Thursday, 23 February 2017

Daily GK Updates - 22nd February, 2017

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Government launches Cyber Swachhta Kendra in New Delhi: The Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has launched Cyber Swachhta Kendra in New Delhi for Botnet cleaning and Malware analysis. It was launched by Union Minister of Electronics and IT Ravi Shankar Prasad as part of Union Government’s ambitious digital India initiative to create a secure cyber space by detecting botnet infections. Besides, minister also launched some cyber security tools. They are

USB Pratirodh: It is a desktop security solution to protect from USB mass storage device threats.

AppSamvid: It is a desktop solution to protect systems by allowing installation of genuine applications through white listing. It helps in preventing threats from malicious applications.

M-Kavach: It is an indigenously developed mobile application to address the security threats in mobiles.

2. Punjab bans gutkha, pan masala, food products having tobacco:T he Punjab government on Wednesday said it has prohibited the manufacture, storage, sale or distribution of food products containing tobacco or nicotine like gutkha and pan masala in the state for one year. The ban also applies on processed, flavoured, scented, and chewing tobacco, whether they are packaged or unpackaged or sold as one or separate products, an official said.

3. Cabinet approves ₹8,100-cr investment to set up solar parks: The Cabinet has approved an investment of ₹8,100 crore for setting up at least 50 solar parks and ultra mega solar power projects, Power Minister Piyush Goyal said on Wednesday. The investment would double the solar power production target to 40,000 MW. Notably, the government has laid down a plan to achieve 100 GW solar power capacity by 2022.

4. India holds total wealth of over ₹415 lakh crore: Report: India held a total wealth of $6.2 trillion (over ₹415 lakh crore) as of December 2016, a New World Wealth report has revealed. Further, India is home to over 2.6 lakh millionaires and 95 billionaires, the report stated. India was also among the top five countries which saw the maximum outflow of millionaires in 2016, at around 6,000.

5. Justice Abhay Manohar Sapre appointed chairman of Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal: Chief Justice JS Khehar has appointed Justice Abhay Manohar Sapre as the chairman of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal.

6. National Biodiversity Congress 2017 held in Kerala:The National Biodiversity Congress (NBC) 2017 was held in Thiruvananthapuram, capital of Kerala. The event is hosted by the Kerala State Biodiversity Board.

NBC is one of the significant biodiversity mega events of the country. It aims to identify practical, evidence-based case studies at the regional level to support the plan of action. The focal theme of 2017 NBC was “Mainstreaming Biodiversity for Sustainable Development”.

7. Arunachal CM Pema Khandu inaugurates Composite Regional Centre in Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu in the presence of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju inaugurated the Composite Regional Centre at Itanagar Banquet Hall, Arunachal Pradesh. To create resources and infrastructure required for developing services for persons with disabilities with an outlay of Rs.20 Crore. The centre is established under the National Institute for Locomotor Disabilities (NILD), Kolkata.

8. Delhi to get India's first heliport: The first heliport in India will be inaugurated by Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju in North Delhi on (28 February 2017).

The heliport, built by state-owned Pawan Hans, consists of a terminal building, nine parking bays and four hangars with a parking capacity of 16 helicopters. It was built at an investment of Rs. 100 crore.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Islamic court legalises 'test tube babies' in Pakistan: Pakistan's top Shariat court has legalised using 'test tube baby' method of conceiving for married couples with medical complications. It is lawful only if the sperm belongs to the actual father and the egg of the actual mother and the child is born by the actual mother, the court added. The court further declared the practice of surrogacy as "un-Islamic".

2. An international zip line connects Spain and Portugal:A zip line connecting Spain and Portugal, is known to be the first cross-border zip line in the world.

The 720-metre-long zip line joins the two countries, allowing people to reach Portugal within a minute.

On reaching Portugal, the participants gain one hour because of the time zone change.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. India beat South Africa in final of ICC Women's World Cup Qualifier 2017: India beat South Africa by one wicket in the final of ICC Women World Cup Qualifier 2017 at Colombo, Shri Lanka.

