General Knowledge BUZZ - 9th September 2014

1. Intel launches new processors for data centres.

I. Chipmaker Intel launched a new line of processors for data centres that will offer increased performance and lower power consumption.

II. The company said, Xeon processor E5 v3 family-based platforms can power heavy workloads like data analytics, high performance computing, telecom and cloud-based services, as well as back-end processing for the Internet of Things (IoT).



2. Scientist Kamal Bawa gets 2014 Midori Prize in Biodiversity 

I. Indian scientist Kamal Bawa, a distinguished professor of biology at the University of Massachusetts in Boston, has won the 2014 Midori Prize in Biodiversity.
II. His research area, includes  climate change in the Himalayas.

3. Govt to replace affidavits with self-attested documents

I. The Centre will replace the requirement of furnishing affidavits with self-attested declarations in a major chunk of government-related work .
II. Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh said different departments have different sensitivities. However, self-attestation would be pushed to the maximum extent possible.

4. India to revise GDP measurement next year.

I. The Govt will soon revise the way it measures gross domestic product to reflect under-represented and informal economic sectors.
II. Govt. is planming to release GDP data based on the 2011/12 base year .

5. CII to open first Middle East office in Bahrain.

I. The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) will open its first Middle East office in Bahrain to boost trade and investments in the region.

II. The EDB also announced that it has signed an agreement with the Overseas Indian Facilitation Centre (OIFC) to work together in promoting cooperation between Bahrain and India in a variety of key areas, including financial services and research.

6. RBI says 70 years upper age for private bank CEOs, whole-time directors.

I. The RBI said the upper age limit for managing directors, chief executive officers and other whole-time directors in private banks is 70 years, in line with the Companies Act, 2013.
II. However, banks are free to prescribe a lower retirement age for their chief executive officers and whole-time directors, the RBI said.


7. Ashok Leyland bags orders worth Rs 1500 cr under JNNURM-II

I. Hinduja Group flagship firm Ashok Leyland has received orders for around 4,000 buses from State Transport Undertakings valued at Rs 1,500 crore.

II. "JanBus has received tremendous response from STUs. It will contribute over 2,000 buses to JNNURM-II (Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission).

8. Cilic crushes Nishikori to claim US Open title.

I. Croatia’s Marin Cilic swept past Japan’s Kei Nishikori 6-3 6-3 6-3 to win the U.S. Open.

II. The Croatian overwhelmed a weary Nishikori in one hour, 54 minutes to clinch a ruthless victory and deny his 10th-seeded opponent’s bid to become the first Asian man to win a grand slam.

9. Crisil CEO Rupa Kudva resigns after 7 yrs association.

I. Crisil Managing Director and CEO Roopa Kudva has quit the rating agency after seven years of association.
II. Kudva has completed 7 years as the MD & CEO of Crisil .