09 Jan,2014 Gk Update

09JAN 2013 GK UPDATE


International Affairs

1. US President Barack Obama today invited German Chancellor Angela Merkel to Washington in an

effort to mend fences after a diplomatic crisis provoked by revelations of US eavesdropping on her mobile phone.

2. President Barack Obama is expected to restrict National Security Agency access to Americans’ 

phone records and rein in spying on foreign leaders, according to people familiar with a White House

review of the government’s surveillance programs.

3. Russia has blocked a UN Security Council statement condemning the Syrian government's use of 

air strikes against civilians in the city of Aleppo.

4. The United Nation’s human rights agency called for an “immediate, impartial and effective 

investigation” into the violence that has swept through a penitentiary in northeastern Brazil where 

at least 60 inmates were killed in 2013 in clashes between rival gangs.

5. Islamist militants in Somalia have issued a directive banning companies from providing internet 

   services.

6. China took its propaganda war with Japan to the United Nations, questioning Japanese Prime 

Minister Shinzo Abe’s motives for visiting a controversial war shrine and calling on him to correct 

his “erroneous outlook” on history.

7. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is heading to Africa, keeping up a busy overseas travel 

schedule designed to boost Japan's global profile in the face of China's rise.

8. As Corporate America increasingly looks overseas to expand its business and remove hurdles in 

foreign countries, the US Chamber of Commerce has called for better intellectual property protection 

in India.

9. Bangladesh's newly elected lawmakers were sworn-in Thursday, four days after Prime Minister 

Sheikh Hasina's Awami League bagged a three-fourth majority in the contentious polls, marred by 

violence and opposition boycott.

10. Cuban leader FidelCastro makes first public appearance in nine months, coincides with 55th 

anniversary of his entry to Havana.

11. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has conveyed to Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel 

Wangchuck India's "full commitment" and support to the country's socio-economic welfare

particularly for development of its hydropower resources.

National Affairs
1. The birth anniversary of Har Gobind Khorana (Indian American biochemist and Nobel prize 1968 

winner in Physiology / Medicine) was observed today.
2. President Pranab Mukherjee is on a five-day visit to West Bengal and the Andaman and Nicobar 

Islands from Today.
3. 'Gramvani' - a radio-over-phone platform in rural hinterland of Bihar and Jharkhand aims to set a 

perfect example of technology leading to social change, more specifically eliminate the social evil of child marriage.
4. Former Karnataka CM B S Yeddyurappa formally rejoins BJP.
5. Union Cabinet approves recommendation to increase 10,000 MBBS seats.
6. The union cabinet Thursday approved the National Youth Policy 2014, which focuses on 

education, skill development, employment, entrepreneurship and health.
7. Nearly 4,500 calls received on Day 1 of anti-corruption helpline introduced by Delhi govt, 

helpline staff to be doubled by tomorrow.
8.Canadian health officials have confirmed the first known fatal case of the H5N1 avian influenza 

strain in North America.
9. The International Space Station will operate for an additional four years, or until 2024, the NASA

 announced.
10. The Election Commission has decided not to pursue its proposed tie-up with internet giant Google 

after concerns over national security were raised from several quarters, including major parties. 

Earlier the Google has made a formal presentation to the Election Commission proposing a tie-up 

with it for voter facilitation services ahead of Lok Sabha elections.
11. The Department of Telecom plans to continue with Rs. 50 crore as upper penalty limit for operators 

for any violation of licence conditions, even as it is working on new rules to rationalise such fines.
12. The union cabinet Thursday approved refunding Rs.11,258.48 crore to MTNL and BSNL which 

the two state-run telecom firms had paid for fourth generation (4G) spectrum in the 2010 auction.
13. The government Thursday introduced a comprehensive regulatory framework for television 

rating agencies in India. TAM (Television Audience Measurement) to be given 30 days to comply 

with new guidelines that have been approved by cabinet.