Daily GK Updates - 27th August, 2017

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Indian Army go get its own power in air too: Indian Army will finally get an advanced medium-range surface to air missile system by 2020 which will be able to shoot down ballistic missiles, fighter jets & attack helicopters from a range of around 70 km. The missile system will be produced by DRDO in collaboration with the Israel Aerospace Industries.

2. Randhir Kumar Jaiswal was appointed as the social secretary to President: Senior diplomat Randhir Kumar Jaiswal was appointed as the social secretary to President Ram Nath Kovind. The Appointments Committee of Cabinet approved his appointment as Social Secretary to the President, on deputation basis, initially for a period of 2 years or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

3. Election Commission’s Eronet to be launched in Assam: ‘Eronet’, a new portal/software introduced in some states by Election Commission will be launched in Assam on August 28. Eronet facilitates various activities relating to electoral roll such as inclusion & deletion of names, name corrections.

4. World Book Fair to begin in Dehradun: The World Book Fair 2017 will begin in Dehradun from August 28, with the state government offering discounts on books based on the lives of national figures. The theme of the world book fair would be ‘Padega Uttarakhand, Badega Uttarakhand’.

5. Arjan Singh base becomes the second in the country to have Hercules Strategic Aircraft: Indian Air Force installed 6 C-130J Super Hercules strategic aircraft in its Arjan Singh base in Panagarh, West Bengal. Arjan Singh is the 2nd base in the country to have a fat fleet of Hercules aircraft after Hindon Air Force base in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Trump bans transgender military recruits: US President Trump has signed a memorandum that directs US military to not accept transgender individuals as recruits. It also halts use of government funds for sex-reassignment surgeries for active personnel unless the process is already under way.

2. Canada to allow gender-neutral passports: Canadian citizens who do not identify as male or female will soon be able to mark “X” on their passports and other identity documents. The step has been taken so that Canadians are able to better reflect their gender identity.

OTHER UPDATES:

BANKING & FINANCE:

1. Vijaya Bank launches “100 Digital Banking Villages”: Vijaya Bank has launched ‘100 Digital Villages’ initiative in an effort to bring residents of these villages under the formal banking system. Through its initiative, the bank has now reached out to more than 2.35 lakh customers, all of whom will have access to digital banking through debit cards.

2. Banking Regulation Act amended: The Government has notified Banking Regulation (Amendment) Act under which it can authorize the RBI to issue directions to banks to initiate insolvency resolution process to recover bad loans. Under the Banking Regulation Act, 2017, RBI can issue directions to banks for resolution of stressed assets.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY:

3. Chauhan’s term at BSE’s helm extended by 5 years: BSE’s board has approved another 5-year term for its chief Ashish Chauhan. Under his leadership, BSE also set up country’s 1st international exchange named as India International Exchange.

SPORTS:

4. Saina Nehwal wins bronze at World Badminton Championship: Saina Nehwal had to settle for a bronze medal at the World Badminton Championships after a heartbreaking loss against Nozomi Okuhara of Japan in women’s singles semi-finals.

5. ManU’s midfielder Paul Pogba wins award: Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has been named the Europa League Player of the Season for 2016-17. Pogba was part of the United side that won the Europa League for the first time in the club’s history with a 2-0 win over Ajax in May.