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Tuesday, April 30, 2019

Daily GK Updates - 30th April, 2019


INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:


1. US Withdraws from UN Arms Trade Treaty: US President Donald Trump stated that his administration is withdrawing the U.S. signature from the U.N. Arms Trade Treaty, in response to concerns from gun rights activists that it could impinge on Americans’ right to bear arms. The treaty seeks to regulate international trade in conventional arms, including everything from tanks to small arms, specifically looking to “prevent and eradicate the illicit trade in conventional arms and prevent their diversion.”

2. Nirmala Sitharaman attends SCO Defence Ministers' conclave at Bishkek: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman attended the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers' conclave (16th) at Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan. During the conclave, ways to further boost defence and security cooperation among the member countries in the wake of evolving security challenges in the region were discussed. India is keen on deepening its security-related cooperation with the SCO and its Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure, which specifically deals with issues relating to security and defence.

3. South Korea set to hold ASEAN maritime drills: A two-part maritime exercise by the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its partnering countries is slated to start in South Korea's port city of Busan. The exercise aims to counter maritime crime, including illicit transactions of weapons and other banned items. The drills are scheduled to take place from 29 April to 2 May in South Korea, following which they will be held in Singapore from May 9 to May 13. The maritime exercise involves 18 countries of the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting plus six other countries are slated to send military personnel. Naval forces from India, Brunei, China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and the United States are scheduled to practice rescuing ships hijacked by armed groups, amongst other maritime security operations.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. Bajrang Punia To Become 1st Indian Wrestler to Fight at Madison Square Garden: Bajrang Punia is set to become the first wrestler from India to fight at the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York. The 25-year-old has recently won the gold medal in the 65-kg category at the ongoing Asian Wrestling Championships. He is the first Indian wrestler to be invited by the American governing body. Punia will take part in the "Grapple at the Garden - Beat the Streets" fight night. 

2. WFI recommends Bajrang, Vinesh for Khel Ratna: The Wrestling Federation of India recommended Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat for the country's highest sporting honour the Rajeev Gandhi Khel Ratna award.  Bajrang (World no. 1) stamped his authority at the Asian Championship in Xi'an, China by clinching a gold medal in the men's 65kg freestyle event. Vinesh (24-year-old) won a bronze at the recent Asian Championship but considering that she fought in a new weight category of 53kg, it was seen as a good achievement. In 2018, Vinesh became the first Indian woman to win a gold medal at the Asian Games. WFI has also recommended names of Rahul Aware, Harpreet Singh, Divya Kakran and Pooja Dhanda for the Arjuna award.

3. Asian Wrestling Championship 2019 Concludes: India Finishes with 16 Medals, Iran Tops: India wrapped up their campaign at the Asian Wrestling Championships on a resounding note with 16 medals (1 Gold, 3 Silver & 4 Bronze) after Harpreet Singh settled for a silver in 82kg on the final day of competitions. Only Bajrang Punia won the gold medal after defeating Kazakhstan’s Sayatbek Okassov by 12-7 in 65kg men’s freestyle. Asian Wrestling Championship 2019 was held at Xi’an, China.

4. Liverpool’s Van Dijk wins England’s PFA Player of the Year award: Liverpool’s centre back 'Van Dijk' (27-years) was named Player of the Year by England’s Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA). Van Dijk has helped the title-chasing Merseysiders keep 19 clean sheets in the Premier League and they have conceded the fewest goals in the top flight so far this season. Van Dijk is the first defender to win the award since Chelsea centre-back John Terry in 2005. Arsenal’s Dutch forward Vivianne Miedema (22-years) claimed the women’s Player of the Year award. She helped the London club secure their third Women’s Super League title with her 22nd goal of the season.

5. Indian para-athletes clinch medals at Asian Road Para-cycling championships: Indian para-athletes came up with a brilliant performance to secure a silver and two bronze medals at the Asian Road Para-cycling championships at Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Divij Shah clinched silver while Asian Para Games bronze medallist Gurlal Singh and Hand cyclist Sudhakar Marathe claimed bronze.

6. China's Ma Long captures the third world title: China’s Ma Long (30-year) captured a third ITTF-World table tennis championships completing a dream comeback after six months on the sidelines with a knee injury. He defeated Sweden's Mattias Falck 4-1 in the final. Ma Long now joins the elite club of male paddlers, who have won the Worlds singles for three consecutive times: Victor Barna and China’s Zhuang Zedong being the others. Ma Long won the Worlds crown in 2015 (Suzhou), 2017 (Dusseldorf) and 2019 at Budapest.

7. New Zealand Open Badminton tournament 2019 begins in Auckland: The 2019 New Zealand Open Badminton tournament has begun in Auckland (30 April to 5 May 2019). Ace Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal will be aiming to win her second title this year. She will take on China's Wang Zhiyi in the Women's Singles first round tomorrow. Parupalli Kashyap, B Sai Praneeth, HS Prannoy, Subhankar Dey and Laskshya Sen will be seen in action in the Men's section.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

1. Wipro Acquires Philippines' Largest Personal Care Company 'Splash': Wipro Consumer Care announced that it is acquiring personal care company 'Splash', which is based in the Philippines. Splash, the largest personal care player in the Philippines, recorded revenues worth $80 million in 2018. 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

1. PFA Awards 2018/19 Announced: Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk and Arsenal Women Football Club's Vivianne Miedema were named Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) Players' Player of the Year for the 2018-19 season.
PFA Player's Player of the Year: Virgil van Dyjk, Liverpool and Vivianne Miedema, Arsenal. PFA Young Player of the Year: Raheem Sterling, Manchester City and Georgia Stanway, Manchester City. PFA Special Achievement Award: Steph Houhgton: Former England and WBA

2. Golfer Gaganjeet Bhullar Wins Outstanding Achievement As a Player Award: Arjuna awardee and star Indian golfer Gaganjeet Bhullar won the outstanding achievement as a player award at the fourth edition of the annual India Golf Industry Association (GIA) awards at the Delhi Golf Club. The GIA awards were held along with the 8th India Golf & Turf Expo (IGTE), South Asia's largest golf trade show. 

DEFENCE

1. India 4th Biggest Military Spender in 2018: SIPRI Report: India was the world’s fourth biggest military spender in 2018 behind the United States, China, and Saudi Arabia, according to new data think tank Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). India was the fifth largest military spender in 2017. According to the SIPRI data, China was the second-largest military spender in 2018. India accounts for 3.7% of the global defence spending. 

2. GRSE To Build 8 Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Watercraft For Indian Navy: The Defence Ministry has awarded a contract of worth Rs 6,311 croreto Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited (GRSE) to build eight anti-submarine warfare shallow watercraft (ASWSWC) for the Indian Navy. As per the agreement, the first ship is to be delivered within 42 months from the date of signing of the contract and subsequently, two ships are required to be delivered per year. 

OBITUARIES

1. Youngest Best Director Oscar Nominee John Singleton Passes Away: John Singleton, an Academy Award-nominated filmmaker has passed away following complications from a stroke. He was best known for directing "Boyz N the Hood". Singleton became the first black filmmaker nominated for a Best Director Oscarfor his debut feature from 1991, "Boys N The Hood." He was only 24 at the time.

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