Daily GK Updates - 8th August, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Rajya Sabha clears Bill for more judges in Supreme Court: The Rajya Sabha has passed a Bill for more judges in Supreme Court. The bill proposed an increase in the sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court from 30 to 33 judges.

2. Andhra Pradesh government will launch Navodayam scheme: The Andhra Pradesh government will launch the Navodayam scheme. The scheme is a complete outreach programme for thousands of ailing Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the state. Navodayam will provide a lifeline to stressed MSMEs by ensuring that all eligible units are permitted for the one-time restructuring of accounts up to March 31, 2020. About 86,000 MSMEs in the state have been identified for restructuring under Navodayam with an outlay of Rs 3,900 crore.

3. Rajasthan launches new higher education model: Minister of State for Higher Education Bhanwar Singh Bhati inaugurated the new higher education model, titled Resource Assistance for Colleges with Excellence (RACE) in Rajasthan. This model has been launched for distribution of faculties and movable assets among the government colleges at the district level to rationalise the availability of resources.The model will create a pool for sharing of facilities which will benefit the colleges lacking infrastructure.

Note: Rajasthan CM: Ashok Gehlot; Governor: Kalyan Singh; Capital: Jaipur.

4. Union Minister of Information & Broadcasting launches e-Rozgar Samachar: Union Minister of Information & Broadcasting has launched e-Rozgar Samachar. Rozgar Samachar is the corresponding version of Employment News (English). It has been launched with a view to make aspirants aware of job opportunities in government sector including public sector enterprises. It will also provide information and guidance about admission and career opportunities in various streams through career-oriented articles by experts. It is expected to meet the emerging challenge of young readers switching to electronic modes of communication. Employment News is the flagship weekly job journal from Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India.

5. IIT Madras partners with NIOT to harness electricity from ocean waves: The Indian Institute of Technology Madras partnered with National Institute of Ocean Technology to harness electricity from ocean waves. Both institutions will together develop turbines that can harness the power of ocean waves to generate electricity. The research is being headed at IIT Madras. The partnership is aimed at meeting renewable energy and climate change objectives of the government of India.

6. Odisha police station in top 10 in India: Tarava police station in the Subarnapur district of Odisha has been adjudged as one of the 10 best police stations in India in the annual ranking for the year 2018. The certificate of excellence and a trophy awarded by the Union Home Ministry were handed over to Tarava police inspector Dulamani Bhoi by Odisha DGP R.P. Sharma.

7. India observes 77th anniversary of Quit India movement: The 77th anniversary of the August Kranti Din or Quit India Movement, which is considered as one of the important milestones in the history of freedom struggle of our country, is being observed on 8th August. On this date in 8 Aug 1942, Mahatma Gandhi gave a clarion call to end the British ruleand launched the Quit India Movement at the session of the All-India Congress Committee in Mumbai.  After the failure of Cripps Mission, Gandhiji gave the call to "Do or Die" in his Quit India speech delivered at the Gowalia Tank Maidan in Mumbai. The grateful country is paying homage to the freedom fighters and remembering the supreme sacrifices of the martyrs during the freedom struggle.

8. Kandikuppa Sreekant becomes Power Grid CMD: Kandikuppa Sreekant has been appointed as chairman and managing director of the State-owned Power Grid Corporation of India. Previously he was working as Director (Finance) in the Power Grid Corporation. According Ministry of Power order, the tenure of Kandikuppa Sreekant will be till December 31, 2023.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. UNIDO and NISE to partner for skill development program: The National Institute of Solar Energy and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization have signed an agreement to initiate a skill development programme for different levels of beneficiaries in the solar thermal energy sector. NISE and UNIDO will engage national and international experts to bring the best practices by developing specialized training material.

2. UP Govt extends bilateral agreements with Netherlands till 2024: The Uttar Pradesh government has extended bilateral agreements with Netherlands till 2024. The previously inked MoUs sought cooperation and exchange of the knowledgeand techniques in the fields of solid waste management, spatial planning, water management including restoration of water bodies and mobility planning.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. Diego forlan announces retirement from professional football: Legendary Uruguay striker Diego Forlan has announced his retirement from professional football. He had won the Golden Ball award after being adjudged the best player of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Forlan made 112 appearances for Uruguay and scored 36 goals. He also helped his side to win the Copa America title in 2011 and finished 4th in the 2010 FIFA World Cup. He was the joint top scorer of the 2010 tournament and also won the ‘Goal of the Tournament’ award.

2. Serena Williams tops Forbes list of best-paid female athletes: Serena Williams topped the List Of Highest-Paid Female Athletes 2019 published by Forbes. She has topped the annual list for a 4th consecutive year with estimated total earnings of $29.2 million. Japan’s Naomi Osaka was 2nd on the list with earnings of ($24.3 million). Indian badminton player P.V. Sindhu came in tied for 13th ($5.5 million), with Thai golfer Ariya Jutanugarn ($5.3 million) rounding out the top 15 of Forbes list of best-paid female athletes.

3. Mary Kom, Lovlina Borgohain selected for world boxing C’ships: Six-time world champion M C Mary Kom and Lovlina Borgohain have been selected for the upcoming women’s world boxing championships to be held in Russia from 3 to 13 October. The 36-year-old Mary Kom, who has already claimed two gold medals this year India Open and a recent tournament in Indonesia, has been selected in the 51kg category. While World and Asian bronze-medallist Borgohain will be competing in the 69kg category.

