Daily GK Updates - 19th October, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurates 11th Nuclear Energy Conclave: The Union Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region (I/C), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurated the 11th Edition of Nuclear Energy Conclave 2019 in New Delhi. The theme of the Conclave: “Economics of Nuclear Power- Innovation towards Safer & Cost-Effective Technologies”. It was organized by India Energy Forum (IEF). Government is setting up the nuclear plants in other parts of the country. A nuclear plant is coming up in the Gorakhpur of Haryana.

2. Rajnath Singh approves the proposal for admission of girl children in Sainik Schools: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved a proposal for admission of girl children in Sainik Schools from academic session 2021-22 in a phased manner. The decision has been taken following the success of the pilot project started by the Ministry for admission of girl children in Sainik School Chhingchhip in Mizoram (2-years ago). The decision is in line with the objective of the government towards greater inclusiveness, gender equality, enabling greater participation of women in Armed Forces and strengthening the motto of ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao'.

Note: The Sainik Schools are a system of schools in India established and managed by the Sainik Schools Society under Ministry of Defence.

3. Anup Kumar Singh appointed as Director-General of NSG: A senior 1985-batch IPS officer of Gujarat cadre Anup Kumar Singh has been appointed as Director-General of the National Security Guard (NSG). He succeeds Sudeep Lakhtakia. The appointment of Mr Singh as the DG of the ‘black cats commando’ force was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The appointment will be from the date of joining the post and up to September 30, 2020. The NSG was raised as the federal contingency force to counter-terrorists.

Note: NSG was raised in 1984 as a federal contingency force with a specific aim to undertake counter-terror and counter-hijack operations and it was later tasked to protect high-risk VVIPs.

4. Sudhaker Shukla appointed as whole-time member of IBBI: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of Sudhaker Shukla as Whole-Time Member, Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI). He is a 1985 Indian Economic Service officer. His period of service is for 05 years or up to the age of 65 years.

Note: IBBI Established: 1 October 2016; Chairperson: MS Sahoo; Headquarters: New Delhi.

5. Viswanathan Anand authors book titled “Mind Master: Winning Lessons from a Champion’s Life”: Indian Chess player, Viswanathan Anand has penned a book titled “Mind Master: Winning Lessons from a Champion’s Life”. The book, published by Hachette India, is releasing on December 11. The book is based on the experience he had in the game of Chess. In the book, he revisits his greatest games and worst losses, his unique experiences of playing against the best minds, and the methods he employs to prepare for wins, cope with disappointments and, simply, stay in the game.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. United Nation General Assembly Elects 14 Member States to Human Rights Council: The United Nation General Assembly has elected 14 States to the 47 member body of UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC). The UNHRC is responsible for promoting and protecting all human rights around the globe. The Assembly elected Armenia, Brazil, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, Libya, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Namibia, Netherlands, Poland, Republic of Korea, Sudan and Venezuela. All 14 members will serve three-year terms beginning on 1 January 2020.

The newly-elected States are replacing the following outgoing members: China, Croatia, Cuba, Egypt, Hungary, Iceland, Iraq, Japan, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Tunisia and the United Kingdom. The 14 new members were elected according to the following pattern: 4 seats for the African States; 4 seats for the Asia-Pacific States; 2 seats for the Eastern European States; 2 seats for Latin American and Caribbean States; and 2 seats for Western European and other States.

Note: President of UNHRC: Coly Seck; Formation: 15 March 2006; Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.

2. India to host Interpol General Assembly in 2022: India will host the 91st Interpol General Assembly in 2022 after a proposal received the overwhelming support of member countries at this year's congregation at Santinago in Chile. It will be held as part of celebrations of the 75th anniversary of Indian Independence. The International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) had hosted the general assembly, where representatives of all member countries converge, in India in 1997.

Note: Interpol is an international police cooperation organisation with 194 member states and 100 years of experience of international cooperation in policing. Headquarters of Interpol: Lyon, France.

