Daily GK Updates - 24th November, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Vijay Kumar Dev appointed Delhi chief secretary : Senior IAS officer Vijay Kumar Dev (1987 batch from AGMUT  cadre) has been appointed as the chief secretary of Delhi.He replaced Anshu Prakash (transferred last week as the additional secretary of the Department of Telecommunications).Earlier, Mr. Dev has served as the chief election officer of Delhi

2. Cabinet clears mandatory jute packaging of 100% food grains : The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has given its approval to expand the scope of mandatory packaging norms under the Jute Packaging Material (JPM) Act, 1987.The CCEA approved that 100% of the food grains and 20% of sugarshall be andatorily packed in diversified jute bags.The decision to pack sugar in diversified jute bags will give an impetus to the diversification of the jute industry.The CCEA also approved the establishment of National Facility for Airborne Research with a financial commitment of 130 crore rupeesduring 2020-21 and beyond.

3. Malaria cases declined by 24% in India : According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), India is the only country to have recorded a substantial decline in malaria cases in 2017 out of the 11 highest burden countries worldwide.India accounted for 4% of global malaria cases in 2017.As reflected in this year's World malaria report, India registered a 24% reduction in cases over 2016, largely due to substantial declines of the disease in the highly malarious state of Odisha.

4. Tripura Governor inaugurates 7th International Tourism Mart in Agartala : Tripura Governor Prof. Kaptan Singh Solanki has inaugurated the “7th International Tourism Mart for the North-East States”.This is an annual event organised in the North Eastern region with the objective of highlighting the tourism potential of the region in the domestic and international markets.It brings together the tourism business fraternity and entrepreneurs from the eight North Eastern States.  

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Millie Bobby Brown named UNICEF’s youngest-ever Goodwill Ambassador : Emmy-nominated British actress ‘Millie Bobby Brown’ (14-year) has been appointed as UNICEF’s newest Goodwill Ambassador.She is joined by stars and leaders in entertainment, government, sport and business who are rallying for children in support of their rights.In addition to these high-profile advocates, countries around the world are appointing UNICEF Youth Ambassadors and collaborating with Youth Advocates.

2. S.P. Ganguly awarded Mexican Order of Aztec Eagle : The  Mexican government has honoured Indian academician Shyama Prasad Ganguly (first Indian Academician) with 'Orden Mexicana del Águila Azteca' (Mexican Order of the Aztec Eagle), the highest civilian honour given to a foreigner by Mexico.He was awarded for disseminating Spanish language and Mexican culture to strengthen Mexico-India cultural relations.Mr. Gaguky is the former professor of Spanish and Latin American Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).

3.Filmmaker Nandita Das to receive FIAPF Award : Filmmaker Nandita Das will be honoured with the International Federation of Film Producers ssociations (FIAPF) Award at the 12th Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA) in Brisbane.She will be presented the award in recognition of her achievement in film in the Asia Pacific region.Nandita Das started her career as an actor in films like "1947 Earth", "Fire" and "Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa".

4. MEA Sushma Swaraj co-chaired 9th meeting of India-Lao PDR Joint Commission : The union external Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has co-chaired the 9th Meeting of India-Lao PDR Joint Commission on Bilateral Co-operation with her counterpart Saleumxay Kommasith in Vientiane.The two sides have reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations covering areas of Defence, Agriculture, Trade and Investment, Science and IT, Energy and Mining among others.

OTHER UPDATES:

OBITUARIES:

1. Noted Indian classical musician Ustad Imrat Khan passes away : Classical music stalwart Ustad Imrat Khan (83-years) passed away in the US after a brief illness.Mr. Khan dedicated his life to propagating the Sitar and the surbahar worldwide.Imrat Khan famously turned down the Padma Shri last year saying the recognition had come too late and diminished his achievements.

Daily GK Updates - 3rd November, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 1.Atul Goel takes charge as MD, CEO of UCO Bank : Atul Kumar Goel has assumed charge as Managing Director (MD) and CEO (Chief executive officer) of UCO Bank.Earlier, he was executive director of Union Bank of India.Goel takes over from R K Takkar who completed his three-year tenure on 1^st November 2018.UCO Bank (formerly United Commercial Bank) established in 1943 in Kolkata.

