Daily GK Updates - 21st December, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Jammu & Kashmir becomes the first state to bring a law against ‘Sextortion’ :  Jammu & Kashmir has become the first Indian state to enact a law banning sexual exploitation of women “by those in positions of authority, having a fiduciary relationship or a public servant”.The State Administrative Council (SAC) under the chairmanship of Governor Satya Pal Malik approved the 'Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill, 2018' and the 'Jammu and Kashmir Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2018'.

2.The Union Govt. launches Asiatic Lion Conservation Project : The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has launched the “Asiatic Lion Conservation Project” to protect and conserve the population of Asiatic Lion and its associated ecosystem. The Asiatic Lion Conservation Project is aimed at the conservation and recovery of Asiatic Lion with the help of up to date techniques, instruments, regular scientific research studies, disease management, modern surveillance and patrolling techniques.

3. Gujarat emerges as best performing state in start-up ranking 2018 : Gujarat has emerged as the best-performing state in the Startup Ranking 2018. The National Report on States' Startup Ranking was unveiled by Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, Ministry of Commerce and Industry in New Delhi. Gujarat (100%) has performed better than all other states in all the seven areas including startup policy, incubation support, seeding innovation and scaling innovation. Karnataka, Kerala, Odisha and Rajasthan (score- more than 85 percentile) have been adjudged the top performers.

4.  India’s largest Cancer Institute launched at AIIMS’ Jhajjar Campus : India’s largest cancer institute ‘National Cancer Institute’ (NCI) has been launched at Jhajjar area in Haryana.The institute was finalised at a cost of Rs 2,035 crore and the project was approved by the cabinet committee in 2013.The aim is to strengthen research and also bring down the patient load at All India Institute of Medical Sciences’ (AIIMS) cancer centre.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Harsh Vardhan Shringla appointed new Indian Ambassador to the US : Harsh Vardhan Shringla (Indian Foreign Service officer - 1984 batch) has been appointed as the Ambassador of India to the United States of America (USA).Currently, He is High Commissioner to Bangladesh. Riva Ganguly Das (IFS official-1986 batch) has been appointed as the next Indian Ambassador to Bangladesh.

2. Sri Lanka: 28 Cabinet Ministers sworn :  Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena administered the oath of office to the 28 cabinet ministers. The swearing-in comes after the leader of United National Party(UNP) Ranil Wickremsinghe took over as Prime minister. Mr Thilak Marapana is the foreign minister while Mr. Mangala Samarweera retained the finance portfolio.

3. India & China hold first People-to-People exchanges meeting : The Union External Affair Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Chinese counterpart Wang Yi will co-chair the first-ever meeting of India-China High-Level Mechanism on Cultural and People-to-People Exchanges in New Delhi. Earlier, India and China had decided to set up people to people mechanism during the meeting between PM Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

4.  US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis resigns :  US Defence Secretary (26^th) Jim Mattis has resigned from his post due to policy differences with President Donald  Trump.General Mattis' departure comes a day after, President Trump has  nnounced that all US troops would be withdrawn from Syria. Jim Mattis was sworn in on 20 January 2017.

OTHER UPDATES:

BANKING/FINANCE:

1. Capital First merged with IDFC Bank to create ‘IDFC First Bank’ :  IDFC Bank and Capital First (non-banking financial company) has announced the completion of their merger. They created a combined loan asset book of Rs 1.03 lakh crore for the merged entity IDFC First Bank, (subject to shareholders’ approval). Capital First and IDFC Bank shares had also gained 5% each in previous session.

SPORTS :

1. W V Raman appointed India women’s Cricket team Coach :  Former Indian Cricketer W V Raman (53-years) has been appointed as the new coach of the Indian women’s cricket team. He will take over the role from Ramesh Powar. Mr. Raman played domestic cricket for Tamil Nadu, mainly as a left-handed batsman and a part-time left arm spinner.

Daily GK Updates - 20th December, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1.Govt to open Eklavya School in areas having the significant tribal population : According to Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram, every block with more than 50% Schedule Tribe (ST) population and at least 20 thousand tribal persons, will have an Eklavya Model Residential School by the year 2022. Eklavya schools will have special facilities for preserving local art and culture besides providing training in sports and skill development. As per census 2011, there are 564 sub-districts having more than 50% ST population and at least 20 thousand tribal persons.

