Daily GK Updates - 28th January, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Oxford chooses ‘Aadhaar’ as Hindi word of 2017: Oxford Dictionaries has chosen ’Aadhaar’ as the Hindi word of 2017. The word gained popularity due to the Aadhaar card, which was in the news last year and is likely to remain so this year as well. The announcement was made at a session “Oxford Dictionaries’ Hindi Word of the Year” during the ongoing Jaipur Literature Festival here.

2. The lowdown on Doklam: Chinese side beefing up its military presence in the disputed Doklam area, where Indian and Chinese troops were engaged in a two-month stand-off in the summer of 2017. Recent satellite images and intelligence reports show the Chinese have erected several permanent military posts. About 1,800 Chinese troops are stationed, even in deep winter, in the Doklam area, according to other reports. India has also strengthened its presence in the region. 

Strategic Location of Doklam:

Ø  Doklam, or Donglang in Chinese, is an area spread over less than a 100 sq km comprising a plateau and a valley at the trijunction between India, Bhutan and China. 

Ø  It is surrounded by the Chumbi Valley of Tibet, Bhutan’s Ha Valley and Sikkim. 

Ø  Despite several rounds of engagement between China and Bhutan, the dispute between the two over Doklam has not been resolved. It flared up in 2017 when the Chinese were trying to construct a road in the area, and Indian troops, in aid of their Bhutanese counterparts, objected to it, resulting in the stand-off. 

Ø  Doklam is strategically located close to the Siliguri Corridor, which connects mainland India with its north-eastern region. 

Ø  The corridor, also called Chicken’s Neck, is a vulnerable point for India. 

Ø  While India-Tibet trade flourished along the Siliguri corridor and Chumbi Valley, Doklam had very little significance. 

Ø   Even during British rule, Doklam did not command much attention. 

Ø   In recent years however, China has been beefing up its military presence in the Chumbi Valley, where the Chinese are at a great disadvantage militarily. Both Indian and Bhutanese troops are on a higher ground around the Valley.

3. Justice Vishwanath Shetty sworn in as Karnataka Lokayukta: Former Judge of Karnataka High Court Justice Vishwanath Shetty has sworn in as new Lokayukta of Karnataka by Governor Vajubhai R Vala. He succeeds N Bhaskar Rao who resigned the post in 2015 following his alleged involvement in his son's corruption case that involved using the Lokayukta office and residence for extortion. 

Details about Lokayukta:

Ø  The Lokayukta is an anti-corruption ombudsman organization in the Indian states.

Ø History: The Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) headed by Morarji Desai submitted a special interim report on "Problems of Redressal of Citizen's Grievances" in 1966. 

Ø  ARC recommended the setting up of two special authorities designated as 'Lokpal' and 'Lokayukta' for the redressal of citizens' grievances.

4. Banwarilal Purohit appointed as Governor of Meghalaya: The President Pranab Mukherjee has given Banwarilal Purohit (Governor of Assam) to the additional charge of Meghalaya and PB Acharya (Governor of Nagaland) to the additional charge of Arunachal Pradesh. Earlier, the President accepted the resignation of V. Shanmuganathan as Governor of Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh.

5. Dr. Vijay Bhatkar appointed new vice-chancellor of Nalanda University: The President Pranab Mukherjee has appointed Dr.Vijay Bhatkar as the chancellor of Nalanda University for three-year. He will succeed former foreign Minister of Singapore George Yeo, who resigned. Dr. Bhatkar is the architect of India’s first supercomputer the Param series. 

Details about Nalanda Unniversity:

Ø  Nalanda University is located in Rajgir near Nalanda, Bihar. 

Ø  The University began its first academic session on September 1, 2014.

