Daily GK Updates - 28th April, 2017

­­­­NATIONAL UPDATES:

1.  Union Minister Uma Bharti launches 'Jal Sanrakshan Karyakram-Bundelkhand': The Union Water Resources and River Development Minister Uma Bharti has launched the "Jal Sanrakshan Karyakram - Bundelkhand " at Baandri in Sagar district, Madhya Pradesh. This programme is a part of special efforts being made by the union govt for speedy implementation of water conservation schemes.

2. ISRO develops "Solar Calculator" Android App: An android App 'Solar Calculator' has been developed by Space Applications Centre (SAC), ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) Ahmedabad for the computation of solar energy potential. It is a very useful tool for installation of PV solar panels for tapping solar energy. The App provides monthly/yearly solar potential (in kWh/m2) and minimum/maximum temperature at any location. It also displays the location on the satellite image and provides azimuth/elevation angles as well as day length over different time periods in a year.

3. Puducherry farmers to get free power: The Pondicherry govt. has announced that the farmers of Puducherry will get free power supply from this month for pump sets used for irrigation purpose.

4. Plan for Common Engineering Entrance Exam put on hold: The Ministry of Human Resources and Development has put on hold the plan for conducting a single entrance test for admission to engineering courses throughout the country till a consensus is reached with the states.

5. Tripartite MoU signed for broadband services to Post Offices: A tripartite Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between BBNL, Department of Posts and BSNL to provide broadband connectivity of BharatNet to Post Offices in rural areas. BSNL would provide broadband services. The infrastructure expenses and the operational expenses would be paid by the Department of Posts. BBNL would facilitate and coordinate the entire project.

6. E-taxi trial run to begin in Nagpur: The country’s first electric taxi trial in the country would be launched in Nagpur from May 24. The first project of its kind will be undertaken by Nagpur Municipal Corporation. Mahindra and Mahindra is set to provide 200 taxis for the initiative.

7. Bhubaneswar becomes 1st Indian city to win Pierre L’enfant Awards-2017: Bhubaneswarhas won Pierre L’enfant Planning Excellence and Achievement Awards-2017, instituted by the American Planning Association. Smart city ‘Bhubaneswar’ has received this award for good and advanced town planning and engaging its residents in the planning process.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. El Salvador becomes 1st country in world to ban metals mining: El Salvador has become the first country in the world to ban the mining of metals for environmental protection. The new law entered into force after being signed by President Salvador Sanchez Ceren. It will protect poor rural communities threatened by proposed mining projects.

2. US places India once again on IPR ‘priority watch’ list: The US Trade Representative’s (USTR) office has once again placed India on the ‘priority watch’ list in this year’s Special 301 report despite the country rolling out National IPR Policy last year. India has been placed in ‘priority watch’ list owing to USTR’s view that India has not made adequate changes in its intellectual property (IP) laws and regulations.

3. India and Cyprus ink four agreements: India and Cyprus have signed four agreements following delegation-level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades in New Delhi. Cyprus will also award its highest civilian honour, the Grand Collar of the Order of Makarios III, on President Pranab Mukherjee.

4. World Day for Safety and Health at Work observed today: The World Day for Safety and Health at Work to promote the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases globally is observed on 28^th April every year. The day is observed mainly by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) as an awareness-raising campaign to raise awareness of safety in the workplace. The theme of this year is ‘Optimize the collection and use of OSH data’.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. Kerala hosts country’s first ever transgender athletic meet: Kerala organised the country’s first-ever transgender one-day athletic meet in Thiruvananthapuram. The event saw appreciable participation.

BANKING & FINANCE

2. Paytm launches ‘Digital Gold’, Makes Gold Investment Digital: ‘Paytm’ has launched the first wealth management product ‘Digital Gold’ on its platform to allow customers to buy and sell gold through electronic platform. ‘Digital Gold’ has been launched in partnership with gold refiner MMTC-PAMP.