Daily GK Updates - 22nd November, 2015

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Swachh Delhi Abhiyan launched in Delhi

A special cleanliness drive, Swachh Delhi Abhiyan has been launched in the national capital Delhi to remove debris and garbage lying in various localities. The drive was launched by Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu and shall continue in New Delhi till the end November 2015 month.

2. UP Government’s Clean UP, Green UP initiative earns place in Guinness Book

Under state government’s green drive initiative 10 lakh saplings were planted in one day within a span of eight hours on November 7, 2015 at 10 locations in the state. This new record has surpassed the earlier record for plantation of maximum number of tree that was 8 lakh 50 thousand trees in a single day.

3. Supersonic interceptor AAD missile successfully test fired.

Indigenously developed supersonic Advanced Air Defence (AAD) interceptor missile was successfully test fired from the Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast. The interceptor AAD missile has been indigenously developed by the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) under Ballistic Missile Defence Programme. AAD missile is capable of destroying any incoming ballistic missile at lower (endo-atmospheric) altitude, giving full-fledged multi-layer Ballistic Missile Defence system to country.     

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Mahatma Gandhi International entre inaugurated in Matale by Sri Lankan President

The President of Sri Lanka Maithripala Sirisena on 22 November 2015 inaugurated the Mahatma Gandhi International Centre (MGIC) inaugurated in Matale. The center was inaugurated as a tribute to the contribution of Mahatma Gandhi to humanity and the continuing relevance of his principles and philosophy to mankind.

2. Francois Hollande to be Chief Guest at 2016 Republic Day celebrations

The visit of Mr. Hollande to New Delhi for the mega event will be symbolic. Mr. Francois Hollande would be the 5th highest dignitary from France to be Chief Guest of Indian Republic Day parade after Prime Minister Jacques Chirac (1976), President Valéry Giscard d’Estaing (1980), President Jacques Chirac (1998) and President Nicolas Sarkozy (2008).With this invitation, France now holds distinction of being the guest of honour for the maximum five times of Indian Republic Day parade followed by Bhutan (four times); Mauritius and USSR/Russia (three times each).

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. Indian Junior Hockey team wins 2015^th men’s junior asia hockey cup:

India’s junior men’s hockey team has won the eight edition of Men’s Junior Asia hockey cup. In the finals played at Kuantan (Malaysia) India defeated arch rivals Pakistan 6-2 goals. For Indian team Harmanpreet Singh scored highest four goals followed by Armaan Qureshi and Manpreet Singh scoring 1 goal each. South Korea won the bronze medal by defeating Japan by 2-1 goal score in this edition of Cup. Eight international teams had participated including India, Malaysia, Japan, China, Korea, Pakistan, Oman and Bangladesh in the 8ht Men’s Junior Asia Cup. 

BUSINESS & ECONOMY:

2. Pfizer to take over Allergan in blockbuster merger deal of $160 billion:

US drugs giant Pfizer Inc. has struck upon a deal to buy Ireland based Allergan for 160 billion dollars making it the biggest pharmaceuticals merger deal in history of healthcare sector. The blockbuster merger would create the world’s biggest drug maker to be called Pfizer Plc with its headquarters in Dublin, Ireland.

Daily GK Updates - 21st November, 2015

National updates:

1. Rajasthan, South Australia signed Sister-State Agreement.

Rajasthan and South Australia on 20 November 2015 signed the historic Sister-State Agreement to boost export and investment opportunities between the two states. The agreement was signed by South Australia Trade and Investment Trade Minister Martin Hamilton-Smith and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje in Rajasthan. The sister-state relationship between South Australia and Rajasthan is based on a two-way exchange of research, policy and technical capabilities.. In November 2015, the South Australian Government released research showing that 65000 South Australian jobs are linked to international exports. It showed export jobs are not just limited to traditional export sectors like agriculture but also to services, health care, communications, transport.

2. India, China vow to fight terror, transnational crimes:

India and China vowed to deepen their bilateral cooperation in combating terrorism and fighting transnational crime. The breakthrough was achieved after Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh held talks with Meng Jianzhu, head of the Commission for Political and Legal Affairs (CPLA) of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee on a wide range of issues. Following issues were discussed India and China should enhance their bilateral cooperation to combat terrorism and fight transnational crime. Both countries should coordinate to improve border entry and exit administration in order to facilitate people’s travel and promote stability in the region.

