Current Affairs Daily Digest – August 16 2019
1. AP launches ‘Village Volunteers System’ on Independence Day
Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh YS Jagan Mohan Reddy launched his government’s flagship programme called ‘Village Volunteers System’ aimed at providing government services at doorsteps of people. The announcement in this regard was made during CM’s Independence Day address in Vijayawada.
2. Tamil Nadu honours ISRO Chief with Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam Award
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman Kailasavadivoo Sivan, was awarded Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Award by Tamil Nadu government. He was awarded in recognition of his stellar work in promotion of science and technology. He is known popularly known as ‘Rocket Man’.
3. Banks not to charge for failed transactions, balance enquiry: RBI
Every month banks provide certain number of free transactions at ATMs to their customers and exceeding which charges are imposed. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has asked banks not to count failed transactions at ATMs due to technical reasons as part of ‘free ATM transactions’ permitted every month.
4. India win 1st cycling gold at Junior Track Cycling WC event
The Indian team consisting of Esow Alben, L Ronaldo Singh, Y Rojit Singh and Jemsh Singh won India’s first gold at a world cycling event, after landing winning gold at the Junior Track Cycling World Championships. All four cyclists were also part of the team which won gold in men’s team sprint at the Asian Championships in Jakarta in January.
5. Uttarakhand gets full member status in the BCCI by CoA
Cricket Association of Uttarakhand (CAU) granted full membership in the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India). This is done by the Committee of Administrators (CoA) on August 13, 2019. The association inducted as a member association. It is the full member with amendments that are required to be communicated by CoA.
6. Denmarks Jyske Bank unveiled worlds first negative interest rate home loan
Denmark’s third-largest bank Jyske Bank launched the world’s first negative interest rate mortgage. The bank handling out loans to homeowners where the charge is minus 0.5% a year. It has begun offering borrowers a 10-year deal at -0.5%. Jyske bank borrowers will make a monthly repayment, as usual, The amount still outstanding will be reduced each month by more than the borrower.
7. Former Indian cricketer VB Chandrasekhar dies at 57, cops confirm suicide
Former India and Tamil Nadu opening batsman V.B. Chandrasekhar was found dead at his home in Chennai. He was 57. According to his family, he was upset over the losses incurred while running a cricket league team. VB Chandrasekhar owned a team called VB Kanchi Veerans in the Tamil Nadu cricket league and was also running a cricket coaching centre.
8. July 2019 was hottest month on record for the planet
Much of the planet sweltered in unprecedented heat in July, as temperatures soared to new heights in the hottest month ever recorded. The record warmth also shrank Arctic and Antarctic sea ice to historic lows.
9. Air India becomes 1st Indian airline to fly over zero degree North Pole on I-Day
Air India flew over the North Pole on Independence Day, becoming the first Indian airline to operate commercial flights over the polar region, reported News18.
The carrier’s Delhi-San Francisco flight, which usually takes the route over the Atlantic or the Pacific ocean, flew over zero degree north in a unique feat, the Times of India reported.
10. PM Modi announces Jal Jeevan Mission to bring piped water to every house
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced during his Independence Day speech that the government will launch Jal Jeevan Mission to bring piped water supply to every house. He also urged the people to come forward and contribute in conserving water resources.
PM Modi said that the government will spend more than Rs. 3.5 Lakh crore in coming years under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM). Jal Jeevan Mission will work under the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation.
11. Samjhauta Express: Indian Railways cancels Samjhauta Express, after Pakistan permanently suspended its service
Indian Railways cancelled the Samjhauta Express services from its end on August 11, 2019. The announcement came a few days after Pakistan permanently suspended its services.
The Chief Public Relations Officer of Northern Railway, Deepak Kumar announced that the link exp train number 14001/14002 running between Delhi and Atari stood cancelled in consequence to Pakistan’s decision to cancel Samjhauta exp 14607/14608 running between Lahore and Atari.
12. ShareChat raises USD 100 million in Series D funding
ShareChat, a regional social media platform, has raised USD 100 million in its series D funding with participation of Twitter and TrustBridge Partners. ShareChat has raised USD 224 million. Existing investors including Shunwei Capital, Lightspeed Venture Partners, SAIF Capital, India Quotient and Morningside Venture Capital also participated in the funding round.
