Daily GK Updates - 18th July, 2015

DAILY GK UPDATES - 18TH JULY, 2015

NATIONAL UPDATES:

I.  INS Astravahini decommissioned after 31 years of service: The indigenously developed Torpedo launch and recovery vessel decommissioned by the Indian Navy after 31 years of service.

II.  Union Government brought 39 more drugs under price control regime.

III. White-Fi technology of Microsoft to boost Digital India Initiative: This technology will use the unspent spectrum on TV for internet usage. It can provide free Wi-Fi connectivity to the roughly one billion Indians who don’t have any net access and it plans to start with International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Bangalore campus.

IV. IBM, IIM-B and Catalyst complete women’s leadership development programme: IBM announced the graduation of the first group students from Tanmatra, an innovative, cross-industry women’s leadership development programme conducted in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore and Catalyst India WRC.

V. Haryana Government named Parineeti Chopra as its brand ambassador for ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’

VI. India’s first private air freight station all set to open in Chennai.

VII. Indian Railways have decided to discontinue the provision of compulsory requirement of Identity proof at the time of booking tatkal tickets from September 1.

VIII. Global Emergency Response Network to be launched in India: A new decentralized and personalized mobile app called ‘MUrgency’ is being set up to create a global emergency response to help people in distress in developing coutries.

IX.  Flipkart appointed Eric Lange as Vice President of Product Management.

X.   Prashant Pathrabe appointed as Interim Director of Film and Television Institute of India (FTII).

XI.  A woman having a child through surrogacy is entitled to maternity leave:  Delhi High Court.

XII.  Union Government launched Delhi Police Railway Helpline number 1512.

XIII. Competition Commission of India approved the proposed deal related to a joint venture Aegon Religare Life Insurance company where Religare Enterprises will now exit this joint venture.

XIV. 2^nd Sohara Marathon held at Mawkdok in Meghalaya.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

I. India and Myanmar to strengthen defence ties: This was announced during the joint consultative commission (JCC) meeting held in New Delhi chaired by External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj and Myanmar’s Foreign Minister W.M Lwin.

II. European Union approves 7 billion Euro Short-term loan to Greece: This loan will allow Greece to pay its huge debt to European Central Bank (ECB) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) till new bailout plan is ratified.

III. A team of Scientists led by India-Origin scientist AnuragMathur, belonging to the University of California conducted a research that led to the development of  mini heart (Cardiac Micro physiological System) on a microchip using human stem cells.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

I. RBI and Central Bank of Sri Lanka ink currency swap agreement: Under this agreement, Sri Lankan Bank can draw up to 1.1 billion dollars for a maximum period of 6 months. This Currency Swap Framework is signed between SAARC member countries. This seeks to provide a backstop line of funding to member countries in order to meet any balance of payment and liquidity crises.

II. J&K’s special status under article 370 of the Indian Constitution cannot be altered: HC: This observation was made by a bench comprising of judges M A Attar and A M Magray while ruling that the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest (SARFAESI) Act 2002 cannot be enforced in the state.

SPORTS:

III.  India retains 2^nd spot in the ICC ODI Ranking after clean sweep over Zimbabwe.

IV. Neeraj Kumar appointed Chief Security Advisor for ICC World T20 2016.      

AWARDS:

V. Indian American Sunita Vishwanath honoured as Champions of Change by US White House: She was among 12 other faith leaders who were awarded for their efforts in protecting environment and communities from the effects of climate change.

OBITUARIES:

VI. F1 driver Jules Bianchi died 9 months after suffering severe head injuries in a Suzuka crash at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix.

VII.   Uruguay’s soccer legend A.E Ghiggia died following a heart attack. He was the hero of the 1950 FIFA World Cup Win of Uruguay over Brazil.