BANKING AND FINANCE

1. LIC launches new term insurance plan 'Jeevan Amar':  Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India has launched a new term insurance plan called 'Jeevan Amar'. It is a non-linked, nonparticipating, life term assurance plan and offers greater flexibility to policyholders in comparison to other insurance plans. In this plan policyholder cannot claim the amount on maturity. The nominee will receive the death claim in case of demise of the life assured during the term of the policy. The plan is available for ages 18-65 years with the maximum age maturity at 80 years offering policy terms from 10 years to a maximum of 40 years.

2. Bancassurance pact between SBI Life and Indian Bank: SBI Life Insurance and Indian Bank have entered into a Bancassurance pact to offer holistic financial planning solutions to the banks customers. SBI Life will work with Indian Bank to ensure sales training, product support and smooth operational processes in order to offer life insurance policies to its customers. Indian Bank’s customers will have access to an array of life insurance products from SBI Life catering to varied life stage needs of the customer. With Indian Bank’s widespread presence and SBI Life’s extensive product portfolio, this partnership will ensure easier accessibility of life insurance to consumers.

Note: MD & CEO of Indian Bank: Padmaja Chunduru;  MD & CEO, SBI Life Insurance: Sanjeev Nautiyal

3. Mastercard launches identity check express to secure online transactions: Mastercard announced the launch of Identity Check Express, a next-generation, mobile-first authentication solution that aims to redefine the e-commerce journey for Indian consumers. Mastercard Identity Check Express combines the latest technology, including device intelligence and behavioural biometrics, with the latest EMV 3-D Secure and FIDO authentication standards to deliver an uninterrupted mobile payment experience.

Note: President and Chief Executive Officer of Mastercard: Ajay Banga.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

1. Bengaluru based startup Grexter Living acquires i2Stay: Bengaluru based Housing startup "Grexter Living" which is a co-living provider, has acquired i2Stay. It has also taken over some built-to-suit projects which i2stay has been working on. Post the acquisition, CEO of i2stay, Rajasekhar Gowreneni, will join Grexter Living as the managing partner for South India.

AWARDS AND HONOURS

1. Naaz Joshi Wins Miss World Diversity Title third time in a row: India’s transsexual women Naaz Joshi wins the Miss World Diversity beauty pageant 2019 for third consecutive year. The transsexual beauty has won the title in 2017 and 2018 as well to become the first person ever to win the title for three consecutive years. This beauty contest was held in Port Louis, Mauritius. She has also been crowned as Miss Republic International Beauty Ambassador 2017 and Miss United Nationals Ambassador.

2. ISRO announces Vikram Sarabhai Journalism Award in space science, technology and research: As part of centenary year celebrations of Dr Vikram Sarabhai the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has announced two categories of awards in journalism. The first category holds a cash price of Rs 5,00,000, a medal and citation and two journalists or freelancers of print media will be awarded. The second category of the award holds 3 cash prizes of Rs 3,00,000, 2,00,000 and 1,00,000 and citation each for journalists or freelancers of print media. “Vikram Sarabhai Journalism Award in Space Science, Technology and Research” is to recognise and reward journalists who have actively contributed towards the field of space science, applications, and research. Dr Vikram Sarabhai is regarded as the father of Indian space programme.

OBITUARIES

1. WWE’s ‘King of the Ring’ Harley Race passes away: WWE’s professional wrestler, Harley Race (76) passed away due to lung cancer. He became a mainstay of the wrestling circuit, winning numerous individual and tag-team titles in the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s.

2. Veteran Film Director J Om Prakash passes away: Bollywood veteran director and actor Hrithik Roshan's grandfather, J Om Prakash (93 yrs), passed away. He is best known for his collaboration with two of Bollywood biggest superstars - the late Rajesh Khanna and Jeetendra. He is best known for his films "Aap Ki Kasam" (1974), "Apnapan" (1977), "Aasha" (1980), "Apna Bana Lo" (1982), "Arpan" (1983) "Aakhir Kyon?" (1985) and "Aadmi Khilona Hai" (1993).

Daily GK Updates - 7th August, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Rajya Sabha passes Consumer Protection Bill: The Rajya Sabha has passed the Consumer Protection Bill, 2019. The bill will lead to setting up of a Central Consumer Protection Authority to promote, protect and enforce the rights of consumers as a class. The Bill seeks to strengthen the rights of consumers and provides a mechanism for redressal of complaints regarding defects in goods and deficiency in services. The bill will replace the Consumer Protection Act, 1986.

Note: Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution: Ram Vilas Paswan.

2. Government unveils draft e-commerce norms: To protect consumers’ interest, the Centre has proposed guidelines for e-commerce firms that entail a 14-day deadline to effect refund request, mandate e-tailers to display details of sellers supplying goods and services on their websites and moot the procedure to resolve consumer complaints. The draft ‘e-commerce guidelines for consumer protection 2019,’ which adds that e-commerce firms need to ensure that personally identifiable information of customers, is protected.

3. IIT-Guwahati develops hand-held device to detect bacteria: A team of researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati has developed a portable device to detect bacteria without cell culture or microbiological assays. The hand-held device, with the bio-compatible sensor, can also diagnose time-critical illnesses such as meningitis.  This research has enabled rapid detection of bacteria, which is not just important in healthcare, but also in anti- bioterrorism measures and environmental monitoring.

4.  National Handloom Day: 7th August: India celebrates National Handloom Day every year on 7th August. The day is celebrated to honour the handloom weavers in the country and also highlight India’s handloom industry. Bhubaneswar has been chosen as the venue for the celebrations of the day for its rich tradition of Handlooms. The prime objective of holding the National Handloom Day in Bhubaneswar is to empower women and girls. National Handloom Day seeks to focus on the contribution of handloom to the socio economic development of the country and also increase the income of weavers.

