Daily GK Updates - 27th August, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. HRD Ministry launches National Digital Library of India: Human Resource Development Ministry under its National Mission on Education through Information and Communication Technology (NMEICT) has launched the National Digital Library of India project. It is to develop a framework of virtual repository of learning resources with a single-window search facility. As of now, there are more than 3 crore digital resources available through the National Digital Library. More than 50 lakh students have registered themselves in the National Digital Library with about 20 lakh active users. National Digital Library has been integrated with UMANG App and users can register through www.ndl.gov.in or through the mobile app

Note: Union Minister of Human Resource Development: Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank'.

2. 4th edition of the Internet of Things (IoT) India Congress 2019: The 4th edition of India’s largest confluence of digital technology, the Internet of Things (IoT) India Congress 2019 held in Bengaluru, Karnataka with the theme of  ‘Mainstreaming the Internet of Things’.  It was inaugurated by Shri Ajay Prakash Sawhney, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology, Government of India (GoI). The IoT India Congress 2019 will include tracks on segments such as healthcare, manufacturing, telecom, smart cities, energy, retail, cybersecurity, skills and development, IoT Standards, legal and regulatory, and agriculture.

3. 7th 'Community Radio Sammelan' being held in New Delhi: The seventh “Community Radio Sammelan” is being held at Ambedkar Bhawan, New Delhi from 27th to 29th August, 2019. It is being organized by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the theme of this year's Sammelan is 'Community Radio for SDGs'. The 'Sammelan' will witness participation of all operational community radio stations across the country. Representatives of the community radio stations will discuss experiences and possibilities of programming for spreading public awareness on the Sustainable Development Goals in a better way. Union minister Prakash Javadekar wil present National Community Radio Awards 2019 on this occasion.

4. Department of Social Justice & Empowerment and NACO signed an MoU: National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) and Department of Social Justice and Empowerment (DoSJE) has signed a MoU. This MoU is to enhance outreach on AIDS prevention, address the risk of HIV transmission among all substance users and empower the discriminated and vulnerable groups such as victims of HIV/AIDS, drug abuse and female sex workers. The MOU will also catalyze in achieving the national goals and objectives of HIV prevention and impact mitigation. 

Note: AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), under Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and Department of Social Justice and Empowerment (DoSJE) is under Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MoSJE).

5. Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium to be renamed as Arun Jaitley Stadium: The Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) decided to rename Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium as Arun Jaitley Stadium in the memory of its former president of DDCA. Jaitley was the president of DDCA from 1999 to 2013. The renaming of the stadium will take place in September.

Note: President of DDCA:  Rajat Sharma; Headquarter of DDCA: Delhi.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. PM Modi launches $4.2 mn redevelopment project of Hindu temple in Bahrain: Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his two-day visit launched the $4.2 million redevelopment project of the 200-year-old Sri Krishna temple in the Bahraini capital, Manama. Modi, the first Indian Prime Minister to visit the key Gulf nation, offered prayers at the Shreenathji Temple in Manama. The heritage and the 200-year-old legacy of the temple will be highlighted in the redevelopment and the new iconic complex will house the sanctum sanctorum and prayer halls.

2. Boeing delivers 11th C-17 Globemaster to India: American aerospace major Boeing delivered the 11th C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft to the Indian Air Force, boosting its strategic airlift capabilities. The C-17 Globemaster III is a premier transport aircraft. The massive, sturdy, long-haul aircraft can carry large combat equipment, troops and humanitarian aid across long distances in all weather conditions. The C-17 fleet has been a vital part of the IAF’s strategic and combat airlift capability. Boeing has been maintaining IAF’s C-17 fleet through techno-logistics support and training for aircrew that operate the platform.

OTHER UPDATES:

BANKING & FINANCE

1. Indian Bank signs MoU with Tata AIG: Public sector Bank, Indian Bank signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Tata AIG General Insurance. The agreement was signed in the presence of Ms Padmaja Chunduru MD and CEO of Indian Bank and Mr Saurabh Maini, Senior Vice President and Business Head-Key partnership Group, Tata AIG General Insurance. This MoU offers the latter’s diverse range of general insurance policies benefiting the bank’s customers by way of protection, wealth creation and savings. Tata AIG General Insurance will work with the bank for sales training, product support and ensuring smooth operational processes, all leading to seamless service to customers.

Note: CEO of Indian Bank: Padmaja Chunduru; CEO of Tata AIG General Insurance:  Neelesh Garg.

2. RBI to transfer Rs 1.76 lakh crore from surplus reserve to government: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved the transfer of record Rs 1.76 lakh crore dividend and surplus reserves to the government, This fund will comprise Rs 1,23,414 crore of surplus for the year 2018-19 and Rs 52,637 crore of excess provisions identified as per the revised Economic Capital Framework (ECF). The receipts from the RBI will give a stimulus to the government's efforts to boost the economy from a five-year low. It is the highest-ever surplus amount transferred by the RBI to government. Since 2013-14, the RBI has been paying 99 per cent of its disposable income to government.

Note: Governor of RBI: Shaktikant Das; Headquarters: Mumbai; Founded: 1 April 1935, Kolkata.

3. SIDBI partnered with Incuspaze to open co-working space for MSMEs: Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has partnered with Incuspaze Solutions Private Limited (Incuspaze) to open a first-of-its-kind co-working space. This co-working space, named @Workspaze exclusively designed for MSMEs and startups. This coworking space is fully furnished office equipped with training and conference room, fast-speed internet, reception, refreshment, recreational area, housekeeping facilities etc.

