Daily GK Updates - 28th October, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Arunachal, British Council sign MoU for cultural cooperation : The Arunachal Pradesh government signed a MoU with The British Council in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh to strengthen educational and cultural cooperation.The MoU was signed by Tayek Talom, Director of Higher and Technical Education of Arunachal Pradesh, and Alan Gemmell, Director, British Council India, on the sidelines of the Tawang Festival. As per the MOU, as many as 50 faculty members from government higher education institutions will be trained by the British Council every year, starting from December. Further, 50 students of higher and technical education institutes will be trained in English language skills annually.

2. Meghalaya launches Blue Revolution: Integrated Development and Management of Fisheries The Meghalaya government is all set to launch a new scheme Blue Revolution: Integrated Development and Management of Fisheries on October 26 next to meet the requirements of the state. The Central Government has sanctioned Rs 51 crore for scheme and the State Government has already received the first installment of Rs 25 crore.The Union Government under the scheme is targeting to enhance the fish production from 107.95 lakh tonnes in 2015-16 to about 150 lakh tonnes by the end of the financial year 2019-20.

3. Kerala the best State for teenage girls in India – Report : Kerala tops the TAG index which compares the performance of each State based on the status of their teenage girls, as a part of the survey findings of The Teen Age Girls (TAG) Report, conducted by Project Nanhi Kali.Compiled and published by the Naandi Foundation, with grant support from Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd, this report is touted as the nation’s first report on what it means to be a teenage girl in India.Kerala is followed by Mizoram, Sikkim, Manipur and Himachal Pradesh as the top States, while the top three cities were found to be Mumbai, Kolkata and Bengaluru.

4. Portal to promote Odia language, literature inaugurated in Odisha : Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched a new web portal of ‘Odia Virtual Academy’ (www.ova.gov.in) to promote the Odia language and literature at the Secretariat in Bhubaneshwar. The new website will be helpful in the promotion of Odia language at the international level, especially for the Non Resident Odias (NROs) Three memoranda of understanding (MoUs) were signed by the Odisha Government with the University of Chicago library, CDAC and Centre for Internet and Society, Bengaluru to expedite digitisation of Odia literature and development of Odia software

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Indo-Canadians pledge $7mn to build hostels for poor children in India : Indo-Canadian expatriates have donated more than $7 million dollars to a Toronto-based non-profit organisation which builds and runs education hostels in rural India. The non-profit AIM for SEWA (Canada) builds hostels in far-flung, rural areas of India to educate children from poor families.At this year’s annual gala dinner in Toronto attended by former Miss India Pooja Batra, many Indo-Canadians pledged donations to AIM for SEWA to take its collections to over $7 million dollars to promote education of poor rural kids in India.

2. Higgins re-elected Irish President again : Michael D Higgins has been re-elected Irish president after winning a landslide victory with 822,566 votes. The 77-year-old professor and campaigner will serve his second term after first being elected in 2011. Mr Higgins is Ireland’s ninth president.

3. International Animation Day 2018 : International Animation Day is celebrated on October 28, commemorating the day in 1892 when Charles-Emile Reynaud’s Theatre Optique made its first public appearance in Paris. The day recognises and celebrates the artists, technicians and scientists behind the art of animation in all its forms and avatars.

OTHER UPDATES:

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. Former SBI chairman Arundhati Bhattacharya appointed as independent director of Wipro : Wipro said it had appointed former State Bank of India chairman Arundhati Bhattacharya as an independent director beginning January 1, 2019. Bhattacharya’s appointment is for a period of five years.

2. UN names Human Rights Prize winners for 2018 : The United Nations has hailed the “inspiring” work of four individuals and organisations as it announced the winners of its Prize in the Field of Human Rights for 2018.The honour was given to Asma Jahangir, the late Pakistani lawyer and leading human rights defender, along withTanzanian activist Rebeca Gyumi, Brazil’s first indigenous lawyer Joenia Wapichana and Irish human rights groupsFront Line Defenders.

SPORTS:

1. Vinales Wins Australian MotoGP : Maverick Vinales ended his and Yamaha’s lengthy droughts when he won the Australian MotoGP as newly-crowned world champion Marc Marquez failed to finish after starting from pole for the fifth straight year. Yamaha had gone without a win in 25 races since Valentino Rossi won the Dutch GP last June, the longest winless streak in its history. 

