DAILY GK UPDATES 29TH JANUARY2017

DAILY GK UPDATES 29TH JANUARY2017

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. India Post becomes 3rd entity to receive licence to start payment bank operations: India Post has become the third entity to receive a final license last week from the Central Bank to start its payment bank operations. Country’s largest telecom service provider Bharti Airtel and digital payments firm Paytm are the other two to have received the license while only Airtelhas started operations so far.

 

2. National Immunization Day: 29th January 2017: Today (29th January 2017) is National Immunization Day. President Pranab Mukherjee has launched the countrywide programme for 2017 by administering polio drops to children aged below five years at a function in Rashtrapati Bhavan. The programme will cover around 17 crore children aged under five years in an effort to maintain the country's polio-free status.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Denmark to appoint world’s first ‘digital ambassador’: Denmark has announced it will appoint a 'digital ambassador' to manage its relationship with technology giants like Google and Apple, becoming the first country to do so. "Such companies have become a type of new nations and we need to confront that," said Denmark's Foreign Minister Anders Samuelsen. The companies' market values are large enough to enter G20, he added.

 

2. Alibaba’s financial arm acquires MoneyGram: Ant Financial, e-commerce giant Alibaba’s financial arm, has reached an agreement to acquire American money-transfer major MoneyGram for $880 million, in a deal that will expand the firm’s business in the US after India and Thailand.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. 2017 Australian Open: Roger Federer wins men’s title: For the first time since 2010, Roger Federer has won the Australian Open, beating long-time rival Rafael Nadal in the finals in Melbourne, Australia on 29th January 2017. Federer won a closely contested five-set showdown, 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3.

 

2. Australian Open: Serena beats sister Venus for record 23rd slam title: In Australian Open tennis, Serena Williams beat her sister Venus Williams in the final today to win her 23rd Grand Slam singles title. The dominant American swept past her rival 6-4, 6-4 on Rod Laver Arena to finally clinch the record for Open-era major titles, nearly 18 years after winning her first.

DAILY GK UPDATES 27TH JANUARY2017

DAILY GK UPDATES 27TH JANUARY2017

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. 68th Republic Day: Ashok Chakra to HavildarHangpan Dada for sacrificing his life for nation: Havildar Hangpan Dada, who killed four terrorists before laying down his life in Kupwara on May 26 last year, has been awarded Ashok Chakra, the highest peace time gallantry award.

 

2. India ranks sixth on eight great powers in 2017:American foreign policy magazine: India is ranked at the sixth spot, behind China and Japan, in a list of eight great powers for the year 2017 by a leading American foreign policy magazine which is topped by the US.

 

3. Telangana ranks 2nd in Walnut’s cashless score card: Telangana ranked second in the `Cashless India Scorecard’ prepared by Walnut app to track the growth of digital payments in the country.The scorecard is meant for comparing how each state is moving towards a cashless economy post- demonetisation based on an aggregate and anonymised analysis of Walnut’s over five million user data.

 

4. Kerala CM Inaugurates e-Health Kerala scheme at Peroorkada Hospital: The Chief Minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan launched the IT Project, e-Health Kerala which is named Jeevan Rekha , at Peroorkada Model Government Hospital

 

5. Mysuru gets India’s 1st post office passport kendra: The Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers Ananth Kumar inaugurated India’s first Post  Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSK) at Metagallipost office in Mysuru.

 

6. Arunachal launches ‘Dulari Kanya’ scheme to check infant mortality: Arunachal Pradesh launched ‘Dulari Kanya’, a special scheme to check infant mortality in the state.

 

7. RBI Prohibits FDI in Non-Cooperative Countries: The Reserve Bank of India has prohibited the Indian entities on January 25, 2017 from making direct overseas investments in any entity that is located in ‘non co-operative countries and territories’, as identified by the inter-governmental body Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

8. Meghalaya Governor resigns after allegations of sexual misconduct: Meghalaya Governor V Shanmuganathan has resigned after a controversy was triggered by reports in local media, which accused him of sexual misconduct. 67-year-old Shanmuganathantendered his resignation from the post.

 

9. Sena medal for 3 soldiers who gunned down Burhan Wani: 3 personnel from the Rashtriya Rifles unit of the Indian Army have been awarded the SenaMedal for killing Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani.

10. The annual cultural extravaganza of the Indian Institute of Management-Ahmedabad (IIM-A), Chaos-2017, kicked off, with the theme of wanderlust.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Trump appoints Indian-American attorney to key White House post: US President Donald Trump has appointed prominent Indian-American attorney UttamDhillon to a key White House position.Dhillon, who served as chief oversight counsel for the House of Representatives Financial Services Committee.

 

2. Pharmaceutical Firm Johnson & Johnson to Buy Actelion for $30 Billion: The U.S. healthcare giant Johnson & Johnson buys Switzerland based bio-pharmaceutical firm, Actelion, for $30billion (27.9 billion euros).

 

                                                   

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:​

1. Karnataka Bank inks pact with Tirth Agro Technology: Karnataka Bank Ltd has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Rajkot-based Tirth Agro Technology Pvt Ltd (manufacturer of agricultural equipment and implements) for financing agricultural mechanisation.

