Daily GK Updates - 28th May, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Govt sets up tribunal for adjudicating ban on LTTE: The government has constituted the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal to adjudicate whether or not there is sufficient cause for declaring the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) as an unlawful association. The Tribunal is comprised of sitting Judge of Delhi High Court Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal. LTTE was banned in India after the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1991.

2. Pema Khandu to take oath as Arunachal Pradesh CM for 2nd term: Pema Khandu will be sworn-in as the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh for the second time on 29th May. After having a landslide victory in the Assembly elections with 41 seats in the 60-seat house, the BJP held it’s Legislature Party Meeting in Itanagar. Mr. Khandu met Governor Dr. BD Mishra and staked claim to form the government.

3. Madhya Pradesh to tentatively have new UNESCO heritage site: Orchha town in Madhya Pradesh has a plethora of historical sites with the Bundela dynasty architectural style. The Archaeological Survey of India has included that heritage town of Orchha in a tentative list of UNESCO world heritage sites. It was included in the proposal sent by the ASI to the UN body in April 2019. UNESCO’s rules state that to be a part of the World Heritage sites, the heritage or historical site must first be on the tentative list. After making it to that list, yet another proposal is sent to the UNESCO. In their initial proposal, the ASI had requested that Orchha be included as a cultural heritage site.

4. Government invites BIMSTEC leaders for the swearing-in ceremony on May 30: Leaders of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) have been invited for PM Modi’s swearing-in ceremony to be held on 30th May. However, Bangladesh premier Sheikh Hasina will not attend the event due to her prior commitments. Myanmar State Councillor Aung Saan Suu Kyi’s presence is also uncertain as she is travelling overseas. Kyrgyzstan, the current chair of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), too has been invited for the event.

Apart from India, BIMSTEC comprises Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Myanmar. Indian-origin Mauritius PM Pravind Jugnauth, who visited India for Pravasi Bhartiya Divas in January, has also been invited for the May 30 event.

5. VD Savarkar’s birth anniversary being celebrated: Swatantryaveer Vinayak Damodar Savarkar’s birth anniversary is being celebrated on 28th May. Born on 28th May in 1883 near Nasik in Maharashtra, Savarkar was popularly called Veer Savarkar. He was a revolutionary who fought against the British Government. On the occasion, a function to pay floral tributes to him will be held in the Central Hall of Parliament House.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. India elected to Executive Board of first UN-Habitat Assembly: India has been elected to the Executive Board of the first UN-Habitat Assembly, announced by Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. India has been elected to the Executive Board of the first UN-Habitat Assembly at the Plenary Session of the Assembly being held in Nairobi. The first session of the UN-Habitat Assembly started on May 27th at the headquarters of UN-Habitat in Nairobi and will go on till May 31st. The special theme for the UN-Habitat Assembly is “Innovation for Better Quality of Life in Cities and Communities”.

2. Maldives Ex-Leader Mohamed Nasheed Tipped As New Speaker:  The former Maldives president Mohamed Nasheed has been nominated as the country’s parliamentary speaker. Nasheed was unanimously chosen to head the People’s Majlis, or the parliament, by his Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) which won a near three-quarter majority in the 87-member assembly in April.

Note: President of the Maldives- Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, Capital- Male, Currency- Maldivian rufiyaa

3. Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz ousted in the no-confidence vote: Austrian Parliament has removed Chancellor Sebastian Kurz from office as he lost the no confidence in a special Parliamentary session. His previous coalition ally, the far-right Freedom Party (FPO) and the opposition Social Democrats (SPO) backed the no-confidence motions. Austria’s President Alexander Van der Bellen named Vice Chancellor Hartwig Loger as the interim leader. Loger will serve until a new transitional government can be appointed ahead of elections expected in September.

4. Russia launches new nuclear-powered icebreaker in bid to open up Arctic: Russia launched a nuclear-powered icebreaker, part of an ambitious programme to renew and expand its fleet of the vessels in order to improve its ability to tap the Arctic’s commercial potential. The ship, dubbed the Ural and which was floated out from a dockyard in St Petersburg, is one of a trio that when completed will be the largest and most powerful icebreakers in the world. The Ural is due to be handed over to Russia’s state-owned nuclear energy corporation Rosatom in 2022 after the two other icebreakers in the same series, Arktika (Arctic) and Sibir (Siberia), enter service.