2.Railway Ministry launched ‘UTS on Mobile’ facility : The Ministry of Railways has launched the ‘Unreserved Mobile Ticketing’ facility (UTS on Mobile) to enable seamless booking of unreserved tickets in all Zonal Railways.Now, the booking of unreserved tickets on all non-suburban sections across all Zonal Railways will now be made available on mobile.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Doha to host World Corporate Games : The World Corporate Games 2019 will be held for the first time in the Middle East in Doha, organisers of the Games  anounced. The 23rd edition is held under the patronage of Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani and will bring together the local, regional and international business sporting community.It will be the first time that the World Corporate Games, established nearly 30 years ago, incorporate eSports and mind sports.

2. India and Japan sign a loan agreement worth Rs. 1817 crore : India and Japan have signed a loan agreement worth of approximately 1817 crores for the construction of Turga Pumped Storage (I).The objective of the Project is to strengthen the capability to respond to a fluctuation in supply and demand of power and to improve the stability of the power supply.In the last few years, the economic cooperation between India and Japan has steadily progressed.

3. India Pavilion inaugurated at Videocittà 2018 in Rome Film Festival : India Pavilion inaugurated at Videocittà 2018 in Rome Film Festival.India Pavilion at Videocitta 2018 showcased Indian films’ heritage, ease of film shooting in India, promoted film shooting locations in India.It is an event focussing on Virtual Reality, Video gaming, Animation, Film Making, etc. was organized along with Rome Film Festival and Mercato Internazionale dell' Audiovisivo (MIA) (the International Audio-Visual Market).

OTHER UPDATES:

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1.  Kirloskar Capital gets RBI nod for NBFC biz : Kirloskar Capital has received RBI licence to start a non-banking financial company (NBFC).Kirloskar Capital is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kirloskar Oil Engines (KOEL), plans to lend more than Rs 1,000 crore over the next three years.Earlier, the company roped in former Indo-Star Capital Finance Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Vimal Bhandari, to head its operations.

BANKING/FINANCE:

1.  Bank of Maharashtra to reinstate CEO, ED : The board of directors of Bank of Maharashtra decided to restore/reinstate the functional responsibilities of RP Marathe, Managing Director and CEO, and RK Gupta, Executive Director, with immediate effect.This move is possibly an indication that these two top executives, who were taken into custody by the Pune police for the bank’s Rs 96.52-crore exposure to DSK Developers, have got a clean chit from the authorities. Earlier, the board, in its meeting held on June 29, had divested these two top executives of all their functional responsibilities.

SPORTS:

1. Azhar Ali announces retirement from ODIs : Former Pakistan captain Azhar Ali has announced his retirement from ODI cricket in order to prolong his Test career.Azhar has been one of Pakistan's most prolific run-scorers in Test cricket as he scored a triple century and a double hundred in Tests in the UAE and Australia in 2016 & 2017.In January 2018, he played his last ODIs against New Zealand.

Daily GK Updates - 1st November, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1.Senior IPS officer S S Deswal appointed ITBP chief : Senior IPS officer S S  Deswal (IPS officer -1984 batch -Haryana cadre) has been appointed the chief of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) till 31st August, 2021.He has been appointed in place of R K Pachnanda.Shri Deswal will hold the additional charge of the post of DG, Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) till further orders.

2.Anupam Kher resigns as FTII Chairman : Actor Anupam Kher has resigned as the chairman of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) citing commitments to an international TV show in the U.S.Due to those commitments, Mr. Kher has informed the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting that he will not be present in the country for nearly nine months between 2018-19.Anupam Kher was appointed as the FTII chairman on 11^th October 2017 (replaced Gajendra Chauhan).

3. J&K State Administrative Council approves the J&K Municipal Laws (Amendment) bill, 2018 : The State Administrative Council (SAC) of Jammu and Kashmir under the chairmanship of Governor, Satya Pal Malik has approved "The Jammu and Kashmir Municipal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2018”.SAC has also approved honorarium for Sarpanchs and Panchs to be elected in the ensuing Panchayat elections.The SAC hoped that the provision would infuse enthusiasm among the elected Panchayat members- the election for which is being held in nine phases.

4.  Madhya Pradesh celebrates its 63rd Foundation Day today : Madhya Pradesh is celebrating its 63rd Foundation Day in all the districts of the state with traditional pride and grandeur.Madhya Pradesh was founded on November 1, 1956, and now is the second largest Indian state in size with an area of 3 Lakh 8 thousand sq. km.Madhya Governor Smt. Anandiben Patel congratulated the people of the state on the foundation day. the theme for the celebrations is the heritage of MP and all performances will revolve around folk and classical performances.