Daily GK Updates - 27th October, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1.IRS officer Sanjay Kumar Mishra appointed as ED chief : The government has appointed Indian Revenue Service officer Sanjay Kumar Mishra as Enforcement Directorate chief.He will replace current ED director Karnal Singh’s whose term ended on 25th Oct 2018.Singh, a 1984-batch IPS officer of Union Territories cadre, will complete an over three-year tenure as the ED Director.The ED enforces two major laws in the country to check black money — the criminal Prevention of Money Laundering Act and the Foreign Exchange Management Act.

2. Malayalam author Benyamin’s 'Jasmine Days' wins first JCB Prize for literature :

Malayalam author Benyamin has bagged the inaugural JCB Prize for literature for his book 'Jasmine Days', which explores the lives of South Asians in the Middle East.'Jasmine Days', his second book, tells the story of a young woman in a city where the promise of revolution turns into destruction and division.It revolves around the Jasmine Revolution that sprang up in December 2010 and was quelled by January 2011.Benyamin was awarded a cash prize of ₹25 lakh, along with a magnificent trophy.

3. Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurates 10th Nuclear Energy Conclave in New Delhi  : The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) inaugurated 10th Nuclear Energy Conclave in New Delhi.He said that the Cabinet has given its approval for construction of 10 units of India’s indigenous Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWR).He also informed the audience about the “Hall of Nuclear Power”- India’s first permanent exhibition on nuclear power has been built in the national capital.

4. Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar launched a web portal of ‘IMPRESS’ scheme : With an aim to build a research ecosystem in educational institutions, Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar launched the web portal of ‘IMPRESS’ scheme.IMPRESS stands for - Impactful Policy Research in Social Sciences. The aim of the scheme is to identify and fund research proposals in social sciences with maximum impact on the governance and society.The scheme will be implemented at a total cost of Rs. 414 crore by March 2021.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1.Sahle-Work Zewde becomes Ethiopia's first female president : Ethiopian members of parliament have elected Sahle-Work Zewde as the country's first female president.She will replace Mulatu Teshome who resigned in unclear circumstances.After being sworn in, President Sahle-Work promised to work hard to make gender equality a reality in Ethiopia.Prior to her appointment, Sahle-Work served as both the special representative of the United Nations' secretary-general and the head of the UN office to the African Union.

2. Mahinda Rajapaksa becomes new Prime Minister of Sri Lanka : In Sri Lanka, the political turmoil continues after President Maithripala Sirisena appointed former President Mahinda Rajapaksa as new Prime minister.President Maithripala Sirisena sacked premier Ranil Wickremesinghe who termed the move as “unconstitutional” and vowed to prove his majority in Parliament.After Rajapaksa took an oath, Sirisena wrote to Wickremesinghe, saying he had been removed.

3. Pak lawyer Asma Jahangir wins UN Human Rights Prize posthumously : Pakistan's human rights activist and lawyer Asma Jahangir has been posthumously awarded the UN Prize along with three other winners.Rebeca Gyumi of Tanzania, Brazil's first indigenous lawyer Joenia Wapichana and Ireland's human rights  rganization Front Line Defenders are the other winners of the prize.The United Nations Prize in the Field of Human Rights is an honorary award given for outstanding achievement in human rights.The award ceremony will take place on December 10 on World Human Rights Day in New York.

4.  Young Indian scientist wins World Health Summit Startup award in Berlin : Roopam Sharma, a 23-year old Indian scientist, won the World Health Summit  tartup award, 2018 for his invention, Manovue – the world’s first intelligent personal assisting system for the visually impaired. He was awarded at an annual event of the health summit in Berlin. Manovue eliminates the need for Braille language to decipher a printed text and instead combines vision intelligence to help the visually impaired people read. He is known for his socially viable innovations that combine artificial intelligence.

