Tushar Mehta Appointed Solicitor General of India

Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta has been appointed as the new Solicitor General of India. The senior lawyer will assume the office of the Solicitor General till June 30, 2020. Presently, Mehta is serving as the Additional Solicitor General (ASG) of India.
The post had been lying vacant since October 2017 when the then Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar had resigned. Solicitor General is the second highest ranking law officer of the government after the Attorney General.

Source- The Economic Times

Static/Current Takeaways Important for Indian Bank PO Exam 2018- 
  • KK Venugopal is the present Attorney General of India. 

IMF Projects India’s Growth At 7.3% In 2018 and 7.4% In 2019

As per the IMF’s latest report, India is projected to grow at 7.3% in 2018 and 7.4% in 2019. The report predicted India to regain the tag of the world’s fastest-growing major economy this year, crossing China with more than 0.7 percentage points. In China, growth is projected to moderate from 6.9 per cent in 2017 to 6.6% in 2018 and 6.2 % in 2019. 
In 2017, India had clocked a 6.7% growth rate. In India, important reforms have been implemented in recent years, including the Goods and Services Tax (GST), the inflation-targeting framework, the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, and steps to liberalise foreign investment and make it easier to do business, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said in its latest World Economic Outlook (WEO) report. 

Source- AIR World Service

Static/Current Takeaways Important for IBPS PO Mains Exam 2018- 
  • Managing Director of International Monetary Fund- Christine Lagarde, Headquarters in- Washington DC, USA. 

Complete List Of Nobel Prize Winners 2018

The 2018 Nobel Prize were announced recently in 5 different fields viz. Physiology or Medicine, Physics, Chemistry, Peace, and Economic Sciences.  This is for the first time that no Literature Prize was given in 70 years because of a #MeToo scandal. We have compiled all the winners under one complete table that will make you remember all the winners in a go.
Brief History of the Nobel Prize-
On 27 November 1895, Alfred Nobel signed his last will and testament, giving the largest share of his fortune to a series of prizes in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature and Peace – the Nobel Prizes. The Nobel Prize distribution was first done on 1901. In 1968, Sveriges Riksbank (Sweden’s central bank) established The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel. 
The complete list of Winners of Nobel Prize 2018-
S. No. Field Winner Description
1. Physiology or Medicine James P Allison (USA) and Tasaku Honjo (Japan) “for their discovery of cancer therapy by inhibition of negative immune regulation”
2. Physics Arthur Ashkin (USA), Gerard Mourou (France)
and Donna Strickland (Canada)
“for groundbreaking inventions in the field of laser physics”
3. Chemistry (a) one half to Frances H. Arnold (USA)
(b) other half jointly to George P. Smith (USA) and Sir Gregory P. Winter (UK)
(a) “for the directed evolution of enzymes”
(b) “for the phage display of peptides and antibodies”
4. Peace Denis Mukwege (Congo) and Nadia Murad (Iraq) “for their efforts to end the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and armed conflict”
5. Economic Sciences (a) William D. Nordhaus (USA)
(b) Paul M. Romer (USA)
(a) “for integrating climate change into long-run macroeconomic analysis”
(b) “for integrating technological innovations into
long-run macroeconomic analysis.”
Here are some Static and Interesting Facts about the Nobel Prize (Category Wise): 

The Nobel Prize in Physics-

  1. The Nobel Prize in Physics is awarded by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Stockholm, Sweden.
  2. 111 Nobel Prizes in Physics have been awarded between 1901-2017.
  3. 2 women have been awarded the Physics Prize so far.
  4. 25 years was the age of the youngest Physics Laureate ever, Lawrence Bragg, when he was awarded the 1915 Physics Prize together with his father.

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry-

  1. The Nobel Prize in Chemistry is awarded by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Stockholm, Sweden. 
  2. 109 Nobel Prizes in Chemistry have been awarded between 1901 and 2017.
  3. 4 women have been awarded the Chemistry Prize so far.
  4. 1 person, Frederick Sanger, has been awarded the Chemistry Prize twice, in 1958 and in 1980.
  5. 35 years was the age of the youngest Chemistry Laureate ever, Frédéric Joliot, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1935.
  6. 85 years was the age of the oldest Chemistry Laureate, John B. Fenn, when he was awarded the Chemistry Prize in 2002.

