Daily GK Updates - 9th September, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. GoI to spend 3.5 lakh crore rupees on Jal Jeevan Mission: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced that the central government will spend 3.5 lakh crore rupees in the next five years on ‘Jal Jeevan Mission’ to deliver potable water at every household across the country. Jal Jeevan Mission has been launched in order to free women from the trouble of having to toil hard to fetch water. Jal Jeevan Mission involves saving water and delivering water at one's doorstep.

2. PM Modi inaugurates first 'Make in India' metro coach in Mumbai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the first Metro Coach in Mumbai under the ‘Make in India’ initiative at Jio World Centre, Maharashtra, Mumbai. The coach has been built by Bharat Earth Movers (BEML) at its Bengaluru facility in flat 75 days. Mr Modi also inaugurated three Metro lines that are expected to add more than 42 km to the metro network of the city. Maharashtra is pumping in over Rs 1.2 lakh crore to build 14 metro corridors stretching 337-km over the next decade.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. President Kovind embarks on 9-day visit to Iceland, Switzerland & Slovenia: President Ram Nath Kovind embarked on an official nine-day visit to Iceland, Switzerland and Slovenia to enhance India's political and economic ties with the three European countries. In the first leg of his visit, Mr Kovind will arrive in Iceland and will hold talks with his Icelandic counterpart Guðni Th. Jóhannesson and Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir. The second leg of the visit to Switzerland will begin on the 11th of September. The President will have wide-ranging discussions with his Swiss counterpart and country's cabinet. The third leg of the visit to Slovenia will begin on 15th September and mark the first-ever visit by an Indian President to the country. During the visit, Kovind will hold wide-ranging discussion with his Slovenian counterpart Borut Pahor and the National Assembly President.

Note:  Iceland Capital: Reykjavík; Currency:  Icelandic króna 

Switzerland Capital: Bern (de-facto); Currency: Swiss franc

Slovenia Capital: Ljubljana; Currency: Euro

2. UAE hosts the 24th edition of the World Energy Congress: The 24th World Energy Congress commenced in Abu Dhabi under the patronage of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates (9-12 September 2019). The four-day World Energy Congress aims to bring together international energy stakeholders, including governments, private and state corporations, academia and media. The theme of this World Energy Congress is Energy for Prosperity which also represents the ambitious and dynamic energy transition of the country. With over 15,000 participants expected, Congress is set to welcome over 250 high-level speakers, 72 Ministers, 500 CEOs, 1000 media persons with 40,000 square-metre exhibition space that will cover the entire energy spectrum.

Note: The World Energy Council is a global and inclusive forum for thought-leadership and tangible engagement with headquarters in London. Its mission is 'To promote the sustainable supply and use of energy for the greatest benefit of all people'.

3. Saudi Arabia appoints Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman as new Energy minister: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has appointed Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman as its new Energy minister. Earlier, He had served as the Deputy and State Energy Minister for several years. Prince Abdulaziz (son of the King of Saudi Arabia) replaced the long-time oil industry veteran Khalid Al Falih. It is the first time a member of the ruling Al Saud family has held the energy minister post in the world’s top oil exporter.

4. 1st conference on military medicine for SCO to be held in Delhi: The 1st conference on military medicine for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states will be held in Delhi. The conference will be the first military co-operation event hosted by India, under the SCO Defence Co-operation Plan 2019-2020, after it became an SCO member-state in 2017. The conference will be conducted by the Indian Armed Forces under the aegis of Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS), with the aim to share best practices in the field of military medicine, build capacities and overcome a common challenge. During the conference, the Indian Armed Forces will also demonstrate the Rapid Action Medical Team and organise a visit for the delegates to the Army Research and Referral Hospital.

Note: SCO Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Headquarters: Beijing, China.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. World’s highest marathon “Ladakh Marathon” held in Leh: The 8th edition of Ladakh Marathon was held in Leh. It is the highest marathon in the world as it is held at over 11,000 feet above the mean sea level. The Marathon was held in the categories of 42 Km Full Marathon, 21 Km half marathon and 7 km long Run for Fun. Over 6000 runners from 25 countries participated in the four categories of Ladakh Marathon. The 9th Edition to be held in 2020 will be a qualifying race for the Abbot World Marathon Majors.

2. India Red beat India Green to clinch Duleep Trophy title: India Red beat India Green by an innings and 38 runs to clinch the Duleep Trophy 2019-20 title at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore. India Red had scored 388 in their first innings. On the other hand, India Green compiled 231 runs in their first innings and 119 in their second innings. Abhimanyu Easwaran, who made a brilliant 153 for India Red, was named player of the match.

