DAILY GK UPDATE: 29th DECEMBER

1. Delhi gang-rape victim passes away !

The body of the girl is likely to be flown back to India tonight for last rites…

Note: The 23-year-old girl, who was gang-raped and brutally assaulted in a Delhi bus nearly a fortnight ago, died at a hospital in Singapore early Saturday. Victim died due to multiple organ failure and severe injuries to her brain and body at Mount Elizabeth hospital in Singapore at 2:15am (IST). The hospital chief executive officer Dr Kelvin Loh said: “We are very sad to report that the patient passed away peacefully, her family and officials from the High Commission of India were by her side. Indian High Commissioner in Singapore T.C.A. Raghavan told that the parents of the girl have requested to make arrangements for sending her body to India. He said the final few hours were a trying time for the girl's family and they bore the entire process with a great deal of fortitude and courage.

2. NDC approves 12th Five Year Plan:

Strategy to achieve average growth rate of 8 pc during the 12th Five Year Plan (2012-17)..

Note: Country's apex policy making body NDC has approved the strategy to achieve average growth rate of 8 pc during the 12th Five Year Plan (2012-17), generate 50 million new jobs and increase investments in infrastructure sector. Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia said: "We expect with the growth rate of 5.8 per cent this fiscal and little over 7 per cent next fiscal, and with extra effort in the remaining three more years we can reach 8 per cent.

3. 30% reservation for rural candidates in Assam Govt. jobs:

Note: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has announced that "In order to achieve inclusive growth and facilitate decentralization, we are planning to bring to effect 30 per cent reservation in government jobs in all sectors to candidates from villages of Assam," from next year end. The Chief Minister also proposed a Rural Administrative Service in Assam and it will extensively and comprehensively administer at Panchayat level in all sectors.

4. Former England cricket captain Tony Greig passes away:

Losses his battle with lung cancer in Sydney on Saturday…

Note: Former England captain and celebrated commentator (66) breathed his last at a hospital here after being brought in a "critical condition". In his 58-match Test career, Greig scored 3,599 runs and picked up 141 wickets. In 22 ODIs that he played, Greig scored 269 runs and managed 19 wickets. Greig turned into a successful commentator following the end of his playing career in 1977 and as forthright with his views.

5. Egypt's Mursi hails new constitution:

Mursi said: constitution is chosen by the people "with their own free will"..

Note: Egypt's Islamist President Mohamed Mursi today congratulated his countrymen for endorsing a new constitution in a referendum that was "totally transparent" and called on the opposition to join him in a national dialogue to resolve lingering tensions. Passing of the constitution meant Egypt could now move to a new stage that should bring security and stability for the people. He welcomed those who had said "no" as well as those who had said "yes", saying that Egypt would not return to a time "when there was only one opinion".

6. Cyclone Freda strikes Solomon Islands:

Parts of the Solomon Islands hit by very strong winds and heavy rain…

Note: Tropical Cyclone Freda has struck the Solomon Islands, bringing heavy rains and winds of up to 130 kilometres per hour. Witnesses say roofs have been ripped off houses and trees have been flattened, while rising rivers caused flooding in some areas. There are no reports of deaths or injuries.

7. Beijing was 14th Safest City In China, Lhasa was the 1^st:

The safest place is the capital of Tibet, Lhasa, followed by Shanghai…

Note: A survey conducted by China Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) which is a government owned body, revealed that the capital of China, Beijing is less safe than other cities of the country. Other major cities of China were ranked much safer than Beijing and these safe cities included Xiamen, Ningbo, Changchun, Chongqing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Dalian, Hangzhou and Nanjing. It was also found out that people in the coastal cities of East China as well as municipalities were safer than other parts of country.

8. Mahaveer Singh and Tejaswini Sawant Bagged Gold in National Shooting Championship:

Note; In the category called standard-pistol, Mahaveer Singh shot 569 to get hold of the prestigious prize . In 3-position women’s event, Tejaswini Sawant shot 581 + 98.2 for the gold. ONGC’s Amanpreet Singh shot 580 + 99.5 to secure gold in the men’s air pistol. The silver was grabbed by Army’s Jitu Rai scoring 579 + 100. Karnataka’s P N Prakash was the one to win bronze with 580 + 98.4 score.

9. World Tennis Champ: Djokovick to take on Nicolas in the finals:

In semi final Novak Djokovick defeated David Ferrer 6-0,6-3 in straights sets…

Note: Defending champion and World Number 1 Novak Djokovick will take on Spaniard Nicolas Almagro in the final of Abu Dhabi World Tennis Championship final today. This is the last tennis tournament of 2012.          

10. 3 ODI cricket series: Between India and Pakistan:

First match will be played on Sunday at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai…

Note: The second and third ODI's between India and Pakistan will be played in Kolkata and in New Delhi from 12 noon. First ODI match will start at 9.00am.