DAILY GK UPDATE 12TH FEB.

1.    India and Bangladesh signed MoU on Health

i. India and Bangladesh have signed an MoU for cooperation in the fields of Health and Medical Sciences.

ii. The MoU includes exchange of medical doctors, other health professionals and experts, development of human resources and mutual sharing of information on health

iii. It also stresses on fostering cooperation for the development of culturally sensitive and effective public and professional awareness campaign including clinical.

iv. The two sides have also agreed on training for each other's doctors and health workers in the areas where they have relevant expertise and excellence.

v. The MoU was signed by Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and his Bangladeshi counterpart A F M RuhalHaque in New Delhi today.  

2.    North Korea conducts third nuclear test

i. North Korea on Tuesday said it had conducted a “successful” third underground nuclear test, in a move that brought quick condemnation from the United Nations and the North’s neighbours and is set to heighten regional tensions.

ii. The test was reported to have taken place at a test site in the North Hamgyeong province, where the Punggye-ri nuclear complex that conducted tests in 2006 and 2009 is located.

iii. The previous nuclear test in 2009 resulted in fresh resolutions aimed at the North from the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), tighter sanctions and increased tensions with South Korea and Japan.

iv. U.S. President Barack Obama called the test highly provocative and said it undermines regional stability and will not make North Korea safer.

v. The European Union called the move a blatant challenge to nuclear non-proliferation. Catherine Ashton, the High Representative for Foreign Affairs, said in a statement that North Korea should refrain from further provocative actions.

3.    Ambani appointed Chair of India Advisory Council of BAT

i. Mukesh Ambani, Chairman and Managing Director of Reliance Industries, has been appointed the Chair of India Advisory Council of British Asian Trust (BAT).

ii. Prince Charles made the announcement at Windsor Castle on Monday at a gathering to celebrate the 5th Anniversary of the British Asian Trust, a charity founded in 2007 by British Asian business leaders.

NOTE: The British Asian Trust has worked with South Asian NGOs to touch the lives of one million disadvantaged people by tackling various issues, including mental health, child abuse and providing business qualifications for illiterate rural women.

4.    Stamps in honour of Ravi Shankar

i. The Department of Posts will release commemorative stamps this year honouring eminent musicians of India, including late Pandit Ravi Shankar, Bhimsen Joshi and D K Pattammal and legendary movie actors.

ii. Mallikarjun Mansur, Kumar Gandharva, Gangubai Hangal and Ustad Iliad Khan are the other great musicians who would be honoured in 'The Musicians' series, scheduled for release on July 2.

iii. The department would commemorate the Golden jubilee celebration of Bhakra Nangal dam, Gaiety Heritage Cultural Complex of Shimla (Jawaharlal's Nehru favourite place), Delhi Gymkhana club and 75th anniversary of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan this year.

iv. Of the 52 stamps planned for release, some had been earmarked to commemorate legendary actors. "This is part of the plan to mark celebrations of 100 Years of Indian Cinema"

5.    Pakistan Successfully Test Fired Missile Hatf IX (NASR)

i. Pakistan on 11 February 2013 successfully test fired short range surface-to-surface missile Hatf IX (NASR).

ii. The test fire took place with consecutive launches of two missiles from multi-tube launcher.

iii. NASR has 60 km range with the capability of in-flight manoeuvring. It also has the capability of carrying nuclear warheads having apt yields, with higher efficiency.

Important facts related to Hatf IX (NASR)

i. NASR is designed specifically to defeat Anti-Tactical Missile Defence Systems of all kinds.

ii. The test firing of short range surface-to-surface missile Hatf IX (NASR) was a part of medium-range ballistic missiles [MRBM] and short-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile [SRBMs] exercise which will be completed in three cycles by July 2013.

iii. The missile has the capability to carry nuclear weapons.

6.    US launches Earth observation satellite

i. The United States launched its latest Earth observation satellite on Monday atop an Atlas V rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

ii. The Landsat Data Continuity Mission was the latest in a line of satellites used to continuously gather imagery from space of the Earth's land surface, coastal areas and coral reefs.

iii. The satellite is the eighth in a series to be launched beginning in 1972, that have been instrumental in tracking the changing face of planet.

iv. It is designed to have a minimum five year life span, although it is fuelled for a 10 year run in space, orbiting the Earth about 14 times a day from an altitude of 705 kilometres.

7.    IOC drops wrestling from 2020 Olympics

i. Wrestling is to be dropped from the programme of the 2020 Games, the International Olympic Committee executive board recommended Tuesday.

ii. The final decision, seen as a formality, will be made by the IOC Session in September in Buenos Aires where wrestling can also seek to be included again, along with seven other sports.

NOTE: i. Baseball and softball were dropped after Athens 2008, and ruby sevens and golf will be added for Rio de Janeiro 2016.

ii. “Wrestling will now join the seven shortlisted sports — baseball/softball, karate, roller sports, sport climbing, squash, wakeboarding and wushu — vying for inclusion in the 2020 Olympic programme as an additional sport.

iii. ” Wrestling had 18 medal events (11 freestyle, seven Greco—Roman) at the London 2012 edition, with Russia the most successful nation with four golds, two silvers and five bronze and 38 nations winning medals.

8.    India maintained their Number One Spot in the ICC ODI

i. India maintained their number one spot in the ICC ODI Championship table in the latest rankings issued in Dubai on 11 February 2013.

ii. Both India and England have same 119 rating points, but England lags behind on the basis of decimal points. Australia and South Africa follow the top two teams closely with 116 and 112 points respectively.