Daily GK Updates - 13th June, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Union Cabinet clears NDIAC Bill, 2019: The Union Cabinet has cleared the New Delhi International Arbitration Centre (NDIAC) Bill, 2019. The Bill provides for setting up of an independent and autonomous body for institutional arbitration. It also aims to acquire and transfer the undertakings of International Centre for Alternative Dispute Resolution to New Delhi International Arbitration Centre (NDIAC) w.e.f 2nd March 2019.

2. India accounts for 12% of the world’s internet users: According to the annual report on internet trends by venture capitalist Mary Meeker, India accounts for 12% world’s internet users. China has the largest base, accounting for 21% of all internet users globally, and the US comes third at 8%.

3. DU scientists discover frog in Assam and name it after Northeast: A team of scientists from Delhi University and the Wildlife Institute of India, in collaboration with researchers from Indonesia and the US, have discovered a new species of ‘paddy frog’ from Northeast India, primarily Assam. The frog belongs to the microhylid genus Micryletta, a “group of narrow-mouthed frogs”. The new species has been named ‘aishani’, derived from the Sanskrit word ‘aishani’ or aisani meaning Northeast.

4. Union Cabinet extends the President’s rule in J&K for another six months: The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the extension of President’s rule in Jammu and Kashmir for another six months (from 3rd July). President's rule is the suspension of state government and imposition of direct central government rule in a state. Jammu Kashmir has been under President's rule since 20th December 2018. According to Election commission, Assembly elections in J&K will be held after Amarnath Yatra ends in August 2019.

Note: Under Article 356 of the Constitution of India, if a state government is unable to function according to constitutional provisions, the Central government can take direct control of the state machinery. Subsequently, executive authority is exercised through the centrally appointed governor, who has the authority to appoint other administrators to assist them. Chhattisgarh and Telangana are the only states where the president's rule has yet to be imposed.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. PM Modi reaches Kyrgyz capital Bishkek to attend SCO summit: Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Bishkek (capital of Kyrgyzstan) to attend the meeting of Council of Heads of States of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). Presidents, Prime Ministers (8 member countries) and 4 head of states as observers are participating in this multilateral international forum. The China-led SCO meets once a year and adopts decisions and guidelines on all important matters of the organisation. Prime Minister Modi had also attended the last CHS meeting in Qingdao (China) on 9-10th June 2018.

Note: In July 2015 in Ufa, Russia, the SCO decided to admit India and Pakistan as full members and both the countries officially joined SCO as full members during the Astana Summit in 2017.

Afghanistan will also be one of the focus areas in the summit.

2. UAE and Germany reaffirm joint commitment to fight against terrorism: The United Arab Emirates and Germany have reaffirmed their joint commitment to fight against terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms. A Joint statement issued in Berlin at the end of the two-day visit ofCrown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Germany. The two sides agreed on rallying efforts on counter-terrorism issues, exchanging of expertise and information on combating terrorism and strengthening individual training and capacity-building in that regard.

3. International Albinism Awareness Day observed on 13th June: The International Albinism Awareness Day is being observed on 13th June with an aim to end multiple forms of discrimination that is faced by people who suffers from albinism. The theme of the 2019 International Albinism Awareness Day is ‘Still Standing Strong’. Albinism is a rare, non-contagious, genetically inherited difference present at birth, and it is still profoundly misunderstood, socially and medically.

4. New app to help students wishing to study in the U.S.: The U.S. Embassy organised its fifth annual ‘Student Visa Day’ and launched ‘EducationUSA India’. It is a mobile application to provide Indian students with “current, comprehensive and accurate information about studying in the U.S.”.It was launched by the Embassy in collaboration with the United States-India Educational Foundation.

5. China appoints Sun Weidong as new envoy to India: China has appointed veteran diplomat Sun Weidong (former envoy to Pakistan) as its new envoy to India. He will succeed Luo Zhaohui, who has been appointed as Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs. Currently, Sun Weidong is the Director General of the Policy and Planning Department of the Foreign Ministry.

6. Kassyam-Jomart Tokayev takes oath as the new president of Kazakhstan: The career diplomat Kassym-Jomart Tokayev (66-year) took the oath of office as the new president of Kazakhstan during a ceremony at the Palace of Independence in the capital, Nur-Sultan. He was acting president following the surprise resignation of Nursultan Nazarbayev (78-years) in March 2019. The transition comes amid rising dissent in Kazakhstan.

