Daily GK Updates - 8th June, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Housing Ministry launches Swachh Survekshan League: Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Puri launched Swachh Survekshan League 2020. It will be conducted in three quarters of 2019 and the final quarter in 2020. The results of the League will form part of Swachh Survekshan 2020, the 5th edition of the annual cleanliness survey of urban India to be conducted in January-February 2020.

2. ISRO to launch Chandrayaan-2 between July 9-16: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has found a suitable window to launch India’s second spacecraft to the moon, 'Chandrayaan-2' between July 9 and July 16 with an expected soft landing on the moon on September 6. ISRO sources have confirmed that GSLV Mark-III will launch Chandrayaan-2 from Sriharikota during the favoured window time. All three modules of the moon mission, Orbiter, Lander-Vikram and Rover-Pragyan are ready. The modules underwent tests in the ISRO satellite Integration and test establishment campus in Bengaluru and are ready to be shifted to Sriharikota spaceport of ISRO. India is standing on a cusp of creating history by becoming the only country in the world to launch a rover in the lunar South Pole.

3. Culture Minister inaugurates exhibition-‘Unknown masterpieces of Himachal Folk Art’: Culture Minister Prahalad Singh Patel has inaugurated the exhibition titled Unknown Masterpieces of Himachal Folk Art at National Museum in New Delhi. The Exhibition is being jointly organised by the National Museum and Home of Folk Art, Gurugram in which more than 240 artifacts displayed. The aim of the exhibition is to highlight the Folk-art tradition of Himachal Pradesh. It will remain open for public till 31st of next month.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. World Oceans Day being observed globally: World Oceans Day (WOD) is observed every year on 8th June to provide an opportunity to take personal and community action to conserve the ocean and its resources. The theme of World Oceans Day- 2019 is "Gender and Oceans". The main action focus is to prevent plastic pollution and encourage solutions for a healthy ocean. The Ocean Project has promoted and coordinated World Oceans Day globally since 2002.

2. World Brain Tumor Day: 8 June: World Brain Tumor Day is observed on the June 8 every year with the objective of spreading awareness and educating people about the same. Brain tumors are fatal, with majority of the patients dying within 9 to 12 months of diagnosis. Every year 40,000 to 50,000 people are diagnosed with brain tumors, out of which 20 per cent are children.

3. S Jaishankar reaches Bhutan for his first overseas visit as External Affairs Minister: S Jaishankar arrived in Bhutan for his first overseas visit as External Affairs Minister. This is Mr. Jaishankar's first overseas visit after assuming charge of the Ministry. During the visit, Mr Jaishankar will call on Bhutanese Prime Minister Lotay Tshering and meet his counterpart Tandi Dorji.The Minister is also expected to receive an audience with King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.

4. Left-wing opposition bloc wins General Election in Denmark: In Denmark, left-wing opposition bloc has won the General Election of the country, leaving behind the ruling Liberal Party. Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen conceded defeat after his party came second with 75 seats in the Parliament as against the 91 seats of the Social Democrats. Lokke told supporters at an election rally that the country had a good election, but there will be a change of government. With all votes counted, results showed the left-wing bloc, led by the Social Democrats, won a majority in the parliament, while the right-wing led by Rasmussen took 75 seats following a collapse for the anti-immigrant Danish People's Party.

5. Military government chief Prayuth Chan-ocha elected Thailand PM: Thailand’s new parliament has elected military government chief Prayuth Chan-ocha as the country’s prime minister, completing a transition from coup leader to head of a civilian government in a system seen tilted in his favour. He comfortably exceeded the 375-vote threshold in the two houses of parliament to give him the majority needed to fend off his sole challenger, a charismatic billionaire heading up the anti-military government coalition.

Note: Capital: Bangkok, Currency: Thai baht

OTHER UPDATES:

BANKING AND FINANCE

1. Fincare SFB, Kookmin Bank gets included into second schedule of RBI Act: Fincare Small Finance Bank and Kookmin Bank have been included in the second schedule of the Reserve Bank of India Act, according to RBI notifications. Fincare Small Finance Bank was included in the Second Schedule to the Reserve Bank of India Act vide notification dated March 28. The central bank in separate notification said that Kookmin Bank has been included in the Second Schedule vide notification dated April 4. Fincare Small Finance Bank, as a Scheduled Commercial Bank can now broad-base its lines of funding and liquidity facilities. The Bank can issue certificates of deposits and get access to interbank borrowings at competitive interest rates, enabling it to bring down its cost of funds.

2. IRDAI Hikes third party insurance premium for Small-Medium Cars: The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has increased the third party (TP) motor insurance premium for small and medium private cars in the range of 12-12.5% for 2019-20. The TP motor insurance premium for two-wheelers and heavy vehicles has also been hiked. The new rates will come into effect from June 16, 2019.