3. ADB Pledge to finance India , Bangladesh  electricity link under SASEC programme :

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has pledged to provide 120 million dollar loan in order to finance cross-border electricity link between Bangladesh and India under SASEC Programme. In this regard, loan agreement was signed by ADB Country Director Kazuhiko Higuchi and Mohammad Mejbahuddin, Senior Secretary of Bangladesh Finance Ministry. The loan fund would be used for Second Bangladesh-India Grid Inter connectivity project under the ambitious South Asia Sub-regional Economic Co-operation (SASEC) Programme.. The second project under will double the existing capacity from 500 MW to 1000 MW of the inter-connectivity link connecting power grid at Bheramara in western Bangladesh and the grid of eastern India at Bahrampur (Odisha).

4. Union government launches technology acquisition and development fund under NMP:  

Union Government has launched the Technology Acquisition and Development Fund (TADF) under the National Manufacturing Policy (NMP), 2011. It was launched by Union Minister of State (MoS) for Commerce TADF will facilitate Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) to acquire clean, green and energy efficient technologies. It will also catalyses the manufacturing growth in MSME sector with an aim to contribute to ‘Make in India’ initiative.

INTerNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Russia inks deal to build Egypt’s first nuclear plant at Dabaa:

Russia has signed two agreements with Egypt to finance and build its first nuclear power plant at Dabaa on the Mediterranean coast in the northwest of the country. As per one of the agreement, Russia will extend a loan to Egypt to cover the cost of construction of the nuclear plant which is expected to be completed by 2022. Russia will grant a 35-year loan to the Egypt which is the Arab world’s most populous country. However in the agreement the loan has been not disclosed as the details of the credit agreement are still under discussion.Dabaa nuclear plant will be third-generation plant with four reactors with total capacity of 1,200 MW. On completion the plant will make Egypt a regional leader in terms of civil nuclear technology. Since 1980s, Egypt has been pursuing its plan to have a peaceful nuclear programme for the production of electricity at Dabaa. But the North African country had frozen its nuclear programme plans after disputes with local residents due to the Chernobyl disaster in 1986.

2. Walmart offers entrepreneur development programme for women:

Wal-Mart India today announced an entrepreneur development programme for women, a move to encourage women owned businesses (WOBs) in the supply chain. Speaking at the launch of Andhra Pradesh Rural Inclusive Growth Project on Thursday, Krish Iyer, President  & CEO, Wal-Mart India, said, “Andhra Pradesh will be one of the first states in India where we will start an entrepreneurial programme for women in collaboration with Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty. As an ongoing commitment to empowering women around the world and helping WOBs succeed and grow, Wal-Mart has committed to source $20 billion from women for its US business and double sourcing from women in international markets, the statement said. Wal-Mart has also trained 17,891 women with life skills in India through its Women in Factories (WiF) training programme.

3. UN Security Council approved French-sponsored resolution urging action against ISIS

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on 20 November 2015 unanimously adopted a French-sponsored resolution 2249 (2015) calling all nations to take all necessary measures to prevent and suppress the terrorist acts of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and other extremist groups.  It mentions that ISIS group constitutes a global and unprecedented threat to international peace and security and expresses its determination to combat it by all means. It is the 14th terrorism-related resolution adopted by the UNSC since 1999. 

                   

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. Pankaj Advani wins 2015 IBSF World Snooker Championship

Ace Indian cueist Pankaj Advani won the 2015 IBSF World Snooker Championship. In the final match played at Hurghada (Egypt), he defeated his Chinese opponent Zhua Xintong by 8-6 score in the best-of-15 final. He had entered the finals of the Championship after defeating Alex Borg of Malta by 6-0 score. With this victory, Pankaj Advani has won the World Snooker Championship for record 15 times. He also became the first person in history of Snooker to take the short (6-Red) and the long snooker format in the same calendar year.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY:

2. Harshvardhan Neotia elected as the President of FICCI

Harshavardhan Neotia, Chairman of Ambuja Neotia group, was on 20 November 2015 elected as the President of industry body Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) for the year 2016.Neotia will succeed the current FICCI President Jyotsna Suri, Chairperson and Managing Director of Bharat Hotels Ltd, during the chamber's AGM in December 2015. Currently, Neotia is the Senior Vice President (VP) of FICCI. He is also a member of the Rajasthan Chief Minister's Advisory Council and West Bengal Chief Minister's Core Committee on Industry In 1999, Neotia was conferred with Padma Shri for his outstanding initiative in social housing.

Daily GK Updates - 20th November, 2015

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. 7th Central Pay Commission Headed By Justice Ak Mathur Submitted Its Report

The commission has recommended 23.55 percent hike in pay and allowances of government employees.The recommended pay revision will come into effect from 1 January 2016. The minimum pay for government employees is recommended to be set at 18000 rupees per month. One Rank One Pension proposed for civilian government employees on line of OROP for armed forces.