Note: Founder and CEO of Incuspaze Solutions: Sanjay Choudhary; Chairman of SIDBI: Mohammad Mustafa.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

1. Intel launches first artificial intelligence chip Springhill: Intel Corp has launched its latest processor, its first using artificial intelligence (AI), designed for large computing centres. The chip, developed at its development facility in Haifa, Israel, is known as Nervana NNP-I or Springhill. It is based on a 10 nanometre Ice Lake processor that will allow it to cope with high workloads using minimal amounts of energy.

Note: Intel Corporation is an American multinational corporation and technology company headquartered in Santa Clara, California, in the Silicon Valley.

Ceo of Intel: Robert H. Swan; Intel established: 18 July 1968.

2. Microsoft and ISB partner to advance AI skilling in India: The Indian School of Business (ISB) and Microsoft India announced a new partnership to take forward their shared vision for an AI-empowered India at an event in Hyderabad. Through the creation of the AI Digital Lab, the two organizations will collaborate in research which will use Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) to study issues that are relevant for business and public policy. The partnership will also jointly introduce a new executive program titled “Leading Business Transformation in the Age of AI" in October 2019 which will equip business leaders with tools and strategies to transform their respective organizations to AI-driven organizations. Professor Rajendra Srivastava, Dean, Indian School of Business and Anant Maheshwari is President Microsoft India.

3. Amazon India launches Military Veterans Employment programme: E-commerce giant Amazon India has launched a Military Veterans Employment programme in the country that will create employment opportunities for military veterans and their spouses across the company’s fulfilment centres, sort centres and delivery centres in India. Amazon India is partnering with the office of the Director General of Resettlement (DGR) and the Army Welfare Placement Organisation (AWPO) to create continued work opportunities for military families across the country. Globally, Amazon has over 17,500 military veterans and spouses actively engaged in the programme.

Note: CEO of Amazon: Jeff Bezos

4. Microsoft to train 5000 govt employees on AI, cloud:  Microsoft India launched a program under which it will train 5000 government employees over the next year on AI (artificial intelligence) and cloud computing skills. This program was inaugurated by Amitabh Kant, chief executive of NITI Aayog. The program, called 'Digital Governance Tech Tour', will comprise of physical and virtual workshops. The program will be open for technocrats and IT professionals across the government, including employees of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs).

AWARDS AND HONOURS

1. Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award 2018 Announced: Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Awards 2018 has been announced. The award is given in four categories namely, Land Adventure, Water Adventure, Air Adventure and Life Time Achievement. This award is given every year to recognize the achievements of persons in the fields of adventure, to encourage young people to develop the spirit of endurance, risk–taking, cooperative teamwork and quick, ready and effective reflexes in challenging situations. Based on the recommendations of the Selection Committee and after due scrutiny, the Government has decided to confer awards upon the following:

Land Adventure: Aparna Kumar, Shri Dipankar Ghosh, Shri Manikandan K

Water Adventure: Prabhat Raju Koli

Air Adventure: RameshwerJangra

Life Time Achievement: Wangchuk Sherpa

The awardees will receive their awards from the President of India along with other Sports Awardees at the Rashtrapati Bhawan on 29th August, 2019.

They will receive statuettes, certificates and award money of Rs. 5 lakh each.

Note: Edmund Percival Hillary and Nepalese Sherpa mountaineer Tenzing Norgay became the first climbers in the world who reached the summit of Mount Everest.

OBITUARIES

1. Kanchan Chaudhary Bhattacharya, India’s first woman DGP, passes away: Kanchan Chaudhary Bhattacharya, India’s first woman Director General of Police (DGP), passed away following an illness in Mumbai. Bhattacharya, a 1973 batch officer, made history in 2004 when she was appointed as the DGP of Uttarakhand. Thus she became the first woman in the country to hold such position. She was also the second woman IPS officer in the country, the first being Kiran Bedi.

                                           

Daily GK Updates - 26th August, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Union Minister Prakash Javadekar inaugurates National Centre for Avian Ecotoxicology: Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Prakash Javadekar has inaugurated the National Centre for Avian Ecotoxicology at Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural Sciences (SACON) in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. The centre would study the movement of environmental contaminants such as pesticides, heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls and drugs through the food chain, and their harmful effects on birds.

Note: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister: Edappadi K. Palaniswami; Governor: Banwarilal Purohit; Capital: Chennai.

2. Textiles minister Smriti Irani launches sustainable fashion project "SU.RE": The Union Minister for Textiles Smriti Zubin Irani has inaugurated Project SU.RE (Sustainable Resolution). This is a joint project of CMAI (Clothing Manufacturers Association of India) & IMG Reliance (International Management Group), during Lakme Fashion Winter/Festive 2019 in Mumbai, Maharashtra. Project SU.RE, which involves 16 leading retail fashion brands, reflects the thought of Mahatma Gandhi and is a step towards responsible and smart business. The aim of this initiative is to move towards sustainable fashion that contributes to a clean environment.

3. Rajasthan ranks 1st in free medicine scheme implementation: Chief minister Ashok Gehlot’s flagship free medicine scheme secured the top position in the country in the ranking issued by the National Health Mission (NHM). NHM mission director Manoj Jhalani has issued a letter to health department informing that Rajasthan has been ranked first amongst 16 states of the country in implementation of free medicine scheme. The NHM assessed the performance of the states on the basis of effective implementation of Drugs and Vaccine Distribution Management System (DVDMS), stock of essential drugs, value of drugs about to expire along with other such parameters, which are 10 in total. In the state, the scheme was launched on October 2, 2011.