6. Dr. G.N. Rao to be inducted into Ophthalmology Hall of Fame: Noted Indian eye doctor Gullapalli N. Rao has been selected to the 2017 Ophthalmology Hall of Fame instituted by the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. Dr. Rao is the founder and chairman of the LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad. He will be honored at the ceremony in Los Angeles at the annual meeting of the ASCRS on 6th May 2017. The L V Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) was established in 1987 at Hyderabad as a not-for-profit, non-government eye care institution. “The Week-Nielsen” survey for rating the best hospitals in the country has declared LVPEI Hyderabad as third best eye hospital in India.

7. Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurates 29th Kerala Science Congress: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan has inaugurated the three-day 29th "Kerala Science Congress" at Thiruvalla in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala. The event is jointly organized by the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology, and Environment and the Kerala Forest Research Institute. The Focal theme chosen for the Congress is “Genomics in Health and Disease”.

8. First Brahmaputra Literary Festival inaugurated in Guwahati: The first three-day Brahmaputra Literary Festival has been inaugurated by CM of Assam Sarabnanda Sonwal. The festival would be a great platform for interaction and exchange of ideas between readers and litterateurs across the country and abroad. Sixteen authors from 10 countries and many writers from within this country are participating in the festival.

9. Twitter, Facebook and YouTube content were covered by official action: A total of 1,329 social media URLs were blocked or removed on the recommendationof a government committee to deal with “objectionable content” last year till November 2017. This is an increase of nearly 38% from 964 social media URLs blocked or removed for the whole of 2016. URLs that were blocked or removed because of court orders during the same period came down from 100 in 2016 to 83 in January-November 2017, according to an internal note of the Ministry of Electronics and IT. The action covered Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

10. Four pacts between India and Combodia: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Cambodian counterpart, Samdech Hun Sen held talks to boost ties in key areas of defence, security and counter-terrorism. The two leaders called for concerted global efforts to eliminate terrorism, including blocking sources of terror financing and dismantling terrorist bases. The two countries inked four pacts, including the one to improve cooperation in the prevention and investigation of crimes and legal assistance in criminal matters and another on a line of credit from India to finance Cambodia’s Stung Sva Hab water resources development project for $36.92 million.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. 95 dead, 158 injured in Kabul blast: Taliban claim responsibility for ambulance bomb. An explosives-packed ambulance blew up in a crowded area of Kabul on Saturday, killing at least 95 people and wounding 158 others, officials said. The Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack, the second by the group within a week. The explosion triggered chaotic scenes as terrified survivors fled the area scattered with body parts and blood. Hospitals were overwhelmed by the large number of wounded. The assault comes as both the insurgents and the Islamic State have escalated attacks on the Afghan capital.

2. Beijing plans to spend $3 bn to reduce pollution:  Beijing is planning to spend over 19 billionyuan (about $3 billion) to reduce air pollution this year. The money will be used to control pollution sources such as coal, vehicles and dust, and to support projects to replace coal with clean energy, according to a draft of the 2018 Beijing budget report.

3. Honduran leader begins second term: Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez was sworn in for a second term on Saturday as the opposition vowed mass protests over claims he fraudulently won November elections. Mr. Hernandez stood for re-election despite a constitutional ban on Presidents serving more than one term.

4. Pro-Russian Czech incumbent takes lead: Pro-Russian incumbent Milos Zeman took an early lead in the Czech presidential election on Saturday, outpacing his pro-European liberal rival Jiri Drahos by nearly 10%, partial results showed. Mr. Zeman took 54.49% of the vote against 45.5% for Mr. Drahos with 62.4% of ballots counted.

5. Elections in Finland: Finnish President Sauli Niinisto, a pragmatic pro-EU conservative, looks set to get re-elected for another six-year term on Sunday. Mr. Niinisto, 69, is running as an independent, placing himself above party politics to concentrate on his top priority: getting Finland under the protection of the U.S. missile shield without upsetting Russia.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. Serena Williams wins Australian Open 2017 women's title: American professional tennis player Serena Jameka Williams (35- years) has won the 2017 Australian Open Women's Singles title. She defeated her sister Venus Williams (36-years) in the final, 6–4, 6–4. This is also her a seventh Australian Open win and her 23rd Grand Slam victory since the game turned professional in 1968. 