5. PM Modi embarks on a 3-day visit to Japan to attend Annual Bilateral Summit : Prime Minister Narendra Modi today embarked on a three-day visit to Japan.PM Modi will attend the 13th India-Japan Annual summit with his counterpart Mr. Shinzo Abe.This will be the fifth Annual Summit meeting between Mr. Modi and Mr. Abe and their 12th meeting overall.Apart from attending the summit, Mr. Modi will visit the Robotics and Automation firm FANUC in Yamanashi and meet business leaders.

6. World Day for Audiovisual Heritage Observed today : The World Day for Audiovisual Heritage, observed by the United Nations on October 27, recognizes the need to preserve audio-visual links to the past.The General Conference of UNESCO approved the commemoration of a World Day for Audiovisual Heritage in 2005 as a mechanism to raise general awareness of the need to preserve and safeguard important audiovisual material for future generations.

OTHER UPDATES:

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. Hyundai tops in after-sales customer satisfaction survey : Hyundai Motor India has topped the after-sales customer satisfaction survey among mass market brands, according to global market research firm JD Power.Hyundai, the country's second-largest car seller, scored the highest 912 points in after-sales customer satisfaction survey, the JD Power 2018 India Customer Service Index (Mass Market) Study said.Tata Motors was ranked second with a score of 874 points followed by Mahindra & Mahindra at the third position with a score of 865.Ford with a score of 829 points was placed fourth followed by Toyota at fifth with 827 points. Car market leader Maruti Suzuki India stood at the eight positions with a score of 804.

BANKING/FINANCE:

1. Corp Bank bags MSME award : Corporation Bank has bagged the ‘Best MSME Bank - Winner 2018’ award instituted by the Assocham.The ‘6th Assocham SMEs Excellence Award – 2018’ was held in New Delhi.Shivanand Hebbar, DGM, received the award from Chief Minister of Meghalaya Conrad K Sangma.The award was conferred based on the bank’s performance in SME (small and medium enterprise) segment.

SPORTS:

1.  Sourav Kothari wins World Billiards C’ship : India's Sourav Kothari defeated Peter Gilchrist of Singapore by 1134-944 to clinch the 2018 World Billiards Championship title at Leeds in UK.The former national and Asian Billiards champion Kothari was pipped at the post for the coveted World Billiards crown on two occasions in the last two years, including a loss to Gilchrist in 2016 final in Bengaluru.

Daily GK Updates - 26th October, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1.PM Modi inaugurates farmers' conclave Krishi Kumbha in Lucknow : Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated three-day farmers' conclave 'Krishi Kumbh 2018' in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh (via video conferencing).The 'Krishi Kumbh' is being organized to promote modern technique and diversification in agriculture that could help in doubling farmers income.The Kumbh will witness Israel & Japan (as official partners) while Haryana & Jharkhand (as partner states).The summit would introduce farmers to the evolving dynamics of farming so that they could increase their earnings by tapping the vast potential in agriculture and post-harvest management of crops.

2. HRD Minister launches web portal of SPARC in New Delhi : The Minister of Human Resource Development (HRD) Prakash Javadekar has launched the web portal “sparc.iitkgp.ac.in.” in New Delhi.SPARC (Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration) scheme aims at improving the research ecosystem of India’s higher educational institutions by facilitating academic and research collaborations between Indian Institutions and the best institutions in the world.SPARC will improve research ecosystem of India’s higher educational institutions by facilitating academic and research collaborations between Indian Institutions and the best institutions in the world from 28 selected nations. 

3.Shri Rajnath Singh attends 57th Raising Day Parade of Indo-Tibetan Border Police : The Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh attended the 57th Raising Day Parade of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) at Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh.The ITBP jawans are deployed in North East and Left Wing Extremism affected areas.On this occasion, 1 Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak, 05 President’s Police Medals for istinguished Service, 23 Police medals for meritorious service and 1 Jeevan Raksha Padak were awarded.

4.Maneka Gandhi inaugurates the fifth edition of Women of India National Organic Festival : The Union Women and child development minister Maneka Sanjay ‘Gandhi’ has inaugurated the Women of India National Organic Festival (5^th edition) at Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts in New Delhi. (26th Oct to 4th November 2018). The objective of the ten days long ‘Organic Festival’ is to boost organic culture and promote women, organic farmers and entrepreneurs

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. NATO's biggest military maneuvers begin in Norway : The NATO's (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) biggest military maneuvers (since the Cold War) has begun in Norway.The wargames bring together around 50,000 personnel from all 29 NATO allies, plus partners Finland and Sweden.Around 65 vessels, 150 aircraft and 10,000 vehicles will also participate in the drill, which takes place in central and eastern Norway, the North Atlantic and the Baltic Sea. It will go on till November 7.