4. SRK launches heritage postal stamp of Bandra station: Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan launched heritage postal stamp of Bandra station in Mumbai, Maharashtra on the completion of 150 years of the railway station. He urged the people present at the launching event to use the postal stamps instead of online texting.

5. IIT-Delhi establishes DESMI Centre of Excellence: Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi has partnered with Denmark-based firm to start DESMI Centre of Excellence on Waste-to-Wealth at IIT-Delhi. The centre will provide support for implementing the framework of pilot projects, which address waste collection and management with possible energy generation.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. 45th G7 Summit begins in Biarritz, France: The Group of 7 or G7 Summit has begun in Biarritz, France. It is an informal meeting between France, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Italy and Canada as well as the European Union. These world powers, which represent 50% of the global economy, also share the values of freedom and democracy, as well as a collective ambition to deal with the world’s major issues. The theme of this year summit is ‘Fighting Inequality’. Although India is not a member of the G7 group, Mr Narendra Modiwill attend the G7 Summit as a special guest as he has been personally invited by French President Emmanuel Macron. Mr Modi will address sessions on the environment, climate, oceansand digital transformation at the G7 Summit.

Gallery of participating leaders:

Member Countries	Represented by/ Title
Canada	Justin Trudeau (Prime Minister)
France	Emmanuel Macron (President)
Germany	Angela Merkel (Chancellor)
Italy	Giuseppe Conte (Prime Minister)
Japan	Shinzo Abe (Prime Minister)
United Kingdom	Boris Johnson (Prime Minister)
United States	Donald Trump (President)
European Union	Donald Tusk (Council President)

Note: The Hotel du Palais in Biarritz, France, was chosen as the host of the G7 summit.

The heads of state of Australia – Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Chile – President Sebastian Pinera, Egypt – President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, India – Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Spain – Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, and Rwanda – President Paul Kagame have been invited to the Outreach Session of the summit.

2. India and France partners to build the world’s first space-based ship automatic identification system: India and France have partnered to create the world’s first space-based automatic identification system (AIS) to track merchant ships on a real-time basis. K Sivan, chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation and Jean-Yves Le Gall, president of France’s Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales have signed an agreement to start development and production of a constellation of satellites for the ship tracking project, which will potentially revolutionize shipping.

3. 2019 Indo-Pacific Chiefs of Defence (CHOD) Conference to be held in Bangkok: The 2019 Indo-Pacific Chiefs of Defence (CHOD) Conference would be held in Bangkok, Thailand. The theme of the event is “Collaboration in a free and Open Indo–Pacific.” The conference will provide perspectives on common challenges faced by attending nations and elicit open discussions on the same. India will be represented by Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa, Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee who is on 3 days visit to Bangkok from August 26-28, 2019. The Chiefs of Defence of more than 33 countries are scheduled to attend the conference.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. Alex Rins wins British Grand Prix:  Spain motorcycle racer, Alex Rins of the Team SUZUKI ECSTAR has won the MotoGP British Grand Prix 2019. He defeated Marc Marquez by 0.013 seconds. While Maverick Vinales of Spain finished with the third position. The race was held at the Silverstone racetrack, in Silverstone, England.

2. Komalika Bari becomes recurve cadet at the World Archery Youth Championships: India's Komalika Bari (17-years) has become recurve cadet world champion at the World Archery Youth Championships in Madrid, Spain. She defeated higher-ranked Sonoda Waka of Japan 7-3 in the final and earn India's second gold on the final day of the Championships. Now Komalika is India's second recurve cadet world champion (under-18) after Deepika Kumari who won the title in 2009. India also won a gold in the compound junior mixed pair event and a bronze in the compound junior men's team event. India concluded their campaign with two gold and one bronze medal in their last event.

3. India win the first Test against West Indies by a margin of 318 runs: India beat West Indies by a massive 318-run margin in the first cricket Test at North Sound in Antigua. With this win, India has taken a 1-0 lead in the 2-match series. Chasing a stiff target of 419 runs, West Indies were all out for just 100 (in 26.5 overs) in their second innings on the fourth day. Earlier, India declared their second innings at 343 for seven, setting the West Indies a 419-run target to win the Test.

BANKING & FINANCE

1. CVC sets up 4-member Advisory Board for Banking Frauds: The Central Vigilance Commission has constituted a 4-member Advisory Board for Banking Frauds. The ABBF will be headed by former Vigilance Commissioner T.M. Bhasin. The panel will function as the 1st level of examination of all large fraud cases. Lenders will refer all large fraud cases above Rs 50 crore to the board and on receipt of its recommendation or advice, the bank concerned would take further action in such matters. The other members of the panel are Madhusudan Prasad, former Urban Development Secretary; D.K. Pathak, former Director General of the Border Security Force; and Suresh N Patel, former MD and CEO of Andhra Bank. The panel was previously called the Advisory Board on Bank, Commercial and Financial Frauds.

Note: Central Vigilance Commissioner: Sharad Kumar.

Daily GK Updates - 25th August, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Health Minister Harsh Vardhan Inaugurates First PPP Model National Food Laboratory of FSSAI in Ghaziabad: The Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan inaugurated the upgraded National Food Laboratory (NFL) of FSSAI in Ghaziabad on the occasion of 13th anniversary of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The NFL, Ghaziabad is the first national laboratory upgraded on Public-Private-Partnership (PPP). The lab has state-of-the-art collaborative training centres, namely, the Food Safety Solution Centre (FSSC) and the Centre for Microbiological Analysis Training (C-MAT). The NFL in Ghaziabad and Kolkata are the two premier referral laboratories under the direct administrative control of the apex food regulator, Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI). The laboratory in Kolkata is also being upgraded.

