Daily GK Updates - 30th December, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1.Sudhir Bhargava appointed new chief information commissioner :  The Union government has appointed Sudhir Bhargava as the Chief Information Commissioner (CIC), along with four information commissioners in the Central Information Commission. Four new information commissioners are Yashwardhan Kumar Sinha (IFS officer), ex-IRS officer Vanaja N. Sarna (the only woman), Neeraj Kumar Gupta (1982-batch IAS officer) and Mr Suresh Chandra(former law secretary).

2.Delhi Metro’s Lajpat Nagar-Mayur Vihar Pocket 1 corridor opens :  Union Minister Hardeep S Puri & Deputy CM of Delhi Manish Sisodia jointly flag off Lajpat Nagar-Mayur Vihar Pocket 1 section of Pink Line of Delhi Metro Around ten-kilometre stretch is the extension of 59 kilometres long Majlis Park-Shiv Vihar corridor. The section has five stations namely Vinoba Puri, Ashram, Hazrat Nizamuddin, Mayur Vihar -I and Mayur Vihar Pocket-1. It will be a major boon for the commuters of prominent areas like Ashram and Mayur Vihar.

3.PM Modi renames Ross, Neil & Havelock Islands in Andaman and Nicobar :  Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced the renaming of three islands of Andaman and Nicobar on 75th anniversary of Tricolour hoisting by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in Port Blair.The Ross Island has been renamed as Netaji Subhas Chandra BoseDweep.Now, The Neil Island would be known as Shaheed Dweep andHavelock Island as Swaraj Dweep.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Bangladesh Elections: Awami League registers landslide victory :  Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's (71-years) Awami League has registered a landslide victory in Parliamentary elections. The ruling Awami League-led grand alliance bagged 266 seats and its ally Jatiya Party secured 21 in the 300-member House.The opposition National Unity Front (UNF) with BNP being its key partner got only seven seats and Independent candidates won in two seats.

2.The United Arab Emirates reopens its embassy in Syria : The United Arab Emirates (UAE) resumed its diplomatic services at its embassy in Damascus (Syria) after six years of suspension. In February 2012, The UAE broke ties with Syria as the repression of nationwide protests demanding regime change was escalating into a devastating war. The decision follows a careful reading of the latest developments and a conviction that the next phase requires Arab involvement to protect Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

OTHER UPDATES:

BANKING/FINANCE:

1. Government infuses Rs 2159 Crore in United Bank of India : According to The United Bank of India, the Union government has decided to infuse Rs 2,159 crore in the bank. The government has decided to pump Rs 28,615 crore into seven public sector banks (PSBs) through recapitalization bonds soon. Bank of India is likely to get the highest amount of Rs 10,086 crore

SPORTS:

1Luka Modric wins Balkan Athlete of the year award 2018 : Croatia soccer star Luka Modric has been chosen Balkan athlete of the year 2018. Now, He became only the second soccer player to scoop the prize after Bulgaria’s former European Footballer of the Year Hristo Stoichkov in 1994. Tennis great Novak Djokovic of Serbia was second in the Balkan poll, and Romania's Simona Halep third.

2. Saurabh Chaudhary sweeps men's air pistol national trials : Indian Shooter Saurabh Chaudhary has won the 10m air pistol trials at the Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range by winning the second National trial competitions in both the men's and junior boy's categories. Asian Games and Youth Olympic Games champion Earlier, Saurabh had won the first trial in both events as well and in one final shooting event way above the existing world record score.

3. 3rd Edition of Women's national boxing championships begins : The third edition of women's national boxing championships begins in Vijayanagara, Karnataka. Country's top boxers will be vying for top honours as the tournament will be held at the JSW Sports-owned Inspire Institute of Sport till 6th of the next month.

OBITUARIES:

1. Veteran filmmaker Mrinal Sen passes away : Legendary filmmaker Padma Bhushan and Dada Saheb Phalke awardee Mrinal Sen(95-years) passed away due to age-related ailments in Kolkata. He was the recipient of 12 international film awards including Cannes Film Festival. Mrinal Sen was also a member of the Indian People’s Theatre Association.