Daily GK Updates - 30th July, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Odisha Rasagola gets Geographical Indications Tag: The rasagola, a popular dessert of Odisha, has received the geographical indication tag from the Registrar of Geographical Indication. The GI number 612 has been registered in favour of the Odisha Small Industries Corporation Limited. Historical records submitted say the ‘Odisha Rasagola’ is associated with world famous Puri Jagannath Temple.

Note: CM of Odisha: Naveen Patnaik; Governor of Odisha: Ganeshi Lal.

2. Odisha Secretariat renamed ‘Lok Seva Bhavan’: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced in State Assembly that Sachivalaya or the State secretariat will now be called as ‘Lok Seva Bhawan’. The Odisha secretariat building was inaugurated on November 12, 1959, by the then Union Home Minister Govind Ballabh Pant.

3. J&K District Administration Udhampur launches helpline “Jeene Do”: Jammu and Kashmir, District Administration Udhampur has launched a helpline, “Jeene Do”. The objective is to improve sex ratio and deal with defaulters of Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques or PCPNDT Act under the Centrally sponsored Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme. A Mobile Number ‘9469793363’ has been dedicated to the public to register complaints regarding sex determination during prenatal checkups.

Note: Governor of Jammu & Kashmir: Satya Pal Malik.

4. Maharashtra Police launches AMBIS for crime detection: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has launched the Automated Multi-modal Biometric Identification System (AMBIS) to identify and track down criminals. This technology will make it easy to track a criminal who is on police record, which will eventually increase the rates of crime detection and conviction. Under AMBIS, a digital database of criminals consisting of their fingerprints, irises, palms and facial features will be prepared, which will help to track a criminal having a single criminal record. The system is said to be first-of-its-kind in the country and Maharashtra.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. India signs MoUs with Benin: India and Benin signed four MoUs on education, health and e-visa facilities. The signing of the agreement on mutual exemption of visa requirement for holders of diplomatic and official passports and agreement on the fresh line of credit of 100 million US dollars by India to finance development projects in Benin. Benin also extended its support for India's candidature for permanent membership of UN Security Council.

Note: Benin President: Patrice Talon; Capital: Porto-Novo; Currency: West African CFA franc.

2. India, Myanmar signs MoU on Defence Co-Operation: Minister of State for Defence and Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services of Myanmar signed MoU to enhancing defence co-operation, review joint exercises and training provided to Myanmar Defence Services, strengthen maritime security by joint surveillance and capacity building, medical co-operation, pollution response and for developing new infrastructure.

Note: Myanmar Presiden: Win Myint; Capital: Naypyitaw.

3. India-Nepal Logistics Summit organised in Kathmandu: Prime Minister of Nepal KP Sharma Oli has inaugurated ‘India-Nepal Logistics Summit’ in Kathmandu, Nepal. The theme of the summit was “Transforming Logistics Landscape”. He stressed upon smooth and quality logistics between India and Nepal. The aim of the bilateral cooperation is initiatives have been taken on crucial components of road, rail, inland waterways and air connectivity.

Note: President: Bidhya Devi Bhandari; Capital: Kathmandu; Currency: Nepalese rupee.

4. World Day Against Trafficking in Persons: 30 July: United Nations observes 30 July every year as World Day Against Trafficking. In 2013, the General Assembly designated July 30 as the World Day against Trafficking in Persons to raise awareness of the situation of victims of human trafficking and for the promotion and protection of their rights. On the 2019 World Day UNODC is focusing on highlighting the importance of Government action with a tagline: Human Trafficking: call your government to action

Note: Headquarters of the UN: New York, USA; Founded: 24 October 1945; Secretary General of the United Nations: Antonio Guterres.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. Sniper Frontier Competition: 2019: A Nine member Indian Army team has left for Belarus to compete in the Sniper Frontier Competition as part of the International Army Games scheduled on 03 Aug to 17 Aug 2019. An intense sniper competition and encompassing flexibility of mind, physical fitness along with firing. The competition is likely to have over 23 participating countries including Russia & China.