2. Haryana govt rolls out Mukhya Mantri Parivar Samridhi Yojana: Haryana Government announced the roll-out of ‘Mukhya Mantri Parivar Samridhi Yojna’ which will provide social security to families. Under the scheme, Rs 6000 per year will be given to each eligible family. The eligibility for the scheme is for families having an annual income less than Rs 1,80,000 or a total landholding of fewer than two hectares. Under the scheme, each beneficiary family will be entitled to get Rs 500 per month.

3. Gujarat ranked first in Composite Water Management Index 2.0: NITI Aayog has prepared the second Round of Composite Water Management Index (CWMI 2.0) in which Gujarat is at the top. CWMI 2.0 ranks various states for the reference year 2017-18 as against the base year 2016-17 (for first edition). Gujarat is at the top in the reference year (2017-18). Andhra Pradesh is on 2nd, Madhya Pradesh on 3rd, Goa on 4th, Karnataka on 5th and Tamil Nadu on 6th. In the last ranking also Gujarat was on top. In North Eastern and Himalayan States, Himachal Pradesh has been ranked one. Delhi is at the last spot.

Note: CWMI: Composite Water Management Index was first launched in 2018 by NITI Aayog as a tool to instill the sense of cooperative and competitive federalism among the states.

4. Book Titled “Flawed: The Rise and Fall of India’s Diamond Mogul Nirav Modi” to Be Launched on August 31: The story depicting the details of the fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi in the form of a book titled, “Flawed: The Rise and Fall of India’s Diamond Mogul Nirav Modi” will hit the stands on August 31, 2019. The book has been written by journalist-author Pavan C Lall. 48-year-old Modi is currently lodged in a prison in London and is wanted in India in connection with the nearly USD 2 billion Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud.

5. Mihir Dalal Pens Book Titled ‘Big Billion Startup – The Untold Flipkart Story’: The story of how the IIT graduates Sachin Bansal and Binny Bansal founded and built the e-commerce start-up Flipkart and turned it into a multi-billion-dollar powerhouse in few years as India’s biggest online market has come out in the form of a book. The book titled ‘Big Billion Startup – The Untold Flipkart Story’ has been penned by journalist Mihir Dalal. The book has been published by Pan Macmillan India and will be released in October 2019. Mihir is a journalist at Livemint and this is his first book based on extraordinary research, extensive interviews and deep access to key characters in the Flipkart story revealing how the Bansals built and sold India’s largest internet company.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. PM Modi launches RuPay card in UAE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the RuPay card here, making the UAE the first country in the Middle East to initiate the Indian indigenous system of electronic payment. RuPay card scheme was launched in 2012 to fulfil the Reserve Bank of India’s vision to have a domestic, open and multilateral system of payments. UAE is third country launched the RuPay card after Singapore and Bhutan.

Note: UAE President: Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan;Capital: Abu Dhabi; Currency: United Arab Emirates dirham

2. Serbia becomes 73rd non-regional member of AIIB, Greece as 74th: Serbia has officially become the 73rd non-regional member of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). The Resolution of the Board of Governors also confirmed Greece as a 74th member of that international organization. The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, based in Beijing, has begun operation in 2016. Aside from Serbia, its new non-regional member, banks members outside of The Asia-Pacific include Great Britain, Germany, France, Italy, The Netherlands, Spain and others,

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OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. PV Sindhu Beats Nozomi Okuhara to Win BWF World Championships: Ace Indian shuttler P.V. Sindhu became the first Indian to win a Badminton World Championships gold by beating familiar rival Nozomi Okuhara of Japan in a lop-sided final. The Indian won 21-7 21-7 in the summit clash that lasted just 38 minutes. Two years after being robbed off the gold by Okuhara in an epic 110-minute final at Glasgow that went down as one of the greatest battles in badminton history, Sindhu finally exorcised the ghost of that heart-wrenching loss with a completely dominating win over the same opponent. It was Sindhu’s fifth World Championships medal- joint most for a woman singles player with former Olympics and world champion Zhang Ning of China- to go with the two successive silvers and a couple of bronze medals.

Note: BWF World Championships is a badminton tournament which is held at St. Jakobshalle in Basel, Switzerland.

2. BWF World Championships: Sai Praneeth finishes with bronze: India’s B Sai Praneeth lost the men’s singles semi-final 13-21, 8-21 to World No. 1 Kento Mmomta of Japan at the BWF World Championships 2019 in Basel but finished with his maiden medal at the world meet. With this, Praneeth became the first Indian male shuttler in 36 years to secure a medal in the BWF World Championships. Thus he became the only 2nd Indian men’s singles player to win a medal in BWF World Championships

Note: Prakash Padukone was the first Indian to win a men’s singles World Championships medal- a bronze- in the 1983 edition.

3. Gokulam Kerala Beats Mohun Bagan 2-1 to Win Durand Cup 2019: Gokulam Kerala defeated Mohun Bagan 2–1 to win their maiden Durand Cup finals held at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. The 2019 Durand Cup was the 129th edition of the oldest football tournament in Asia since its foundation in 1888.

