ambassador.
- Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC)appointed 2 senior Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officers, Sandeep Mohan Bhatnagar and Ashok Kumar Pandey as its members.
- More than two months after being sworn in as Telangana chief minister, K. Chandrasekhar Rao, known as KCR, inducted 10 legislators into his new cabinet.
- A single emergency helpline number '112' was launched today. This will provide immediate assistance to people on various services like police, fire and women safety. The emergency number is launched under the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS).
- Wallace Smith Broecker was 87. The longtime Columbia University professor and researcher died at a New York City hospital, according to a spokesman for the university’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory.
1. Important Days
- National Drink Wine Day. Go down to the wine cellar, or the nearest liquor store, and select a very fine wine. Or, go rent a limo and go on a winery tour.
- India should focus on redrawing its anti-terrorism policy rather than blaming Pakistan without evidence for the Pulwama attack and holding China responsible for blocking efforts to list JeM chief, Masood Azhar, as a terrorist at the UN also without proof, Chinese state media has said.
- Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) for bilateral cooperation worth $20 billion. The deals include exploration of investment opportunities in refining and petrochemical sectors.
- Setting aside protocol, Prime Minister Khan personally drove Prince Mohammad to the PM’s House, where a welcome ceremony was held in his honour.
- Ahead of the parliamentary election, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has handed over his role as Foreign Minister to Intelligence Minister Israel Katz, giving up the portfolio he had held since 2015.
- Addressing party workers in Jaipur after the February [latex]14^{th}[/latex] terror attack in Pulwama in which 40 CRPF soldiers were killed, he said the Narendra Modi government will not let the sacrifice of jawans go in vain.
- Senior Punjab police officer Paramraj Singh Umranangal arrested in 2015 Behbal Kalan firing case. The special investigation team set up to probe the case had last month arrested former Moga district police chief SSP Charanjit Singh Sharma.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the time for talks were over and the world needed to act on terrorism now, days after the Pulwama attack which killed 40 CRPF personnel.
- An 11-year-old girl from Madhya Pradesh's Bhopal has donated ₹680 that she had saved in her piggy bank for her birthday to those martyred in the Pulwama attack.
- The All India Cine Workers Association announced a total ban on Pakistani actors and artists working in Indian film industry following the Pulwama attack.
- The Supreme Court has set aside a National Green Tribunal order and said the Sterlite plant in Tamil Nadu's Tuticorin can't be reopened.
- Yes Bank Ltd. fell after India’s central bank reprimanded it for selectively revealing a “confidential" report by the regulator that led to a 30 percent surge in the lender’s shares
- Japan's SoftBank has invested almost half of the money in Abu Dhabi's state investor Mubadala Investment Co's new $400-million fund for European technology startups, reports said
- Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das today said he will meet heads of public and private sector banks on February [latex]21^{st}[/latex] to discuss transmission of interest rate cut to borrowers.
- While flows to the US came to a halt, India became the No. 1 buyer of Venezuelan crude in the first half of February, with imports jumping 66 percent to 620,000 barrels a day
- Chinaman Kuldeep Yadav, who had made his international debut in 2017, has said he never thought in his wildest dreams that he'll be a part of India's World Cup squad.
- Windies' all-rounder Chris Gayle has announced he'll retire from ODI cricket following the 2019 World Cup, which will take place from May [latex]30^{th}[/latex] to July [latex]14^{tt}[/latex] in England and Wales.
- The South African government has said the rules proposed by track and field’s governing body, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), specifically target Semenya and has called them a “gross violation” of her human rights.
- William Barr was confirmed as U.S. attorney general. Here's what to expect on crime, immigration and marijuana.
- China is reportedly planning to build its first space-based solar power station, orbiting 36,000 kilometres above ground, to capture solar energy in orbit and beam it to the Earth.
- WhatsApp is testing algorithm-driven Status listing with select users on Android and Windows platform. The update will allow users to see Status from the contacts they frequently interact with.
- Oppo K1 is available in India for a starting price of Rs 16,990. The smartphone comes with up to 6GB of RAM, 25-megapixel selfie camera, and 3,600mAh battery.
- Author of books like Small Island and The Long Song, Andrea Levy died from cancer at the age of 62.
1. Important Days
- Today is Random Acts of Kindness Day. And, you know what to do perform a few random acts of kindness.
- Jiya Furat said the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) had cornered the remaining militants in a neighbourhood of Baghouz village near the Iraqi border, under fire from all sides.
- Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman is postponing his trips to Indonesia and Malaysia, according to Indonesia’s foreign ministry.
- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un will arrive in Vietnam on February [latex]25^{th}[/latex] ahead of a planned second summit with US President Donald Trump, according to a Reuters report.
- Iran says militant groups operate from safe havens in Pakistan and have repeatedly called on the neighboring country to crack down on them.
- ‘Tragic’, say political parties as they unite against harassment of Kashmiris. The Union home ministry also issued an advisory to all states to ensure safety and security of people from Jammu and Kashmir.
- Sena legislator and spokesperson Manisha Kayande said boycotting tourism in Jammu and Kashmir would hurt the economic resources of the northern state.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he stood with the nation and shared the grief and outrage over the Pulwama attack that claimed the lives of 40 CRPF personnel.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Bihar and Jharkhand where he lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects.
- According to the order, all security and vehicles provided to the separatists will stand withdrawn by evening. No security forces or cover will be provided, under any pretext, to them or any other separatists.
- Seven weeks into 2019, two dozen companies led by technology major Infosys Ltd. have announced or completed plans to buy ₹170.5 billion ($2.4 billion) of their own stock, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.
- December monetary policy meet, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had proposed that all banks should link floating rate loans to external benchmark rate from 1 April 2019.
- The State Bank of India (SBI), the country’s largest lender, has cut interest rate on its home loans by 5 basis points (bps). One basis point is one-hundredth of a percentage point.
- Melbourne Renegades defeated Melbourne Stars by 13 runs in the final today to clinch their maiden Big Bash League title. Chasing a target of 146, Stars were cruising at 93-0 at one stage but lost seven wickets for 19 runs in less than five overs.
- Lionel Messi converted a penalty to help Barcelona register a 1-0 win over Real Valladolid as he reached the 30-goal mark in all competitions for the 11th successive season.
- Eva de Goede from Netherlands and Arthur van Doren of Belgium were titled the International Hockey Federation’s Players of the Year
- Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) cities and municipal corporations of Raigarh (1st prize), Ambikapur (2nd prize) and Kumbakonam (3rd prize) won the top Swachhata Excellence Awards 2019.
- E-commerce majors Amazon and Flipkart are in talks to acquire a minority stake in Mumbai-based kids apparel platform Hopscotch, a report claimed.
- Uber has sued New York City over the August 2018 decision to impose a year-long cap on new driver licences for ride-hailing vehicles.
- National AIDS Research Institute (NARI) Director Dr Samiran Panda has said that the Indian Council of Medical Research has proposed to rename the institute.
- Swiss actor Bruno Ganz, best known for his portrayal of Hitler in the 2004 Oscar-nominated film 'Downfall', has passed away at the age of 77.
1. Important Days
- February 16th is National Almond Day. Whether you are eating them by themselves, using almond milk, pasta, flour, butter, oil or meal, almonds offer a delicious flavor along with many health benefits.
- February 16th is a call to kindness in the name of a grouch. On National Do a Grouch a Favor Day, you can do something to make their day much better.
- Conversion therapies have spread in the United States and have been used by parents of homosexual or transgender adolescents against their will.
- Abdul Razzak Dawood, advisor to the Pakistan PM on trade, said investment deals worth USD 10-15 billion dollars would be signed during Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit. On the top of the list is an agreement to set up an oil refinery in Pakistan.
- US asks Pakistan to ‘freeze without delay’ the funds of designated terror groups, supports actions against JeM
- Bangladesh's Sheikh Hasina, who recently secured her fourth time as the Prime Minister, has said that she doesn't want to continue for another term, saying everybody should take a break to make way for the younger generation.
- Nigeria’s electoral commission has delayed the presidential election until 23 February, making the announcement just five hours before polls were set to open.
- US president Donald Trump formally declared a national emergency to fund his long-promised border wall.
- Businessman Robert Vadra four-five times more in connection with an alleged money laundering case. The court extended the interim bail granted to Vadra till March 2nd, when the Patiala House Court will hear his anticipatory bail plea.
