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 AND HONORS
Cryptography Pioneers Whitfield Diffie and Martin Hellman Win 2015 Turing Award
Whitfield Diffie and Martin Hellman, the two men who created the famous Diffie-Helman public-key exchange protocol, are conferred with the prestigious Turing Award. This Award is also known as Oscars of computer science and technology. Past Turing Award winners include Marvin Minsky (so-called father of Artificial Intelligence), Edsger W. Dijkstra (creator of ALGOL, one of the first high-level programming languages), Alan Kay (for pioneering the ideas behind object-oriented programming languages), Vinton G. Cerf and Robert E. Kahn (creators of the TCP/IP protocols), and Charles P. Thacker (the man behind Xerox Alto, the first modern PC).
Quick Link – Turing Award
Indira Gandhi International Airport wins three international awards
Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport was awarded the world’s number 1 position for best airport for the second consecutive year in the 25-40 million passenger category. The ranking was announced by the Airports Council International (ACI) for the 2015 Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Awards. The management of the airport was passed over to the Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) in May 2006. Before this it was operated by the Indian Air force. IGIA is run by Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), a joint venture between the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and GMR Group-led consortium which include Fraport and Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad.
Quick Link – 3 Awards for IGIA
Armaan Ebrahim won FMSCI Motorsports Man of the Year Trophy
India’s Armaan Ebrahim was awarded the Motorsports Man-of-the-Year Trophy at a gala award ceremony. The ceremony was organised by the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI) in New Delhi. BI Chandhok, who is a founder of the FMSCI, was awarded the Lifetime Achievement award for his contribution towards the motorsport in India. Another 99 drivers were awarded across eight different championships. Armaan walked away with the glittering Raymond Gautam Singhania Rolling Trophy and cash prize of Rs. 2 lakh for his performance in the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo Asia Series. Armaan, along with partner Dilantha, put up a good show in the Asia Series — winning the Fuji main race and qualifying for the World Series.
Quick Link – Motorsports M O F Trophy
Three UK scientists win 2016 Brain Prize
Three British researchers, Tim Bliss, Graham Collingridge and Richard Morris have won the 2016 Brain Prize worth one million euros, awarded each year for an “outstanding contribution to European neuroscience”. Bliss, Collingridge and Morris revealed how strengthened connections between brain cells can store our memories. This is the first time the Brain Prize has been won by an entirely UK team. It is awarded by a Danish charitable foundation and the 2016 winners were announced in London. The “team” of three winners never worked together in the same laboratory, but they have collaborated over the years.
Quick Link – Brain Prize
APPOINTMENTS
Rozle Prezelj – Chairman of IAAF Athletes’ Commission
Rozle Prezelj of Slovenia is the new Chairman of the IAAF Athletes’ Commission, replacing Namibia’s Frank Fredericks. Prezelj represented Slovenia in the high jump at three Olympics and four IAAF World Championships. A European under-23 champion in 2001, Prezelj set a national record of 2.32m in 2012 before retiring in 2014. Britain’s marathon world record-holder Paula Radcliffe was nominated Vice Chairwoman of the commission. Fredericks, who reached the end of his term as chair of the Athletes’ Commission, is also a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and has been named as chairman of the IOC’s Evaluation Commission for the 2024 Olympic Games bidding race earlier this week.
Quick Link – Rozle Prezelj as Chairman
INDIAN AFFAIRS
CBI plans to set up Cyber Crime investigation Branch in Mumbai
The Central Bureau of Investigation is exploring the possibility of setting up a cyber crime investigation branch in Mumbai. With the increasing number of cyber crime, CBI is planning to set up a special branch in Mumbai. Cyber crime special branch is as of no w only located and headquartered in Delhi. CBI is looking forward to support from the state government. For this, the Maharashtra government has been requested to notify the CBI for taking up investigation of offences under the Information Technology Act, 2000, he said, while inaugurating the agency’s new city headquarters at Bandra-Kurla Complex.
