Daily GK Updates - 2nd June, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Ordinance for sports university approved : President Ram Nath Kovind has given his assent to an ordinance to set up the country’s first national sports university in Manipur.The Union Cabinet had approved an ordinance on 23rd May in this regard.

The University, first of its kind, will promote sports education in the areas of sports sciences, sports technology, sports management and sports coaching.

2. NTPC adopts Charminar in Hyderabad : NTPC has adopted the iconic Charminar in Hyderabad under the ‘Swachh Iconic Places’ Projects of India.The ‘Swachh Iconic Places’ is an initiative under the Swachh Bharat Mission.It is a special clean-up initiative focused on select iconic heritage, spiritual and cultural places in the country.

3. Telangana’s formation day on June 2 : Telangana celebrated its fourth formation day on 2nd June.The state was formed on 2nd June in 2014 following the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh.Telangana was carved out from the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh as the 29th state.Telangana gained fame as one of the fastest growing and surplus state economies in the country.

4. India’s first advanced forensic lab : Maneka Gandhi has laid the foundation stone of an advanced DNA forensic laboratory at the campus of Central Forensic Science Lab in Chandigarh.The ‘Sakhi Suraksha’ lab will assist in investigation and prosecution of crimes including those committed against women and children.It will contribute in addressing the gap in forensic DNA analysis of pending sexual assault cases in the country.

5. Benami transactions informants reward scheme : A new reward scheme titled “Benami Transactions Informants Reward Scheme, 2018”, has been issued by the Income Tax Department.The scheme is aimed at encouraging people to give information about benami transactions and properties as well as income earned on such properties.Under the Scheme, a person can get reward up to Rs. 1 crore for giving specific information in prescribed manner.

6. Government introduces new scheme SevaBhojYojna : The Ministry of Culture, Government of India has introduced a new scheme called ‘SevaBhojYojna’.The scheme envisages to reimburse the CGST and IGST on purchase of raw items which go into preparation of food offered free of cost by religious institutions.The objective of the scheme is to lessen the financial burden of such Charitable Religious Institutions who provide Food free of cost.

 INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. India signed MRA in nursing with Singapore : India has signed the Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) in Nursing with Singapore.Under the agreement, Singapore has agreed to expand coverage of Indian nursing institutions by recognising 7 nursing institutions in the MRA.This has paved way for our healthcare service providers to institutionally access markets abroad.

2. Interfaith Dialogue to be organised : India and Indonesia would be organising an Interfaith Dialogue in Indonesia in early October 2018, followed by similar Dialogue in India next year.This would be organised to eradicate radicalism and promote pluralism.

Interfaith Dialogue would reflect a united commitment of both the nations to eradicate terrorism, radicalism, and violent extremism and would be the dynamic of pluralism.

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE:

1.Malabar 2018 to be held off coast of Guam : Naval ships, aircraft & personnel from India, Japan & US will participate in the 2018 Malabar exercises off the coast of Guam in the Philippine Sea.Malabar for the first time is being conducted off the coast in the Philippine Sea which will include both ashore & at-sea training.Training will focus on high-end warfighting skill sets, medical operations & anti-submarine warfare among others.

SPORTS:

1. ICC added 4 teams to the ODI Team Rankings : Netherlands, Nepal, UAE and Scotland have been added by ICC to the list of ODI-Test playing nations, expanding the teams from 12 to 16.Netherlands secured its ODI status by winning the ICC World Cricket League Championship last year.Whereas, UAE, Nepal and Scotland earned it in the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2018, by finishing as the three leading Associates.