DAILY GK UPDATES 31ST DECEMBER 2015

DAILY GK UPDATES 31ST DECEMBER 2015

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Union Cabinet approved Raptor MoU for conservation of migratory birds of prey: The Union cabinet has given its approval to sign Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) on the conservation of migratory birds of prey in Africa and Eurasia. This MoU is also called as the ‘Raptor MoU’ under the Convention of Migratory Species (CMS). With signing it, India will become the 54th signatory to the MoU.  

 

2. Union cabinet gives nod for India-Australia Civil Nuclear Cooperation: The Union cabinet chaired by PM Modi approved the India-Australia Civil Nuclear Cooperation deal that came into force on Nov 13, 2015.The deal along with the administrative arrangement for implementing the accord will bolster India’s energy security by supporting the expansion of nuclear power in the country.

 

3. Union Government approves constitution of 69 bridges on Trilateral Highway in Myanmar: It has approved the construction of 69 bridges including Approach Roads on the Tamu-Kyigone-Kalewa (TKK) road section of the Trilateral Highway in Myanmar. 

 

4. Union Government unveils National Biotechnology Development Strategy 2015-2020: It was unveiled by the Union Science and Technology Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan in New Delhi to establish India as a world class bio-manufacturing hub.

 

5. Dr Gyanendra D Bandgaiyan appointed as the Director General of National Centre for Good Governance.

 

6. Union Cabinet approved MoU between India and Jordan for promoting cooperation in IT and Electronics: Its objective is to develop and strengthen industrial, technological and commercial cooperation between the two countries in Information Technology and Electronics (IT&E) sector. It also tries to implement institutional and capacity building cooperation programme aimed at fostering partnerships between the two countries.

 

7. Andhra Pradesh Government decided to hike wages of Anganwadi workers: The wages of Anganwadi workers will be increased from 4200 rupees to 7000 rupees and the wages of Anganwadihelpers will be hiked to 4500 rupees.

 

8. Airtel acquires 100 percent stake in AugereWireless.

 

 

 

 

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Japan and South Korea reached Agreement on Issue of Comfort Women: The agreement was reached after a meeting between Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs of South Korea in Seoul. It aims to resolve a decades-old dispute over Korean women who were used as sex slaves by Japanese soldiers during World War II. 

 

2. World Bank offers $50 million loan for minority education: The Government of India and the World Bank signed a $50 million credit for the ‘Nai Manzil: The Education and Skills Training for Minorities Project’ to help young people from minority communities complete education and gain from market-driven training programmes with the aim of improving their employment outcome. 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS:

1. Sweden’s Bjorn Isberg named as Tournament Director of 2016 Hockey India League.

 

2. Lakshmi Ratan Shukla announced retirement from all forms of Cricket: He played for Bengal in the Ranji format and for the Kolkata Night Riders in the IPL.

 

3. Viral Kohli named BCCI Cricketer of the Year.

 

4. Ravichandran Ashwin named ICC’s No.1 test bowler, first Indian since Bishan Singh Bedi’s feat in 1973.

 

AWARDS:

5. Indian-origin Cancer Researcher Harpal Singh Kumar knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for being ‘hugely influential’ in his work on prevention and treatment of cancer.

OBITUARIES:

6. Former New Castle United goalkeeper PavelSrnicek died at the age of 47: The Czech Republic footballer suffered cardiac arrest.

 

7. Singapore’s Indian-origin Blind Champion of Disabled Ron Chandran-Dudley dies at the age of 81.

 

 

DAILY GK UPDATES 30TH DECEMBER 2015

DAILY GK UPDATES 30TH DECEMBER 2015

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Sand Artist Sudarshan Pattnaik’s Santa Claus sculpture featured in Limca Book of Records: Pattnaik claimed that he had created 45 feet high sand Santa Claus at Puri beach on 24th December 2015, which was recognised as the largest sand Santa Claus as of today by the Limca Book of World Records.  

 

2. Cabinet clears formation of JVs between Indian Railways and states: The cabinet approved the formation of joint venture companies with various state governments to mobilise resources for undertaking rail infrastructure projects. The initial paid up capital of the Ministry of Railways will be limited to Rs. 50 crore for each state. The joint venture companies would be formed with equity participation from the Ministry of Railways and the state governments concerned.

 

3. Online virtual science lab for school students: Students, who have opted for the Science stream at the high school level, but have no access to physical labs now have the option to perform experiments in a virtual science-lab. Thanks to the educational technology initiative-‘Online Labs’-developed by Amrita CREATE (Centre of Research in Advanced Technologies for Education) in association with CDAC (Centre for Development of Advance Computing).

 

4. Indian Navy successfully test fires Barak-8 long range missile from INS Kolkata: Surface to Air missile having a range of nearly 70 km was test fired from INS Kolkata, paving the way for installation of the system, developed jointly by India and Israel, on board country’s frontline warships. 

 

5. HAL ties up with Russian firm Rostech to build 200 Kamov helicopters: Under the ‘Make in India’ initiative, Russian firm Rostech State Corporation has tied up with India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to manufacture 200 Kamov 226T light helicopters. The new fleet of Kamovs will replace the ageing Cheetah and Chetak helicopters.

 

6. BHEL commissioned Prayagraj power project in Uttar Pradesh: State run Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited commissioned a 660 MW unit of PrayagrajSuper Thermal Power Project at Bara in Allahabad district of UP.

 

7. SpiceJet launched travel solutions platform SpiceVacations.com: The platform offers customised travel packages to customers who can avail various services while planning their holiday, at no added cost.

 

8. CCEA approved Amended Technology Up-gradation Fund Scheme for textiles: The new scheme will give a boost to ‘Make in India’ in the textiles sector. It is expected to attract investment to the tune of one lakh crore rupees and create over 30 lakh jobs.

 

9. Satyavati Berera became first woman Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Big Four accounting firm in India.

 

10. Madhu S Nair assumes charge as CMD of Cochin Shipyard.

 

11. Jetha Bharwad elected as first Vice-Chairman of Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation: The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests and Climate Change notified norms of emission standards for coal-based thermal power plants in India. Beginning 2017, thermal plants across India will have to cut particulate matter emissions by as much as 40% and reduce their water consumption by nearly one-third.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Giorgi Kvirikashvili elected as the Prime Minister of Georgia: He will succeed PM Irakli Garibashvili, who resigned recently.

 

2. Guinea free of Ebola, WHO announced: Guinea was declared Ebola free by the World Health Organisation two years after the virus’ deadliest-ever outbreak began in the country, killing more than 11000 people in the West African region. 

 

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. Rakhi Haldar, Kavita Devi bagged gold at National Weightlifting Championships: Haldar lifted 94 kg in the snatch and 119 kg in clean and jerk to come up with a total lift of 213 kg in Women’s 69 kg to grab the gold medal. In Women’s 75 kg category, Devi lifted 95 kg in snatch and 122 kg in clean and jerk for a total of 217 kg to win the top medal.

 

AWARDS:

2. Noted Gujarati writer Raghuveer Chaudharyselected for the 51st Jnanpith award. 

 

OBITUARIES:

3. Ian Fraser Lemmy Kilmister, founding member of British heavy metal band Motorhead died at the age of 70.

 

4. Veteran Singer Subir Sen passed away at the age of 81.

 

5. Iconic Marathi poet Mangesh KeshavPadgaonkar passed away at the age of 86.