2.India, Bangladesh sign several agreements for enhancing inland and coastal waterways connectivity : India and Bangladesh have signed several agreements for enhancing inland and coastal waterways connectivity for trade and cruise movements.The two countries have signed an agreement to use Chattogram and Mongla Ports in Bangladesh for movement of goods to and from India.A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has also been signed for movement of passenger and cruise services.

3.China successfully tests world’s largest Cargo Drone : China has successfully tested the world’s largest cargo drone Feihong-98(FH-98), carry a payload of 1.5 tonnes (1,500 Kg). This commercial drone ‘Feihong-98’ has been developed and modified by the China Academy of Aerospace Electronics Technology.The FH-98 has a maximum take-off weight of 5.25 tonnes (flight height of 4,500 metres) a cruising speed of 180 kmph, and a maximum range of 1,200 kms.

4.India wins 2018 CAPAM International Innovations Awards : India has won the prestigious 2018 Commonwealth Association for Public Administration and Management Award.This award celebrates the spirit of innovation in the public service by recognising organisations that have made significant contributions to improve governance and services in the public sector.The Union Government had sent entries for 2018 CAPAM International Innovations Awards, under various categories.

OTHER UPDATES:

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. Wipro appoints ex-SBI chief Arundhati Bhattacharya as the Independent director : Former SBI chairperson Arundhati Bhattacharya has been appointed as an independent director of Wipro (IT company) for a term of 5 years (from 1^st Jan 2019), subject to the approval of shareholders.Bhattacharya graduated from Kolkata's Lady Brabourne College in 1977 and picked up banking as a career option for supporting the family following her father's retirement from Bokaro Steel plant as an engineer.On 7^th October 2013, Bhattacharya became the first woman to be appointed as chairman of SBI.

SPORTS:

1.Pooja Dhanda wins Bronze Medal in World Wrestling Championships in Budapest : Pooja Dhanda has won a bronze medal in the women's freestyle (57kg weight class) in Wrestling World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.Dhanda defeated Grace Bullen of Norway 10-7.Earlier, Bajrang Punia's had settled for a silver in the 65kg category.

Daily GK Updates - 25th October, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. GoM set up to strengthen safety laws for women at workplaces : The union government has constituted a group of ministers (GoM) to strengthen the legal and institutional frameworks to prevent and deal with sexual harassment of women in workplaces.The four-member GoM headed by Rajnath Singh (union home minister) will examine the existing provisions for dealing with sexual harassment of women in offices. The other members of the GoM are Nitin Gadkari, Nirmala Sitharaman and  Maneka Sanjay Gandhi .

2. Six-member panel set up to resolve stressed assets : The overseeing committee (OC) that is being set up under the inter-creditor agreement (ICA) for resolution of stressed assets will have six members.These members include Janki Ballabh (former Chairman, State Bank of India), MBN Rao (former Chairman & Managing Director, Canara Bank), M Damodaran (former Chairman, SEBI) and HR Khan (former Deputy Governor, RBI).

3. India Mobile Congress 2018 begins in New Delhi : The Indian Mobile Congress 2018 (second edition) has opened in New Delhi's Aerocity.The digital forum is organized by the COAI and brings together industry partners, OEMs, service providers, policymakers and experts to discuss and deliberate on emerging technology, issues, policy guidelines.The theme for this year is "New Digital Horizons Connect, Create, Innovate."