- The homage to the jawans came after chief minister Naveen Patnaik, who termed the Pulwama terror attack as a ‘cowardly act’, urged all schools in the state to observe two minutes’ silence.
- PM Narendra Modi will also flag off the overnight Ajni (Nagpur)-Pune train through a video link and lay the foundation stone of roads under the Central Road Fund for the region.
- Amid anger and tears, thousands gather to pay tributes to CRPF jawans, At the homes of the 40 jawans who died in the Pulwama suicide attack, people lined up to pay their last respects.
- The new syllabus received final approval from the BoG last month and will be implemented from August, when the new academic session (2019-20) begins. The 3-month module will be designed by Ayush ministry.
- KCR, as the chief minister is popularly called, met governor ESL Narasimhan at Raj Bhavan and conveyed his decision to expand his council of ministers.
- As a first step, Jaitley announced after a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security that India will withdraw the Most Favoured Nation-status, which allows for non-discriminatory trade, granted to Pakistan in 1996
- The State Bank of India (SBI), the country’s largest lender, has cut interest rate on its home loans by 5 basis points (bps). One basis point is one-hundredth of a percentage point.
- Chartered accountants' apex body ICAI withdrew an announcement regarding the applicability of rotation of auditors at companies, following a directive from the corporate affairs ministry.
- Paytm could be using the funds to push its plans on Paytm Postpaid, which it runs in partnership with ICICI Bank
- India’s exports picked up slightly in January with the traditional, job creating sectors showing a rise in outward shipments at the beginning of the new calendar year.
- Last week, six-year-old Ritul Sajeesh had his first birthday without his mother Lini Puthssery, India’s ‘hero’ nurse who died after being infected by Nipah virus from a family under her care.
- While top seed PV Sindhu staved off a gutsy fightback from Assam’s wonderkid Ashmita Chaliha, defending champion Saina Nehwal had it easier against Vaishnavi Bhale.
- Coach Massimiliano Allegri was taking no chances, even against a side sitting second bottom of the table, ahead of next week’s Champions League last 16, first-leg tie at Atletico Madrid.
- The turning point for Pant was certainly the hundred at the Oval which gave him confidence and it’s effect showed in Australia where he was phenomenal both behind as well as in front of the stumps.
- The strong favourites in the World Cup tournament are England. And it is not because of the fact that it will be a home World Cup for them.
- The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences reversed its decision to present four Oscar awards during the commercial breaks.
- Hina Jaiswal is IAF’s 1st woman flight engineer. Hailing from Punjab, she completed her bachelors in engineering from Punjab University and described her achievement as a dream come true.
- Slovenian Member of Parliament Darij Krajcic has resigned after stealing a sandwich from a supermarket in Ljubljana where he says he was ignored by staff, who "treated (him) like air".
- Sukhjit Pasricha quits Bajaj Finance to join Kotak Mahindra Bank Pasricha had joined Bajaja Finance (Bajaj Finserv) early last year after serving in IndiGo for five years where he shepherded rapid expansion.
- Arun Jaitley resumed charge as finance minister after his return from the US on 9th, February and will address the board of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
- Acclaimed geneticist David Reich specializes in ancient DNA studies, a field that is radically informing, as well as correcting, ideas of our origins, histories of migration, and formation of communities.
- Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has reportedly proposed a 30-40% digital tax on global technology firms including Google, Facebook, Twitter, and Amazon, based on their user base and revenue.
- WWE Hall of Famer Pedro Morales passed away at the age of 76. After a long battle with Parkinson's disease.
1. International News
- Pakistan said the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district is “a matter of grave concern” even as it strongly rejected Indian media and government’s allegations of the country’s link to the strike “without” probe.
- Afghanistan, while condemning the Pulwama terror attack, said the attack is a “copy-paste of what Pakistan backed terror groups” do in their country.
- Holding Pakistan responsible for the attack, the White House press secretary, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, said in a statement that the US “condemns in the strongest terms the heinous terrorist attack by a Pakistan-based terrorist group”.
- The House of Commons voted by 303 votes to 258 against a motion reiterating support for May’s approach to Brexit — support expressed by lawmakers in votes just two weeks ago.
- The release from Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs outlined that any kind of heinous act of terrorism cannot be justified, reinforcing Nepal’s stand against such kind of manifestations.
- Britain will quit EU next month without a deal unless the bloc offers concessions that'll allow the Parliament to back PM Theresa May's Brexit deal, Brexit minister Stephen Barclay said.
- China has noted the reports of suicide terrorist attack. We are deeply shocked by this attack: A spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry said this in response to the Pulwama terror attack in which at least 40 CRPF jawans were killed
- Former BCCI president and three-time parliamentarian from Hamirpur, BJP’s Anurag Thakur looks to be on a sound footing especially when there is no clarity on the Congress candidate; anti-incumbency seems to be his biggest challenge.
- On e-tourist visa, continuous stay during each visit shall not exceed 90 days in case of nationals eligible for grant of e-visa except US, UK, Japan and Canada.
- Train 18, which was recently renamed as Vande Bharat Express by Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, became the country’s fastest train by hitting speeds of over 180 kmph during a trial run on a section of the Delhi-Varanasi route.
- J&K Governor Satya Pal Malik singled out Pakistan once again on Friday and accused the neighbouring country of harbouring terrorists after at least 44 CRPF personnel were killed in the worst suicide bomb attack in decades in the state’s Pulwama district.
- The CCS meeting has been called to access the situation and discuss India’s response to the terrorist attack on a convoy of CRPF personnel in which at least 45 soldiers were killed and 38 injured.
- The Gujarat government announced a compensation of ₹5 lakh each to 52 families of the 2002 Godhra train attack victims.
- In a letter to Suresh Prabhu, minister of commerce and industry, the SJM has pointed out that measures to regulate e-commerce can save local enterprises.
- KSH Infra operates two warehousing and industrial logistics parks in Chakan and Talegaon in Pune totaling about 1million sq feet, leased to blue-chip multinationals.
- The recommendations, if accepted, will result in a wage bracket ranging from Rs 340 for Bihar and Uttar Pradesh to Rs 447 for Gujarat.
- The MSP is the rate below which the mills cannot sell sugar in the open market to wholesalers and bulk consumers like beverage and biscuit makers.
- National Investment and Infrastructure Fund will funnel ₹1,500 crore into Jet Airways for a 20% stake, according to a report
- With no bad loan divergences, Yes Bank's new CEO Ravneet Gill will have a fairly clean book to work with The clean chit, however, puts a question mark on RBI’s decision to demand removal of Rana Kapoor as Yes Bank CEO.
- The additional 'on-tap' offering was opened for a single day with a base issue size of ₹3,500 crore Jet may propose to raise ₹4,500 crore via a rights issue priced at ₹125-150 per share
- SBI has advised its customers to interact with only verified and official handles to avoid fraud Making a fake social media account has become very common
- Semenya, 28, issued the statement on Thursday ahead of a landmark hearing at the Court of Arbitration (CAS) next week that will challenge a proposed rule by the International Athletics Federation (IAAF) aiming to restrict testosterone levels in female runners.
- Defending champion Saina hardly broke a sweat to get the better of former India number one Neha Pandit of Mumbai 21-10, 21-10 in a lop-sided quarterfinal contest.
- Visitors Chelsea desperately needed a response after back-to-back humiliating away losses, with last Sunday’s 6-0 thrashing by Manchester City following a 4-0 reverse at Bournemouth.
- Rafael Nadal, who has played in four Davis Cup winning campaigns, has said he intends to take part in the new-look week-long event on home ground in Madrid from November 18-24.
- Actor Bradley Cooper won animal rights organisation PETA's 'Oscat' award for casting his own dog in his film 'A Star Is Born' rather than using one supplied by an animal exhibitor.
- Senior bureaucrat Pramod Chandra Mody was appointed as chairman of Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), a top policy making body for income tax department, according to a Personnel Ministry order.
- Sushil Chandra, currently chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), has been appointed as an election commissioner, filling the only vacancy in the Election Commision of India (EC),
- Kurkure, the snack brand owned by PepsiCo India, announced that it has appointed actor Taapsee Pannu as its brand ambassador.
- NASA's longest-running rover on Mars, Opportunity, is no more. Officials declared the 15-year-old rover Opportunity dead, eight months after a ferocious dust storm on Martian surface.
- Online platforms including Facebook and Google will be required to compensate publishers and creators for their content under the new European Union (EU) rules.
