Daily GK Updates - 21st June, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Union Government approves 100% FDI in Aviation, Defence and e-commerce sectors: The Union Government has radically liberalized the foreign direct investment (FDI) norms by permitting 100 % FDI under government approval route for almost every sector including defence to give impetus to job creation and ease of doing business in the country.

2. India and Thailand sign 2 agreements to boost ties: India and Thailand have signed two agreements in culture and educational sectors to boost bilateral ties. The agreements were signed in New Delhi during the three-day official state visit of Thailand Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha to India.

3. Centre approves a proposal for Greenfield Electronic Park in Odisha: The department of electronics and information technology (DeitY), government of India has given its final approval for setting up of a Greenfield electronic park within the Infovally complex, a dedicated IT hub, on the outskirt of Bhubaneswar.

4. Punjab Government launches MukhyaMantri Punjab Hepatitis C Relief Fund: The Punjab government has launched a special fund “MukhMantri Punjab Hepatitis C Relief Fund” to provide free treatment for patients affected by Hepatitis C.

5. Assam Government launches MaitreeEkGyanYatra initiative to link primary schools to colleges: The Assam Government has launched a unique initiative ‘MaitreeEkGyanYatra’ to link primary schools to high schools to colleges. Initially, it will be launched at in Sivsagar district of the state and later will be implemented across the state. The purpose of the programme is to change the mindset of the teachers, as in some places in states teachers of a school considered it below their dignity to teach the lower level student.

6. PradhanMantriUjjwalYojana to be launched in Odisha: Union Tribal Affairs Minister JualOram and Oil Minister DharmendraPradhan have launched  the PradhanMantriUjjwalaYojana to provide free of cost LPG cooking gas connections to women from BPL households in Sambalpur, Odisha.

7.  Union Government bans the use of cancer-causing chemical potassium bromate as food additive.

8. Tata-Boeing joint venture established as aerospace facility in Hyderabad.

9. HAL unveils indigenous basic trainer aircraft HTT-40: Public sector aerospace Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has unveiled indigenous Basic Trainer Aircraft (BTA) HTT-40 in Bengaluru.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. International Yoga Day celebrated on 21^st June 2016: India and the whole world are celebrating the International Day of Yoga, or commonly and unofficially referred to as Yoga Day annually on 21st June since its inception. This resolution was adopted under the agenda of ‘Global Health and Foreign Policy’. The theme for 2016 International Day of Yoga is “Connect the Youth”. This is the second edition of the International Day of Yoga.

2. Martian crater named after Nepal quake-hit village Langtang: The International Astronomical Union named a 9.8 kilometers wide crater on Mars as Langtang, a popular trekking site in Nepal.

3. China’s Sunway TaihuLight declared world’s fastest supercomputer: Chinese supercomputer Sunway TaihuLight with 93 petaflop/second speed was declared as the world’s fastest supercomputer.

4. Scientists make world’s first 1000-processor microchip: US scientists team has created the world's first microchip that has 1,000 processors and is thought to be the fastest chip designed in a university lab. It is named as the "KiloCore" chip and has a maximum computation rate of 1.78 trillion instructions per second and contains 621 million transistors.

5. Virginia Raggi became first female mayor of Rome.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. BCCI suspends Goa Cricket Academy Association officials for misappropriation of organisation fund: The BCCI has suspended and issued show-cause notices to the top Goa Cricket Association officials, who were arrested for alleged misappropriation of organization funds.

Daily GK Update - 20th June, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. PM Narendra Modi, Sri Lankar President inaugurate Duraiappah stadium in Jaffna: Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena have inaugurated Duraiappah Stadium in Jaffna which was renovated by India.

2. Union Ministry of Ayush releases Yog Geet for 2016 Internatonal Yoga day: The Yoga song was selected from the 1,000 entries were received through a national-level competition organised by the AYUSH Ministry.

3. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s statue unveiled in Malaysia: A bronze statue of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose has been unveiled at the Indian cultural centre premises in Malaysia in the presence of nine Indian National Army (INA) veterans.

4. Kannada film ‘Thithi’ wins best film award in 19th Shanghai International Film Festival: ‘Thithi’, a Kannada film won the best film award and best script writers award at the Asia New Talent Awards in the 19th Shanghai International Film Festival. The director, Ram Reddy has made his debut through this film. 

