Daily GK Updates - 18th August, 2015

DAILY GK UPDATES - 18TH AUGUST, 2015

NATIONAL UPDATES:

   I.     The Kullu district administration imposed a ban on plying of diesel and petrol driven vehicles in Rohtang Pass in compliance with the orders of National Green Tribunal (NGT).

II.       Microsoft and Andhra Pradesh Government to work together for Low Cost Net Connectivity: Microsoft will be working with AP Government on TV White Spaces Project- a technology that uses unused TV spectrum to deliver low-cost internet connectivity to users.

III.     Delhi Government announced City Taxi Scheme: Under this scheme, permits will be issued to 600 cc vehicles that will have minimum flag down rate of 25 rupees for the first two kilometres.

IV.      Kerala Government signed MoU with Adani Group for development of Vizhinjam Port: It includes proposal for usage of foreign ships for the carriage of goods between two ports in one country and relaxation of Centre’s Cabotage law that allows use of registered Indian ships only.

V.         ICICI Bank launched locker facility named ‘Smart Vault’: It was launched by the MD&CEO ChandaKochar. It is first of its kind locker facility by a bank in India with latest robotic technology.

VI.      Telangana Government launched GramaJyothi Scheme across the state:Telangana CM K. Chandrashekhar launched the scheme which is aimed at comprehensive development of rural areas allowing planning and execution of works by village themselves.

VII.   Supreme Court order on Aadhaar sweetens cash for grain initiatives: The SC order on the use of Aadhaar Card only for the direct benefits transfer (DBT) and public distribution scheme (PDS) is set to provide a boost to these programmes, with the government planning to speed up implementation of cash transfers for food grain subsidy nationwide.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

  I.        Second round of Foreign Office Consultations between India and Paraguay held at New Delhi: The meet is aimed to strengthen the cooperation between the two countries. During the meet, the entire gamut of bilateral relations including political, commercial and trade, financial, tourism, technical and other areas of cooperation were discussed.

II.       India and UAE released joint statement to take bilateral relations to a higher level: The joint statement was released in Abu Dhabi after meeting of His Highness Crown Prince Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and PM Modi.

III.      PM Modi visited Masdar City of Abu Dhabi: Masdar City is a zero carbon planned city which relies on solar energy and other renewable energy sources. It aims to be one of the world’s most sustainable urban developments powered by renewable energy.

IV.     PM Modi announced that the Indian Mission in UAE has set up an ‘e-migrant portal’ to help Indian migrant workers and an online platform ‘MADAD’ to assist them.

V.   Egypt’s Sisi approves anti-terrorism law: Egypt’s President has approved a far-reaching anti-terrorism law that establishes stiffer prison sentences for terror related offences, heavy fines for journalists who publish ‘false news’ and a special judicial circuit for terrorism cases.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

I.          Five coaches recommended for Dronacharya Award: Veteran coaches Swatantra Raj Singh (Boxing), NiharAmeen (Swimming) and Harbans Singh (Athletics) were among the five coaches recommended for the prestigious Dronacharya Award this year. Wrestling Coach Anoop Singh Dahiya and Para-athletics coach Naval Singh were included for recent performances of their trainees.

II.         Australia’s Jason Day wins PGA Championship 2015.

AWARDS:

III.   Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone’s Piku wins best movie at Indian Film Festival of Melbourne for 2015.