Daily GK Updates - 6th July, 2015

DAILY GK UPDATES - 6TH JULY, 2O15

NATIONAL UPDATES:

I. Supreme Court ruled that unwed mother can be child’s guardian without father’s consent.

II.  E-filing of ITR: Aadhaar can be linked for easier processing: The ITR forms now have a space for Aadhaar card holders to provide their Unique Identification Numbers.

III. Tata Teleservices appoints AnuragSrivastava as CFO (Chief Financial Officer).

IV. UP 1^st to have vehicle tracking system: Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) has become the 1^st state transport corporation to have a vehicle tracking system for inter-city buses which has led to a reduction in accidents and deaths as drivers are wary of crossing the speed limits.

V.   C-DOT launches solar powered, long distance WiFi hotspots as part of the ‘Digital India Week’: The solar powered Wi-Fi hotspots can be used for smart cities, rural schools or panchayats extending broadband connectivity. It can also be used in ship to ship communications in deep seas.

VI. Finally, a new artillery gun for the Army: The ‘Dhanush’ Artillery guns have entered the production phase to meet Army’s operational gap of field howitzers. The ‘Make in India’ defence manufacturing project took off with the receipt of Bulk Production Clearance (BPC) from the Army for 144 Dhanush guns.

VII.  Bengaluru has been ranked 12^th in the list of top 20 Technology rich cities in the World: Survey conducted by global property consultant Jones Lang Lasalle.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

I. World Bank releases revised classification of World’s economies based on Gross National Income:Bangladesh, Kenya, Myanmar and Tajikistan moved from Low income group to lower middle income group. Mongolia and Paraguay moved from the lower middle income status to upper middle income group. Argentina, Hungary, SeychellesVenezuela have moved up from the upper middle income category to high income category. India continues to be in the lower middle income category.

II.  Champagne vineyards of France granted World Heritage status by UNESCO.

III. Greece rejected creditors’ demands for more austerity in crucial referendum: People of Greece rejected the creditor’s demand for more austerity in exchange of extension of bailout package (15.5 billion Euros). The creditors include the Troika of European Central Bank (ECB), European Union (EU) and International Monetary Fund (IMF). 61.31 % voted ‘No’ as compared to 38.59 % ‘Yes’.

IV. President of Tunisia declared 30-day state of Emergency: B. C Essebsi declared state of emergengy in the country for 30 days against the backdrop of ISIS gun attack on 26^th June on Hotel Riu Imperial Marhaba.

V. Japan promised $6 billion to Mekong Region countries at 7^th Mekong-Japan Summit in Tokyo: The aid was the part of the New Tokyo Strategy 2015 for Mekong-Japan Cooperation in the next three years.

VI. MIT Scientists developed a Quantum Dot Spectrometer small enough to function within a smartphone: Spectrometers are the instruments that measure the properties of Light.

VII. UNESCO and UNITAR signed agreement to protect cultural heritage with geo-spatial technologies: The agreement was signed between United Nations’ Educational, Scientific and Cultural organisation (UNESCO) and UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) at the annual meeting of World Heritage Committee in Bonn, Germany.

VIII. Malaysian PM Najib Razak faces allegations that $700 million were transferred from a state fund to his personal account.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

I.   HDFC Bank launches Watch Banking: It has become the 1^st bank in India to launch Watch Banking for Apple Watch. It aims to provide banking services through all wearable devices across platforms like iOS and Android.

II. Rupee rises for 5^th day against dollar, Up 4 paisa to 63.40.

SPORTS:

III. India won 2015 South Asian Basketball Championship (SABA): India defeated Sri Lanka 93-44 in the finals of the 4^th Edition of SABA. It was India’s third SABA title. With this win India qualified for the FIBA Asia Championship to be played in China in September.

IV.  Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain won 2015 Formula 1 British Grand Prix title: His teammate NicoRoseberg stood second.

V.  US win Women’s FIFA World Cup for the 3^rd time: It defeated Japan 5-2 in the final played at Vancouver, Canada.

VI. SaniaMirza and Martina Hingis advanced to the 4^th round of Wimbledon Open.

VII. Serena Williams beat Venus Williams to enter Wimbledon Quarter Final.

BOOKS AND AUTHORS:

I.  The book titled "Modi’s World: Expanding India’s sphere of Influence" authored by C. Raja was published by Harper Collins

OBITUARIES:

I.  Renowned Urdu Novelist Abdullah Hussain passed away in Pakistan: He was suffering from Blood cancer. He was known for his bestseller and critically acclaimed novel ‘UdasNaslain’.

II.  Hollywood actress Diana Douglas died.

Daily GK Updates - 5th July, 2015

DAILY GK UPDATES - 5th July, 2015

NATIONAL UPDATES:

I.  Adani Group inks pact with Tamil Nadu Government for 648 MW Solar power plants:The Solar plant at Kamudhi in Ramanathpuram will be set up at an investment of Rs. 4,536 and the state will purchase the power generated at Rs.7.01 per unit.

II.  Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd launched pre-paid card linked mobile wallet service: It allows customers to transfer cash, pay for services as well as withdraw cash of up to 1 Lakh.

III.  Madhya Pradesh recognised by Guinness Book of World records for making a world record in washing hands: Madhya Pradesh is the only state which surpassed the joint record of Argentina, Peru and Mexico on the ‘World Hand washing day’

IV.  Cabinet Okays 21 infrastructure projects: The government has given approval for 21 major infrastructure projects under the District Flagship Infrastructure Project (DFIP).

