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  • Current Affairs 20th April 2019

    Updated : 20-Apr-2019

    Current Affairs 20th April 2019 - Important Points

    • Hefty fine imposed on Pakistan by - FIH
    • Saudi Aramco to buy 25% share in - Reliance Industries
    • World Heritage Day 2019 on - 18th April 2019
    • Indian peacekeeping Force in South Sudan Awarded - UN Medal of Honour
    • Raavana-1 launched into Space from - NASA

    Current Affairs 20th April 2019 - Details

    Hefty fine imposed on Pakistan by - FIH

    The International Hockey Federation- FIH, has forced a hefty fine of 170000 Euros on Pakistan Hockey Federation for not respecting the Pro League commitments.  The International Hockey Federation has issued Pakistan’s sports body time until June 20th to pay the fine otherwise the penalty would be doubled. 
    Important Highlights

    • The Pakistan Hockey Federation was fined for not sending the National team for the Pro League
      matches in Argentina, Australia and New Zealand.
    • While approving the fine, the cash-strapped Pakistan Hockey Federation has specified that it is not in a position to pay the fine.
    • Pakistan Hockey Federation Secretary General Shahbaz Ahmed specified that he has urged the International Hockey Federation to diminish the fine and permit it to be paid in instalments.
    • Shahbaz, a former Olympian and captain, is a member of the International Hockey Federation Executive Board which is led by India’s Narinder Batra.

    Saudi Aramco to buy 25% share in - Reliance Industries

    Saudi Aramco, which is a Saudi Arabian national petroleum and natural gas corporation, is in talks to obtain 25% share in Reliance Industries  refining and petrochemicals businesses. However, both Aramco and Reliance refused to comment on the issue.
    This share sale of Reliance Industries Limited would raise around USD 10-15 billion, valuing Reliance’s
    refining and petrochemicals businesses at about USD 55-60 billion.

    More about Saudi Aramco

    • Saudi Aramco is the state-owned oil corporation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
    • Over the last 80 years, the corporation has become a world leader in hydrocarbons exploration,
      generation, refining, distribution and marketing.
    • The corporation manages crude oil and condensate reserves of 261.1 billion barrels with an average
      daily crude production of the corporation is 10.2 million barrels/day.
    • HQ in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Aramco has offices and manoeuvres throughout the Kingdom with more than 65000 workers around the world.
    • The corporation has its holdings and affiliates situated across the globe in China, Egypt, Japan, India, the Netherlands, Korea, Singapore, UK and the USA.

    World Heritage Day 2019 on - 18th April 2019

    April 18th was celebrated as the World Heritage Day 2019 with the theme Rural Landscapes. The theme Rural Landscapes is concerned to the theme of the 2019 International Council on Monuments and Sites Scientific Symposium on Rural heritage to be organised at Marrakesh, Morocco in October.
    Genesis of the World Heritage Day

    • On 18th April 1982 on the eve of a symposium held by International Council on Monuments and Sites in Tunisia, it was recommended to celebrate the International Day for Monuments and Sites simultaneously worldwide.
    • UNESCO approved a resolution at its 22nd session on November 1983 favouring the idea and suggested the member states to inspect the possibility of declaring 18th April each year “International Monuments and Sites Day”. This has been mentioned to as the World Heritage Day.
    • World Heritage Day suggests an opportunity to spread the public’s awareness about the diversity of cultural heritage and the efforts that are needed to safeguard and conserve it, and draw attention to its susceptibility.

    Indian peacekeeping Force in South Sudan Awarded - UN Medal of Honour

    150 Indian peacekeepers working with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan were bestowed with
    medals of honour by the UN for their dedicated service and sacrifice.
    United Nations Mission in South Sudan

    • United Nations Mission in South Sudan is working to deter violence against civilians by delivering a safe and secure environment for South Sudanese people who have bolted violence and sought sanctuary at Protection of Civilian sites across the nation.
    • United Nations Mission in South Sudan peacekeepers are also serving to facilitate the safe delivery of humanitarian assistance, including food, clean water, shelter and healthcare, to the millions of displaced populations.
    • United Nations Mission in South Sudan goals to deliver a safe and supported environment so that these people can return to their communities to live safely and with dignity.
    • United Nations Mission in South Sudan also guards, monitors, investigates, and reports on human rights violations and abuses with a robust focus on the most vulnerable, including women and children and those who are subjected to sexual and gender-based violence.
    • United Nations Mission in South Sudan is dedicated to serving build durable peace in South Sudan.
    • United Nations Mission in South Sudan is serving as a partner at a national and sub-national level with political, religious, traditional and community leaders and at grassroots with communities and entities across the nation to advance reconciliation efforts, to fortify conflict resolution mechanisms.

    Raavana-1 launched into Space from - NASA

    Sri Lanka’s 1st satellite Raavana-1 was released into space from NASA’s Flight Facility on Virginia’s east
    shore.
    More about Raavana-1

    • Raavana-1 weights about 1.05 kgs and is 1000 ccms in size.
    • The lowest lifespan of the satellite is about 1.5 years and it is expected to be active for 5 years.
    • Raavana-1 satellite was designed and constructed at the Kyushu Institute of Technology in Japan by 2 Sri Lankan research engineers.
    • Raavana-1 satellite’s camera mission is to capture images of Sri Lanka and its surrounding nations.
    • The Raavana-1 is beliebed to orbit 400 kms away from the earth.
    • The satellite will attain an active attitude stabilization which makes sure that the satellite’s attitude is stable under the impact of external talks.
    • The launch of Raavana-1 marks Sri Lanka’s entry into the global space era.