SCIENCE/TECHNOLOGY:

1. ISRO successfully ground-tests Cryogenic Upper Stage engine meant for rocket GSLV-Mark-III: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully ground tested the Cryogenic Upper Stage engine meant for the rocket GSLV-Mark-III. The rocket fitted with the cryogenic upper stage is expected to lift off in the first quarter of this year, carrying a 4-tonne class communication satellite. It was tested for a duration of 50 seconds in its Propulsion Complex at Mahendragiri in southern Tamil Nadu, demonstrating all the stage operations.

BOOK RELEASE: 

1. The Launch of “The book — The Tall Man Biju Patnaik”: A galaxy of political leaders across party lines paid rich tributes on Saturday to the former Odisha Chief Minister, Biju Patnaik, during an event to release a book on the veteran leader. The book — "The Tall Man Biju Patnaik", a pictorial biography by researcher Sundar Ganesan — was released by the former President Pranab Mukherjee in the presence of the former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, the former Deputy Prime Minister and veteran BJP leader L.K. Advani and CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury.

Daily GK Updates - 27th January, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. The leaders of 10 ASEAN countries got a glimpse of India’s indigenous military technologies that were displayed at the Republic Day Parade: At the head of the marching contingents were soldiers from Rajputana Rifles, bearing the ASEAN flag as well as those of the 10 nations whose leaders were the chief guests this year. Then came a series of weapon systems and critical technologies developed indigenously. These include the under-development Nirbhay, a long-range subsonic cruise missile, which made its debut this year. With a range of 1,000 km, it is equivalent to the U.S. Tomahawk cruise missile. Another débutant was Rudra, the weaponised Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), which has already been inducted into service. The Akash Short Range Surface to Air Missile (SR-SAM) system and the BrahMos cruise missile developed with Russia were also on display. Several countries, including some ASEAN nations, have expressed interest in buying these systems, and discussions were under way.

2. Kolkata becomes first Indian metro to get a floating market: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has inaugurated Indian’s first Metro Floating Market located on the eastern fringes of Kolkata. The market will be located on a water-body with boats doubling up as shops. It will host at least 114 boats, each one accommodating two shops. The market will remain open from 6 am to 9 pm on all days, with a break in the afternoon.

3. Indian-origin boy Mehul Garg sets new Mensa record: A 10-year-old Indian-origin boy in the U.K. has become the youngest applicant in a decade to achieve the highest score in the Mensa IQ test, beating geniuses like Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking. Mehul Garg from the Reading Boys Grammar School in Reading, southern England, scored the maximum score of 162 to become a member of Mensa, the High IQ Society. His score is two points higher than Einstein and Mr. Hawking. Mehul, who enjoys solving the Rubik’s Cube in under 100 seconds, is also working towards his participation in the ‘Child Genius 2018’ show on Channel 4 after being shortlisted among the top 100 candidates for this year.

4. Punjab CM launches MGSVY for distressed sections of society: The Chief Minister of Punjab Amarinder Singh has launched 'Mahatma Gandhi Sarbat Vikas Yojana'(MGSVY), aimed at the inclusive growth of the distressed sections of the society. The objective of the programme was to give the distressed sections the help they need, socially or economically or psychologically.

5. “Bharat Parv” begins at Red Fort in Delhi: Tourism Secretary Rashmi Verma has inaugurated the six-day cultural extravaganza “Bharat Parv” at the Red Fort in Delhi, As part of the Republic Day celebrations. The objective of the event is to generate a patriotic mood, promote the rich cultural diversity of the country and to ensure wider participation of the people. Folk and Tribal Dances and Music from the different States will be showcased during cultural programmes. Bharat Parv will remain open for public from 12 Noon to 10 PM until 31st of this month.

