Daily GK Updates - 18th January, 2020

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Centre of Block Chain Technology sets up in Bengaluru: The National Informatics Centre (NIC) has set up the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Blockchain Technology in Bengaluru, Karnataka. The CoE was inaugurated by the Union Minister for Law & Justice, Communications and Electronics & Information Technology, Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad on 18 January 2020. The Centre of Excellence will facilitate the Government Departments in building proof of concepts for use of Blockchain technology in different dimensions of governance to enhance transparency, traceability and trust in e-governance systems. CoE will also provide Blockchain as a Service (BaaS) for efficient hosting of Blockchain network.

2. Union Minister of Fertilizers launched the ‘Apna Urea – Sona Ugle‘ brand of HURL: The Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers, DV Sadananda Gowda unveiled the logo and brand ‘Apna Urea Sona Ugle’ of Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan Limited (HURL) on 17 January 2020. HURL is a joint venture company promoted by the three Maharatna companies namely Coal India (CIL), National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) and Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) as the lead promoters and Fertilizer Corporation of India (FCIL) and Hindustan Fertilizer Corporation (HFCL) as other two partners. In 2016, Government had directed for the revival of five major sick fertiliser plants of which, the task of the revival of three units has been undertaken by HURL. The sick urea units are located at Gorakhpur (Uttar Pradesh), Barauni (Bihar) and Sindri (Jharkhand).

3. Union Territory of Ladakh Signs MoU with NITI Aayog for Development of Infrastructure Projects: NITI Aayog has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Union Territory of Ladakh on 17 January 2020 to promote the development of key infrastructure sectors in the region. NITI Aayog is providing support to UT’s administration under its key initiative ‘Development Support Services to States for Infrastructure Projects (D3S-i)’. The MoU will help towards identification of high-impact priority projects, expedited project implementation, addressing structural-level issues and creating unique models of development for the Union Territory of Ladakh, especially in tourism, solar energy and basic infrastructure.

4. 3rd Edition of North Zone Conference of MIB’s of Media Units held in Jammu: The 3rd edition of North Zone Conference’ of Media Units of Information and Broadcasting Ministry, held in Jammu. The Conference is being organised by the Regional Outreach Bureau, Jammu and Kashmir region.

Note: Lieutenant (Lt) Governors of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K): Girish Chandra Murmu.

5. Mizoram to celebrate Chapchar kut in March 2020: The Mizoram government and organizing committee under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Zoramthanga decided to celebrate Chapchar Kut, the biggest and most important festival of the Mizos, on March 6, 2020. While March 5 will be celebrated as pre-festival, which would be graced by Art and Culture Minister R Lalzirliana as “Kut Pa” or the “father of the festival”? Theme: "Promotion of Mizos' culture and moral code".

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Oleksiy Honcharuk Resigns as Prime Minister of Ukraine: The incumbent Prime Minister of Ukraine, Oleksiy Honcharuk submitted his resignation to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on 17 January, after less than six months in the role. The resignation is however still to be confirmed by the President. Oleksiy Honcharuk has been the Prime Minister of Ukraine since 29 August 2019 becoming the youngest-ever head of government at the age of 35.

Note: Ukraine capital: Kyiv; Currency: Ukrainian hryvnia

2. Microsoft promises to be carbon negative by 2030: The US tech giant Microsoft has announced that it would become “carbon negative” by year 2030 and by 2050 it will have removed all the carbon it has emitted since 1975. To become negative, the company will have to not just reduce its carbon emissions and shift to renewable resources but actually offset its carbon footprint. It has also announced its investment of $1 billion in a “climate innovation fund” for technology for carbon capture and removal.

Note: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Microsoft: Satya Nadella; Founded: April 4, 1975; Headquarters: Washington, United States (US).

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. ICC U-19 World Cup Cricket begins in South Africa: The ICC Under-19 World Cup Cricket 2020 begins in South Africa.  India is the defending champions in U19 World Cup 2018. Total 16 teams are participating in the tournament, split into four groups of four.

Note: Chairman of ICC: Shashank Manohar; Chief Executive: Manu Sahney; Headquarters: Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

2. Sania Mirza wins WTA International women's doubles title: Indian women tennis star, Sania Mirza and her Ukrainian partner Nadiia Kichenok have won the women's doubles title of the WTA International trophy at Hobart in Australia. In the final, they beat Shaui Peng and Shuai Zhang of China 6-4,6-4. It is Sania's 42nd WTA doubles title and first since Brisbane International trophy in 2007 with American partner Bethanie Mattek-Sands.

3. Vinesh Phogat wins gold medal in UWW Rome Ranking Series 2020: Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat won the first gold medal of the 2020 season at the Rome Ranking Series event in Rome on January 17, 2020. India’s wrestling champion Vinesh Phogat defeated Ecuador’s Luisa Elizabeth Melendres 4-0 in the final (53 kg) to win her first gold medal of the season at the UWW Rome Ranking Series. Earlier, Anshu Malik settled for a silver in 57kg competition. Till now, India’s medal tally in Rome Series has reached 5 including 2 gold, 2 silver and 1 bronze.

DEFENCE

1. India to Receive Five S-400 air defence systems from Russia by 2025: Russia has started production of S-400 long-range surface-to-air missile systems for India. All five units will be delivered to India by 2025. The S-400 air defence missile systems are among the best in the world. The S-400 air defence missile systems is an upgraded version of the S-300, was previously only been available to the Russian defence forces. India signed USD 5.43-billion deal with Russia for the purchase of 5 units of S-400 systems on October 5, 2018, during the 19th India-Russia Annual Bilateral Summit in New Delhi, for long-term security needs.

Note: Union Defence Minister: Rajnath Singh.

OBITUARIES

1. Former India all-rounder Bapu Nadkarni passes away: Rameshchandra Gangaram ‘Bapu’ Nadkarni, former Indian cricketer, mainly known for being an economical bowler, has passed away due to old-age related problems. He was 86. The legendary India all-rounder was best known for bowling a record 21 successive maiden overs in a Test match. Nadkarni was a left-handed batsman and slow-left arm orthodox bowler who had played 41 Tests and 191 first-class matches.

2. World’s shortest man Khagendra Thapa Magar passes away: Guinness World Records holder, world’s shortest man, Khagendra Thapa Magar, passed away in Nepal on 18 January 2020. He was 27. Magar was just 67.08 cm tall and was declared the shortest man alive by Guinness World Records (GWR) in 2010 after turning 18. Now after passing away of Magar, the world’s shortest man record is held by Edward “Nino” Hernandez, a DJ from Colombia, who is 70.21 cm.