Dear Friends,
Welcome to the Quick Gyan (QG) Section of D2G. QG is just a glimpse of what happened today all over the world.
Only For Serious Candidates : We strongly recommend you to read the Current Affairs in detail. For your convenience, we have provided quick links under the updates. Make use of it.
Always Keep Yourself Updated!!!
AWARDS & HONOURS
Miguel Tabuena won Hilton Asian Tour Golfer of the Month
The Philippines’ Miguel Tabuena has been voted as the Hilton Asian Tour Golfer of Month for December, following his exceptional performances on home soil last month. The talented 21-year-old, who has been knocking on the winner’s doors on several occasions on the Asian Tour, finally got his deserving win at the Philippine Open. In doing so, Tabuena also became the first Filipino to win his National Open since 2008.
Quick Link – Miguel Tabuena
INDIAN AFFAIRS
DRDO developed powerful ammo for Arjun Tank
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed a new ammunition for India’s main battle tank Arjun. The new ammunition is more destructive than the previous one and was successfully test fired at Chandipur in Odisha. The new Penetration-Cum Blast (PCB) and Thermobaric (TB) Ammunition is specially designed for Arjun. The research was carried out by DRDO’s two labs located in Pashan — Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) and High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL).
An innovative chemical composition has been developed by HEMRL after extensive research for the TB ammunition.
Quick Link – Arjun Tank
President promulgated Enemy Property (Amendment and Validation) Ordinance, 2016
An ordinance to amend the 47-year-old Enemy Property Act has been approved by President Pranab Mukherjee to allow custodians to continue to hold sway over such properties. The ordinance amends the provisions of the Act declaring that all “enemy property” vested in the ‘custodian’ would continue to vest in the custodian irrespective of the death or extinction of the enemy.
The custodian of enemy property in the country is an Indian government department that is empowered to appropriate property in India owned by Pakistani nationals. After the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, the Enemy Property Act was promulgated in 1968. The Enemy Property (Amendment and Validation) Ordinance, 2016, which amends Enemy Property Act,1968 and the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971, has been promulgated by the President.
Quick Link – Enemy Property Act
This Republic Day, French troops to be part of parade
On January 26th this year, India’s 67th Republic Day, the country will witness something unique — a foreign contingent marching with Indian troops in the Republic Day parade. French President Francois Hollande is this year’s chief guest. While the Indian and French heads of state oversee the celebrations, Indian and French troops will together march down Rajpath.
A 56-member French contingent of the 35th Infantry Regiment, 7th Armoured Brigade is already in Rajasthan to take part in a joint exercise. Known as “Shakti 2016”, it will focus on counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency. The 35th Infantry Regiment has a number of battle honours to its credit and is over 400 hundred years old — it was raised in 1604 in Lorraine, France.
Quick Link – Republic Day Parade
Governor’s rule imposed in Jammu and Kashmir
Jammu and Kashmir has been placed under Governor’s rule with the process of new government formation following the death of chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed taking some time. The President cleared the recommendation of the Union home ministry for imposing Governor’s rule on the basis of a recommendation from Jammu and Kashmir governor N.N. Vohra.
The state had to be put under Governor’s rule in view of the reluctance of Mufti’s daughter Mehbooba to take oath during the mourning period though her party has already conveyed to the governor that 28 MLAs of the People Democratic Party legislature party backed her for the chief minister’s post. 79-year-old Sayeed died after a brief illness and since then there is a Constitutional vacuum.
Quick Link – Governor’s Rule
24th edition of New Delhi World Book Fair begins
Human Resource Minister Smriti Irani inaugurated the 24th edition of the New Delhi World Book Fair which commenced in the Capital with China as the guest of honour country and a theme presentation of the cultural heritage of India. The nine-day fair, touted as the largest in Asia, is hosting about 30 countries in which a series of programmes including panel discussions, dramas, classical and folk dances, workshops, discussions, authors’ meets, conferences, seminars and cultural programmes will be held.
Quick Link – World Book Fair
Anil Ambani announces Rs 5000 crore naval investment
Reliance Defence Ltd has signed an accord with the Andhra Pradesh government to set up a naval facility along the country’s eastern coast with an initial investment of Rs 5,000 crore ($748 million). Reliance Defence, a unit of billionaire Anil Ambani’s Reliance Infrastructure Ltd, plans to build submarines and aircraft carriers as well as to provide services including maintenance and refitting of ships at the facility. It will be located 70 km south of Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh.
Quick Link – Naval Investment
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
Burkina Faso’s president named Paul Kaba Thieba as Prime Minister
Burkina Faso’s president named economist Paul Kaba Thieba as prime minister. Thieba, who has little political experience, is charged with forming President Roch Marc Kabore’s government as the country continues with a democratic transition after 27 years under leader Blaise Compaore, who was overthrown in October 2014. Thieba, 56, worked for many years as an economist for the West African central bank, BCEAO, in Ivory Coast.
Quick Link – Burkina Faso
South Korea denounces DPRK’s fourth nuclear test
South Korea’s parliament has passed a resolution, denouncing the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK)’s fourth nuclear test, urging the DPRK to dismantle its nuclear program. The resolution was passed unanimously through the National Assembly two days after Pyongyang announced its first successful test of a “hydrogen bomb”.
