DAILY GK UPDATES 20TH DECEMBER 2015
NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. PFRDA switches to PAN for online enrolment under NPS: Pension fund regulatory body PFRDA has started using PAN instead of Aadhaar for validation of new customers who can now be registered online under the National Pension System (NPS) Scheme.
2. PM Narendra Modi inaugurates top Police Officer’s Conference in Gujarat: PM Modi has formally inaugurated the All-India conference of Directors General of Police (AICDGPs) at Dhordo in white Rann of Kutch region near Bhuj, Gujarat.
3. WB Government approves proposal for formation of five new districts: West Bengal Government has approved proposal for formation of five new districts in the state, namely Kalimpong, Sundarbans, Basirhat, Burdwan, Jhargram. With this, the total number of districts of Bengal will increase to 25.
4. India’s biggest wildlife rescue centre commissioned in Nagpur: India’s biggest Wildlife Rescue Centre named as Gorewada Zoo and Wildlife Rescue Centre has been commissioned at Gorewadanear Nagpur, Maharashtra.
5. ZSI scientists discovered a new eel species named Bengal Moray Eel: The new species was found along the coast of Digha in Purba Medinipur district of West Bengal.
6. Tata Trusts to sign MoU with UP Government for community welfare: Impressed with the strides taken by Uttar Pradesh, Ratan Tata-led Tata Trusts will enter into an understanding with the state government by signing an MoU for community development programmes in sectors like education and health.
7. Lok Sabha passed bill to create Commercial Benches in High Courts: The Lok Sabha passed the Commercial Courts, Commercial Division and Commercial Appellate Division of High Courts Bill, 2015 that will bring in big foreign investments into the country and improve India’s global image on ease of doing business.
8. AP Cabinet decided to abolish VAT, CST on sugar factories.
9. Maharashtra Government announced 10512 crore rupees aid for farmers hit by drought.
10. Kwality Limited, the dairy product manufacturer appointed Akshay Kumar as brand ambassador.
11. Tata Starbucks appointed Sumi Ghosh as Chief Financial Officer.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. US Security Council unanimously adopts resolution on Syria peace plan: The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has unanimously adopted a resolution No. 2254 outlining a peace process in Syria.The resolution endorses an international roadmap for a Syria peace process to end Syria’s five-year long civil war.
2. US doubles H-1B visa fee on highly qualified Indian IT professionals to $4000 from $2000.
3. IMF approves half a billion financial assistance to Pakistan: The IMF approved nearly USD 500 million in its latest tranche of financial assistance to Pakistan, bringing the total amount of money released to revive the country’s economy to USD 5 billion.
4. Anil Ambani, Spielberg join hands to form Amblin Partners: The Anil Ambani owned Reliance Entertainment and acclaimed Hollywood director Steven Spielberg’s DreamWorks announced formation of Amblin Partners- a new film, television and digital content creation company.
5. Sundar Pichai is India’s most-searched for business leader in 2015.
6. India ranks 97th on Forbes’ best countries for business list; Denmark tops the list.
7. Jet airways CEO Cramer Ball resigns.
OTHER UPDATES:
FINANCE/BANKING:
1. Federal Reserve of US, the central banking system of USA increased rate by 0.25% for the first time since 2006.
SPORTS:
2. Dhoni to remain captain till World T20: The National selectors decided that M.S Dhoni will remain the captain of the limited overs sides till the World T20 championship in March.
