Daily GK Updates - 21st February, 2017

                     NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. India, Rwanda sign MoUs in innovation, aviation and visa requirements: India and Rwanda have inked three agreements in the fields of innovation, aviation and visa requirements to boost bilateral relations. These agreements were signed in Kigali in the presence of Vice President Mohammed Hamid Ansari and Rwandan Prime Minister Anastase Murekezi during a business forum meet.

2. Government launches SAATHIYA Resource Kit and SAATHIYA SALAH mobile app for adolescents: The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has launched SAATHIYA Resource Kit and SAATHIYA SALAH mobile app for adolescents as part of the Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK) programme. The kit and app will help Peer Educators (Saathiyas) who are introduced under the RKSK programme. The Saathiyas act as catalyst for generating demand for adolescent health services and also impart age appropriate knowledge on key adolescent health issues to their peer groups.

3. India is world’s largest arms importer: Report: India has been the world's largest importer of major arms in the last five years, according to a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). India, which received most of its arms from Russia, accounted for 13% of the total global arms import between 2012-16. SIPRI also revealed that the US was the top arms exporter.

4. Pak rejects report on Army's advice to 'read book on India': Pakistan Army on Monday dismissed a media report claiming that General Qamar Javed Bajwa urged officers to read a book on how India succeeded in keeping military out of politics. The said book provides details on the changes made in the structure and recruitment pattern of the Indian Army to suit the Indian democracy.

5. Delhi Metro park with artworks made from junk inaugurated:A 10-acre park constructed by the Delhi Metro, which features artworks made using waste materials, was inaugurated on Monday by National Green Tribunal Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar. A Delhi Metro statement said the Prakriti Metro Park features several art installations, "which carry pertinent messages on a range of issues." There is also a 'rain forest' and an artificial lake.

6. Drilling begins for India's 1st undersea bullet train line: Test drills for the construction of the first undersea bullet train route in India have begun, a senior Railway Ministry official said. The 7-kilometre route will form part of the country's first bullet train project, the 508-kilometre Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor. The corridor, set to cost ₹1 lakh crore, will feature multiple underground and underwater passages.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Australia most preferred nation to migrate for millionaires: Australia witnessed the largest number of millionaire inflows at 11,000 in 2016, as per the latest New World Wealth report. The US stood second with 10,000 migrations while 3,000 millionaires moved to UK. Australia was preferred over others because of its healthcare system and locational advantages while doing business in emerging nations like China, Singapore, and India, the report stated.

2. Azerbaijan Prez names wife as country’s First Vice President: Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev on Tuesday appointed his wife Mehriban Aliyev as the First Vice President of the country, according to reports. The position was created after a constitutional referendum in September last year. According to Azerbaijan's constitution, the First Vice President takes over the country's presidency if the president is unable to perform the duties.

3. China bans all coal imports from North Korea: China has announced it is suspending all coal imports from North Korea until the end of the year in compliance with United Nations Security Council resolutions over North Korea's nuclear program. With coal being North Korea's largest export item, the country is believed to have been dependent on China for trade since its economy collapsed in the late 1990s.

4. Trump names Lt Gen HR McMaster as National Security Adviser:US President Donald Trump has named Lt Gen HR McMaster as the US National Security Adviser, calling him "a man of tremendous talent and tremendous experience". McMaster earlier served in Iraq and Afghanistan, where he worked on a government anti-corruption drive. This comes after Michael Flynn resigned last week from the post amid allegations of improper contacts with Russian officials.

5. 21 February: International Mother Language Day observed: International Mother Language Day (IMLD) is a worldwide annual observance held on 21st February to promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. The theme of 2017:"Towards Sustainable Futures through Multilingual Education".

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. 1152 Indians have world record for largest Taekwondo display:The largest Taekwondo display at a single venue consists of 1,152 participants and was achieved at an event held in Hyderabad, as recognised by the Guinness World Records. The event was organised by martial arts teacher Jayanth Reddy in December 2016. To establish the record, all participants had to perform the martial arts routine simultaneously for at least ten minutes

2. India women score 8 in last 2 balls to win WC Qualifier 2017: India won the ICC Women's World Cup Qualifier 2017 after clinching a last-ball win in the final against South Africa on Tuesday. Needing eight of last two balls, stand-in skipper Harmanpreet Kaur hit a six, followed by a double to seal the victory. South Africa were earlier bowled out for 244, with Indian spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad taking three wickets.

BANKING/FINANCE:

4. Jio to charge for data from Apr 1, voice calls to stay free: Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani on Tuesday announced that Reliance will start charging for data from its customers from April 1. However, all domestic voice calls to any network will be free across India, and there will be no roaming charges. Notably, Jio has achieved its target of 100 million subscribers within 170 days of its launch.

5. Reliance Jio added 7 customers every second of every day: Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani on Tuesday said that new entrant Reliance Jio on average has added nearly 7 customers on its network every second of every day. Ambani further stated that within 170 days since its launch, Jio has crossed the 100 million customer mark. By 2017 end, Jio network will cover 99% of the country’s population, he added.

6. Verizon, Yahoo cut takeover price by ₹2,300 crore over hacks:Telecom major Verizon Communications on Tuesday said it would buy Yahoo's core business for $4.48 billion, lowering its original offer by $350 million (over ₹2,300 crore). The payment has been reduced over two data breaches revealed by Yahoo after the deal was finalised. The deal, which was first announced in July, had been delayed after Yahoo disclosed the data breaches.