Daily GK Updates - 28th July, 2015

DAILY GK UPDATES - 28TH JULY, 2015

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

I. R.I.P, “The Missile Man”: Former President of India A.P.J Abdul Kalam, widely acclaimed as the ‘people’s president’, passed away after collapsing during a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management in Shillong. He was the 11^th president of India and Chief of the Defence staff between 2002 and 2007. He had the unique honour of receiving honorary doctorates from 30 universities and institutions.

II.  IT Secretary R S Sharma appointed as TRAI chairman. 

III. Renault India ropes in Ranbir Kapoor as Brand Ambassador: Automobile manufacturer Renault India celebrating its 4^th anniversary in India appointed Ranbir Kapoor as its brand ambassador.

IV.  Maharashtra Government to develop six solar cities targeting solar capacity of 7,500 MW: The state government has placed a comprehensive plan to develop six solar cities to add solar capacity of 7,500 MW in the state.

V.  Bharti Realty tied-up with Eros Group to develop housing project: Bharti Realty, a Bharti Enterprises’ real estate firm tied up with Eros Group to develop a housing project at Surajkund, Delhi.

VI. Gujarat becomes the 1^st state to ink mandatory voting rule:  The Gujarat government issued a notification making voting in local body elections compulsory under the controversial Gujarat Local Authorities Laws (Amendment), Act 2009 (2014).

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

I.  Rajesh Exports buys world’s largest gold refining company Valcambi for Rs 2,560 cr: Jewellery Company Rajesh Exports Ltd bought Valcambi, the world’s largest gold refining company, in an all cash deal worth $400 mn.

II. Bangladesh part of Sundarbans witnessed rapid decline in tiger population between 2004 and 2015: As per the Tiger Census 2015, the number of tigers in Bangladesh part of the Sundarbans declined sharply from 440 in 2004 to 106 in 2015.

III.  28^th July celebrated as The World Hepatitis Day.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

I.  ADB to give $300 mn loan to India: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will extend a loan of $300 mn to India for improving road connectivity and increasing the domestic and regional trade along the North Bengal- North Eastern Region.

II. Axis Bank signs $200 mn loan agreement with ADB: Axis Bank signed a $200 mn, seven year bilateral loan agreement with the Asian Development Bank. The loan will help bolster Bank’s efforts to improve farm efficiency by extending customised and affordable agriculture credits.

SPORTS:

III. Mexico defeat Jamaica 3-1 in Gold Cup Final: A. Guardado became the 1^st player to score in three Gold Cup finals and Mexico defeated Jamaica in the North American regional football tournament, stretching their record trophy total to seven.

IV.   Indian women wrestling team wins silver medal in the Kazakhstan Presidential Cup: Indian women’s wrestling team has won the silver medal after finishing second in the 5^th Senior International Wrestling Tournament (also known as cup of the President of Republic of Kazakhstan).  

V. S.Shreesanth freed from all charges of spot fixing during the IPL tournament and now wants his ban to be lifted.

VI. R.Oltmans appointed as India Hockey coach till Rio Olympics: He has been appointed the coach of the Indian Hockey team replacing Paul Van Ass.

AWARDS:

VII. BEL bags Dun Bradstreet’s India’s Top PSUs Awards 2015: The defence PSU Bharat Electronics Ltd became the front runner in the Dun & Bradstreet’s ‘India’s top PSUs Awards 2015 in the category of electrical and electronic equipment sector.

BOOKS AND AUTHORS:

VIII. The book titled ‘Ghosts of Calcutta’ written by Sebastian Ortiz was released.

OBITUARIES:

IX.  Physicist P. Hariharan passed away in Berkeley, California.

X.   S. Kadirgamar, the veteran Sri Lankan historian passed away.