- WhatsApp is developing a new feature which will require invitations to be sent to users in order to add them to a group, as per WABetaInfo.
- Apple said it will resume selling older iPhone models including iPhone 7 and iPhone 8 with only Qualcomm chips in Germany.
- MLA and former deputy Chief Minister of Goa Francis D’Souza passed away at a hospital in US. He was 64.
1. Important Days
- On 14th February every year Valentine's Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine is observed. Valentine's Day is named after a Catholic priest named Saint Valentine who lived in Rome in the 3rd Century.
- "Russia is playing with the West's minds," Russian President Vladimir Putin's advisor Vladislav Surkov has said, adding that they "don't know how to deal with their own changed consciousness". Calling "the Putinist system of government.
- The European Commission has added Saudi Arabia, Libya and Nigeria, among other nations, to a blacklist of countries that fail to tackle money laundering and the financing of terrorism.
- Noting that terrorist attacks continue to happen across Pakistan, with most occurring in Balochistan and KPK, including the former FATA, the State Department said large-scale terrorist attacks have resulted in hundreds of casualties over the last several years.
- The US has slapped sweeping sanctions on state-run oil company PDVSA with a view to curb Venezuela’s crude exports and put pressure on socialist President Maduro to step down.
- The order, by a panel of three judges in Quito, means Paul Ceglia may face a trial with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg as the star prosecution witness.
- In Delhi government vs Lieutenant Governor case, the Supreme Court ruled that Anti-Corruption Bureau and inquiry commission fall under Lieutenant Governor's jurisdiction.
- The court had on January 8 ordered police to lodge an FIR against Anupam Kher, Akshaye Khanna and 12 others on a complaint filed by advocate Sudhir Kumar Ojha with a plea that the movie presented Manmohan Singh and a number of other public figures in bad light.
- The ten-second video clip from the 1993 blockbuster Damini was posted by the Aam Aadmi Party after a two-judge bench of the Supreme Court sent the matter regarding services to a larger bench.
- Rahul Gandhi rally in Rajasthan and Gujarat Live updates: Congress chief will address the All India Congress Seva Dal’s Maha Adhiveshan (grand meet) in Rajasthan’s Ajmer
- Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath said Samajwadi chief Akhilesh Yadav should accept the truth which his father spoke in Parliament.
- Vijay Mallya pointed out to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech in Parliament referring to those who have fled the country after allegedly committing financial crimes.
- Rajiv Saxena, one of the accused in the high-profile AgustaWestland chopper scam, is likely to become an approver in the case once he is granted bail, according to people aware of the court proceedings.
- Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Amit Shah will meet the party’s leaders from the country’s northeast in Guwahati on February 17 amid protests in the region over the proposed amendment to the citizenship law.
- A380 made its Making its maiden flight in 2005, twas a major step in Airbus’s efforts to compete on equal terms with Boeing and challenge what had been a cash cow for its arch-rival.
- WPI inflation stood at 2.74 per cent in March 2018. Inflation in kitchen essentials like potato, onion, fruits, and milk softened in January over the previous month, the data revealed.
- DGCA has approved the winter schedule of Jet Airways, but with the busy summer season approaching, the regulator wants to keep tabs on how many flights the airline is able to operate.
- Dinesh Karthik has said he refused single to Krunal Pandya on last over's third delivery in third New Zealand T20I as he "genuinely" believed he could hit a six.
- Vidarbha's spinner Akshay Karnewar bowled using both his arms on first day of Irani Cup against Rest of India on Tuesday.
- Ex-Australia leg-spinner Shane Warne has said if India coach Ravi Shastri cannot be a part of an IPL team then Ricky Ponting shouldn't too. Ponting, who is Delhi Capitals' head coach, was recently appointed Australia's assistant coach for the World Cup.
- Ex-Australia spinner Shane Warne has said that wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant should play for India in ODIs along with MS Dhoni.
- Former Team India chief selector Sandeep Patil has said that the importance of domestic cricket has gone down drastically and the players should say something about the current state of domestic cricket.
- A former champion, PV Sindhu took time to get into the groove before claiming a 21-11, 21-13 win over Malvika Bansod, who is a gold medallist at the South Asian U-21 Championship in Nepal and a runner-up at Khelo India Games.
- Siddhartha Lal, MD & CEO of Eicher Motors has won the EY Entrepreneur of the year 2018 after transforming Eicher Motors and helping the company resurrect the Royal Enfield motorcycle brand in India and making it a global brand icon.
- National Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC) was announced as the winner under the Miniratna Category by Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME)
- The airline said Jeh Wadia, the managing director, will be discharging the additional responsibilities of the CEO.
- R Venkataramanan will relinquish responsibilities as the Managing Trustee /Trustee of the Tata Trusts on March 31.
- Ashwani Lohani returns to the post of Chairman and Managing Director of Air India about 19 months after he demitted office.
- University of Illinois, Chicago researchers have proposed a design solution for present artificial leaves to convert carbon dioxide to fuel at least 10 times more efficiently than natural leaves
- The robot has been missing since the US space agency lost contact during a dust storm in June last year and was declared officially dead Wednesday.
- HP Spectre Folio is available in cognac brown at Rs 1,99,990 and HP Spectre x360 in dark ash grey at a starting price of Rs 1,29,990 and in poseidon blue at Rs 1,39,990.
- After analysing satellite data from 2000-2017, NASA has said, "The world is literally a greener place than it was 20 years ago."
- Goldman Sachs warned that while the fees paid by Google will continue to make up a large portion of Apple’s services revenue into 2019, the rate of growth will be slower.
- Legendary Goalkeeper of England, Gardon Banks Passed away at the age of 81. On 12th February 2019, one of the world’s most famous goalkeeper Gordon Banks passed away at the age of 81 in England.
- German scientist Manfred Eigen, who jointly won the 1967 Nobel Prize for Chemistry, passed away aged 91 on February 6.
1. Important Days
- World Radio Day is an observance day held annually on 13 February to celebrate radio as a medium. It was proclaimed on 3 November 2011 by UNESCO's 36th General Conference after originally being proposed by the Kingdom of Spain.
- US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who are in the capital for crunch talks towards a trade deal, the South China Morning Post reported, as the world’s two biggest economies rush to patch up their trade differences before a looming deadline.
- Sri Lanka has begun advertising for executioners as the country is set to resume the use of capital punishment for drug traffickers in the next two months.
- Three Indian youths defeated 11 teams from eight countries to win the International Snow Sculpting Competition Japan Cup 2019.
- Thai Princess says she’s sorry for causing problems after ill-fated run for PM Thai people created problems that shouldn’t take place in this era,’ she said in the post, adding the hash tag #howcomeitsthewayitis.
- Democrats and Republicans have struck a deal to offer USD 1.375 billion for 88.5 kilometers of new barriers along the southern border, as well as other border security measures to avert another crippling government shutdown over Trump’s wall along the US-Mexico border.
- The CAG report, tabled in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, says compared to the UPA government’s deal for 126 Rafale aircraft, India managed to save 17.08% costs for the India Specific Enhancements in the 36 Rafale contract by the NDA government.
- Referring to repeated questioning over the audio clip in which he was allegedly "booked" for ₹50 crore by opposition party, Karnataka Assembly Speaker Ramesh Kumar said, "My situation is like that of a rape victim."
- A third incident of fire took place at the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. The fire erupted at the tent in which Bihar Governor Lal Ji Tandon was staying.
- UPA chairperson and senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi has hit out at the Narendra Modi government over a range of issues including governance, job creation and social harmony in the last five years.
- Rahul Gandhi stepped up his attack on PM Modi saying his arguments of better pricing and faster delivery of Rafale have been demolished.
- Fire at Bihar governor’s tent in Kumbh mela mobile, watch burnt Three tents were gutted in the fire that took place at around 2am on Tuesday night.
- A Bahrain-based investment manager wants to fill a vacuum in lending to Indian property developers that have $18 billion of debt to repay, aiming to capitalize on a credit crunch that’s narrowed their borrowing options.
- Reliance General Insurance, part of Anil Ambani-led Reliance Group, has filed fresh papers for an Initial Public Offering (IPO), less than three months after approval for its previous proposal lapsed.
- The Reserve Bank of India, which reduced the key lending rate by 0.25 % last week, mainly factors in CPI-based inflation while arriving at its bi-monthly monetary policy.
