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Sunday, August 20, 2017

Daily GK Updates - 19th August, 2017



NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Nikolay Kudashev as Russia's new ambassador to India: Russian President Vladimir Putin today appointed career diplomat Nikolay Kudashev as Russia's new ambassador to India, the country's embassy said. Mr Kudashev, a specialist in South East Asia, is currently the Deputy Director General Secretariat of the Ministry of foreign Affairs of Russia. Kudashev’s appointment comes nearly seven months after the death of Russia's previous ambassador to India Alexander Kadakin.

2. Smriti Irani to inaugurate ‘Momentum Jharkhand’ today, security beefed up: The Union Textile Minister Smriti Irani has inaugurated "Second Groundbreaking” ceremony at Jamshedpur in Jharkhand for laying foundation stones of 70 new companies. The foundation stones for 70 companies were laid whose permissions have been granted after receiving the proposals few months ago. This is part of Jharkhand government emphasis to boost manufacturing in the state. Earlier, Smriti Irani also inaugurated a modern handloom manufacturing unit at Irba near Ranchi.  Union textile and information and broadcasting minister Smriti Irani will be the chief guest of the event. The event is going to pave way for new investment as two projects will be inaugurated while foundation stone will be laid for 70 projects during the function. According to an estimate about 3,000 people, including senior corporate officials, MLAs and state MPs will attend the function. Mumbai-based Wizcraft Entertainment is arranging the event. According to information there will be two-tier security arrangements in place for tomorrow’s second groundbreaking ceremony of projects whose MoUs were signed during the Global Investors’ Summit in February.

3. Launch of digital wallet by BSNL: State-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) on Thursday went digital by launching a bespoke mobile wallet (mobile payment App) that would enable its existing 100 million customers to make Bill payments and transact on e-commerce platforms.  This digital wallet was launched at an event by Manoj Sinha, Minister for Telecommunications in the capital.  The wallet has been developed and issued by MobiKwik on behalf of BSNL.  Speaking on the occasion, Anupam Srivastava, CMD, BSNL expressed hope that this BSNL mobile wallet will not only promote cashless economy but also enhance business for BSNL.  Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) unveiled its mobile wallet in partnership with MobiKwik to enable one-tap bill payment for its over 100 million subscribers. This digital mobile wallet was launched at an event by Telecommunications Minister Manoj Sinha. The app will allow users to pay for online recharges, make bill payments, shop, and book bus & train tickets. The wallet will work on both smartphone and feature phones.

4. India sees over 15% growth in foreign tourist arrivals: A total of 1.19 lakh tourists came on e-visa last month as compared to 0.68 lakh in July 2016. The highest number of tourists arrived from Bangladesh (20.12 per cent), followed by the US (16.26 per cent) Foreign Tourist Arrivals from January to July, 2017, were 56.74 lakh, recording a growth of 15.7 per cent from last year. India has registered a growth of over 15% in foreign tourist arrivals from January to July this year. The highest number of tourists arrived from Bangladesh (20.12%), followed by the US (16.26%), the UK (10.88%) and France (3.01%).

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Launch of the  first cyber court in e-commerce Hub by China: China has launched its first cyber court (first of its kind in China) specializing in handling Internet-related cases in the e-commerce hub of Hangzhou. The Hangzhou Internet Court in Hangzhou will handle cases such as online trade disputes and copyright lawsuits. The cases handled by the court will be tried online. Hangzhou is home to many Internet companies, including e-commerce giant Alibaba.

2. World Humanitarian Day – 19th August: World Humanitarian Day (WHD) is held every year on 19 August to pay tribute to aid workers who risk their lives in humanitarian service, and to rally support for people affected by crises around the world.  The day provides an opportunity to celebrate the spirit that inspires humanitarian work around the globe. The World Humanitarian Day was designated by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) by passing a resolution A/63/L.49. The theme of this year 2017 is #NotATarget. About #NotATarget: Around the world, conflict is exacting a massive toll on people’s lives. Trapped in wars that are not of their making, millions of civilians are forced to hide or run for their lives. Children are taken out of school, families are displaced from their homes, and communities are torn apart, while the world is not doing enough to stop their suffering. At the same time, health and aid workers – who risk their lives to care for people affected by violence – are increasingly being targeted.

3. World Photography Day – 19th August, 2017: World Photography Day' observed today to inspire photographers across the planet to share a single photo with the world. On this day, camera persons take stock of the different kind of photography that has come to the fore. On August 19 in 2010, World Photo Day hosted its first global online gallery. The photograph originally was made by Nicéphore Niépce, using silver chloride coating a piece of paper. However, the photo would eventually turn fully dark as he knew no way to remove the silver chloride from the paper to preserve the photo. Photographs got better and better over the years, first with the ‘still camera’, and the ability to take a picture that way. Think the old west in America, and that camera’s differences to the ones of World War 2, then compare them to modern cameras. The major jumps in technology affected photography as much as any other facet of life around the world. With Kodak, Canon and so many other brands out there, it was of no surprise when the market of photography got such a jump, even more so with the military and surveillance capabilities offered as cameras got better, lighter and more easily used. Yet for all the innovation and creativity, science and even the large amount of art that occurs in the photography realm, not much can beat the simple pleasure of snapping photos and developing your frames to enjoy the integrity of the photos.

OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS:
1. Virat Kohli continues to top ICC ODI rankings for batsmen: Having 873 points in his kitty, Kohli will have a chance to increase the 12-point lead over second-placed Australian David Warner at the upcoming five-match ODI series against Sri Lanka, starting in Dambulla on Sunday. Other Indian batsmen in the top-15 are Dhoni (12th), Dhawan (13th) and Rohit (14th). Kohli will have a chance to increase the 12-point lead over second-placed Australian David Warner. Pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar (13th) is the lone Indian in top 15.

BANKING/FINANCE:
1. RBI to release new Rs 50 notes soon: The new Rs 50 denomination currency notes will be shortly issued under the Mahatma Gandhi series. The base colour of the new notes will be fluorescent blue and its dimension will be 66 mm x 135 mm. It will have a motif of Hampi with Chariot on the reverse, depicting the country’s cultural heritage along with the Swachh Bharat logo, year of printing, numeral 50 in Devnagiri and the language panel. The banknote will bear the signature of RBI Governor Dr. Urjit R. Patel on the front side along with the guarantee and promise clause and the RBI emblem. It will have Mahatma Gandhi’s portrait at the Centre and a see through register with enominational numeral 50. Micro letters ‘RBI’, ‘भारत’, ‘INDIA’ and ‘50’ and Ashoka Pillar emblem on the right will also feature on the front side. The security thread will have inscriptions ‘भारत’ and RBI. The number panel will have numerals growing from small to big on the top left side and bottom right side.

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