5.  J&K: Governor Satya Pal Malik flags off SAUBHAGYA RATH from Raj Bhawan Jammu : Governor Mr Satya Pal Malik flagged off ‘SAUBHAGYA RATH’ comprising 20 vehicles each for one District of Kashmir and Jammu divisions from Raj Bhawan, Jammu.The SAUBHAGYA RATH under ‘Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana’ - SAUBHAGYA shall move in each district for one month, to rule out the possibility of any household remaining un-electrified.A total of 2,26,367 households (Out of 3,57,405) were already proposed under the ongoing Deen Dayal Upadhaya Gram Jyoti Yojana -(DDUGJY)' and other allied schemes.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1.  Japan joins International Solar Alliance : Japan has announced to join the group International Solar Alliance (ISA).Japan will be the 71st country to sign and 48th country to ratify the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Framework.The primary objective of the alliance is to work for efficient exploitation of solar energy to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

2. Qatar sets up a support fund for migrant workers Qatar has set up a support fund for foreign workers who run into difficulties for not being paid.The fund would support and care for workers, secure their rights and provide a healthy and safe work environment for them.The changes are part of a three-year agreement signed by Qatar last November with the UN's International Labour Organization to oversee reform.

OTHER UPDATES:

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. India jumps 23 places to 77th in ease of doing the business ranking : India has jumped 23 places (now 77^th rank) in ease of doing business ranking (last year-100th place).Now, India is recognised as among top ten improvers for the 2nd consecutive year.The biggest gain was in construction permit where India climbed 129 ranks to 52nd place on the back of targeted government effort to remove hurdles

SPORTS:

1. Pankaj Advani wins the second leg of Asian Snooker Tour in Jinan, China  : World champion (19^th times) Pankaj Advani has won the second leg of the Asian Snooker Tour in Jinan, China.He has become the first Indian to win an Asian Snooker Tour event. Advani delivered a power-packed performance to outclass China's Ju Reti 6-1 in the final.

2. Sri Lanka's bowling coach Nuwan Zoysa suspended by ICC : According to an ICC release, Sri Lanka's bowling coach Nuwan Zoysa has been suspended with immediate effect by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and charged with match-fixing. Mr Zoysa has 14 days from tomorrow to respond to the charges. Zoysa has been charged with articles which relate to match-fixing and encouraging players to influence results.

Daily GK Updates - 28th October, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Arunachal, British Council sign MoU for cultural cooperation : The Arunachal Pradesh government signed a MoU with The British Council in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh to strengthen educational and cultural cooperation.The MoU was signed by Tayek Talom, Director of Higher and Technical Education of Arunachal Pradesh, and Alan Gemmell, Director, British Council India, on the sidelines of the Tawang Festival. As per the MOU, as many as 50 faculty members from government higher education institutions will be trained by the British Council every year, starting from December. Further, 50 students of higher and technical education institutes will be trained in English language skills annually.

2. Meghalaya launches Blue Revolution: Integrated Development and Management of Fisheries The Meghalaya government is all set to launch a new scheme Blue Revolution: Integrated Development and Management of Fisheries on October 26 next to meet the requirements of the state. The Central Government has sanctioned Rs 51 crore for scheme and the State Government has already received the first installment of Rs 25 crore.The Union Government under the scheme is targeting to enhance the fish production from 107.95 lakh tonnes in 2015-16 to about 150 lakh tonnes by the end of the financial year 2019-20.

3. Kerala the best State for teenage girls in India – Report : Kerala tops the TAG index which compares the performance of each State based on the status of their teenage girls, as a part of the survey findings of The Teen Age Girls (TAG) Report, conducted by Project Nanhi Kali.Compiled and published by the Naandi Foundation, with grant support from Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd, this report is touted as the nation’s first report on what it means to be a teenage girl in India.Kerala is followed by Mizoram, Sikkim, Manipur and Himachal Pradesh as the top States, while the top three cities were found to be Mumbai, Kolkata and Bengaluru.