2. India win 'Handball-on-skates' World Championship: India won the men's Roll Ball World Cup Championship as they beat Iran 8-7 in the final on Wednesday. India also won the tournament in the women's category, defeating Iran 6-4 in the final. Roll Ball is a combination of roller-skating, handball, and basketball, and it was invented by an Indian sports teacher Raju Dabhade in 2003.

3. Blind World Cup winning Indian players to get ₹5 lakh each: India's Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Vijay Goel announced on Wednesday on Twitter that ₹5 lakh each will be given to the members of India's T20 World Cup for the Blind winning team as a cash reward.

4. Dustin Johnson dominates Genesis Open to overtake world No. 1:American professional golfer Dustin Hunter Johnson has claimed No 1 Position in Official World Golf Ranking for the first time in his career.

This feat comes after he ended up with a world-class performance by winning Genesis Open 2017 at Riviera.

5. Milind Soman becomes 'Ultraman' by racing barefoot for 517.5 km:National level swimmer-turned-model Milind Soman (51-year) has completed an extremely high endurance event called ‘Ultraman’ a 517.5 km race on in Florida.

The challenge requires participants to complete a 10-kilometre open water swim, a 423-kilometre-long bike ride and an 84-kilometre ultra-marathon run.

Earlier, he completed the toughest triathlon in the world to become India’s Iron Man.

BANKING/FINANCE:

6. SIDBI, Vijaya Bank combine to provide concessional loans to micro, small units: Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Vijaya Bank for providing concessional finance to micro and small enterprises (MSEs).

The MoU aims at promoting and strengthening units in the MSE segment through concessional funding that is at the marginal cost of funds-based lending rate (MCLR) of Vijaya Bank under refinance from SIDBI.

7. Microsoft to deploy Azure Stack in Andhra Pradesh: The chief minister Chandrababu Naidu and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella singed an MoU during an event called ‘Microsoft Future Decoded’ in Mumbai. Under the MoU, Microsoft Azure Stack for the first time in the world will be used to migrate live applications currently hosted in Hyderabad State Data Centre (SDC) to Vizag data centre.

Daily GK Updates - 21st February, 2017

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. India, Rwanda sign MoUs in innovation, aviation and visa requirements:India and Rwanda have inked three agreements in the fields of innovation, aviation and visa requirements to boost bilateral relations. These agreements were signed in Kigali in the presence of Vice President Mohammed Hamid Ansari and Rwandan Prime Minister Anastase Murekezi during a business forum meet.

2. Government launches SAATHIYA Resource Kit and SAATHIYA SALAH mobile app for adolescents: The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has launched SAATHIYA Resource Kit and SAATHIYA SALAH mobile app for adolescents as part of the Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK) programme. The kit and app will help Peer Educators (Saathiyas) who are introduced under the RKSK programme. The Saathiyas act as catalyst for generating demand for adolescent health services and also impart age appropriate knowledge on key adolescent health issues to their peer groups.

3. India is world’s largest arms importer: Report: India has been the world's largest importer of major arms in the last five years, according to a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). India, which received most of its arms from Russia, accounted for 13% of the total global arms import between 2012-16. SIPRI also revealed that the US was the top arms exporter.

4. Pak rejects report on Army's advice to 'read book on India': Pakistan Army on Monday dismissed a media report claiming that General Qamar Javed Bajwa urged officers to read a book on how India succeeded in keeping military out of politics. The said book provides details on the changes made in the structure and recruitment pattern of the Indian Army to suit the Indian democracy.

5. Delhi Metro park with artworks made from junk inaugurated:A 10-acre park constructed by the Delhi Metro, which features artworks made using waste materials, was inaugurated on Monday by National Green Tribunal Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar. A Delhi Metro statement said the Prakriti Metro Park features several art installations, "which carry pertinent messages on a range of issues." There is also a 'rain forest' and an artificial lake.

