Daily GK Updates - 6th November, 2017

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Guru Nanak Jayanti: Nanak was the founder of Sikh religion and the first of the ten Sikh Gurus. His words are registered in the form of 974 poetic hymns in the holy text of Sikhism. It is the 548th birth anniversary of 1st Sikh Guru Nanak Dev jee is being celebrated across the country. It was on this day, Guru Jee was born at Rai Bhoi di Talwandi (Nankana Sahib) in Pakistan. Devotees are attending the Gurudwaras to pay obeisance and are also taking bath in 'Pavitar Sarovar'. Guru 3.

2. No tax on cash sales of agricultural produce for less than 2 lakhs rupees: According to the Income Tax (IT) Department circular, the cash sales of agricultural produce by a cultivator to a trader for less than 2 lakh rupees will not attract tax under the Income Tax Act. The cultivator and the trader will also not have to provide their Permanent Account Number or furnish Form 60.vThe clarification came following representations from stakeholders about applicability of income tax provision to cash sale of farm produce by farmers to traders.

3. Cauvery tribunal gets extension of 6 months for report: The union govt. has given a six-month extension to the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) to submit its report on Cauvery water sharing dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. on 2nd June 1990, The CWDT was constituted under section 4 of the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956 for the adjudication of the water dispute. On 5thFebruary 2007, the tribunal had asked Karnataka to release 192 thousand million cubic feet water to lower riparian Tamil Nadu every year from June to January.

4. India’s first black buck conservation reserve at Allahabad: The Uttar Pradesh state cabinet has decided to make India's first conservation reserve for blackbuck at the Meja forest division near Allahabad. The wildlife conservation reserve will come up on over 126 hectares in Meja forest division undulating and arid terrain. Indian Blackbuck is an antelope and is the only living species of the genus Antilope.

5. The Union Minister Mahesh Sharma has inaugurated the three days North-East Festival, in New Delhi, aims to promote northeast India: The festival, will see performances by artistes like rapper Borkung Hrangkhawl, heavy metal bands Pulse Pandits, Girish & Chronicles (GATC) and Traffic Jam.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1.  Colombia signs USD 300m UN deal to fight cocaine production: Colombia has signed a USD 300 million agreement with the United Nations (UN) aimed to reduce the production of cocaine. This agreement is opportunity to turn the tide against Colombia's coca cultivation and help farmers embrace alternative development. This initiative will provide compensation to farmers if they revert to producing safer crops like coffee and cacao. Colombia is ranked as one of the main drug-growing nations in the world by the UNODC.

2.  ‘Fake News’ named Word of the Year 2017:  A term ‘Fake news’ has been named the word of the year by Collins dictionary due to its widespread use around the world. According to the Collins Dictionary’s lexicographers (U.K.-based), the use of ‘fake news’ registered a 365% rise in the last 12 months. 'Fake news' takes over from Brexit which was named the definitive word last year after the June 2016 referendum in favour of the U.K.’s exit from the EU.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. FIFA suspend Peru striker Guerrero for failing doping test: The Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) has provisionally suspended Peruvian Football striker Paolo Guerrero (Peru captain) for 30 days after failing a doping test. Guerrero tested positive on 5th October after the World Cup qualifying match against Argentina. Doping is the taking of banned substances or using prohibited methods to enhance or maintain sporting performance.

BUSINESS/ ECONOMY:

1. Etikoppaka toys from Andhra Pradesh get GI tag: The Geographical Indication Registry (GIR) has given Geographical Indication (GI) tag traditional Etikoppaka toys from Andhra Pradesh. These traditional toys are made by artisans in Etikoppaka village in Visakhapatnam district. The Geographical Indication (GI) is name or sign used on certain products which correspond to specific geographical location or origin. These goods and products having tag are recognised for their origin, quality and reputation and gives it required edge in the global market.

