Daily GK Updates - 23rd February, 2017

                     NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. India-China first Strategic Dialogue held in Beijing: The first Strategic Dialogue between India and China was held in Beijing, capital of China to shore up bilateral ties. The meeting was co-chaired by India’s Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar and China’s Executive Vice Foreign minister Zhang Yesui.

2. CCEA approves doubling of solar power capacity to 40000 MW: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved the enhancement of capacity from 20,000 MW to 40,000 MW of the Scheme for Development of Solar Parks and Ultra Mega Solar Power Projects. The capacity of the solar park scheme was enhanced after considering the demand for additional solar parks from the States.

3. CCEA approves $854.4 million investment for 900-MW Arun 3 hydropower project in Nepal: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved investment for the generation component of 900-MW Arun 3 hydropower project for an estimated Rs. 5723.72 crore ($854.4 million). The project is located on Arun River in Sankhuwasabha district of eastern Nepal. It is expected to be completed within five years from the date of financial closure, which is planned for September 2017.

4. South Asian Lit Fest denied permission to invite Pak writers:The South Asian Literature Festival was denied permission to invite delegates from Pakistan this year, FOSWAL Founder and President Ajeet Cour said. The three-day festival, which began today in New Delhi, is based on the theme of 'Beyond Borders' and 'Endeavouring for peace and tranquillity in the region'. Meanwhile, all the other SAARC countries are participating in the festival.

5. South Asian Lit Fest denied permission to invite Pak writers:The South Asian Literature Festival was denied permission to invite delegates from Pakistan this year, FOSWAL Founder and President Ajeet Cour said. The three-day festival, which began today in New Delhi, is based on the theme of 'Beyond Borders' and 'Endeavouring for peace and tranquility in the region'. Meanwhile, all the other SAARC countries are participating in the festival.

6. Union Cabinet approves agreement between India and Poland for cooperation in agriculture: The Union Cabinet has given its approval for signing of an Agreement between India and Poland on cooperation in the field of agriculture and allied sectors. Decision in this regard was taken by the Union Cabinet meeting chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. 

7. Union Cabinet approves Air Services Agreement between India and Greece: Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the signing of Air Services Agreement (ASA) between India and Greece. At present there is no ASA between India and Greece. The delegations both countries in September 2016 had finalized the text of ASA. The agreement is as per latest International Civil Aviation

8. SC refuses to hear plea to include Urdu in NEET: The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to hear the plea filed by the Students Islamic Organisation of India (SIO) seeking inclusion of the Urdu language in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). This comes after an official notification, the NEET will be held in 10 languages - Hindi, English, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Oriya and Kannada.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Mohamed Abdullahi inaugurated as Somalia's President: Mohamed Abdullahi, has been inaugurated as the President of Somalia in the country's capital Mogadishu on Wednesday. "Multiple challenges are ahead of our government. Therefore, I am telling people that because of the limited resources we have, our achievements will be limited," said Mohamed.

2. Need ₹29k cr to prevent 'catastrophe' of S Sudan famine: UN: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said that the organisation needs $4.4 billion (over ₹29,000 crore) by end of March to prevent a "catastrophe" of hunger and famine in South Sudan, Nigeria, Somalia and Yemen. More than 2 crore people face starvation in the four countries, Guterres added. So far, the UN has raised just $90 million (over ₹600 crore).

3. China making buildings for missiles in South China sea: US: China has nearly finished building almost two dozen structures on artificial islands in the South China Sea that appear to be designed to house long-range surface-to-air missiles, according to US officials. The new concrete structures appear to be 20 meters long and 10 meters high, with roofs which appear to be able to open and close, the officials added.

4. Cressida becomes 1st woman to head Scotland Yard in 188 yrs: Britain has appointed Cressida Dick as the next commissioner of London's Metropolitan Police, making her the first woman to head Scotland Yard in its 188-year history. The 56-year-old, who will control a £3 billion budget and head 43,000 officers, joined the force in 1983.

                       OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. India break Pak's record of playing Tests at most venues: Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune, which is hosting the ongoing India-Australia Test match, is the 80th different venue where India have played a Test match, the most by any team. India is followed by Pakistan who have played Tests at 79 different venues. Notably, India have played most number of Tests (40) at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

2. Under-17 FIFA WC tickets to cost less than ₹100:Ticket for the Under-17 FIFA World Cup matches, the first-ever FIFA event being held in India, would cost the fans less than ₹100, the Tournament Director said on Thursday. The Director also said Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium would be ready well in advance and work would be 90% complete before the final inspection in March last week.

  

3. India's Harika enters semis of World Chess Championship:Indian Grandmaster Harika Dronavalli has entered the semi-finals of the Women's World Chess championship, after defeating Georgia's Nana Dzagnidze in the quarter-finals. 26-year-old Harika will face ninth seed China's Tan Zhongyi in the semi-finals of the tournament being held in Tehran. Harika has made it to the semifinals of the tournament for the third time in her career.