Daily GK Updates - 27th June, 2017

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. J & K Governor appointed as president of IIC: Jammu & Kashmir Governor N NVohra has been appointed the president of the India International Centre (IIC), one of the premier cultural institutions in the country. The appointment was made after eminent jurist Soli Sorabjee quit the presidential post.

2. Union Minister Kalraj Mishra launches Digital MSME Scheme: To boost Digital India Mission, the Union Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Kalraj Mishra has launched a Digital MSME Scheme at a function in New Delhi. This scheme revolves around Cloud Computing, which is emerging as a cost-effective and viable alternative in comparison to in-house Infrastructure installed by MSMEs.In this scheme, MSMEs can use the internet to access common as well as tailor-made IT infrastructure including software for managing their business processes.

3. SC refuses to pass interim order on Aadhaar: SC refused to pass interim order on govt order making Aadhaar mandatory for social welfare schemes. The Supreme Court, on Tuesday, refused to pass an interim order on the government’s notification making Aadhaar mandatory for using benefits of various social welfare schemes, news agency PTI reported.

4. Govt. clears proposal for setting up new airport in Greater Noida: According to Civil Aviation Minister, Ashok Gajapathi Raju, the Govt. has cleared the proposal for setting up a new airport in Jewar in Greater Noida. The Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority has notified 3,000 hectares of land for a world-class international airport. The airport is scheduled to be operational in five-six years.

International UPDATES:

1. US Designates Syed Salahuddin a Global Terrorist: In a strong message to Pakistan, hours before the meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump, US State Department designated Hizbul Mujahideen leader Syed Salahuddin as a global terrorist.India welcomed the move and said it will vindicate India’s stance on cross-border terrorism.This puts counter-terrorism cooperation between India and the US at the front and centre of the relationship, and addresses one of India’s main concerns on Pakistan-sponsored terrorism.

2. PM Narendra Modi arrives in Netherlands on final leg of tour: After concluding his visit to the US with Donald Trump, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in the Netherlands the final leg of his three-nation tour. Mr.Modi will hold bilateral talks with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on global issues including counter-terrorism and climate change.He will also address the Indian diaspora in that country.This year, the two countries are celebrating 70 years of the establishment of Indo-Dutch diplomatic relations.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. ISSF Junior World Championship: India won Team Bronze in 25- meter Rapid Fire Pistol Men Junior Shooting World Championship in Suhl, Germany. The trio of Anish, Anhad Jawanda, and ShivamShukla notched up a combined score of 1711 to claim third place and take India's overall tally from the competition to two Golds, one Silver, and one Bronze medal. Earlier, Anish won the 25-meter standard pistol gold on the opening day of the competition.

2. Srinivas Gokulnath becomes First Indian to Solo finish Race Across America: Srinivas Gokulnath has created history by becoming the first Indians to complete the 4,900-km Race Across America (RAAM) in the solo 18-59 age category. Srinivas Gokulnath finished the distance in 11 days and 18 hours and Samarth took 11 days and 21 hours to finish the race. Among the 9 persons who managed to finish the race, Gokulnath (Aerospace medicine specialist) stood 7th while and Amit Samarth finished at number 8. The race was won by Christoph Strasser.

3. Ravi Shastri to apply for the post of Indian cricket team’s coach: Ravi Shastri has finally decided to apply for India cricket coach’s position.Having the full backing of the India captain Virat Kohli and the Board of Control for Cricket in India officials, he is clear favourite for the job. Among others to apply for the position are Virender Sehwag, Tom Moody and Lalchand Rajput.

4. BCCI to form committee to implement Lodha panel reforms: In order to analyze best and quick way of execution to implement the ‘Lodha panel’ reforms, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to form acommittee as ordered by the Supreme Court.The committee will go into each and every action point necessitated by the principal judgment and only those exceptional and limited areas of difficulty will be brought to the notice of Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators which will thereafter decide a course of action.

5. Vivo retains IPL title sponsorship rights: Chinese mobile company Vivo has retained IPL title sponsorship rights for the next 5 years for Rs 2,200 crore, this winning bid is a 554% increase over the previous contract. Oppo was the next highest bidder at Rs 1,430 crore, reported The Times of India. Oppo also happens to be a Chinsese company.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY:

6. SpiceJet tops Bloomberg Intelligence Index as world’s best performing airline stock: SpiceJet’s stock is up 124%, making it the world’s best performing airline stock, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday. The Indian airline has earned a market value of 1.2 billion dollars (approximate Rs 9,000 crore) in 2017.