BANKING/FINANCE:

1. Sovereign Gold Bond rate fixed at 2,934 rupees per gram: The price of the new series of Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGBs) has been fixed at 2,934 rupees per gram. The union govt. has decided to offer a discount of 50 rupees per gram to investors applying online and making payments digitally. The subscription opens from Monday to Wednesday every week between 9^th October and 27^th. This round is part of the SGB calendar announced till December and is spread over 12 weeks. The Bond is issued by Reserve Bank on behalf of Government of India.SGBs are government securities denominated in grams of gold, substitutes for holding physical gold. Investors have to pay the issue price in cash and the bonds will be redeemed in cash on maturity.

2. India Post Payment Bank to become operational in 650 districts by April 2018: India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) will become operational in all 650 districts of the country by April next year. These banks will be linked to 1.55 lakh rural post offices and carry out banking services. The two such banks are already operational in Ranchi and Raipur.

AWARDS / HONOURS:

1. Eminent Hindi Litterateur Krishna Sobati will get the Jnanpith Award for 2017 (53rd) for her path breaking contribution to Indian literature:  She is known for experimenting with new writing style and creating bold and daring characters in her stories. She has earlier won the Sahitya Akademi Award (1980) for her novel ‘Zindaginama’ and was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Fellowship (in 1996). The Jnanpith Award is an Indian literary award presented annually by the Bharatiya Jnanpith to an author for their 'outstanding contribution towards literature'.

Daily GK Updates -5th November, 2017

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1.The Indian Army launched an Independent and Fully-Integrated Joint Training Node(JTN) at Umroi cantonment in Shillong, Mehghalaya: The concept was envisaged keeping in mind the conducive weather terrain offering optimal training environment.

2.India to have middle income country by 2047 - World Bank: Praising India’s increasing per capita income, World Bank CEO Kristalina Georgieva said she has no doubt India will be a high-middle income country by 2047,when it completes 100 years of Independence. She further lauded India for the 30-rank jump in Ease of Doing Business ranking, terming it the biggest leap ever in the history of the survey.

3.Parliamntary panel to submit report on Sino-Indian ties - Shashi Tharoor: The parliamentary committee on external affairs plans to submit a comprehensive report on Sino-Indian ties next year, and is currently looking at the “extremely topical” Doklam issue, panel chairman Shashi Tharoor has said. “Just as this year we submitted to Parliament a report on Indo-Pakistan relations, similarly for next summer we want to submit a report on Sino-Indian relations,” he said.

4. Goa to host Nobel prize event in February 2018: The Goa government signed trilateral MoU with the Department of Bio-Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India and Nobel Media, Sweden to hold the ‘Nobel Prize Series-India 2018 to be hold form Feb 1-2018 in Goa. The Nobel series has earlier been organized in Gujarat.

5. Glide Bomb successfully test-fire by DRDO: Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully tested an indigenously-built lightweight ‘glide bomb’. It was launched at the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, Odisha. The ‘glide bomb’ is named as Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAAW). It was released from the IAF aircraft and guided through precision navigation system.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Lebanese PM Saad al-Hariri resigns: Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri resigned unexpectedly. Saad al-Hariri has said after his resignation that, he sensed a plot to target his life and feared the same fate as his assassinated father if he remained as leader. Saad al-Hariri became Lebanon’s Prime Minister in 2016 and headed a 30-member national unity cabinet.

2.Saudi Arabia intercepts missile targeted at Riyadh airport: Saudi Arabia’s military forces intercepted a ballistic missile fired towards the international airport in Capital Riyadh. The 800-Km range missile was destroyed over the capital and fragments landed in the airport area.

3. Asia’s largest Island-Building Vessel: China unveiled Asia’s largest artificial island-building ship. The 140-metre-long vessel, which has been dubbed as “magic island maker”, is capable of digging 6,000 cubic metres an hour. The boat named Tian Kun Hao is equivalent of three standard swimming pools.

4.China to build world’s highest planetarium in Tibet in 2018: China will begin construction of the world’s highest planetarium next year in Tibet, which is often dubbed “Roof of the World”, being 4,000 meters above sea level. Planned to be completed in 2019, the planetarium in Tibetan capital Lhasa would benefit from clear skies due to altitude and have the region’s largest optical astronomical telescope.