2. Nitish Kumar to take oath as Bihar CM  

Senior JDU leader Nitish Kumar will be sworn-in as Chief Minister of Bihar for the fifth time on 20^th November, 2015. RJD President Lalu Prasad's sons, first time MLA Tejaswi Prasad Yadav and Tej Pratap Yadav, would be sworn in as cabinet ministers in new government.  Tejaswi Prasad would be made deputy Chief Minister.

3. UNHCR selected for Indira Gandhi Prize for peace, disarmament and development for 2015

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is chosen for the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for 2015. UNHCR was chosen for the award in recognition of its immense contributions in helping millions of refugees in their rehabilitation and resettlement.

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees was established on 1950 by the UN General Assembly with an aim to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Headquarters of UNHCR: Geneva, Switzerland

4. India, China to form ministerial mechanism to boost security cooperation

India and China have agreed to form a Ministerial-level mechanism to step up cooperation and coordination on a host of security-related issues, including cross-border terrorism, security and law enforcement, trans-border crimes, cyber crimes and drug trafficking.

5. Launch of Technology Acquisition and Development Fund under National Manufacturing Policy

The Technology Acquisition and Development Fund (TADF) is a new scheme to facilitate acquisition of Clean, Green & Energy Efficient Technologies, in form of Technology / Customised Products / Specialised Services / Patents / Industrial Design available in the market available in India or globally, by Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

6. India and Vietnam signed MoU for cooperation in the field of Animal Health

The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its ex-post facto approval for signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Vietnam for cooperation in the field of Animal Health.  

7. Vijay Keshav Gokhale appointed ambassador to China

Senior diplomat Vijay Keshav Gokhale, currently the country's Ambassador to Germany, has been appointed as the Ambassador to China.  He will replace Ashok Kantha, whose term will end in early January, 2016

8. Arun Kumar Kapoor appointed as the CEO of Dish TV.

Prior to joining Dish TV, Kapoor was with Raj Television managing the revenues of Zee and Turner Channels.

9. 2^ND World Congress on Disaster Management started in Visakhapatnam

It was inaugurated by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. It was jointly hosted by the Disaster Management, Infrastructure and Control Society and Andhra Pradesh government.

10. The birth anniversary of Adi Shankaracharya will be celebrated as Philosopher's Day from 2016.

The government has accepted a proposal sent by the Sringeri Math, established by the Shankaracharya in the 8th century in Karnataka, and is in favour of promoting Shankaracharya's commentary on the Upanishads and his role in generating awareness about Indian philosophy.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. World Economic Forum released Global Gender Gap Report 2015

World Economic Forum (WEF) released the Global Gender Gap Report 2015. It ranked 145 economies according to how well they are leveraging their female talent pool, based on economic, educational, health-based and political indicators. And, out of the 145 countries surveyed, while Iceland topped the Gender Gap Index for the seventh year in a row, India stood at the 108th position. Top 5 countries with high gender equality are Iceland (1), Norway (2), Finland (3), Sweden (4) and Ireland (5).

2. University of East London awarded honorary doctorate to Ashok Amritraj

Tennis champion-turned Hollywood filmmaker Ashok Amritraj was awarded with an honorary doctorate of Arts by the University of East London. Amritraj was honoured for promoting talented moviemakers from across the world, including India. His Auto-Biography is titled as Advantage Hollywood.

3. David Headley to testify before TADA court

Pakistani-American Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist and 26/11 Mumbai attacks convict David Headley would testify before a TADA court in Mumbai through video conferencing.  The TADA court has asked David Headley to be produced via video-conference on 10th of December. Headley is currently serving 35 years in an American prison after being convicted of involved in the planning and execution of the Mumbai terrorist attacks on 26th November, 2008 in which 166 persons were killed.

OTHER UPDATES:

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

1. RBI nod mandatory for buying over 5% stake in private bank

RBI has made it mandatory for individuals and companies to take prior approval before acquiring shares or voting rights in a private bank for increasing the aggregate holding to 5 percent or more. An existing major shareholder will not be required to obtain prior approval from the Reserve Bank for fresh incremental acquisition of shares or voting rights if the proposed aggregate holding is up to 10 per cent.

OBITUARIES

2. Former Gujarat governor Ram Krishna Trivedi passed away.

Trivedi had served as the Chief Election Commissioner from June 18th 1982 to December 31st 1985. He was the Governor of Gujarat from February 26th 1986 to May 2nd 1990.

