Daily GK Updates - 11th May, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. 11^th May celebrated as National Technology Day: The theme for this year was ‘Technology enablers of Start-up India’. This day glorifies the importance of science in day to day life and to celebrate the anniversary of first of the five tests of Operation Shakti (Pokhran-II) nuclear test which was held on 11^th May 1998 in Pokhran, Rajasthan.

2. Indian Navy decommissions fighter planes Sea Harriers: The Naval Air Squadron 300- INAS 300, popularly known as ‘white tigers’, de-inducted these fighter aircrafts and replaced them with new generation Mig-29 K fighters in a touching ceremony on INS Hansa near Vasco.

3. Indian Navy launches underwater vigil system in Vishakhapatnam: It has launched the state of art Harbour Defence Systems, viz. Integrated Underwater Harbour Defence and Surveillance System (IUHDSS) and Mine Warfare Data Centre (MWDC) which would enable the Navy’s surveillance capability and response to security threats at the Naval Dockyard in Vishakhapatnam.

4. Harish Rawat set to return as Uttarakhand CM: He is all set to be reinstated as the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, over six weeks after he was ousted by the centre, with the Supreme Court, putting its stamp of approval on the floor test in the Assembly.

5. Government constitutes Sanjay Mitra committee to prepare policy framework for taxi operators: The Union Government has launched nine projects initiatives for rural sanitation initiatives for conservation of river Ganga in Sahibganj, Jharkhand.

6. India signs revised tax treaty with Mauritius: After this India will get taxation rights on capital gains arising from sale of shares acquired on or after 1^st April, 2017 in Indian companies.

7. India to develop regional connectivity projects worth $5 billion in South Asia: The projects include road corridors connecting India with Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan through West Bengal and India-Myanmar through Manipur.

8. Quikr acquires in-home beauty services provider Salosa for an undisclosed amount.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. US-India Defence Cooperation Act introduced in Senate: The US-India Defence Technology and Partnership Act was introduced in the Senate by Senators Mark Warner and John Cornyn- co-chairs of the Senate India Caucus. If the act is passed, it will elevate the status of the Indo-US defence relationship on par with that of America’s closest allies like NATO and Israel.

2. Amazon launches its online video service: The online video service is called Amazon Video Direct. This facility will facilitate the users by allowing to post clips on its website and earn through advertising, royalties and other sources.

3. Bangladesh hangs Jamaat-e-Islami chief Nizami for war crimes committed during the country’s 1971 Liberation War.

4. Rodrigo Duterte wins 2016 Philippines Presidential Elections: He will become the 16^th President-elect of Philippines.

5. Sadiq Khan elected as the first Muslim Mayor of London.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

1. RBI cancels license of 4 NBFCs and 7 other surrender licence: The NBFCs whose certificate of registration were cancelled include M/s Neelanjali Engineering Pvt Ltd, M/s Novoflex Tradecom Pvt Ltd, M/s Guide Investment and Trading Co. Pvt Ltd and M/s Enol Ventures Pvt Ltd.

2. Karnataka Bank launches ‘cash back’ campaign: It has launched ‘cash back’ campaign for its VISA debit cardholders. Those cardholders, who have done a minimum of five swiping at POS terminals or five online transactions with a minimum value of Rs 200 each will qualify under this campaign.

SPORTS:

3. Sania-Hingis continue to lead Women’s Doubles rankings.

AWARDS:

4. MP Tourism wins Lonely Planet’s Best Indian Destination for Wildlife Award: It was conferred with the National Award for Smart Policing instituted by Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.