- India’s headline and core inflation rates are set to converge in the coming months as the economy slows, increasing the chance of more interest rate cuts.
- All-rounder Vijay Shankar, who made his ODI debut for India in January this year, has said that he learnt a lot by watching MS Dhoni during run chases.
- India batsman Cheteshwar Pujara has revealed that the best sledge he received from an Australian player was during a Test match in Ranchi in 2017.
- Ex-India captain Mohammed Azharuddin has said India should include Rishabh Pant in the playing XI in the 2019 World Cup and he should bat at the number four position.
- Sindhu will open her campaign against South Korea’s Sung Ji Hyun, while Indonesia Masters champion Saina takes on Scotland’s Kristy Gilmour in the first round.
- Solskjaer was beaten for the first time in 12 matches as United’s interim manager as second-half goals from Presnel Kimpembe and Kylian Mbappe rocked Old Trafford.
- Ruchira Kamboj was appointed as the Ambassador of India to Bhutan. She is currently serving as the High Commissioner of India to South Africa since 2017.
- Dutch non-profit organisation Mars One Ventures, which offered one-way tickets to Mars, had filed for bankruptcy in mid-January.
- A Mangalore-based Google Pay customer filed a complaint with the cyber crime police after allegedly being cheated of ₹2.7 lakh by imposters posing as customer care executives.
- Mexican researcher Eva Ramón Gallegos has claimed 100% cure for cervical cancer-causing human papillomavirus (HPV) after a 20-year research.
- Bapineedu directed ‘Gang Leader’, starring Chiranjeevi, which went on to become one of the cult classics in Telugu.
1. Important Days
- Observed on February 12th, National Plum Pudding Day is a day to learn more about this delicious dessert.
- Five trucks full of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's personal amenities have reportedly reached Pakistan ahead of his visit to the country.
- A remote Russian region has declared a state of emergency over the appearance of dozens of polar bears in its human settlements.
- A US man, who entered an abandoned house to smoke marijuana, found a caged overweight female tiger inside the property.
- Donald Trump Supporter Attacks BBC Cameraman At Texas Rally. Trump saw the attack and confirmed Mr Skeans was well with a thumbs up after it happened.
- The property tycoon led one of a series of "reunification councils" that advocate support of Chinese Communist Party policies.
- Kamala Harris Confronts Critics On Her Black Heritage. Last month, Harris officially kicked off her 2020 presidential campaign from her hometown Oakland.
- US congressional negotiators said on Monday they reached a tentative deal on border security funding to avert a fresh partial government shutdown due to start.
- BJP President Amit Shah said, "The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader N Chandrababu Naidu is back to theatrics and histrionics." Shah added that Naidu has lost "complete credibility" among the people of the state.
- Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy announced an inquiry by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) into the audio clips he had released last week.
- Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu announced ₹20 lakh ex-gratia for the family of the differently-abled man who committed suicide outside Delhi's Andhra Bhawan
- The Bombay High Court extended the interim protection granted to activist Anand Teltumbde, an accused in the Bhima-Koregaon case, till February 22.
- BJP President Amit Shah launched the "Mera Parivar, Bhajapa Parivar" campaign which aims to put the party flag at 5 crore houses of its workers and supporters.
- Delhi minister Satyendar Jain has tweeted that Karol Bagh's Hotel Arpit Palace, where 17 people died in a fire on Tuesday morning.
- Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has announced a compensation of ₹5 lakh for the family of those who died in a fire at Hotel Arpit Palace in Karol Bagh on Tuesday.
- Currency in circulation touched a new high of Rs 20.65 lakh crore on January 18th, 2019, way above the pre-demonetisation high of Rs 17.97 lakh crore
- The EXIM bank also plans to raise around USD two billion during the current year, Export-Import Bank of India, managing director, David Rasquinha said.
- State-owned power giant NTPC has signed a term loan agreement for Rs 5,000 crore with State Bank of India.
- Australian fast bowler Pat Cummins won the Cricket Australia's highest honour 'Allan Border Medal'.
- French forward Kylian Mbappé, who was 2018 World Cup's best young player, donated £27,000 (₹24 lakh) after the family of missing pilot David Ibbotson launched a fundraising campaign to help find the pilot's remains.
- Former Manchester United player Paul Scholes has been appointed as the manager of Oldham Athletic, the club announced
- Vijaya Bank General Manager Manimekhalai A has been appointed as the executive director of Canara Bank.
- National Cyber Security Coordinator in the PMO Gulshan Rai, "Mobile wallet transactions have increased 40 times in the last five years.
- According to Bernstein analyst Toni Sacconaghi, the average upgrade cycle for Apple iPhones has risen from three years in 2018 fiscal year to every four years in 2019.
- Afghanistan’s first president following the withdrawal of Soviet troops from the country and the collapse in 1992 of Kabul’s pro-communist government, Sibghatullah Mujadidi, has died. He was 93.
1. Important Days
- The General Assembly decided to establish an annual 11th February 2019 International Day of Women and Girls in Science to recognize the critical Role Women and Girls play
- The annual multinational maritime exercise Cutlass Express was held from 27th Jan to 06th Feb 19. The exercise is aimed to improve law enforcement capacity.
- Saudi Arabia had “absolutely nothing to do” with the National Enquirer’s reporting on an extramarital relationship involving Amazon.com Inc Chief Executive Jeff Bezos, the kingdom’s minister of state for foreign affairs said.
- According to details published last week by Axios, 60 percent of Trump’s work life is categorized as “executive time,” meaning unstructured time to make phone calls, read newspapers, tweet and watch television.
- House of Commons speaker John Bercow and veteran Conservative MP Ken Clarke have been dubbed ‘Tandoori traitors’ for meeting in an Indian restaurant and discussing a ‘plot’ to remain in the European Union.
- The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department said it has extended the adoption of interactive forms of statement of claims filed before courts by including the Hindi language alongside Arabic and English in labour cases.
- The Congress will play “on the front foot” for the Lok Sabha elections and fight to form Uttar Pradesh’s next government, the party’s president Rahul Gandhi.
- BSP supremo Mayawati took a dig at PM Narendra Modi over the Rafale deal, saying national interest and national security can be "compromised and ignored" for the sake of the "chowkidar".
- Former PM Manmohan Singh extended support to Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu's day-long dharna for special status to the state and said the Centre should fulfil the promise without any further delay.
- Gujjar leader Kirori Singh Bainsla has threatened the Rajasthan government saying people will leave the protest only after getting 5% reservation.
- India's fastest train Vande Bharat Express or Train 18's air-conditioned chair car ticket for Delhi-Varanasi trip would reportedly cost ₹1,850 and the executive class fare will be ₹3,520.
- Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) Chairman Mukesh Ambani topped the Hurun India Philanthropy List 2018 with the highest contribution of Rs 437 crore between October 2017 and September 2018.
- Market regulator SEBI said it's looking into allegations related to sale of pledged shares of Anil Ambani-led Reliance Group's three listed firms by L&T Finance and Edelweiss Group.
- Reliance Realty will develop Maharashtra’s first and largest smart fintech centre in Navi Mumbai. The Department of Information Technology, Government of Maharashtra and the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC)
- Sports Authority of India (SAI) beat Chandigarh to win the 9th Hockey India Senior Women National Championship 2019 (B Division) in Hisar, Haryana.
- France’s Corentin Moutet, the second-seed, beat Andrew Harris of Australia 6-3, 6-3 in the singles final to win the title in Chennai Open ATP Challenger tennis tournament in Chennai.
- BCCI's acting secretary Amitabh Choudhary has questioned whether former India international Rahul Dravid's name is being used in the process of appointing Vikram Rathour as India A's batting coach.
- Speaking about former Rajasthan Royals skipper, Steve Smith, current skipper Ajinkya Rahane said, "Mistakes can happen... Definitely, we will welcome Steve Smith with love because he is our player and he is one of our own."
- The producers of the 61st Grammy Awards misspelled singer Kacey Musgraves' name as 'Kasey Musgraves' when she was introduced as one of the performers towards the beginning of the show.
- “Roma” and “The Favourite” won big at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts awards. “Roma,” Alfonso Cuaron’s Spanish language black-and-white Netflix film, took home some of the biggest prizes, snagging best film, best film not in the English language, best director and best cinematography.
- Former Union Minister and author Manish Tewari launched “What Marx Left Unsaid”, authored by Malay Chaudhuri, Arindam Chaudhuri and Che Kabir Chaudhuri at the India International Centre in New Delhi.
