The Daily Brief – 22nd July, 2017

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  • The Union Finance Ministry launched Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY), a pension scheme exclusively for senior citizens aged 60 years and above. Under this scheme, they will get a guaranteed interest of 8% for 10 years depending upon the investment made by them. The scheme will be available from May 4th 2017 to May 3rd 2018 and Life Insurance Corporation of India has been given the sole responsibility to operate the scheme.
  • Lok Sabha passed the Right of Children to Free and Compuslory Education (Amendment) Bill, 2017 which amends the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act (RTE), 2009. The deadline for teachers to acquire minimum qualifications for appointment have been extended by a period of four years.
  • The Supreme Court has asked the Union Government as well as the State Governments to not protect any kind of vigilantism, while it sought their response on violent incidents of cow vigilantism.
  • Sean Spicer, the White House Press Secretary has resigned from his position following the appointment of Wall Street financier Anthony Scaramucci as Communication Director by President Donald Trump.
  • Tata Industries announced that Advinus Therapeutics, its preclinical contract research company, will be acquired by Eurofins Scientific, a laboratory testing major.
  • India will host the 5th Global Conference on Cyber Space (GCCS) 2017, the world’s largest conference on cyber space and related issues in New Delhi in November 2017. This will be the first time that the GCCS is taking place outside the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) nations. The theme for the GCCS 2017 is “Cyber4All: An Inclusive, Sustainable, Developmental, Safe and Secure Cyberspace.”
  • Researchers from University of Hyderabad have conducted a study that has led them to the discovery that Castor bean plants can be useful in fighting soil pollution. These plants can absorb toxic heavy metals from soil from these polluted areas due to industrial pollution.

    Today’s Quiz

    1. Under the Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY), a pension scheme exclusively for senior citizens aged 60 years and above, what % of guaranteed interest will one get based on the investment made by one?





    2. When was the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act (RTE) passed?





    3. Name the former Press Secretary of the White House who resigned recently.





    4. Which country is hosting the 5th Global Conference on Cyber Space (GCCS) 2017





    5. Researchers from University of Hyderabad have conducted a study that has led them to the discovery that Castor bean plants can be useful in fighting what kind of pollution?