6. Drilling begins for India's 1st undersea bullet train line: Test drills for the construction of the first undersea bullet train route in India have begun, a senior Railway Ministry official said. The 7-kilometre route will form part of the country's first bullet train project, the 508-kilometre Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor. The corridor, set to cost ₹1 lakh crore, will feature multiple underground and underwater passages.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Australia most preferred nation to migrate for millionaires: Australia witnessed the largest number of millionaire inflows at 11,000 in 2016, as per the latest New World Wealth report. The US stood second with 10,000 migrations while 3,000 millionaires moved to UK. Australia was preferred over others because of its healthcare system and locational advantages while doing business in emerging nations like China, Singapore, and India, the report stated.

2. Azerbaijan Prez names wife as country’s First Vice President: Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev on Tuesday appointed his wife Mehriban Aliyev as the First Vice President of the country, according to reports. The position was created after a constitutional referendum in September last year. According to Azerbaijan's constitution, the First Vice President takes over the country's presidency if the president is unable to perform the duties.

3. China bans all coal imports from North Korea: China has announced it is suspending all coal imports from North Korea until the end of the year in compliance with United Nations Security Council resolutions over North Korea's nuclear program. With coal being North Korea's largest export item, the country is believed to have been dependent on China for trade since its economy collapsed in the late 1990s.

4. Trump names Lt Gen HR McMaster as National Security Adviser:US President Donald Trump has named Lt Gen HR McMaster as the US National Security Adviser, calling him "a man of tremendous talent and tremendous experience". McMaster earlier served in Iraq and Afghanistan, where he worked on a government anti-corruption drive. This comes after Michael Flynn resigned last week from the post amid allegations of improper contacts with Russian officials.

5. 21 February: International Mother Language Day observed: International Mother Language Day (IMLD) is a worldwide annual observance held on 21st February to promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. The theme of 2017:"Towards Sustainable Futures through Multilingual Education".

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. 1152 Indians have world record for largest Taekwondo display:The largest Taekwondo display at a single venue consists of 1,152 participants and was achieved at an event held in Hyderabad, as recognised by the Guinness World Records. The event was organised by martial arts teacher Jayanth Reddy in December 2016. To establish the record, all participants had to perform the martial arts routine simultaneously for at least ten minutes

2. India women score 8 in last 2 balls to win WC Qualifier 2017: India won the ICC Women's World Cup Qualifier 2017 after clinching a last-ball win in the final against South Africa on Tuesday. Needing eight of last two balls, stand-in skipper Harmanpreet Kaur hit a six, followed by a double to seal the victory. South Africa were earlier bowled out for 244, with Indian spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad taking three wickets.

BANKING/FINANCE:

4. Jio to charge for data from Apr 1, voice calls to stay free: Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani on Tuesday announced that Reliance will start charging for data from its customers from April 1. However, all domestic voice calls to any network will be free across India, and there will be no roaming charges. Notably, Jio has achieved its target of 100 million subscribers within 170 days of its launch.

5. Reliance Jio added 7 customers every second of every day: Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani on Tuesday said that new entrant Reliance Jio on average has added nearly 7 customers on its network every second of every day. Ambani further stated that within 170 days since its launch, Jio has crossed the 100 million customer mark. By 2017 end, Jio network will cover 99% of the country’s population, he added.

6. Verizon, Yahoo cut takeover price by ₹2,300 crore over hacks:Telecom major Verizon Communications on Tuesday said it would buy Yahoo's core business for $4.48 billion, lowering its original offer by $350 million (over ₹2,300 crore). The payment has been reduced over two data breaches revealed by Yahoo after the deal was finalised. The deal, which was first announced in July, had been delayed after Yahoo disclosed the data breaches.

Daily GK Updates - 20th February, 2017

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Govt launches its own QR code BharatQR for cashless payments: The government on Monday launched a QR (quick response) code-based payment solution called BharatQR to allow cashless payments without a card swiping machine. BharatQR has been jointly developed by MasterCard, Visa and Rupay. A customer will scan the BharatQR code to pay directly to a merchant. Currently, BharatQR is integrated into ICICI Bank’s Pockets app and HDFC Bank’s PayZapp.

