Smitha V. Crishna Tops List of India’s Wealthiest Women

Smitha V. Crishna, a third-generation heir of the Godrej family, ranks first in the Kotak Wealth Hurun-Leading Wealthy Women 2018 list with an estimated wealth of Rs37,570 crore. Ms. Smitha owns one-fifth of the Godrej Group.
Roshni Nadar, CEO and executive director at HCL, ranks second in the list with an estimated wealth of Rs30,200 crore. She also heads the Shiv Nadar Foundation. The chairperson of the Times Group, Indu Jain, ranks third in the list. Her wealth is estimated at Rs26,240 crore. 
Source- The Hindu

2018 Albany Medical Center Prize Awarded To 3 US Scientists

Three US scientists James Allison, Carl June and Steven Rosenberg were declared winners 2018 Albany Medical Center Prize in Medicine and Biomedical Research. They were awarded in recognition of their research in immunology and translation of their ideas into effective therapies that have led to innovative treatments for cancer, HIV and other diseases. 
They will share this $500,000 medical prize. They will receive the award at the ceremony to be held in September 2018 in Albany, New York.
Albany Medical Center Prize in Medicine and Biomedical Research: 
  • It is United States’ second-highest value prize in medicine and biomedical research, awarded by the Albany Medical Center. 
  • It was established in 2000. 

PhonePe To Facilitate Convenient Payments On IRCTC App

PhonePe announced entering into a partnership with Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) to facilitate convenient, fast and secure payments through PhonePe on the IRCTC Rail connect Android app. 
The partnership will enable PhonePe’s 100 million-plus users to now pay directly from their bank accounts using UPI, credit and debit cards and also the PhonePe wallet for their travel bookings. 
Source- siasat.com

India Rating Lowers FY19 Growth Forecast to 7.2%

India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra) has revised down its FY19 economic growth forecast to 7.2% from 7.4% earlier. It cited the headwinds emanating from elevated global crude oil prices and the government’s decision to fix the minimum support prices of all kharif crops at 1.5x of the production cost as the reason for the downward revision. 
Ind-Ra also pointed to other headwinds lurking on the horizon such as the rising trade protectionism and depreciating rupee. 
Source- The Hindu

24th World Congress of Philosophy Held in Beijing

The 24th World Congress of Philosophy (WCP) was held in Beijing, China. It was organized by the International Federation of Philosophical Societies, and Peking University. 
Its theme was “Learning To Be Human”. This was the first time that the quinquennial (once in five year) event was held in China. 
Source- xinhuanet.com


Ministry of Agriculture Proposes To UNFAO To Declare 2019 as ‘International Year of Millets’


The Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Radha Mohan Singh urged to Jose Graziano da Silva, the Director General of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (UNFAO) to declare the upcoming year as the ‘International Year of Millets’.\

Singh stressed on the need to draw wider global attention and action to promote cultivation of millets. The adoption of this proposal by the FAO with the support of its Member Nations will enable it to be moved to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) for the declaration of an upcoming year as International Year of Millets. 
Source- The Tribune

Static/Current Takeaways Important for Indian Bank PO Exam 2018- 
  • United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation Headquarters in Rome, Italy. 

US Forms ‘Iran Action Group’ For Post-Nuclear Deal Policy

US secretary of state, Mike Pompeo announced the formation of the Iran Action Group (IAG) to coordinate and run the country’s policy towards Iran. The development follows President Donald Trump’s announcement of the unilateral withdrawal of the United States from the multinational Iran nuclear deal. 
Pompeo has named Brian Hook, the State Department’s director of policy planning, as the group’s head. The aim behind the formation of IAG is to change the Iranian regime’s behaviour. 
Source- Aljazeera.com

Static/Current Takeaways Important for Indian Bank PO Exam 2018- 
  • Iran Capital: Tehran, Currency: Iranian rial, President: Hassan Rouhani. 

Mario Abdo Benitez Sworn In As New President Of Paraguay

Colorado Party’s Mario Abdo Benitez was sworn in as the new President of Paraguay for a five-year term.
Benitez clinched the top spot after defeating his closest rival, Efrain Alegre from the liberal opposition alliance, by four percentage points in the nation’s elections, which were held in April 2018. 
Source- BBC News

Static/Current Takeaways Important for Indian Bank PO Exam 2018- 
  • Paraguay Capital: Asuncion, 
    Currency: Paraguayan guaraní. 

EIU Releases Global Liveability Index 2018: Vienna tops, Delhi Stands 112th

The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) released the Global Liveability Index 2018, the ranking of 140 global cities based on their living conditions. The EIU is part of UK magazine ‘The Economist’ and provides forecasting and advisory services through research and analysis. 
Delhi and Mumbai were the only two Indian cities that featured in the EIU’s annual index. Delhi was ranked at 112th position and Mumbai fetched 117th spot.  Austria’s capital Vienna has been ranked as the world’s most liveable city, displacing Australian city of Melbourne. 
The Top three cities on the list are: 
1. Vienna,
2. Melbourne,
3. Osaka. 
Source- The Hindu

Independence Day Gallantry Awards Announced: Complete List of Winners

The President and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces has approved 131 Gallantry Awards to Armed Forces Personnel and members of Paramilitary Forces which include one Kirti Chakra, 20 Shaurya Chakras, three Bar to Sena Medals (Gallantry), 93 Sena Medals (Gallantry), 11 Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry) and three Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry). 
The President has also awarded 26 Mention-in-Despatches to Army Personnel for their significant contributions in different military operations which include 25 (three posthumous) for ‘Operation Rakshak’, one (posthumous) for ‘Operation Rhino’ and one additional name approved by Raksha Mantri in the CH&AC meeting.

Source- Press Information Bureau (PIB)