4. Global Agriculture Leadership Summit 2018 opens in New Delhi : Sanjay Agrawal (Secretary Agriculture and Co-operation) has inaugurated the two-day Global Agriculture Leadership Summit 2018 in New Delhi.The theme of the summit is, 'Connecting Farmers to Market'.In the meeting, several issues to double farmers’ income by 2022 were discussed.Pioneer of India's green revolution Professor MS Swaminathan was also present on the occasion.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. M.S. Swaminathan to be awarded World Agriculture Prize : Agricultural scientist M.S. Swaminathan (Pioneer of India’s Green Revolution) will receive the first World Agriculture Prize instituted by the Indian Council of Food and Agriculture (ICFA) in New Delhi.The prize will be presented by Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu at Vigyan Bhawan at a special session.The prize has been instituted by the ICFA with an aim to recognize individuals who have served humanity through agriculture.

2. Second Guwahati International Film Festival begins today : Assam Chief Minister ‘Sarbananda Sonowal’ has inaugurated the second Guwahati International Film Festival in Assam.The festival is being organized by Jyoti Chitraban in association with Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Regional Government Film and Television Institute.Total of 108 movies from 50 countries will be screened during the week-long festival, with a special focus on ASEAN countries.

OTHER UPDATES:

BANKING/FINANCE:

1. Satish Kumar Gupta appointed CEO of Paytm Payments Bank : Veteran banker Satish Kumar Gupta has been appointed as managing director (MD) and CEO of Paytm Payments Bank.Gupta comes in after Renu Satti stepped down as CEO in July.Previously, Mr. Gupta had stints as the chief product officer at National Payments Corporation of India and deputy general manager at State Bank of India.

2. PNB Metlife launches AI-powered customer service app 'Khushi' : PNB Metlife has unveiled an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered customer service app ‘Khushi’.The app is designed to be a one-stop shop providing insurance-related information, anytime, anywhere, such as policy features, premium due details besides providing fund value and portfolio details.Khushi app has the ability to understand customer intent and provide tailored responses.

SPORTS:

1. First edition of North East Olympic Games begins in Imphal : Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has declared open the first edition of North East Olympic Games (NEOG) 2018 at main Stadium Khuman Lampark Sports Complex, Imphal.Around 2000 thousand athletes will compete in 12 disciplines including Athletics, Archery, Badminton, Boxing, Football, Judo, Karate-Do, Shooting, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Weightlifting, and Wushu. The NEOG games is being organized by the MOA under the aegis of the North East Olympic Association.

2. West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo retires from international cricket : West Indies all-rounder ‘Dwayne Bravo’  announced his retirement from international cricket.He will continue to play franchise T20 cricket around the world.Dwayne Bravo last represented West Indies in a T20I game vs Pakistan in 2016.Bravo played 40 Tests, 164 ODIs & 66 T20Is for the Windies, made 2986 runs in ODIs and took 199 wickets.

3. Kohli becomes fastest to reach 10,000 runs in the history of ODI Cricket :

India captain Virat Kohli (29-year) has become the fastest batsman to score 10,000 runs in the history of ODI cricket (in just 205 innings).He overtook Sachin Tendulkar, who had reached 10,000 ODI runs (259th innings) in 2001.

Daily GK Updates - 24th October, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. STAPCOR – 2018 was inaugurated : Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan inaugurated the International Conference on Status and Protection of Coral Reefs (STAPCOR – 2018) at Bangaram coral Island in Lakshadweep on 22 October 2018.The theme of the conference is “Reef for Life”.The conference was organised Lakshadweep Administration with the technical support of the Zoological Survey of India.

2. M Nageshwar Rao appointed as CBI director : M Nageshwar Rao was appointed as the interim director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on 24 October 2018.M Nageshwar Rao, a 1986 batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the Odisha cadre, was working as the Joint Director in the investigating agency. The decision came after the CBI Director, Alok Verma and Special Director, Rakesh Asthana went on leave.

3. Tezpur Univ professor won INSA Teachers Award : Tezpur University professor Ashis Mukherjee has been awarded the prestigious “Indian National Science Academy (INSA) Teachers Award (2018)”.He has been awarded for his consistent and high-level of teaching, and inspiring and mentoring students to take up careers in Science and Technology.The award is one of the highest recognition for science and technology teachers in the country.

4. Govind Mathur to be acting CJ of Allahabad HC : Justice Govind Mathur has been appointed as the acting Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court  ollowing retirement of Chief Justice D B Bhosale.Justice Mathur initially practised in the Rajasthan High Court and later appointed as a judge of Rajasthan High Court.He was transferred to the Allahabad High Court in November, 2017.