Note: President- Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister- Dmitry Medvedev, Capital- Moscow, Currency- Russian ruble

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. Saurabh Chaudhary wins 10m Air Pistol gold in ISSF World Cup: India's Saurabh Chaudhary (17-year) has won 10m Air Pistol Gold beating his own World Record in ISSF shooting World Cup, in Munich, Germany. Mr. Chaudhary scored 246.3 bettering his previous best of 245 points that were set in New Delhi World Cup Shooting in February 2019. Chaudhury has already secured a berth for the Tokyo Olympics.

2. Rahi Sarnobat books Olympic berth for India at ISSF WC: In the ISSF World Cup rifle pistol stage in Munich, Germany, Rahi Sarnobat has booked an Olympic quota place for India winning gold in women's 25m pistol event. Asian Games champion Rahi clinched her career's second World Cup Gold, which helped India win its sixth quota place in shooting for 2020 Tokyo Olympics. In the women's final, another Indian in the fray, Manu Bhaker had a better start than Rahi, having five out of five hits in the first of 10 series of five shots each. Now, India topped in the Munich World Cup medals tally with three gold. China is second with one gold, one silver and three bronze.

3. Anton Aditya Subowo re-elected as President of Badminton Asia: Indonesia's Anton Aditya Subowo was re-elected as the President of Badminton Asia for another four years. There were seven other people who were selected as the vice-presidents of Badminton Asia. The Badminton Association of India's president Himanta Biswa Sarma has also been elected as the vice-president. Badminton Asia also got in a new Secretary-General in Moosa Nashid from the Maldives. A total of 40 countries voted for the posts of President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary-General.

BANKING AND FINANCE

1. Indian Overseas Bank launches ‘Bank on Wheels’ facility: Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) has announced that it has launched ‘Bank on Wheels’ facility in 14 of its lead districts in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, besides Vijayawada. The mobile van facility will enable the public, especially senior citizens, conveniently get door-step banking facility available at identified locations of the lead districts. A dedicated banking correspondent will accompany the vehicle with a micro-ATM inside the van to take care of services such as account opening, enrollment of customers in Social Security Scheme, passbook printing, and other financial inclusion activities. R Subramaniakumar is MD & CEO of IOB.

2. BHEL net profit jumps 50.7% to Rs 1,215 crore in FY19: The public sector giant Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has posted a quantum jump in profits and has recommended a final dividend of 60% during the financial year 2018-19. During the year, the company achieved a profit before tax (PBT) of Rs. 2,058 crores (last year Rs. 1,585 Crore), registering a surge of 29.8%. Net profit for the year stands at Rs. 1,215 crores, (last year Rs.807 crores), resulting in a 50.7% jump. During the year, BHEL had also developed in-house the country’s first state-of-the-art regenerative braking system and delivered the first 6,000 HP electric locomotive to the Indian Railways.

AWARDS AND HONOURS

1. Acharya Balkrishna receives 'UNSDG 10 Most Influential People in Healthcare Award': The United Nations had chosen Acharya Balkrishna, among the 10 most influential people in healthcare. Mr. Balakrishna has been invited to Geneva (UN Headquarters) to deliver a talk among other speakers from UNICEF and WHO. Acharya Balkrishna is the managing director (MD) and chief executive officer (CEO) of Patanjali Ayurveda.

Note: Patanjali Ayurved Limited is an Indian consumer goods company producing range Ayurvedic medicinal and personal care products, among other consumer items. Popular yoga guru Baba Ramdev co-founded the company along with Balkshrina.

2. Artist Nalini Malani wins Joan Miro prize: Artist Nalini Malani has won the seventh edition of the Joan Miró Prize. Miro international award is considered one of the most prestigious art awards in the world. The recipient gets prize money of 70,000-Euro ($78,000) cash prize. Malani (born in Karachi in 1946) is a film, photography, installation, video art and performance artist.

DEFENCE

1. India’s first all-women medium-lift chopper crew flies the battle mission: Two women IAF officers from Punjab were part of the country’s first all-women crew to fly a medium-lift helicopter Mi-17 V5. Flight Lieutenant Parul Bhardwaj (Captain), Flying Officer Aman Nidhi (co-pilot) and Flight Lieutenant Hina Jaiswal (Flight Engineer) flew the chopper, which took off from a forward air base in South Western air command.