5. World Tsunami Awareness Day – November5: The World Tsunami Awareness Day was observed across the world on 5 November. The theme for 2017 WTAD is ‘Reduce the Number of Affected People’. The day is celebrated to spread awareness among people across the world in matters related to the dangers of tsunami. It was observed across the world in 2016 with the theme ‘Effective Education and Evacuation Drills’.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1.Mary Kom named Women’s Youth World Championship Ambassador: Five time world champion and Olympic bronze medalist MC Mary Kom has been named as the ambassador of the upcoming AIBA Women’s Youth World Championships. The event is being held in Guwahati, Assam is scheduled to be held from November 19 to 26.

2.Indian Women’s hockey team wins Asia Cup after 13 years: The Indian women’s Hockey team defeated Two-time Asia Cup champion China to clinch the Hockey Asia Cup for the second time. The match had ended in a 1-1 stalemate after regulation time and India went to win the match 5-4 in the penalty shootout.

BUSINESS/ ECONOMY:

1.AU small finance bank gets scheduled commercial bank status: AU Small Finance bank has received Reserve Bank of India(RBI) approval to operate as schedule commercial bank. Now AU Small Finance bank will be able to do borrowing and lending with RBI under Liquidity Adjustment Facility(LAF) and Marginal Standing Facility(MSF).

2. Air New Zealand named Airline Of The Year for 5th time: Air New Zealand has been named Airline Of The Year for the fifth consecutive year by AirlineRatings.com. It has also topped the top 10 airlines for 2018 list, followed by Quantas Airways, Singapore Airlines, Virgin Australia and Virgin Atlantic.

Daily GK Updates – 4th November, 2017

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Indian Naval Ships Tir & Sujatha visit to Sri Lanka: The Indian Coast Guard ship Sarathi arrived at the Colombo port on 02nd Nov 2017 on a goodwill and training visit. Two another Indian naval ships Tir & Sujatha are on a 5-days goodwill visit to Sri Lanka to participate in the training exercises. The crew will also take part in a series of friendly sports events and community service activities organised by the Sri Lanka Navy.

2. Andhra to convert 29,000 fair price shops into village malls: The mini-malls will offer subsidised grains along with over 500 grocery items and fast moving consumer goods. The initiative is aimed at improving the rural population’s lifestyle.

3. India to witness ‘Beaver Moon’ tonight: The moon would appear around 14% larger in diameter and 30% brighter than usual as the Moon comes closer to Earth. November’s Full Moon is called ‘Beaver Moon’ after beavers who build their winter dams at this time of the year.

4. IAF, DRDO successfully test-fire ‘Glide’ bomb: They test-fired indigenously developed lightweight ‘Glide’ bomb named SAAW(Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon) in Odisha. Three tests were conducted with different release conditions and were all successful.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Trump to be 1st US President in 25 yrs to visit South Korea: Donald Trump has begun his 12-day trip to five Asian nations. Trump and South Korean President Moon-Jae are expected to discuss North Korean nuclear issue among other things.

2. US launches first airstrike against Islamic State in Somalia: General Joseph Dunford announced that the US saw Africa as a new frontline against ISIS. The US had previously carried out drone strikes against al Qaeda-linked al-Shabaab militant group in Somalia.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. Mary Kom assured of a medal in Asian Women’s Boxing Championships: Mary Kom defeated Chinese Taipei’s Meng-Chieh Pin in a split verdict in the quarterfinals to make the last four stage of the light flyweight (48kg) category. The 34-year-old, who has won four gold, a silver in her five previous appearances at the event, will face Japan’s Tsubasa Komura in the semifinals.

2. French laboratory suspended from anti-doping activities: World Anti-Doping Agency carried out this suspension because of analytical issues. The laboratory was provisionally suspended on September 24th due to issues self-reported to WADA by the laboratory.

SCIENCE / TECHNOLOGY:

1. New Orangutan Species Found : A new species of orangutan ‘Pongo tapanuliensis’ was discovered in the Sumatra island of Indonesia, which has become the world’s most endangered great ape. The species, called ‘Tapanuli orangutan’, lives in the Batang Toru forest on Sumatra island of Indonesia. They are only 800 in number totally. This has made them the most endangered great ape in the world.

