Thursday 11 March 2021
GK Update of 5th March 2021 protecting the next information headlines: Chabahar Day, International Year of Millets, International Boxing Association, Ease of Living Index 2020.
National News
1. UNGA adopts India-led decision declaring 2023 as Int’l Year of Millets
- The UN General Assembly adopted by consensus a decision sponsored by India and supported by over 70 nations declaring 2023 because the International Year of Millets. The International Year of Millets is geared toward elevating consciousness concerning the well being advantages of the grain and its suitability for cultivation beneath altering weather conditions.
- India’s Permanent Mission to the UN additionally distributed savoury millet snack murukku to all UN Member States.
- The 193-member General Assembly unanimously adopted the decision, declaring 2023 because the International Year of Millets.
- The decision titled International Year of Millets 2023′ was initiated by India with Bangladesh, Kenya, Nepal, Nigeria, Russia and Senegal and was co-sponsored by over 70 nations.
- The decision considers the pressing want to lift consciousness of the climate-resilient and dietary advantages of millets and to advocate for diversified, balanced and wholesome diets via the elevated sustainable manufacturing and consumption of millets.
Important takeaways for all aggressive exams:
- UN General Assembly President: Volkan Bozkır.
- UN General Assembly Headquarters: New York, United States.
- UN General Assembly Founded: 1945, New York, United States.
International News
2. Australia constructing world’s first platypus sanctuary
- Australian conservationists have unveiled plans to construct the world’s first refuge for the platypus, to advertise breeding and rehabilitation because the duck-billed mammal faces extinction on account of local weather change.
- The Taronga Conservation Society Australia and the New South Wales State authorities mentioned they’d construct the specialist facility, largely ponds and burrows for the semi-aquatic creatures, at a zoo 391 km from Sydney, by 2022.
Important takeaways for all aggressive exams:
- Australia Capital: Canberra.
- Australia Currency: Australian greenback.
- Australia PM: Scott Morrison.
Appointments News
3. Mary Kom appointed chairperson of AIBA’s champions and veterans committee
- Six-time world champion boxer Mary Kom has been appointed because the Chairperson of the International Boxing Association’s (AIBA) Champions and Veterans Committee. The 37-year-old was voted to the publish by AIBA’s board of administrators on March 03, 2021.
- The Committee was fashioned in December 2020. It consists of essentially the most revered worldwide boxing veterans and champions who’ve achieved vital outcomes and who’re able to share their expertise.
Important takeaways for all aggressive exams:
- AIBA Headquarters: Lausanne, Switzerland.
- AIBA President: Umar Kremlyov.
- AIBA Founded: 1946.
Agreements News
4. India inks pact with the Philippines on the market of ‘defence tools
- India has signed a key pact with the Philippines referred to as “implementing arrangement” for “procurement of defence material and equipment”, as per which the nation will purchase the BrahMos cruise missiles from India.
- Philippine Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, who was additionally current on the pact’s signing ceremony in Manila.
- The BrahMos missile is produced by an India-Russian three way partnership “BrahMos Aerospace” and it may be launched from submarines, ships, plane or from land platforms.
- It is the quickest supersonic cruise missile on the earth.
- Currently, the missile is used solely by India, nevertheless, a number of international locations together with the Philippines, Vietnam, South Africa, Egypt, Oman, Chile and Brunei have expressed curiosity within the procurement of the missile.
Important takeaways for all aggressive exams:
- Philippines President: Rodrigo Duterte.
- Philippines Capital: Manila.
- Philippines Currency: Philippine peso.
Ranks and Reports News
5. Ease of Living Index 2020 launched
- Bengaluru emerged as the highest metropolis on the federal government’s Ease of Living Index 2020 that was launched by Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri. Pune was second and Ahmedabad was ranked third amongst 111 cities.
- A complete of 111 cities beneath the Smart Cities Program, participated within the evaluation train that was performed in 2020.
Million+ class
- Bengaluru emerged as the highest performer on this class.
- This was adopted by Pune, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Surat, Navi Mumbai, Coimbatore, Vadodara, Indore, and Greater Mumbai respectively.
Less than Million class
- In this group, Shimla was ranked the very best in ease of dwelling.
- This was adopted by Bhubaneshwar, Silvassa, Kakinada, Salem, Vellore, Gandhinagar, Gurugram, Davangere, and Tiruchirappalli.
6. eleventh QS World University Rankings 2021 launched
- The eleventh version of the QS World University Rankings was launched on March 04, 2021. The QS World University Rankings 2021 ranks the highest 1,000 universities from all over the world, protecting 80 totally different areas. There are 47 new entrants on the listing.
- The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the United States has retained its high place as the very best college for the ninth 12 months in a row.