2. New version of Akash missile test-fired successfully: The DRDO successfully test-fired the new version of the Akash surface-to-air defence missile system with a new indigenously-developed seeker in Balasore off the Odisha coast. The medium range multi-target engagement capable missile was developed as part of the Integrated Guided-Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) other than Nag, Agni, Trishul, and Prithvi missiles. The supersonic missile has a range of around 25km and up to the altitude of 18,000 meters.

3. DRDO successfully test fires Akash-1S surface to air defence missile system: Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully test fired the Akash-1S surface to air defence missile system. Akash-1S is a new version of the missile which is fitted with an indigenous seeker. The Akash surface-to-air missile was designed to intercept enemy aircraft and missiles from a distance of 18 to 30 km. The Akash missile system has the capability to neutralise aerial targets such as fighter jets, cruise missiles and air-to-surface missiles as well as ballistic missiles.

4. IAF chief leads 'missing man' formation in MiG-21: Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa (Chief of the Air Staff) led a four aircraft, MiG-21 'Missing Man' formation flypast at Air Force Station Bhisiana in Bhatinda, Punjab to honour the valour and supreme sacrifice of men killed in action during Operation Safed Sagar at Kargil. The 'Missing Man' formation is an aerial salute accorded to honour the fallen comrades-in-arms. This is an Arrow Formation, with a gap between two aircraft in the formation depicting the Missing Man. Later, the Air Chief Marshal laid a wreath at the War Memorial in Bhatinda to honour the Air Force men who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.

Daily GK Updates - 27th May, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Narendra Modi to be sworn in as PM for 2nd term on May 30: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be administered the oath of office for his second term along with his new council of ministers on 30th May. President Ram Nath Kovind will administer the oath of office and secrecy to the prime minister and other members of the Union Council of Ministers at a ceremony in Rashtrapati Bhavan. Modi is the first BJP leader who has been elected for the second time after completion of his five-year tenure. From BJP, Atal Bihari Vajpayee was also elected as a prime minister for two consecutive terms, but his first stint had lasted only for one year and seven months.

2. Nation pays homage to first PM Jawaharlal Nehru on his 55th death anniversary: The nation pays homage to first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on his 55th death anniversary on 27th May 2019. Jawaharlal Nehru was the first Prime Minister of India. Jawaharlal Nehru emerged as an eminent leader of the Indian independence movement under the tutelage of Mahatma Gandhi. Nehru held the post from its establishment as an independent nation in 1947 until his death on 27th May 1964. Shantivan is the Samadhi of India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru.

3. 25 states miss the deadline for plan on plastic disposal: Over 25 state governments may have to pay environment compensation of Rs one crore each for not submitting their respective action plans on systematic disposal of plastic waste to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) as the April 30 deadline set by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has passed by. The states had to submit action plans by April 30 to the CPCB, failing which they would have to pay the pollution body a compensation at the rate of Rs one crore per month, as per the National Green Tribunal (NGT) order.

4. PS Golay was sworn in as Sikkim Chief Minister: Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) president Prem Singh Tamang, popularly known as PS Golay took oath as the Chief Minister of Sikkim. He was administered the oath by Governor Ganga Prasad at Paljor Stadium in Gangtok. Mr. Golay is not a member of the State Assembly at present as he did not contest the polls. Former Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling and senior Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) leaders were conspicuous by their absence at the swearing-in ceremony. The SKM won a slender majority in the 32-member Sikkim Legislative Assembly by bagging 17 seats against 15 won by the SDF.

5. Arunachal CM Pema Khandu tender’s resignation to Governor: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu and his Council of Ministers resigned to Governor Dr B D Mishra in Itanagar. The Governor accepted the resignation and asked Mr Khandu and the Council of Ministers to continue until the new government is sworn in. BJP for the first time in the state has won 41 seats, JD(U) -7, NPP- 5, IND- 2, INC - 4 and PPA -1 in the 60-member Arunachal Pradesh State Assembly. Assembly elections were held for 57 seats as three BJP candidates were earlier declared elected unopposed.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Trump becomes the first foreign leader to meet new Japanese emperor Naruhito: US President Donald Trump got the red carpet treatment at Japan’s Imperial Palace where he made history, becoming the first world leader to meet with the new emperor of Japan Naruhito. The US President is on a four-day state visit to Japan. Trump will go to the Japanese state guest house later for meetings and joint news conference with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

2. Cyril Ramaphosa takes oath as South Africa’s President: Cyril Ramaphosa, the head of the African National Congress, was sworn in for a five-year term as South Africa’s president after being elected unopposed by Parliament following the sixth general elections. He was elected earlier this month with a majority of 57.50%, the smallest since the party came to power 25 years ago. Mr. Ramaphosa initially took over from Jacob Zuma in 2018 after Mr. Zuma was accused of corruption. Mr. Ramaphosa is the country’s fifth democratically elected president since apartheid ended in 1994.