BANKING & FINANCE

1. SEBI Eases Norms for FPIs: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has eased the regulatory and compliance framework for foreign portfolio investors (FPI) with an aim to boost investments and expedite the registration process for FPIs. Some major announcements and approvals made by SEBI is listed below: FPIs may be re-categorized into two categories – Category I and II, instead of the present requirement of three categories. The central banks that are not the members of BIS (Bank for International Settlement) shall also be eligible for FPI registration. Documentation requirements for KYC have been simplified. At the time of making the application for trading under regular category of main board, the number of shareholders should be minimum 200. The company should have profitability/ net worth track record of 3 years or have 75% of its capital.

2. Govt to release ₹70,000 crore immediately to state-run banks: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced measures to revive economic growth and markets. She also said that GST regime will be simplified further and the government will release ₹70,000 crore capital upfront to public sector banks to boost credit to different sectors of the economy.

3. DBS named 'World's Best Bank' by Euromoney magazine: In a feat unmatched by other banks globally, DBS has become the first bank to concurrently hold three global best bank awards. This was achieved after DBS was named "World's Best Bank" by leading global financial publication Euromoney in its 2019 Awards for Excellence. It follows the bank's wins of Global Finance's "Best Bank in the World" in August 2018 and The Banker's "Bank of the Year - Global" in November 2018. This is the first time an Asian-headquartered bank has been named "World's Best Bank" by Euromoney since the award was launched in 1993. Past winners included Bank of America, BNP Paribas, Citi, and UBS. DBS was also named Asia's Best Bank and Singapore's Best Bank in this year's Awards for Excellence.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

1. Amazon to acquire 49% stake in Kishore Biyani’s Future Coupons: Kishore Biyani-led Future Group announced that American e-commerce giant Amazon.com is acquiring a 49% stake in a group entity — Future Coupons Ltd. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.

2. India Ranks 86th in Henley Passport Index 2019; Japan & Singapore Tops: India has been ranked at 86th place in annual Henley Passport Index 2019, a slip of 5 place from 81 in 2018. Japan and Singapore shares the top spot on the Henley Passport Index, with a visa-free or visa-on-arrival score of 189. India shares its position with two countries namely Mauritania and Sao Tome and Principe at 86th place with a score of 58. This means India will able to access 58 destinations around the world without a prior visa.  Among the 109 countries included in the index, Afghanistan remains at the bottom with weakest passport having Visa-free access to only 25 destinations.

AWARDS AND HONOURS

1. Dr Jitendra Singh Presents 4th Annual ANUBHAV Awards 2019: Dr. Jitendra Singh presented the ANUBHAV Awards 2019 in New Delhi at the Pre-Retirement counseling workshop function organized by the Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions. ANUBHAV Awards 2019 is the fourth edition of the annual award scheme launched by Prime Minister in 2015, instituted to encourage the retiree to submit his/her valuable experience/ suggestions through write-ups. Dr. Jitendra Singh is the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region and Minister of State for Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Departments of Atomic Energy and Space.

2. CPWD-DG Prabhakar Singh Selected for ‘Eminent Engineer Award 2019’: Shri Prabhakar Singh, Director General, Central Public Works Department (CPWD) has been chosen for the ‘Eminent Engineer Award for the Year 2019’ by the Institution of Engineers (India) for his distinguished and exemplary Service in the field of Engineering and Technology.  He shall be conferred the Elite and Prestigious Award on the ‘Engineers Day’ on September 15, 2019 in New Delhi. The Institution of Engineers (India) (IEI) is the national organization of engineering professionals in India.

3. Bahrain Confers PM Modi With ‘The King Hamad Order of the Renaissance’: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred ‘The King Hamad Order of the Renaissance’ by the King of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa for his effort to strengthen the bilateral ties with the Gulf nation. PM Modi is the first-ever Indian Prime Minister to visit Bahrain.

4. Scarlett Johansson named highest-paid actress in 2019 by Forbes: Actress Scarlett Johansson has topped the Forbes Highest-Paid Actresses list 2019 with an earning of $56 million. The list contains top 10 paid actress. Some other names in the list are: (2) Sofia Vergara- Earnings: $44.1 million; (3) Reese Witherspoon- Earnings: $35 million (4) Nicole Kidman- Earnings: $34 million (5) Jennifer Aniston- Earnings: $28 million.

Daily GK Updates - 24th August, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. 24th Meeting of Western Zonal Council held in Panaji: Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired the 24th meeting of Western Zonal Council in Goa. The Western Zonal Council is a forum for the Centre and States to exchange ideas on issues such as health, security and social welfare. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, representatives from the Union Territories of Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli attended the meeting. Mr. Sawant is the vice-chairman and host of the meeting. The previous meeting of the Western Zonal Council was chaired by then Home Minister Rajnath Singh at Gandhinagar in Gujarat in April last year.

Note: The States have been divided into five zones and each zone has its council comprising the Chief Minister, two Ministers and the Chief Secretary of each State. The zonal councils are headed by the Union Home Minister and each zone nominates one Chief Minister as its vice-chairman on rotation basis.

2. Minority Affairs Ministry Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi to inaugurate “Hunar Haat”: Union Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Chief Minister of Rajasthan Ashok Gehlot will inaugurate this “Hunar Haat” at Jawahar Kala Kendra in Jaipur. “Hunar Haat” has proved to be an effective programme to provide employment and employment opportunities to master artisans. More than 2 lakh 40 thousand master artisans, craftsmen and culinary experts have been provided employment and employment opportunities.

3. Ocean energy gets renewable energy status: The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has declared Ocean Energy as renewable energy status. It has clarified to all stakeholders that energy produced using various forms of ocean energy such as tidal, wave and ocean thermal energy conversion and shall be eligible for meeting the non-solar Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPO).

