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Monday, June 24, 2019

Daily GK Updates - 24th June, 2019


NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Govt. set up 713 Krishi Vigyan Kendras to double farmers' income by 2022: The Union Government has set up 713 Krishi Vigyan Kendras and 684 Agricultural Technology Management Agencies at the district level in the country for dissemination of technologies among the farming community. This is aimed at meeting the target of doubling the farmers' incomeby 2022. An inter-ministerial committee for the purpose has recommended the use of digital technology to transform and modernize agricultural activities. The technologies include Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data Analytics and Block Chair Technology. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research has also compiled over one hundred mobile Apps to help farmers with a specific purpose.

2. NTPC & PGCIL sign MoU to enter Power Distribution Business: The National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC Ltd) and Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) have signed an agreement to set up National Electricity Distribution Company Limited (NEDCL). As per the agreement NEDCL, it will be a joint venture of NTPC and PGCIL on 50:50 equity basis. The National Electricity Distribution Company Limited (NEDCL) will undertake the business for distribution of electricity in distribution circles in various states/ Union Territories (UTs) and other related activities. This would make the power distribution sector more competitive as separating content and carriage will bring more competition with more than one power supply.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Mohamed Ould Ghazouani elected as the president of Mauritania: Mohamed Ould Ghazouani (62-years) has won Mauritania's presidential election with an absolute majority (52%- votes). His nearest rival, anti-slavery campaigner Biram Dah Abeid, came second with 18.58%. It was the first time Mauritanians voted to elect a successor to a democratically elected president in the West African state. Mohamed Ghazouani is the former general director of the national security and army's former chief of staff (2008–2018). He has been Defence Minister for Mauritania from November 2018 to March 2019.
Note: Mauritania is a country in Northwest Africa, the capital and largest city is Nouakchott. Approximately 90% of Mauritania's land is within the Sahara; consequently, the population is concentrated in the south, where precipitation is slightly higher.

2. International Widows’ Day: 23 June: The International Widows day (IWD) is observed every year on 23rd June to raise awareness of the issue of widowhood. The day addresses the poverty and injustice faced by millions of widows and their dependents in many countries. International Widows Day was established by The Loomba Foundation.

3. United Nations Public Service Day: 23rd June: The United Nations Public Service Day is observed on 23rd June every year to recognize the work of public servants and to encourage young people to pursue careers in the public sector. The day seeks to mark the invaluable contributions of public servants and administrators to build a better world for all.

4. UAE launches UN-developed anti money laundering platform ‘goAML’: The UAE has become the first country in the Gulf to launch ‘goAML’, a new anti money laundering reporting platform developed by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to curb organised crimes. All financial entities and Designated Non Financial Businesses or Professions have to register on ‘goAML’. The platform will help the Financial Intelligence Unit of UAE to prevent money laundering, financing of terrorism and other illicit financial activities.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. Indian women’s Hockey team wins FIH Series finals: India Hockey team clinched the women’s FIH Series Finals Hockey Tournament by beating Japan 3-1 in the summit clash at the Hiroshima Hockey Stadium in Japan. By entering final of FIH Series Indian women’s team have already secured its place in the final round of 2020 FIH Olympics qualifiers. Women’s FIH Series is the 2nd stage of 2018–19 editions of Hockey Series participation of 24 teams (from 5 confederations). The top two teams from each event qualified for 2019 FIH Olympic Qualifiers. Indian men had won the FIH Series Finals in Bhubaneswar recently.

2. Lewis Hamilton wins French Grand Prix 2019: Defending World Drivers' Champion, Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) continued his run of form as he won the 2019 French Grand Prix at Circuit Paul Ricard. British racing driver Hamilton defeated his teammate Valtteri Bottas. Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel (5th) was outgunned by colleague Charles Leclerc (3rd), while Red Bull star Max Verstappen just missed the podium in fourth. The win also marked Hamilton's sixth triumph in eight races this season.
Note: The 2019 FIA Formula One World Championship is an ongoing motor racing championship for Formula One cars which marks the 70th running of the Formula One World Championship.

3. Asia Rugby Championships: India women claim first-ever test match victory: Team India claimed its first ever international women's 15s victory with a 21-19 win over Singapore in the Asia Rugby Women's Championship Division 1 in Manila, Philippines. Sumitra Nayak kicked a penalty in the death to claim a narrow victory for the girls in blue. This victory means India finished third in the tournament, ergo claiming a bronze medal.  China won gold with an incredible 68-0 victory over hosts Philippines.

4. Sofia Kenin beats Belinda Bencic to claim Mallorca Open title: American 20-year-old Sofia Kenin saved three match points on her way to beating third seed Belinda Bencic 6-7(2-7), 7-6(7-5), 6-4 in the final of the Mallorca Open grass court final.
BANKING AND FINANCE

1. RBI Deputy Governor Viral Acharya resigns: RBI Deputy Governor Viral V Acharya has resigned from his post, six months before the scheduled end of his term. Mr. Acharya joined the Reserve Bank in January 2017 and was RBI’s youngest deputy governor, post-economic liberalisation. Acharya will be returning to New York University as CV Starr Professor of Economics. With Acharya’s resignation, the RBI is now left with three Deputy Governors N.S. Vishwanathan, B.P. Kanungo and M.K. Jain.

2. Foreign investors pump in Rs 10312 crore in June so far: Overseas investors have infused more than 10,000 crore rupees in the domestic capital markets this month so far, with debt segment accounting for the lion's share. Equity investments have slowed down on account of rising geopolitical tensions in West Asia as well as US-India trade conflict. As per the latest depositories data, foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) pumped in around 552 crore rupees into equities and around 9,761 crores into the debt market during Jun 3 to 21, taking the cumulative net investment to 10,313 crore rupees.

OBITUARIES

1. Former Pakistan Foreign Minister passes away: Pakistan's former Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar (88-years) passed away. Mr. Sattar served as the Foreign minister under then-president Pervez Musharraf government (from 1999 to 2002). He was the part of Mussaraf delegation who visited India for the historic Agra Summit in 2001. Sattar also served as the foreign secretary from 1986-88. Sattar was also a writer and authored a book of the foreign policy of Pakistan.

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