Daily GK Updates - 25th February, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu presented his second rail budget this year:He kept the fares unchanged. In his budget speech, he said that for this budget he owes its inspiration to vision of PM Modi.

Highlights: The Capital plan of Rs 1.21 lakh crore. Operating ratio kept at 92% FY17 as against 90% in current year. To generate revenues of order of Rs 1, 84,820 crore next year which is a 10.1% higher than revised target of current year.

2. India extends $1 million aid to cyclone-hit Fiji: Cyclone-hit Fiji will receive one million dollars as immediate assistance from the Indian Government.

3. Union Government to introduce Coal Linkage Auction Policy for Power Corporation: Union Government to introduce coal linkage auction policy for Power Corporation which did not have such co-ordinations with Coal India Ltd.

4. Infosys extends Vishal Sikka’s term by two years till 2021.

5. SBI launches new branch for e-commerce loans: Banking giant SBI has taken another leap in this space with the launch of SBI e-smart SME, a working capital loan offering for sellers on e-commerce platforms.

6. INS Arihant-India’s first nuclear submarine ready to operate: The submarine has passed several deep sea diving drills as well as weapons launch tests over the past five months.

7. India to induct women in combat roles: President: The Government has decided to induct women in all military combat roles in the future. The announcement was made by President Pranab Mukherjee.

8. Rajendra Singh appointed as the first Non-Navy Officer to head Indian Coast Guard.

9. Indian Government to provide wi-fi at 25,000 spots in country: The Indian Government has planned to set up wi-fi facilities at 25,000 spots in the country by March 2016. 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Afghanistan’s National Women’s Cycling Team nominated for 2016 Nobel Peace Prize for their dedication.

2. Mastercard to launch payments by selfie: Mastercard is launching new mobile technologies that will allow customers to authenticate their online purchase using selfies or fingerprints. The technology will be rolled out by big banks in the US, Canada, UK and some European countries over the next few months.

3. Facebook launched Telecom Infra Project: It has announced the Telecom Infra Project, which will look at developing new and alternative technologies to build and deploy telecom infrastructure, with partners including Aricent, HCL Technologies, Intel, Nokia and T-Mobile.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

1. PNB declares 904 firms including Kingfisher Airlines and UB Holdings as wilful defaulters.

SPORTS:

2. Australia replaces India as world No.1 in ICC Test Rankings.

AWARDS:

4. GVK Bio wins Global CSR Excellence and Leadership Awards in the category of Best Environment-Friendly Project.