Daily GK Updates - 1st February, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. TRAI recommends PPP Model to roll out rural broadband network ‘BharatNet’: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has recommended a public private partnership model for rolling out government’s ambitious project BharatNet, which involves setting up of a broadband network in rural India. 

2. Government bans Zero Duty import of capital goods for power plants: The decision is aimed at encouraging manufacturing of power equipment and giving a push to domestic capital goods sector, with an aim to boost overall economy.

3. India and Afghanistan ink pact for Visa-free travel by diplomats.

4. Vietnam lifts ban on import of groundnut from India.

5. 30^th Surajkund International Crafts Mela started at Faridabad: Telangana was selected as the Theme State and will showcase its unique culture and rich heritage and about 300 artistes from the state will perform different folk arts. Chandigarh was the theme for the 29^th edition of the mela in 2015.

6. Muktesh Kumar Pardeshi appointed as India’s Envoy to Mexico.

7. Kamlesh Kumar Pandey appointed as Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities.

8. Metro Cash and Carry appoints former Walmart executive Arvind Mediratta as India MD.

9. Datta Padsalgikar appointed as the Commissioner of Police of Mumbai.

10. CBDT signed two bilateral Advance Pricing Agreements (APAs) with United Kingdom: This is a significant step towards providing a stable and predictable tax regime.

11. India and NASA to study Ladakh region under Spaceward Bound Programme: Under this programme, a team of scientists from NASA, the Mars Society Australia and the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, Lucknow will undertake an expedition to Ladakh in August 2016 to study the region’s topography and microbial life to the surroundings of Mars.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Cabinet of Somalia agree on Election Model outlined by Mogadishu Declaration 2015: The declaration which was adopted in December 2015, calls for election process in Somalia to establish a new, bicameral Federal Parliament in 2016, based on inclusivity and representation.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

1. SBI launches new home loan scheme ‘FlexiPay’ for working executives: Under the scheme, young working professionals will get higher amount than they are eligible for. The additional loan amount will help such professionals in acquiring better and spacious living spaces for themselves and their families.

SPORTS:

2. Virat Kohli replaces Aaron Finch as No. 1 batsman in T20 Internationals.

3. Kidambi Srikanth wom men’s singles title of Syed Modi International Badminton Championships 2016.

4. Virender Sehwag appointed as mentor for Kings XI Punjab for IPL season 9.

5. Aditya Mehta won 83^rd Senior National Snooker Championship.

6. Japanese city of Fukuoka to host 2021 World Aquatics Championships.

7. Brazilian driver Pietro Fittipaldi won 2015-16 MRF Challenge Formula 2000 held at Madras Motor Racing Track

AWARDS:

8. Bihar CM Nitish Kumar selected for K Veeramani Award for Social Justice.

9. Veteran Wildlife Filmmaker Naresh Bedi honoured with V Shantaram Lifetime Achievement Award.

10. Mahesh Joshi received the ‘Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Gaurav Award’ for his poetry.

OBITUARIES:

11. Famous British television and radio personality Terry Wogan died at the age of 77.