2.Commerce Ministry to set up trade promotion bodies in 15 countries : The Union Commerce Ministry is examining the proposal to set up a trade promotion bodies in 15 countries to promote exports of SMEs from India. Suresh Prabhu Speaking at the two-day 15th Global SME Business Summit 2018, organized by the Ministry of MSME in partnership with CII. Global Value Chains (GVCs) are specifically significant for SMEs as they provide them with the opportunity to contribute to exports without bearing the setup costs.

3.President’s rule imposed in Jammu and Kashmir :  As Jammu and Kashmir completed six months under Governor’s rule, President Ram Nath Kovind imposed President’s rule in the state. After 1996, this is the first time the Central rule has been imposed in the militancy-hit state. The state's governor issues the proclamation, after obtaining the consent of the President of India.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 1.Asma Jahangir posthumously awarded with 2018:  UN Human Rights Prize Pakistan activist Asma Jahangir posthumously honoured with theUnited Nations Human Rights Prize 2018. Her daughter ‘Munizae Jahangir’ received the prestigious award on behalf of her mother at the UN Headquarters in New York. Ms. Jahangir was an outspoken critic of Pakistan’s powerful military establishment & fought against religious extremism and for the rights of oppressed minorities in Pakistan. The United Nations Prize in the Field of Human Rights is an honorary award given to individuals and organizations in recognition of outstanding achievement in human rights

2.International Human Solidarity Day being observed : The United Nation (UN) International Human Solidarity Day is annually held on 20th December to celebrate unity in diversity. The Day aims to raise public awareness of the importance of solidarity and encourages debate on the ways to promote solidarity for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals including poverty eradication. The United Nations General Assembly established the World Solidarity Fund on 20th December 2002 as a trust fund of the United Nations Development Programme.

3.UAE Declares 2019 as the Year of Tolerance :  Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan (UAE President) has declared 2019 as the Year of Tolerance, an extension of the Year of Zayed which has run this year. The year 2019 would highlight the UAE as a global capital for tolerance, instilling the values of co-existence and peace in local, regional and international communities.

4. WEF Gender Gap Index 2018: Iceland Tops, India Ranks 108^th :  As per the WEF’s Global Gender Gap Report 2018, India has been ranked 108th in World Economic Forum (WEF) gender gap index 2018. Iceland topped in the list having  closed more than 85.8% of its overall gender gap. Nordic countries Norway (2nd), Sweden (3rd), and Finland (4th) dominated the top slots.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS :

1. Kabaddi Player Anup Kumar announces his retirement :  Renowned Kabaddi Player Arjuna awardee, ‘Anup Kumar’ (35-year) announced his retirement from Kabaddi. He had led India to a memorable Kabaddi World Cup title triumph in 2016. Anup began his international career in 2006 at the South Asian Games in Sri Lanka. He led India to the gold medal at the Asian Games and was also part of the team which repeated the feat in the 2014 edition.

Daily GK Updates - 19th December, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1.Sonam Kapoor named PETA India’s 2018 Person of the Year : Bollywood actress ‘Sonam Kapoor’ has been named People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India’s Person of the Year for 2018. Sonam Kapoor has been feted as she sings in praise of vegan eating and because she keeps animal skins out of her handbag line for her fashion brand Rheson, apart from taking other action for the welfare of animals. In 2016, Sonam was named PETA India's Hottest Vegetarian Celebrity. Earlier, Delhi Minister Imran Hussain has been recently awarded PETA ‘Hero to Animals’ Award.

2.Indian Railways: 1st AC local train in north India next year : According to the ICF (Integral Coach Factory) General Manager Sudhanshu Mani, The first AC local train in north India will hit the tracks in February 2019.The MEMU (mainline electric multiple units) trains will cater to the Uttar Pradesh cities within 200-300 km from Delhi. The upgraded MEMU air-conditioned trains can run at a speed of 130 kmph (earlier-100 kmph). It has been manufactured at a cost of Rs 26 crore and has a capacity to carry 2,618 passengers.

3. Assam govt approves debt relief scheme for farmers :The Assam state cabinet headed by Chief Minister ‘Sarbanand Sonowal’has approved the debt relief scheme for the farmers of the state. The state cabinet decided to waive 25% of loan amount to the farmers. The maximum relief per farmer would be capped at 25 thousand rupees. The cabinet also decided that a farmer could avail a Kisan Credit Card(KCC) loan at 0% interest.

