Daily GK Updates - 2nd June, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Prime Minister releases National Disaster Management Plan to make India disaster resilient: The plan aims to make India disaster resilient and reduce loss of lives. It is the first of its kind of national plan prepared in India. It emphasises on a greater need for information, education and communication activities to prepare communities to cope with disasters.

2. Union cabinet approved several MoUs: The Union cabinet has given its approval for signing of MoU between India and United States to enhance cooperation in the field of wildlife conservation and combating wildlife trafficking. It has also given its ex-post facto approval to the signing of MoU between DGCA and French Civil Aviation Authority.

3. Cabinet clears India Post’s payment bank proposal: The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal to set up India Post payment bank as Public Limited Company under Department of Posts, with 100% government equity.

4. India and the US sign an agreement on ‘exchange of terrorist screening information’: An agreement between the authorised governmental agencies of the Government of India and United States of America has been signed for the exchange of terrorist screening information, in wake of the recent terror attacks. With the help of this agreement both the countries will share real time terrorist screening and exchange of information.

5. Government of India approves Mau-Tarighat new railway line project.

6. India gifts 2000 bicycles to poor dalit girls in Nepal: India has gifted 2000 bicycles to poor dalit girls in different government schools of Nepal to encourage them to enrol in schools and enhance the literacy rate among them.

7. Union Cabinet approves proposal for extension of Corridor-1 of Chennai Metro Rail Project Phase-1.

8. TRAI launches mobile app for subscribers to register complaints against pesky calls, SMSes.

9.  Two Indian-origin women in Forbes’ self-made American women list: India born Neerja Sethi, who co-founded IT consulting and outsourcing firm Syntel with her husband Bharat Desai, is ranked 16^th on ‘America’s Richest Self-made Women’ list while President and CEO of Arista Networks Jayshree Ullal is ranked 30th.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. BRICS Bank to issue first Yuan denominated bonds: The reason behind the grant is to support China from sharp slowdown as Chinese economy slipped to 6.9% last year. Although, India is the only member among the BRICS countries whose GDP continues to grow above 7%.

2. China successfully launches three satellites: It has successfully launched three (one domestic and two foreign) satellites namely Ziyuan III 02 satellite and two NewSat satellites.    

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

1. ICICI Bank cuts lending rate by 0.05% to 8.95%.

SPORTS:

2. Rahul Johri assumes charge as first ever CEO of BCCI.

3. Novak Djokovic becomes the first player to win $100m prize money when he made the French Open quarter finals for the 10^th time.

4. League system for test matches to start by 2019.

OBITUARIES:

5. Former Eden Gardens curator Prabir Mukherjee passed away at the age of 86.