International Affairs
India halved its poverty rate since the 1990s: World Bank report
India has halved its poverty rate since the 1990s and achieved a seven plus growth rate over the last 15 years. The country has achieved annual growth exceeding seven per cent over the last 15 years, halved its poverty rate since the 1990s, and enjoyed strong improvements in most human development outcomes.
Trade deal with China being papered, says Donald Trump
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said the partial trade deal agreed with China last week is now being formally put on to the paper.
FATF to rule on harsher sanctions for Pakistan
The support extended by Turkey, China and Malaysia resulted in the FATF deciding not to include Pakistan on its “black list”. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has reviewed steps taken by Pakistan to counter money laundering and terror financing during meetings underway in Paris and is expected to rule on whether harsher sanctions will be imposed on the country .
-China, Turkey and Malaysia also appreciated the steps taken by Pakistan though some concerns were raised about a tax amnesty scheme offered by the government.
35 pilgrims killed in bus crash near Saudi holy city of Mecca
Authorities in Saudi Arabia say 35 pilgrims have been killed in a bus crash near the Muslim holy city of Mecca. The state-run Saudi Press Agency reported that four others were injured in the crash.
Barack Obama backs Canada’s Justin Trudeau for another term in office
Barack Obama is urging Canadians to re-elect Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, an apparently unprecedented endorsement of a candidate in a Canadian election by a former American president.
Trump dismisses Syria concerns; Democrats walk out of WH meeting
Condemnation of Trump’s stance on Turkey, Syria and the Kurds was quick and severe during the day, not only from Democrats but from Republicans who have been staunch supporters on virtually all issues.
National Affairs
In Odisha’s first robotic restaurant, two humanoids to serve customers
-A restaurant in Bhubaneswar first robotic restaurant opened its doors to customers claiming to be the first eatery in eastern India where two indigenously developed robots will serve customers.
-Named ‘Champa’ and ‘Chameli’, the two humanoid robots rolled on the floor of the “Robo Chef” restaurant in Chandrasekharpur area of Bhubaneswar in the evening and served food to the waiting customers. After serving them food, the two robots even chimed “Apana mane khushi to” (Are you happy), a phrase popularised by chief minister Naveen Patnaik during his 2019 election campaign.
Hindu Dalit Nauksham Chaudhary is BJP’s choice in Muslim-dominated Punhana assembly seat of Haryana
-The BJP, which has never won a seat in the Mewat region, has experimented by fielding a Hindu Scheduled Caste woman candidate, Nauksham Chaudhary (28), a rank outsider.
-The Meo-Muslim-dominated Punhana assembly constituency in Haryana’s Mewat region is all set to witness a keenly-fought contest between a debutante Hindu Dalit woman candidate and four Meo-Muslims.
Indian retail market to touch $1,200 billion by 2021
Indian retail market will reach $1,200 billion by 2021 and $1,750 billion by 2026, a FICCI-Deloitte report said, adding that the country’s e-commerce market is expected to touch $84 billion by 2021 and $200 billion by 2026.
Sports Affairs
Liverpool head to United with widest gulf in years
Premier League leaders Liverpool head to Old Trafford on Sunday to face Manchester United and rarely have the odds been so in favour of an away win. Liverpool have won just five times at United in the Premier League era and the Red Devils have won the fixture 16 times, but the gulf in quality between the sides has widened significantly in recent years.
Sourav Ganguly is all set to take charge as the BCCI
-Sourav Ganguly is all set to take charge as the BCCI president, and the former Indian captain has categorically mentioned that he will speak with the national selectors regarding the future of MS Dhoni before giving his own take on the issue.
Mustafizur Rahman’s selection for India tour in doubt amidst fitness concerns
Pacer Mustafizur Rahman will have to prove his match-fitness in the National Cricket League before being considered for selection for the upcoming tour of India.
Consistency will be my main focus at Kings XI Punjab, says new coach Anil Kumble
• Anil Kumble was roped in as Kings XI Punjab’s new head coach last week
• This will be Kumble’s return to coaching stint after he quit as India head coach in 2017
• Anil Kumble had previously been the chief mentor of Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore
Tech Affairs
Google has finally launched Nest Mini, here’s how it is different from Home Mini
Google hosted its annual Made by Google event in the New York City earlier this week where it launched Google Home Mini successor, Google Nest Mini, alongside Pixel 4 smartphones, Pixelbook Go, Pixel Buds and Nest Wi-Fi.
Amazon Alexa gets smarter, allows users to pay bills using voice commands
Paying various utility bills has always been an ardous task given the nature of services and the service providers. But that changed when Amazon launched Amazon Pay Balance in India back in 2016. Since then Amazon has added a number of new features to its mobile wallet allowing users to not only shop on its e-retail platform using Amazon but also enabling them to use the service to pay their utility bills all without leaving the company’s ecosystem. Now, the e-retail giant is making it more easier for users to pay their bills. Amazon has introduced a brand new feature on to its virtual assistant, Alexa, that will enable them to pay their bills simply by asking her to do so.
Vodafone now offering double data on two prepaid plans: Up to 84GB data up for grabs with other mega benefits
• Vodafone is offering double data offer on select prepaid plans.
• Subscribers can get up to 84GB data with both these plans.
• Subscribers will be able to make free unlimited calls.
Rewards & Achievements
Kiran Uniyal sets Guinness World record
Kiran Uniyal, the wife of a serving Colonel of Indian Army, has created Individual Guinness World Records for The most full contact knee strikes in three minutes (one leg) (female) with 263 strikes and The most full contact knee strikes alternate legs in one minute(female) with 120 strikes. The previous records were of 177 strikes and 102 in the female category, respectively.
GoAir received the Best Airline award
GoAir received the Best Airline award by Andaman Tourism Award 2019 in its first edition for its leadership in attaining on-time performance for 12 consecutive months. The Andaman Tourism Award ceremony was organized at Port Blair in association with the Andaman Ministry of tourism and Andaman Association of Tour Operators.
Important Dates
-International Poverty Eradication Day
-American Revolutionary War