Daily GK Updates: 27th Oct 2014

1.    Dilma Rousseff  re-elected as Brazilian President 

i. Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has been re-elected in the tightest race the nation has seen since its return to democracy three decades ago, after a bitter campaign that divided Brazilians like no other before it.

ii. With 99 per cent of the vote counted, Rousseff had 51.5 per cent of the ballots, topping center-right challenger Aecio Neves with 48.5 per cent. 
iii. Rousseff's victory extends the rule of the Workers' Party, which has held the presidency since 2003. 
iv. During that time, they've enacted expansive social programs that have helped pull millions of Brazilians out of poverty and into the middle class. 
v. The choice between Rousseff and Neves split Brazilians into two camps those who thought only the president would continue to protect the poor and advance social inclusion versus those who were certain that only the contender's market-friendly economic policies could see Brazil return to solid growth.

2.    Black money case: Centre reveals names of three account holders 

i. The Centre has filed an affidavit before the Supreme Court in the black money case, naming three prominent businessmen including Pradip Burman, formerly of Dabur group. 

ii. Goa-based miner Radha S Timblo and Bullion trader Pankaj Chimanlal Lodhya were the other two businessmen named in the affidavit. 
iii The Centre told the court that it had no intention to withhold names of persons who have stashed black money abroad and stated that information received from foreign countries will be disclosed in all cases where tax evasion is established. 
iv. Every foreign account held by an Indian may not be illegal, the Centre said, adding that names cannot be disclosed unless there is prima facie evidence of wrongdoing. 

3.    World Bank estimates 5.6% growth for current fiscal

i. The World Bank has said that India is expected to grow at 5.6 per cent in current fiscal i.e. 2014-15. The growth is expected to accelerate further to 6.4 per cent in 2015-16 and 7 per cent in 2016-17.

ii. "India's long run growth potential remains high due to favourable demographics, relatively high savings and policies and efforts to improve skills and education, facilitate domestic market integration and incentivise manufacturing activities," the Bank said in a report titled 'India Development Update'.

4.    68th Infantry Day observed on 27 October

i. 68th Infantry Day was observed across India on 27 October 2014 to pay homage to war heroes. 
ii. The day was observed by performing the wreath-laying ceremony at the Parachute Regiment Training Centre War Memorial, JC Nagar in Bangalore, Karnataka.

iii. To commemorate this gallant action by the Infantry, 27 October is celebrated as the Infantry Day.

5.    South African footballer Senzo Meyiwa died

i. South Africa's football captain and goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa died after being shot. The incident occurred at Meyiwa's girlfriend Kelly Khumalo’s house in Vosloorus, south of Johannesburg.
ii. The 27-year-old Meyiwa was killed after two armed men broke into the house where he was staying, while a third man remained outside. All three fled after the shots were fired.

6.    Jairam Ramesh designated as the head of Future Earth Engagement Committee

i. The former Union Minister Jairam Ramesh was designated as the head of Future Earth Engagement Committee, a global research platform panel on sustainable development.

ii.  The Future Earth Engagement Committee was instituted by an alliance of organisations including the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO).

iii. The Committee is a strategic advisory group of thought-leaders from stakeholder groups including business, policy and civil society representing the diversity of societal partners that are needed to address the challenges of global environmental change.

7.    Leah Kalanguka crowned as Miss Uganda 2014

i. A former mushroom and poultry farmer Leah Kalanguka was crowned as Miss Uganda 2014 on 26 October 2014.

ii. Leah Kalanguka topped the contest by beating 19 other finalists after the competition that was designed to promote agriculture in the east African nation.

iii. As Miss Uganda, Leah was awarded a Toyota Raum Brand new car and is entitled to a monthly stipend as salary that she will be receiving quarterly.

8.    Vietnamese PM arrives in Gaya on two-day visit to India

i. Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung arrived at Gaya in Bihar this morning on a two-day visit to India. He is accompanied by a 50 member strong delegation. 
ii. The Vietnam Prime Minister visited Mahabodhi temple and offered prayers to Lord Buddha. During discussion with Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, Mr. Nguyen Tan Dung said, he would like to explore the possibilities of investing in tourism sector and schemes for augmenting fishery production in Bihar. 

9.    Maharashtra BJP legislator Govind M Rathod died

i. Newly elected BJP legislator Govind M Rathod died on 27 October 2014 following a massive heart attack.

ii. He was elected as Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from Mudkhed Assembly in Nanded district of Maharashtra in October 2014.

10.  Serena Williams wins WTA Finals title

i. Serena Williams sealed her fifth WTA Finals title with a thumping 6-3, 6-0 win over Simona Halep of Romania in Singapore Open on Monday. It was also a sweet revenge for the defending champion Serena who had lost 0-6,2-6 to Halep five days ago in the group play.

ii. With the win Serena Williams also reaffirmed her supremacy and proved why she remains on top of women's tennis at the age of 33.She also became the first player to win the season finale three times in a row since Monica Seles in 1992.

11.  India drops to sixth place in ICC Test rankings

i. India on Sunday dropped to sixth place in the ICC Test rankings after Pakistan took a 1-0 lead in the ongoing series against Australia.

ii. “Pakistan’s victory in the Dubai Test has not only ensured that it will move ahead of India in fifth position irrespective of how the Abu Dhabi Test ends, it has dashed Australia hopes of regaining the number one Test ranking,” the ICC said in a statement.

iii. To move ahead of South Africa, Australia needed to win both the Tests. Now, their best series result can be a 1-1 draw, which will keep them in second position, three points behind South Africa.

12.  Indian golfer Anirban Lahiri won Venetian Macau Golf Open

i. Indian golfer Anirban Lahiri won 900000 US dollar Venetian Macau Golf Open. This was his second title of the year and fifth career win on the Asian Tour.

ii. The 27-year-old Lahiri’s sensational one-stroke helped him to edge front runner Scott Hend of Australia and Prom Meesawat of Thailand.

13.  Pakistan beat Australia by 221 runs in first Test in Dubai

i. Pakistan defeated Australia by 221 runs in the first Test of the 2-match series in Dubai yesterday. Chasing 438 for victory, Australia resumed their second innings at their overnight score of 59 for 4, on the fifth and final day yesterday. 
ii. They were bundled out for 216. For Pakistan, Zulfiqar Babar took his maiden five wicket haul. Debutant Yasir Shah claimed four wickets. Younis Khan, who made 106 in the first innings and an unbeaten 103 in the second, was adjudged man of the match.
iii. Final scores:
Pakistan - 454 and 286 for 2 declared.
Australia - 303 and 216.
iv. The second and final Test will be played in Abu Dhabi from Thursday