6. Veteran Bengali film actress Supriya Devi passes away: Veteran Bengali film actress Supriya Devi (85-year) passed away in Kolkata. She had made her debut in Uttam Kumar-starer 'Basu Parivar' (in 1952) and never looked back after 'Sonar Harin' opposite Uttam Kumar (in 1959) 'Chowringhee', 'Bagh Bandi Khela' and 'Meghe Dhaka Tara' were among her classics. She received the Padma Shri and West Bengal government's highest civilian award Banga Vibhushan, besides the Filmfare East Lifetime Achievement Award.

7. Atal Pension Yojana: The union govt has allowed Small Finance Banks and Payments Banks to offer Atal Pension Yojana (APY). Ten Small Finance Banks and 11 Payment Banks have got the license from Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to start banking operations in the country. The Banks includes Ujjivan Small Finance Bank, Janalakshmi Small Finance Bank, Suryoday Small Finance Bank, India Post Payment Bank and Paytm Payment Bank. The scheme is available to the people in the age group of 18 to 40 years. Under the scheme, a subscriber would receive a minimum guaranteed pension of Rs. 1,000 to 5,000 per month from the age of 60 years depending upon the contribution. At present, over 84 lacs subscribers are registered under the APY scheme with an asset base of more than 3,194 crore rupees.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Italy organises ‘trial’ of dead king to mark Holocaust remembrance: Eighty years after Mussolini began persecuting Jews, Italy is putting the dead king who backed his racial laws on trial. The setting may be a theatre, but the prosecutor, witnesses and three judges meeting in Rome are real, their scrutiny of the controversial monarch part of events organised to mark Holocaust Remembrance Day. “The Trial” comes a few weeks after the remains of Victor Emmanuel III were discreetly returned to Italy. The king, who ruled from 1900 to 1946, fled in disgrace and died in exile in Egypt in 1948.

2. Heavy fine on foreign vessels for fishing in Sri Lankan waters: According to Sri Lanka’s Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Mahinda Amaraweera, Sri Lanka has increased by over 100 times the fine on foreign vessels to deter them from fishing in its waters. Now, any foreign fishing vessels entering Sri Lankan waters would be subject to a minimum fine of 6 million Sri Lankan Rupees and a maximum of 175 million Sri Lankan Rupees. The Foreign Fisheries Boats Regulation Act aims to prevent illegal fishing activities in the Sri Lankan waters and protect the fisheries and aquatic resources of the country's coastal belt.

3. India & Vietnam release first-ever Commemorative Stamps: India and Vietnam have released first ever set of commemorative postage stamps to mark the long-term friendly bilateral relationships between the two countries. The two set of stamps released carry picture of Sanchi Stupa and Thien Mu Pagoda.

4. Spain expels Venezuela envoy in tit-for-tat move: Spain on Friday ordered Venezuela’s Ambassador Mario Isea to leave in a tit-for-tat move, escalating a row a day after its diplomat Jesus Silva was kicked out by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s regime. Caracas on Thursday also accused Madrid of masterminding recent European Union sanctions on seven of Mr. Maduro’s key allies.

5. China to set up international courts to deal with BRI cases: China has decided to set up three international courts to deal with disputes related to its multi-billion Dollar Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The Chinese Supreme People's Court will set up international courts in Beijing, Xi'an, the capital of Shaanxi Province and Shenzhen. The Xi'an court in Northwest China will handle cases related to the Silk Road and the Shenzhen court in South China with those related to Maritime Silk Road disputes. The courts will weigh litigation, arbitration, and mediation, providing legal support and solving initiative disputes. The BRI focuses on connectivity and cooperation between Eurasian countries, primarily with China.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. BCCI considers doubling fees of other international boards: The IPL chairman Rajiv Shukla has stated that the Board of Control for Cricket in India has been considering a proposal to double the share of fees it offers to other international Boards for making overseas players available for the tournament.

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. Alpha wins Rs. 45 crore firing simulator order from Army: Alpha Design Technologies Ltd. has signed a Rs. 45-crore deal with the Ministry of Defence to supply to the Army indigenous simulators for gunnery and missile firing from BMP II vehicles. The BMP II is a Soviet-origin amphibious infantry fighting vehicle. The simulators will be used to train missile firing personnel. As many as 57 simulators would be manufactured at the company’s Bengaluru facility and supplied to the Army over two years, said Col. (retd.) H.S. Shankar, chairman and managing director, Alpha Design.