 

SPORTS:

2. Delhi Dynamos appoint Ashish Shah as new CEO: Indian Super League side Delhi Dynamos announced that they have appointed Ashish Shah as their new CEO.  

3. Sumo wrestler becomes first Japanese athlete to receive highest honour in 19 years: Japan based sumo wrestler Kisenosato was promoted to the highest rank of the wresting, Yokozuna on January 25, 2017 after winning his first title at the New Year Grand Sumo  Japan WrestlerTournament with a 14-1 record.

 

4. Usain Bolt Loses an Olympic Medal due to Positive Doping of Team-Mate Nesta Carter:Jamaican sprinter, Usain Bolt will have to hand back one of his nine Olympic gold medals won in the 4x100m relay event at the 2008 Beijing Olympics due to his Jamaican team-mate Nesta Carter who was tested positive for a banned substance.

 

AWARDS:

5. National Geoscience Award for Keshav Krishna: A Keshav Krishna, a scientist at the National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) has been selected for the National Geoscience Award for 2016.The award given by the Union Ministry of Mines is in recognition of his work in the field of geo-environmental studies.

 

 

OBITUARIES:

6. Russian envoy Alexander Kadakin passes away: .Russian Ambassador Alexander Kadakin, a fluent Hindi-speaking career diplomat considered a great friend of India, passed away at a hospital here after a brief illness.

DAILY GK UPDATES 26TH JANUARY2017

DAILY GK UPDATES 26TH JANUARY2017

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Nation celebrates its 68th Republic Day: India celebrates its 68th Republic Day today (26th January 2017). On January 26, 1950, the Constitution of India came into force, and Republic Day is celebrated to honour that day. On this day in 1950, the first President of India, Dr Rajendra Prasad took the oath. President Pranab Mukherjee has started the ceremony by hoisting the Indian flag, following which the Republic Day Parade from Rajpath. The parade starts from Rajpathand ends at Red Fort in Delhi. Every year on Republic Day, India invites a visiting head of state, who is the state guest of honour (chief guest) for the ceremony. This year's guest of honour is the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

 

2. Madhya Pradesh CM announces total ban on polythene bags: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has announced a total ban on polythene carry bags from May 1, 2017 across the state. "Use of polythene carry bags and their littering was affecting environment and cleanliness.

 

3. DU becomes first public varsity with ‘monumental’ flag: DU is the first public university in the country to get a monumental flagpole, according to the Flag Foundation of India. The 100-feet high flag was hoisted by former MP Naveen Jindal.

 

4. MakeMyTrip launches India’s 1st social luxury travel magazine: India's largest online travel portal MakeMyTrip has launched the first ever social luxury travel magazine called 'Luxury Travel Times'. The mobile-only magazine is targeted at luxury travellers and is released through innovative ad platforms like Facebook Canvas & Instagram-Stories.

 

5. Burj Khalifa lights up in ‘Tricolour’ to mark 68thIndian Republic Day: The LED shows were to be held on both days along with complimenting Dubai Fountain shows. In addition to the shows, the Indian Consulate in Dubai has a flag-hoisting ceremony at the consulate premises by Consul General Anurag Bhushan, followed by flag-hoisting at the Indian High School grounds in Oud Metha, Dubai.

6. Gujarat Government pardons 439 prisoners on Republic Day eve: Gujarat government has ordered released of 439 prisoners on humanitarian grounds on the eve of 68th Republic Day. Over half of these prisoners were serving the life sentence in different jails in Gujarat. The decision to pardon the remaining sentences of these 439 prisoners was taken by Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.

 

 

 

 

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. US President Trump orders 2,000-mile wall to be built on Mexico border: President Donald Trump has signed directives to build a wall along the US border with Mexico and crack down on US cities that shield illegal immigrants, proceeding quickly on sweeping and divisive plans to kerb immigration and boost national security. The Republican President is also expected to take steps in the coming days to limit legal immigration, including executive orders restricting refugees and blocking the issuing of visas to people from several Muslim-majority Middle Eastern and North African countries including Syria, Sudan, Somalia, Iraq, Iran, Libya and Yemen.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

OBITUARIES:

1. US Emmy award-winning actress Mary Tyler Moore has passed away: Emmy award-winning US actress Mary Tyler Moore has passed away at the age of 80. She was best known for her television roles in the 1960s sitcom The Dick Van Dyke Show and the eponymous The Mary Tyler Moore Show in the 1970s.

DAILY GK UPDATES 25TH JANUARY2017

DAILY GK UPDATES 25TH JANUARY2017

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. National Voters’ Day being observed on 25thJanuary 2017: 25th January is also the foundation day of the Election Commission, which came into being on this day in 1950. The Commission's objective through National Voters’ Day is to increase enrolment of voters, especially of the newly eligible ones. The Day is also utilized to spread awareness among voters regarding effective participation in the electoral process.