Note: Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy: Raj Kumar Singh.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. First-ever World Youth Conference for Kindness held: President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated the first-ever World Youth Conference for Kindness organised by the UNESCO Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development (MGIEP) at Vigyan Bhavan, Delhi. The theme of the conference was “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam: Gandhi for the Contemporary World: Celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.” In attendance were Union Ministers, prominent artists, nobel laureates and over 1,000 youth representing 27 countries. The conference was in commemoration of the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi and aimed at providing youth with creative, effective methods of engaging and realising the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It sought inspiration from Gandhi’s championing of non-violence.

2. Sheikh Hasina, Sania Mirza to co-chair World Economic Forum’s India Economic Summit: Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and tennis star Sania Mirza will be among co-chairs for India Economic Summit to be held here in October by the World Economic Forum, where hundreds of Indian and global leaders would discuss India’s role in South Asia and on the world stage. The two-day summit, scheduled for October 3-4, will be held by Geneva-based WEF in collaboration with industry body CII (Confederation of Indian Industry). Mirza will co-chair the summit as a sportsperson and the UN Women Goodwill Ambassador for South Asia. Summit Theme: “Innovating for India: Strengthening South Asia, Impacting the World.”

3. Abdalla Hamdok takes charge as Prime Minister of Sudan: Abdalla Hamdok has taken the oath as the prime minister of Sudan. This comes a month after Sudan embarked on a three-year transition to civilian rule. Hamdok was sworn in before Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, chairman of the newly- formed Sovereign Council, at the presidential palace in the capital Khartoum in presence of the chief justice.

Note: Capital: Khartoum; Currency: Sudanese pound

4. 'Statue of Unity', Mumbai's Soho House among Time's 100 greatest places in the world: The 597-ft tall 'Statue of Unity' in Gujarat and Mumbai's Soho House have been featured by the Time magazine in its second annual list of the 2019 World's greatest places, a compilation of 100 new and newly "noteworthy destinations to experience right now".

The 'Statue of Unity', the world's tallest statue, is a tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, independent India's first home minister as well as deputy prime minister. Statue of Unity is standing on an island in the Narmada River, over the Sardar Sarovar Dam in Gujarat. Mumbai's chic Soho House is located in an 11-­storey building overlooking the Arabian Sea. It houses a library, a cinema with 34 seats and a rooftop bar and pool. Soho House Mumbai is Asia's first Soho House that puts a local spin on the "formula that has allowed Nick Jones' members-­only clubs to blossom across the US and Europe".

The Time list also includes Zakouma National Park in Chad, Red Sea Mountain Trail in Egypt, Newseum in Washington, The Shed in New York City, the Geosea Geothermal Sea Baths in Iceland, Six Senses Hotel in Bhutan that offer guests the opportunity to take guided journeys through the mountains of the Himalayan kingdom, Leopard Hill in Mara Naboisho Conservancy, Kenya and the Pohoiki in Isaac Hale Beach Park in Hawaii.

5. Russia launches floating nuclear reactor in Arctic: Russia launched the world's first floating nuclear reactor. The vessel weighs 21,000 tonsand has two reactors with a capacity of 35 megawatts each. This reactor loaded with nuclear fuel, the Akademik Lomonosov left the Arctic port of Murmansk to begin its 5,000 kilometres (3,000-mile) voyage to Pevek in northeastern Siberia.
Note: President of Russia: Vladimir Putin; Capital: Moscow; Currency: Russian ruble.

6. NASA honours Rolling Stones by naming rock on Mars: NASA announced that it has named rock on Mars in honour of the iconic English band, The Rolling Stones. The space agency revealing that the "Rolling Stones Rock" was a stone that was sent rolling after NASA's InSight lander touched down on the Mars' surface.

OTHER UPDATES:

                                                                                     

SPORTS

1. India won Bronze in World Archery Youth Championships: The Indian team of Sukhbeer Singh, Sangampreet Singh Bisla and Tushar Phadtare clinched a bronze medal in the junior compound men's team event in the World Archery Youth Championships in Madrid, Spain. Trailing by one point till the penultimate end, the Indian trio made a spectacular recovery, shooting a flawless final end with two Xs (closer to centre) to defeat Colombia's Jagdeep Teji Singh Mejia, Gomez Zuluaga Felipe and Toro Vasquez Manuel 234-231.

BANKING & FINANCE

1. Bandhan Bank launches co-branded credit card with Standard Chartered: In a bid to offer a complete suite of services to its existing customers, Bandhan Bank, launched a co-branded credit card in association with Standard Chartered bank. The credit card would be offered to 40 lakh savings bank account holders across the 1,000 branches of Bandhan Bank. As part of the tie-up, while Standard Chartered bank will take the credit risk, Bandhan Bank will be responsible for identifying and issuing cards to its customers. Standard Chartered has 100 branches in India. It has a credit card base of 12 lakh customers, and has been growing at 15-20 per cent on year-on-year basis.

Note: MD & CEO, Bandhan Bank: Shekhar Ghosh; CEO, Standard Chartered: Zarin Daruwala

OBITUARIES

1. Former finance minister Arun Jaitley passes away: Former finance minister and senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley passed away at Delhi’s AIIMS Saturday after battling multiple health issues for the last several months. Jaitley, 66, was admitted to hospital on August 9 after he complained of palpitations and restlessness. He was a lawyer by profession. He held the portfolios of Finance Ministry, Corporate Affairs Ministry, Defence Ministry, and Minister of Information and Broadcasting.