5. Congress Rajya Sabha MP Bhubaneshwar Kalita resigns from membership of the House: Congress Rajya Sabha MP Bhubaneshwar Kalita resigned from the membership of the House on opposing the party's stand on the abrogation of Article 370. Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu announced in the House that he has accepted Mr Kalita's resignation. Mr Kalita was upset with the Congress when he was asked to issue a whip to party members against the government's move on the Kashmir issue.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Bangladesh signs uranium supply deal with Russia: Bangladesh signed a deal with Russia for the supply of uranium for its 2400 MW Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP). The deal was signed in Dhaka between the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission and Russian Nuclear Fuel Supply Company (TVEL). Under this deal, Russia will supply the nuclear fuel needed for the plant during its entire life cycle. 

Note: Russia President: Vladimir Putin; Capital: Moscow; Currency: Russian ruble. 

2. India contributes USD 5 million to UN Palestine refugee agency: India contributed 5 million USD to the UN Palestine refugee agency and called for ensuring sustained financial support for the organisation's work. The amount was hand over to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestinian Refugees. UNRWA has been providing health, education, relief and social services, as well as emergency humanitarian assistance, across its five areas of operations in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank, and the Gaza Strip since 1950.

Note: UNRWA of Headquarters: Amman, Jordan; UNRWA Established: 8 December 1949.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. Fiona Kolbinger 1st woman to win 4,000km cycling race: German cancer researcher Fiona Kolbinger won the mixed annual 4,000km(2,485 miles) cycling Transcontinental Race from Burgas in Bulgaria to Brest in France.  Kolbinger becomes the 1st woman to win one of the world’s toughest cycling races in her first ultra-distance event. She took 10 days, 2 hours and 48 minutes to complete the challenge, which included about 40,000 metres (131,000ft) of climbing.

2. Sally Pearson announces retirement from Track and field: Australia’s reigning world-champion hurdler Sally Pearson announced her surprise retirement due to injury. Pearson, the Olympic gold-medallist in 2012 and 2-time world champion over 100 metres hurdles.

3. Nick Kyrgios beats Daniil Medvedev to win 6th ATP title: Australia's Nick Kyrgios kept his composure and captured the ATP Washington Open title, defeating Russia's 10th-ranked Daniil Medvedev.   The 24-year-old Aussie, who struggled through the opening set, claimed the $365,390 top prize and his 6th career ATP crown at the US Open tune-up event.

4. India tops latest ICC Test rankings: India topped the latest ICC Test team rankings while New Zealand is placed 2nd and South Africa is in 3rd position. India skipper Virat Kohli retains his number one position in the latest ICC Test batsmen’s rankings. Australian batsman Steve Smith overtook India's Cheteshwar Pujara to grab the No.3 spot. Pujara is placed fourth in the fresh standings. Australian speedster Pat Cummins retains his top position in Test bowling, with a seven-wicket match haul. In rankings for Test all-rounders, Jason Holder of the West Indies tops the list while Ravindra Jadeja is placed 3rd and Ravichandran Ashwin is in sixth place.

ICC Test rankings

BANKING AND FINANCE

1. Reserve Bank of India cuts repo rate by 35 basis points: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced its third Bi-Monthly Monetary Policy Rates for 2019-20 in Mumbai today. The RBI reduced the policy repo rate under the liquidity adjustment facility (LAF) by 35 basis points (bps) from 5.75 per cent to 5.40 per cent with immediate effect. This is the fourth consecutive time that the Monetary Policy Committee has reduced the rates (25 basis points each).

Current Policy Rates:

Policy Repo Rate	5.40%
Reverse Repo Rate	5.15 %
Marginal Standing Facility Rate	5.65%
Bank Rate	5.65%

2. RBI to set up "Central Payment Fraud Registry": The Reserve Bank of India has decided to set up a "Central Payment Fraud Registry". The registry will track frauds in the payment systems.   Under this registry, payment system participants will be provided access to it for near-real time fraud monitoring. The aggregated fraud data will be published to educate customers on emerging risks. Currently, banks report all banking frauds to the Central Fraud Monitoring Cell of the Reserve Bank of India

3. RBI announces NEFT facility will be available round-the-clock for customers: The Reserve Bank of India has announced that the National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT) facility will be available round-the-clock for the customers. According to RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das, the RBI will make available the NEFT system on a 24x7 basis from December 2019. Currently, NEFT payment system operated by the Reserve Bank as a retail payment system is available for customers from 8 AM to 7 PM on all working days of the week except 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

1. SEBI approves SGX and NSE to operate jointly in GIFT City: Securities and Exchange Board of India has approved Singapore Stock Exchange and National Stock Exchange of India Ltd to operate jointly in Gujarat International Finance Tec-City, Gandhinagar. The two entities will create a new platform for trading called NSE International Financial Service Centre (IFSC)-SGX Connect. The new platform will allow trading in Nifty index derivatives, as well as single-stock derivatives of Nifty’s 50 constituent.

Note: Managing Director and CEO of NSE: Vikram Limaye; Managing Director & CEO of GIFT City: Tapan Ray.

