1. UN designates Masood Azhar as a global terrorist
.PNG)
The United Nations designated Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar as a “global terrorist”.The decision came after China lifted its hold on a proposal to blacklist him.A “global terrorist” designation will subject Azhar to an assets freeze, travel ban and an arms embargo.France, US and UK had moved a fresh proposal to declare Azhar as a global terrorist at the UN in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack.Jaish-e-Mohammed had claimed responsibility for the attack. China had put a technical hold on the proposal, blocking it for the fourth time to designate Azhar.
2. Indo-French joint naval exercise Varuna 19.1 begins off Goa coast
.PNG)
The first part of the Indo-French joint naval exercise, Varuna 19.1 is being held off the Goa coast from 1 to 10 May 2019.The exercise is being conducted in two phases.The harbour phase at Goa would include cross-visits, professional interactions and discussions and sports events.Varuna 19.2, the second part of the exercise, is scheduled to be held in May end in Djibouti.
3. Chandrayaan-2 to be launched in July
.PNG)
India’s second lunar mission Chandrayaan-2 will be launched on a day between 9 and 16 July 2019.The Indian Space Research Organisation said that the Chandrayaan-2’s lander will touch down near the Moon’s south pole on 6th September.Chandrayaan-2 will have three modules in it, an orbiter, a lander named Vikram and a rover known as Pragyan.Chandrayaan-2 will be launched using India’s most powerful rocket GSLV-Mark-3.
4. State Bank of India links interest rates to RBI’s repo rate
.PNG)
State Bank of India has moved to a new interest rate regime on large savings account deposits as well as short-term loans.In March, SBI had announced that it will link its interest rate on savings account with a balance above ₹1 lakh and short-term loans like overdraft and cash credit facility to Reserve Bank of India’s repo rate, effective 1 May 2019.The interest rates on large SBI savings account deposits and interest rate on some short-term loans will automatically change as and when RBI changes its repo rate.This will help in better transmission of RBI’s policy rates into the banking system.
5. Goods and Services Tax collection at an all-time high
.PNG)
Goods and Services Tax (GST) collection scales record high of Rs 1.13 lakh crore in April, highest ever collection since GST implementation.The GST collections in April jumped to its highest level of Rs 1,13,865 crore since its rollout in 2017.While collections have been gradually increasing since August, they hit a record high last month of Rs 1.06 lakh crore, up from Rs 97,247 crore in the previous month.The total number of GSTR 3B Returns filed for the month of March up to 30th April 2019 is 72.13 lakh.
6. Kumar Sangakkara announced as first non-British President of MCC
.PNG)
Former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara was announced as the first non-British President of Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC).He will take up his one-year post on October 1, 2019.Sangakkara’s nomination was announced by the MCC’s current President Anthony Wreford, at the MCC Annual General Meeting at Lord’s Cricket Ground.MCC was founded in 1787 and has been based at Lord’s, which it owns, since 1814.It is the guardian of the Laws of the game.The Laws of Cricket is a code which specifies the rules of the game of cricket worldwide. Since 1788, it has been owned and maintained by its custodian, the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) in London.
7. Air Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria takes over as Vice Chief of Air Staff
.PNG)
Air Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria took over as Vice Chief of the Air Staff.An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Air Marshal Bhadauria was commissioned in the fighter stream of Indian Air Force in 1980.He won the coveted ‘Sword of Honour’ for standing first in the overall order of merit.Prior to assuming the present appointment, he was the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Training Command.During his illustrious career, he was commended by the Chief of Air Staff and has been awarded Param Vishist Seva Medal, Ati Vishist Seva Medal and Vayu Sena Medal.
8. Apurvi Chandela attains world number one spot in women’s 10 m air rifle event
.PNG)
Indian shooting ace Apurvi Chandela attained the world number one position in the women’s 10m air rifle event.Her compatriot Anjum Moudgil rose to number two after consistent performances in recent years.She is among the five Indian shooters to have already secured 2020 Olympics quotas for the country.Among men, Divyansh Singh Panwar’s World Cup exploits in Beijing helped him reach world number four spot in 10 metres air rifle category.