2. RIL aims to pare debt in 2018: India’s most indebted firm Reliance Industries Ltd. (RIL), with outstanding loans of Rs. 2.13 lakh crore, plans to deleverage as it nears the completion of its Rs. 3 lakh-crore capital expenditure cycle. However, with Moody’s Investors Service estimating that Reliance Jio likely to invest as much as $23 billion over three to four years as it expands beyond wireless services, a significant reduction in RIL’s debt may take longer to achieve. The company is also set to invest about $4 billion in acquiring telecom assets of Reliance Communications.

HONOURS/AWARDS:

1. Jyoti Prakash Nirala honored with Ashok Chakra posthumously: President Ram Nath Kovind had tears in his eyes when he conferred the Ashok Chakra to the widow of Corporal Jyoti Prakash Nirala at the Republic Day Parade. Ashok Chakra is the highest peacetime military decoration. Nirala was posthumously awarded the Ashok Chakra. Nirala was an Air Force Garud commando posted in Jammu and Kashmir, when he was martyred. Corporal Nirala gave the supreme sacrifice of his life but not before gunning down two terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Bandipora in November. President Ram Nath Kovind awarded India's highest peace time military decoration Ashok Chakra posthumously to Indian Air Force (IAF) Corporal Jyoti Prakash Nirala (from Bihar). The award was received by Corporal Nirala's wife Sushmanand and his mother Malti Devi at the majestic Rajpath.

Daily GK Updates - 26th January, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Indian Election Commission has become a model to other countries - Gautham Bagadi (Deputy Commissioner):  He was addressing the Voter’s Day programme in Raichur . Mr. Bagadi said that a country like the U.S. is still conducting elections through ballot paper but, India votes through EVMs to bring in more transparency.

2. 69^th Republic Day of India, 2018:  India celebrates its 69th Republic Day on January 26. The chief guests on Republic Day of India 2018 were 10 Leaders of 10 nations of the world (Heads of ASEAN states). Around 61 tribal guests were invited to participate in the Republic Day celebration. he awards – Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri – will be given to eminent personalities from various fields such as literature and education, art, sports, social work, medicine, science and engineering, civil service, public affairs, trade and industry.

3. Supreme Court to hear plea against States and Karni Sena: The Supreme Court agreed to hear pleas for initiating contempt of court action against the Gujarat, Haryana and Rajasthan governments and Karni Sena members for aggravated incidents of violence, even against schoolchildren, in the background of the release of Padmaavat . The petition filed by activist Tehseen Poonawala and Supreme Court advocate Vineet Dhanda described the destruction wreaked on public property and theatre premises, and how suspected members of the Karni Sena had pelted stones at a school bus carrying children at Gurugram, Haryana. They questioned the lack of preventive measures taken by law enforcers in the States, which allowed the agitators to indulge in violence in the name of protest.

4. Two CRPF men get Shaurya Chakra: Two CRPF CoBRA commandos have been decorated with the Shaurya Chakra for an anti-Naxal operation in Jharkhand’s Latehar that led to the killing of six Maoist cadres besides the recovery of a heavy assortment of arms and ammunition in 2016. Assistant Commandant Vikash Jakhar and Sub-Inspector Riyaz Alam Ansari belonged to the 209th battalion of the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA).

5. Eight children from Northeast among 18 bravery awards winners: Four children from Nagaland, two from Mizoram and one each from Manipur and Meghalaya are among the 18 bravehearts honoured with the National Bravery Awards this year. Of the eight children from the Northeast, F. Lalchhandama from Mizoram and Loukrakpam Rajeshwari Chanu from Manipur have been honoured posthumously. Gita Siddhartha, president of the Indian Council for Child Welfare, the organisation that plays an important role in the selection of children for the bravery awards, told that this is the “highest ever selection of children for bravery awards from the Northeast”.

