NDA Act 2019 Passed, Capping US Aid To Pakistan To $150 million

The United States Congress has passed the National Defense Authorisation Act-2019 (NDAA-19) which capped its security-related aid to Pakistan to $150 million, significantly below the historic level of more than $ 1 billion to $750 million per year. 
This year’s defence legislation removes certain conditions like action against Haqqani network or Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) as was the case in the past few years for disbursement of US aid to Pakistan. 
Source- The Hindu

Indian-Origin Mathematician Akshay Venkatesh Wins Prestigious Fields Medal

Akshay Venkatesh, a renowned Indian-Australian mathematician, is one of four winners of mathematics’ prestigious Fields medal, known as the Nobel prize for math. New Delhi-born Venkatesh, 36, who is currently teaching at Stanford University, has won the Fields Medal for his profound contributions to an exceptionally broad range of subjects in mathematics.
Each winner receives a 15,000 Canadian-dollar cash prize. The other three winners are: Caucher Birkar, a Cambridge University professor of Iranian Kurdish origin; Germany’s Peter Scholze, who teaches at the University of Bonn and Alessio Figalli, an Italian mathematician at ETH Zurich. 

Source- The Hindu

Static/Current Takeaways Important for SBI PO/Clerk Exam 2018-
  • The Fields medals are awarded every four years to the most promising mathematicians under the age of 40. 
  • The prize was inaugurated in 1932 at the request of Canadian mathematician John Charles Fields, who ran the 1924 Mathematics Congress in Toronto. 


2-Day Indo-US Military Cooperation Meeting Begins in New Delhi

A two-day Indo-US Military Cooperation Meeting began in New Delhi as a prelude to 2 plus 2 Dialogue between the two countries scheduled in September 2018. The meeting was co-chaired by Lt Gen Satish Dua, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC) and Lt Gen Bryan Fenton, Deputy Commander, Indo-Pacific Command. 
External Minister Sushma Swaraj and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman would meet their US counterparts in 2 plus 2 meeting in September in New Delhi. A first such initiative between the two countries that will focus on strengthening defence and strategic ties. 
Source- AIR World Service
Static/Current Takeaways Important for SBI PO/Clerk Exam 2018-
  • Donald Trump is the 45th President of the USA.
  • Washington DC is the capital city of USA.

Important Cabinet Approvals: 1st August 2018

Important Cabinet Approvals- 1st August 2018

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given the following set of approvals. The important Cabinet Approvals are given as follows-

The Cabinet has approved- 

1. Extension of Concessional Financing Scheme (CFS) to support Indian Entities bidding for strategically important infrastructure projects abroad- Under the CFS, the Govt. of India has been supporting Indian Entities bidding for strategically important infrastructure projects abroad since 2015-16. Since the objectives of the Scheme continue to be relevant, it is proposed to extend the Scheme for another five years from 2018 to 2023.

2. Re-structuring of the Agricultural Scientists’ Recruitment Board (ASRB)– The ASRB will now be a 4 Member body instead of 3 Members. It will have a Chairperson and 3 Members. ASRB would be for a period of three years or till attainment of 65 years of age, whichever is earlier.

3. Raising of Extra Budgetary Resources (EBR) for Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) [SBM(G)] amounting up to Rs. 15,000 crore during the financial year 2018-19; and Expansion of scope of work of the erstwhile International Centre for Drinking Water Quality, to rename as National Centre for Drinking Water, Sanitation and Quality (NCDWS & Q) and to authorize it to work as a receptacle for receiving EBR for SBM(G).

4. Policy Framework for exploration and exploitation of Unconventional Hydrocarbons.

5. Grant of Interest-Free Loan equivalent to interest during construction component to fertilizer revival projects at Sindri, Gorakhpur and Barauni by Hindustan Urvarak and Rasayan Limited.


6. Issue of fresh equity to the extent of 15% of the paid-up equity capital by Hindustan Copper Limited.

Source- Press Information Bureau (PIB)

France’s Parliament Signed Into Law, Asylum and Immigration Bill

France’s Parliament has signed into law a controversial asylum and immigration bill. The bill is designed to accelerate asylum procedures by cutting the maximum processing time from the current 120 days to 90 days after entering France. 
The text was adopted on a final reading by 100 votes in favour to 25 against with 11 abstentions. The Senate had rejected the bill, but the Lower House passed the text as President Emmanuel Macron’s La Republique En Marche party holds a large majority, even if the law has exposed divisions within his own camp.
Source- The Guardian

Static/Current Takeaways Important for SBI PO/Clerk Exam 2018- 
  • France President: Emmanuel Macron, Capital: Paris, Prime minister: Edouard Philippe, Currency: Euro, CFP franc.

India, Germany Sign Pact On Financial And Technical Cooperation

India and Germany have signed an agreement on financial and technical cooperation focusing on sustainable urban development and renewable energy. The government-to-government Umbrella Agreement on Financial Cooperation and Technical Co-operation 2017 is worth about 5,000 thousand crore rupees. 
The agreement under the Indo-German Bilateral Development Cooperation was signed between Joint Secretary in the Finance Ministry, Sameer Kumar Khare, and German Ambassador to India, Martin Ney, in New Delhi. 
Source- AIR World Service

Static/Current Takeaways Important for SBI PO/Clerk Exam 2018- 
  • Germany Capital: Berlin, Currency: Euro, Chancellor: Angela Merkel.

Neeraj Chopra Wins Gold Medal at Savo Games in Finland

Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra won a gold medal in the Savo Games in Lapinlahti, Finland. Neeraj Chopra made a throw of 85.69 metres and won the gold medal. 
Chao-Tsun Cheng of Chinese Taipei made a throw of 82.52m and won a silver medal. Chao-Tsun Cheng is the only Asian to have thrown the javelin to a distance more than 90m. 
Source- ESPN Sports

Dustin Johnson Won 2018 RBC Canadian Open Golf Title

Dustin Johnson won the 2018 RBC Canadian Open at the Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville in Canada. Dustin Johnson shot a 6-under par 66 and won his first RBC Canadian Open at 23-under par. He is currently in world number one position. 
Now he has become the first player after Tiger Woods (2005-09) with at least three wins in three consecutive seasons. Dustin Johnson was awarded $1,116,000 for the win. 
Source- BBC Sports
Static/Current Takeaways Important for SBI PO/Clerk Exam 2018- 
  • Canada Currency: Canadian dollar, Capital: Ottawa. 


Gopalkrishna Gandhi to Get 24th Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana Award

Gopalkrishna Gandhi has been chosen for the 24th Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana Award for his contribution in promoting communal harmony, peace and goodwill. Gopalkrishna Gandhi is a former governor of West Bengal. 
He will be presented with this award at an event on 20th August 2018 at Jawahar Bhawan in Delhi. The award contains a citation and a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh. The award is presented on the birthday anniversary of former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. 
Source- The Hindu

BEML And HEC Sign Pact to Manufacture Mining Equipment

Bharat Earth Movers Ltd (BEML) and Heavy Engineering Corporation (HEC) have signed pact for making mining equipment. The MoU will result into additional Rs 150-200 crore revenue for both PSUs. 
It will reduce working capital and create capability for high capacity equipment. The mining products could be co-branded and will come under ‘Make in India’ initiative. Coal India is a major client for this mining equipment. 
Source- The Moneycontrol