- Bollywood actor Mahesh Anand, who was known for playing negative roles in the movies of 80s and 90s passed away. He was 57. He was last seen in Govinda’s 2019 release Rangeela Raja.
1. Important Days
- National Deworming Day 2019 was observed all over India on Sunday, 10th of February. Various programs and events were also organised on the occasion showcasing the importance of worm free lives and maintaining sanitation.
- New Zealand flight turns back mid-air after discovering it lacks permission to land in China. Air New Zealand apologised to passengers and said a special service would fly them to Shanghai.
- House of Commons speaker John Bercow and veteran Conservative MP Ken Clarke have been dubbed ‘Tandoori traitors’ for meeting in an Indian restaurant and discussing a ‘plot’ to remain in the European Union.
- The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department said it has extended the adoption of interactive forms of statement of claims filed before courts by including the Hindi language alongside Arabic and English in labour cases.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday attacked the Opposition at rallies in three southern states of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka as he highlighted the development work his government has undertaken.
- The ministry has selected eight bloggers, mostly women, to write about eight destinations, which will be picked next week by tourism ministry.
- Few years ago, it has always been an opinion that once a judgment was rendered by the court, be it the Supreme Court, high courts or any trial court, you have every right to criticize the judgement.
- Over 4.77 million households and 3.25 million automobile owners may have to pay market rates for piped natural gas (PNG) and compressed natural gas [CNG], respectively.
- Veteran actor-director Amol Palekar said he was hurt at being interrupted by members of the NGMA during his speech and that no member of the audience spoke up for him at a Mumbai event.
- The seventh session of the World Government Summit kicked off in Dubai with the participation of over 4,000 delegates from 140 countries.
- The country's largest airline IndiGo has approached the RBI seeking permission "to export currency notes of up to ₹1,50,000 to enable [the airline] to provide change to passengers" during onboard sales in international flights.
- A Bank of Baroda official named Niket Kumar has been arrested for allegedly stealing ₹29.5 lakh from customers' 18 fixed and recurring deposits at Colaba branch of the bank in Mumbai.
- Arjun Tendulkar sealed his spot in the 15-man squad, which will be led by Jay Bista, after performing well in the DY Patil T20 Cup and RFS Talyarkhan Memorial invitation tournament.
- Australia can win World Cup with Smith and Warner Ricky Ponting a close ally of Langer, will start after Australia’s upcoming one-day tours against India and Pakistan.
- Mithali Raj to lead Indian women’s cricket team for England ODI series. The ODI series is a part of the ongoing ICC Women’s Championship and will be played at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
- Acclaimed Indo-Canadian filmmaker Deepa Mehta will be given the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television. Mehta, best known for her Elements Trilogy – “Fire”, “Earth” and “Water”.
- Madhya Pradesh cadre IAS officer Radheyshyam Julaniya will replace Rahul Bhatnagar as the Union Sports Secretary. Julaniya is a 1985 batch officer and was working with his home cadre till now.
1. International News
- According to FAN’s statistics, Nepal imported roses worth NPR 12.5 million in 2018 from India. The figure is higher this year due to increased demand.
- Universities and schools in the United Kingdom attract students from rich families from across the globe, but the son of a former prime minister who paid £1,000 per day for an apartment in Knightsbridge drew the attention of crime officials.
- In another instance of growing influence of the LeT in the US and radicalisation of American youths, a teenager in Texas was charged by the FBI with using social media to recruit people on behalf of the terror group and send them to Pakistan for terrorist training.
- India and Bangladesh have signed an MOU for training 1800 Bangladesh Civil Servants at the National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG)
- PM Narendra Modi launched various developmental works in the state of Arunachal Pradesh which includes
- The State Government of Jammu and Kashmir issued a notification of creation of Ladakh as 3rd Division in the state.
- Union Minister of State for Tourism KJ Alphons and Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the 2nd ASEAN-India Youth Summit at Hotel Taj Vivanta in Guwahati.
- The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) announced that it has signed a pact with Invest India to promote foreign investments in the country and Indian investments abroad.
- Approval has been sought “to export currency notes up to Rs 1,50,000 to enable them to provide the change to passengers making purchases onboard in Indian rupees on its international flights”, said Union minister Pon Radhakrishnan.
- Barring Bengal’s Abhimanyu Easwaran (861 runs) and Gujarat’s Priyank Panchal (898 runs), none of the top 10 run-getters or wicket-takers from Ranji Trophy this season found themselves in the squad.
- Ollie Pope praised Virat Kohli for his batting technique and admitted that watching him play, especially in the Nottingham Test where India had registered a thumping 203 runs victory over England, taught him a lot.
- India ‘A’ declared their innings at 540 for 6 in reply to England Lions’ 340 to gain a massive 200-run lead, thanks to Panchal’s marathon knock.
- Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has instituted the ‘PMAY (U) awards for Implementation and Innovation’ under the Mission.
- Oscar-nominated British actor Albert Finney passed away peacefully after a short illness. He aged 82. He was a five-time Oscar nominee who began his career at the Royal Shakespeare Company before making his mark in film.
1. International News
- Ubolratana will be the prime ministerial candidate for the Thai Raksa Chart Party in the March 24th election, the party said Friday in Bangkok. This would be the first time a senior royal has participated in a Thai election.
- US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross has announced the names of the American private sector members of the US-India CEO Forum.
- The fire broke out at Ninho do Urubu, a state-of-the-art training centre that was expanded and opened only two months ago.
- The hotel was Trump’s first success in Manhattan after he started in real estate with his father, a wealthy developer in the New York City borough of Queens where the president grew up.
- The I&B ministry has collaborated with CII is setting up an India Pavilion at the 69th Berlin International Film Festival is being held at Berlin, Germany.
- The 5th India-Bangladesh Joint Consultative Committee Meeting was held in New Delhi. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Foreign Affairs Minister of Bangladesh Dr Abdul Momen co-chaired the meeting.
- Ministry of External Affairs and Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) organised Parmanu Tech 2019 in New Delhi to discuss the issues related to Nuclear Energy and Radiation Technologies.
- In the latest edition of the International IP Index, India’s rank moved up to 36 among 50 economies – jumping eight places – as against 44 in 2018.
- The 7th edition of the film festival began on February 7th of 2019 in Kolhapur, Maharashtra.It is an eight-day festival, in which Veteran actress Rohini Hattangadi is the chief guest at the inaugural function.
- The Government e Marketplace (GeM), the national public procurement platform of Ministry of Commerce and Industries, and Competition Commission of India (CCI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
- Both Sensex and Nifty ended over 1% lower on Friday following a steep decline in auto stocks led by Tata Motors and broadly negative global cues.
- RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das had said he will speak to bankers to ensure a quicker and better transmission of the policy rates in a meeting scheduled to take place in two-three weeks.
- The 28-year-old pistol shooter from Maharashtra’s Kohlapur feels that she should have been financially sound after “all these years of hardwork” but she is not.
- Former General Manager and currently BCCI-appointed nominee looking after new entrants in Uttarakhand Ratnakar Shetty has written to Saba Karim, letter accessed by Hindustan Times, and spoken of the genuine issues facing the state associations.
- After his last 16 loss to Greek young gun Stefanos Tsitsipas in Melbourne last month, Roger Federer was quick to brush aside suggestions it was the beginning of the end.
- Father Francois Laborde, a 92-year-old priest, was conferred the Légion d'Honneur (Legion of Honour), the highest civilian award of France, in recognition of his work for specially-abled children.
- World champion Indian weightlifter Saikhom Mirabai Chanu notched up a gold medal at the EGAT Cup in Thailand.
- John Dingell, the longest-serving member of Congress in American history, died of cancer at age 92. He was first elected in 1955, serving in the House of Representatives for the next 59 years. He retired in 2015.
1. Important Days
- International Development Week (IDW) is celebrated every year on 7th February to show and inform about different roles and career paths in the international development sector.
- Commander of the US Central Command General Joseph Votel told the lawmakers that militants operating out of Pakistan and Afghanistan continue to threaten Afghan stability as well as stoke tensions between Pakistan and India.
- NATO membership could take a heavy toll on Skopje’s foreign policy independence, Moscow warned Thursday, a day after NATO members signed an accord with Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).
- The United States Reciprocal Trade Act, if signed into law, could have consequences on bilateral trade with countries like India.