6. Mobile internet services snapped in Kashmir: Mobile internet services have been snapped in Kashmir as a precautionary measure on the occasion of the Republic Day. The internet services on mobile phones and data cards were suspended yesterday as part of the security drill of the Republic Day. it’s a normal practice in Kashmir to suspend the internet services on the Republic Day and Independence Day, this is the first time that these services were withdrawn a day earlier.

7. Bandh in Hubballi: The bandh call seeking the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the long-pending Mahadayi river water sharing row evoked good response in Hubballi. The city witnessed a total shut-down with shops, commercial establishments remaining closed voluntarily. With holiday being declared for schools and colleges on account of the bandh call and public transport services suspended for the day, the roads wore a deserted look for a major portion of the day.

8. Ashoka Chakra for airman: The Indian Air Force (IAF) Garud Commando Corporal Jyoti Prakash Nirala has been posthumously awarded the Ashoka Chakra, the country’s highest peacetime gallantry award, for his role during a counter-terrorist operation in Jammu and Kashmir.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATESP:

1. India and ASEAN shake hands on maritime cooperation: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the 10 visiting leaders from the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) have agreed to set up a mechanism on maritime cooperation to counter the common “traditional” and “non-traditional” challenges they face. This idea evolved during a two-hour-long informal discussion on “maritime cooperation and security” at a “retreat” hosted by Modi at Rashtrapati Bhavan

2. US, others launch new tool: The United States and 28 other countries to launch a new plan to better identify and punish anyone who uses chemical weapons, amid new reports of a suspected chemical attack in Syria. The initiative was announced in Paris, where US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson met with French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and diplomats from the other signatory countries.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. MS Dhoni, Pankaj Advani to be conferred Padma Bhushan: Former India skipper MS Dhoni and Snooker player Pankaj Advani are among those who received Padma Bhushan on Republic Day, January 26, 2018. Advani is the first Indian to win the 6-red snooker world title. He has bagged a total of 18 world titles. Most recently, Advani won the IBSF World Snooker Championship in Doha.

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. Alibaba Cloud promises to set up data centre: The Chinese firm, Alibaba Cloud, the cloud computing arm of the Alibaba Group, has evinced interest in setting up its data centre in Andhra Pradesh. The company will be establishing its first data centre in Mumbai on Friday. Alibaba Cloud president Simon Hu has assured Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu in Davos that his company would set up its second centre in Andhra Pradesh. Mr. Naidu floored the Chinese firm’s president with his presentation on Wednesday.

Daily GK Updates - 25th January, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. IAF re-launches $2 billion global hunt for acquiring 6 mid-air re-fuellers:  The IAF on Thursday issued the RFI (request for Information) for the six flight refuelling aircraft or tankers and associated equipment. The formal tender or RFP (request for proposal) will be floated after the responses to the RFI are submitted by March 30. The IAF urgently needs the six new refuelling aircraft to double the strike range of its fighters and bombers.

2. Himachal Pradesh celebrates 48th Statehood Day today:  Himachal Pradesh is celebrating its 48th Full Statehood day. The Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur has unfurled the tri-colour and take the salute from police, home-guards, NCC cadets, students at a state-level function in Aani Sub Division of Kullu district. In 1971, on this day Himachal Pradesh was declared as an 18th state of the Indian Union.

3. S Somanath takes charge as Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre's Director: ISRO's Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) director S Somanath has taken charge as the new director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre(VSSC). He succeeded K Sivan who joined as ISRO's Chairman. Somanath was the associate director (Projects) of VSSC and also the project director of GSLV Mk-III Launch vehicle until June 2015

4.Jaipur Literature Festival begins today: The five-day Jaipur Literature Festival (11th edition) kicks off at Diggi Palace in the pink city Jaipur, Rajasthan. The ‘Kumbh of literature’ will feature over 200 sessions on a multitude of topics, trends, ideas and genres, ranging from fiction, poetry, nonfiction, gender equality, environmental protection, science, history, liberal arts, journalism, economics, travel, and cinema. The renowned personalities of literature, cinema, music, art, and culture will be attending the festival.