5. Bipin R Patel appointed as President of Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry: Businessman Bipin R Patel was appointed as the President of Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) for the term 2016-17.

6. Former Cricketer Chetan Chauhan has been named as NIFT Chairman.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. 20^th June: World’s Refugee Day: World Refugee Day is observed on 20 June 2016. It is observed annually to draw attention to the plight of refugees, celebrate their courage and resilience and renew commitment to solving refugee problems.   

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. Sri Lankan pacer Shaminda Eranga suspended by ICC for illegal action: He was suspended after an assessment of his bowling action. The assessment revealed that all deliveries exceeded the 15 degrees level of tolerance permitted under the regulations.

2. India won Silver medal at Archery World Cup in Antalya: The Indian mixed recurve team of Deepika Kumari and Atanu Das has won silver at the Archery World Cup in Antalya, Turkey. In the final clash at Konyaalti Beach Park, the Indian team lost to South Korea 1-5.

3. Nico Roseberg wins European Grand Prix: Mercedes' German driver Nico Rosberg won the European Grand Prix at the Baku City Circuit, tightening his hold on the top spot in the Formula One drivers' standings.

OBITUARIES:

4. Renowned Educationalist Jeppiaar passes away: Jeppiaar, a renowned politician-turned-educationalist and founder of Jeppiaar Educational Trust has passed away following a brief illness at Chennai. He was 85 years old.

Daily GK Updates - 19th June, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Union Government notified 10 coastal police stations extending their jurisdiction to 200 nautical miles:The notified 10 police stations share the coastline in eight States.The new coastal police stations are proposed to maintain security up to five nautical miles from the shore.

2. India signs two MoUs with Namibia on capacity building for civil servants, centre of excellence in ICT:India and Namibia on 16 June 2016 signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) on capacity building for civil servants of Namibia and to set up of centre of excellence in Information and Communications Technology (ICT).

3. Kolkata-Ashuganj-Tripura transit facility becomes operational between India and Bangladesh: The transit facility was signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Dhaka in June 2015 to boost trade and facilitate seamless movement of goods in the Bangladesh region.The trans-shipment operations were launched at the Ashuganj port with a cargo vessel unloading the maiden consignment to be transported to Tripura through Bangladeshi territory.

4. Review meeting of Indo-EU ‘Water4crops’ project held: Water4Crops stands for “integrating bio-treated wastewater reuse and valorisation with enhanced water use efficiency to support the Green Economy in Europe and India”.

5. Senior IAS officer SupriyaSahu appointed as Director General of Doordarshan: She would replace AparnaVaish who was acting head of Doordharsan. She was appointed after the board decided to appoint the senior-most additional director general (ADG) at Doordarshan.

6. Draft National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy 2016 released:The policy was unveiled as part of Union Government’s attempt to reach the target of 175 Gigawatts (GW) of installed capacity from renewable energy sources by 2022. It includes 100 GW from solar and 60 GW from wind.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. China to operationalize the exa-scale supercomputer Tianhe -3 by 2020: The supercomputer will be named Tianhe -3 and it will be operationalized three years before the US plan to install such computers.

2. World Day to Combat Desertification 2016 observed:World Day to Combat Desertification (WDCD) 2016 was observed across the world on 17 June 2016. ‘Inclusive cooperation for achieving Land Degradation Neutrality’ was the theme for the 2016 WDCD.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

1. PM Modi outlines RAPID, a five-point charter for tax administrators at the Rajasva Gyan Sangam: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 16 June 2016 outlined RAPID, a five-point charter for tax administrators to reform and to expand the net base of the direct tax.The Prime Minister outlined the RAPID as R - Revenue,A - Accountability,P - Probity,I – Information D - Digitization.

SPORTS:

2. Australia won Hero Hockey Champions Trophy 2016: Australia on 18 June 2016 won Hero Hockey Champions Trophy 2016 at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre in London. It defeated India 1-0 in a shoot-out.With this victory, Australia claimed the Champions Trophy title for the 14^th time.

3. Syed Nayeemuddin, former Indian football team coach, to be conferred with Mohun Bagan Ratna:Nayeemuddin was chosen for the prestigious award for his overall contribution to the club and the country both as a player and as a coach.