4. Portal to promote Odia language, literature inaugurated in Odisha : Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched a new web portal of ‘Odia Virtual Academy’ (www.ova.gov.in) to promote the Odia language and literature at the Secretariat in Bhubaneshwar. The new website will be helpful in the promotion of Odia language at the international level, especially for the Non Resident Odias (NROs) Three memoranda of understanding (MoUs) were signed by the Odisha Government with the University of Chicago library, CDAC and Centre for Internet and Society, Bengaluru to expedite digitisation of Odia literature and development of Odia software

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Indo-Canadians pledge $7mn to build hostels for poor children in India : Indo-Canadian expatriates have donated more than $7 million dollars to a Toronto-based non-profit organisation which builds and runs education hostels in rural India. The non-profit AIM for SEWA (Canada) builds hostels in far-flung, rural areas of India to educate children from poor families.At this year’s annual gala dinner in Toronto attended by former Miss India Pooja Batra, many Indo-Canadians pledged donations to AIM for SEWA to take its collections to over $7 million dollars to promote education of poor rural kids in India.

2. Higgins re-elected Irish President again : Michael D Higgins has been re-elected Irish president after winning a landslide victory with 822,566 votes. The 77-year-old professor and campaigner will serve his second term after first being elected in 2011. Mr Higgins is Ireland’s ninth president.

3. International Animation Day 2018 : International Animation Day is celebrated on October 28, commemorating the day in 1892 when Charles-Emile Reynaud’s Theatre Optique made its first public appearance in Paris. The day recognises and celebrates the artists, technicians and scientists behind the art of animation in all its forms and avatars.

OTHER UPDATES:

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. Former SBI chairman Arundhati Bhattacharya appointed as independent director of Wipro : Wipro said it had appointed former State Bank of India chairman Arundhati Bhattacharya as an independent director beginning January 1, 2019. Bhattacharya’s appointment is for a period of five years.

2. UN names Human Rights Prize winners for 2018 : The United Nations has hailed the “inspiring” work of four individuals and organisations as it announced the winners of its Prize in the Field of Human Rights for 2018.The honour was given to Asma Jahangir, the late Pakistani lawyer and leading human rights defender, along withTanzanian activist Rebeca Gyumi, Brazil’s first indigenous lawyer Joenia Wapichana and Irish human rights groupsFront Line Defenders.

SPORTS:

1. Vinales Wins Australian MotoGP : Maverick Vinales ended his and Yamaha’s lengthy droughts when he won the Australian MotoGP as newly-crowned world champion Marc Marquez failed to finish after starting from pole for the fifth straight year. Yamaha had gone without a win in 25 races since Valentino Rossi won the Dutch GP last June, the longest winless streak in its history. 

Daily GK Updates - 27th October, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1.IRS officer Sanjay Kumar Mishra appointed as ED chief : The government has appointed Indian Revenue Service officer Sanjay Kumar Mishra as Enforcement Directorate chief.He will replace current ED director Karnal Singh’s whose term ended on 25th Oct 2018.Singh, a 1984-batch IPS officer of Union Territories cadre, will complete an over three-year tenure as the ED Director.The ED enforces two major laws in the country to check black money — the criminal Prevention of Money Laundering Act and the Foreign Exchange Management Act.

2. Malayalam author Benyamin’s 'Jasmine Days' wins first JCB Prize for literature :

Malayalam author Benyamin has bagged the inaugural JCB Prize for literature for his book 'Jasmine Days', which explores the lives of South Asians in the Middle East.'Jasmine Days', his second book, tells the story of a young woman in a city where the promise of revolution turns into destruction and division.It revolves around the Jasmine Revolution that sprang up in December 2010 and was quelled by January 2011.Benyamin was awarded a cash prize of ₹25 lakh, along with a magnificent trophy.

3. Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurates 10th Nuclear Energy Conclave in New Delhi  : The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) inaugurated 10th Nuclear Energy Conclave in New Delhi.He said that the Cabinet has given its approval for construction of 10 units of India’s indigenous Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWR).He also informed the audience about the “Hall of Nuclear Power”- India’s first permanent exhibition on nuclear power has been built in the national capital.

4. Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar launched a web portal of ‘IMPRESS’ scheme : With an aim to build a research ecosystem in educational institutions, Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar launched the web portal of ‘IMPRESS’ scheme.IMPRESS stands for - Impactful Policy Research in Social Sciences. The aim of the scheme is to identify and fund research proposals in social sciences with maximum impact on the governance and society.The scheme will be implemented at a total cost of Rs. 414 crore by March 2021.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1.Sahle-Work Zewde becomes Ethiopia's first female president : Ethiopian members of parliament have elected Sahle-Work Zewde as the country's first female president.She will replace Mulatu Teshome who resigned in unclear circumstances.After being sworn in, President Sahle-Work promised to work hard to make gender equality a reality in Ethiopia.Prior to her appointment, Sahle-Work served as both the special representative of the United Nations' secretary-general and the head of the UN office to the African Union.

