Daily GK Updates - 13th May, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. WTO Ministerial Meeting Inaugurated in New Delhi: The World Trade Organisation, WTO ministerial meeting of developing countries began in New Delhi. The meeting will provide an opportunity for the Ministers to discuss various issues and the way forward. 16 developing countries and 6 Least Developed Countries (LDCs) are participating in the meeting. It includes China, South Africa, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Kazakhstan and Bangladesh.

2. Rajiv Gandhi International Airport Ranked among Top 10 In World-Air Help: Global air passengers right expert Air help came out with the list of world's best airports and Hyderabad Rajiv Gandhi International airport was ranked the world's eighth best airport. The survey takes into account on-time performance, service quality and food & shops to determine the ranking. The top 3 airports in the list of world's best airports as per Air help are: 

Qatar's Hamad International Airport

Tokyo International Airport.

Athens International Airport.

3. World’s 1st complete parent-wise genome for buffaloes developed: The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) has developed the world’s first complete parent-wise genome assembly called “NDDB_ABRO_Murrah” of riverine buffaloes. This comes after the successful launch of INDUSCHIP, a customized genotyping chip for indigenous cattle and their crosses. Buffaloes contribute more than 50% to the total milk production in India which is the world’s largest milk producer. The development of genome assembly will help in improving the genetics of the buffaloes and enhancing their productivity further.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. India-UK Sign Agreement to Boost Indo-Pacific Cooperation: India and the United Kingdom agreed to increase their collaboration in the fields of Indo-Pacific cooperation, climate change, disaster resilience, development in third world countries amongst other areas. The two countries held Foreign Office consultations, where the Indian side was led by Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale and the UK side was represented by Sir Simon McDonald, Permanent Under-Secretary, Foreign and Commonwealth Office of British Government.

2. 400 KMPH: Japan Tests World's Fastest Bullet Train: Japan has started testing its fastest-ever bullet train capable of reaching 400 kilometers per hour (249 mph) as it continues to develop the revolutionary mode of travel. The ALFA-X version of the Shinkansentrain began three years' worth of test runs. Once it enters operation around 2030, it will run at speeds of up to 360 kph (224 mph), comfortably making it the world's fastest bullet train.

3. Subhash Chand Appointed Next Ambassador of India To State of Eritrea: Subhash Chand, presently Deputy High Commissioner in the High Commission of India, Abuja, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the northeast African country Eritrea. Capital of Eritrea: Asmara.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. Mumbai Indians win record 4th IPL title: Mumbai Indians (MI) became IPL champions for the fourth time after defeating Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by one run in a thrilling final in Hyderabad. Last ball dismissal of Shardul Thakur by paceman Lasith Malinga registered a final win for Mumbai over Chennai. Chasing a victory target of 150 set by Mumbai, Chennai Super Kings were restricted to 148 for 7 in stipulated 20 overs. Earlier, Mumbai made 149 for 8 in stipulated 20 overs. CSK Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni has become the most successful wicket-keeper in the history of IPL by taking his dismissals tally to 132, surpassing Dinesh Karthik (KKR).

Orange Cap- David Warner of Sunrisers Hyderabad scored most runs: 692 Runs in 12 Matches.

Purple Cap- Imran Tahir of Chennai Super Kings took most wickets: 26 Wickets in 17 Matches.

2. Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton Wins Spanish Grand Prix: Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton won the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona, Spain and rose to the top of the Formula One world championship. Mercedes’ V. Bottas finished second, while Red Bulls’ M. Verstappen finished third.

3. Football: Manchester City Wins Premier League Title 2019: Manchester City clinched their fourth Premier League title (football)after winning the 2018-19 season. Manchester City registered a victory against Brighton to accumulate 98 points, while Liverpool, who were also in the title race, finished second with 97 points. Dominant Manchester City have successfully retained their Premier League title on the final day of an exhilarating 2018-19 campaign. 

4. Sana Mir Becomes Highest Wicket-Taking Spinner In ODI: Pakistan off-spinner Sana Mir has become the most successful women's ODI spinner in history after she took her 147th wicket, highest ever by any spinner in One-day International (ODI) cricket. Currently, Mir is placed on the third position in the ICC's ODI bowling ranking, which is topped by Indian pacer Jhulan Goswami. 

5. Novak Djokovic wins 2019 Madrid Open title: Top seed Novak Djokovic of Serbia has won the 2019 Madrid Open title at the Park Manzanares in Madrid, Spain. He defeated Tsitsipas (Greece) 6–3, 6–4 in the final. Djokovic tied Nadal's record with 33 Masters 1000 singles titles. Dutch Kiki Bertens beat two-time Madrid Open champion Simona Halep (Romania) 6-4, 6-4 to take the women's title.

6. Indian racer Jehan Daruvala wins an inaugural round of FIA Formula 3 Championship: Indian racer Jehan Daruvala (20-years) has won the inaugural round of the FIA Formula 3 Championship, one of the support events to Formula One in Barcelona. The all-new FIA F3 Championship was created by merging the erstwhile GP3 Championship and FIA F3 European Championship, resulting in an ultra-competitive 30 car grid. Jehan is the only Indian to win a Grand Prix when he won the New Zealand Grand Prix and later went on to become the only Indian to win a race in the erstwhile FIA F3 European Championship, which used slower cars.

7. Manchester City Legend Yaya Toure Retires From Football: Former Manchester City and Barcelona midfielder Yaya Toure has officially announced his retirement from football. Achievements: At Barcelona, he won two LaLiga titles and the 2009 Champions League. He was named the African Footballer of the Year in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014. 

8. Croatia's Igor Stimac to Become Indian Football Team Coach: Former Croatia international and manager Igor Stimac will be appointed as the Indian men’s team coach after the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) technical committee recommended him for the post. The committee, headed by Shyam Thapa, interviewed the four candidates for the post- Stimac, Albert Roca, Hakan Ericson, and Lee and zeroed in on Stimac.

9. World’s 1st Exclusive Women’s Cricket Magazine ‘Criczone’ Released: Inaugural issue of world’s first exclusive women’s cricket magazine‘Criczone’ was released with Indian team vice-captain Smriti Mandhana featuring as the cover story. It is a one-stop solution, exclusively dedicated to providing updates, articles, news, interviews, etc. from the world of women’s cricket. Publisher of the magazine is Yash Lahoti.

OBITUARIES

1. Padma Shri Awardee Bhojpuri Singer Hiralal Yadav Passes Away: Padma Shri awardee Bhojpuri vocal artist Hiralal Yadav passed away in Varanasi at the age of 93. Shri Yadav was a well known Bhojpuri folk singer from the 'Birha' genre. He received a Padma Shri award, the country's fourth highest civilian award, in January 2019.