The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change signed a Letter of Intent establishing the India-Norway Marine Pollution Initiative together with the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Earlier, the Indian and Norwegian governments agreed to work more closely on oceans by signing a MoU and establishing the India-Norway Ocean Dialogue during the Norwegian Prime Minister’s visit to India in January. Both the governments launched the first Joint initiative under this new partnership.
Note: Norway Capital: Oslo, Currency: Norwegian krone.
An MoU was signed between Engineers India Limited (EIL) and Mongolia for Project Management Consultancy for oil refinery. EIL is a PSU under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. The agreement was signed on the sidelines of PETROTECH-2019 event at Greater Noida, UP.
The MoU is for Project Management Consultancy services for construction of an oil refinery plant in Mongolia by EIL. The government of Mongolia is in the process to set-up 1.5 MMTPA greenfield crude oil refinery in Sainshand province, under Line of Credit (LoC) extended by Government of India.
Note: Mongolia Capital: Ulaanbaatar, Currency: Mongolian togrog.
Ruchira Kamboj was appointed as the Ambassador of India to Bhutan. She is serving as the High Commissioner of India to South Africa since 2017.
A 1987-cadre Indian Foreign Service (officer), she is expected to take up the assignment shortly. Kamboj has previously served as the Ambassador/PR to Permanent Delegation of India to UNESCO, Paris.
In Bihar, Governor Lalji Tandon and Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh jointly inaugurated the three-day Krishi Kumbh in Motihari. Over fifteen thousand farmers from different states and about two hundred agricultural scientists are participating in the Kumbh.
The objective of Krishi Kumbh is to promote modern techniques and diversification in agriculture that could help in doubling farmers income. The government is creating strong infrastructure from “Beej to Bazar” for enhancing the income of farmers.
Note: PM -KISAN stands for Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi.
The Meghalaya Cabinet has decided to rename the Dikkibandi stadium in Tura town after former Lok Sabha Speaker Purno A Sangma. The state Cabinet meeting presided over by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma approved the recommendations received from the state naming authority tasked with the job to name roads, and institutions after personalities. The Dikkibandi Stadium was formerly known as MP stadium. Purno A Sangma is also a former chief minister of Meghalaya.
State-owned power giant NTPC has announced that it has signed a term loan agreement for Rs 5,000 crore with State Bank of India. The loan facility is extended at an interest rate linked to 3-Month MCLR of the Bank. This loan has a door to door tenure of 15 years and will be utilised to part finance the capital expenditure of NTPC.
The 61st Annual Grammy Awards ceremony was held at Staples Center in Los Angeles. The show was hosted by Singer-songwriter Alicia Keys.
Here is the complete list of winners of Grammy Awards 2019:
| Sl. No. | Category | Winner |
| 1. | Album Of The Year | Golden Hour, Kacey Musgraves |
| 2. | Record Of The Year | “This Is America,” Childish Gambino |
| 3. | Best New Artist | Dua Lipa |
| 4. | Best Rap Album | Invasion Of Privacy, Cardi B |
| 5. | Best R&B Album Winner | H.E.R., H.E.R. |
| 6. | Best Rap Song | “God’s Plan,” Drake |
| 7. | Best Country Album | Golden Hour, Kacey Musgraves |
| 8. | Song Of The Year | “This Is America,” Childish Gambino |
| 9. | Best Rock Album | From The Fires, Greta Van Fleet |
| 10. | Best Rock Song | “Masseduction” St. Vincent |
| 11. | Best Dance/Electronic Album | Woman Worldwide, Justice |
| 12. | Producer Of The Year, Classical | Blanton Alspaugh |
| 13. | Best Music Video | “This Is America,” Childish Gambino |
| 14. | Best Country Song | “Space Cowboy,” Kacey Musgraves |
| 15. | Best Folk Album | All Ashore, Punch Brothers |
| 16. | Best Comedy Album | Equanimity & The Bird Revelation, Dave Chappelle |
Indian historian Sanjay Subrahmanyam won the prestigious Dan David Prize 2019 for his work on inter-cultural encounters between Asians, Europeans and people of North and South America during the early modern era.
He won Israel’s prestigious USD 1 million dollar award in the category of ”Past Time Dimension” for his work in macro-history. Once presented with the award money, Subrahmanyam will donate 10% of the prize money towards scholarships for graduate or post-graduate researchers.
Jamie Chadwick from England made history by becoming the first female driver to win the MRF challenge title after scoring a triple win in the final round in Chennai. The 20-year-old became the first woman to win the coveted prize after an incredible performance.
In August, Chadwick became the first woman to win a British F3 race. She achieved six victories in the 15 race championship and came back from a large deficit to win in style at the final event.
The 83rd edition of Senior National Badminton Championships has begun in Guwahati. Defending champion Saina Nehwal and last edition’s runner-up PV Sindhu will be the biggest attractions in Women’s Singles.
The Men’s Singles will be without defending champion HS Prannoy and runners-up Kidambi Srikanth who are suffering from injuries. This is the first time the Nationals is returning to the North-East since Guwahati last hosted it in 2010.
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