Quick Link – CBI in Mumbai
Govt plans to set up more nuclear power plants
In order to meet the India’s growing needs, the GOI plans to set up nuclear power plants in in Bihar, Haryana and Punjab. The GOI aims to increase nuclear power generation capacity by three times in ten years. With regard to nuclear power programme, Singh, the Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, said the government is considering setting up new plants in areas not covered before. A site has been identified for a nuclear plant in Razauli in Bihar’s Nawada district in the last 18-19 months of the current government.
Quick Link – Nuclear Power Plants-GOI
TCS recognized as Top Global Employer
Tata Consultancy Services, a leading IT services, consulting and business solutions organization has been recognized as a Top Global Employer by the Top Employers Institute. This makes it one in only eight organizations worldwide to have achieved this status. In the Top Employers Institute’s assessment of 1,072 companies worldwide, TCS has been ranked as an exceptional performer across nine core Human Resources (HR) areas: talent strategy, workforce planning, on-boarding, learning and development, performance management, leadership development, career and succession management, compensation and benefits and company culture.
Quick Link – TCS-Top Global Employer
India ranks 90 in terms of Energy Security
In terms of Energy Security, India has been ranked at the 90th place in a list of 126 countries compiled by WEF, which was topped by Switzerland. The latest Global Energy Architecture Performance Index Report, explored the energy architecture of 126 countries based on their ability to provide energy access across three dimensions of the “energy triangle” – affordability, environmental sustainability, security and access. The list was topped by Switzerland followed by Norway and Sweden in the second and third place, respectively. Others in the top 10 include France (4th), Denmark (5th), Austria (6th), Spain (7th), Colombia (8th), New Zealand (9th) and Uruguay (10th). Among the BRIC nations, Brazil was the top performer as it was ranked at the 25th place, followed by Russia (52nd), India (90th), China (94).
Quick Link – Energy triangle
Chennai gets India’s first self-cleaning smart toilets
A total of 180 self-cleaning public eToilets have been installed in Chennai. These Toilets are free for public use. Each toilet automatically cleans itself before entry and after use and sensors enable consumption of less water and power with each use. Around 40 toilets come equipped with a sanitary napkin generator. Notably, these toilets can be located through an Android app called eToilet. Spread over 35 square feet, each automatic unmanned toilet cleans itself before entry and after use. They come equipped with sensors for exhaust fan and light to ensure that they consume less water and power than conventional toilets.
Quick Link – eToilets
46 new coal blocks identified in India
The Geological Survey of India has identified 46 new coal blocks in the country, out of which 12 are located in West Bengal. Out of the 34 new coal blocks outside Bengal, Chattisgarh has 12, Madhya Pradesh 11, Maharashtra 4, Jharkhand 1, Telangana 2, North-Eastern regions 3 and Andhra Pradesh 1. According to GSI scientists, the Central Mine Planning and Design Institute is generally given the task to upgrade blocks before they are ready for auctioning. Scientists say that the GSI organises 600 to 700 “exploration programmes” annually taking four to five years to complete mineral exploration of a particular area. Coal is made largely of carbon but also features other elements such as hydrogen,oxygen, sulfur and nitrogen.
Quick Link – 46 new coal blocks
Mahesh Kumar Singla committee – Points to remember
The Government of India has constituted a committee to consider Scheduled Tribe status to six Communities of Assam. The committee will be headed by Special Secretary (Internal Security) Ministry of Home Affairs, Mahesh Kumar Singla. The committee will recommend the modalities for granting of Scheduled Tribe status to six Communities namely Koch Rajbongshi, Moran, Matak, Tai Ahom, Chutia and Adivasi (Tea Tribes) in Assam. The Committee will submit its report by 31 May 2016. The committee will consult with the Government of Assam and suggest the modalities for the required reservations, of shifting the existing reservation for these communities from OBC to ST.