Daily GK Updates - 18th June, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. First batch of three female fighter pilots commissioned: Creating history, the first batch of three female pilots - AvaniChaturvedi, BhawanaKanth and Mohana Singh were inducted in Indian Air Force fighter squadron. On successful completion of their training, the trio were formally commissioned by Defence Minister ManoharParrikar.

2. NRI’s can now join NPS online through eNPS: The Union Finance Ministry has announced that non-resident Indians (NRIs) can now open National Pension Savings (NPS) accounts online i.e. through eNPS if they have Aadhaar Card or Permanent Account Number (PAN) card.

3. Govt. decides to allow export of 10% missile system to friendly countries: Government has decided in principle to allow export of missile systems to 'certain' countries that have friendly relationship with India. 

4. India, South Korea launch platform to promote investment: India and South Korea today launched a platform to promote and facilitate investments from the East Asian country. The platform 'Korea Plus' was launched by Commerce and Industry Minister NirmalaSitharaman and her South Korean counterpart JooHyunghwan in New Delhi.

5. Union Ministry of AYUSH released YogGeet for International Day of Yoga–2016.

6. Microsoft & AICTE signed agreement to build app for HRD ministry's SWAYAM platform.

7.  Sunil Mittal elected Chairman of International Chamber of Commerce.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. SpaceX successfully launches two commercial satellite: United State based private space transport service company SpaceX successfully launched two commercial satellites viz. EUTELSAT 117 West B and ABS-2A.

2. UN Women announces Anne Hathaway as ‘Goodwill Ambassador’ to promote gender equality: The United Nations entity tasked with promoting gender equality today announced the appointment of Academy Award-winning American actor Anne Hathaway as global Goodwill Ambassador.

3. Rio declares financial crisis:  Rio de Janeiro's governor declared a state of financial emergency and requested federal funds to help fulfil obligations for public services during the Olympics that start August 5.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

1. SBI creates a dedicated Rs200 crore fund for start-ups: India's largest public sector lender State Bank of India (SBI) has created a dedicated IT innovations and start-ups fund and has set aside Rs 200 crore for investment in promising start-ups. 

AWARDS:

2. Kerala Tourism bags four awards at ‘FilmAT’ International Film Festival in Poland:Kerala Tourism won four awards at ‘FilmAT’ which is one of the biggest international film festivals dedicated to tourism, art and ecology in Poland.

OBITUARIES:

3. Veteran Odia actress Manimala Devi passes away at the age of 86.

Daily GK Updates - 17th June, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Government approves Rs 2,070-crore highway project in Punjab: The Union Cabinet has approved a Rs 2,070-crore highways project in Punjab under its hybrid annuity mode to ensure faster movement of traffic between Chandigarh and Ludhiana.

2. Andhra Pradesh to start internet-based phone service: Andhra Pradesh is perhaps the first State to have obtained a telecom licence and it can issue phone numbers starting with the ‘797’ series from August this year.

3. SupriyaSahu appointed as Director General of Doordarshan: SupriyaSahu was appointed as Director General of Doordarshan on 15 June 2016.She will be the full-time director general of the state-run broadcaster after two year as the post was lying vacant since July 2014.

4. Sunil Mittal elected chief of International Chamber of Commerce: Sunil Bharti Mittal, founder chairman of Bharti Enterprises, has been elected as the head of International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), based in Paris, France.

5. Suresh Chandra appointed as Union Law Secretory.

6. Piyush Goyal launches VidyutPravah and Urja mobile app in Goa to enhance consumer connectivity:Union Minister of State for Power, Coal and New and Renewable Energy Piyush Goyal has launched ‘URJA’- Urban JyotiAbhiyaan Mobile app on the side-lines of ongoing two day Conference of Power Ministers at Cansaulim in South Goa. 

7.  Thailand PM Chan-ocha arrives in Delhi on a three-day visit to boost ties between both the Nations: Prime Minister of Thailand, Prayuth Chan-ocha, arrived in New Delhi for a three-day visit aimed at reviewing bilateral relations. Prayuth is visiting the country on an invitation of Prime Minister NarendraModi. He is accompanied by his deputy, five senior ministers and a 46 -member business delegation.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Peter Thomson elected as President of 71^st United Nation General Assembly: The United Nations General Assembly elected Peter Thomson, Permanent Representative of Fiji, as President of its upcoming 71st session.

