Daily GK Updates - 11th July, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Tathagata Roy sworn-in as Governor of Arunachal Pradesh: Tripura Governor Tathagata Roy was sworn-in as the acting Governor of Arunachal Pradesh. Roy has been given the additional charge of Governor of Arunachal Pradesh during the leave of absence of incumbent Governor Jyoti Prasad Rajkhowa.

2. DRDO inks pact with IITs for Centre for Propulsion Technology: The Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has signed an agreement with IIT-Bombay and Madras to establish a bi—nodal ‘Centre of Propulsion Technology’ (CoPT) at the two institutions.

3. Talgo train clocks 120kmps during Mathura-Palwal trial: Spanish train Talgo commenced its second phase trial from Mathura at 120km per hour speed with senior officials from Spain and Railways on-board.The trial between Mathura and Palwal will go on for 25 days and the speed will go up to 180 kmph this time.

4. Bill introduced in US to prevent Indian firms from hiring staff on H-1B, L1 visas: A bipartisan group of two US lawmakers has introduced in the House of Representatives a legislation, which if passed by the Congress would prevent Indian companies from hiring IT professionals on H-1B and L1 work visas. The bill if passed would prevent Indian companies from hiring IT professionals on H-1B and L1 visas that will prohibit firms from hiring H-1B employees on certain grounds.

5. Dumping duty imposed on PTA imports from 5 countries: The Finance Ministry has imposed definitive anti-dumping duty on purified terephthalic acid (PTA) imports from China, Iran, Taiwan, Indonesia and Malaysia. An anti-dumping duty is a protectionist tariff that a domestic government imposes on foreign imports that it believes are priced below fair market value.

6. Union Government constitutes cyber cell:The Union Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) is taking measures to protect women and children from harassment and trolling on social media platforms. Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi announced a cyber-cell in New Delhi to keep a check in this regard.

7. Aircel, Airtel 4G Spectrum Trading Deal approved by DoT: Telecom Ministry is believed to have cleared the Rs 3,500-crore 4G spectrum trading deal between service providers BhartiAirtel and Aircel.Airtel has entered into an agreement with Aircel to acquire rights to use 4G spectrum of Aircel in eight telecom circles for Rs 3,500 crore.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. China Navy conducts Combat Drill in the South China Sea: The Chinese navy conducted combat drills near its southern island province of Hainan and the Paracel islands in the South China Sea, the ministry of defence said on July 9.

2. Astronomers discover planet with 3 suns located 340 light years from Earth: A team of astronomers led by the University of Arizona discovered a planet HD 131399Ab which is unlikely any other known world – one with, by far, the widest known orbit within a multi-star system.Located about 340 light years from Earth in the constellation Centaurus, HD 131399Ab is believed to be about 16 million years old, making it one of the youngest exoplanets discovered to date.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. Serena Williams and Venus Williams won women’s doubles of Wimbledon Open 2016.

2. Lewis Hamilton wins 4^th British Grand Prix of his career.

3. Portugal wins Euro 2016 football championship by defeating France 1-0.

OBITUARIES:

4. Indian football legend Amal Dutta passed away at the age of 86.