DAILY GK UPDATES 29TH JUNE 2016

DAILY GK UPDATES 29TH JUNE 2016

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Majuli in Assam becomes India’s first island district: Majuli was in news as the Government of Assam approved its up gradation as a district. With this approval, Majuli has become the first island district in the country.

 

2. FSSAI signs MoU with ASCI: Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) signed MoU with each other to put check on the issues of misleading as well as uncorroborated advertisements in the food and beverage sector.

 

3. V Sasi elected Deputy Speaker in Kerala: V Sasiof the CPI (M), representing the Chirayinkeezhconstituency, has been elected the Deputy Speaker of the 14th Kerala Legislative Assembly.

 

4. Amul signs up as official sponsor of Indian team to the Olympics: The Company will launch a series of advertising campaigns for milk and other dairy products to promote this association. In addition, the company’s products will also sport special branding to promote this association.

 

5. Exercise ‘Jalrahat’ commences in Assam: As a measure for counter operation during Natural calamities, exercise ‘Jalrahat’ commenced at NarangiCantt in Assam which is a joint initiative by State Govtand Armed Forces for relief during floods.

6. Govt. launches web portal to keep a check on environmental approvals for mining of minerals: A new web portal has been launched for online submission and monitoring of environmental approvals for mining of sand and minor minerals. Launching the web portal at a workshop on mining of sand and minor minerals.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. NASA tests rocket booster for space mission: A booster for NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS), the most powerful rocket in the world, has been successfully tested, an advance that may pave the way for future human exploration in deep space, including the journey to Mars.

2. Suzuki Motors appoints scion Toshihiro Suzuki as CEO: Suzuki Motor Corp has appointed Toshihiro Suzuki, son of Chairman Osamu Suzuki, as its next chief executive effective the same day, as the Japanese automaker attempts to recover from a vehicle testing scandal.

 

 

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:​

1. Cabinet clears pay hike for 1 cr. govt employees, pensioners: More than 1 Cr. central government employees will get a pay hike after the Cabinet approved the implementation of the recommendations of the Seventh Central Pay Commission.

SPORTS:

2.  India's Sanjeev Rajput wins silver in ISSF: Sanjeev Rajput, a doyen shooter of India bagged a silver medal for India in men's 50-metre rifle 3 position events at the on-going series of sport activities of ISSF World Cup in Baku.

DAILY GK UPDATES 28TH JUNE 2016

DAILY GK UPDATES 28TH JUNE 2016

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. India ranked 105th on WEF's Human Capital Index: India has been ranked 105th out of 130 countries on the World Economic Forum's Human Capital Index, which measures countries’ ability to nurture, develop and deploy talent for economic growth. 

2. Defence Ministry gives the nod for purchase of 145 Ultra-Light Howitzers guns from the US: The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has given its approval for the purchase of 145 Ultra-Light Howitzers (ULH) guns from the US. The procurement of ULH will be through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) route from the US and it will cost around 750 million dollars. As part of this deal, 25 ULH guns will come to India directly from the US in a fly-away condition.

3. Rajnath Singh inaugurates h.q. of Jharkhand's special anti-Maoist force: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has inaugurated the newly constructed headquarters of Jharkhand's special anti-Maoist force 'Jharkhand Jaguar' in Jharkhand's capital city Ranchi. The headquarters will pave the way for the further strengthening of the force. 

 

4. Odisha government to provide education loan at 1% interest: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaikhas launched a new scheme Kalinga Siksha SathiYojana with an aim to provide education loan at 1 % interest to students for pursuing higher studies.  The State government dedicated this scheme to former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik on his Birth Centenary. 

5. PM releases book titled “The Birds of BanniGrassland”: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has released a book titled “The Birds of Banni Grassland” in New Delhi. The Book is a compilation of the research work, relating to more than 250 species of birds found in the Banni area of Kutch, Gujarat. 

6. Sujoy Bose appointed as the CEO of NIIF: The Union government has appointed Mr. Sujoy Bose as the Chief Executive Officer of National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) Ltd. His appointed for the post has been made by a search-cum-selection committee which was constituted under the chairmanship of economic affairs secretary ShaktikantaDas.

7.  Indian bags UN honour for corporate sustainability initiative: An Indian social entrepreneur Zubaida Bai, has been named among 10 "champions and pioneers" by United Nation chief Ban Ki-moon under the world's largest corporate sustainability initiative that calls on companies to align with universal principles of human rights, environment, and anti-corruption.

 

 

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. IMF clears payment of USD 501 million to Pakistan: Washington DC-based the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has cleared the payment of $501 million for Pakistan. The Executive Board of the IMF has completed the eleventh review of Pakistan’s economic performance under a three-year program supported by an Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement. 

2. Gudni Johnson wins Iceland’s Presidential elections: Gudni Johannesson has won the Iceland’s presidential election. He is a history professor who ran as an independent in the election and was able to secure 39.1% of the vote.   

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

1. N S Vishwanathan appointed as the new deputy governor of RBI: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has cleared the appointment of NS Vishwanathan as the Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). He is currently working as an executive director at the RBI since April 2014 and overseeing the banking regulation and non-banking department. He would succeed H R Khan, who will retire on July 3. 

SPORTS:

2. National Inter-State Senior Athletics C’shipsbegins in Hyderabad: The 56th National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships, a qualifying event for the Rio Olympics, has begun in Hyderabad today.  As many as 744 athletes, including 264 women from 26 states will take part in the five-day event.

3. India maintains the third position in ICC ODI team rankings: According to ICC Ranking released in Dubai, India has maintained its number three position in the ICC ODI team rankings which is being headed by world champions Australia. Australia has got 123 rating points while India got 110 points. The second place was occupied by New Zealand with 113 rating points.