2. CBI files an FIR against its former Director AP Singh: Following a complaint by the Enforcement Directorate, the CBI on Monday filed a case against its ex-Director AP Singh, meat exporter Moin Qureshi and two others in a money laundering case. The CBI also conducted raids on Singh's residence in connection with the case. Last year, a Look Out Circular was issued against Qureshi to ensure his presence during investigation.

3. Raj Bhawan in Goa becomes cashless:The Raj Bhavan in Goa has turned cashless with all their transactions including household expenses and tour expenditures shifting from regular to plastic money, starting Monday. Governor Mridula Sinha made the first transaction to mark the occasion. The Goa government had announced that the coastal state will increasingly opt for cashless transactions.

4. 1% tax on cash purchase of jewellery for more than ₹2 lakh: Cash purchases of jewellery will attract 1% tax collected at source (TCS) from April 1 if the amount exceeds ₹2 lakh, as against the current threshold of ₹5 lakh. Once the Finance Bill 2017 is passed, jewellery will be treated on par with general goods. This comes amid the government's decision banning cash transactions above ₹3 lakh from April 1.

5. Malana to impose ₹1 lakh fine for drug peddling: Malana, a village in Himachal Pradesh's Kullu district known for its cannabis production, has decided to impose a penalty of ₹1 lakh for people indulging in narcotic trade. The Panchayat resolution, which also bans smoking, will come into effect from February 25, Malana's Panchayat pradhan Baghi Ram said. The village had earlier also banned locals from employing Nepalese labour.

6. Barren Island: India’s only live volcano active again: According to scientists from Goa based National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), India’s only live volcano at Barren Island in the Andaman and Nicobar has become active again. After lying dormant for 150 years, Barren Island volcano had erupted in 1991 and since then it is showing sporadic activity. Now it is erupting in small episodes of five to 10 minutes.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES

1. Scientists claim discovery of Zealandia a submerged continent in Pacific Ocean: Geologists have claimed discovery of new geological continent named Zealandia submerged beneath the south-west Pacific Ocean. Zealandia is around 4.5-million square km land mass and is 94% under water. Only its highest points — New Zealand and New Caledonia are visible.

2. February 20: World Day of Social Justice: The World Day of Social Justice is observed every year on February 20 to recognize the need to promote efforts to tackle issues such as poverty, exclusion and unemployment. To mark this occasion, UN and International Labour Office had organised several organisations to spread importance of social justice for people.

2017 Theme: “Preventing conflict and sustaining peace through decent work”

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. Kohli 1st Indian athlete to sign a ₹100 cr deal with a brand: Virat Kohli has become the first Indian athlete to sign a deal worth over ₹100 crore with a brand, after signing up with Puma. With the reportedly eight-year-long deal, Kohli will join Usain Bolt, Asafa Powell and Thierry Henry as Puma's global ambassador. Puma will launch a signature line of sports lifestyle products with a special logo and brand identity.

2. Tymal Mills most expensive bowler in IPL history at ₹12 cr: England's Tymal Mills became the most expensive bowler in IPL history after the Royal Challengers Bangalore bought the 24-year-old for ₹12 crore during this year's auction on Monday. Mills, whose base price was ₹50 lakh, is also the fourth-most expensive player in the tournament's history behind Yuvraj Singh (₹16 crore), Ben Stokes (₹14.5 crore) and MS Dhoni (₹12.5 crore).

3. 'Rural Olympics' concludes in Ludhiana: Kila Raipur Sports Festival, which is popularly known as the 'Rural Olympics', came to a close in Ludhiana with participants performing daredevil stunts. The three-day festival included events like wrestling, athletics, dog racing and extreme stunts. Stunts, like lifting stacks of bricks and pulling cars with the beard or teeth, were also performed at the event.