The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine-

  1. The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine is awarded by the Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
  2. 108 Nobel Prizes in Physiology or Medicine have been awarded between 1901 and 2017.
  3. 12 women have been awarded the Medicine Prize so far.
  4. 32 years was the age of the youngest Medicine Laureate ever, Frederick G. Banting, who was awarded the 1923 Medicine Prize for the discovery of insulin.
  5. 87 years was the age of the oldest Medicine Laureate ever, Peyton Rous, when he was awarded the Medicine Prize in 1966 for his discovery of tumour-inducing viruses.

The Nobel Prize in Literature-

  1. The Nobel Prize in Literature is awarded by the Swedish Academy, Stockholm, Sweden.
  2. 110 Nobel Prizes in Literature have been awarded 1901-2017.
  3. 14 women have been awarded the Literature Prize so far.
  4. 41 years was the age of the youngest Literature Laureate ever, Rudyard Kipling, best known for The Jungle Book.
  5. 88 years was the age of the oldest Literature Laureate ever, Doris Lessing, when she was awarded the Prize in 2007.

The Nobel Peace Prize-

  1. The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded by a committee of five persons who are chosen by the Norwegian Storting (Parliament of Norway).
  2. 98 Nobel Peace Prizes have been awarded 1901-2017.
  3. 16 women have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize so far.
  4. 1 Peace Prize Laureate, Le Duc Tho, has declined the Nobel Peace Prize.
  5. Malala Yousafzai (17) is the youngest to win Nobel Peace Prize in 2014.

The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel-

  1. The Prize in Economic Sciences is awarded by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Stockholm, Sweden.
  2. 49 Prizes in Economic Sciences have been awarded since 1969.
  3. 1 woman has been awarded the Prize in Economic Sciences so far, Elinor Ostrom, in 2009.
  4. 51 years was the age of the youngest Laureate in Economic Sciences ever, Kenneth J. Arrow, who was awarded in 1972.
  5. 90 years was Leonid Hurwicz when he was awarded the Prize – the oldest Laureate in Economic Sciences ever. 

Important Takeaways: 
Winners of 2017 Nobel Prize in respective fields are as follows-

  1. Jeffrey C. Hall (USA), Michael Rosbash (USA) and Michael W. Young (USA): Physiology or Medicine.
  2. Rainer Weiss (Germany), Barry C. Barish (USA) and Kip S. Thorne (USA): Physics.
  3. Jacques Dubochet (Switzerland), Joachim Frank (Germany) and Richard Henderson (Scotland): Chemistry.
  4. Kazuo Ishiguro (Japan): Literature.
  5. International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) (founded in Australia): Peace.
  6. Richard H. Thaler (USA): Economic Sciences. 

Monetary Policy: RBI Leaves Repo Rate Unchanged At 6.5%

The Reserve Bank of India has kept the policy repo rate under the liquidity adjustment facility (LAF) unchanged at 6.5%. Consequently, the reverse repo rate under the LAF remains at 6.25%, and the marginal standing facility (MSF) rate and the Bank Rate at 6.75%. 
The decision of the MPC is consistent with the stance of calibrated tightening of monetary policy in consonance with the objective of achieving the medium-term target for consumer price index (CPI) inflation of 4% within a band of +/- 2%, while supporting growth. Growth projection for 2018-19 has also been retained at 7.4%. 
Source- The Economic Times

Static/Current Takeaways Important for Indian Bank PO Exam 2018- 
  • Urjit Patel- 24th Governor of RBI, Headquarters- Mumbai, Established on- 1st April 1935, in Kolkata.