2. Mahinda Rajapaksa becomes new Prime Minister of Sri Lanka : In Sri Lanka, the political turmoil continues after President Maithripala Sirisena appointed former President Mahinda Rajapaksa as new Prime minister.President Maithripala Sirisena sacked premier Ranil Wickremesinghe who termed the move as “unconstitutional” and vowed to prove his majority in Parliament.After Rajapaksa took an oath, Sirisena wrote to Wickremesinghe, saying he had been removed.

3. Pak lawyer Asma Jahangir wins UN Human Rights Prize posthumously : Pakistan's human rights activist and lawyer Asma Jahangir has been posthumously awarded the UN Prize along with three other winners.Rebeca Gyumi of Tanzania, Brazil's first indigenous lawyer Joenia Wapichana and Ireland's human rights  rganization Front Line Defenders are the other winners of the prize.The United Nations Prize in the Field of Human Rights is an honorary award given for outstanding achievement in human rights.The award ceremony will take place on December 10 on World Human Rights Day in New York.

4.  Young Indian scientist wins World Health Summit Startup award in Berlin : Roopam Sharma, a 23-year old Indian scientist, won the World Health Summit  tartup award, 2018 for his invention, Manovue – the world’s first intelligent personal assisting system for the visually impaired. He was awarded at an annual event of the health summit in Berlin. Manovue eliminates the need for Braille language to decipher a printed text and instead combines vision intelligence to help the visually impaired people read. He is known for his socially viable innovations that combine artificial intelligence.

5. PM Modi embarks on a 3-day visit to Japan to attend Annual Bilateral Summit : Prime Minister Narendra Modi today embarked on a three-day visit to Japan.PM Modi will attend the 13th India-Japan Annual summit with his counterpart Mr. Shinzo Abe.This will be the fifth Annual Summit meeting between Mr. Modi and Mr. Abe and their 12th meeting overall.Apart from attending the summit, Mr. Modi will visit the Robotics and Automation firm FANUC in Yamanashi and meet business leaders.

6. World Day for Audiovisual Heritage Observed today : The World Day for Audiovisual Heritage, observed by the United Nations on October 27, recognizes the need to preserve audio-visual links to the past.The General Conference of UNESCO approved the commemoration of a World Day for Audiovisual Heritage in 2005 as a mechanism to raise general awareness of the need to preserve and safeguard important audiovisual material for future generations.

OTHER UPDATES:

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. Hyundai tops in after-sales customer satisfaction survey : Hyundai Motor India has topped the after-sales customer satisfaction survey among mass market brands, according to global market research firm JD Power.Hyundai, the country's second-largest car seller, scored the highest 912 points in after-sales customer satisfaction survey, the JD Power 2018 India Customer Service Index (Mass Market) Study said.Tata Motors was ranked second with a score of 874 points followed by Mahindra & Mahindra at the third position with a score of 865.Ford with a score of 829 points was placed fourth followed by Toyota at fifth with 827 points. Car market leader Maruti Suzuki India stood at the eight positions with a score of 804.

BANKING/FINANCE:

1. Corp Bank bags MSME award : Corporation Bank has bagged the ‘Best MSME Bank - Winner 2018’ award instituted by the Assocham.The ‘6th Assocham SMEs Excellence Award – 2018’ was held in New Delhi.Shivanand Hebbar, DGM, received the award from Chief Minister of Meghalaya Conrad K Sangma.The award was conferred based on the bank’s performance in SME (small and medium enterprise) segment.

SPORTS:

1.  Sourav Kothari wins World Billiards C’ship : India's Sourav Kothari defeated Peter Gilchrist of Singapore by 1134-944 to clinch the 2018 World Billiards Championship title at Leeds in UK.The former national and Asian Billiards champion Kothari was pipped at the post for the coveted World Billiards crown on two occasions in the last two years, including a loss to Gilchrist in 2016 final in Bengaluru.

