Daily GK Updates - 31st December, 2015

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Union Cabinet approved Raptor MoU for conservation of migratory birds of prey: The Union cabinet has given its approval to sign Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) on the conservation of migratory birds of prey in Africa and Eurasia. This MoU is also called as the ‘Raptor MoU’ under the Convention of Migratory Species (CMS). With signing it, India will become the 54^th signatory to the MoU. 

2. Union cabinet gives nod for India-Australia Civil Nuclear Cooperation: The Union cabinet chaired by PM Modi approved the India-Australia Civil Nuclear Cooperation deal that came into force on Nov 13, 2015. The deal along with the administrative arrangement for implementing the accord will bolster India’s energy security by supporting the expansion of nuclear power in the country.

3. Union Government approves constitution of 69 bridges on Trilateral Highway in Myanmar: It has approved the construction of 69 bridges including Approach Roads on the Tamu-Kyigone-Kalewa (TKK) road section of the Trilateral Highway in Myanmar.

4. Union Government unveils National Biotechnology Development Strategy 2015-2020: It was unveiled by the Union Science and Technology Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan in New Delhi to establish India as a world class bio-manufacturing hub.

5. Dr Gyanendra D Bandgaiyan appointed as the Director General of National Centre for Good Governance.

6. Union Cabinet approved MoU between India and Jordan for promoting cooperation in IT and Electronics: Its objective is to develop and strengthen industrial, technological and commercial cooperation between the two countries in Information Technology and Electronics (IT&E) sector. It also tries to implement institutional and capacity building cooperation programme aimed at fostering partnerships between the two countries.

7. Andhra Pradesh Government decided to hike wages of Anganwadi workers: The wages of Anganwadi workers will be increased from 4200 rupees to 7000 rupees and the wages of Anganwadi helpers will be hiked to 4500 rupees.

8. Airtel acquires 100 percent stake in Augere Wireless.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Japan and South Korea reached Agreement on Issue of Comfort Women: The agreement was reached after a meeting between Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs of South Korea in Seoul. It aims to resolve a decades-old dispute over Korean women who were used as sex slaves by Japanese soldiers during World War II.

2. World Bank offers $50 million loan for minority education: The Government of India and the World Bank signed a $50 million credit for the ‘Nai Manzil: The Education and Skills Training for Minorities Project’ to help young people from minority communities complete education and gain from market-driven training programmes with the aim of improving their employment outcome.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. Sweden’s Bjorn Isberg named as Tournament Director of 2016 Hockey India League.

2. Lakshmi Ratan Shukla announced retirement from all forms of Cricket: He played for Bengal in the Ranji format and for the Kolkata Night Riders in the IPL.

3. Viral Kohli named BCCI Cricketer of the Year.

4. Ravichandran Ashwin named ICC’s No.1 test bowler, first Indian since Bishan Singh Bedi’s feat in 1973.

AWARDS:

5. Indian-origin Cancer Researcher Harpal Singh Kumar knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for being ‘hugely influential’ in his work on prevention and treatment of cancer.

OBITUARIES:

6. Former New Castle United goalkeeper Pavel Srnicek died at the age of 47: The Czech Republic footballer suffered cardiac arrest.

7. Singapore’s Indian-origin Blind Champion of Disabled Ron Chandran-Dudley dies at the age of 81.