2. Fake version of WhatsApp surfaces in Google play store: The app is named ‘Update WhatsApp Messenger’ under the developer name ‘WhatsApp Inc’. The fake app has been downloaded one million times while the original WhatsApp has one billion users.

3. Longest dolphin in captivity died : Nana, a female bottlenose dolphin, died at the Shizuoka Prefecture aquarium, in Japan. Dolphin Nana recently broke a national record of staying captive at the aquarium for 15,666 days, or 42 years and 11 months. Nana was captured off the coast of Ito in 1974. She had lived at the aquarium since then. She had given birth to eight calves and also had taken part in dolphin shows.

BUSINESS/ ECONOMY:

1. Broadcom plans to acquire Qualcomm for $100 billion: The acquisition of Qualcomm would make Broadcom the third-largest chipmaker after Intel and Samsung Electronics. Broadcom has a current market capitalisation of about $110 billion.

2. RCom to shut voice call service from December 1: TRAI has directed RCom to not reject any porting out request of its subscribers and customers can move to other networks by December 31. This comes after RCom called off its merger with Aircel in October.

BANKING/FINANCE:

1. India jumping 30 spots in ease of doing business rare - World Bank: World Bank CEO Kristalina Georgiva has said that this jump for India is very rare and that it is an extraordinary achievement. Georgieva further said that the GST regime has created an opportunity for India to grow.

Daily GK Updates - 3rd November, 2017

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1.Allahabad to get India’s first black buck conservation reserve: UP cabinet decided to make India’s first conservation reserve for Black Bucks in Allahabd’s Meja. The decision taken for the protection of black deer will also help in wooing tourists.

2.Prime Minster Narendra Modi inaugurated the most anticipated International Mega Food Event- World Food India 2017: It is the the biggest congregation of global investors and businesses leaders of major food companies. The event is organized by the Food Processing Industries Ministry in Delhi.

3.India-Kazakhstan joint exercise “Prabal Dostyk 2017” begins: A fourteen day joint training exercise “Prabal Dostyk 2017” between the Indian Army and the Kazakhstan Army commemenced with the opening ceremony at Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh. The joint exercise is aimed at enhancing the military ties between two countries and also at achieving interoperability between the two armies.

4. 9th Global Green film festival to be host by Delhi: The ninth edition of CMS Vatavaran – an international film festival on environment and wildlife – will begin in Delhi, showcasing 113 films, including four from Kashmir, one of the most ecologically sensitive zones facing the threat of global warming. The “Conservation 4 Water”-themed five-day gala at Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti will also have seminars, workshops, exhibitions and an award ceremony focusing on the environmental, social and economic aspects of water conservation.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. The former chief of Colombia’s FARC rebel group, Rodrigo Londono, has announced his run for the presidency next year: Londono had led the negotiations with Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos to end the 53-year-old conflict between FARC rebels and the Colombian government.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1.FIR against Sharapova for endorsing Gurugram housing project: A Delhi court has ordered an FIR against Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova, who was part of a complaint by a homebuyer who had invested in a housing project in Gurugram. The project was named after the Russian but the construction never took off.

SCIENCE / TECHNOLOGY:

1.Ford develops trucker hat that wakes driver up with sound: American automaker Ford has developed a hat that senses a driver’s head movements associated with sleepiness and wakes them up using sound, light and vibration. Ford develop the hat in partnership with Brazil based creative agency GTB.

2 Apple briefly touched $900bn market capitalization: Apple is the world’s most valuable company followed by Google which has a market value of $718bn.

BUSINESS/ ECONOMY:

1.AIIB grants Rs.13,000crore loan to Andhra Pradesh: China sponsored, AIIB(Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank) has granted a loan of Rs.13,000crore for five projects in Andhra Pradesh. Five projects includes two roads and buildings department, one each for rural safe drinking water department, municipal and urban development department and Panchayat Raj department.

2.Walmart India launches India’s first fulfillment centre in Mumbai: Walmart India launched its first fulfillment centre in Mumbai. The fulfillment centre is a new fromat of its cash-and-carry store model that will focus exclusively on FMCG products and staples and will not stock fresh food or electronics. The company has also planned another fulfillment centre in Lucknow. Krish Iyer is the President and CEO of Walmart India.