Daily GK Updates - 27th February, 2017

                     NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Attack planned on PM Modi's life ahead of Mau rally: Police: Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's election rally at Mau in Uttar Pradesh on Monday, Mau ASP RK Singh has reportedly said there was a threat to PM's life during the visit. Rasool Pati, an accused in the murder of BJP leader Haren Pandya, has planned to attack PM's convoy with rocket launchers and explosives, police reportedly said.

2. Chandigarh might face total liquor ban from April 1:As the Supreme Court judgement banning liquor shops along state and national highways takes effect from April 1, all liquor shops in Chandigarh might face closure. On record, all major roads in Chandigarh are listed as state highways and fall under the judgement. The categorisation was done two decades back so that the Union Territory administration could maintain the roads.

3. Indian music, food at Buckingham Palace for Year of Culture: The Buckingham Palace in London has said it will serve an "Indian-themed menu" at the launch of the UK-India Year of Culture. The day will begin with a band playing Indian songs, including Jai Ho by AR Rahman, at the Changing of the Guard ceremony. Furthermore, the menu will be prepared by Royal Chefs and chefs from Indian restaurant Veeraswamy.

4. Situation in Kashmir better than 2016: CRPF Chief: Outgoing CRPF Chief K Durga Prasad has said that the situation in Jammu and Kashmir is better as compared to the condition in the year 2016. "Things in Kashmir are not as bad as they are being made out to be," he added. His statement comes after Congress leader P Chidambaram said that India had nearly lost Kashmir.

5. India, ADB ink $375 million loan pact for East Coast Economic Corridor:India and Asian Development Bank (ADB) has signed $375 million pact for loans and grants to develop 800 km Visakhapatnam-Chennai Industrial Corridor. It is the first phase of a planned 2,500-km East Coast Economic Corridor. Earlier in September 2016, ADB had approved $631 million in loans and grants for the industrial corridor.

6. India, Germany ratify 2011 Pact on Social Security Investment:India and Germany have ratified a comprehensive Social Security Agreement (SSA) to improve investment flows between the two countries. The agreement was signed in October 2011 and its instruments of ratification were exchanged in February 2017. It will come into force from May 1, 2017.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. 153 French MPs urge Prez to recognise State of Palestine: As per reports, 153 French parliamentarians have signed a letter to outgoing President Francois Hollande urging him to officially recognise the State of Palestine before his term ends. "France must demonstrate its determination to break the deadlock on this conflict by solemnly reaffirming...that the Palestinian people have the right to be granted the title of a State," the letter read.

2. US mulls leaving UN Human Rights Council: Report:US President Donald Trump's administration is considering to withdraw the country's participation from the UN Human Rights Council over its alleged inefficiencies and anti-Israel behaviour. The potential withdrawal will be a "misguided and shortsighted" step and will set back UN efforts to protect human rights around the world, global rights NGO Human Rights Watch said.

                       OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. India's Ankur Mittal wins silver at Shooting World Cup : Indian shooter Ankur Mittal won silver in the men's Double Trap event at the ISSF World Cup in New Delhi on Monday. Mittal finished the final with 74 points, only one point behind gold medal winner, Australia's James Willett. The Indian shooter had earlier won a gold (2014) and bronze (2016) at the Asian Shooting Championships.