Note: Chief of the Army Staff: General Bipin Rawat.

2.  Former France defender Patrice Evra announced retirement: Former France and Manchester United defender Patrice Evra has announced his retirement. He had played 81 times for France and also captained the side at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. He went on to make almost 300 appearances for the Manchester United club, winning 5 League titles and the Champions League.

3.  Collin Morikawa wins the US PGA title: American Collin Morikawa has won the US PGA title at the Barracuda Championship. This was his 1st win in the US PGA title. It is the only US tour event that uses the Modified Stableford scoring system. US's Troy Merritt finished as the runner up of the event.

4. Tamil Nadu girl wins gold medal in World Deaf title: Tamil Nadu girl Jerlin Anika has won the gold medal in the World Deaf Youth Badminton Championships held in Taipei. 15-year-old Anika bagged four medals in the championship, including the gold, two silver and one bronze.

Note: President of Taiwan: Tsai Ing-wen; Currency of Taiwan: Taiwanese Dollar.

5. Dalilah Muhammad shatters 400m hurdles World record: Olympic champion Dalilah Muhammad shattered one of the longest standing records in women’s athletics with a superb display to clinch victory in the 400m hurdles at US Championships. Dalilah Muhammad took more than a tenth of a second off a record that had stood for 16 years, clocking 52.20 seconds to beat Russian Yuliya Pechonkina's previous mark of 52.34 seconds.

6. ICC launches World Test Championship: The International Cricket Council (ICC) officially decided that the inaugural ICC World Test Championship will be played from 1st of August to 30th April 2021(to be played over two years). The World Test Championship will witness the top nine Test teams in the world compete in 71 Test matches across 27 series. Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and the West Indies are the nine teams that will battle it out for the top honours in the World Test Championship.

Note: India will begin their campaign in the championship with the two-match Test series against the West Indies starting on 22nd of next month.

BANKING AND FINANCE

1. RBI fines Mobikwik & Hip Bar for violating norms: The Reserve Bank of India has imposed a penalty on two online payment solutions providers. Mobikwik Systems and Hip Bar for non compliance of regulatory guidelines. Mobikwik Systems Private Limited has been slapped a fine of Rs 15 lakh while Hip Bar Pvt Ltd faced a fine of Rs 10.85 lakh.

AWARDS AND HONOURS

1. Vidisha Baliyan was crowned the Miss Deaf World 2019 title: Vidisha Baliyan, a 21 year old girl from Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar city, was crowned the Miss Deaf World 2019 title. The international beauty pageant was held in Mbombela, South Africa. She is a former international tennis player who represented India in the Deaflympics and also won a silver medal.

DEFENCE

1. IN LCU L56 ship commissioned into Indian Navy: The sixth ship of the Landing Craft Utility (LCU) MK IV class, IN LCU L56, was commissioned into the Indian Navy. Vice Admiral Atul Kumar Jain, Eastern Naval Command commissioned the ship in a ceremony held at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam. According to Vice Admiral, the induction of LCU 56 will add to Maritime and Humanitarian and Disaster Relief capability. The ship will be deployed for multi-role activities such as beaching operations, search and rescue missions, disaster relief operations, coastal patrol and surveillance operations along the Andaman and Nicobar Group of Islands.

Note: LCU 56 is an amphibious ship with its primary role being transportation and deployment of Main Battle Tanks, Armoured Vehicles, Troops and Equipment from ship to shore.

OBITUARIES

1. Former Andhra Pradesh state Minister Mukesh Goud passes away: Senior Congress leader and former minister M. Mukesh Goud (60-years) passed away after a prolonged illness in Hyderabad. Mukesh Goud was suffering from cancer. He was also a popular backward caste leader and never hesitated to raise his voice for the cause of the BCs. He served as BC Welfare and Marketing Minister in Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy and Kiran Kumar Reddy Cabinets.