4.Goa celebrating 57th Liberation day today :  Goa is celebrating its 57^th Liberation Day. The state was liberated on this day (19th December) in 1961 from Portuguese control after almost 450 years of colonial rule. The state-level Goa Liberation Day programme to be held in Panaji in North Goa. Goa is a state in India within the coastal region known as the Konkan in Western India, bounded by Maharashtra to the north and Karnataka to the east and south, with the Arabian Sea forming its Western coast.

5.SEBI gets first full-time chief vigilance officer : Arti Chhabra Srivastava (Indian Ordinance Factory Services officer-1990-batch) has been appointed as the SEBI’s first full-time Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO). The appointment was duly approved by the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC).CVOs are considered an extended hand of the CVC, which is tasked with detecting graft by officials holding public office.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1.New Zealand to phase out plastic shopping bags :  In New Zealand, regulations for mandatory phase-out of single-use plastic shopping bags will take effect from 1^st July 2019. Retailers will no longer be able to sell or give away single-use plastic shopping bags from July next year. Plastic shopping bags are a hazard for nature, particularly marine wildlife.

2. Belgium Prime Minister Charles Michel resigns over migration spat :  Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel has resigned due to ongoing upheaval within his minority Government over the signing of UN's migration treaty. Earlier, his biggest coalition partner (the right-wing N-VA party) quit the government over the issue. Michel lost the backing of the party over his support for the UN migration pact, a cause celebre for European anti-immigration parties.

OTHER UPDATES:

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY:

1.ISRO launches communication satellite GSAT-7A :  The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has launched GSLV F 11 carrying GSAT-7A from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh’s Sriharikota. GSAT 7A is a geostationary communication satellite weighing 2250 kilogram. It will provide communication services in Ku Band over the Indian region. GSLV F 11 with indigenous cryogenic upper stage has a total of three stages before reaching the destined orbit using the onboard propulsion system.

Daily GK Updates - 18th December, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1.Cabinet approves construction of new 4- lane bridge across river Ganga at Patna in Bihar : The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved a new bridge across the Ganga river at Patna (Bihar).The project for construction of 5.634 km long new 4 lane bridge parallel to the existing Mahatma Gandhi Setu on NH-19.The project is likely to be completed by January 2023. The bridge is proposed to be built by the Union ministry of road, transport and highways utilizing an estimated outlay of Rs 2,961 crore.

2.  Farm loans of over 16 lakh farmers waived in Chhattisgarh : Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh Bhupesh Baghel has announced to waive off farm loans to the tune of 6,100 crore rupees of more than 16 lakh farmers.It has been decided to waive off all short-term loans availed by farmers from cooperative and Rural development banks.Chhattisgarh cabinet also decided to provide 2,500 rupees per quintal to farmers for their paddy being sold under Minimum support price (MSP) scheme.

3. Shri Prakash Javadekar inaugurates Sangeet Kala Sangam in New Delhi : The Human Resource Development Minister Shri Prakash Javadekar has inaugurated ‘Sangeet Kala Sangam’, at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi.It has been organized under the aegis of Human Resource Ministry, to provide a National Platform to the Art and Music Teachers of KVS.Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan and Navoday Vidyalaya Samiti are two sister organizations of HRD Ministry.

4. Ramphal Pawar appointed Director of NCRB : The Union Government has appointed ‘Ramphal Pawar’ (IPS officer-1988 batch-West Bengal cadre) as the new Director of National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB).Mr Pawar was Joint Secretary in NATGRID.The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) is an Indian government agency responsible for collecting and analysing crime data as defined by the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

5. Madhavi Divan appointed as Additional Solicitor General of India : The union government has appointed advocate Madhavi Divan as the Additional Solicitor General (ASG) to represent it in the Supreme Court (till 30^th June 2020.). She is the third woman to be appointed as Additional Solicitor General in the court. Senior advocate Indira Jaising was the first woman to be appointed as the ASG.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Philippines’ Catriona Gray Crowned Miss Universe 2018 : Catriona Gray (24-years) of Philippines has been crowned Miss Universe 2018 (67th) at IMPACT Arena, Muang Thong Thani in Thailand. Tamaryn Green from South Africa was named the first runner-up while Miss Venezuela Sthefany Gutiérrez stood third at the pageant.Gray was born in Australia and studied at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, was one of the odds-on favourites going into the competition. Miss India 2018 Nehal Chudasama (22-years) represented India.

