Daily GK Updates - 26th February, 2017

                     NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Each person must teach 125 people how to use BHIM app: PM: During the 29th edition of PM Narendra Modi's radio address 'Mann ki Baat', he asked every citizen to teach how to download the BHIM app to at least 125 people. He especially asked people to teach small businesses how to transact through the app. The app should reach every Indian citizen in honour of Babasaheb Ambedkar's 125th anniversary, PM added.

2. GST could raise India's GDP growth to over 8%, says IMF:The adoption of GST could help raise India's medium-term GDP growth to over 8% and create a single national market for enhancing the efficiency of the movement of goods and services, IMF has said. Further, IMF said that the implementation of a robust GST regime should be a key priority for the country, given its growth-enhancing effects.

                     INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Tom Perez to lead US Democratic Party: US Democrats on Saturday elected former Labor Secretary Tom Perez as the Democratic National Committee Chairman to head the opposition to Republican President Donald Trump. Perez, who had served in the Barack Obama administration, won over Keith Ellison by getting 235 out of 435 votes of the Democratic National Committee and immediately declared Ellison as his deputy.

2. EU states back over ₹4 lakh crore exit bill for UK:EU member states, including Germany, Italy and France, have backed a European commission demand that trade talks can only start once Britain agrees to pay a hefty Brexit 'divorce bill'. The bill is likely to total €60 billion (over ₹4.2 lakh crore). It will reportedly include the UK's share of the cost of projects and programs it previously agreed to

                       OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1.  Hyderabad girl sets world record for playing marathon carrom: Sixteen-year-old Shaik Husna Sameera from Hyderabad and 22-year-old Allada Pavan, who is now employed in Bengaluru, officially entered the Guinness World Records for 'Longest marathon carrom playing'. They played carrom for 34 hours 45 minutes and 56 seconds at a stretch, breaking the previous record of 32 hours and 45 minutes set in 2005.

2. World's first robot table tennis tutor sets Guinness record: FORPHEUS, developed by Japan-based Omron Corporation, has been given the Guinness World Records title for being the 'First robot table tennis tutor'. The robot possesses unique technological intelligence and educational capabilities and is known for playing better than humans. It encourages players to play at their best by showing supportive messages on the LED screen placed on the table's net.

3. Jitu Rai, Heena Sidhu win 10m pistol gold at ISSF World Cup:Indian shooters Jitu Rai and Heena Sidhu clinched the gold medal in the 10m pistol mixed team event at the ISSF World Cup in Delhi on Monday. The duo defeated Japan in the event's final to hand India its second medal at the World Cup. Earlier, Pooja Ghatkar had won the women's 10m air rifle bronze medal at the competition.