The South Korean lawmakers urged Pyongyang to scrap all plans relevant to nuclear development, saying that its reckless acts would further isolate itself from the international society and increase pressures and ostracism. The resolution denounced the DPRK’s nuclear test as a serious provocative act threatening the lives and safety of South Koreans and the peace in Northeast Asia and the world.
Quick Link – Nuclear Test by North Korea
Sri Lanka government proposes new constitution
Sri Lanka’s new government has presented its plan for a new constitution aimed at devolving power and preventing the sort of ethnic tensions that led to a long and bitter civil war that ended in 2009. The move comes as reformist President Maithripala Sirisena’s administration takes some steps to promote post-conflict reconciliation and address alleged war crimes committed during the 26-year conflict between government troops and Tamil Tiger rebels.
Quick Link – Sri Lanka’s New Constitution
Nepal elected as UNICEF’s executive board member
Nepal has been elected a member of the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) executive board, representing the Group of Asia-Pacific States for 2016-18. Nepal’s Permanent Representative of to the UN, Durga Prasad Bhattarai, was also unanimously elected vice-president to the Bureau of the Executive Board of the UNICEF for 2016, representing the Asia-Pacific region. With this election, Nepal is availed yet another global stage to contribute to the work of the UN.
Quick Link – UNICEF Executive Board Member
FOREIGN RELATIONS
Indo-Japan Coast Guard joint exercise Sahyog Kaijin to be held on Jan 15
A joint naval exercise between Indian and Japanese Coast Guards will be held on January 15 to strengthen relationship and refine the joint operating procedures between the coast guards of the two nations. The exercise named Sahyog Kaijin-XV is scheduled to be held in the Bay of Bengal off Chennai on 15 January. Japan Coast Guard ship ‘Echigo’ will be visiting Chennai between January 11-16 and a highlight of the exercise includes a “scenario of hijacking of a merchant vessel and subsequent rescue in a combined coast guard operation of both countries”.
Quick Link – Joint Naval Exercise
MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS
Quikr acquired online real estate portal Commonfloor.com
Online classifieds firm Quikr India Pvt. Ltd, one of India’s most valuable start-ups, bought real estate portal CommonFloor in a distress sale orchestrated by Tiger Global Management Llc, the influential US-based hedge fund that is an investor in both.
Quikr, valued at an estimated $1 billion, and CommonFloor (maxHeap Technologies Pvt. Ltd) didn’t disclose the terms of the transaction, but two people familiar with the matter said Quickr paid $120 million in an all-stock deal. The people spoke on condition of anonymity.
Quick Link – Quickr
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Scientists develop viruses to protect Muga silkworm
Scientists at the University of Leicester have developed viruses that could halt the decline of ‘Muga’ caterpillar in India which produces one of the finest silks in the world. Muga caterpillars, which produce a highly valuable silk, are dying from bacterial infections, in Assam. Researchers claim that they have developed viruses that could protect the silkworms from disease and as a result could save the Muga silk industry. Muga silk is produced only in the North East India as the silkworms form their cocoons. The caterpillars have been in decline over the last few years because they are eating infected leaves.
Quick Link – Muga Silkworm
OBITUARY
Phantasm star Angus Scrimm dies at 89
Angus Scrimm, the veteran character actor best known for playing the terrifying “Tall Man” in the Phantasm horror franchise, has died at the age of 89. His other credits included the 2008 film “I Sell the Dead”, the TV show “Alias”. Scrimm was born Lawrence Rory Guy in Kansas City, Kansas, and studied theater at USC in Los Angeles.
Quick Link – Angus Scrimm
SPORTS
Novak Djokovic beats Rafael Nadal to win Qatar Open title
World number one Novak Djokovic claimed his first title of the year with an impressive 6-1 6-2 win over Rafael Nadal in the Qatar Open. The Serb continued his recent dominance of the 14-time Grand Slam title winner with a ninth victory in 10 meetings – the last five in straight sets. The 28-year-old broke twice in both sets as Nadal, 29, had no answer to the pace and power of his groundstrokes. Djokovic is preparing to defend his Australian Open title from 18 January.
Quick Link – Qatar Open
Milos Raonic stuns Federer in Brisbane final
Big-serving Canadian Milos Raonic stunned an out-of-sorts Roger Federer to win the Brisbane International 6-4, 6-4. Raonic, 25, broke the 17-time Grand Slam champion once in each set to win the final, only his second win over Federer in 11 meetings. Federer, who had been improving every round after starting the tournament with a slight illness, was no match for Raonic, who served powerfully and came to the net at every opportunity.
Quick Link – Brisbane Title
Stan Wawrinka defends Chennai Open title with ease
Star Swiss player, Stansilas Wawrinka won his fourth title at the Chennai Open, after comprehensively thumping Croatian Borna Coric 6-3, 7-5 in straight sets. Wawrinka defeated Coric, and extended his winning run at Chennai to 12 matches, and 24 sets. As many as 15 aces and the trademark Wawrinka backhand brushed aside any resistance from the 19-year old Coric.
Quick Link – Chennai Open
Thank You 🙂 🙂 🙂
