Daily GK Updates - 28th May, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. EC plans to discuss about unpublished roll : The Election Commission will soon examine the New Zealand model, which allows eligible people to vote even if their names are not on the printed roll for valid reasons.The concept of a ‘unpublished’ (confidential) roll will also be discussed.‘Unpublished’ roll is for those who fear making their details available on the printed roll for security reasons.

2. ‘Clean Air India Initiative’ launched : Prime Minister of Netherlands Mark Rutte launched the ‘Clean Air India Initiative’ in Delhi.The campaign aims to curb air pollution in Indian cities by promoting partnerships between Indian start-ups and Dutch companies.The Clean Air India Initiative is a project between Get In The Ring, a platform for start-ups, the Government of the Netherlands, Start-up India, and INDUS Forum

3. Bill to allow Hindu widows to remarry : A landmark Bill allowing Hindu widows to remarry has been passed by the assembly of Pakistan’s Sindh Province.The bill allows Hindu widows to remarry out of their own free will but only after a period of six months has lapsed after their husband’s death.The bill also grants Hindu women the right to file a petition for dissolution of a marriage if they want to terminate their marriage.

4. UP-Mumbai freight corridor open from August : The first phase of India’s longest freight corridor connecting Uttar Pradesh and Mumbai is set to be inaugurated on August 15, 2018.This was disclosed by the chairman of the Railway Board Ashwani Lohani, who inspected the 190km-long Ateli-Phulera section of the dedicated railway freight corridor between Dadri in UP and Mumbai.It is part of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor.

5. Tripura govt to phase out plastic carry bags : The Tripura government has set August 15 as the deadline to phase out plastic carry bags.The government, as part of the ‘Himalayan Cleanup’ programme, urged people to replace their plastic bags with biodegradable ones.The Himalayan Cleanup campaign has been launched by a Delhi-based organization in 12 mountain states in the country to end plastic pollution in the hilly areas.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Nasir Ul Mulk to be the interim Prime Minister : Pakistan has appointed former Chief Justice Nasir Ul Mulk as interim Prime Minister until general elections are held on July 25, 2018.Mulk has also served as the interim chief of the Election Commission of Pakistan.The interim administration usually does not make any major decisions until the new government is elected.

2. Queen Maxima of Netherlands arrives India : Queen Maxima of the Kingdom of the Netherlands who is also the United Nations Secretary General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development arrived in New Delhi on a four-day visit to India.Netherlands is the 5th largest investor in India.During Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s visit to India, the former became an official partner of the International Solar Alliance.

3. China invites Iran to attend SCO summit : China has invited the Iranian President to participate in the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit being organised in June 2018.The summit will be the first after the inclusion of India and Pakistan as members of the organisation in 2017.Iran, Mongolia, Afghanistan, and Belarus have been granted observer status.

4. India to attend WTO members meet in Paris : India and other key members of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) will discuss ways to combat growing protectionism across the world at an informal meeting of select Trade Ministers at the OECD meet in Paris.India has been invited to participate in the informal Ministerial meeting hosted by Australia in Paris.The OECD meet is taking place between May 31 and June 3.

5. India launches its second IT corridor in China : India has launched its second IT corridor in China to cash in on the booming Chinese software market.NASSCOM has now set up one more digital collaborative opportunities plaza, also known as the SIDCOP platform, in China’s Guiyang.In December 2018, the NASSCOM established its first SIDCOP platform in the Chinese port city of Dalian, which is India’s first IT hub in China.

6. Oldest Indian woman to scale Mount Everest : Sangeeta Bahl, at the age of 53 has become the oldest Indian woman to scale the Mount Everest.She scaled the peak on May 19, 2018, with the help of 2 Sherpas and was felicitated at the Indian embassy in Kathmandu.She carried a banner to the peak advocating early detection of breast cancer in women & funding for the same.She has already conquered 6 out of the 7 highest peaks of the world.

OTHER UPDATES:

BANKING/FINANCE:

1. RBI appoints Sudha as its first CFO : National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL) executive Sudha Balakrishnan has been appointed as the first chief financial officer (CFO) of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).Balakrishnan, a chartered accountant, was until recently a vice-president at the NSDL, India’s first and largest depository.She will be the 12th executive director at RBI, and will serve a three-year term.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY:

1. Mountain ranges discovered beneath Antarctica : Mountain ranges and valleys have been discovered by scientists deep beneath the Western Antarctic ice region.This discovery will contribute to the rising global sea levels.Three valleys were discovered by the researchers linking the two major parts of Antarctica, out of which, one is 217 miles long.

SPORTS:

1. Chennai Super Kings lift their 3rd IPL title : Chennai Super Kings lifted their third Indian Premier League title after defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad by eight wickets in Mumbai.Shane Watson’s century helped Chennai to defeat Hyderabad.Shane Watson was declared as Man of the Match

2. BCCI, UN Environment sign agreement : The BCCI and UN Environment have signed an agreement to promote ‘green’ Cricket in India.The partnership aims to spread greater awareness about key environmental challenges facing the country, and highlight alternate and more sustainable solutions.The partnership will also focus on phasing out single-use plastic across stadiums in the country.