Daily GK Updates - 17th July, 2017

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. India’s Presidential Poll today: The secret ballot vote that took place today will decide India’s next President by 20th July,2017. Ram Nath Kovind is likely to sweep the elections with 70% of Electoral College backing him.

2. Air-dropping of food packets in Rayagada, Odisha: Odisha government started air-dropping food packets in the flood hit regions of Kalyansinghpur and Rayagada blocks. The government has also set up free kitchens for flood affected people. The State Health Department are keeping a close watch for the outbreak of contagious diseases.

3. SGPC announces to set up a Memorial for Sikh ‘Dharmi Faujis’: The Shiromani Gurudwara Parbhandak Committee has announced that it would set up a memorial in the memory of ‘Dharmi Faujis’ – Sikh soldiers in the Indian army who committed mutiny during Operation Blue Star. Operation Blue Star was conducted between 1–10 June 1984.

4. 50-odd protected monuments across Gujarat will soon be visually-impaired-friendly: Archaeological Survey of India, Gujarat circle, is set to install Braille signboards at around 50 monuments in the state for explaining their historical and cultural significance to the visually-impaired visitors.

5. Fellowship awarded to Nandakishore Kapote: Internationally-acclaimed senior Kathak dancer Pandit Nandakishore Kapote was conferred with a fellowship by the Department of Culture, Government of India. His contributions include launching a Kathak University in Pimpri-Chinchwad, Pune.

           

International UPDATES:

1. World Day for International Justice: World Day for International Justice is an international day celebrated throughout the world on July 17 as part of an effort to recognize the emerging system of international criminal justice. July 17 was chosen because it is the anniversary of the adoption of the Rome Statute, the treaty that created the International Criminal Court.

2. Chinese Army conducts live-fire drills in Tibet: The People’s Liberation Army conducted five live fire exercises in South West China’s Tibet Autonomous Region

The live fire drills included quick delivery of troops.

3. Scientists create strong and super-stretchy artificial silk: Scientists from the University of Cambridge have developed super-stretchy and strong artificial spider silk, almost entirely composed of water. The fibres of the synthetic spider silk are spun from hydrogel, a soupy material which is 98% water & remaining 2% of the hydrogel is made of naturally available silica and cellulose.

OTHER UPDATES:

BANKING & FINANCE:

1. IBBI notifies new rules for bankruptcy probe: The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India has powers to start probe against service providers registered with it without intimating them, according to new regulations. IBBI, which is implementing the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, has notified the regulations.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY:

2. Uber suspends ride sharing services in Macau: As it has not been able to fully unlock the benefits of ride sharing in Macau, Uber will suspend its operations. Uber said on its website “We are already exploring ways to serve the city again, and have had initial discussions with partners, including transport operators and hotels”.

3. 18th IIFA Awards 2017: International Indian Film Academy Awards were held recently. Important awards have been listed below:

Best Film: Neerja

Best Actor (Male): Shahid Kapoor (Udta Punjab)

Best Actor (Female): Alia Bhatt (Udta Punjab)

Best Director: AnirudhRoy Chaudhary (Pink)

Best Playback Singer (Male): Amit Mishra (Ae Dil Hai Mushkil)

Best Playback Singer (Female): Kanika Kapoor (Udta Punjab) and Tulsi Kumar (Airlift)

Best Music Direction: Pritam (Ae Dil Hai Mushkil)

SPORTS:

4. Harinder Pal Sandhu wins Victorian Open squash title: Harinder Pal Sandhu won the Victorian Open squash tournament held in Melbourne, Australia. He defeated Rex Hedrick.

5. Martina Hingis claims mixed doubles title at 2017 Wimbledon: Martina Hingis clinched her 23rd Grand Slam title as she and her partner Jamie Murray beat Henri Kontinen and Heather Watson in the Wimbledon mixed doubles final.