5. ‘Main Nahin Hum’ portal launched : Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the ‘Main Nahin Hum’ portal on 24 October 2018.The portal, which works on the theme ‘Self4Society’, will enable IT professionals and organisations to bring together their efforts towards social causes on one platform.The portal is expected to help catalyse greater collaboration towards the service of the weaker sections of society.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. PM Modi awarded Seoul Peace Prize 2018 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been awarded the Seoul Peace Prize 2018.He has been awarded for his contribution to high economic growth in India and world through ‘Modinomics’.The Seoul Peace Prize was established in 1990 to commemorate the success of the 24th Olympic Games held in Seoul, Republic of Korea.

2. 45 Indian companies participate in SIAL : Paris Forty-five Indian companies are participating in the SIAL Paris exhibition – the largest international market place for food service professionals. SIAL Paris is the leading exhibition of food service products. SIAL Paris is held every two years, and is famous for culinary demonstrations by famous chefs every day.

3. United Nations Day observed on 24 October : United Nations Day is observed every year on 24 October.United Nations day has been in observance since 1948.The day commemorates the anniversary of the UN Charter that came into force in 1945.With the ratification of UN Charter by the majority of its signatories, the UN officially came into being.

4. World Development Information Day: 24 October The United Nations’ (UN) World Development Information Day is observed every year on October 24.The aim is to draw the attention of the world to development problems and the need to strengthen international cooperation to solve them.The General Assembly in 1972 established World Development Information Day.

5. India, Iran, Afghanistan held meeting : India, Afghanistan and Iran held their first trilateral meeting on Chabahar port project on 23 October 2018 in Tehran.The Indian delegation was led by Secretary (Economic Relations) TS Tirumurti.The Afghan and Iran delegations were led by respective deputy ministers of Transport.The next meeting of the Coordination Council will be held in India in the first half of 2019.

OTHER UPDATES:

BANKING/FINANCE:

1. RBI lifted ban on Fino Payments : Fino Payments Bank has been allowed to open new accounts by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).Fino Payments Bank had been unable to enrol new customers since the end of May 2018 after RBI found the bank to be non-compliant with the operational guidelines laid down by it.According to RBI’s guidelines for payments banks, a customer can make deposits of up to ₹1 lakh per account in a year.

Daily GK Updates - 23rd October, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1.  3rd Himachal Pradesh Science Congress begins in Mandi : The two-day Himachal Pradesh Science Congress (3rd) has begun at Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT), Mandi to boost to rural innovation sector.During the event, scientists and researchers will discuss recent progress and future trends in technologies relevant for rural transformation.The theme of Himachal Pradesh Science Congress is "Rural Upliftment through Science and Technology Interventions".

2. India's first railway station inside the tunnel to come up in Himachal Pradesh :A railway station will be built inside a tunnel at a height of 3,000 meters, on the strategic Bilaspur-Manali-Leh line close to the Sino-India border.The Keylong station in Himachal Pradesh will be the first on the railway network to be inside a tunnel, Once completed. Keylong (26 km from Manali) is the administrative center of Lahaul and Spiti district and 120 km from the Indo-Tibetan border.

3. Maharashtra Govt. proposes to extend benefits of Employees Provident Fund : The Maharashtra Govt. has to extend benefits of Employees Provident Fund (EPF) as well as insurance schemes to those cutting, harvesting and transporting sugarcane.The state has around eight lakh laborers engaged in these works in 168 cooperative and private sugar factories.It has been proposed to extend benefits of EPF, insurance schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, financial assistance for children's education and housing to these laborers.

4. India’s longest bridge to be built across the Brahmaputra river : India’s longest river bridge will be built across the Brahmaputra, connecting Dhubri (in Assam) to Phulbari (in Meghalaya).The 19.3 km (four-lane bridge) will be built by 2026-27, cut road travel by 203 km as also travel time.At present, vehicles take an over-200 km-long detour using the Naranarayan Bridge.The new bridge will complete the missing link of NH127B from Assam to Meghalaya.