Daily GK Updates - 23rd August, 2019

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. New set of health warnings on "Tobacco packs": The Health Ministry has notified the new warnings on "Tobacco packs". It has been done by making an amendment in the Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products (Packaging and Labeling) Rules, 2008. The text messages that will be printed on the packs are "tobacco causes painful death". A quit line number "1800-11-2356" will also be printed on the packs. The new sets of health warnings, including enlarged pictorial images and text messages, covering 85% of the packet area will assist the users to quit. This will help in creating awareness among tobacco users and gives them access to counselling services to effect behaviour change.

Note: Union Minister of Ministry of Family & Health Welfare: Harsh Vardhan.

2. India to launch e-commerce portal "Bharatcraft" for MSME's: Union Government is planning to launch an e-commerce portal named "Bharatcraft" for MSME's. The portal is based on other e-commerce portals like 'Alibaba' and 'Amazon'. The portal will provide a platform for MSMEs to market and sell their products and in turn boost the sector. As per the MSME Union Minister, the Bharatcraft portal has a huge potential to generate revenue worth ₹10 lakh crore in the next 2-3 years.

Note: Union Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises: Nitin Gadkari.

3. 5th UIDAI Aadhaar Seva Kendra becomes operational in Hisar, Haryana: Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) fifth stand-alone ‘Aadhaar Seva Kendra’ has become operational on dry run basis at Hisar in Haryana. Till now, five Aadhaar Seva Kendras are operational and two more will be operative by next week. Out of these five Kendras, two are in Delhi, while one is at Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh and remaining one at Agra in Uttar Pradesh. This is part of the UIDAI’s plan to open 114 such centres in 53 cities across the country for providing hassle-free Aadhaar enrolment and services to the people with prior appointment. These Aadhaar Seva Kendras have a capacity to handle up to one thousand enrolments and requests per day and will be open for six days a week from 9:30 A.M. to 6 P.M (closed on Tuesdays and public holidays.).

4. AWHO and Tata Realty sign MoU for quality housing: Army Welfare Housing Organization (AWHO) and Tata Realty & Housing have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU). This MoU enables the personnel of Indian Army to immediately take over dwelling units in 13 ‘Ready to Move in’ projects of Tata Realty spread over 10 cities at a discount ranging from 11% to 27%. Army Welfare Housing Organization (AWHO), which has always endeavoured to provide quality housing for Army personnel who are deployed in remote locations across the country. AWHO will now facilitate the acquisition of homes from reputed private builders at discounted rather than building them for the soldiers.

Note: Chief of the Army Staff: General Bipin Rawat.

5. NDTV's interim CEO Suparna Singh steps down: Suparna Singh, interim CEO of NDTV has resigned with immediate effect. She becomes interim CEO of NDTV in 2017 with approval from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

6. Ajay Kumar Bhalla appointed as new Home Secretary: The Union government has appointed senior IAS (Indian Administrative Service officer) Ajay Kumar Bhalla (1984 batch - Assam Meghalaya cadre) as new Home Secretary. He succeeds Mr Rajiv Gauba who will move out as Cabinet Secretary. Current, Mr Bhalla is serving as Officer on Special Duty in Home Ministry.

7. Discovery, WWF tie up to preserve Sundarbans: Discovery India and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) India have partnered with the Forest Directorate, the government of West Bengal and local communities to preserve Sundarbans. This move is to protect the Sundarbans, the mangrove forest, the habitat of Bengal tigers, to reduce the tiger-human conflict. The move is also a part of a global movement “Project CAT -Conserving Acres for Tigers” which aimed at building healthy habitats for Tigers.

Note: Chief Minister of West Bengal: Mamta Banerjee; Governor: Jagdeep Dhankhar.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. PM Narendra Modi holds talks with French President Emmanuel Macron: Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron to expand cooperation in areas of counter-terrorism and security. The two leaders first held a one-on-one meeting which was followed by the delegation-level talks at Chateau de Chantilly, about 50 km north of Paris. Both leaders reviewed the entire gamut of the dynamic and multi-faceted bilateral relations during their more than 90-minute long one-on-one meeting. Earlier, Prime Minister Modi was accorded a red-carpet welcome on his arrival in Paris, France. As India has been extended a special invitation for the G7 summit, Mr. Modi will attend the summit held at Biarritz France.

Note: The 45th G7 summit will be held on 24–26 August 2019, in Biarritz, France.

2. FATF Asia-Pacific Group blacklists Pakistan: Pakistan has been placed on the blacklist of the Financial Action Task Force’s Asia Pacific Group. Pakistan has been blacklisted for non-compliance and non-enforcement of safeguards against terror financing and money laundering. Pakistan has failed in 32 of 40 ‘compliance’ parameters for its legal and financial systems. Pakistan has also failed in 10 of 11 ‘effectiveness’ parameters for enforcing safeguards against terror-financing and money-laundering by UN-sanctioned entities and other non-government outfits.

Note: Pakistan Capital: Islamabad, PM: Imran Khan, President: Arif Alvi.

3. Iran unveils new missile defence system "Bavar-373": Iran has unveiled new missile defence system "Bavar-373". This is also Iran's first domestically produced long-range missile defence system which has been inducted into the country's missile defence network. The system was unveiled at an occasion of Iran's National Defense Industry Day.

Note: Iran Capital: Tehran; Currency: Rial; President of Iran: Hassan Rouhani.

