Daily GK Updates - 19th June, 2017

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Ministry of Culture launches National Mission on Cultural Mapping of India: Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Culture & Tourism, Dr. Mahesh Sharma, launched the implementation of the ‘National Mission on Cultural Mapping of India’ at Goverdhan Block, Mathura District in Uttar Pradesh. This Mission is part of the ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ umbrella and a stage will be provided to the registered artists for performance and display their talent.

2. Final raising of Sardar Sarovar Dam cleared by Narmada Control Authority: Narmada Control Authority (NCA) under the Chairmanship of ‘Dr. Amarjit Singh’ has cleared the final raising of Sardar Sarovar Dam (SSD) in Gujarat by lowering of gates and impounding of water in the reservoir up to its Full Reservoir Level (FRL) of EL 138.68 mts. Now, the effective height of SSD remained at EL 121.92 mts. with backwater levels of EL 134.32 mts. at dam site and the live storage capacity would increase (267%) from 1565 to 5740 MCM.

3. Ram Nath Kovind nominated for President by BJP: Bihar Governor Ram Nath Kovind has been named as BJP’s presidential nominee. He is a lawyer by profession and has practised in both the Delhi HC and the Supreme Court.

3. Venkaiah Naidu launches Urban housing project: To give push to the National Mission of Housing for All in Andhra Pradesh, Union Minister of Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation Venkaiah Naidu launched urban housing project for financially backward people of state. The affordable housing project will be built in G+3 storeys across 38 urban spaces in the State.

4. Taj Mahal Palace – the first Indian building to get Trademark: The 114-year-old Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai has become the 1st Indian building to get trademark. It has joined the elite club of trademarked properties in the world which includes the Empire State Building, the Eiffel Tower and Sydney Opera House.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict: International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict is being observed on 19th June to raise awareness to put an end to conflict-related sexual violence. The theme of 2017 is ‘Preventing Sexual Violence Crimes through Justice and Deterrence’.

2. South Korea to end use of nuclear power in power reactors: South Korea’s President Moon Jae-in, has vowed to phase out the country’s dependence on nuclear power, following fears of a Fukushima-style meltdown. He has decided not extend the operation of ageing reactors, many of which will come to end of their lifespans between 2020 and 2030.

3. Britain’s Orwell Prize for 2017 announced: Britain’s most prestigious prize for political writing, Orwell Prize, was announced in London. The 2017 Orwell Prize for books was bestowed upon John Bew for his extraordinary biography Citizen Clem.

Winners of the Orwell prize for journalism and the Orwell prize for Exposing Britain’s Social Evils were awarded to Fintan O’Toole and Felicity Lawrence respectively.

4. Australia announces online visa applications for Indians from 1st July: The Australian govt. has announced that all Indian nationals can apply for a visitor visa online from 1st of July. The online application option would make applying for the country's visitor visas easier and enhance the experience for Indians.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. India’s biggest win over Pakistan in Hockey: India demolished Pakistan 7-1 to register their third consecutive victory and seal a place in the quarter-finals of the Hockey World League semi-final. This was India’s biggest over Pakistan, bettering the 7-4 effort against arch-rivals in 2003 Champions Trophy and 2010 Commonwealth Games.

2. Pakistan wins Champions Trophy title in Cricket: Pakistan won the 2017 Champions Trophy cricket final after beating arch-rivals India by 180 runs at the Oval ground in Britain’s capital, London. Hasan Ali from Pakistan won the Man of the Series award. Shikhar Dhawan from India won the Golden Bat award while Hasan Ali from Pakistan won the Golden Ball award.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY:

3. India’s first power exchange, Indian Energy Exchange, files for an IPO: Indian Energy Exchange has filed draft papers with the SEBI to float an initial public offering. IEX is India’s first power exchange providing automated trading platform for electricity and renewable energy certificates.

4. AIIB approves 3 new members: Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has approved membership of Argentina, Madagascar and Tonga at its 2nd annual meeting of governors. Approved applicants included 1 regional prospective member of Tonga and 2 non-regional members of Argentina and Madagascar.