Daily GK Updates - 21st November, 2015

National updates:

1. Rajasthan, South Australia signed Sister-State Agreement.

Rajasthan and South Australia on 20 November 2015 signed the historic Sister-State Agreement to boost export and investment opportunities between the two states. The agreement was signed by South Australia Trade and Investment Trade Minister Martin Hamilton-Smith and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje in Rajasthan. The sister-state relationship between South Australia and Rajasthan is based on a two-way exchange of research, policy and technical capabilities.. In November 2015, the South Australian Government released research showing that 65000 South Australian jobs are linked to international exports. It showed export jobs are not just limited to traditional export sectors like agriculture but also to services, health care, communications, transport.

2. India, China vow to fight terror, transnational crimes:

India and China vowed to deepen their bilateral cooperation in combating terrorism and fighting transnational crime. The breakthrough was achieved after Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh held talks with Meng Jianzhu, head of the Commission for Political and Legal Affairs (CPLA) of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee on a wide range of issues. Following issues were discussed India and China should enhance their bilateral cooperation to combat terrorism and fight transnational crime. Both countries should coordinate to improve border entry and exit administration in order to facilitate people’s travel and promote stability in the region.

3. ADB Pledge to finance India , Bangladesh  electricity link under SASEC programme :

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has pledged to provide 120 million dollar loan in order to finance cross-border electricity link between Bangladesh and India under SASEC Programme. In this regard, loan agreement was signed by ADB Country Director Kazuhiko Higuchi and Mohammad Mejbahuddin, Senior Secretary of Bangladesh Finance Ministry. The loan fund would be used for Second Bangladesh-India Grid Inter connectivity project under the ambitious South Asia Sub-regional Economic Co-operation (SASEC) Programme.. The second project under will double the existing capacity from 500 MW to 1000 MW of the inter-connectivity link connecting power grid at Bheramara in western Bangladesh and the grid of eastern India at Bahrampur (Odisha).

4. Union government launches technology acquisition and development fund under NMP:  

Union Government has launched the Technology Acquisition and Development Fund (TADF) under the National Manufacturing Policy (NMP), 2011. It was launched by Union Minister of State (MoS) for Commerce TADF will facilitate Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) to acquire clean, green and energy efficient technologies. It will also catalyses the manufacturing growth in MSME sector with an aim to contribute to ‘Make in India’ initiative.

INTerNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Russia inks deal to build Egypt’s first nuclear plant at Dabaa:

Russia has signed two agreements with Egypt to finance and build its first nuclear power plant at Dabaa on the Mediterranean coast in the northwest of the country. As per one of the agreement, Russia will extend a loan to Egypt to cover the cost of construction of the nuclear plant which is expected to be completed by 2022. Russia will grant a 35-year loan to the Egypt which is the Arab world’s most populous country. However in the agreement the loan has been not disclosed as the details of the credit agreement are still under discussion.Dabaa nuclear plant will be third-generation plant with four reactors with total capacity of 1,200 MW. On completion the plant will make Egypt a regional leader in terms of civil nuclear technology. Since 1980s, Egypt has been pursuing its plan to have a peaceful nuclear programme for the production of electricity at Dabaa. But the North African country had frozen its nuclear programme plans after disputes with local residents due to the Chernobyl disaster in 1986.

2. Walmart offers entrepreneur development programme for women:

Wal-Mart India today announced an entrepreneur development programme for women, a move to encourage women owned businesses (WOBs) in the supply chain. Speaking at the launch of Andhra Pradesh Rural Inclusive Growth Project on Thursday, Krish Iyer, President  & CEO, Wal-Mart India, said, “Andhra Pradesh will be one of the first states in India where we will start an entrepreneurial programme for women in collaboration with Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty. As an ongoing commitment to empowering women around the world and helping WOBs succeed and grow, Wal-Mart has committed to source $20 billion from women for its US business and double sourcing from women in international markets, the statement said. Wal-Mart has also trained 17,891 women with life skills in India through its Women in Factories (WiF) training programme.

3. UN Security Council approved French-sponsored resolution urging action against ISIS

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on 20 November 2015 unanimously adopted a French-sponsored resolution 2249 (2015) calling all nations to take all necessary measures to prevent and suppress the terrorist acts of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and other extremist groups.  It mentions that ISIS group constitutes a global and unprecedented threat to international peace and security and expresses its determination to combat it by all means. It is the 14th terrorism-related resolution adopted by the UNSC since 1999. 

                   

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. Pankaj Advani wins 2015 IBSF World Snooker Championship

Ace Indian cueist Pankaj Advani won the 2015 IBSF World Snooker Championship. In the final match played at Hurghada (Egypt), he defeated his Chinese opponent Zhua Xintong by 8-6 score in the best-of-15 final. He had entered the finals of the Championship after defeating Alex Borg of Malta by 6-0 score. With this victory, Pankaj Advani has won the World Snooker Championship for record 15 times. He also became the first person in history of Snooker to take the short (6-Red) and the long snooker format in the same calendar year.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY:

2. Harshvardhan Neotia elected as the President of FICCI

Harshavardhan Neotia, Chairman of Ambuja Neotia group, was on 20 November 2015 elected as the President of industry body Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) for the year 2016.Neotia will succeed the current FICCI President Jyotsna Suri, Chairperson and Managing Director of Bharat Hotels Ltd, during the chamber's AGM in December 2015. Currently, Neotia is the Senior Vice President (VP) of FICCI. He is also a member of the Rajasthan Chief Minister's Advisory Council and West Bengal Chief Minister's Core Committee on Industry In 1999, Neotia was conferred with Padma Shri for his outstanding initiative in social housing.