Daily GK Updates - 14th July, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Operation ‘Sankat Mochan’ launched to evacuate Indian citizens from South Sudan: The Union Government has launched ‘Operation SankatMochan’ to evacuate the Indians from South Sudan.Two C17 aircraft of Indian Air Force left for Juba with Minister of State for External Affair VK Singh onboard.

2. Ashok Patnaik appointed new National Intelligence Grid Chief: Senior IPS officer Ashok Patnaik was appointed CEO of the National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID).

3. Cabinet approves revised cost estimate of Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project in Bhutan: The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister ShriNarendraModi has also given its approval for Revised Cost Estimate (RCE) of Rs. 7290.62 crore for the ongoing 1020 MW Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project (HEP) in Bhutan.

4. Cabinet approves revival of defunction Fertilizer Units in Gorakhpur, Sindri and Barauni: The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister ShriNarendraModi has approved the revival of defunct Fertilizer Units in Gorakhpur, Sindri and Barauni. These include two closed urea units of Fertilizer Corporation India Limited (FCIL) at Sindri (Jharkhand) and Gorakhpur (Uttar Pradesh) and Barauni (Bihar) unit of Hindustan Fertilizers Corporation Limited (HFCL).

5. Cabinet approves official amendment to the Bill for change of name to ‘Dr Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University: The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister ShriNarendraModi has also given its ex-post facto approval for the Official amendment to the Rajendra Central Agricultural University Bill, 2015 for change of name from “Rajendra Central Agricultural University” to “Dr.Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University”.

6. HAL, Safran to set up support centre in India for helicopters:Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and French firm Safran Helicopter Engines have agreed to establish a support centre in India for national and international rotorcraft customers.

7. Cabinet allocates Rs 12,000 crore to impart skill training to 1 crore people over the next 4 years: The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister ShriNarendraModi has approved the PradhanMantriKaushalVikasYojana (PMKVY) with an outlay of Rs.12000 crore to impart skilling to one crore people over the next 4 years (2016-2020).

8. Indian-American Professor named US university dean: He received his doctoral degree from De Montfort University in England, a master of science in mechanical computer aided engineering from Strathclyde University in Scotland and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from University of Rajasthan in India.

9. Kerala launches ‘world’s first’ digital student incubator: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has launched SV.CO, purportedly world’s first digital student incubator, as a digital makeover of the Startup Village in Kochi.SV.CO will constitute the second phase of development of Startup Village and is designed to help thousands of college-goers make an early start in entrepreneurship, according to a spokesman.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Theresa May takes over as Britain’s Brexit PM, appoints Boris Johnson as Foreign Secretary: British politician, Theresa May  became Prime Minister of United Kingdom (UK) after meeting Queen Elizabeth II. She succeeds David Cameron, who had resigned in the wake of Brexit referendum that ended his six-year-long stint as the Prime Minister of Britain. She became UK’s second-ever female Prime Minister after Margaret Thatcher (in office from 1979-1990).

2. Emirates named world’s best airline in 2016 Skytrax awards: he top 5 best airlines: Emirates (1st), Qatar Airways (2nd), Singapore Airlines (3rd), Cathay Pacific (4th), ANA All Nippon Airways (5th).

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:                                 

1. BSE introduces ‘Paperless SIP’: Leading stock exchange BSE is introducing 'Paperless SIP' (systematic investment plans) that would allow mutual fund investors to make transactions through various modes of payments.The additional feature on BSE's mutual fund platform - StARMF - would allow MF distributors to register SIPs for their clients, who can pay SIP amounts through various modes.