Daily GK Updates - 26th October, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1.PM Modi inaugurates farmers' conclave Krishi Kumbha in Lucknow : Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated three-day farmers' conclave 'Krishi Kumbh 2018' in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh (via video conferencing).The 'Krishi Kumbh' is being organized to promote modern technique and diversification in agriculture that could help in doubling farmers income.The Kumbh will witness Israel & Japan (as official partners) while Haryana & Jharkhand (as partner states).The summit would introduce farmers to the evolving dynamics of farming so that they could increase their earnings by tapping the vast potential in agriculture and post-harvest management of crops.

2. HRD Minister launches web portal of SPARC in New Delhi : The Minister of Human Resource Development (HRD) Prakash Javadekar has launched the web portal “sparc.iitkgp.ac.in.” in New Delhi.SPARC (Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration) scheme aims at improving the research ecosystem of India’s higher educational institutions by facilitating academic and research collaborations between Indian Institutions and the best institutions in the world.SPARC will improve research ecosystem of India’s higher educational institutions by facilitating academic and research collaborations between Indian Institutions and the best institutions in the world from 28 selected nations. 

3.Shri Rajnath Singh attends 57th Raising Day Parade of Indo-Tibetan Border Police : The Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh attended the 57th Raising Day Parade of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) at Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh.The ITBP jawans are deployed in North East and Left Wing Extremism affected areas.On this occasion, 1 Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak, 05 President’s Police Medals for istinguished Service, 23 Police medals for meritorious service and 1 Jeevan Raksha Padak were awarded.

4.Maneka Gandhi inaugurates the fifth edition of Women of India National Organic Festival : The Union Women and child development minister Maneka Sanjay ‘Gandhi’ has inaugurated the Women of India National Organic Festival (5^th edition) at Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts in New Delhi. (26th Oct to 4th November 2018). The objective of the ten days long ‘Organic Festival’ is to boost organic culture and promote women, organic farmers and entrepreneurs

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. NATO's biggest military maneuvers begin in Norway : The NATO's (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) biggest military maneuvers (since the Cold War) has begun in Norway.The wargames bring together around 50,000 personnel from all 29 NATO allies, plus partners Finland and Sweden.Around 65 vessels, 150 aircraft and 10,000 vehicles will also participate in the drill, which takes place in central and eastern Norway, the North Atlantic and the Baltic Sea. It will go on till November 7.

2.India, Bangladesh sign several agreements for enhancing inland and coastal waterways connectivity : India and Bangladesh have signed several agreements for enhancing inland and coastal waterways connectivity for trade and cruise movements.The two countries have signed an agreement to use Chattogram and Mongla Ports in Bangladesh for movement of goods to and from India.A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has also been signed for movement of passenger and cruise services.

3.China successfully tests world’s largest Cargo Drone : China has successfully tested the world’s largest cargo drone Feihong-98(FH-98), carry a payload of 1.5 tonnes (1,500 Kg). This commercial drone ‘Feihong-98’ has been developed and modified by the China Academy of Aerospace Electronics Technology.The FH-98 has a maximum take-off weight of 5.25 tonnes (flight height of 4,500 metres) a cruising speed of 180 kmph, and a maximum range of 1,200 kms.

4.India wins 2018 CAPAM International Innovations Awards : India has won the prestigious 2018 Commonwealth Association for Public Administration and Management Award.This award celebrates the spirit of innovation in the public service by recognising organisations that have made significant contributions to improve governance and services in the public sector.The Union Government had sent entries for 2018 CAPAM International Innovations Awards, under various categories.

OTHER UPDATES:

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. Wipro appoints ex-SBI chief Arundhati Bhattacharya as the Independent director : Former SBI chairperson Arundhati Bhattacharya has been appointed as an independent director of Wipro (IT company) for a term of 5 years (from 1^st Jan 2019), subject to the approval of shareholders.Bhattacharya graduated from Kolkata's Lady Brabourne College in 1977 and picked up banking as a career option for supporting the family following her father's retirement from Bokaro Steel plant as an engineer.On 7^th October 2013, Bhattacharya became the first woman to be appointed as chairman of SBI.

SPORTS:

1.Pooja Dhanda wins Bronze Medal in World Wrestling Championships in Budapest : Pooja Dhanda has won a bronze medal in the women's freestyle (57kg weight class) in Wrestling World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.Dhanda defeated Grace Bullen of Norway 10-7.Earlier, Bajrang Punia's had settled for a silver in the 65kg category.