DEFENCE

1. 5th edition of 'IASMC' kicks off in Jaisalmer: The 5th edition of International Army Scout Masters Competition with teams from 8 countries including India, China and Russia as participants was inaugurated at the Jaisalmer Military Station under the aegis of the Southern Command.  Lt Gen DS Ahuja, Chief of Staff of the Indian Army's Southern Command, and Deputy Defence Minister of Russia Yunus Bek Evkurov unveiled the trophy of the competition and unfolded the event's flag at the inaugural ceremony. Army Scout Master Teams from Armenia, Belarus, China, Kazakhstan, Russia, Sudan, Uzbekistan and India are participating in the 9-day event from August 6 to 14.

OBITUARIES

1. Nobel laureate and beloved author Toni Morrison passes away: Toni Morrison, the 1993 Nobel laureate in literature passed away. She was the 1st African American woman to win the Nobel in literature. Ms. Morrison was the author of several novels, children’s books and essays. Among them were celebrated works like Song of Solomon, which received the National Book Critics Circle Award in 1977, and Beloved, which won the Pulitzer Prize in 1988.

2. Former T.N. Minister Jennifer Chandran passes away: Former Fisheries Minister S. Jennifer Chandran passed away. She won from the Tiruchendur Assembly constituency in 1996 and served as a Minister in the DMK government from 1996-2001.

3. Former Padma Shri award winner Rajalakshmi Parthasarathy passes away: Former Padma Shri award winner and educationist Rajalakshmi Parthasarathy passed away. ii. She received the Padma Shri award in 2010 for her contribution to the field of education. She was the founder of the Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan (PSBB) Group of Schools.

Daily GK Updates - 6th August, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Rajasthan Assembly passes bills against honour killings and Mob Lynching: The Rajasthan Assembly passed Bills against mob lynching and honour killing, which make the cognisable, non-bailable and non-compoundable offences with life imprisonment and a fine up to Rs 5 lakh. The bill to curb honour killing also has a provision of the death penalty for the convict. Now Rajasthan has become the 2nd state after Manipur which passed a law to curb lynching cases.

Note: CM of Rajasthan: Ashok Gehlot; Governor of Rajasthan: Kalyan Singh.Capital: Jaipur.

2. Centre has approved the project to link Kosi & Mechi Rivers: The Centre has approved a Kosi-Mechi river interlining project in Bihar. Estimated cost of the project is Rs 4,900 crore. The project will provide irrigation for over 2.14 lakh hectares of command areas spread across the districts of Araria, Kishanganj, Purnia and Katihar in north Bihar. This is India's 2nd major river linking project after Ken-Betwa of Madhya Pradesh.

Note: Chief Minister of Bihar: Nitish Kumar; Governor: Phagu Chuhan.

3. Mohali gets first 3-D traffic signal: Mohali traffic police have launched 3-D Smart Traffic Signal devised by the students of a Chandigarh university. The wireless system, called 'Intelights', has been installed at the traffic crossing near the Airport Road, on a pilot project basis, and will regulate traffic signals with a smartbird's eye view wireless sensor system. The new system will have sensors which would automatically switch on the green and red signals depending upon the number of vehicles coming from that particular side.

4. Udaipur to host India's Largest Education Brainstorm: The 3rd edition of India's largest education brainstorming event, the ScooNews Global Educators Fest (SGEF) will held in the city of lakes, Udaipur, Rajasthan (9 & 10th August 2019). The theme for fest is ‘Education for Sustainability: Moving on from Conformity to Creativity'. It will bring together over 500 educators to discuss the way towards establishing India as the next global education powerhouse.

5. 2nd All India Annual Conference of IIS Officers: The 2nd All India Annual Conference of Indian Information Service Officers was held in New Delhi. The Conference was organized with a view to attain greater integration of all Media Units under the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting in order to further amplify government communication. A Performance Review of Media Units under the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting was also conducted during the Conference.

Note: Union Minister of Information & Broadcasting Ministry: Prakash Javadekar.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. U.S. labels China a ‘currency manipulator’: The United States has officially labeled China a "currency manipulator". The US has accused China of using yuan to gain “unfair competitive advantage” in trade. The US took the action as Beijing has allowed its yuan to fall below the politically sensitive level of "seven" to the U.S. dollar for the first time in 11 years.

2. AustralianSuper, Ontario Teachers’ to invest $2 bn in NIIF: AustralianSuper and Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan will invest $1 billion each in the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) Master Fund. The agreements include commitments of $250 million each in the Master Fund and co-investment rights of up to $750 million each in future opportunities alongside the Fund. National Investment and Infrastructure Fund is India’s first sovereign wealth fund that was set up by the Government of India in February 2015. It manages over $4 billion of capital commitments across three funds. The Fund invests in equity capital in core infrastructure sectors in India with a focus on transportation, energy and urban infrastructure.

Note: AustralianSuper is Australia’s largest superannuation fund and Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan is Canada’s largest single-profession pension plan. AustralianSuper and Ontario Teachers’ will also become shareholders in National Investment and Infrastructure Fund Limited.

3. NASA satellite uncovers 'first nearby super-Earth': The Super-Earth planet named ‘GJ 357 d’ was discovered in early 2019 owing to NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), a mission designed to comb the heavens for exoplanets. Scientists have characterised the first potentially habitable world outside our own solar system located about 31 light-years away.

Note: Administrator of NASA: Jim Bridenstine; Headquarter of NASA: Washington DC, US.

4. Japan marks the 74th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima: 6 August: Japan marked the 74th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe led commemorations at the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima as residents offered silent prayers, lit candles and placed wreaths to remember those killed in the August 6, 1945 bombing.

