Daily GK Updates - 28th March, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. India successfully conducts an anti-satellite missile test :  India conducted its first anti-satellite (ASAT) missile test successfully destroying a low earth orbit satellite in space by using a missile which covered a distance of 300 km to engage the target. Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared the test, called ‘Mission Shakti’, successful in a specially televised announcement. Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) developed Ballistic Missile, Defence Interceptor Missile successfully engaged an Indian orbiting target satellite in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) in a Hit to Kill mode from Dr A P J Abdul Kalam Island in Odisha.

2. UGC prohibits imparting distance degree programmes in agriculture : The University Grants Commission (UGC) has prohibited imparting distance degree programmes in agriculture. The decision was taken by the higher education regulator. A degree programme in agriculture is technical in nature as it requires practical or laboratory courses. The Union agriculture ministry had referred the matter to the commission. However, no new enrolments will be permitted from the 2019 academic session.

3.All eight members of Lokpal takes the oath of office :  The Chairperson of the anti-corruption ombudsman Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose (country's first Lokpal) administered the oath of office to all eight members of the ‘Lokpal’. Former Chief Justices Dilip B. Bhosale, Pradip Kumar Mohanty, and Abhilasha Kumari and sitting Chief Justice of Chhattisgarh High Court Ajay Kumar Tripathi are the judicial members who took the oath. Besides Chairperson, the President Ram Nath Kovind had appointed four Judicial members and four Non-Judicial members as Lokpal.

4. Goa - Dipak Pauskar sworn in as Cabinet Minister :  In Goa, Dipak Pauskar was sworn in as a Cabinet Minister by Governor Mridula Sinha at the Raj Bhavan in Dona Paula. Pauskar replaces deputy Chief Minister Sudin Dhavalikar (Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party) in the Council of Ministers. As two of the three MGP MLAs, Manohar Ajgaonkar and Pauskar merged their party’s legislative wing with the BJP, thereby isolating Mr Dhavalikar as the lone MGP legislator in the house.

5. Navin Chawla’s new book titled ‘Every Vote Counts’ launched :  Former Vice President of India Hamid Ansari has launched Navin Chawla’s (former Chief Election Commissioner of India) new book titled ‘Every Vote Counts’ in New Delhi. This book is about how the electoral machinery works in India. The book explains about India is on the cusp of change, and with its parliamentary elections coming up.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. India-African Union sign MoU on strengthening cooperation in the healthcare sector :  An agreement has been signed between India and the African Union to establish an India-Africa health sciences collaborative platform. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement that the MoU will pave the way for cooperation in research and development, capacity building, health services, pharmaceutical trade and manufacturing capabilities for drugs and diagnostics.The statement said, to carry forward the vision of a structured and concrete partnership in the health sector, the MEA partnered with Indian Council of Medical Research and had jointly organised the first India-Africa Health Sciences Meet in 2016 in New Delhi.

2. Oman signs agreement allowing the United States military to use its ports : Oman has signed an agreement with the United States that allow American ships and warplanes to take advantage of his ports and airports. The framework agreement is aimed at bolstering Omani-American military relations. The agreement will allow the US forces to take advantage from the facilities offered at some of the Sultanate's ports and airports during visits of the US military vessels and aircraft, particularly in the port of Duqm. Duqm port is in southern Oman on the Arabian Sea and around 500 kilometres from the Strait of Hormuz.

3. Comoros President Azali Assoumani re-elected with over 60% of votes : According to Electoral Commission of the Indian Ocean archipelago, Comoros President Azali Assoumani was re-elected. Azali (first took office in 2016) was way ahead of his closest rival Mahamoudou Ahamada, who garnered only 14.62% of the ballots cast. Comoros is a volcanic archipelago off Africa’s east coast, in the warm Indian Ocean waters of the Mozambique Channel.

4. Croatia honours President Kovind with the highest civilian award : President Ram Nath Kovind was honoured with Croatia's highest civilian award the ‘Grand Order of the King of Tomislav’. The civilian order is awarded to heads of state for their important contribution towards the development of state relations between Croatia and their respective countries. Kovind is in Croatia as part of his eight-day three-nation visit to Croatia, Bolivia and Chile.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. Manu Bhaker and Saurabh bag Gold medal in 10m Air Pistol Mixed event :  Manu Bhaker (17-year) and Saurabh Chaudhary (16-year) have bagged a Gold medal in the 10-metre Air Pistol Mixed team event at the 12th Asian Airgun Championship at Taoyuan in Taipei. Manu and Saurabh shot a combined score of 784, breaking the record set by Russians Vitalina Batsarashkina and Artem Chernousov at the European Championships. The pair made it to the Final after smashing the world record in the qualification.

OBITUARIES:

1.Legendary singer-songwriter ‘Scott Walker’ passes away : The legendary singer-songwriter Scott Walker (76-years) passed away. Scott Walker shot to fame in the mid-'60s as the frontman of The Walker Brothers (Scott Walker, John Maus, Gary Leeds). The Ohio-born Walker is known for his baritone voice within the world of experimental music.