2. North America to have its first sanctuary for Dolphins: Baltimore’s National Aquarium has announced its plan to create an Oceanside dolphin sanctuary. This will be first of its kind sanctuary for the marine mammals in North America.\

OTHER UPDATES:

OBITUARIES:

3. Famous TV actress Ann Morgan Guilbert dies: Famous Television actress Ann Morgan Guilbert died on 16 June 2016 after battling with cancer. She was 87.

Daily GK Updates - 16th June, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Railways flags off 1^st time-tabled freight train: Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu has flagged off India's first timetabled freight train, named ‘Cargo Express’, from Delhi to Bengaluru. The move aims to reduce the delay and uncertainty over the time schedule for delivery of goods. 

2. Union Cabinet, approvals on 15^th June, 2016: The Union Cabinet gave its ex-post facto approval to the MoU for the cooperation in the field of agriculture and allied sector between India and Taiwan. Besides, the cabinet also gave its nod to the signing of Air Services Agreement between both the countries. The MoU was signed between Taipei Economic and Cultural Centre in India and India-Taipei Association in Taipei, Taiwan.

3. President reaches Windhoek on the last leg of 3-nation tour to Africa: President Pranab Mukherjee has reached Windhoek, the capital of Namibia on the last leg of his three-nation tour to Africa. He was received on his arrival at Hosea Kotako international airport by the deputy Prime Minister Ms. Nandi Ndaitwah Netumbo. 

4. HRD Minister Smriti Irani launches Vidyanjali in New Delhi: Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani has launched Vidyanjali, a school volunteer programme in New Delhi. Vidyanjali is an initiative under Padhe Bharat Badhe Bharat, to enhance community and private sector involving government-run elementary schools across the country.

5. 3,049 people perform largest Karma dance in Madhya Pradesh enters Guinness world records: During the recent event in District Mandla, Madhya Pradesh, 3,049 people registered their spot in the Guinness book of world records for performing largest Karma Naach dance ever. The people took part in the dance to celebrate the culture and history of the Gond tribes of central India.

6. Petroleum Minister visiting St Petersburg to represent India at the SPIEF: Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, the Minister of State (I/C) for Petroleum and Natural Gas is going to visit St Petersburg, Russia on two days meet holding on 16th and 17th June, to represent India at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). 

7.  Kiran Bedi launches a mobile app to help senior citizens in distress: The “HelpAge SOS App’’ was launched by Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi at Raj Nivas. The app provides for an SOS-Save our seniors button to immediately reach to the counsellor desk of Help Age for rendering emergency help and assistance, apart from health related information.

8. Uber enters into pact with Tata Group: Tech-based car-hailing company Uber has entered into an agreement with Tata group to help its drivers own Indica and Indigo cars with less hassle. While Tata Capital Financial Services and Tata Motors Finance will offer loans at "competitive'’ interest rates, ‘affordable’ insurance would be offered by Tata AIG as a package.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Russia launches most powerful nuclear icebreaker Arktika:  Russia's new Project 22220 nuclear-powered icebreaker dubbed Arktika was launched from the Baltic Shipyard in Russia's second largest city of St. Petersburg.   

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

1. Karnataka Bank gets Award: Karnataka Bank Ltd has bagged CFBP (Council for Fair Business Practices) Jamnalal Bajaj award for fair business practices.

SPORTS:

2. India won the three matches ODI Series against Zimbabwe: India has won the three-match One-Day International (ODI) series against Zimbabwe 3-0. In the third and final match played at Harare, India defeated Zimbabwe by 10 wickets. The ODI series will be followed by 3 Twenty-20 matches that will begin on 18 June 2016.

3. “A new World”- the official slogan for Rio Olympics: The Rio 2016 organising committee revealed the official slogan for the first Olympic and Paralympic Games in South America – “A new world” – while also unveiling the medals, 52 days from the start of the quadrennial extravaganza. 

