Daily GK Updates - 21st May, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. 27^th India and Indonesia CORPAT concludes in Belawan: The 27^th edition of the India-Indonesia CORPAT (Coordinated Patrol) has concluded in Belawan, Indonesia. The exercise is being carried out to keep the vital part of the Indian Ocean Region safe and secure for commercial shipping and international trade.

2. After liquor, Bihar government bans gutka and pan masala: The ban on both packaged and unpackaged edible items containing tobacco content will remain effective for a period of one year.

3. Indigenous faecal incontinence management device ‘Qora’ launched: The technology for the medical device was developed by Consure Medical, New Delhi, to address ‘a new level of care for patients outside the ICU’.

4. World Bank arm IFC to invest $68 million in Apollo health: World Bank subsidiary arm International Finance Corporation (IFC) is planning to invest US$68 million (about INR 460 crore) in Apollo Health and Lifestyle Ltd.

5. International Finance Corporation (IFC) will invest $20 million in Future Consumer Enterprise Ltd through equity-linked instruments.

6. Cairn India CEO Mayank Ashar quits because of personal reasons.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. G-7 Summit: Finance Minister and Central Bank Governors meet in Sendai: Finance Ministers and central bank governors from the group of seven developed nations kicked off the first day of their meeting in Sendai, Japan.

2. US House of Representatives gave nod to bolster defence ties with India on par with NATO: In this regard, an amendment to the National Defence Authorisation Act (NDDA) was approved by the house. The amendment is dubbed as ‘Enhancing Defence and Security Cooperation with India’.

3. Binali Yildirim all set to become the Prime Minister of Turkey. 

4. United Nations appoints Irish President Mary Robinson and Kenyan Diplomat Macharia Kamau as special envoys for El Nino climate.

5. 42 year old woman Lhakpa Sherpa has become the 1^st lady to climb the Mount Everest for the seventh time.

6. HiFire hypersonic superjet technology successfully tested in Australia.   

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

1. HSBC Bank to shut down half of its branches in India, 300 jobs to go.

SPORTS:

2. Belgian Mourad Laachraoui wins European Taekwondo title.

3. Rodger Federar withdraws from French Open after failing to recover from a back injury.

OBITUARIES:

4. Emmy Award winning actor Alan Young died at the age of 96.