5. Government announces 4 new schemes to promote young scientists: The Union government has announced four new schemes (TARE, Overseas Visiting Doctoral Fellowship of SERB, DIA, AWSAR) to promote young scientists and researchers in the country. The Teacher Associateship for Research Excellence (TARE) Scheme will connect the educators to leading public funded institutions like IIT, IISc or national institutions like CSIR to pursue research. The Overseas Visiting Doctoral Fellowship offers support to 100 Ph.D. scholars for training in universities/laboratories abroad up to 12 months during their doctoral research.

6. 8th National Voters Day is being observed today: The Election Commission of India (ECI) is celebrating the 8th National Voters’ Day across the country for enhanced participation of citizens in the electoral process. President Ram Nath Kovind has given awards for best electoral practices to District Collectors, Superintendents of Police and other functionaries involved in election management.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Qatar in talks to buy Russia's S-400 systems: Qatar is in talks with Moscow to buy Russian S-400 missile air defence systems, Tass state news agency quoted the Qatari ambassador to Russia on Thursday as saying. Qatar is engaged in a deepening diplomatic row with some of its Gulf Arab neighbours, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), over allegations it supports terrorism, a charge Doha denies.

2. UK govt announces dedicated unit to combat fake news: The unit, which will be headed by the UK Cabinet office, will consistently flag false information on social media platforms. It will deter adversaries and help deliver on national security priorities.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. Australian Open: Bopanna-Babos enter mixed doubles semis: The pair of India's Rohan Bopanna and Timea Babos (Hungary) has entered the semi-finals in the mixed doubles of the Australian Open Tennis tournament in Melbourne. In the quarterfinals, the pair beat the duo of Jean Sebastian Cobal (Columbia) and Abigail Spears (United States) 6-4, 7-6.

BANKING/FINANCE:

1.Govt to infuse Rs. 88,000 cr in 20 state-run banks: IDBI Bank will get the most at Rs.10610 cr followed by Bank of India and SBI. This is the first batch of the Rs.2.11 lakh cr recapitalisation plan announced last year.

Daily GK Updates - 24th January, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Western Railway installs sanitary pad dispensers for its women employees: The Western Railway (WR) has installed sanitary napkin vending machines and incinerators for its women employees in six divisions, including its headquarters at Churchgate in Mumbai, The facility was inaugurated at Churchgate station on Tuesday by Archana Gupta, President of Western Railway Women’s Welfare Organisation (WRWWO) along with senior women employees.

2. EPI - air pollution has made India the fourth worst country in the world: Failure to check air pollution has made India the fourth worst country in the world in terms of curbing environmental pollution, according to Environmental Performance Index’s latest rankings. India ranked 177 out of 180 countries, in contrast to the rank of 141 two years ago.

3. Mamata Banerjee wishes girls on National Girl Child Day: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee extended her wishes to all Kanyashree girls on the occasion of the National Girl Child Day. National girl child day is celebrated every year on January 24 as a national observance day for the girl child

                                               INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Pakistan condemns U.S. drone strike inside its territory: U.S. military drone strike inside its territory, adding to already tense relations between the allies. The unmanned aircraft’s missiles “targeted an Afghan refugee” camp in Pakistan’s northwestern Kurram region.

2. 6.4 richter scale magnitude earthquake hits Japan: Japan was hit by a high-intensity magnitude earthquake, measuring 6.4 in the richter scale on Wednesday.  There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties from the quake, which hit 103 km (64 miles) northeast of the island of Honshu, at a depth of 64 km (40 miles).

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. India beat New Zealand 3-2 in Four-Nation hockey tournament opener: Indian men’s hockey team registered a fighting 3-2 win over hosts New Zealand in their opening match at the second-leg of Four-Nation Invitational Tournament.

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