BANKING/FINANCE:

4. Savings account weekly withdrawal limit increased to ₹50,000:Beginning from Monday, the maximum cash withdrawal limit from savings account has been increased to ₹50,000 a week from ₹24,000. The relaxation is followed by an RBI notification issued on January 30, announcing the changes in the weekly withdrawal limits effective from February 20. The limits on cash withdrawals from savings bank account will be withdrawn completely from March 13.

Daily GK Updates - 19th February, 2017

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Indian Navy inducts first all-women global circumnavigation vessel 'Tarini': The Indian Navy's second sailboat 'Tarini' was inducted into service at a ceremony in Goa. The vessel is slated to be the platform for the first Indian all-women global circumnavigation by the Indian Navy to begin in August.

The Indian Navy is operating four sailing vessels capable of open ocean deployments - Tarangini, Sudarshini, Mhadei and Tarini, all four of which have been built in shipyards at Goa.

2. Indian Coast Guard Ship ICGS AYUSH commissioned February: Indian Coast Guard Ship ICGS AYUSH was commissioned at Kochi, Kerala by Vice Admiral AR Karwe, Flag Officer Commanding-in- Chief, Southern Naval Command.

ICGS AYUSH is the 20th and the last in the series of 20 Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs) built by Cochin Shipyard Ltd.

3. Jharkhand signs MoU with Microsoft in ‘Momentum Jharkhand’:Jharkhand government and Microsoft India has inked an MoU for the state government to explore cloud, machine learning and mobile based solutions to improve citizen services and provide better facilities in the fields of education and agriculture.

The MoU was signed at the ‘Momentum Jharkhand: Global Investors’ Summit & Trade Exhibition’.

4. GSLV's Cryogenic upper stage tested successfully: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully ground tested India’s largest indigenously developed Cryogenic Upper Stage engine for GSLV Mark III.

It said the cryogenic stage, designated as C25, was tested for a flight duration of 640 seconds.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. Haryana's Sandeep Kumar breaks his own national record in 50km race walk: Sandeep Kumar of Haryana won the gruelling men's 50-kilometre event of the National Race Walking Championships held in New Delhi. Sandeep smashed his own national record in a brilliant performance to win the race and qualify for the London World Championships in August.

2. India win silver at Asian Women's Rugby Sevens Trophy: The Indian Women's team won a silver after getting defeated by South Kores, at the Asian Rugby Sevens Trophy tournament at Vientiane, Laos.

Daily GK Updates - 18th February, 2017

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. NRAI gets highest WHO ratings for vaccine regulations: India’s vaccine regulatory body NRAI (National Regulatory Authority of India) was given the maximum ratings by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for vaccine regulations. The ratings were given by WHO after completing the assessment of the status of the NRAI system against WHO NRA Global Benchmarking Tool and measured the maturity of the system in India.

2. Tamil Nadu CM Palanisamy wins trust vote in Assembly: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palanisamy on Saturday won the trust vote in the state Assembly. He proved the majority of his government in the House after 122 AIADMK MLAs voted in favour of him. Palanisamy, a four-time MLA from Salem, was handpicked by AIADMK chief VK Sasikala after her conviction in the disproportionate assets case.

3. No concept of National Song in the Constitution: SC: Refusing to direct the Centre to promote Vande Mataram, the Supreme Court on Friday observed that there was no concept of a National Song in the Constitution. Referring to Article 51A of the Constitution, the court said it did not refer to National Song, but only to the promotion and propagation of the National Anthem and the National Flag.

4. IIM Bill 2017 drops Rajiv Gandhi’s name from IIM Shillong: The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Bill 2017, recently introduced in the Lok Sabha, has dropped the name of former PM Rajiv Gandhi from IIM Shillong's name. This is the first instance of the former PM's name being dropped from a leading education institution. The Bill aims to vestige greater autonomy and power to these institutions in granting degrees.