Note: Japan suffered two nuclear attacks (1st Hiroshima & 2nd Nagasaki) by the United States at the end of World War II. The bombings claimed 1 Lakh 40 thousand lives in Hiroshima and 74 thousand in Nagasaki.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. Aamir Khan launches Mission Shakti sports initiative in Maharashtra: Film actor Aamir Khan attended the launch function of Mission Shakti, an initiative by Maharashtra minister Sudhir Mungantiwar to train athletes from Chandrapur and Gadchiroli for international events like the Olympics.

Note: CM of Maharashtra: Devendra Fadnavis; Governor: CH Vidyasagar Rao. Capital: Mumbai.

2. Rohit Sharma becomes the batsman with most-number of sixes in T20Is: India's opening batsman Rohit Sharma (32 years) has become the batsman with the most- number of sixes in the T20I format. He blasted two sixes to go past West Indies's Chris Gayle at the top spot. Now, the right-handed batsman Rohit Sharma has 106 sixes in the format whereas Gayle has 105. Kiwi opening batsman Martin Guptill sits on the third position with 103 sixes. Currently, Rohit Sharma holds the record for the most number of centuries (four) and highest run-scorer in the T20I format.

3. Ravichandran Ashwin named "PCA Player of the Month": Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has been named as Professional Cricketers Association's Player of the month of July 2019. He has been named for his consistent performances in the county championships as he hit 197 runs and picked up 23 wickets from just 3 matches for Nottinghamshire.

4. Dale Steyn retires from Test cricket: South African bowler Dale Steyn has announced his retirement from Test cricket. Dale Steyn has played 93 Tests for South Africa, finishing with 439 wickets, the most in the long format by a south african bowler. His strike-rate of 42.3 balls per wicket is the best of anyone with more than 200 Test wickets. Steyn will be available to play for South Africa in One-Day and T20 International series.

AWARDS AND HONOURS

1. Statue of Unity shortlisted for UK-based structural award: The ‘Statue of Unity’ (182-metre-tall) has been shortlisted for 'The Structural Awards 2019' of the UK-based Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE). The Objective of the award to increase awareness of the important work that structural engineers do. It is among the 49 structures that will vie for the prestigious award.

Note: The awards will be announced in a function in London on 15th November 2019. Past winners of this award include iconic structures such as the Sydney Opera House in Australia, the Pompidou Centre in Paris and the Severn Bridge in England.

OBITUARIES

1. Former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj passes away: Former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj passed away in Delhi following a cardiac arrest. She was the first woman external affairs minister of India. The 67-year-old leader, who had served her fourth term in Lok Sabha had long been her party’s most prominent woman face. She was the youngest cabinet minister at 25 when she joined the Haryana government in 1977 and the first woman chief minister of Delhi. Swaraj served as the Minister of External Affairs of India from 26 May 2014 to 30 May 2019. She was elected seven times as a member of parliament and three times as a member of the legislative assembly.

Daily GK Updates - 5th August, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Govt. revokes Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir: The Union government has moved to scrap provisions under Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, which grants special status to the state of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) in the Union of India. It has decided that Jammu and Kashmir would be turned into a Union Territory with a legislature, and the Ladakh division would be made a separate Union Territory (without legislature). Home Minister Amit Shah has announced in the Rajya Sabha that provisions of Article 370 were being scrapped. The notification has already been signed by President Ram Nath Kovind.

How does this change the current situation in Jammu and Kashmir?- Any citizen of the country will be able to buy property in Jammu and Kashmir. J&K will no longer have a separate flag. J&K will no longer have dual citizenship. J&K will no longer be a separate state but a union territory with assembly. Ladakh is declared a separate union territory (UT). The term of the Legislative Assembly will be 5 years instead of 6 years. The special status of Jammu and Kashmir is scrapped. Laws like RTI and CAG will also apply here. Now, any citizen of the country can get a job in Jammu and Kashmir. After the removal of Article 370, Jammu and Kashmir do not get any exclusive rights.

2. Maharashtra to get world’s first ultra-fast Hyperloop project: Maharashtra has granted infrastructure project status for a USD 10 billion (about Rs. 70, 0000 crores) plan to establish the world’s first ultra-fast hyperloop project. The projects aim to link Mumbai with the neighbouring city of Pune. Hyperloops use magnets to levitate pods inside an airless tube, creating conditions in which the pods can shuttle people and freight at speeds of up to 1,200 km per hour. The status could help fast-track land acquisition for the project over a 117.5 km stretch that will shuttle people between the cities in about 35 minutes. The route from Mumbai to Pune is one of the country's busiest, with roughly 75 million passenger journeys each year. Note: The Hyperloop is a high-speed transportation system in which specialized pods are accelerated through a low-pressure tube to achieve speeds near the speed of sound. The system is intended to provide a more cost-effective and faster mode of travel between cities separated by distances less than approximately nine hundred miles.

3. Kolkata to get India’s first underwater Metro: Kolkata metro commuters will soon be able to travel through India's first underwater metro tunnel. Kolkata Metro has constructed the first-ever transport tunnel in the country which will pass through underwater. The East-West Metro corridor will pass through under Hooghly River and it will become the first such river crossing in the country. Two tunnels are being constructed on the up and down line, which is about 1.4 kilometres long. The width of the Hooghly River here is about 520 meters and this tunnel passes through the bottom of the river bottom.

Note: The metro line between Salt Lake Sector-5 to Salt Lake Stadium has Karunamayi, Central Park, City Center and Bengal Chemical metro stations.

