Daily GK Updates - 21st May, 2017

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. NASA names new organism after APJ Abdul Kalam, an honour for the nation: Scientists at NASA have named a new organism discovered by them after A P J Abdul Kalam. The new organism, a form of bacteria has been found only on the International Space Station and has not been found on earth. The bacteria has been named Solibacillus kalamii to honour the late President.

2. Climber Jamsenpa sets record: Indian climber Anshu Jamsenpa reached the summit of Mount Everest for the second time in less than a week, setting a women’s record for a double ascent of the world’s highest mountain in a single season.

3. 2 Indians awarded posthumously with UN honours: Brijesh Thapa and Ravi Kumar will be honoured with the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal on the International Day of UN Peacekeepers to be observed on May 24. Brijesh Thapa served with the UN Organisation Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo while Ravi Kumar was deployed with the UNIFIL.

4. Joint HADR Exercise Commences: The Annual Joint Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Exercise involving multiple agencies commenced at Naval Station Karwar. Named as Karavali Karunya, the exercise involves both professional exchange and actual disaster response mechanisms which is set on a Tsunami disaster scenario.

5. National Anti Terrorism Day observed: The National Anti Terrorism Day is observed every year on May 21 in India to raise awareness among all sections of people, about the danger of terrorism and violence. Former PM Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by a female suicide bomber on May 21,1991 while conducting election campaign in Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Iran re-elects Hassan Rouhani: President Hassan Rouhani won re-election in a landslide, giving him a mandate to continue his quest to expand personal freedoms and open Iran’s ailing economy to global investors.

2. Robert Mueller appointed as Special Prosecutor to oversee the Russia interference: Robert Mueller, former Director of the FBI was appointed a special prosecutor to oversee the Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections.

3. World Metrology Day celebrated: World Metrology Day is an annual celebration of the signature of the Metre Convention on 20 May 1875 by representatives of 17 nations. Theme for World Metrology Day 2017 is“ Measurements for transport”.

OTHER UPDATES:

BUSINESS & ECONOMY:

1. Reliance Jio wins the award of Digital Service Innovator of the Year: Mukesh Ambani led Reliance Jio has received TM Forum’s ‘Digital Service Innovator of the Year Award’ 2017. Reliance Jio got this award by acquiring 90 million customers in four months.

2. Yepme raises funds: Yepme.com, has raised an undisclosed amount in funding from listed garment exporter Gokaldas Exports Ltd. The firm will use the funds for the operations of its UK entity, Yepme UK Plc which deals in fashion products exclusively for the international markets, mainly the US, Europe and the Middle East.

3. Ford India has a new MD: American carmaker Ford has elevated Anurag Mehrotra as Managing Director for its Indian subsidiary.

SPORTS:

4. Laxman wins Rapid FIDE Rating chess meet: R.R. Laxman of Integral Coach Factory won the All India Open Rapid World Chess Federation Rating Chess Tournament at the Kshudiram Anushilan Kendra. Laxman defeated Mitrabha Guha to finish on top with 9.5 points.