Daily GK Updates - 18th June, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Assam Transport Minister launches State Transport Corporation's ‘Chalo’ app: Assam Transport Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary launched the State Transport Corporation's ‘Chalo’ app for Guwahati. The app will help commuters to know about the live arrival time of their bus so they can plan their travel accordingly. People can also track the live GPS position of their bus on a map. Mr Patowary also unveiled a one-of-a-kind transport map for the State Transport bus network in Guwahati that has been developed by Chalo.

2. World Food India to be held in November 2019: The second edition of World Food India to be held from 1st to 4th November 2019 in New Delhi, which will position India as Food Processing Destination of the World. The tagline of the event will be “Forging Partnerships for Growth”.

Note: Union Minister for Food Processing Industries: Smt Harsimrat Kaur Badal.

3. J P Nadda appointed BJP working president: Senior BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) leader J P Nadda has been appointed as the BJP working President (till January 2020). The decision was taken at the BJP Parliamentary Board meeting held at party headquarters in New Delhi. Mr Nadda will remain the working president till the BJP’s membership drive and organisation elections are over.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Lt General Faiz Hameed Appointed Pakistan ISI Chief: Pakistan has appointed Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed as the new Director General of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). He was previously serving as the head of the Counter Intelligence wing in the ISI. Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed replaced Lieutenant Gen Asim Munir.

Note: The Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is the premier intelligence agency of Pakistan, operationally responsible for gathering, processing, and analyzing national security information from around the world. The ISI consists primarily of serving military officers drawn on secondment from the three service branches of the Pakistan Armed Forces (Army, Air Force, and Navy).

2. Bahrain to ban plastic products from next month: Bahrain will start phasing out the use of plastic products from 21st of next month. The first phase will focus on single-use plastic bags as well as banning the import of non-biodegradable plastic bags. Later phases will witness a permanent ban on the use of plastic bags at certain malls and supermarkets. Bahrain has joined several leading countries in banning the import of plastic waste, following the United Nations' call to mitigate ocean pollution and climate change.

3. Autistic Pride Day: 18th June: Autistic Pride Day is being observed on 18th June every year. Autistic pride recognizes the importance of pride for autistics and understands it not as a disease but as a difference.  Autistic Pride Day was initiated by Aspies For Freedom, a group that raises public awareness about autism rights.

Note: ‘Autism Spectrum Disability’ is a range of complex neurodevelopment disorders characterized by social impairments, communication difficulties, restrictive and repetitive pattern of behaviour. It is a lifelong condition which usually occurs in the first three years of life.

4. Sustainable Gastronomy Day: 18 June: Sustainable Gastronomy Day is celebrated around the world on 18th June. It emphasizes the need to focus the world’s attention on the role that sustainable gastronomy can play.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. Virat Kohli becomes the fastest batsmen to reach 11,000 runs: Indian skipper Virat Kohli (30-years) became the fastest batsman to reach the 11,000 runs (in 230 ODIs) mark in the ODI cricket. Virat Kohli broke Tendulkar's record, achieved the 11000 runs mark against England in 2002 in his 284th ODI. He achieved the feat in the match between India and Pakistan in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup.

List of 5-top 11000 run Scorers in ODIs 

S. No	Player	Match Date	Inns
1.	V. Kohli (India)	16th Jun 2019	222
2.	S. Tendulkar (India)	28th Jan 2002	276
3.	R. Ponting (AUS)	24th Feb 2008	286
4.	S. Ganguly (India)	11th Jan 1992	288
5.	J. Kallis (SA)	9th Jan 1996	293

2. Gary Woodland won the 119th US Open: Gary Woodland won the 119th US Open, capturing his first Major title after defeating two-time defending champion Brook Koepka.

Note: The United States Open Championship is the annual open national championship of golf in the United States.

BANKING AND FINANCE

1. Facebook launches cryptocurrency "Libra": Facebook has announced a digital currency called Libra that will allow its billions of users to make financial transactions across the globe. Libra is being touted as a means to connect people who do not have access to traditional banking platforms. Technology to make transactions with Libra will be available as a standalone app as well as on WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger platforms as early as 2020.

2. Fitch cuts India growth forecast to 6.6% for 2019-20 fiscal: In its latest Global Economic Outlook, the global rating agency Fitchlowers India's growth forecast from 6.8% to 6.6% for the current fiscal, as manufacturing and agriculture sectors showed signs of slowing down over the past year. Fitch also retained its GDP growth forecast for the next fiscal (2020-21) at 7.1% and 7.0% for 2021-22.

3. RBI gets a new executive director: Dr. Rabi N. Mishra has been elevated from principal chief general manager to Executive Director in the Reserve Bank of India. Mishra's portfolio now includes non-banking and Co-op bank supervision as well as the College of Supervisors. Current strength of Executive directors in RBI is 12.

Note: RBI 25th Governor: Shaktikant Das, Headquarters: Mumbai, Founded: 1 April 1935, Kolkata

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

1. "Amazon India" best place to work in the country: Randstad rates Amazon India as country’s most attractive employer brand. Microsoft India emerged as the runner-up. As per the study, salary and employee benefits continue to be the top driver, while choosing an employer for the Indian workforce, followed by work-life balance and job security.

Note: CEO of Amazon: Jeff Bezos

OBITUARIES

1. Egypt′s former President Mohammed Morsi passes away: Former president of Egypt ‘Mohammed Morsi’(67-years) passed away after collapsing during a session in court. Morsi was on trial for espionage and had just addressed the court when he blacked out. He was country's first democratically elected president and a member of Egypt's most powerful Islamist group, the now-banned Muslim Brotherhood. Morsi had been in custody since his removal by the military after mass protests in 2013. He served as Egyptian President from 30 June 2012 – 3 July 2013.