- Average global surface temperatures were 1.0 degree Celsius above pre-industrial times in 2018, the UN’s World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said.
- Momen also discussed the matter during a meeting with former PM Manmohan Singh, who said the early repatriation of the Rohingya refugees is a priority.
- The budget also focuses on infrastructure development schemes, modernisation and training of police force, connecting major towns by air and expressways, education, skill development and construction of roads, among others.
- Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday called Prime Minister Narendra Modi a coward and challenged him to a debate on Rafale and national security even as he cautioned the bureaucracy not to toe the RSS-BJP line.
- The army chief has written a letter to PM Modi, saying that the allegations of coup amounted to questioning the integrity of the armed forces and were grounds for sedition charges.
- To be called Vivekananda Yuva Shakti Mission, the scheme will cover about 7 lakh unemployed urban youth in the initial stage.
- The repurchase rate will probably be kept steady at 6.5 percent, according to 32 of the 43 economists surveyed by Bloomberg as of Wednesday, with the rest expecting a 25 basis-point reduction.
- Banks will have to raise about ₹25 lakh crore over the two fiscals to meet credit growth of 13-14%, ratings agency CRISIL has reported.
- The new e-commerce platform “will bring win-win benefits to consumers, retailers and producers” and help 30 million small shopkeepers, Mukesh Ambani said
- West Indies captain Jason Holder will play for Northamptonshire during the first part of the 2019 English season, the club announced.
- Vidarbha lifted their second successive Ranji Trophy title with a comfortable 78-run win over Saurashtra in the final, proving that their maiden triumph last year was no fluke
- FIFA Rankings: India slip out of top 100 in latest charts Skipper Sunil Chhetri and Co. slumped six places to be ranked 103 with 1219 points in the FIFA rankings released.
- Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards for 2017 was presented by President Ram Nath Kovind to 42 artists in a ceremony held in New Delhi.
- The State Bank of India’s Uk chief Shri Sanjiv Chadha has been honoured with the ‘Freedom of the City Of London’ by city of London Corporation.
- Former Assistant General Manager at Western Railway, Rahul Jain took charge as the General Manager of Integral Coach Factory.
- Air India chief Pradeep Singh Kharola has been appointed Civil Aviation secretary. He will succeed Rajiv Nayan Choubey who retired, after the resignation he took over as member in the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
- Fortis Healthcare on Thursday said it has appointed Ashutosh Raghuvanshi as the hospital chain's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) effective March 18.
- Earth's global surface temperatures in 2018 were the fourth warmest since 1880, according to independent analyses by NASA and the US weather agency NOAA.
- Facebook executive Caryn Marooney has announced she will step down as the head of communications group after eight years at the social media platform.
- A few iPhone apps including 'Abercrombie & Fitch', 'Hotels.com' and 'Expedia' are recording screens without user consent, a TechCrunch report claimed.
- Facebook in a post to the 'Facebook Advertiser Hub Page' said it will reveal more details including who uploaded user contact information for targeted advertisements starting February 28.
1. Important Days
- International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation is a United Nations-sponsored annual awareness day that takes place on February 6 as part of the UN's efforts to eradicate female genital mutilation.
- The Ministry of Coal, Government of India signed an MoU with Ministry of Energy, Republic of Poland in-order to foster relations in the field of coal mining and clean coal technologies.
- US President Donald Trump has proposed a new nuclear missiles treaty that could possibly include India as he delivered the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress.
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3. National News
- Poland Capital: Warsaw
- Currency: Polish Zloty
- Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh announced setting up a high-powered committee to boost dairy sector for supplementing farmers’ income in a result-oriented manner.
- Ashwini Kumar Choubey, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare chaired the 6th meeting of the Mission Steering Group of the National Health Mission (NHM) in New Delhi.
- The Union Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA) launched the Shehri Samridhi Utsav, an initiative that aims to extend the outreach of Deendayal Antyodaya Mission – National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM) to the most vulnerable.
- First State Level Awareness Programme on Agriculture Export Policy to create awareness among farmers and stakeholders held in Pune, Maharashtra.
- The Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune organized the 67th Annual Armed Forces Medical Conference which is the largest gathering and the only multi-specialty conference of its kind in the country.
- International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) decided to set up a World Heritage Centre housing ‘spiritual camps’ in 45 countries, one of which is to be set up in Mayapur in West Bengal.
- The second edition of World Count festival 2019 was held in Pune, Maharashtra. The Festival, was hosted by the award -winning screenwriter, author and columnist Advita Kala.
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4. Banking and Economy
- Maharashtra Capital: Mumbai
- Governor: C. Vidyasagar Rao
- Chief minister: Devendra Fadnavis
- Punjab Capital : Chandigarh
- Governor:V.P. Singh Badnore
- Chief Minister : Amarinder Singh
- Axis Bank, UCO Bank and Syndicate Bank are Penalised with a total of Rs.5.2 Crore by RBI Bank for violating the guidelines in regulatory compliance.
- Industry and Internal trade secretary Ramesh Abhishek notified that government will form a small working group to have a watch over the matter of angel tax profiled by startups.
- Indian squash player Ramit Tandon defeated Egyptian Mohamed El Sherbini in the finals to win the Seattle Open, a PSA challenger squash Tour event.
- President Ram nath kovind presented the Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards for the year 2017 to 42 noted artists in five categories.
- K.Veeramani Award for Social Justice 2018 will be conferred on P.S. Krishnan, former Secretary, Government of India. Dravidar Kazhagam leader Veeramani will felicitate the awardee at a function in New Delhi.
- National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) of India has been selected as Winner under the Miniratna Category (Category II) by Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME).
- Nilambar Acharya, Nepal’s former law minister, has been appointed as the country’s ambassador to India. The position of the Nepalese ambassador to India was vacant for more than a year after Deep Kumar Upadhyay resigned to join politics.
- Chief Managing Director (CMD) of Air India Pradeep Singh Kharola has been appointed the Civil Aviation Secretary.
- The government appointed Dinesh Bhatia, the present consulate general of India at Toronto as the next ambassador of India to the Republic Of Argentina.
- Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MP from Aska Lok Sabha constituency in Odisha, Ladu Kishore Swain passed away at the age of 71. Swain was member of the Odisha Legislative Assembly from 2004 to 2009.
1. International News
- The United States of America pulls out of Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces treaty with Russia. This was announced by the US on 20 October 2018. Russia also pulls out of treaty on 2nd February 2019.
- Stripe, a San Francisco-based online payment processing firm that analyses Companies that do business online released the survey for the 2019, which placed India in the 11th position for its extensive growth and overseas expansion.
- Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA), one of the five largest sovereign wealth funds of the world, is keen to triple its investments of $5 billion in India by entering areas such as infrastructure, airports and highways.
- The 33-year-old prince, often referred to by his initials MBS, is expected to travel to Pakistan on February 16. He will then go to Malaysia before travelling to New Delhi in the fourth week of February.
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2. National News
- Russia Capital: Moscow
- Currency: Ruble
- President: Valadimir Putin
- In a first, the Kerala government has set up a price monitoring and research unit (PMRU) to track violation of prices of essential drugs and medical devices under Drugs Price and Control order
- The second eidtion of the festival of words, Words Count, curated by the award-winning screenwriter, author and columnist Advaita Kala, was held on February 3 in Pune, Maharashtra.
- Assam occupied the top slot in the ranking of best practices followed by states in the Budget formulation, followed by Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, as per a survey by Transparency International.
- External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari flagged off Suraksha Yatra – a motor car rally from Rajghat in New Delhi to commemorate the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
- The Kala Ghoda festival, India’s largest multi-cultural street festival begins in Mumbai to celebrate its 20 years of art and culture through cinema, theatre, dance, literature, and sculpture.
- Shehri Samridhi Utsav, an initiative of Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA), aims to extend the outreach of Deendayal Antyodaya Mission – National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM)
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3. Banking and Economy
- NPPA Headquarters: New Delhi, India
- Kerala CM: Pinarayi Vijayan
- Governor: Palaniswamy Sathasivam
- Fitch Solutions, the research arm of Fitch Group, projected the government’s fiscal deficit to overshoot the budgeted target by 0.2 per cent to 3.6 percent of GDP in 2019-20 fiscal.
