Daily GK Updates - 15th August, 2015

DAILY GK UPDATES - 15TH AUGUST,  2015

NATIONAL UPDATES:

   I.         According to Union Government, the seventh pay commission award will result in a 15.79 % rise in the salary outgo during 2016-17.

II.         In a move that could improve the employability of Indian sailors in international shipping, the union government has ratified the International Seafarers’ Identity Document Convention, 2003, which will provide for a globally recognised seafarers’ identity document. In addition to facilitating mobility seafarers’, the smart card will improve maritime security with a verifiable identity.

III.       Madhya Pradesh has decided to form a Special Indian Reserve Battalion (SIRB), a force that can be deployed across the country for maintaining law and order and fighting naxalism.

IV.  According to National Council of Applied Economic Research report, the MGNREGA has reduced poverty overall by up to 32% and has prevented 14 million people from falling into poverty.

V.        Union Cabinet gave an ex-post-facto approval to MoUs signed with US, France and Mongolia in the field of renewable energy.

VI.        ONGC is using some of its profit to nurse the ground and clean up key sources of water in the Himalayas. The flagship explorer has joined four expeditions launched by the Indian Mountaineering Foundation, the apex mountaineering body, to take PM Modi’s ‘Swatchh Bharat’ campaign to Himalayan heights.

VII.    India on 15^th August 2015 celebrated its 69^th Independence Day.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

  I.         Researchers discovered evidence of an ancient lake on Mars: A team of researchers for University of Colorado have discovered evidence of an ancient lake on Mars. The findings of the research titled Late-stage formation of Martian Chloride salts through ponding and evaporation were published in journal of Geology.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

  I.    AXIS Bank launched the first multi-currency contactless card service in India: India’s third largest private sector lender, Axis Bank has launched the first Contactless Debit, Credit and Multi-Currency Forex Card in association with VISA payWave in the country.

SPORTS:

II.        Rahane makes it into the record books by taking 8 catches: Ajinkya Rahane became the 1^st fielder in Test history to take eight catches, achieving the feat in the 1^st test match of the Sri Lanka tour at Galle.

III.       Rangana Herath picked up 7 for 48 to shoot India out for 112 on the fourth day of the 1^st test match and complete a 63-run win for Sri Lanka at Galle.

BOOKS AND AUTHORS:

IV.  American Political Scientist and author Norman G Finkelstein’s book ‘What Gandhi Says’ released.