5. AAI plans ₹500 crore revamp of Goa Airport: The Airports Authority of India on Saturday announced its plans to upgrade facilities for flight operations and passengers over the next three years at the Goa International Airport, at an estimated cost of ₹500 crore. A parallel taxiway, three aerobridges, escalators and toilets are among the planned infrastructure developments, AAI chairperson Guruprasad Mohapatra said.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. London to levy a daily fine of ₹800 on polluting cars: London Mayor Sadiq Khan has said that the city will start levying a daily 'toxicity charge' of about ₹800 on 'polluting' vehicles, typically registered before 2006. He described the fine as "the toughest emission standard of any world city." This will be in addition to London's Congestion Charge, which applies from Monday to Friday between 7:00 AM and 6:00 PM.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. Team India sponsorship to fetch BCCI over ₹538 crore:Team India's sponsorship from 2017 to 2022 is expected to fetch BCCI over ₹538 crore. BCCI has set a base price of ₹2.2 crore per match for the 238 bilateral games in that period, while each of the 21 ICC matches are priced at ₹70 lakh. The tender process has started for rights' distribution, and will end on March 7.

2. Athlete's human rights complaint rejected for being 'late': National Human Rights Commission has rejected athlete Santhi Soundarajan's human rights violation complaint against the Athletics Federation of India and Indian Olympic Association, for being late. She underwent a 'gender test' in 2006 and was stripped of her silver Asian Games medal because of hyperandrogenism. The commission said the complaint needed to be filed within a year of the violation.

3. Japan to recycle outdated phones into 2020 Olympics medals:Japanese citizens have started donating old mobile phones, which will be used to make medals for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The organisers are looking to retrieve eight tonnes of metal from outdated phones, which will be used to produce 5,000 medals. The project is part of a cost-cutting effort, with the budget being slashed from $26.5 billion to $16.8 billion.

Daily GK Updates - 17th February, 2017

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Tamil Nadu witnesses trust vote for 1st time in 30 years: Tamil Nadu on Saturday witnessed a trust vote for the first time in 30 years as the last time it happened was when the former state CM MG Ramachandran's party split after his death. While state CM Edappadi Palanisamy has claimed the support of 124 MLAs and asserted his government will stay, O Panneerselvam has the backing of 11 MLAs

2. Govt makes Aadhaar must for availing university scholarships: The Centre has made Aadhaar card mandatory for availing scholarships under the Central Sector Scholarship Scheme for College and University students.

3. India’s only active volcano erupted in January: Scientists: India's only active volcano, the Barren Island volcano, erupted for about four hours in January this year, say scientists attached to the National Institute of Oceanography. An NIO research team, which was in the vicinity of the volcano on January 23, said the volcano emitted red lava fountains. The Barren Island is located 140 km northeast of Port Blair.

4. India ranks 143rd in 2017 Economic Freedom Index: India was ranked 143rd out of 186 economies in the annual Index of Economic Freedom 2017 that measures the degree of economic freedom in the countries of the world. The index was released by top US based Think Tank, The Heritage Foundation. In this edition, India’s overall score was 52.6 points, 3.6 points less than scored in 2016 when it was ranked 123rd.

5. SC introduces Middle Income Group Scheme: The Supreme Court has introduced Middle Income Group Scheme, (MIGS) a self-supporting scheme for providing legal services to the middle and relatively lower income groups. Under this scheme, middle class people who cannot afford the expensive litigation in the apex can avail the services of the society for a nominal amount.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. US cities hold 'A Day Without Immigrants' protests: Businesses across the US closed after thousands of immigrants stayed home as a part of 'A Day Without Immigrants' protests against President Donald Trump's immigration ban on Thursday. "If you want America to be 'great'...you need workers. And most of the people...are immigrants," a protestor said. Immigrants reportedly refused to spend money to show their impact on the US economy.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. A Test match was once played on four different pitches: A one-off Test between Australia and England, that started on February 17, 1883, was played on four different pitches in Sydney. As the best-of-three series had already been won by England, it was decided to play an extra match on the tour and the captains agreed to play each of the four innings of the match on a fresh wicket.