- Stanford University, the United States and the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom are the second and third greatest University globally in QS World University Rankings 2021.
- The Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay has emerged as the very best establishment. It is positioned at 172 positions. No institute in India is within the high 100.
7. Indore and NDMC tops Municipal Performance Index (MPI) 2020
- The Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs has launched the ultimate rankings of the Municipal Performance Index (MPI) 2020. The rating has categorized municipalities into two classes based mostly on their inhabitants that are: million-plus class and the lower than million classes.
- The Municipal Performance Index will assist Municipalities in higher planning and administration, filling the gaps in metropolis administration, and enhancing the liveability of cities for its residents.
Million plus inhabitants class
- Indore has topped this listing, adopted by Surat and Bhopal.
Less than one million class
- New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) emerged because the chief, adopted by Tirupati and Gandhinagar.
Important takeaways for all aggressive exams:
- Minister of State (IC) of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs: Hardeep Singh Puri.
Science and Technology News
8. SpaceX efficiently exams Starship SN10 prototype rocket
- Elon Musk owned non-public rocket firm, SpaceX efficiently examined its Starship prototype rocket “SN10 “ after two latest failed makes an attempt. SpaceX launched the rocket prototype, to an altitude of 10,000 kilometres after which landed again on the bottom. However, the rocket exploded about six minutes after touchdown.
- The SN10 is an early prototype of the Starship Mars rocket of SpaceX which goals to get folks and payloads to the moon, Mars and different distant locations.
- This rocket can also be part of the corporate’s technique to section out its different flight {hardware} together with, the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets and Dragon cargo and crew capsules, and let Starship shoulder all the load.
Important takeaways for all aggressive exams:
- SpaceX founder & CEO: Elon Musk.
- SpaceX president & COO: Gwynne Shotwell.
- SpaceX Founded: 2002.
- SpaceX Headquarters: California, United States of America.
Awards News
9. WAN-IFRA names The Hindu Group ‘Champion Publisher of the Year 2020’
- The Hindu Group received two golds and two silvers at South Asian Digital Media Awards given by WAN IFRA (World Association of News Publishers), culminating in being named ‘Champion Publisher of the Year’, owing to the very best tally on the factors desk.
- The awards are introduced in recognition of excellent work executed by information publishers, in digital media. The winners had been honoured just about on the Digital Media India 2021 Conference held on March 3, 2021.
Sports News
10. Kieron Pollard turns into third Man to Hit 6 Sixes in an over
- Kieron Pollard hit six sixes in an over to information West Indies to a complete four-wicket win in opposition to Sri Lanka within the first sport of their three-match T20 sequence.
- Pollard joins former India batsman Yuvraj Singh as the one different participant to hit six sixes in an over in T20 cricket, and simply the third man to hit six sixes in a global match, emulating Herschelle Gibbs (South Africa) and Yuvraj Singh (India).
- Pollard achieved the feat when he hit Sri Lanka’s Akila Dananjaya out of the park 6 occasions within the sixth over of West Indies’ profitable chase within the first T20I on the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua.
- Sri Lanka leg-spinner Akila Dananjaya (3-62) was the unlucky bowler, pummelled in all instructions by Pollard, and this coming after he had taken a hat-trick in his earlier over.
11. J&K tops medals tally at Khelo India Winter National Games
- Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir topped the medals tally within the second version of the Khelo India Winter National Games. J&K received 11 gold, 18 silver and 5 bronze medals.
- The five-day mega sports activities occasion which started on the twenty sixth of February concluded within the well-known ski resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district. The occasion was e-inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- The second version of the Khelo India winter video games is a serious step in direction of making Jammu and Kashmir a hub of the winter video games.
- In the occasion, greater than 1,000 athletes from 27 states and union territories took half.
- The occasion was organised by the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in collaboration with the J&K Sports Council and the Winter Games Association of Jammu and Kashmir.
Important takeaways for all aggressive exams:
- Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir: Manoj Sinha.
Miscellaneous News
12. India to commemorate ‘Chabahar Day’ on 4 March
- The Ministry of External Affairs India will commemorate ‘Chabahar Day’ on March 4 on the sidelines of the Maritime India Summit 2021 being held in New Delhi.
- The digital occasion will see the participation of ministers from Afghanistan, Armenia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia and Uzbekistan.
- The Summit is being held from March 2-4, 2021. The ministerial-level opening session can be adopted by two webinar periods specifically the ‘Boosting Business through Trade Promotion and Regional Connectivity’ and ‘Development of Port Infrastructure: Unleashing Opportunities’.
Important takeaways for all aggressive exams:
- Minister of External Affairs: Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.