Daily GK Update: 21st July 2022

 National & International Appointments

1. Ranil Wickremesinghe sworn-in as President of Sri Lanka

• Ranil Wickremesinghe took oath as the eighth president of Sri Lanka at the parliament premises before Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya.
• Wickremesinghe has secured 134 votes in the 225-member House while his rival Dullas Alahapperuma got 82.
• He had took over as the Acting President after ex-President Gotabaya Rajapksa fled the country.
• Wickremesinghe will complete the tenure of Rajapaksa’s term, which ends in November 2024.
• Sri Lanka currency: Sri Lankan rupee

 National & International Organizations

2. India ranks 87th in 2022 World's most powerful passports

• According to the 2022 Henley Passport Index from Henley & Partners (an immigration consultancy), India has been ranked 87th on the list of world’s most powerful passports.
• Top 10: Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Germany, Spain, Finland, Italy, Luxemburg, Austria, Denmark
• India neighbouring countries: Bhutan (93rd), Myanmar (99th), Sri Lanka (103rd), Bangladesh (104th) and Pakistan (109th), China (69th)
• Worst passport in the world: Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria

 Banking & Finance

3. SBI launches WhatsApp Banking Services for its customers

• State Bank of India has launched its WhatsApp Banking services to make banking easier for its customers.
• Customers of the SBI can access their Account Balance and view Mini Statement on WhatsApp.
• This WhatsApp Banking services can available to customers when they send a message saying ‘Hi’ on the number 919022690226.
• Bank is working to offer WhatsApp-based services to its credit card holders through the platform under the name of SBI Card WhatsApp connect. 

 Sports

4. Indian Men’s 25m rapid fire pistol team bags silver medal at ISSF World Cup

• The Indian men’s 25m rapid fire pistol team of Anish Bhanwala, Vijayveer Sidhu and Sameer clinched the silver medal at ISSF World Cup Changwon 2022 in South Korea.
• With this medal, India retained the top spot on the medals table with five gold, six silver and four bronze.
• South Korea has finished with four golds, five silver and three bronze medals.
• This is the second time, when Indian shooters had topped the ISSF World Cup medals tally.

 Agreement

5. India, Namibia sign MoU to bring cheetah to India

• India and Namibia have signed an MoU on wildlife conservation and sustainable biodiversity utilization for reintroducing the cheetah in India.
• The MoU was signed between Bhupender Yadav (Union Environment Minister) and Netumbo Nandi Ndaitwah (Namibia Deputy PM and Foreign Minister).
• Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh will receive the first tranche of eight cheetahs by August 15, 2022.
• The species of cheetahs in India was officially declared extinct in 1952.

 National & International Organizations

6. Microsoft to launch 'Viva Engage' app in Teams to help build community

• Microsoft has announced that it will introduce a new app named, 'Viva Engage' in Teams with an aim to build community and connection, along with providing tools for personal expression.
• This platform is designed to give employees across multiple roles and functions, what they need to feel connected.
• This social app builds on the existing capabilities of the Communities app for Teams and Microsoft 365.
• Microsoft CEO: Satya Nadella

 Banking & Finance

7. RBI hikes capital adequacy ratio for urban cooperative banks to 12%

• The RBI has increased the minimum capital adequacy ratio (CAR) for Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs) to 12% from 9% (with deposits above Rs 100 crore).
• It has provided a path till March 2026 to meet revised CAR norm in phases for UCBs that don't meet it currently.
• This is based on recommendations of a panel headed by N S Vishwanathan (former Deputy Governor).
• It has retained the norm of a minimum CAR of 9% for tier-1 banks (deposits up to Rs 100 crore).

 State Affairs

8. Assam government launches ‘Swanirbhar Naari’ to empower weavers

• CM of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma has launched a scheme named ‘Swanirbhar Naari’, to empower indigenous weavers.
• Under the scheme, the state government will procure handloom items directly from the indigenous weavers via a web portal.
• Government has also urged the Handloom & Textiles department to promote Assamese gamosa (traditional scarf or towel), which is a unique handloom product, across the country.
• Assam governor: Jagdish Mukhi

 Banking & Finance

9. Standard Chartered Bank, EaseMyTrip launch co-branded credit card

• Standard Chartered Bank has launched a co-branded credit card with EaseMyTrip to offer exclusive travel benefits with instant discounts and reward points to cardmembers.
• This credit card offers flat 20% instant discount on domestic & international hotel bookings, flat 10% on domestic & international flight bookings on EaseMyTrip.
• Standard Chartered Bank CEO: Bill Winters; Headquarters: London
• EaseMyTrip Headquarters: New Delhi

 Obituaries

10. Noted scientist and director ILS, Ajay Parida passes away

• Noted scientist and director of the Institute of Life Sciences (ILS), Bhubaneswar, Dr Ajay Kumar Parida has passed away at 58.
• He was awarded the Padma Shri Award by the President of India in 2014 for his outstanding contribution in the field of Science and Engineering.
• He had also served as an Executive Director in M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation.
• His researches are mainly focused on developing climate resilient crop varieties with abiotic stress tolerance.

 Banking & Finance

11. IndusInd Bank approves raising Rs 20,000 crore

• IndusInd Bank board has approved a proposal to raise up to Rs 20,000 crore in debt on a private placement basis to fund its business growth.
• As on March 31, the capital adequacy ratio of the bank stood at 18.42% (tier-I capital being at 16.80% and tier-II capital at 1.62%) as percentage of its risk-weighted assets.
• The fund-raising plan is subject to the approval of its shareholders.
• IndusInd Bank Headquarters: Mumbai; CEO: Sumant Kathpalia

 Banking & Finance

12. Tamil Nadu tops in Smart City Fund utilisation

• Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh have topped the list of the states so far as utilisation of funds under the government’s flagship Smart City Mission.
• Tamil Nadu has spent over Rs 3932 crore out of the Rs 4333 crore, Uttar Pradesh has utilised Rs 2699 cr out of Rs 3142 crore, released by the Centre.
• On 8 July 2022, the Centre has released Rs 30,751.41 crore for 100 Smart Cities out of which Rs 27,610.34 crore has been utilized.
• Smart Cities Mission launched: 25 June, 2015

 National Affairs

13. Niti Aayog released third innovation index

• Karnataka, Telangana and Haryana have been ranked as the top three states among major states in Niti Aayog’s third innovation index.
• This index examines the innovation capacities and ecosystems at the sub-national level.
• Karnataka topped the index for the third year in a row.
• States and UTs were divided into 17 Major States, 10 North-East and Hill States, and 9 Union Territories and City States, for effectively comparing their performance. 
• Niti Vice Chairman: Suman Bery