INTERNATIONAL
UPDATES:
1. US
Withdraws from UN Arms Trade Treaty: US President Donald
Trump stated that his administration is withdrawing the U.S. signature
from the U.N. Arms Trade Treaty, in response to concerns from gun
rights activists that it could impinge on Americans’ right to bear
arms. The treaty seeks to regulate international trade in conventional
arms, including everything from tanks to small arms, specifically looking to
“prevent and eradicate the illicit trade in conventional arms and prevent their
diversion.”
2. Nirmala Sitharaman attends SCO Defence Ministers'
conclave at Bishkek: Defence
Minister Nirmala Sitharaman attended the Shanghai Co-operation
Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers' conclave (16th) at Bishkek
in Kyrgyzstan. During the conclave, ways to further boost
defence and security cooperation among the member countries in
the wake of evolving security challenges in the region were discussed. India is
keen on deepening its security-related cooperation with the SCO and
its Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure, which specifically deals with issues
relating to security and defence.
3. South Korea set to hold ASEAN maritime drills: A two-part maritime exercise by the 10-member
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its partnering countries is
slated to start in South Korea's port city of Busan. The exercise aims to
counter maritime crime, including illicit transactions of weapons and other
banned items. The drills are scheduled to take place from 29 April to 2 May in
South Korea, following which they will be held in Singapore from May 9 to May
13. The maritime exercise involves 18 countries of the ASEAN Defence Ministers'
Meeting plus six other countries are slated to send military personnel. Naval
forces from India, Brunei, China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and the
United States are scheduled to practice rescuing ships hijacked by armed
groups, amongst other maritime security operations.
OTHER
UPDATES:
SPORTS
1. Bajrang
Punia To Become 1st Indian Wrestler to Fight at Madison Square Garden: Bajrang
Punia is set to become the first wrestler from India to fight at the
iconic Madison Square Garden in New York. The 25-year-old has recently won
the gold medal in the 65-kg category at the ongoing Asian Wrestling Championships.
He is the first Indian wrestler to be invited by the American governing body.
Punia will take part in the "Grapple at the Garden - Beat the
Streets" fight night.
2. WFI recommends Bajrang, Vinesh for Khel Ratna: The Wrestling Federation of
India recommended Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat for
the country's highest sporting honour the Rajeev Gandhi Khel Ratna
award. Bajrang (World no. 1) stamped his authority at the Asian Championship
in Xi'an, China by clinching a gold medal in the men's 65kg freestyle event.
Vinesh (24-year-old) won a bronze at the recent Asian Championship but
considering that she fought in a new weight category of 53kg, it was seen as a
good achievement. In 2018, Vinesh became the first Indian woman to win a gold
medal at the Asian Games. WFI has also recommended names of Rahul Aware,
Harpreet Singh, Divya Kakran and Pooja Dhanda for the Arjuna award.
3. Asian
Wrestling Championship 2019 Concludes: India Finishes with 16 Medals, Iran
Tops:
India wrapped up their campaign at the Asian Wrestling
Championships on a resounding note with 16 medals (1 Gold, 3 Silver
& 4 Bronze) after Harpreet Singh settled for a silver in 82kg on the
final day of competitions. Only Bajrang Punia won the gold medal after
defeating Kazakhstan’s Sayatbek Okassov by 12-7 in 65kg men’s freestyle. Asian
Wrestling Championship 2019 was held at Xi’an, China.
4. Liverpool’s Van Dijk wins England’s PFA Player
of the Year award: Liverpool’s centre
back 'Van Dijk' (27-years) was named Player of the Year by England’s
Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA). Van Dijk has helped
the title-chasing Merseysiders keep 19 clean sheets in the Premier League and
they have conceded the fewest goals in the top flight so far this season. Van
Dijk is the first defender to win the award since Chelsea centre-back John
Terry in 2005. Arsenal’s Dutch forward Vivianne Miedema (22-years) claimed the
women’s Player of the Year award. She helped the London club secure their third
Women’s Super League title with her 22nd goal of the season.