4. AP Home Minister flags off riot control vehicle 'Vajra': Arunachal Pradesh State Home Minister Bamang Felix flagged of Five Anti-Riot police vehicle ‘Vajra’ from Police Headquarter in Itanagar. Two will be deployed in the Capitol Complex and one each will be routed towards Yupia, Pasighat and Bomdila. These vehicles come with special features for quick response, automatic multi-barrel launchers for tear gas, with a capacity of 12 persons and a battery backup for long hours stuck in the rioting crowd.

The initiative is a step towards the total modernization of the state Police department.

5. HRD Minister inaugurates Technology Expo at IIT Delhi: Human Resources Development Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank has inaugurated the Technology Expo at IIT Delhi to showcase the latest innovation in the field of science and technology. Over 80 latest innovations and 90 research posters by institutions from across the country are showcasing the prototypes developed by the investigators in the day-long exhibition. The Minister said research should be in accordance with the need of common people and industry. Later talking to media, Mr Nishank assured all kinds of support to the research community.

6. Aadi Perukku” festival celebrated in Tamil Nadu: The “Aadi Perukku” festival (or Aadi monsoon festival) was celebrated in Tamil Nadu. People performed Puja on the banks of larger water bodies including sea coasts, lakes and rivers. The festival is to show reverence by the public to rivers, as the traditional season of sowing of seeds for the next crops. Aadi is the name of the current Tamil month, and Perukku is the term for the flooding of waters.

7. Lalit Kala Akademi celebrates 65th Foundation Day: National Academy of Art, Lalit Kala Akademi, celebrated its 65th Foundation Day in New Delhi.  The event was inaugurated by Culture and Tourism Minister. The Minister also inaugurated art camp and artwork and painting exhibition and released a book - Mithila Ki Lok Chitrakala. Lalit Kala Akademi or National Academy of Art was established in New Delhi in 1954 by the government to promote and propagate understanding of Indian art, in and outside the country.

Note: Union Culture and Tourism Minister: Prahlad Singh Patel.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. EAM Jaishankar attends 10th Mekong-Ganga Cooperation in Bangkok: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar attended 10th Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC) in Thailand's Bangkok. In MGC the Ministers adopted the new MGC Plan of Action 2019-2022 that envisages project-based cooperation in the seven areas of MGC cooperation, namely tourism and culture, education, public health and traditional medicine, agriculture and allied sectors, transport and communication, MSMEs as well as three new areas of cooperation, i.e. water resources management, science and technology, skill development and capacity building.

Note: Capital of Thailand: Bangkok, Currency of Thailand: Baht.

2. French inventor crosses English Channel on 'Flyboard': French inventor Franky Zapata is 1st person in history to cross the English Channel on the jet-powered hover board. Zapata completed the crossing in 22 minutes, reaching speeds of up to 110mph (177km/h) flying 15-20 metres (50-65ft) above the water. Zapata made the 35-kilometre (21.5 miles) crossing from the French seaside town of Sangatte to St. Margaret's Bay in Dover, England.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. Thailand Open: Satwiksairaj, Chirag 1st Indian doubles pair to win Super 500 title: Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty (World No. 16) became the first Indian pair to win a BWF Super 500 badminton tournament in Bangkok, Thailand. They beat the reigning World Champions and third seeds Li Jun Hui and Liu Yu Chen of China in three hard-fought games 21-19, 18-21, 21-18 to win the men’s doubles category.

Note: The 2019 Thailand Open was a badminton tournament which took place at Indoor Stadium Huamark in Bangkok, Thailand and had a total purse of USD 350,000. This tournament was organized by the Badminton Association of Thailand with sanction from the BWF.

2. Vinesh Phogat wins third successive gold in 53kg: Star India grappler Vinesh Phogat (24-years) has bagged gold in women's 53kg category of the Poland Open wrestling tournament in Warsaw. Vinesh Phogat prevailed 3-2 over local wrestler Roksana in the final of the competition. This was her third consecutive gold in the 53 kg category after winning Gold at Grand Prix of Spain and at the Yasar Dogu International at Istanbul, Turkey.

3. Lewis Hamilton wins Hungarian Grand Prix 2019: British racing driver, Lewis Hamilton (34-years) has won the Formula 1, Hungarian Grand Prix 2019. Mercedes driver Hamilton hunted down Max Verstappen to win the Hungarian Grand Prix for a record-extending seventh time.

Note: The 2019 Hungarian Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race which was held at the Hungaroring in Mogyorod, Hungary. The race was the twelfth round of twenty-one of the 2019 Formula One World Championship and the 35th running of the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Race Classifications

S. No.	Driver	Constructor	Points
1.	Lewis Hamilton	Mercedes	25
2.	Max Verstappen	Red Bull Racing-Honda	19
3.	Sebastian Vettel	Ferrari	15

BANKING AND FINANCE

1. RBI imposes a penalty on seven public sector banks for violating norms: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed a penalty ranging between one to two crore rupees on seven public sector banks for violating norms on fraud classification, bill discounting and monitoring of end use of funds. According to RBI press release, Bank of Baroda, Bank of India, Indian Overseas Bank and Union Bank of India were fined 1.5 crore rupees each, while Allahabad Bank and Bank of Maharashtra were penalised 2 crore rupees each. Oriental Bank of Commerce was penalised with 1 crore rupees. RBI said in a release that a scrutiny was carried out in the accounts of the companies of a group and it was observed that the banks had failed to comply with provisions of one or more of the directions issued by RBI. In a separate release, RBI said a fine of 1 crore rupees was levied on Corporation Bank for non-compliance of norms on cybersecurity framework as well as fraud classification and reporting.

