Daily GK Updates - 29th November, 2015

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1.                 NORMS TO IMPROVE AIR QUALITY ISSUED

The Ministry of Road Transport & highways has issued a draft notification for implementation of BS-5 and BS-6 norms for the automobile sector, covering the four wheeler category. The ministry has decided to advance the date of implementation of the higher level emission standards. As per the roadmap earlier laid down, by the Auto Fuel Policy, BS – 5 norms were to implemented from 1st April 2022 and BS-6 from 1st April 2024.

2.                 ALBANIA, INDIA SIGN ON DIPLOMATIC PASSPORT HOLDER:

    Albania and India have signed an agreement on the removal of visa requirements for diplomatic and service passport holders between the two countrie.The agreements will serve the interests of both countries and strengthen friendly relations and cooperation in various areas of mutual interest, Xinhua quoted the ministry. The agreement will enable businesses from both sides to have freer movement, thus allowing more frequent communication and cooperation.

3.                 INDIA JOINS UK, AUS TO HELP POOR NATION COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE

India today said it will provide $2.5 million for the vulnerable nations in the Commonwealth to help the introduce clean energy and reduce green-house gas emissions. The announcement was made on the second day of the biennial summit of the Commonwealth whose membership includes powerful countries like Britain, Australia, Canada, Singapore and small island nations such the Maldives, Tonga and Nauru.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. $ 500m WORLD BANK FACILITY TO EXPLORE POLICY BASED CARBON MARKET

World Bank launched a $500 million market-based scheme designed   to help    developing countries pay for emission reductions and combat climate change.Germany, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland have jointly pledged an initial $250 million to get the Transformative Carbon Asset Facility (TCAF) while the bank hopes further contributions will take the eventual total to $500 mn.

OTHER UPDATES:

BANKING & ECONOMY:

1.                 PATANJALI TO INVEST RS. 1,000 CRORE ON EXPANSION

Patanjali Ayurved, the FMCG venture promoted by yoga guru Baba Ramdev, will invest Rs 1,000 crore next year on expansion and plans to sharpen focus on e-commerce and exports.

SPORTS:

2. PV SINDHU WON 2015 MACAU OPEN GRAND PRIX GOLD BADMINTON TOURNAMENT

Ace Indian shuttler Pusarla Venkata Sindhu has won the 2015 Macau Open Grand Prix Gold Badminton tournament in the women’s single category.PV Sindhu won the Title after defeating Minatsu Mitani of Japan .She has won this title for the third consecutive time after winning it in 2013 and 2014.

3. ICC SUSPENDED WEST INDIES SPINNER SUNIL NARINE FOR ILLEGAL BOWLING ACTION

    International Cricket Council suspended West Indies off-spinner Sunil Narine from bowling in international cricket.  The International Cricket Council found his bowling action to be illegal.