Quick Link – Mahesh Kumar Singla committee
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
Zero Discrimination Day – March 1
Zero Discrimination Day is observed on March 1 every year to promote diversity and recognizes that everyone counts. Organizations like the United Nations (UN) actively promote the day with various activities to celebrate everyone’s right to live a full life with dignity regardless of age, gender, sexuality, nationality, ethnicity, skin color, height, weight, profession, education, and beliefs. This year’s theme is Stand Out and encourages everyone to stand for fair and just societies. Discrimination remains widespread—gender, nationality, age, ethnic origin, sexual orientation or religion can all unfortunately be the basis for some form of discrimination. In only four out of 10 countries worldwide do equal numbers of girls and boys attend secondary school.
Quick Link – Zero Discrimination day
Hashim Thaci elected as President of Kosovo
Hashim Thaci has been elected as Kosovo’s president after 71 of the country’s 120 MPs voted in favour of his nomination. Ten ballots were deemed invalid. The alternative candidate, Rafet Rama, also from the Democratic Party of Kosovo, PDK, received no votes. Several MPs from LDK refused to vote for Thaci as president. Thaci was elected in the third round of voting after failing to win the two-third majority backing in two votes earlier the same day. The third round required only a simple majority. Hashim Thaci thanked the MPs for their support and confidence, adding that he will continue to work for Kosovo’s best interests.
Quick Link – Hashim Thaci as President
China launches first self propelled floating dock
China’s navy has launched its first self-propelled floating dock, giving it the ability to repair warships far from the coast. The dock, the Huachuan No. 1, would enable the navy to return damaged ships to fighting capability “in very rapid time” and was designed to be sent into combat zones. The use of the dock means that ships with minor damage will not have to be taken out of service, while those with severe damage will not have to return to a shipyard. The dock can handle cruisers, destroyers and submarines, but not aircraft carriers, and cope with waves up to 2 meters (6.6 ft) high. Beijing has invested billions developing its homegrown weapons industry to support its growing maritime ambitions in the disputed South China Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Pacific.
Quick Link – Floating dock
Bill Gates is richest person in the World, Mukesh Ambani at 36th – Forbes
According to Forbes’ annual ranking of billionaires, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates continued his reign as the richest person in the world. Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani has retained his position as India’s richest person, leading a pack of 84 Indian billionaires in 2016. Forbes’ 2016 list of the World’s Billionaires includes 1,810 billionaires, down from a record 1,826 a year ago. Their aggregate net worth is $6.5 billion, $570 million less than last year. Mr Gates remains the richest person in the world with a net worth of $75 billion, despite being $4.2 billion poorer compared to a year ago. He has been No. 1 for three years in a row and topped the list 17 out of 22 years.
Quick Link – Forbes 2016
Peru declares emergency after oil spill hits rivers
Peru has declared an emergency three weeks after a major oil pipeline burst, affecting two rivers in the country’s northwest. The pipeline spilled 3,000 barrels of crude oil into the Chiriaco and Morona rivers, which are the main source of water and food for several indigenous communities. The government has told these communities not to eat fish from the polluted waters. The broken pipeline reportedly used to transport between 5,000 and 6,000 oil barrels per day. The pipeline is owned by Petro Peru, a state-owned oil company. The oil company has been accused of a slow reaction to the spill – it only started providing food, water and medical attention weeks after the crisis, which has affected the health of more than 200 people.
Quick Link – Oil spill hits rivers in Peru
FOREIGN RELATIONS
Military Exercise Force Eighteen begins in Pune
Eighteen nations from ‘Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)’ Plus including United States, China and Russia will participate in the largest `Multinational Field Training Exercise’ being conducted at Pune from March 2. This will be the maiden multinational exercise ever conducted by the ground on Indian soil, which will see participation of 18 ASEAN Plus nations including United States, China, Russia, Japan and South Korea among others. It is conducted by India as part of its ambitious Look (Act) East policy and it is one of the largest multi-national military exercises conducted in the country. The exercise will allow the armies of these countries to develop a common understanding in handling any complex situation.