2. Noel Quinn becomes interim CEO of HSBC: Noel Quinn (57-years) has been appointed as interim CEO (Chief Executive Officer) and Director of HSBC. Noel Quinn will replace John Flint as the interim CEO.

Note: HSBC Bank India is a bank with its operational head office in Mumbai. It is a foreign bank under the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 and thus is regulated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

3. Siddhartha Mohanty takes charge as MD-CEO of LIC Housing Finance: Siddhartha Mohanty has assumed charge as Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of LIC Housing Finance (LIC HFL). He has replaced Shri Vinay Shah. Earlier, he was the COO (chief operating officer) of LIC HFL.

Note: LIC Housing Finance Limited (LIC HFL) is one of the largest housing finances (mortgage loan) companies in India having its Registered and Corporate office at Mumbai. Now LIC OF INDIA also holds promoter & controller status in IDBI Bank Ltd from January 2019.

DEFENCE

1. India test-fires Surface to Air-Missile from Chandipur in Odisha: India successfully test-fired its all-weather tracked-chassis Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QR-SAM) from a mobile launcher at launch complex III of the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur in Odisha. It was the second developmental trial (first- 26th Feb, 2019) of the missile in this year from the same test range. It was jointly developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Bharat Electronics Ltd, the QR-SAM weapon system is a quick reaction, network-centric missile system capable of search-on-the-move. The QR-SAM system can also engage multiple targets within a range of around 25 to 30 km with two vehicle configurations for area air defence. It is a truck-mounted missile with a 360 degrees rotatable, electro-mechanically operated, turret-based launch unit. The missile intended to defend Army formations operating in plains and semi-desert areas.

2.  ISRO sets up SSAM in Bengaluru: K Sivan, chairman, ISRO, laid the foundation stone for Space Situational Awareness Control Centre at Peenya in Bengaluru. ISRO has set up a directorate of space situational awareness and management aiming at protecting high valued space assets from space debris close approaches and collisions. The control centre would facilitate the intensified activities foreseen for SSAM, in view of increasing debris population and operational space assets.  The control centre would host a range of activities pertaining to the protection of Indian space assets from inactive satellites, pieces of orbiting objects, near-earth asteroids and adverse space weather conditions.

3. ISRO releases first set of earth pictures captured by Chandrayaan-2: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has released the first set of pictures of the earth, captured by Chandrayaan-2. The pictures were captured by L 14 camera onboard Chandrayaan II. The first set of pictures by the lander of the Chandrayaan-2 are only indicative of the high-resolution camera it has. The LI-4 camera onboard the lander Vikram of the spacecraft show the crystal clear and panoramic view of the earth, around which it is still revolving.

OBITUARIES

1. Veteran Gujarati journalist Kanti Bhatt passes away: Veteran Gujarati journalist, author and columnist Kanti Bhatt (88-years) passed away in Mumbai. He worked as journalist, writer, columnist and editor in various Gujarati publications like Chitralekha, Mumbai Samachar, Janshakti, Sandesh, Yuva Darshan, Jansatta, Vyapar and Abhiyan. Kanti Bhatt was born on 15th July 1931 in Sachra village in the erstwhile Bhavnagar state of Gujarat.

2. Cricket commentator Anant Setalvad, passes away: Cricket commentator Anant Setalvad, who used to draw pictures of the game's progress on airwaves with his fine command of the English language, from the mid 1960s through to the 1980s, passed away. Anant was the commentator for All India Radio (AIR) in Ranji Trophy and other BCCI tournaments and also for Test matches.

Daily GK Updates - 4th August, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. PM chaired the 30th PRAGATI interaction: Prime Minister Narendra Modi headed the 30th PRAGATI platform interaction in New Delhi. PRAGATI is the Information and communications technology (ICT) - based, multi-modal platform for Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation. In the second term of the NDA govrenment, this is the first PRAGATI interaction. In the session, PM reviewed the progress in the resolution of grievances under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban). Modi urged the officers in charge to achieve the government's objective of providing Housing for All by 2022. He also suggested improvements under the Ayushmann Bharat Scheme. 

2. Indian Army employs E cars to its Delhi officials: The Indian Army has launched an ecological initiative by employing electric cars (E-cars) for the use of Government officials in Delhi. E-cars initiative was launched by the Army in partnership with Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EECL) under the Ministry of Power.  The move comes as a solution to the worsening state of air in the capital city. Air pollution has been a major challenge in Delhi, with it crossing the danger mark often.

3. ICMR introduces 2 new TB vaccines: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) launched a trial for two new TB vaccines. This is India’s first large-scale trial. This is a large preventive TB vaccine trial. The initiative involves more than 12,000 healthy household contacts of newly diagnosed TB patients from across six states of India are set to be enrolled. Two thousand participants from each of the six states including Delhi, Maharashtra, Odisha, Telangana and Karnataka will enroll over the next seven to eight months. Also, seven main centres will have six sub-sites, where these trials will be conducted. The two new TB vaccines that are introduced by ICMR are: Immuvac manufactured by Cadila Pharmaceuticals and VPM 1002 manufactured by Institute of India, Pune. The medicines are to be tested with three testing phases. Based on the results the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will decide and set the price of the vaccines.

4. Mohapatra takes charge as DG of India Meteorological Department: Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, 54, took charge as the Director General (DG) of India Meteorological Department (IMD), New Delhi. He was appointed as DG by the Ministry of Personnel. He will replace K.J. Ramesh, who headed the weather department for over three years. IMD is to request the government to bring new technology for the weather forecasting and provide accurate information of weather.

