04th May 2019 Current Affairs
1st Japanese monarch to abdicate in 200 years
- Japan’s Emperor Akihito formally abdicated on 30 April 2019 in Tokyo.
- He is the country’s first monarch to step down from the Chrysanthemum Throne in two centuries.
- Akihito’s reign and the Heisei era officially ended at midnight on 30 April 2019.
- Hereafter the 85-year-old will be known as Emperor Emeritus Akihito.
State Bank of India links interest rates to RBI's repo rate
- State Bank of India (SBI) has moved to a new interest rate regime on large savings account deposits as well as short-term loans.
- In March, SBI had announced that it will link its interest rate on savings account with a balance above Rs. 1 lakh and short-term loans like overdraft and cash credit facility to Reserve Bank of India’s repo rate, effective 1 May 2019.
- The interest rates on large SBI savings account deposits and interest rate on some short-term loans will automatically change as and when RBI changes its repo rate.
- This will help in better transmission of RBI’s policy rates into the banking system.
Dr Devi Prasad Shetty honoured with PC Chandra Puraskaar 2019
- Padma Bhushan Dr Devi Prasad Shetty has been honoured with the 27th Lifetime PC Chandra Puraskaar 2019 at the Biswa Bangla Convention Centre.
- Dr Shetty is India’s most reputed cardiac surgeons and humanitarian.
- Swami Suviranandaji Maharaj, the General Secretary of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, Belur Math graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and gave away the award.
Paytm President Bhushan Patil Resigns
- Bhushan Patil, president at Paytm, has quit the company.
- Patil, who joined Paytm after a five-year stint with Alibaba, had initially joined the Noida-based company to look after its cross border commerce business.
- Patil joined Paytm in March 2016.
International Fire fighters’ Day (IFFD) is observed every year on May 4.
- Coal Miners Day is observed every year on 4 May to highlight the conditions of coal miners as it is the toughest profession known.
- National Space Day is observed annually on the first Friday in May which was 3 May.
- World Tuna Day is observed on 2 May every year to raise awareness about tuna fish globally.
‘God of Chaos’ asteroid to pass near Earth
- In 2029, a massive asteroid called 99942 Apophis will fly past earth at an approximate distance of 19,000 miles within the distance of some orbiting spacecraft.
- Apophis is named after the Egyptian god of chaos.
- The asteroid was originally discovered in 2004 by astronomers at the Kitt Peak National Observatory, which is located in Arizona.
Researchers identify drugs that block CRISPR
- Scientists have discovered the first small-molecule inhibitors of the Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 (SpCas9) protein.
- The discovery could enable more precise control over CRISPR-Cas9-based genome editing.
- They disrupt the binding of SpCas9 to DNA and thereby interfere with their ability to cut DNA.
- These first small-molecule CRISPR-Cas9 inhibitors readily enter cells
India To Purchase 10 Kamov-31 Choppers From Russia For INR 3,600 cr
- Defence ministry has approved the procurement of 10 Kamov Ka-31 Airborne Early Warning and Control helicopters for the Indian Navy.
- The cost of the deal would be around Rs 3,600 crore and the 10 helicopters would be deployed on the aircraft carriers and warships of the Navy including the INS Vikrant and Grigorovich-class frigates.
Indo-French joint naval exercise Varuna 19.1 begins off Goa coast
- The first part of the Indo-French joint naval exercise, ‘Varuna 19.1’ has begun at Goa coast (from 1 to 10 May 2019).
- The exercise is being conducted in two phases.
- The harbour phase at Goa would include cross-visits, professional interactions and discussions and sports events.
- Varuna 19.2 (the second part of the exercise) is scheduled to be held in May end in Djibouti.
Chewbacca Actor Peter Mayhew from ‘Star Wars’ passes away
- English-American actor Peter Mayhew (74-years) passed away at his North Texas home.
- Peter Mayhew best known for portraying Chewbacca in the Star Wars film series.
- He played the character in all his live-action appearances from the 1977 original to 2015’s The Force Awakens before his retirement from the role.
- Mayhew was also an active philanthropist.
Buddhist sculptures unearthed in Telangana
- Archaeologists excavated a rare life-size stucco Buddhist sculpture in Phanigiri, Suryapet district in Telangana.
- The figurine represents one of the Bodhisattvas belonging to the Jathaka Chakra.
- The sculpture is also one of the largest Buddhist stucco sculptures unearthed in India till date.
Try out the quiz ?
1. Akihito has become first monarch to step down from the Chrysanthemum Throne in two centuries. Akihito was monarch of which country?
Japan’s Emperor Akihito formally abdicated on 30 April 2019 in Tokyo. He is the country’s first monarch to step down from the Chrysanthemum Throne in two centuries.
2. State Bank of India has linked its interest rates to RBI repo rate. This repo rate is effective from which date?
State Bank of India (SBI) has moved to a new interest rate regime on large savings account deposits as well as short-term loans. In March, SBI had announced that it will link its interest rate on savings account with a balance above Rs. 1 lakh and short-term loans like overdraft and cash credit facility to Reserve Bank of India's repo rate, effective 1 May 2019.
3. Who has honoured with PC Chandra Puraskaar 2019?
Padma Bhushan Dr Devi Prasad Shetty has been honoured with the 27th Lifetime PC Chandra Puraskaar 2019 at the Biswa Bangla Convention Centre.
4. Bhushan Patil has resigned from which company?
Bhushan Patil, president at Paytm, has quit the company.
5. National Space Day is observed annually on the first Friday of which month?
National Space Day is observed annually on the first Friday in May which was 3 May.
6. In which year a massive asteroid name '99942 Apophis' will pass near to earth?
In 2029, a massive asteroid called 99942 Apophis will fly past earth at an approximate distance of 19,000 miles within the distance of some orbiting spacecraft.
7. Scientists have discovered the first small-molecule inhibitors of which protein?
Scientists have discovered the first small-molecule inhibitors of the Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 (SpCas9) protein.
8. India will purchase 10 'Kamov-31' Choppers from which country?
Defence ministry has approved the procurement of 10 Kamov Ka-31 Airborne Early Warning and Control helicopters for the Indian Navy.
9. The first part of the Indo-French joint naval exercise, ‘Varuna 19.1’ has begun in which coast?
The first part of the Indo-French joint naval exercise, ‘Varuna 19.1’ has begun at Goa coast (from 1 to 10 May 2019).
10. Peter Mayhew has passed away. He was a famous.....
English-American actor Peter Mayhew (74-years) passed away at his North Texas home.
11. Recently the largest Buddhist stucco sculptures unearthed in which state of India?
Archaeologists excavated a rare life-size stucco Buddhist sculpture in Phanigiri, Suryapet district in Telangana. The sculpture is also one of the largest Buddhist stucco sculptures unearthed in India till date.