2.International Migrants Day 2018 observed globally : The UN’s (United Nation) International Migration Day (IMD) is being observed every year on 18th December to protect the rights of migrant workers and members of their families. The theme of this year is ‘Migration with Dignity’. In 2018, close to 3,400 migrants and refugees already have lost their lives worldwide.

3. India decides to extend 1.4 billion dollars aid to the Maldives : India has decided to extend 1.4 billion dollars financial assistance to the Maldives as budget support, currency swap and line of credit for the social and economic development of Maldives. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih reviewed efforts to promote bilateral trade and investment ties between the two countries. India and Maldives need to increase bilateral cooperation to maintain peace and stability in the Indian ocean.

OTHER UPDATES:

BANKING/FINANCE:

1.France to introduce tax on internet firms : France will introduce its own tax on large internet and technology companies from 1 January 2019. The name of the tax is ‘GAFA tax’ which was named after Google, Apple, Facebook, and Amazon. The aim of imposing the tax is to ensure that the global giants pay a fair share of taxes on their massive business operations in Europe.

2. Uday Shankar elected Vice-President of FICCI : Uday Shankar became the Vice President of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) for the year 2018-19. He is currently the President of 21st Century Fox, Asia, and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Star India. He was also appointed as Chairman of Star and Disney India and President of The Walt Disney Asia Pacific on 13 December 2018.

Daily GK Updates - 17th December, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1.Delhi HC quashed Centre’s ban on Oxytocin : The Delhi High Court, on 14 December 2018, quashed the Central government’s decision to prohibit the sale, distribution, manufacturing and import of Oxytocin by private companies in India.Oxytocin was widely misused by farmers and the dairy industry.Oxytocin is a hormonal drug which is administered to induce labour pain, control bleeding after childbirth, or help new mothers lactate.

2.Soldierathon’ organised in New Delhi : Sports Minister Col Rajyavardhan Rathore flagged off a special marathon ‘Soldierathon’ in New Delhi on 16 December 2018.The marathon was organised in the honour of Martyrs and wounded Soldiers.The proceeds from the event will be donated to Indian Army’s Artificial Limb Centre for wounded soldiers to help them acquire state-of-the-art prosthesis at the Paraplegic Rehabilitation Centre.

3. Bihar’s Silao Khaja gets GI tag : Geographical Indications Registry at Chennai has granted Geographical Indication(GI) tag to Silao Khaja on 11 December 2018.Silao Khaja is the traditional delicacy of Nalanda district of Bihar.Silao is located close to Buddhist sites. The application was filed by Silao Khaja Audyogik Swavalambi Sahakari Samiti Limited

4. Bhupesh Baghel is the new CM of Chattisgarh : Bhupesh Baghel was appointed as the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh.He took the oath of Chief Minister on 17 December 2018 in Raipur. Baghel will be Chhattisgarh’s third Chief Minister and the Congress’s second CM in the state.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Denmark’s Foreign Affairs Minister arrives : Foreign Affairs Minister of Denmark Anders Samuelsen arrived in New Delhi on a two-day official visit to India on 17 December 2018.Mr Samuelsen will meet External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.They will hold discussions on various aspects of bilateral ties as well as important regional and multilateral issues. The capital of Denmark is Copenhagen and its currency is Danish krone.

2. India extends $1.4 billion to Maldives : Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced $1.4 billion financial assistance to the Maldives on 17 December 2018. The two countries also inked four pacts, including one on visa facilitation. Both countries vowed to deepen security cooperation in the Indian Ocean region. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also held extensive talks with Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

3. Shree Saini crowned ‘Miss India Worldwide’ : Indian-American Shree Saini won the ‘Miss India Worldwide 2018’ title at the 27th annual global pageant competition held in New Jersey on 15 December 2018.Sakshi Sinha from Australia and Anusha Sareen from United Kingdom were respectively declared first and second runner-ups.The competition was organised by the New York-based India Festival Committee.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS :

1. Novak & Simona named 2018 ITF world champions :  Novak Djokovic and Simona Halep were named as the ‘2018 ITF World Champions’ by the governing body of global tennis. Djokovic received the honour from the International Tennis Federation (ITF) for the sixth time. It is the first time that Romania’s top-ranked Halep has been named for ‘2018 ITF World Champions’.