5. Gwalior hosts four-day International Dance Festival : Uzbekistan Ambassador to India Farhod Arziev has inaugurated a four-day international dance festival "Udbhav Utsav -2018" in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh.Dance troupes from India (25 teams), Bulgaria, Turkey, and Sri Lanka are taking apart in the event.The main objective of the competition-festival is to give the opportunity to performers for creative communications, to present new talents and to facilitate acquaintance with pieces of national culture and arts in different countries.An initiative to establish peace and love in the world! One Spirit and One Religion

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. China unveils world's longest sea-crossing bridge linking Hong Kong - Macau –Zhuhai : China's President Xi Jinping has officially opened the world's longest sea-crossing bridge connecting Hong Kong, Macau and mainland China.The bridge connects Hong Kong to Macau and the mainland Chinese city of Zhuhai. The bridge spans 55km including its access roads and has cost about USD 20bn.

 About 30km of its total length crosses the sea of the Pearl River delta.To allow ships through, a 6.7km section in the middle dips into an undersea tunnel that runs between two artificial islands.

2. India 9th most valuable nation brand in the world : According to the Nation Brands 2018 report by Brand Finance, India is the 9th most valuable nation brand (last year it’s rank – 8^th) in the world.ndia's brand value is USD 2,159 billion in 2018.US topped in the list with a brand value of USD 25,899 billion.

3.'Padmaavat' officially selected at 2018 Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival

Sanjay Leela Bhansali's magnum opus "Padmaavat" has been officially selected for 2018 Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival 2018.The film is Bhansali's re-imagining of the story of Queen Padmavati, her king-consort Maha Rawal Ratan Singh and Sultan Alauddin Khilji.Actors Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor, and Ranveer Singh featured in the movie, which was 2018's first blockbuster.

4.  India’s longest bridge to be built across the Brahmaputra river : India’s longest river bridge will be built across the Brahmaputra, connecting Dhubri (in Assam) to Phulbari (in Meghalaya).The 19.3 km (four-lane bridge) will be built by 2026-27, cut road travel by 203 km as also travel time. At present, vehicles take an over-200 km-long detour using the Naranarayan Bridge.The new bridge will complete the missing link of NH127B from Assam to Meghalaya.

OTHER UPDATES:

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. IFC launches USD 1 Billion masala bond programme in the US & Europe : International Finance Corporation (IFC) has launched its USD 1 billion masala bond programme in the US and Europe.These bonds are aimed at funding the rapidly expanding investment activities of IFC in India. Masala bonds are bonds issued outside India but denominated in Indian Rupees.IFC uses them to raise rupee funds overseas and brings the proceeds to India for investments. 

SPORTS:

1. French Open Badminton tournament begins in Paris today : French Open Badminton tournament has begun in Paris, France.Ace Indian shuttlers, including defending champion Kidambi Srikanth, PV Sindhu and Saina Nehwal will be eying their first major title of the year.Srikanth and Saina along with B Sai Praneeth and Sameer Verma are scheduled to begin their Singles campaigns tomorrow.Today, The Men's Doubles pair of Arjun MR and Ramchandran Shlok will play their opening round match.

2.  Serbia wins 2018 Women’s Volleyball World Championship : The Serbian women earned their 2nd World Championship medal, and first-ever World Championship title, on in Yokohama, Japan.It claimed the title for the first time in history at the Volleyball Women's World Championship after edging Italy 3-2 here Saturday, while China hammered the Netherlands in straight sets to get a bronze.

3.  Bajarang punia bagged silver at Wrestling World Championship :Wrestler Bajrang Punia settles for silver after losing to Japanese Takuto Otoguro ((19-years) in 65 kg category in the final at the World Wrestling Championship in Budapest. Otoguro consistently attacked the left leg of Punia and emerged a comfortable 16-9 winner.Now, Otoguru became Japan's youngest World Champion at the age of 19.Sushil Kumar is the lone Indian to win a gold medal at the World Championships, achieving the feat in 2010 in Moscow in the 66kg category.