AWARDS:

4. Margaret Atwood awarded 2016 PEN Pinter prize: Canadian poet, novelist and environmental activist Margaret Atwood was awarded the 2016 PEN Pinter Prize. Atwood will receive her award at a public event at the British Library on 13 October 2016.

5. Indian Diabetes Specialist Dr Shashank S Shah wins Vivian Fonseca Scholar Award 2016: Pune-based diabetes specialist Shashank S Shah was conferred with the Vivian Fonseca Scholar Award 2016. He was selected for his research  titled Gastric Bypass vs. Medical/Lifestyle Care for Type 2 Diabetes in South Asia with BMI 25-40 kg/m2 — The COSMID Randomised. It is one of the pioneering bariatric surgeons in India and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in Asia.

OBITUARIES:

6. Assam Pradesh Congress President Anjan Dutta passes away: Assam Pradesh Congress President (APCC) Anjan Dutta has passed away in New Delhi. He was undergoing treatment at AIIMS for past several days. He was 64 years old.

Daily GK Updates - 15th June, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. President Pranab Mukherjee receives the highest civilian award of Ivory Coast: President Pranab Mukherjee has been awarded the highest civilian award of Ivory Coast, 'the National Grand Crois’.

2. Cabinet approves SBI takeover of units: A cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the takeover by State Bank of India (SBI) of several subsidiaries.

3. India to provide Rs48 mn aid for college building in nepal: India has pledged a financial assistance of Rs 48.84 million to Nepal for the construction of a college building in the capital Kathmandu.

4. Jalmarg Vikas Project on river Ganga to enable commercial navigation: Jal Marg Vikas is a project on the river Ganga that is being developed between Allahabad and Haldia to cover a distance of 1620 kilometers.

5. Union Governments launches scheme for setting up 1000 MW CTU- connected wind power: The Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has launched a scheme for setting up of 1000 Mega Watt (MW) Wind Power Project connected to transmission network of Central Transmission Utility (CTU).

6. Railways Ministry sings an agreement with Odisha govt. for the development of railways infrastructure: Ministry of railways has signed an agreement with Government of Odisha for the formation of a joint venture Company to develop the railway infrastructure in the state.

7. Haryana government approves Rs25 cr agriculture project: Haryana government has approved a Rs 25 crore project that will benefit 75,000 farmers. The decision has been taken by the state level steering committee, which met under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary D S Dhesi.         

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Florida bank issues first US credit card for use in Cuba: A small regional Florida bank, Stonegate Bank has made history by issuing the first credit card that can be used in Cuba. That could make it easier for Americans to travel and work on an island largely.

2. Peter Thomson elected as the President of 71^st session of United Nations General Assembly.

3. Deutsche bank Asia Chief executive Gunit Chandra quits: Germany’s largest lender, Deutsche Bank has announced that Gunit Chadha, who is serving as Chief Executive officer for Asia-Pacific region would leave the company next month on 17th of July. At present, he is handling 16 countries which include, India, China in Asia Pacific.   

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

1. DCB bank launches Adhaar enabled ATM in Bengaluru: DCB Bank has launched Bengaluru's first ATM that accepts Aadhaar number and Aadhaar fingerprint (biometric) instead of ATM/Debit Card and PIN to dispense cash.

2. DBS Bank appointed Niraj Mittal as institutional banking head: DBS Bank India, a part of Asia's foremost financial services group DBS Group Holdings Limited, has announced the appointment of Mr. Niraj Mittal as the Managing Director and Head of Institutional Banking for the country.

3. RBS India Chief Brijesh Mehra to head RBL corporate banking:

Kolhapur-headquartered, a small sized but fastest growing private sector lender RBL Bank (formerly known as The Ratnakar Bank Limited) has announced the appointment of Brijesh Mehra as the head of corporate banking at RBL. 

SPORTS:

4. India set for the Maiden show at U17 futsal World cup: India are set to make their maiden appearance in the Under 17 Futsal World Cup next month, after being invited by the sport's governing body, the Association Mundial de Futsal (AMF), as a wild card to take part in the event.

OBITUARIES:

5. Renowned Hindi writer Mudrarasksha passes away: Distinguished Hindi writer, activist, thinker and cultural personality Mudrarakshasa has passed away after following a prolonged illness in Lucknow. He was 82 years old.