Note: India Meteorological Department Formed on: 1875; Headquarters: New Delhi; Functions under: Ministry of Earth Sciences; Minister responsible: Dr. Harsh Vardhan

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. US officially withdraw from INF treaty: The US has officially withdrawn from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) treaty with Russia. The withdrawal has ended a Cold war-era missile treaty with Russia. This could start an arms race between the US and Russia, the world’s top two nuclear powers. During the Obama administration in 2014, Russia was accused of violating the agreement by testing a cruise missile in direct violation of the accord. In turn, Russia also said that the US has violated the agreement too. The US has denied the accusation.

Note: Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF): INF treaty is a Nuclear disarmament type of agreement. It was signed on December 1987 in Washington D.C. The agreement was signed by the U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev, the Soviet General Secretary with an unlimited duration. The agreement prohibits both the countries from fielding ground-launched cruise missiles that could fly between 310 and 3,400 miles. The treaty has been extremely successful in the destruction of a total of 2,692 missiles.

2. Nigeria becomes the fourth African nation to join a global coalition to protect pollinators: Nigeria became the fourth African country to join the Global Coalition of the Willing on Pollinators. Ethiopia was the first African nation to be part of this global coalition in 2017. Burundi was the second African country to join this global group. Other non-African nations such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Dominican Republic, Ireland and Mexico had joined the global group last year.

Note: Pollinator: A pollinator is an animal that causes plants to make fruit or seeds. They do this by moving pollen from one part of the flower of a plant to another part. They are biotic (Bees, hummingbirds, flies etc.) as well as an abiotic like water, air etc.

Global coalition to protect pollinators: The coalition now has 28 signatories including 17 European countries, five from Latin America and the Caribbean and four from Africa. They follow up on the findings of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) Assessment on Pollinators. The protecting pollinators will be important for addressing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) too.

3. Canada to create a protected marine area in Arctic region: Canada government plans to create a protected marine area in the country's Arctic region. The move is after a severe climate change that took effect three times faster than global average weather. Multiple species in the coast of Baffin Island, in Canada's northeastern Arctic archipelago are threatened by the Glacial melting and maritime traffic. The move aims to protect marine area in arctic regions and protect the populations of belugas, narwhals, walruses, seals, polar bears and thousands of other species who depend on year-round sea ice to survive. These species are now migrating, or in some cases, disappearing, In order to save various species the areas are to be planned in well protecting manner. The establishment of protected marine area would help the Canadian government to achieve its goal to protect 10% of marine and coastal regions by 2020. 

4. North Korea confirms another test of rocket launcher system: North Korea tested another multiple rocket launcher system. The country could potentially enhance the country's ability to strike targets in South Korea and US military bases. The report by Pyongyang's official Korean Central News Agency after South Korea's military detected North Korea firing projectiles twice into the sea off its eastern coast in its third round of weapons tests in just over a week.
Note: North Korea Capital: Pyongyang, Currency: North Korean won

5. MacKenzie Bezosis now the world’s third richest woman: Bloomberg report said that MacKenzie Bezos is now the world’s third-richest woman. MacKenzie is now the ex-wife of Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos.  Also, Forbes billionaire list said that after the divorce, she has become the second-largest individual shareholder of Amazon and the third wealthiest woman in the world. Jeff Bezos transferred around 19.7 million Amazon shares to MacKenzie Bezos during the divorce. This has brought Jeff Bezos' ownership stake in the company from 16% down to 12%. Jeff Bezos still remains the richest person on the planet. According to Forbes Real-Time Rankings, Jeff Bezos is worth $117.8 billion. Bill Gates, Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates, found wealthier than the second-richest person.

6. Friendship day: 4 August: Friendship Day is observed on the first Sunday of August every year across the world. In 2019, Friendship Day falls on August 4. Friendship Day is a day to celebrate the special relationship between friends and cherish the lovely memories.

OTHER UPDATES:

BANKING AND FINANCE

1. RBI fines Oriental Bank Rs 1.5 cr for delay in reporting KFA fraud: Oriental Bank of Commerce said that RBI has imposed a fine of Rs 1.5 crore on it for delay in reporting fraud in the Kingfisher Airlines account. This is to inform that the RBl in exercise of powers conferred under various sections of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 has imposed an aggregate penalty of Rs 1.5 crore on the bank for failure to classify and report the account of Kingfisher Airlines Limited as fraud, the state-owned lender said in a regulatory filing.

Note: Oriental Bank of Commerce Headquarters: Gurugram; CEO: Mukesh Kumar Jain

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

1. Mindtree appoints Cognizants Debashis Chatterjee as new CEO: Mindtree appointed S.N. Subrahmanyan as its non-executive vice-chairman. Subrahmanyan currently serves as L&T group’s managing director and CEO. Chatterjee Cognizant’s global leader for digital systems and technology practice will be the first person outside Mindtree’s seven-member founding team to be appointed as the chief executive officer. He is the third person to take up the top job since the company launched 20 years ago. He is appointed till 1 August 2024.

2. Edelweiss Tokio Life partners with Mobikwik to offer miniature insurance: Edelweiss Tokio Life Insurance partnered with payments platform Mobikwik to sell 'miniature' insurance plans. Sumit Rai, MD & CEO said, Edelweiss Tokio Life Insurance will cover Rs 1 lakh, 3 lakh and 5 lakh with a premium of Rs 148, 443 and 738 per annum. The life insurer offers pre-approved sum assured basis customer information already with MobiKwik.

Note: Edelweiss Tokio Life Insurance Founded: 2009, Headquarters location: Mumbai, Parent organization: Edelweiss Capital