- Two regional rural banks (RRB) — Pallavan Grama Bank and Pandyan Grama Bank — will be amalgamated into a single RRB in Tamil Nadu
- Foreign direct investment into India has declined 11 percent to $22.66 billion during April-September period of the current fiscal, according to ministry of commerce and industry data.
- Fino Payments Bank (FPB) has announced the launch of a sweep account facility in association with Suryoday Small Finance Bank (SSFB).
- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has bought a 14% stake in micro-financier Annapurna Finance for Rs 137 crore, reinforcing the belief that India’s microfinance sector is on course to attracting long-term funds from global lenders and investors.
- Online food delivery start-up Swiggy has made its first acqui-hire in the deep technology space through an AI start-up Kint. io for an undisclosed amount. As part of this, the founding team of Kint.io will join Swiggy.
- IndoStar Capital Finance Ltd (IndoStar), a non-banking finance company, has signed a binding agreement to acquire the CV finance business of India Infoline Finance Ltd (IIFL Finance), a subsidiary of IIFL Holdings Ltd.
- According to the data furnished by the Controller General of Accounts (CGA), India’s budgetary fiscal deficit for the April-December period stood at Rs 7.01 lakh crore or 112.4 per cent of the budgeted target of Rs 6.24 lakh crore.
- Indian squash player Ramit Tandon defeated Egyptian Mohamed El Sherbini in the finals to win the Seattle Open, a PSA challenger squash Tour event held in USA .
- It’s always good when the best players get to play every game, but whether or not he [Lionel Messi] plays will not influence the way we prepare for the game at all,’ said Real Madrid manager Santiago Solari.
- Uniphore Software Systems received the Aegis Graham Bell Award under Innovation in Data Science for its flagship product auMina.
- P V Bharathi, executive director of Canara Bank has assumed charge as managing director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the city-based Corporation BanK.
- Former mayor Nayib Bukele won El Salvador’s presidential election,who will take charge from June 1, 2019. He will succeed Salvador Sánchez Cerén
- The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) unveiled its Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) at ISRO Headquarter campus in Bengaluru, Karnataka for its maiden manned space mission 'Gaganyaan'.
1. Important Days
- World Cancer Day is an international day, which is marked on 4th February to increase awareness of cancer, and to encourage its prevention, early detection and treatment.
- Road safety week is a national event aimed at raising public awareness about traffic rules and ultimately to reduce casualties due to road accidents. 30th Road Safety Week 2019 will be celebrated in India from 04th February to the 10th February.
- According to the global report named “2018 Global Go To Think Tank Index Report” ,Observer Research Foundation (ORF) has been marked as India’s highest ranked think tank. ORF is highest ranked in India and ranked 118 globally.
- Union Minister KJ Alphons has said that the country’s tourism sector fetched 234 billion US Dollar revenue last year, registering a growth of over 19%.
- Singapore is once again the most liveable location for Asian expatriates, having claimed the top spot every year since ECA’s liveability rankings began in 2005.
- In order to save Iran from the US (United States) sanctions, Project INSTEX (Instrument in Support of Trade Exercises) was launched by the governments of United Kingdom, France and Germany.
- The head of state of Monaco, Prince Albert II arrived in New Delhi on a week-long visit to India. He attended the India-Monaco Business Forum followed by a round-table on energy and climate.
- The Minister of State for Culture Dr. Mahesh Sharma, inaugurated the 21-day-long nationwide theatre spectacle Bhart Rang Mahotsav at Kamani Auditorium in New Delhi.
- Government said that 8000 Health and Wellness Centres have become operational in 35 states and Union Territories. Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Ashwini Kumar Choubey.
- Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the 2nd ASEAN-Inda Youth Summit in Guwahati and underlined the need for mutual cooperation among the ASEAN countries for strengthening the multilateral relations of the region.
- At a time when the digital sphere has pervaded almost all spheres of life, and when nearly everything creative has been commodified, an symposium on “Creativity and Freedom” will take place in New Delhi.
- Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced the new ‘KALIA Chhatravritti Yojana’, which is a scholarship for the children of farmers who are the beneficiaries of Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation (KALIA) scheme.
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4. Banking and Economy
- Monaco Capital: Monte Carlo
- Currency: Euro
- India’s new e-commerce policy came into effect on February 1, 2019. The implementation has caused widespread disruption for the online retailers, forcing some of them to take down an array of items from their website.
- Singapore and Hong Kong are the number one countries when it comes to online companies doing business abroad. India fell just outside the top ten (Ranked 11th) but still ahead of the UK and US.
- Former New Zealand cricketer Brendon McCullum has announced his retirement from Australia’s domestic Twenty20 tournament – Big Bash League (BBL).
- India’s Smriti Mandhana topped in the ICC ODI Batswomen Rankings, she grabbed the first position after the match against New Zealand.
- Haryana Hammers defeated defending champions Punjab Royals by 6-3 in the summit clash at the Gautam Buddha University indoor stadium, Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh to claim the fourth edition of the Pro Wrestling League (PWL).
- Indian women’s hockey team midfielder Navjot Kaur, who climbed the ranks in the national team with significant performances, completed the milestone of playing 150 international matches.
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6. Appointments and Resignations
- Haryana Capital: Chandigarh
- Governor: Satyadev Narayan
- Chief Minister: Manohar Lal Khattar
- Ramesh Abhishek, secretary of the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) was appointed as an additional charge Secretary of the Civil Aviation Ministry.
- The state-run Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) stated that it has unveiled a Human Space Flight Centre at the ISRO headquarters in Bengaluru.
- Former Law Minister of Nepal Nilambar Acharya has been appointed as country's ambassador to India. President Bidya Devi Bhandari administered the oath of office and secrecy to Mr Acharya in Kathmandu.
- Noted freedom fighter and former Odisha MLA Priyanath Dey passed away in Bhubaneswar. He was 97. Dey had joined freedom movement in 1942 and was jailed several times.
- Noted actor Ramesh Bhatkar passed away after battling cancer. The Marathi film and TV actor aged 70, was suffering from cancer for quite a long time.
1. International News
- Pakistan Army successfully test-fired the short range surface-to-surface ballistic missile ‘Nasr’ which it claimed can defeat any ballistic missile defence system now available in the country’s neighbourhood or any other system being developed.
- India and Algeria are cooperating in space, defence and civil nuclear energy. The President invited Algeria to consider investments in oil reserves, refineries and LNG terminals.
- The U.S is suspending its obligations under the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty effective February 2 and will withdraw from the treaty in six months.
- Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu launched the second phase of Pasupu-Kumkuma (Turmeric-Kumkum) scheme and welfare pensions.
- One of the world’s rarest mammals, Indus River Dolphins has received an exceptional distinction. Found only in India and Pakistan in the Beas river, the generally playful Indus Dolphins have been declared Punjab’s State aquatic animal.
- The fourth edition of International Spice Conference (ISC 2019) held in Hyderabad. The conference is hosted by the All India Spices Exporters Forum (AISEF) which represents around 80% of spices export from India.
- Microsoft India entered into a pact with the Sikkim state government to improve the education system in the state by boosting digital literacy and the knowledge of new-age technology among students and teachers in government schools.
- Public sector Indian Bank said two Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), Pallavan Grama Bank and Pandyan Grama Bank will be merged to form Tamil Nadu Grama Bank as per the Finance Ministry. The integration will be effective from April 1.
- South Central Railway (SCR) got Rs.5,924 crore for 2019-20 from the year 2019 budget as against last year’s outlay of Rs.5,752 crore with the highest allotment made for doubling works of Rs. 1,905 crore.
- The Interim Budget 2019 contains several proposals aimed at reducing the tax burden on the salaried class and homeowners, increasing the tax rebate limit and amount for small taxpayers and exempting certain forms of rental income from tax.
- India’s Women Cricket team captain, Mithali Raj became the first female player to play 200 ODIs during the 3rd and Final ODI against New Zealand.
- Qatar won its first major soccer title by beating four-time champion Japan 3-1 in the 17th edition of the AFC Asian Cup held in United Arab Emirates(UAE).
- Former Pakistan women’s cricket team skipper Sana Mir became the first Asian woman cricketer to play 100 T20 international matches.
- Golfer Vani Kapoor becomes the first Indian to grab Australian Ladies PGA Tour (LPGA) after securing 12th Rank tied with three others in the first-ever qualifying tournament at the Ballarat Golf Club in Australia.
- Nepal’s Sundeep Jora became the youngest cricketer to score a half-century in T20 Internationals. Aged 17 years and 103 days, Jora achieved the feat during a T20I match against UAE in Dubai.
