Daily GK Updates - 20th October, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. GSI to organise an exhibition of rocks, minerals : The Geological Survey of India (GSI) will organise a two-day exhibition ‘Bhusampada 2018’ of rocks, minerals and fossils from 22 October 2018.Various scientific instruments being used in surveys, mineral exploration, remote sensing, earthquake geology will be displayed at the exhibition.The event will provide a suitable platform for students to interact with geo-scientists.

2. Punjab extends 50% reservation for women : The Punjab Cabinet decided to extend the enhanced 50% reservation for women in the matter of rotation for the office of the panchayat sarpanch to the office of the chairperson of panchayat samitis and zila parishads.The state government had enhanced reservation for women in these bodies from 33% to 50% in 2017.The cabinet has now approved amendments to the Punjab Panchayati Raj Act, 1994.

3. 73.9% Indians are holders of H-1B visa : The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released a report titled – ‘H-1B petitions by gender and country of the birth fiscal year 2018’.Nearly three out of every four H-1B visa holders as of October 5 are Indian citizens. There were as many as 419,637 foreign nationals working in the U.S. on H-1B visas.Indians account for 73.9% of the total H-1B visa holders in the U.S.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Modi, Wickremesinghe held talks in Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with his Sri Lankan counterpart Ranil Wickremesinghe on 20 October 2018.They discussed a range of issues related to bilateral ties, including the progress of India-assisted development projects in the island nation.Wickremesinghe is on a three-day visit to India for boosting ties in a range of areas, including trade, investment and maritime security.

2. World Osteoporosis Day observed on 20 October : World Osteoporosis Day 2018 is observed on October 20.The day is meant to raise awareness about osteoporosis, a condition which causes the bones to become weak and brittle.World Osteoporosis Day 2018 calls for global action in order to improve bone health and prevent fractures caused by osteoporosis.The day is organized by the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF).

3. 2019 Military World Games in China : The 2019 Military World Games will be held in China.It will for the first time include badminton, tennis, table tennis and men’s gymnastics.The Military World Games is a multi-sport event for the armed forces being organised by the International Military Sports Council every four years since 1995.India hosted the games in 2007.

4. India, Japan, U.S. plan joint air exercise : India, Japan and the U.S. are set to elevate the bilateral ‘Cope India’ air exercise to a trilateral format.The three countries already conduct naval war games under the expanded Malabar naval exercise.The U.S. had proposed a trilateral air exercise between India, Japan and the U.S.

5. Piyush Goyal received Carnot prize : Kleinman Center for Energy Policy at the University of Pennsylvania awarded 4th annual Carnot Prize to Union Minister Piyush Goyal.Carnot Prize is the Kleinman Center’s annual recognition of distinguished contributions to energy policy through scholarship or practice.Carnot Prize is named after French physicist Nicolas Sadi Carnot.Cope India was first conducted in 2004.

OTHER UPDATES:

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. Sajaan Jindal elected as treasurer : World Steel Association (worldsteel) has elected JSW Steel CMD Sajjan Jindal as its treasurer.The association has also appointed Tata Steel MD TV Narendran and ArcelorMittal Chief L N Mittal as its members.The new officers are elected for a one-year period.World Steel Association is the international trade body for the iron and steel industry.Its headquarters is in Brussels, Belgium

2. IFC launched $1 billion masala bond programme : International Finance Corporation (IFC) has launched a $1 billion masala bond programme to fund its investment activities in India.The first tranche of $100 million under the programme was issued on London Stock Exchange.Masala bonds are rupee-denominated borrowings issued overseas.IFC is a member of the World Bank Group.

DEFENCE:

1. China & ASEAN will hold joint naval exercises : China and Southeast Asian Nations will hold their first joint maritime exercises from 22 October 2018.The navies of China and ASEAN countries will hold ‘ASEAN-China Maritime Exercise’ in the South China Sea.The exercise with China’s navy will include operations like maritime safety, medical evacuation, and search and rescue procedures.