5. Indian para-athletes clinch medals at Asian
Road Para-cycling championships: Indian
para-athletes came up with a brilliant performance to secure a silver and two
bronze medals at the Asian Road Para-cycling championships at Tashkent,
Uzbekistan. Divij Shah clinched silver while Asian Para Games bronze
medallist Gurlal Singh and Hand cyclist Sudhakar Marathe claimed bronze.
6. China's Ma Long captures the third world title: China’s Ma Long (30-year) captured a third
ITTF-World table tennis championships completing a dream comeback after six
months on the sidelines with a knee injury. He defeated Sweden's Mattias
Falck 4-1 in the final. Ma Long now joins the elite club of male paddlers,
who have won the Worlds singles for three consecutive times: Victor Barna and
China’s Zhuang Zedong being the others. Ma Long won the Worlds crown in 2015
(Suzhou), 2017 (Dusseldorf) and 2019 at Budapest.
7. New Zealand Open Badminton tournament 2019 begins in
Auckland: The 2019 New Zealand
Open Badminton tournament has begun in Auckland (30 April to 5 May 2019). Ace
Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal will be aiming to win her second title
this year. She will take on China's Wang Zhiyi in the Women's Singles
first round tomorrow. Parupalli Kashyap, B Sai Praneeth, HS Prannoy,
Subhankar Dey and Laskshya Sen will be seen in action in the Men's section.
BUSINESS AND ECONOMY
1. Wipro
Acquires Philippines' Largest Personal Care Company 'Splash': Wipro
Consumer Care announced that it is acquiring personal care
company 'Splash', which is based in the Philippines. Splash, the
largest personal care player in the Philippines, recorded revenues worth $80
million in 2018.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. PFA
Awards 2018/19 Announced: Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk and Arsenal
Women Football Club's Vivianne Miedema were named Professional
Footballers' Association (PFA) Players' Player of the Year for the 2018-19
season.
PFA Player's
Player of the Year: Virgil van Dyjk, Liverpool and Vivianne Miedema, Arsenal. PFA
Young Player of the Year: Raheem Sterling, Manchester City and Georgia Stanway,
Manchester City. PFA Special Achievement Award: Steph Houhgton: Former England
and WBA
2. Golfer
Gaganjeet Bhullar Wins Outstanding Achievement As a Player Award: Arjuna
awardee and star Indian golfer Gaganjeet Bhullar won the outstanding
achievement as a player award at the fourth edition of the annual
India Golf Industry Association (GIA) awards at the Delhi Golf Club. The
GIA awards were held along with the 8th India Golf & Turf Expo (IGTE),
South Asia's largest golf trade show.
DEFENCE
1. India
4th Biggest Military Spender in 2018: SIPRI Report: India was the
world’s fourth biggest military spender in 2018 behind the United States,
China, and Saudi Arabia, according to new data think tank Stockholm
International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). India was the fifth largest
military spender in 2017. According to the SIPRI data, China was the
second-largest military spender in 2018. India accounts for 3.7% of the
global defence spending.
2. GRSE
To Build 8 Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Watercraft For Indian Navy: The Defence
Ministry has awarded a contract of worth Rs 6,311 croreto Garden
Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited (GRSE) to build eight anti-submarine
warfare shallow watercraft (ASWSWC) for the Indian Navy. As per the
agreement, the first ship is to be delivered within 42 months from
the date of signing of the contract and subsequently, two ships are required to
be delivered per year.
OBITUARIES
1. Youngest
Best Director Oscar Nominee John Singleton Passes Away: John
Singleton, an Academy Award-nominated filmmaker has passed away following
complications from a stroke. He was best known for directing "Boyz N
the Hood". Singleton became the first black filmmaker nominated
for a Best Director Oscarfor his debut feature from 1991, "Boys
N The Hood." He was only 24 at the time.
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