SPORTS

3. Shrishti Pandey won the Indiana FIDE Rating Chess Tournament

The tournament was organised by Nagpur Taluka Chess Association, which concluded at Dr Hedgewar Smarak Samiti Hall, Reshimbagh, Nagpur.

Fourteen years old Pandey shared points with Avadh Chaitanya from Madhya Pradesh playing on the top board and ended with seven and half points each at the end of the ninth and last round of the Swiss-league tournament.

Daily GK Updates - 19th November, 2015

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Justice Tirath Singh Thakur is to be next Chief Justice of India

Justice Tirath Singh Thakur will be the next Chief Justice of India. He will be the 43rd Chief Justice of India.

2. Seven Indians are on BBC 100 Women list

Each year, BBC names 100 women a mix of influential personalities who are world leaders in politics, science and entertainment, as well as less popular but inspirational women from all over the world.

Seven Indian personalities have made it to BBC’s list of 100 most aspirational women.

They are (singer) Asha Bhosle, (tennis star) Sania Mirza, (veteran actor) Kamini Kaushal, Rimppi Kumari (farmer), Smriti Nagpal (entrepreneur), Mumtaz Shaikh (campaigner) and Kanika Tekriwal (entrepreneur).

3. Haryana says no government jobs for people who are defecating in open

The Haryana government took Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Swacch Bharat campaign to a new height by deciding to recruit only those people for select jobs who don't defecate in the open.

4. Kerala-based firm Eram Scientific Solutions launches eToilet mobile app

Eram Scientific Solutions, the only manufacturer of electronic toilets in India, unveiled a new eToilet mobile app for such toilets a day before the World Toilet Day which is on November 19.

Its unique features include locating the nearest eToilets, besides understanding mode of operation and access, information on facilities such as napkin vending machine, incinerator and sharing feedback on user experience of eToilet. Through the app public can also suggest new places for setting up eToilets.

5. Tata Steel commissions first phase of Kalinganagar plant in Odisha

It is the largest single-location Greenfield steel project in India and would also make flat, lighter, high-tensile strength steel.

6. Intel India launches an initiative to boost rural digitisation

Intel India has announced the launch of 'Ek Kadam Unnati Ki Aur', an initiative aimed at working with the government to create the blueprint for the digitisation of rural India. The first such Digital India 'Unnati' Kendra has been set up at a Common Services Center (CSC) in Nadimpalle village of Mahabubnagar district of Telangana and will be used to create the framework for the Telangana Model Digital Village.

7. Google to offer Indian startups free cloud credits

Google said it would offer $20,000 each in free credits for ‘Google Cloud Services’ to 1,000 startups in India over the next one year. The criteria includes that the startup should not have raised funding of more than $5 million, less than $500,000 in annual revenue and not received previous cloud platforms credits.

This will help startups in India who are held back by a lack of computing to power, to build, deploy and scale the next big innovation on the web.

8. Philips India appoints V Raja as vice-chairman and MD

Philips India has appointed V Raja as its new vice-chairman and managing director from December 2015. Raja will be responsible for driving and building Philips India's healthcare and consumer lifestyle businesses.

International Updates:

1. Turkey issues special stamp featuring PM Narendra Modi

A personalised postage stamp featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi was issued by Turkey in remembrance of the just concluded G20 Leaders Summit held in Turkey.

Personalised stamps of G20 Turkey Summit Leaders were presented by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in remembrance of G20 Turkey Leaders Summit.

2. US, Cuba sign first environmental accord since announcing plans to renew diplomatic relations

The United States and Cuba signed an agreement to join forces and protect the vast array of fish and corals they share as countries separated by just 90 miles (140 kilometers), the first environmental accord since announcing plans to renew diplomatic relations.

3. Oxford University launches new start-up scheme

The Oxford Guild, one of the oldest careers societies in Europe, had launched a trial of the new Oxford Accelerator in 2014 and is now officially opening up the initiative to applications from Oxford University students, alumni and start-up hopefuls from the surrounding Oxford shire area in England.

4. China search giant Baidu is to open online bank

China's main search engine Baidu plans to launch an online bank with financial services group Citic. The Baixin Bank, a venture between Baidu and China Citic Bank, will be the China's first lender formed by an Internet company and a traditional bank. The new bank will have two billion yuan ($313 million) in registered capital.

5. World Toilet Day celebrated

19^th November was celebrated as the World Toilet Day with the theme of Sanitation and Nutrition.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. Indian Cyclists won 5 medals on the opening day of Track Asia Cup.

Junior women team of Anu Chutia and Rajesh Nayana won a gold medal in Team Sprint event.