Daily GK Updates - 19th March, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1.Pramod Sawant sworn in as Goa Chief Minister : BJP leader Pramod Sawant (46-years) was sworn-in as the new Chief Minister (11th) of Goa. Goa Governor Mridula Sinha administered the oath of office and secrecy to Mr. Sawant. He succeeded Manohar Parrikar, who died on Sunday after a prolonged battle with advanced pancreatic cancer. Mr. Sawant (former Speaker) represents Sankhalim constituency in Goa Assembly. Sudin (alias Ramkrishna Dhavlikar) of Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) and Vijai Sardesai of Goa Forward Party were sworn in as Deputy Chief Ministers.

2. Santosh Jha appointed new ambassador of India to Uzbekistan : According to Ministry of External Affairs press release, Santosh Jha (Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer: the 1993 batch) has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Uzbekistan. Currently, Mr Santosh Jha is the Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of India, Washington.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1.Recycling into the Future”- Global Recycling Day 2019 : Global Recycling Day 2019 was celebrated on 18th March 2019 to encourage the world to think ‘resource not waste”.The theme of the global recycling day 2019 was “Recycling into the future”.Global Recycling Day was created in 2018 to help recognize, and celebrate, the importance recycling plays in preserving our precious primary resources and securing the future of our planet.

2. Cyclone Idai hits Mozambique, Malawi, Zimbabwe : According to the UN and government officials, ‘Cyclone Idai’ has affected more than 1.5 million people in the three southern African countries Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi.Cyclone Idai’ killed nearly 150 people, left hundreds more missing and stranded tens of thousands who are cut off from roads and telephones in mainly poor, rural areasHardest hit is Mozambique’s central port city of Beira where the airport is closed, electricity is out and many homes have been destroyed.

3. 14th CII-EXIM Bank Conclave on India-Africa Project Partnership begins in New Delhi : The three-day 14th CII-EXIM Bank Conclave on India-Africa Project Partnerships have been started on in New Delhi.More than 31 ministers from 21 African countries and business delegates from 37 countries are participating in the event.The discussion revolved around two key themes: digital infrastructure and digital skills.It will pave the way for a whole range of cross-border project partnerships.

OTHER UPDATES 

SPORTS:

1.India's Irfan KT qualifies for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics : India's Irfan KT qualified for next year's Tokyo Olympics. He made the cut after finishing fourth at the Asian Race-Walking Championship at Nomi in Japan. Irfan clocked 1 hour 20 minutes and 57 seconds in the 20-kilometre walk to attain the standard qualifying mark for the Olympics. He also ensured a berth in the upcoming International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Championship in Doha that begins in September.

2. Bengaluru FC crowned ISL champions for the first time : Bengaluru FC won the 2018-19 edition of the Indian Super League which was also their maiden triumph defeating FC Goa 1-0 in the final. FC Goa's Ferran Corominas (16 goals) wins the Indian Super League (ISL) 2018-19 Golden Boot Award. Bengaluru FC goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu wins the Indian Super League (ISL) 2018-19 Golden Glove Award. Bengaluru FC is owned and operated by the Mumbai–based JSW Group and its managing director Sajjan Jindal.

OBITUARIES:

1. Veteran Journalist Darryl D’Monte passes away : Senior journalist and environmental activist Darryl D’Monte (74-years) passed away in Mumbai after a brief illness.He served as the resident editor of Mumbai editions of The Times of India and The Indian Express.He was the founder-president of the International Federation of Environmental Journalists (IFEJ) in Dresden, Germany, in 1993.Besides a career in journalism, he had a keen interest in environmental issues and took some initiatives for the cause.