2. Sindhu breaks into top five rankings for the first time: PV Sindhu has broken into the top five of the Badminton World Federation rankings for the first time, placing a career-best fifth in the latest rankings released on Wednesday. Sindhu last won the Syed Modi International Grand Prix besides the China Open last year, post her silver finish at Rio Olympics. Meanwhile, Saina Nehwal ranks ninth in the latest standings.

3. Sri Lanka beat Australia in last-ball thriller in first T20I:Sri Lanka defeated hosts Australia by 5 wickets in the first T20I of the three-match series on Friday, claiming their fourth win in as many T20I matches on Australian soil. Batting first, Australia posted 168/6 driven by captain Aaron Finch's 34-ball 43. Asela Gunaratne's maiden T20I fifty and Chamara Kapugedara's last-ball four helped SL chase down the targe

4. Klinger becomes oldest Aussie T20I debutant at 36:Batsman Michael Klinger on Friday became Australia's oldest T20I debutant at the age of 36 years and 228 days, passing spinner Brad Hogg's record of 35 years and 18 days. Klinger, who is representing Australia for the first time across formats against Sri Lanka, has played domestic cricket for over 19 years and has scored 22,163 runs, including 51 centuries

5. 12 years since the first ever T20 international was played: The first ever T20 international was played between Australia and New Zealand in Auckland on February 17, 2005. Ricky Ponting's 55-ball 98* helped Australia set up a target of 214 runs. New Zealand failed to chase the target and fell 44 runs short. Pacer Glenn McGrath pretended to bowl the final ball underarm, referencing Trevor Chappell's underarm incident from 1981.

BANKING/FINANCE:

6. RBI allows multilateral FIs to invest in masala bonds: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has permitted multilateral and regional financial institutions (FIs) to invest in ‘masala bonds’, rupee denominated bonds issued by Indian entities. This decision will allow multilateral agencies like Asian Development Bank (ADB) and BRICS led New Development Bank (NDB) to invest in these bonds. It also provides more choices of investors to Indian entities issuing rupee-denominated bonds abroad.

7. HDFC Bank beats Reliance to become 2nd most valued company:Financial services major HDFC Bank beat Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries on Friday to become the country's second-most valued firm, behind only Tata Consultancy Services. The bank reached a market capitalisation of ₹3.54 lakh crore, against Reliance's ₹3.49 lakh crore. This came after shares of HDFC Bank surged as much as 9% on Friday to hit a 52-week high.

AWARDS:

8. Hindi Scholar and writer Surendra Verma selected for 2016 Vyas Samman award: Renowned Hindi Scholar, litterateur and playwright Surendra Verma (75) was selected for the prestigious Vyas Samman 2016. He was chosen for this award for his novel Kaatna Shami Ka Vriksha : Padma Pankhuri Ki Dhar Se, published in 2010.

Daily GK Updates - 16th February, 2017

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Palanisamy takes oath as TN CM along with 30 ministers: AIADMK chief Sasikala Natarajan's choice, Edappadi K Palanisamy, was on Thursday sworn in as the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister by Governor C Vidyasagar Rao, along with 30 ministers of the state cabinet. He has been given 15 days to prove his majority in the Assembly.

2. BJP releases MGM mascot inspired cartoon for BMC polls: The Bharatiya Janata Party has released its own 'Khau Sena' cartoon, inspired by Hollywood studio Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's mascot, for the upcoming Mumbai civic polls. Replacing the leo with a tiger, the cartoon series launched unofficially by BJP workers features senior and junior tigers symbolising Uddhav and Aditya Thackeray and takes a dig at Shiv Sena's mismanagement and corruption in BMC.

3. MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup appointed envoy to Canada: Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Vikas Swarup has been appointed as the High Commissioner of India to Canada. He had also penned a novel, 'Q & A', which served as the inspiration for Oscar-winning film Slumdog Millionaire.