 

AWARDS:

4. Two Indians get Queen’s Young Leaders Award 2016: Two Indians, Kartik Sawhney, and Neha Swain, have won the 2016 Queen's Young Leaders award in the United Kingdom which has been presented by Queen Elizabeth at the British monarch in Buckingham Palace. The name of these awardees has been announced last year in December. 

 

OBITUARIES:

5. Founder of Titan, Xerxes Sapur Desai has passed away: Xerxes Sapur Desai, the man who founded India's largest watchmaker company 'Titan Co Ltd', has passed away following a prolonged illness in Bengaluru. He was 79 years old. 

6. NSCN (IM) Chairman Isak Chishi Swu passed away at the age of 87.

DAILY GK UPDATES 27TH JUNE 2016

DAILY GK UPDATES 27TH JUNE 2016

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. India became 35th full member of Missile Technology Control Regime: India on 27 June 2016 became the 35th full member of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). This entry would be mutually beneficial to enhance global non-proliferation norms.The instrument of accession to MTCR for India was signed in New Delhi by Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar. The entry also marks India's first entry into any multilateral export control regime.

2. Anju Bobby George and Pullela Gopichand taken as members of Khelo India: Khelo India is a national programme launched by the Union Government for the development of sports in the country. George, India's lone athletics World Championship medal winner and Gopichand, the chief national badminton coach are the two sportsperson who were included in the seven-member committee of Khelo India. The committee will be headed by Sports Secretary Rajiv Yadav.

 

3. PM Modi launches Smart City Mission Projects in Pune: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched the ‘Smart City Mission’ involving 83 projects from 20 different cities in the country. The Smart City Mission’ projects launched included 14 projects of Pune (Maharashtra) and 69 projects from 20 different shortlisted cities in the country to be implemented at a cost of 1,770 crore rupees.

 

4. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurates 22nd meeting of Eastern Zonal Council at Ranchi: The meeting started with the review of the progress of implementation of the recommendations made by last year Eastern Zonal Council of 2015 that was held at Patna. In today's meetings, there are altogether 19 agenda points sponsored by participating four states, besides 10 Revised Agenda Points.

 

5. Suresh Prabhu flags off maiden train between Sonepat-Jind: Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu has flagged off a maiden train on 81-km railway line between Sonipat and Jind and stressed on the need to create infrastructure to promote growth and to meet future challenges.

 

6. BHEL commissions two hydel units in Afghanistan: State-run Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) has commissioned two units of 14 Megawatts each at Salma Hydro Electric Project in Afghanistan.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Expanded Panama Canal reopens after 9 years of work: Newly renovated and expanded Panama Canal reopened for bigger business on 26 June 2016. The first ship to cross the canal using the third set of locks was a modern New Panamax vessel, the Chinese-owned container ship Cosco Shipping Panama.

2. Scientists develop bio-ink for 3D printing with stem cells: A group of scientists at the University of Bristol developed a new stem cell-containing bio-ink that allows 3D printing of complex living tissues. The new stem cell-containing bio ink allows 3D printing of living tissues, known as bio-printing.

3. China launches first Dark Sky Reserve in Tibet to limit light pollution: China in the fourth week of June 2016 launched its first dark sky reserve in NgariPrefecture, Tibet. The purpose of the dark sky reserve is to limit light pollution and preserve sites for making astronomical observations.  

 

4. International Day in Support of Victims of Torture observed on 26th June 2016: The day is held annually to speak out against the crime of torture. It also seeks to honour and support victims and survivors throughout the world.

 

5. International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking observed with theme ‘Listen First’: 2016 theme Listen First is an initiative to increase support for prevention of drug use that is based on science and is thus an effective investment in the well-being of children and youth, their families and their communities.  

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

1. AIIB approves first loans for projects in four countries: The China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has approved first set of loans totalling US 509 million dollars to finance projects in four countries namely- Bangladesh, Pakistan, Indonesia, and Tajikistan.

 

SPORTS:

2. Lionel Messi retires from international football after Copa America final loss to Chile: Lionel Messi, the Barcelona star, on 26 June 2016 announced his plans to retirement from international football. The announcement from the foot balling great of his generation came just hours after he missed the penalty in the Copa America final. His team, Argentina lost 4-2 on penalties to Chile after a 0-0 draw in MetLife Stadium.

 

3. Jitu Rai wins silver in ISSF World Cup: Shooter Jitu Rai won silver in the 10 m Air Pistol event at the ISSF World Cup held in Baku, Azerbaijan.

 

4. Defending champions Chile beat Argentina 4-2 in a penalty shootout to win the 2016 Copa America Football tournament.

 

5. N Srinivasan re-elected President of Tamil Nadu Cricket Association for 15th term.

 

6. Argentina women win record seventh FIH Champions Trophy title defeating Netherlands 2-1.

 

7. Wimbledon 2016 kick starts from 27th June at the All England Club in London: This is the 130th edition of the third Grand Slam of the season.

 

AWARDS:

8. International Indian Film Academy IIFA Awards 2016 presented in Madrid, Spain: Best Film: Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Best Director: Sanjay LeelaBhansali for Baajirao Mastani, Best Actor: RanveerSingh for Baajirao Mastani, Best Actress: DeepikaPadukone for Piku, IIFA Award for the Woman of the Year:  Priyanka Chopra.

9. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar awarded Honorary Fellowship in UK: National Indian Students and Alumni Union (NISAU) have awarded Spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar with an Honorary Fellowship in the UK for his contributions to world peace and culture.