- Shri B.S.Mubarak an Indian Foreign Service officer of 2001 batch,has been Appointed as the Ambassador of India to the Republic of Honduras.
- Midfielder Ki Sung-yueng announced his retirement from the South Korean national team. The midfielder though decided to retire after the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia yet decided to compete in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup
- Iran Unveiled its Long Range Cruise Surface to Surface Missile, named Hoveizeh with a Strike range of 1,300 km (800 miles) to mark the remembrance of 1979 Islamic Revolution Anniversary.
- Pakistan has test fired a short range surface-to-surface ballistic missile ‘Nasr’ with a strike range of about 70-km.
- Paytm launched hotel bookings on its platform and acquired Night Stay, which offers deals on last-minute bookings at luxury hotels as the Alibaba-backed payments and e-commerce company expands its travel business.
- Veteran Marathi actor Ramesh Bhatkar passed away aged 70 after battling cancer for over one and a half years.
- Senior Congress leader and former minister Harihar Karan passed away at the age of 72. A six-time MLA from Daspalla constituency in Nayagarh district, Karan was elected for the first time in the sixth assembly elections in 1974.
1. Important Days
- World Wetlands Day is celebrated every year on 2 February. This day marks the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands on 2 February 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar on the shores of the Caspian Sea.
- 40 girls were rescued and a suspected trafficker accompanying them arrested from two hotels in Moreh by a state police team stationed in Tengnoupal district bordering Myanmar.
- Those arrested have been sent to the immigration detention centre in Mirihana, the eastern suburb of Colombo.
- Officials said the chambers, which were cut out of rock, belonged to a middle-class family who probably lived during the Ptolemaic, early Roman or Byzantine period.
- The government has constituted a committee under the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) to explore prepaid payments by state electricity distribution companies to power plants.
- The government hiked the sports budget by Rs 214.20 crore for the financial year 2019-2020, which also includes an increase of Rs 55 crore in funds for the Sports Authority of India (SAI).
- Observer Research Foundation (ORF) has been named the “highest ranked” Indian think tank in the “2018 Global Go To Think Tank Index Report.
- State-owned NBCC said it will construct an ayurveda and naturopathy hospital in Goa at a cost of Rs 267.81 crore. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of AYUSH has been signed in this regard.
- The Kala Ghoda Art Festival began at the iconic Kala Ghoda precinct in South Mumbai. 20 years ago Kala Ghoda Association was formed with the idea of giving back to the city and the festival was an organic extension of this idea.
- The government revised the economic growth rate upwards to 7.2 per cent for 2017-18 from the 6.7 per cent estimated earlier.
- The Reserve Bank of India eased out the operational curbs on three banks, Bank of India (BoI), Bank of Maharashtra (BoM) and Oriental Bank of Commerce (OBC).
- Qatar won its first major soccer title by beating four-time champion Japan 3-1 in the Asian Cup final, completing an improbable run to glory for the Gulf nation as it prepares to host the 2022 World Cup.
- After stunning performances in the first two ODIs against New Zealand, India’s opening batswoman Smriti Mandhana has rocketed to the No.1 spot in the latest ODI women’s batters rankings, the ICC announced recently.
- Greg Chappell, who is considered one of Australia’s most influential voices in the field of cricket, is set to exit the stage as the selector and national talent manager following the end of the Ashes later this year.
- The 2019 edition of Kochi Area Boat Pulling Regatta, which is one of the most prestigious and traditional naval sporting activities conducted in Indian Navy, was held in Kochi.
- Vani Kapoor became the first Indian to earn a card for the Australian Ladies PGA Tour (LPGA) after coming through its first-ever Qualifying Tournament at the Ballarat Golf Club in Australia.
- Rajiv Nath was conferred with prestigious Award of Appreciation by Ashwini Kumar Choubey, Honourable Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare for his contribution to the Global Public Healthcare sector in New Delhi.
- Senior IPS officer Rishi Kumar Shukla was appointed as CBI Director, just four days after he was shifted from the post of Madhya Pradesh DGP by the Kamal Nath government to the Madhya Pradesh Police Housing Corporation.
- Yes Bank Senior group President and head of retail and business banking, Pralay Mondal resigned from his post. He will serve his notice till 31st March 2019.
- Former Planning Commission member and ex-director of IIMC Hiten Bhaya passed away at his residence in south Delhi’s Vasant Kunj. She was 98.
1. International News
- Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) announced entering into agreements worth $93 million for providing Naval Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) systems to India.
- Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has opened a new centre in partnership with the UN to fight climate change and boost sustainable development in Africa.
- According to the National Sample Survey Office’s (NSSO’s) periodic labor force survey (PLFS) India’s unemployment rate hit a 45 year high of 6.1% in 2017-18.
- The government has partnered with the organisation Vision for a Nation (VFAN) to train more than 3,000 eye care nurses based in 502 local health centres, prescribing glasses and referring those with serious eye problems to national clinics.
- The United Nations announced 2019 as the International Year of the Periodic Table of the Chemical Elements to highlight its first publication in 1869.
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2. National News
- Israel Capital: Jerusalem
- Currency: Israeli new shekel.
- The Defence Acquisitions Council, DAC chaired by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman approved indigenous construction of six submarines worth 40 thousand crore rupees.
- Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) renamed as Department of promotion of Industry and Internal Trade. The newly named department is under Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
- Punjab government approved a rural development scheme”‘Smart Village Campaign” worth Rs 384.40 crore to build village infrastructure and provide essential amenities.
- The state government of Maharashtra launched a special scheme to curb infant deaths. The government started distributing baby-care kits to the children born in primary health centres and government hospitals.
- Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi dedicated the National Salt Satyagraha Memorial at Dandi in Navsari district, Gujarat to the nation on Mahatma Gandhi’s death anniversary.
- Three public sector lenders have been permitted to exit the Reserve Bank of India’s prompt corrective action framework.
- ‘Kisan Suvidha loan’ for small and marginal farmers launched by Ujjivan Small Finance Bank. It provides loans to individuals with an amount ranging from Rs. 60000 to Rs. 2 Lakh to fulfill the customized needs of the mass market segment.
- Finance minister Piyush Goyal presented the Interim Budget for 2019-20 amid heightened expectations that he will announce an income support scheme for distressed farmers.
- Paytm has launched hotel bookings on its platform and acquired Night Stay, which offers deals on last-minute bookings at luxury hotels, as the Alibaba-backed payments and e-commerce company expands its travel business.
- Bank of India, Bank of Maharashtra and Oriental Bank of Commerce have been allowed to exit the PCA framework fully.
- After winning their maiden Ranji Trophy earlier this season, Vidarbha has recorded another first by winning the U-19 Cooch Behar Trophy.
- The International Cricket Council (ICC) signed a five-year global partnership deal with beverage manufacturer Coca-Cola Company. The deal is reportedly worth Rs 300 crore, according to reports.
- UNESCO launched 2019 as The International Year of the Periodic Table of Chemical Elements in Paris. The Periodic Table of Chemical Elements is one of the most significant achievements in science, capturing the essence not only of chemistry, but also of physics and biology.
- Shabnam Asthana has been awarded the ‘Times Power Women of the Year 2017’- Pune for Global PR. These awards were initiated to celebrate the victories of women who have been a great source of inspiration.
- As per the National Sample Survey Office’s (NSSO’s) periodic labor force survey (PLFS) India’s unemployment rate hit a 45 year high of 6.1% in 2017-18.
- ICICI Bank decided to terminate the contract of former Managing Director and CEO Chanda Kochhar. A panel lead by B.N Srikrishna found that she violated the bank code of conduct. Bank appointed Sandeep Bakshi as CEO for after her resignation.
- Punit Goenka, managing director and CEO, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd has been re-elected the new chairman of TV viewership measurement company, BARC India.
- Lt Gen Rajeev Chopra assumed the appointment of Director General of NCC (DGNCC). Commissioned in the Madras Regiment in December 1980, Lt Gen Chopra is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy.
- Vice Admiral Ajit Kumar P, PVSM, AVSM, VSM took charge as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command in Mumbai.
- Scientists developed an artificial pancreas smartphone app that will help to analyze blood sugar levels in diabetes patients.
- Acclaimed Ottanthulal artist Kalamandalam Geethanandan passed away while performing at Avittathur Mahavishnu Temple in Kerala.