The Union science ministry has launched the ‘India Science Technology and Innovation (ISTI) portal’. Currently, it can be queried for information about the organizations carrying out research, funders, scientists, international collaborations etc.
S & T Minister- Harsh Vardhan, Constituency- Chandni Chowk
The Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve (KBR) of Sikkim, the highest biosphere reserve in the country that includes the third highest mountain peak in the world, Kanchenjunga has been included in the UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserve (WHBR).
Now 11 Indian BRs listed in World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
Managing Director of Bajaj Electricals Anant Bajaj passed away due to Heart Attack. He was 41 yr. old. Anant Bajaj was appointed on the Board of Bajaj Electricals in Feb 2006. He was a member of the Young Entrepreneur Wing of the Indian Merchants’ Chamber.
A tagline of Bajaj Electricals- ‘Inspiring Trust’, HQ- Mumbai.
World Bank has announced to sell the first-ever bond to be issued entirely using blockchain technology. World Bank aims to raise about Aus$50 million through blockchain bond. The two-year bond will rely on the real-world money- Australian dollars.
World Bank – HQ- Washington DC, Chairman-Jim Yong Kim
Namibia’s election commission has written to the Election Commission of India seeking approval for using VVPAT-enabled EVMs in its 2019 elections. Bharat Electronics Ltd is ready to export VVPATs for the first time despite EVM hacking controversies.
VVPAT-Voter Verifiable Paper Trail EVM-Electronic Voting Machine
Nobel laureate V S Naipaul died Saturday in London. He was 85 years old. He was born in Trinidad. The Nobel Prize in Literature 2001 was awarded to V. S. Naipaul for having united perceptive narrative and incorruptible scrutiny in works.
Nobel Prize in Literature 2017 winner- Kazuo Ishiguro
New Delhi has been granted hosting rights of Combined ISSF World Cup, to be held before the Tokyo Olympics. It involves events in rifle, pistol, and shotgun. It is 7th continental or global multi-nation shooting competition staged in India since 2012.
ISSF- International Shooting Sports Federation, HQ- Munich
Exim Bank of India has signed a cooperation agreement with member development banks of BRICS to undertake ‘collaborative research’ in blockchain technology. Exim Bank is the nominated member development bank under the BRICS Interbank Cooperation Mechanism.
BRICS group- Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
To encourage more Indians to visit Israel, Israel has opened a visa application center in the Kolkata for tourists from West Bengal and the North Eastern states. The visa application categories include employment, business, tourism, meeting, students.
West Bengal Governor- K N Tripathi, CM- Mamata Banerjee
Scientists say the powerful Indonesian earthquake that killed more than 300 people lifted the Lombok island it struck by as much as 10 inches. Indonesia is prone to earthquakes because of its location on the “Ring of Fire,” an arc of volcanoes.
Indonesia- Capital- Jakarta, Currency- Indonesian rupiah