4. Govt revives 30-yr plan to build India’s 1st passenger plane: India is reviving a three-decade-old plan to build its first passenger aircraft, a 14-seat plane called Saras, which is undergoing preliminary tests, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Director Jitendra Jadhav said. India’s air force has committed to purchase 15 of these planes. Notably, the plane's development suffered a setback in 2009 when a test flight ended in a crash.

5. Delhi Police celebrates its 70th Raising Day: Delhi Police on Thursday celebrated its 70th Raising Day with a ceremonial march at Kingsway Camp in New Delhi. February 16 is celebrated as the Raising Day to commemorate the day DW Mehra was appointed as Delhi's first Inspector General in 1948.

6. 5 judges appointed to Supreme Court, total strength now 28: Five new judges were appointed to the Supreme Court on Wednesday, taking its working strength to 28. The new judges elevated to the apex court include four chief justices of state high courts and a sitting Karnataka High Court judge. Notably, the Supreme Court has a total sanctioned strength of 31 judges.

7. Union Cabinet approves establishment of Food Legumes Research Platform at Amlaha: The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved establishment of Food Legumes Research Platform (FLRP) at Amlaha in Sehore, Madhya Pradesh with Satellite Hubs in West Bengal and Rajasthan. Cabinet approval confers FLRP an international status as contemplated in Clause 3 of the United Nations (Privileges and Immunities) Act, 1947. It authorizes the Department of Agricultural Research (DARE) on behalf of Union Government in all matters regarding establishment of the Platform.

8. Government launches TAMRA Portal and Mobile App: The Ministry of Mines has launched Transparency, Auction Monitoring and Resource Augmentation (TAMRA) Portal and Mobile Application to ensure transparent award of statutory Clearances for mining operations The TAMRA platform was simultaneously launched across 12 mineral rich states as a part of the Ease of Doing Business in the Mining sector and to double mining contribution to GDP.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. UAE announces plan to build first city on Mars by 2117: Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid on Tuesday announced the 'Mars 2117' plan to build the first city on Mars in 100 years. "We aspire to great things, so...I today decided the UAE will...send humans to Mars," Rashid said. The city, reportedly the size of Chicago, will have a population of 6 lakh.

2. French Prez Hollande demands cybersecurity for elections: French President Francois Hollande has demanded a briefing on monitoring and protection measures to be taken against cyber-attacks during the Presidential elections scheduled for April. "The defence council studied the level of threat," the President's office said in a statement. This comes after an independent candidate complained about repeated cyber-attacks and blamed Russian interference.

3. India, Nepal to build new cross-border power lines: India and Nepal have agreed to build new cross-border power transmission lines during their fourth bilateral meeting on power cooperation, reports said. The transmission lines will reportedly help in distribution of electricity from upcoming power projects in Nepal. India also expressed readiness to train Nepalese engineers and consider new letters of credit for building infrastructure in Nepal.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. Sunil Chhetri breaks Bhaichung Bhutia's goalscoring record: Striker Sunil Chhetri has broken former Indian football team captain Bhaichung Bhutia's record of most goals scored in Indian league football. The 32-year-old surpassed Bhutia's record of 89 goals during Bengaluru FC's I-League match against Aizawl FC on Wednesday. In the past, Chhetri has also broken Bhutia's record of most goals for India and most caps for the national team.

BANKING/FINANCE:

2. Cabinet approves merger of SBI with 5 subsidiary banks: Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Wednesday announced that the Cabinet has approved the merger of State Bank of India with its five subsidiary banks. The associate banks include State Bank of Mysore, State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur, State Bank of Patiala, State Bank of Travancore, and State Bank of Hyderabad. The proposal was cleared by SBI last year.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY:

3. Scientists ‘unmask’ superbug-shielding protein: Scientists from University of Western Australia have successfully mapped three-dimensional molecular structure of EptA protein that shields superbugs from antibiotics. The EptA protein causes multi-drug resistance by masking bacteria from both the human immune system and important antibiotics.