V.   Bihar wins National Award for commendable work in health sector: Bihar has won appreciation in the country for works in the health sector under National Health Mission by winning 1^st prize in the categories of Infant survival, child survival, safe delivery, indoor and surgical services and 2^nd prize in OPD (Outdoor Patient Department). The award was given by Union Health Minister J P Nadda.

VI. Government launches learning portal for MGNREGA: Union Rural Development Minister ChaudharyBirender Singh today launched the Online Learning Portal (OLP) and expressed confidence that it will help both the government officials and beneficiaries of the rural job flagship scheme.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

I.    Solar Impulse completes epic flight to Hawaii: The solar powered plane has landed in Hawaii after making a historic 7,200 km flight across the Pacific from Japan.

II.   India abstains from vote against Israel in UN: India’s abstention in the UNHRC vote against Israel, comes on the back of a number of decisions by the Modi Government that have indicated a growing closeness with Israel and a shift away from past policy.

III.  India and Mauritius have reviewed the existing MoU on Hydrographic cooperation for the next 5 years

  

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

 I. HDFC Bank launches Watch Banking: It has become the 1^st bank in India to launch Watch Banking for Apple Watch. It aims to provide banking services through all wearable devices across platforms like IOS and Android.

II. Tata Trusts, Google team up to get more rural women on net: Taking PM Modi’s Digital India campaign a step ahead, the Ratan Tata Trusts and Google tied up to educate rural women about the internet.

III.  FDI in Manufacturing of Tobacco products prohibited: RBI

IV.  Now verify online payments with your selfies: Mastercard is experimenting with a smartphone app which allows people to confirm their identities and authenticate online transactions via a facial scan.

V.   Corporation bank launches first MUDRA Card: The Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency card under the PradhanMantri MUDRA Yojana was launched by Corporation Bank.

VI.  Micro- Finance institution, Bandhan Financial Services which got the final licence from RBI to start operations as a banker from August.

SPORTS:

VII.  Star batsman Brendon McCullum hits record 158 of 64 balls in T20 blast

VIII. Chile beat Argentina to win first ever Copa America titlein a penalty decider: It was the 1^st time in 99 year history of the tournament that Chile has won this title. A. Vidal of Chile was adjudged Man of the Match while C. Bravo got the Golden Gloves.

IX.  India Men’s Hockey team lost 5-1 to Great Britain for third place in World Hockey League.

X.  India Women’s Hockey team moved a step closer to book a place for the Olympics by defeating Japan 1-0 in World Hockey league after 36 years.

Daily GK Updates - 4th July, 2015

DAILY GK UPDATES - 4TH JULY, 2015

NATIONAL UPDATES:

I. 58% of school children in Maharashtra are suffering from orthopaedic ailments due to heavy bags: Report

II.   Software giant Microsoft agreed to set up Digital Village in Maharashtra: This was in connection with the Digital India week being celebrated in the country. It will develop smart MIDC (industrial colony).

 III. Rajasthan to replicate Maharashtra’s JalyuktaShivirAbhiyan: Maharashtra government’s programme JalyuktaShivirAbhiyan was launched with an aim to make Maharashtra a drought – Free State by 2019.

 IV.  Army launched operation Shiva to secure AmarnathYatra: This was done for the smooth conduct of the AmarnathYatra in Jammu & Kashmir. The operation was launched on the basis of intelligence report suggesting terror strike.

 V.    C D Balaji took over as Director of the Aeronautical Development Agency.

 VI.   ZSI (Zoological Survey of India) monitoring climate change impact on Sundarban animals: It set up monitoring bases to measure effect of climate change on flora and fauna.

 VII.  The U P Government agreed to give in principle approval to give ownership rights to lease holder farmers of agricultural lands.

VIII. The National Green Tribunal banned use of Plastic in Haridwar and Rishikesh: It also fixed a penalty of Rs 5000 on anyone found violating the order. The penalty will be charged as compensation for degradation of environment.

IX. Defence Minister ManoharParikkar launched new automation software named ARPAN 3.0 for the Indian Army: This would provide 12 lakh soldiers easy access to their service records including pay and leave details and transfer and postings among others. The release of Army Record Office Process Automation 3.0 developed by Army Software Development Centre and Tech Mahindra coincides with the National Digital India Week

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

I. Progress on Sanitation and Drinking Water: 2015 Update and MDG Assessment released

UNICEF and WHO released the report titled Progress on Sanitation and Drinking Water. The report presents the update and assessment of the Goal 7 of the Millennium Development Goals since 1990.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

 I. RBI introduced new security features to make Indian Currency less prone to counterfeiting: It has started printing the Rs 100 note on which the last six numerals of the nine digit currency note number will be in ascending print size from left to right.

SPORTS:

I. Wimbledon: Rafael Nadal lost to World 102, Dustin Brown in the second round itself. This is the 4^th time that the Spaniard was out the Wimbledon before the finals.

AWARDS:

I.  Sir FazleHasan Abed of Bangladesh to be conferred World Food Prize 2015: He was selected for his contribution towards alleviation of hunger.

BOOKS AND AUTHORS:

I. President Pranab Mukherjee received first copy of book titled ‘Uniki’ by CH VidyasagarRao: The book was published in Telugu. The president received the book from K ChandrashekharRao, chief minister of Telangana.

OBITUARIES:

I.  Former Chief Justice of India Y K Sabharwal passed away due to prolonged illness.