2. Virat - 2nd fastest to score 25th Test century :  Virat Kohli became the second fastest batsman to score 25 Test centuries.He reached the milestone in 127 innings on Day 3 of the Perth Test between India and Australia on 16 December 2018.Sachin Tendulkar took 130 innings to score 25 Test centuries and is behind Virat Kohli.Don Bradman took just a mere 68 innings to score 25 Test hundreds

3. Belgium won the ‘Hockey World Cup 2018’ : Belgium won the ‘Hockey World Cup 2018’ in Bhubaneswar on 16 December 2018.They defeated the Netherlands in a shoot-out in the final of the Men’s Hockey World Cup. The ‘Hockey World Cup 2018’ was held in Bhubaneswar, India from 28 November 2018 to 16 December 2018

The 2014 Hockey World Cup was won by Australia.

4. PV Sindhu won the BWF World Tour Finals : PV Sindhu won the season-ending Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Tour Finals tournament on 16 December 2018. She is the first Indian to win the gold medal in BWF World Tour Finals tournament. She defeated the Nozomi Okuhara in the final match.

Daily GK Updates - 16th December, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1.India signs bilateral annual Haj agreement with Saudi Arabia for pilgrimage next year : Haj agreement 2019 was signed between India and Saudi Arabia by Union Minister for Minority Affairs, Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, and Haj and Umrah Minister of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Dr Mohammad Saleh bin Taher Benten at Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This year more than 2,100 women have already applied to go to Haj without ‘Mehram’ (male companion) after the Modi Government had lifted the ban on women going to Haj without Mehram last year and they had also been exempted from the lottery system.

2.Indias first private UAV factory inaugurated in Hyderabad : India‘s first private sector unit for manufacturing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) was inaugurated by Telangana’s Home Minister Mohammad Mahmood Ali at Adani Aerospace Park in Hyderabad, Telangana. The 50,000 square feet facility has been built by the Adani Group and Israel-based Elbit Systems.

3. Eight parliamentarians were honoured by Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu : NCP chief and Rajya Sabha MP Sharad Pawar and veteran BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi were presented the Lifetime Achievement award. Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad and BJP MP Nishikant Dubey were selected for the Best Parliamentarians award. Four women MPs from both Houses were also be awarded for their contribution. While actor-turned-politician Hema Malini was awarded for her outstanding work inside and outside Parliament as a first-time MP, Lok Sabha MP Rama Devi was selected as the Best Woman Parliamentarian.

4.Jharkhand gets Krishi Karman award in rice category : The Union Ministry of Agriculture had selected Jharkhand for “Krishi Karman” award in the rice category. The award which carries a cash prize worth Rs 2 crore and a citation will be given away in February 2019 by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. As a gesture of appreciation to the farmers of the state for achieving the milestone, two progressive farmers, i.e. one male and one female, would also be given ‘Agriculture Minister’s Krishi Karman Award,”

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Uday Shankar to head Disney-Star merged entity in India  : Uday Shankar, currently chairman and CEO of Star India and president of 21st Century Fox, Asia, will lead the India and Asia Pacific business of The Walt Disney Company once it completes the acquisition of 21st Century Fox’ assets. Disney agreed to buy Rupert Murdoch's 21st Century Fox for about $52.4 billion in stock last December.

2. Ashok Amritraj was honoured with the French Knight of the National Order of Merit : Producer Ashok Amritraj was honoured with the French Knight of the National Order of Merit. French Minister of Europe and Foreign Minister, Mr. Jean-Yes Le Drian presided over the occasion. Mr. Amritraj has been the producer of Hollywood films such as Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance with Nicholas Cage and 99 Homes starring Andrew Garfield. The former CEO of National Geographic Films and United Nations Goodwill Ambassador was lauded for his contribution to the world of cinema and Indo-French film industry.

OTHER UPDATES:

BANKING/FINANCE:

1. OBOPAY Card: OBOPAY, the global financial technology company, announced the launch of a new generation pre-payment instrument called- OBOPAY Card-in partnership with Federal Bank and Mastercard. It is built as a one-stop solution that facilitates easy disbursements and payments by enterprises.