Daily GK Updates - 25th October, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. GoM set up to strengthen safety laws for women at workplaces : The union government has constituted a group of ministers (GoM) to strengthen the legal and institutional frameworks to prevent and deal with sexual harassment of women in workplaces.The four-member GoM headed by Rajnath Singh (union home minister) will examine the existing provisions for dealing with sexual harassment of women in offices. The other members of the GoM are Nitin Gadkari, Nirmala Sitharaman and  Maneka Sanjay Gandhi .

2. Six-member panel set up to resolve stressed assets : The overseeing committee (OC) that is being set up under the inter-creditor agreement (ICA) for resolution of stressed assets will have six members.These members include Janki Ballabh (former Chairman, State Bank of India), MBN Rao (former Chairman & Managing Director, Canara Bank), M Damodaran (former Chairman, SEBI) and HR Khan (former Deputy Governor, RBI).

3. India Mobile Congress 2018 begins in New Delhi : The Indian Mobile Congress 2018 (second edition) has opened in New Delhi's Aerocity.The digital forum is organized by the COAI and brings together industry partners, OEMs, service providers, policymakers and experts to discuss and deliberate on emerging technology, issues, policy guidelines.The theme for this year is "New Digital Horizons Connect, Create, Innovate."

4. Global Agriculture Leadership Summit 2018 opens in New Delhi : Sanjay Agrawal (Secretary Agriculture and Co-operation) has inaugurated the two-day Global Agriculture Leadership Summit 2018 in New Delhi.The theme of the summit is, 'Connecting Farmers to Market'.In the meeting, several issues to double farmers’ income by 2022 were discussed.Pioneer of India's green revolution Professor MS Swaminathan was also present on the occasion.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. M.S. Swaminathan to be awarded World Agriculture Prize : Agricultural scientist M.S. Swaminathan (Pioneer of India’s Green Revolution) will receive the first World Agriculture Prize instituted by the Indian Council of Food and Agriculture (ICFA) in New Delhi.The prize will be presented by Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu at Vigyan Bhawan at a special session.The prize has been instituted by the ICFA with an aim to recognize individuals who have served humanity through agriculture.

2. Second Guwahati International Film Festival begins today : Assam Chief Minister ‘Sarbananda Sonowal’ has inaugurated the second Guwahati International Film Festival in Assam.The festival is being organized by Jyoti Chitraban in association with Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Regional Government Film and Television Institute.Total of 108 movies from 50 countries will be screened during the week-long festival, with a special focus on ASEAN countries.

OTHER UPDATES:

BANKING/FINANCE:

1. Satish Kumar Gupta appointed CEO of Paytm Payments Bank : Veteran banker Satish Kumar Gupta has been appointed as managing director (MD) and CEO of Paytm Payments Bank.Gupta comes in after Renu Satti stepped down as CEO in July.Previously, Mr. Gupta had stints as the chief product officer at National Payments Corporation of India and deputy general manager at State Bank of India.

2. PNB Metlife launches AI-powered customer service app 'Khushi' : PNB Metlife has unveiled an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered customer service app ‘Khushi’.The app is designed to be a one-stop shop providing insurance-related information, anytime, anywhere, such as policy features, premium due details besides providing fund value and portfolio details.Khushi app has the ability to understand customer intent and provide tailored responses.

SPORTS:

1. First edition of North East Olympic Games begins in Imphal : Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has declared open the first edition of North East Olympic Games (NEOG) 2018 at main Stadium Khuman Lampark Sports Complex, Imphal.Around 2000 thousand athletes will compete in 12 disciplines including Athletics, Archery, Badminton, Boxing, Football, Judo, Karate-Do, Shooting, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Weightlifting, and Wushu. The NEOG games is being organized by the MOA under the aegis of the North East Olympic Association.

2. West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo retires from international cricket : West Indies all-rounder ‘Dwayne Bravo’  announced his retirement from international cricket.He will continue to play franchise T20 cricket around the world.Dwayne Bravo last represented West Indies in a T20I game vs Pakistan in 2016.Bravo played 40 Tests, 164 ODIs & 66 T20Is for the Windies, made 2986 runs in ODIs and took 199 wickets.

3. Kohli becomes fastest to reach 10,000 runs in the history of ODI Cricket :

India captain Virat Kohli (29-year) has become the fastest batsman to score 10,000 runs in the history of ODI cricket (in just 205 innings).He overtook Sachin Tendulkar, who had reached 10,000 ODI runs (259th innings) in 2001.