Daily GK Update 22nd February 2017, Important Current Affairs

1. The Union Government has launched Bharat QR code, a quick response (QR) code to enable digital payments without card swiping machines. It is world’s first interoperable payment acceptance solution launched by Indian Government to move towards less-cash economy.

2. The Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has launched Cyber Swachhta Kendra in New Delhi for Botnet cleaning and Malware analysis. It was launched by Union Minister of Electronics and IT Ravi Shankar Prasad as part of Union Government’s ambitious digital India initiative to create a secure cyber space by detecting botnet infections.

3. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved an investment proposal for generation component of Arun-3 Hydro Electric Project in Nepal. 

4. The Union Cabinet has decided to enhance solar power capacity from 20,000 Mega Watt (MW) to 40,000MW for development of solar parks and ultra-mega solar power projects.

5. The Revenue Department has notified the protocol amending the India-Israel tax treaty to provide for exchange of information on tax matters including bank details to check flow of black money. 

6. India signed Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) with Japan for enhancing railway safety in the Indian Railways with focus on railway track and rolling stock safety.

7. Scientists have discovered four new species of miniature night frogs no bigger than a human thumbnail in Western Ghats, a global biodiversity hotspot. 

8. Scientists from NASA’s Astrobiology Institute have discovered living microorganisms (most of them bacteria) trapped inside crystals for as long as 60,000 years in a Naica mine in Mexico.

9. Shurhozelie Liezitsu (81) was sworn-in as the 17th Chief Minister of Nagaland. He was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor PB Acharya at a ceremony in the state capital Kohima.

10. The Union Government has appointed Justice Abhay Manohar Sapre of the Supreme Court as Shairman of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal. 

11. The National Biodiversity Congress (NBC) 2017 was held in Thiruvananthapuram, capital of Kerala. 

12. The International Mother Language Day (IMLD) was observed across the world on 21 February to promote awareness of linguistic, multilingualism and cultural diversity.

13. India has defeated South Africa by one wicket in the final match of ICC Women World Cup Qualifier 2017 held at Colombo, Sri Lanka. India achieved the target of 245 runs on the last ball of the 50th over.