SPORTS :

1. Sindhu, Verma qualify for BWF Tour Finals' semi-finals : Indian shuttlers PV Sindhu and Sameer Verma progressed to the semi-finals stage of the BWF Tour Finals. Sindhu and Sameer are the only Indians at the BWF Tour Finals this year. Sindhu, who won all of her group matches, reached the semi-finals stage by beating USA's Beiwen Zhang 21-9, 21-15 in the women's singles. Sameer Verma too is on the verge of securing a semi-final berth after his 21-9, 21-18 win over Kantaphon Wangcharoen of Thailand in the men's singles.

Daily GK Updates - 15th December, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1.Mr. Zoramthanga sworn in as Chief Minister of Mizoram : Mizo National Front (MNF) head, Mr Zoramthanga (74-years) took oath as the Chief Minister of Mizoram (third time).Governor Rajasekharan administered the oath ceremony at the Raj Bhavan, in Aizawl. In the 40-seated Assembly, MNF has secured a landslide victory bagging 26 seats.

2. IB, R&AW chiefs get a six-month extension : The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the extension of Intelligence Bureau Director (Rajiv Jain) & Research & Analysis Wing Secretary (Anil K Dhasmana) for six-month extensions.ACC has also redesignated Anil Srivastava (1985-batch IAS officer of the MP cadre) from the advisor, NITI Aayog, to principal advisor.The Director of Intelligence Bureau (DIB) is the chief executive of ‘Intelligence Bureau’.

3. Mahinda Rajapaksa resigns as Sri Lanka’s PM : Mahinda Rajapaksa has resigned as Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister.Ranil Wickremesinghe (removed from the post on 26th October 2018) is expected to take oath as Sri Lanka's Prime Minister again.Mahinda Rajapaksa was appointed as the premiere on 26th October by the president after sacking Ranil Wickremesinghe.On the 3rd December 2018, a court issued an interim order preventing Mahinda Rajapaksha from functioning in the position.

4.  Novelist' Amitav Ghosh wins Jnanpith Award for 2018 :  velist Amitav Ghosh (62-year) will receive the country’s highest literary honour Jnanpith Award 2018 (54th).  Ghosh treads through historical settings to the modern era and weaves a space where the past connects with the present in relevant ways.Ghosh is the recipient of the Padma Shri (2007) and Sahitya Akademi Award.His fiction is endowed with extraordinary depth and substance through his academic training as a historian and a social anthropologist.

5. President Kovind lays foundation stone of Railway Station at Kevadia  : President Ramnath Kovind laid the foundation stone of new ultra-modern Railway Station at Kevadia in Narmada district of Gujarat.The station will connect the Statue of Unity project to the rest of India through broad gauge railway line.Earlier, President Kovind visited the Statue of Unity (the world’s tallest statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel) at Kevadia Colony in Narmada district.He visited various places like ‘Valley of Flowers’, ‘Wall of Unity’, ‘Museum and Exhibition Halls’ and viewers' gallery at the venue of Statue of Unity.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. World’s first floating nuclear plant operational in Russia : According to Russian state-run atomic energy corporation Rosatom, World’s first 'floating nuclear power plant' (FNPP) for installation in remote areas has been started and brought to 10% of its capacity. They are designed to maintain both uninterruptible power and plentiful desalinated water supply in remote areas.The world’s first floating nuclear power plant has been started at the Baltiysky Zavod shipyard in Saint Petersburg, Russia.This site, known as Akademik Lomonosov, is the property of the Russian nuclear operator Rosenergoatom.

2.  Sweden moves to ban outdoor smoking : The Swedish Parliament extended the smoking ban as of 1^st July 2019. Sweden is banning outdoor smoking in certain public places including playgrounds and train station platforms.Currently, Smoking is allowed only in designated smoking areas in most workplaces and public places. According to the new law, the goal is to make the Scandinavian country smoke-free by 2025.

OTHER UPDATES:

BANKING/FINANCE:

1.Yes Bank names Brahm Dutt as Interim Chairman : Yes Bank Ltd has named Brahm Dutt (one of its independent directors)as the bank’s part-time non executive  independent chairman. Earlier, former Finance Secretary Ashok Chawla  resigned from the position. Brahm Dutt is a former bureaucrat and is one of the oldest members of Yes Bank’s board.