3. US Prez Trump will host next G7 Summit at his Doral resort: According to US President's acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney, 46th G7 summit (10 to 12th June 2020) will take place in one of US President Donald Trump's Florida golf clubs. Climate change will not be on the agenda of next year's G7 summit. The attendees will include the leaders of the seven G7 member states (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, United Kingdom, United States) as well as representatives of the European Union. The President of the European Commission has been a permanently welcome participant at all meetings and decision-making since 1981. The 45th G7 summit was held on 24–26 August 2019, in Biarritz, France.

4. US imposes record 7.5 bn tariffs on European goods: The US has slapped tariffs on a record 7.5-billion Dollars-worth of European goods. Airbus, French wine and Scottish whiskies are among the high-profile targets. The tariffs were imposed despite pleas from European officials for a last-minute reprieve and French Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire warning of retaliation.

5. NASA Astronauts complete All-Woman Spacewalk: Nasa astronauts Christina Koch and Jessica Meir have made history by completing the first-ever all-female spacewalk. They spent 7 hours outside the International Space Station (ISS) replacing a failed power control unit. Ms Koch had already carried out four spacewalks but it was the first such mission for Ms Meir, who became the 15th woman to walk in space. The US sent its first female astronaut into space in 1983 and has now had more women astronauts than any other country.

6. Former IMF chief Christine Lagarde appointed head of European Central Bank: European Union leaders confirmed the appointment of Christine Lagarde as the new chief of the European Central Bank. She will be replacing Mario Draghi (Italy) from November 1. Lagarde’s confirmation for a non-renewable term of 8-years. She served 8-years as the head of IMF since 2011.

Note: ECB headquarters: Frankfurt, Germany; Currency: Euro.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. Sarfaraz Ahmed sacked as Pakistan’s Test and T20 captain: wicket-keeper batsman Sarfaraz Ahmed (32 years) was sacked as Pakistan’s Test and T20 captain with Azhar Ali and Babar Azam elevated to leadership roles for the upcoming tour of Australia. According to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Batsman Azhar Ali would lead the Test side in the two Tests in Australia. While, Babar Azam (25-years) would be the captain in the three T20 matches. Sarfaraz has been captain in all three formats of the game since the last two years and led Pakistan to the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy title. 

AWARDS & HONOURS

1. Jennifer Aniston to receive People's Icon Award 2019: 'Friends' star Jennifer Aniston (50-years) to receive the People's Icon Award at the 2019 People's Choice Awards. The actress would be the second-ever recipient of the title. Last year, Melissa McCarthy accepted the trophy for the inaugural award. Aniston has played the most iconic, unforgettable characters and has conquered comedy and drama on both the small and big screen.

DEFENCE

1. Defence of Andaman and Nicobar Islands exercise 2019 (Danx-19): Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) has conducted the 2nd edition of Defence of Andaman & Nicobar Islands 2019 (DANX-19). The components of the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard carried out mobilisation and field manoeuvres to validate defensive plans of Headquarters ANC towards pursuance of the Command’s responsibility, namely ensuring the territorial integrity of the A&N Islands. In addition to internal forces from ANC, accretional forces from Mainland comprising ships and aircraft, Special Forces from the newly formed Armed Forces Special Operations Division (AFSOD), also participated in this edition.

OBITUARIES

1. Legendary Cuba ballet dancer Alicia Alonso passes away: Cuban ballet dancer Alicia Alonso passed away at 98. She is considered one of the greatest 20th Century ballerinas. In 1948, she founded the Alicia Alonso Ballet Company in Cuba’s capital. She formed the National Ballet of Cuba after the revolution.

2. Renowned painter Kalidas Karmakar passes away in Dhaka: Internationally acclaimed painter of Bangladesh Kalidas Karmakar passed away in Dhaka. He was born on January 10, 1946, in Faridpur district; he completed his graduation from the Government College of Fine Arts and Crafts in Kolkata in 1969. He was awarded Shilpakala Padak in 2016 and the Ekushey Padak in 2018 by the Government of Bangladesh for his contribution to fine arts.