18-Year-Old Prithvi Shaw Youngest Indian To Score Century On Test Debut

Prithvi Shaw has become the youngest Indian to score a century on Test debut, achieving the feat aged 18 years and 329 days against Windies in Rajkot, Gujarat. Shaw broke the 59-year-old record set by AA Baig (20 years and 126 days). 
Shaw is only the second Indian after Sachin Tendulkar to score a Test ton before turning 19. Prithvi Shaw captained India Under-19 to World Cup victory in February 2018. 
Source- India Today


Barham Salih Elected As The New President of Iraq

Iraq’s Parliament has elected a veteran Kurdish Politician Barham Salih as the country’s new President. He has named Shiite Adel Abdul Mahdi as Prime Minister of the country. The move will pave the way to form a new government, nearly five months after national elections.  

Patriotic Union of Kurdistan leader Salih won 220 votes out of the 273 lawmakers. He was among 20 candidates for the post, including one from the rival Kurdistan Democratic Party.
Source- News on AIR

Static/Current Takeaways Important for SBI Clerk Mains Exam 2018- 

  • Iraq Capital– Baghdad, Currency– Iraqi dinar

  

ICC Releases Latest Version Of Duckworth-Lewis-Stern System

The International Cricket Council released the updated version of the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) System along with the new ICC Code of Conduct and ICC Playing Conditions. These came into effect from 30 September, when the first ODI between South Africa and Zimbabwe was played in Kimberley.

This is the third version but second update of the DLS System since its introduction into international cricket in 2014 and has been carried out following a detailed ball-by-ball analysis of scoring patterns, including in the Powerplays, in all limited overs internationals played during the previous four years.
ICC Code of Conduct 
Meanwhile, the following are some of the new offences and the change in level of some existing offences in the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel. These were approved by the ICC Board during the Dublin Annual Conference. 
Sl.
No.
Offence Level
1. Attempting to gain
an unfair advantage (cheating, other than ball-tampering) *
2, 3
2. Personal abuse * 2, 3
3. Audible obscenity * 1
4. Disobeying an umpire’s instructions * 1
5. Changing the condition of the ball 3 (from 2)
*denotes new offence

Source- ICC


Nobel Prize 2018: Nobel Prize in Physics Goes To Arthur Ashkin, Gerard Mourou And Donna Strickland

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has decided to Award the 2018 Nobel Prize in Physics to Arthur Ashkin, Gérard Mourou and Donna Strickland “for groundbreaking inventions in the field of laser physics”. 

Source- nobelprize.org

Static/Current Takeaways Important for Indian Bank PO Exam 2018- 
  • Kip Thorne, Rainer Weiss, Barry Barish have won the 2017 Nobel Prize in Physics.

Nobel Prize 2018: Nobel Medicine Prize Goes To James P Allison and Tasaku Honjo

The Nobel Medicine or Physiology Prize has been awarded to James P Allison and Tasaku Honjo “for their discovery of cancer therapy by inhibition of negative immune regulation.”. This is for the first time that no Literature Prize will be given in 70 years because of a #MeToo scandal. 
The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded by the Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.

Source- nobelprize.org

Static/Current Takeaways Important for RRB Clerk Mains Exam 2018- 
  • Michael W. Young, Michael Rosbash, Jeffrey C. Hall were the winners of Nobel Medicine Prize 2017. 

Assam, 1st State To Launch Wage Compensation Scheme For Pregnant Women In Tea Gardens

Assam Government has become the first Indian state to offer a Wage Compensation Scheme for pregnant women working in the tea gardens of the state. The scheme will be launched by Assam Chief Minister Sarbanand Sonowal in Guwahati. The announcement was made by the state’s Health and Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. 
Under the scheme, an amount of Rs 12,000 will be given to the pregnant women so that they can take care of themselves and the unborn baby. The compensation of wages to pregnant women will be given in 4 instalments – Rs 2,000 in the first trimester, Rs 4,000 in the second trimester, Rs 3,000 for institutional delivery and Rs 3,000 for registration of the child’s birth. 
Source- All India Radio

Static/Current Takeaways Important for RRB Clerk Mains Exam 2018- 
  • Jagdish Mukhi is the Present Governor of Assam. 
  • Dispur is the Capital city of Assam.