Daily GK Updates - 27th August, 2015

NATIONAL UPDATES:

I.      ISRO successfully launches GSLV-D6 carrying GSAT-6 satellite:  The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-D6) has successfully blasted from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at ISRO in Sriharikota near Chennai.

II.        Airtel acquires Augure to strengthen 4G footprint: It has acquired Augure Wireless Broadband India in a deal that will allow it to take its 4G operations to nine circles.

III.      Union Cabinet cleared 4 months extension for 7^th pay commission: Union Cabinet chaired by PM Modi gave 4 months extension (up to 31^st December 2015) to the 7^th Pay Commission. Justice Ashok Mathur is the chairman of the commission.

IV.      Government releases smart cities list;13 cities from UP, 12 from Tamil Nadu, 3 from Bihar included.

V.        NITI Aayog launches improved data tool for energy planning: It has launched an improved version of its interactive data tool on the country’s energy security scenario to help policy makers and stakeholders make informed choices for better energy planning for the future. The Indian Energy Security Scenarios (IESS) 2047 (Version 2.0) calculator will suggest measures to shift the energy pattern in a way to ensure advancement of the country’s energy security considerations.

VI.       Union Government approved amendments in the central list of OBCs: It approved the amendments in respect of two states Gujarat and Uttarakhand for making suitable amendments in the central list of OBCs.

VII.     Kolkata port adjudged as the best ‘Major Port of 2014-15’: It was adjudged as the Major Port of the Year for 2015 amongst 12 major ports in the country.

VIII.  Snapdeal appoints former Adobe executive Rajiv Mangla as CTO: e-Commerce major Snapdeal, appointed Rajiv Mangla as Chief Technology Officer.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

  I.         Novak Djokovic named new UNICEF goodwill ambassador: Reigning world tennis champion Novak Djokovic became a new goodwill ambassador for the UN Fund for Children, joining a roster of athletes and celebrities to hold the post.

II.         Kazakhstan to host 1^st Nuclear Fuel Bank: The International Atomic Energy Agency and Kazakhstan have signed an agreement to create the world’s 1^st internationally controlled bank of low-enriched uranium in the ex-Soviet nation to ensure fuel supplies for power stations and prevent nuclear proliferation.

III.        Rajendra Singh conferred with 2015 Stockholm Water Prize: He was named for the prestigious award for his innovative water restoration efforts, improving water security in rural India, and for showing extraordinary courage and determination in his quest to improve the living conditions for those most in need.

IV.       Three Indians were named as Fellows of American Society for Metals for 2015 (ASM): The Indian fellows were PradeepGoyal, VivekanandKain and GankidiMadhusudan Reddy.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

I.         Dilip Vengsarkar elected president of cricket statistician’s body: Former India captain DilipVengsarkar has been elected as the president of the Association of Indian Statisticians and Scorers of India.

II.               Vikas Gowda enters discus final at World Athletics Championships.