Daily GK Updates - 10th February, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1.PM Narendra Modi inaugurates PETROTECH-2019 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi has formally inaugurated the three-day International Oil and Gas Conference ‘PETROTECH-2019’ (13th) at India Expo Mart in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh. The ‘PETROTECH-2019’ is being organised under the aegis of the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Government of India. India is the 3rd largest consumer of crude oil and petroleum products.

2. 1st of 15 Chinook heavy-lift helicopters arrived in India : According to Boeing (the maker of Chinooks), the first of the fifteen Chinook heavy-lift helicopter ordered by the Indian Air Force (IAF) received at the Mundra Port in Gujarat. Now  Chinooks  (carry around 10 tonnes of load) will be transported to its home base at Chandigarh.Chinooks have a unique twin-engine, tandem rotor design which has become one of the most visibly recognised symbols of the American armed forces.

3. PM Narendra Modi lays the foundation for Sela Tunnel : Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the strategically important Sela Tunnel Project  (costing - Rs 687 crore) in Arunachal Pradesh.It will give a fillip to the overall development of the area as it will provide all-weather connectivity to Tawang and other areas.This tunnel will cut across and reduce the distance between Dirang and Tawang by 10 km.The project is being constructed by the Border Roads Organisation(BRO) in the next three years.

4. Festival of Basant Panchami is being celebrated across the nation : Basant Panchami festival (Saraswati Puja) is being celebrated every year on the fifth day of the month of 'Magha' and marks the beginning of the spring season.On this day, Hindus wearing yellow clothes visit temples and pray to Goddess Saraswati (the goddess of knowledge).

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1.Egypt's President El-Sissi elected as chairman of the African Union : Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi (65-years) has been elected as the chairman of the African Union at the continental body's summit in Ethiopia.El-Sisi's election brings an end the one-year chairmanship of Rwanda's President Paul Kagame.

2. Multinational Maritime Exercise ‘Aman 19’ commenced in Karachi : The five-day Multinational Maritime Exercise "AMAN-19"commenced in Karachi with the slogan “Together for Peace”.The flag of 46 countries including Pakistan presented a march-past.According to Pakistan Vice Admiral Amjad Khan Niazi, it is a step to enhance cooperation, take benefit from mutual advantage and understand each other. Ambassadors and delegates of various countries are also present in the inauguration ceremony.

3. 10th February: World Pulses Day : The first-ever World Pulses Day was celebrated on 10th February 2019.The day designated United Nations global event to celebrate pulses worldwide and continue the important gains made with the 2016. International Year of Pulses.Pulses are a type of leguminous crops that are harvested solely for the dry seed and does not include crops that are harvested green.

4.  International Day of Women and Girls in Science being observed : International Day of Women and Girls in Science is being observed to highlight the work of female scientists throughout its divisions and agencies.The Theme of 2019 is "Investment in Women and Girls in Science for Inclusive Green Growth".At present, less than 30% of researchers worldwide are women.Globally, female students’ enrolment is particularly low in ICT (3%), natural science, mathematics and statistics (5%) and in engineering, manufacturing and construction (8%).

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. Spin legend Shane Warne named brand ambassador of Rajasthan Royals : Australia spin legend Shane Warne has been named the brand ambassador of Rajasthan Royals (RR) for the Indian Premier League (IPL)-2019.Warne went on to captain Rajasthan Royals for four seasons until 2011, after which he retired from all forms of cricket.Besides, the Rajasthan Royals has also decided to change its jersey colour from blue to pink this year.

2. India's young paddlers clinch four medals : India's young paddlers clinching four medals (1-gold, 2- silver and 1- bronze) at the Bahrain Junior and Cadet Open Table Tennis tournament in Manama, Bahrain In the final, The India-A team of Suhana Saini and Anargya Manjunath proved too strong for India-B and clinched the Gold.In the Junior girls' competition, the Indian team of Manushree Patil and Swastika Ghosh beat three teams before losing to eventual champions Russia to settle for a Silver.

BANKING/FINANCE:

1. RBI slaps fine of Rs 1 crore on State Bank of India : The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has slapped Rs 1 crore penalty on the country's largest lender State Bank of India  (SBI) for not monitoring the end use of funds in respect of one of its borrowers.RBI in the exercise of powers conferred under Section 47 A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 has levied a penalty.SBI does not share details of the borrower and the loan amount given to the borrower.