Note: The Duleep Trophy is a domestic first-class cricket competition played in India between teams representing geographical zones of India. The tournament was contested by three teams, namely India Red, India Blue, and India Green.

3. Lasith Malinga becomes first T20I bowler to claim 100 wickets: Sri Lanka’s Lasith Malinga has become the first T20I bowler to take 100 wickets during the 3rd T20I against New Zealand at Pallekele. He also took a hat-trick, dismissing 4 batsmen in 4 consecutive deliveries and became the first-ever bowler to pick up 2 hat-tricks in T20I cricket. Lasith Malinga also surpassed Wasim Akram and set a record for the most number of hat-tricks in international cricket. Till now he has claimed 5 hat-tricks in his international career.

4. Brigid Kosgei runs fastest-ever women’s half-marathon: Kenya’s Brigid Kosgei completed the fastest half-marathon ever ran by a woman. She won the Great North Run in a time of 1 hour, 44 minutes and 28 seconds. She took 23 seconds less than the world record set in 2017 by fellow Kenyan Joyciline Jepkosgei.

5. Rafael Nadal beats Daniil Medvedev to win US Open men’s final: Rafael Nadal captured his 19th career Grand Slam title by winning the US Open final, outlasting Russia’s Daniil Medvedev to seize his fourth crown in New York. The 33-year-old Spanish left-hander moved one shy of Roger Federer’s all-time men’s record 20 Grand Slam triumphs. Nadal, who was in his fifth US Open championship match and 27th Grand Slam final, is the first man to claim five major titles after turning 30.

6. US Open 2019 Concludes: The 2019 US Open was the 139th edition of tennis’ US Open. Since 1987, the US Open has been chronologically the fourth and final Grand Slam tournament of the year. This year US Open was held on outdoor hard courts at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City. The tournament was an event run by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and was part of the 2019 ATP Tour and the 2019 WTA Tour calendars under the Grand Slam category. The tournament consisted of both men’s and women’s singles and doubles draw as well as a mixed doubles event.

Here is the Complete List of Winners in Different Category (with their Respective Countries):

S. No.	Category	Winner	Runner Up
1.	Men’s Singles	Rafael Nadal (Spain)	Daniil Medvedev (Russia)
2.	Women’s Singles	Bianca Andreescu (Canada)	Serena Williams (USA)
3.	Men’s Doubles	J.S. Cabal (Colombia) and R. Farah (Colombia)	M. Granollers (Spain) and H. Zeballos (Argentina)
4.	Women’s Doubles	E. Mertens(Belgium) and A. Sabalenka(Belarus)	V. Azarenka (Belarus) and A. Barty(Australia)
5.	Mixed Doubles	B. Mattek-Sands (USA) and J. Murray (U.K)	H. Chan(Taipei) and M. Venus (New Zealand)

BANKING AND FINANCE

1. PNB put up 11 NPA accounts for sale to recover dues of Rs 1,234 cr: Punjab National Bank (PNB) has put up for sale nearly a dozen non-performing assets (NPA) to recover dues of more than 1,234 crore rupees. The lender has invited bids from asset reconstruction companies non-banking financial companies, banks, financial institutions for 11 NPA accounts. The bank has asked the prospective bidders to speed up due diligence. The public lender is set to merge two peer banks ‘Oriental Bank of Commerce and United Bank of India’ with itself following the government's announcement to consolidate 10 public sector banks into four bigger entities.

2. Code of Conduct introduced for non-official directors at PSBs: The Finance Ministry has introduced a Code of Conduct for non-official directors of public sector banks. Under the new rules, the PSBs board will also have to send an annual performance report that rates a director based on professional and ethical conduct, and contribution to the board. The performance evaluation by peers will measure the director on various parameters including avoidance of direct or indirect conflict of interest, acting according to rules in the best interest of the bank, avoiding any gain to self or associates and maintaining confidentiality. The above measures taken by the department of financial services at the finance ministry aims to improve corporate governance in banks.

3. Government to recapitalise Public Sector Insurance companies: The Department of Financial Services has approved the Rs 12,000 crore capital infusion plan in the 3 state-run general insurance companies. The decision has been taken to boost their capital base and meet regulatory norms. The 3 state-run general insurance companies list includes National Insurance, Oriental Insurance and United India Insurance. The recapitalisation will also improve their solvency ratio and prepare the 3 companies for the merger which will make the entity the largest insurance company in the country.