Daily GK Updates - 22nd October, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1.Maharashtra CM Fadnavis & Nitin Gadkari inaugurate new domestic cruise terminal in Mumbai : Devendra Fadnavis (Maharashtra Chief Minister) and Union minister Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari have inaugurated the new domestic cruise terminal in Mumbai.The Goa cruise service ' Angriya' will be operated between Mumbai and Goa on alternate days.The rates for the luxury Mumbai-Goa ride begin from Rs 7,000 dorm room per person and goes up to Rs 11,000 family suite per person.There will be multiple restaurants offering a wide array of food genres, coffee shops, swimming pool, massage and spa services.

2.4th Edition of NITI Lecture Series held in New Delhi : NITI Aayog has organized the 4th edition of NITI Lecture Series at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has also attended the 4th edition of NITI Lecture series.The theme this year is “AI for ALL: Leveraging Artificial Intelligence for Inclusive Growth”.

3. Man-animal conflict a State Declared Disaster Uttar Pradesh government : The Uttar Pradesh government made the man-animal conflict a ‘State Declared Disaster’. These incidents would be under the ambit of State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). According to the provisions of the order, a compensatory amount of Rs.5 lakh would be given to the family of the deceased if the victim of the animal attack dies. The disbursement of compensation for injury would be in accordance to SDRF guidelines.

 4.India’s First Domestic Cruise ‘Angriya’ Flagged Off From Mumbai : Angriya, India’s first luxury cruise ship, has been inaugurated at Mumbai. Union minister for shipping Nitin Gadkari and Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis flagged-off the cruise which will operate between Mumbai and Goa. Named after the first Maratha Navy Admiral Kanhoji Angre and the Angria bank coral reef near Vijaydurg, the luxury ship has 104 rooms, divided into eight different categories. 

5. PM Announces Award in Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s Name : The Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an annual award in the name of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose for police and paramilitary forces for commendable contributions in disaster relief operations.ii. He announced this while dedicating the National Police Memorial to the nation in New Delhi on the occasion of Police Commemoration Day

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Cope India 2018 - India, Japan, US Plan Joint Air Exercise  : India, Japan and the U.S. are set to elevate the bilateral ‘Cope India’ air exercise to a trilateral format. The three countries already conduct naval war games under the expanded Malabar naval exercise. The U.S. had proposed a trilateral air exercise between India, Japan and the U.S. The next edition is scheduled to be held in December 2018 for which the Final Planning Conference to finalise the modalities of the exercise is scheduled in Kalaikunda, West Bengal. 

2. Climate Fund Approves $1billion For Projects In Poor Countries  :  A UN-backed fund has approved morethan 1 billion dollars for 19 new projects to help developing countries tackle climate change.Officials overseeing the South Korea-based Green Climate Fund stated the funding approved at the meeting in Manama includes projects linked to geothermal energy in Indonesia, greener cities in Europe and West Asia, and protection for coastal communities in India. 

3. Vice President’s 5-Day Visit To Belgium: The Vice President of India, M. Venkaiah Naidu commenced his visit to Belgium to attend the two-day 12th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Brussels, Belgium. This was the first multi-lateral summit the Vice President attended after taking office in August 2017. The 2-day long 12th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit was held in Brussels, Belgium. Indian delegation was led by Mr Venkaiah Naidu. The theme of this years’ ASEM Summit was “Global Partners for Global Challenges”.

OTHER UPDATES:

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. Larsen & Toubro ranks 22 in Forbes global 2000 best employers list : Google’s parent company Alphabet tops the list.  The Second position is occupied by Microsoft. There are only 24 Indian companies in the overall list and only 4 Indian companies in the top 100 list.

SPORTS:

1. Praveen Kumar announces retirement from all forms of Cricket : India’s medium pacer Praveen Kumar (32-years) has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket.Mr. Kumar played six Tests, 68 ODIs and 10 T20Is for India, picking up 112 wickets across the formats.Praveen Kumar made his limited-overs debut in 2007 and Test debut against West Indies cricket team at Kingston in June 2011.

2. Mumbai beat Delhi to win Vijay Hazare Trophy 2018 : Mumbai defeated Delhi by four wickets to win their 3rd Vijay Hazare Trophy title at M Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru, Karnataka.Opting to bowl after winning the toss, Mumbai bowled out Delhi for a paltry 177 in 45.4 overs.The Vijay Hazare Trophy 2018 (17th-season) has been contested by the 37 domestic cricket teams of India.