4. International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition: 23 August: United Nations observes 23 August every year as “International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition”. The Day is observed to inscribe the tragedy of the slave trade in the memory of all peoples. The day was designated by UNESCO to memorialize the transatlantic slave trade.

Note: Headquarters of United Nations: New York, USA; Founded: 24 October 1945; Secretary-General of the United Nations: Antonio Guterres.

5. Russia sends its first humanoid robot Fedor into space: Russia launched an unmanned rocket carrying a life-size humanoid robot named Fedor, (Final Experimental Demonstration Object Research). It is a silvery anthropomorphic robot stands 1.80 metres (5 foot 11 inches) tall and weighs 160 kilogrammes (353 pounds). Fedor will spend 10 days learning to assist astronauts on the International Space Station. It blasted off in a Soyuz MS-14 spacecraft from Russia's Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

Note: President of Russia: Vladimir Putin; Capital: Moscow; Currency: Russian ruble; PM of Russia: Dmitry Medvedev. 

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. Constable Monali Jadhav wins 3 medals at World Police Games: Constable Monali Jadhav from Maharashtra won three medals, including two golds, at World Police and Fire Games International Championship held in Chengdu, China. Jadhav is attached to the Jalamb police station in Buldhana district of Maharashtra. Representing the Indian police force, Jadhav also made a new record with a score of 716 out of 720 points in the game. She won the gold in target and field archery while settled for a bronze medal in the '3D Archery'. She had previously secured a ninth position at the World Championships in Shanghai held in May.

2. Vikram Rathour appointed as Team India's batting coach: former Indian cricketer Vikram Rathour (50-years) will replace Sanjay Bangar as India's new batting coach. Bharath Arun and R. Sridhar were retained as bowling and fielding coaches. The senior national selection committee headed by MSK Prasad recommended three names each for all the support staff positions.

Note: Mr. Rathour has played six Tests and seven ODIs in 1996 without much success but was a domestic heavyweight for Punjab. Till 2016, he was a senior national selector under Sandeep Patil's chairmanship. 

BANKING & FINANCE

1. Acko partners with ZestMoney to offer credit insurance: Acko General Insurance, an insurtech company, has partnered with ZestMoney, a consumer lending fintech, to offer credit insurance. This insurance will help ZestMoney customers cover their monthly EMI payments during times of crisis. Acko will offer credit insurance to these consumers and cover them during eventualities like hospitalization or critical illness when they’re unable to pay their instalments. ZestMoney offers instant financing to consumers across 1000+ online portals and provides them with the option of paying through EMIs even if the consumers don’t own a credit card.

Note: CEO of Acko General Insurance: Varun Dua; CEO of ZestMoney: Lizzie Chapman.

2. SEBI announces a reward of Rs 1 crore to insider trading informants: The Securities and Exchange Board of India has announced a new mechanism to reward insider trading informants to uncover insider trading cases. The reward would be 10 per cent of the money collected, subject to a maximum amount of Rs 1 crore. These benefits would only be available to individuals and corporates. This is not applicable for professionals like auditors who are duty-bound to report any wrongdoing. The above announcement is a part of the detailed set of rules for the new 'Informant Mechanism' under Prohibition of Insider Trading Regulations that has been approved by the SEBI board.

Note: SEBI Headquarter: Mumbai; Chairman: Ajay Tyagi.

3. CBDT: Small startups with turnover up to Rs 25Cr to get promised tax holiday: According to the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), small start-ups with turnover up to 25 crore rupees will continue to get the promised tax holiday as specified in the section of the Income Tax Act. The Act provides a deduction for 100 per cent of the income of an eligible start-up for 3 years out of 7 years from the year of its incorporation. According to the Finance Ministry, the CBDT also clarified that all the start-ups recognised by Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade-DPIIT which fulfilled the conditions specified in the DPIIT notification did not automatically become eligible for deduction.

4. RBI changes RTGS system opening time from 8 AM to 7 AM: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has increased the timing for Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) Payment System by changing the Open for Business timing for RTGS from 8:00 AM to 7:00 AM. At present, the Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) System is available for customer transactions from 0800 hours to 1800 hours and for inter-bank transactions from 0800 hours to 1945 hours. This timing will be applicable from August 26, 2019. Currently, the NEFT, a retail payment system, is available for customers from 8 am to 7 pm on all working days except second and fourth Saturdays of a month. The NEFT system is used for fund transfers of up to Rs 2 lakh, and RTGS for those above this threshold.

AWARDS AND HONOURS

1. WCD Minister Smriti Irani distributed the Poshan Abhiyaan Awards for 2018-19:  Women and Child Development Minister distributed the Poshan Abhiyaan Awards for 2018-19 in different categories in New Delhi. The awards were given to the States, Districts, Blocks and Anganwadi Workers for their contributions in scaling up the Abhiyaan and ensuring that it reaches every household in the country. The awards are aimed at motivating the primary stakeholders and encourage large scale citizen participation in creating awareness to combat malnutrition.

2. Akshay Kumar takes 4th spot in Forbes highest-paid actors list 2019: Bollywood Actor Akshay Kumar has made it to the 4th position on the Forbes magazine’s Worlds Highest-Paid Actors Of 2019 list. Akshay has raked in $65 million. Hollywood star Dwayne ‘Rock’ Johnson tops the Forbes list of the 10 highest-paid actors.

Here’s the list of the World’s Highest-Paid Actors Of 2019 listed by Forbes:

1. Dwayne Johnson ($89.4 million)

2. Chris Hemsworth ($76.4 million)

3. Robert Downey Jr. ($66 million)

4. Akshay Kumar ($65 million)