Note: The President of the Republic of Kazakhstan is the head of state, commander-in-chief and holder of the highest office within the Republic of Kazakhstan.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. Kohli is the sole Indian in the list of top-paid athletes: Virat Kohli, ranked 100th, remains the sole Indian in the Forbes list of world’s highest-paid athletes with estimated annual earnings of $25 million. The list is headed by Barcelona and Argentina football superstar Lionel Messi.

2. Indian team for Senior Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championships announced: Gymnastics Federation of India (GFI) has announced the Indian teamfor the Senior Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championships to be held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (19th to 22nd June 2019). The four men's team comprises Rakesh Kumar Patra, Yogeshwar Singh, Debang Dey and Arik Dey. Pranati Nayak, Shraddha Talekar, Pranati Das and Papiya Das are in the women's team.

3. Indian men's archery team secure Olympic quota for the 2020 Tokyo Games: Indian men's archery team (Tarundeep Rai, Atanu Das and Pravin Jadhav) secured the Olympic quota for the 2020 Tokyo Games. Indian team storming into the quarterfinals of the World Championships with a 5-3 win over Canada in the Netherlands. This is for the first time after 2012-London Olympics that Indian men could secure a team quota.

4. Badminton star Lee Chong Wei retires after cancer battle: Malaysian badminton star Lee Chong Wei (36 years) announced his retirement after Cancer battle. Lee Chong Wei (three-time Olympic silver medallist) was diagnosed with early-stage nose cancer last year but despite intensive treatment in Taiwan. Lee was ranked first as a singles player for 199 consecutive weeks from 2008 to 2012. He collected a swathe of honours but never won a world or Olympic title.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

1. HCL to roll out “Tech Bee” programme: HCL Technologies is all set to roll out “Tech Bee” programme, a company initiative under which it trains and hires students who have completed XII th standard, across several states. Tech Bee is a HCL’s early career programme in which company provides students an opportunity to start early and become financially independent and trendsetters. Enrolled students are paid stipend of Rs 10,000 per month.

2. Dell has emerged as the most trusted brand in India in 2019: TRA: According to a report released by brand analytics firm TRA Research, “Dell” has emerged as the most trusted brand in India in 2019. With 31% Brand Trust Index (BTI) difference from Dell, auto brand Jeep makes a dramatic entry in the second spot. LIC and Amazon are ranked on the third and fourth spots and Apple iPhone emerged as India’s fifth most trusted brand.

Note: Dell is an American based multinational computer technology company. CEO of Dell: Michael S Dell

AWARDS AND HONOURS

1. JNU to confer alumni award to Union Ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and S Jaishankar: Jawaharlal Nehru University will confer the distinguished alumni award to Union Ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. Executive Council of the University has approved a proposal in this regard. The two ministers will be awarded during the third convocation of JNU to be held in August this year. Ms. Sitharaman had completed her MA and M Phil degrees while Mr. Jaishankar completed his M Phil and doctoral research form JNU.

Note: S Jaishankar is the current Minister of External Affairs. Nirmala Sitharaman is the Minister of Finance and Minister of Corporate Affairs.

2. Priyanka Chopra to be honoured with a humanitarian award by UNICEF: Priyanka Chopra, a global UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for Child Rights is going to be honoured with Danny Kaye Humanitarian Award by UNICEF at the UNICEF SNOWFLAKE BALL.

Note: UNICEF: United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund. Headquarter: New York, USA, Founded on 11th Dec 1946

DEFENCE

1. India successfully test fires hypersonic cruise missile: India successfully conducted a first test flight of the indigenously developed Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV) from a base off the Odisha coast. The only other countries that possess this technology are the US, Russia, and China. The HSTDV is an unmanned scramjet (allowing supersonic combustion) demonstration vehicle that can cruise up to a speed of Mach 6 (or six times the speed of sound) and rise up to an altitude of 32 km in 20 seconds. It has a range of uses, including missiles of the future, and energy-efficient, low cost and reusable satellite-launch vehicle.

OBITUARIES

1. Veteran journalist Rajanath Singh 'Surya' passes away: Veteran journalist and former Rajya Sabha MP Rajanath Singh ‘Surya’ (82-years) passed away after a brief illness in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. A staunch RSS leader Mr Surya had worked in various newspapers and he was a well-known columnist.

2. Poet, lyricist Pazhavila Ramesan passes away: Poet and lyricist Pazhavila Ramesan passed away. He was 83 years old. He was a recipient of Kerala Sahithya Akademi Award and had also penned songs for films like Asamsakalode, Malooty, Uncle Bun, Vasudha and others.