Quick Link – MFTE in Pune
MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS
Zee to acquire 80% stake in 2 India Today firms
Zee Media Corp. Ltd said it is entering the television shopping business by acquiring a stake in two India Today Group companies. The company which operates Zee News and Zee Businesschannels said it has bought 80% stake in Today Merchandise Pvt. Ltd (TMPL) and Today Retail Network Pvt. Ltd (TRNL). Both TMPL and TRNL are subsidiaries of Living Media India Ltd, which owns the India Today Group of publications. The target companies are developing infrastructure for launching a television shopping channel and operate e-commerce website baggittoday.com to complement the TV shopping business.
Quick Link – Zee to acquire 80% stake
UltraTech acquired cement units of Jaiprakash Associates
Aditya Birla Group firm UltraTech has announced the acquisition of debt-ridden JP Group’s cement plants for Rs 16,500 crore, making it the biggest deal in the sector. The buyer will pay an additional amount of Rs 470 crore to complete the grinding unit. In a transaction that will take its cement portfolio to nearly 91 million tonne, UltraTech Cement will acquire 22.4 mt of assets from Jaiprakash Associates. The deal includes two units in Madhya Pradesh. UltraTech Cement said it entered into a binding Memorandum of Understanding with Jaiprakash Associates Limited for the acquisition of its identified cement plants having total cement capacity of 22.4 MTPA (million tons per annum) situated in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
Quick Link – Jaiprakash Associates
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
NASA to build supersonic passenger jet
The US space agency has finally given green signal for preliminary design of a “low-boom” supersonic passenger jet that will take people places with an unimaginable speed. This is the first in a series of “X-planes” in NASA’s New Aviation Horizons initiative, introduced in the agency’s fiscal year 2017 budget. NASA has awarded a $20 million contract to Lockheed Martin to develop a preliminary design for a quiet demonstration passenger aircraft designed to fly faster than the speed of sound. The piloted test aircraft would use so-called Quiet Supersonic Technology, or QueSST, to create a supersonic “heartbeat,” a kind of soft thump instead of the annoying sonic booms usually associated with supersonic planes.
Quick Link – Low Boom
SPORTS
Rahul Sachdev won All India Open Snooker Title
Former National 6Reds runner-up Rahul Sachdev clinched his maiden title by winning the 1st All India Open Invitational Snooker Championship. Sailing in cue sports since last five years, Rahul had achieved the highest by reaching the National 6Reds final in the year 2013. Winning the All India level Invitation tournament is a major breakthrough and certainly will raise his confidence in the years to come. In the final, Rahul defeated current national 6Reds no.4 Pushpender Singh of Railways 5-3.
Quick Link – Open Snooker Title
OBITUARY
Oscar winning actor George Kennedy dies aged 91
George Kennedy, the hulking, tough-guy character actor who won an Academy Award for his portrayal of a savage chain-gang convict in the 1960s classic Cool Hand Luke, has died. He had undergone emergency triple bypass surgery in 2002. That same year, he and his late wife moved to Idaho to be closer to their daughter and her family, though he was still involved in occasional film projects. His biggest acting achievement came in Cool Hand Luke, a 1967 film about a rebellious war hero played by Paul Newman who is bent on bucking the system as a prisoner on a Southern chain gang. Its theme of rebelling against authority and the establishment helped make it one of the most important films of the tumultuous 1960s.
Quick Link – George Kennedy passes away
Tamil Comedy Actor Kumarimuthu passes away
Tamil Actor Kumarimuthu passed away due to age-related ailments. Known for his signature laugh, Kumarimuthu starred in nearly 50 films in his career spanning over three decades. Some of his best films are Idhu Namma Aalu, Sahadevan Mahadevan, Oru Oorla Oru Rajakumari and Marumagan. Kumarimuthu was also a member of the political party, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). He was known for his comical laugh
Quick Link – Kumarimuthu passes away
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