 

2. List of Padma Awardees: Padma Vibhushanawardees: Sharad Pawar, Murli Manohar Joshi, K.J.Yesudas, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, P.A. Sangma, Sunder Lal Patwah, VishwaMohan Bhat. Padma Shriawardees: Basanti Visht, Chemanchari K. Nair, Sadhu Meher, T. K. Murthy, Emrat Khan, L. Birender Kumar Singh, Baoa Devi, Tilak Gitai, Kailash Kher, MukundNaik, Sukri Bommagowda, Anuradha Podwal, WareppaNaba Nil, T. K. Vishwanathanan, Kanwal Sibal, G. Venkata Subbaiah, Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri, Birkha Bahadur Limboo Muringla, Eli Ahmed, BhavnaSomaya, Kashinath Pandit,Harkishan Singh, Dr MukutMinz, Sanjeev Kapoor, Ashok Kumar Bhattacharya, H. R. Shah,Anuradha Koirala, Dr Mapuskar, KarimulHaque, Virat Kohli, Sakshi Malik, Dipa Karmakar, Vikas Gowda, Srijesh, M. Thanghavelu.

 

3. Cabinet Approvals-January 24, 2017: The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri NarendraModi approved the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Bill, 2017 on January 24, 2017 that aims to declare IIMs as Institutions of National Importance.

ii. Cabinet gave its ex-post facto approval on for interest waiver for the two months of November and December, 2016 for farmers accessing short term crop loans from Cooperative Banks.

 

iii. As a part of government’s commitment for financial inclusion and social security the Union Cabinet has given its post-facto approval to launch VarishthaPension Bima Yojana 2017 (VPBY 2017) on January 24, 2017.

 

iv. Union Cabinet on January 24, 2017 approved a new scheme for promotion of Rural Housing in the country.

 

v. PM Modi gave approval for the ratification of the Second Commitment Period of the Kyoto Protocol on containing the emission of Green House Gases (GHGs) which was adopted in 2012. Till date, 65 countries have ratified the Second Commitment Period.

 

vi. Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi approved the proposal of India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) on January 24, 2017 for redevelopment of PragatiMaidan by setting up of a world class Integrated Exhibition-cum-Convention Centre (IECC) at PragatiMaidan, New Delhi.

 

4. SC for daily drug dosage regimen for TB patients: The Supreme Court gave the government nine months to replace the thrice-a-week dosage norm of tuberculosis drugs with a daily dosage regimen recently approved by the World Health Organisation to curb relapse and deaths during treatment.

 

5. Assam launches ‘Chief Minister’s Award’ to reward districts adopting digital payments: The Chief Minister’s Award would be given to the best performing district of the state that adopts digital payment methods and also educate larger section of the society about the cashless transaction.The winning district’s Deputy Commissioner would be presented a prize of Rs 50,000 at the end of financial year 2016-2017 after March 31, 2017.

 

6. India and UAE sign 14 agreements after delegation level talks between PM Modi and visiting crown prince of Abu Dhabi: India and the UAE inked 14 agreements in various areas including in defence, maritime transport, comprehensive strategic partnership, shipping, agriculture and allied sector, trade, oil storage and management, energy efficiency, road transport and highways and prevention and combating human trafficking. The agreements were signed after delegation level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyanat Hyderabad House in New Delhi.

7. UN appoints director of UNIC in New Delhi: DerkSegaar has been appointed Director of the New Delhi based United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) covering India and the Kingdom of Bhutan by the UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

 

8. Rubber Soil Information System (RubSIS) launched by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry for rubber growers: The Minister of Commerce & Industry, Smt Nirmala Sitharaman launched Rubber Soil Information System (RubSIS) in New Delhi to provide the detail RubSISabout the soil quality to the rubber growers to enhance productivity besides reducing the cost of production. RubSIS is an online platform developed to recommend application of appropriate mix of fertilizers to the specific plantations of rubber growers depending upon their soil nature.

 

9. PVR launches theatre on Demand Service VKAAO: Vkaao is an online platform that will enable consumers to watch any movie of their PVRchoice at a theatre of their choice. It would empower the viewers to choose what they want to watch, when and where.

 

 

 

 

 

10. India UK join hands to launch project to tackle Delhi air pollution risks: India has partnered with the British experts over a project that aims to study the air pollution level in Delhi and health problems associated it. The project ‘ASAP-Delhi: An Integrated Study of Air Pollutant Sources in the Delhi National Capital Region’ would be led by University of Birmingham and would also involve experts from the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, the Indian National Physical Laboratory and the University of Surrey.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Nikki Haley confirmed as new US envoy to UN.

 

2. Trump signs executive orders to advance Keystone XL, Dakota Access pipelines: US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to advance controversial Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines. His latest actions to overturn the policies of former President Barack Obama, the nation's chief executive he replaced recently.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. Mattew Hayden inducted into Australian Cricket Hall of Fame.

 

2. Retired Watson bags Australia’s T20I Player of the Year award.

 

3. Kremlin to host 2018 FIFA World Cup finals: The draw for the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals hosted by Russia will take place in the Kremlin the country’s Football Union (RFU) chief Vitaly Mutkostated. Mutko, Russia’s deputy prime minister, stated FIFA had approved the plan, which world football’s ruling body later confirmed. The World Cup finals draw ceremony will take place.