DAILY GK UPDATE: 23RD DECEMBER

1. Sachin Tendulkar announces retirement from ODI cricket:

 Note: One of the game's all-time greats, Sachin Tendulkar, on Sunday announced his retirement from one-day cricket, bringing to an end a glorious 23-year-old career in the format during which he rewrote numerous batting records. I have decided to retire from the One-Day format of the game. I feel blessed to have fulfilled the dream of being part of a World Cup wining Indian team. The preparatory process to defend the World Cup in 2015 should begin early and in right earnest," the 39-year-old said in a statement released by the BCCI on Sunday.
2. Virbhadra Singh to be Himachal CM for 6th time:

Note: Virbhadra Singh, who successfully spearheaded the Congress campaign in the Assembly polls, will be the next Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh. 78-year-old Singh, President of the Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC), was named leader of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) by AICC General Secretary Janardan Dwivedi after his appointment was approved by Sonia Gandhi.

3. Delhi gang rape: Centre to ensure maximum punishments to culprits, says MoS Home Affairs:

Note: Centre has decided to take steps to enhance punishment in rarest of rare rape cases even Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has directed Home Minister to ensure sense of security in Delhi and see that incidents like last Sunday's gang-rape do not recur.

4. Russian Prez Putin to arrive in New Delhi tomorrow:

Note: The President of Russia Vladimir Putin will arrive in New Delhi tomorrow morning to attend 13th India-Russia annual summit. During his one day visit, Mr. Putin will hold delegation level talk with Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh.

The two leaders will discuss specific steps to further develop the Russian-Indian strategic partnership in trade, economic, energy, and cultural and humanitarian spheres.

5. World's longest high-speed rail line takes test run:

Note: China put the 2,298-kilometre Beijing-Guangzhou high-speed railway, the world's longest, into a test operation yon Saturday. Running at an average speed of 300 km per hour, it only took two and a half hours for the train to cover the 693 kilometredistance from Beijing to Zhengzhou, the northern section of the whole route that links the country's capital and the southern economic hub.

6. Direct Cash Transfer Scheme in Puducherry from Jan 1:

Note: Aadhar based Direct Cash Transfer Scheme will be launched in Puducherry from 1st January 2013. The Union Finance Minister Mr. P. Chidambaram will visit Puducherry on tomorrow to review the preparation for implementing the scheme

7. Hooda inaugurates Akshay Urja Bhawan in Panchkula.

Note: Haryana Chief Minister Mr. Bhupinder Singh Hooda yesterday inaugurated “Akshay Urja Bhawan” constructed at a cost of 11 crore rupees in Panchkula . The building demonstrates energy efficient building design and green building concepts. It will house the offices of the Renewable Energy Department and Haryana Renewable Energy Development Agency (HAREDA).

8. Dhoni retained skipper, Yuvraj returns to ODI fold:

Note: Under-fire Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Sunday retained captaincy while all-rounder Yuvraj Singh returned to India's ODI team for the first time since last year's World Cup triumph after he was picked in the 15-member squad for the upcoming series against Pakistan. Since senior batsman Sachin Tendulkar announced retirement from one-day cricket today, the selectors have picked Ajinkya Rahane.

9. Physical connectivity with SE Asian block will boost devlopment: PM

Note: Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh said that India- ASEAN Free Trade Agreement in services and investments will pave way for professionals to access the South East Asian market. Flagging down the 22 – day eight-nation India-ASEAN car rally in the capital, Prime Minister said that. the car rally, which traversed nearly 8,000 kms in 22 days, has reinforced the importance of strengthening connectivity in all its dimensions between India and ASEAN.

10. Nation remembering former PM Charan Singh on his 110th birth anniversary:

Note: The nation is remembering former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh on his 110th birth anniversary today. A ceremony will be held at his samadhi at Kisan Ghat in the national capital Delhi to commemorate the occasion.