3. NASA unveils schedule for ‘Artemis’ 2024 Moon mission: NASA unveiled the calendar for the “Artemis” program that will return astronauts to the Moon for the first time in half a century, including eight scheduled launches and a mini-station in lunar orbit by 2024. The original lunar missions were named for Apollo – Artemis was his twin sister in Greek mythology, and the goddess of hunting, wilderness, and the Moon. Administrator Jim Bridenstine confirmed that Artemis 1 will be an uncrewed mission around the Moon planned for 2020. Next will come Artemis 2, which will orbit Earth’s satellite with a crew around 2022; followed finally by Artemis 3 that will put astronauts on lunar soil in 2024, including the first woman.

4. Sri Lankan navy launches extra vigil over terrorists: Sri Lankan navy has launched extra vigil on its northern seas in wake of media reports that some terrorist elements may have left the country to land on Indian shores. Earlier, several media outlets reported that a group of 15 suspected Islamic State terrorists were fleeing Sri Lanka towards the Kerala Coast. Coastal security has been beefed up across the Kerala coast in wake of reports.

5. Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O'Neill resigns: Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O'Neill (54 years) resigned from his post after weeks of unrest in the government. O'Neill has handed over leadership to Sir Julius Chan, who will become prime minister for the third time. The announcement came after high-profile defections from his Government to the Opposition. Earlier, one of Peter O'Neill's key coalition allies abandoned him and since then, the Opposition bloc has been saying it has 62 MPs in its camp, which would give it a majority in Parliament.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS 

1. Lewis Hamilton wins Monaco Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton won the Monaco Grand Prix to extend his championship lead over Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas. Hamilton struggled with grip in the latter stages and was under constant pressure from Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. But Verstappen had earlier picked up a five-second timepenalty. So even though he finished just behind Hamilton, Verstappen was fourth overall behind Bottas in third and Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel in second.

BANKING AND FINANCE

1. Standard Chartered partners with IBM to launch Trade AI Engine: Standard Chartered has officially launched the Trade AI Engine, a joint solution developed in partnership with IBM. Trade AI Engine will enhance the client experience in trade document processing through increased operational efficiency and strengthened operational control. Traditional documentary trade requires millions of data elements in paper-based, unstructured documents that are often issued by various companies and needs to be reviewed through a largely manual process. With the implementation of the Trade AI Engine powered by IBM, this time-consuming and high-risk process is now significantly automated.

AWARDS AND HONOURS

1. Bong Joon Ho's 'Parasite' strikes gold at Cannes this year: South Korean director Bong Joon Ho's "Parasite" bagged the Palme d'Or at the closing ceremony of 72nd Cannes Film Festival in France. Belgium's Dardenne brothers won the best director award for their story of a radicalised Muslim youth "Young Ahmed". British actress Emily Beecham won the best actress award for psychological chiller "Little Joe". Antonio Banderas named the best actor for his role of a filmmaker in Pedro Almodovar's self-reflexive "Pain and Glory". The Jury Prize was shared by two films -- French-Malian Ladj Ly's "Les Miserables" and the Brazilian entry "Bacurau", directed by Kleber Mendonce Filho and Juliano Dornelles.

OBITUARIES

1. Veteran CPI leader Joshi passes away: Veteran communist leader P.P.C. Joshi (80-years) passed away at his house in Puppalaguda after a prolonged illness. P.P.P. Joshi worked as the general manager (GM) of Visalaandhra Publishing House, treasurer of the CPI Central Committee office and the party’s publication arm People’s Publishing House. His penchant for publishing led him to start Prachee Publications, subsequently handed over to Nava Telangana Publications, which published several books.

2. Action choreographer-filmmaker Veeru Devgan passes away: Bollywood’s most famous stunt and action choreographer, Veeru Devgn passes away in Mumbai. Born in Amritsar, Devgan was behind the fight and action scenes for over 80 Hindi films including ‘Phool Aur Kaante’ (1991), ‘Mr. India’ (1987), and ‘Himmatwala’ (1983) among various others. He even acted in three films and worked as a director on ‘Hindustan Ki Kasam’ (1999).