Daily GK Updates - 25th May, 2017

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Mumbai is the second most-densely populated city in the world: Mumbai has been ranked the world’s second most densely populated city with 31,700 people per sq km by the World Economic Forum. Mumbai is also the most populous city in India and and ninth most populous agglomeration in the world. Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka topped the list with 44,500 people per sq km.

2. Hyderabad local authorities propose to build 100 fully automated & unmanned 'She Toilets': Under the Swachh Bharat Mission, Hyderabad Municipal authorities have proposed to build 100 fully automated and unmanned “She Toilets” at 100 places in the city. The Authorities have built ‘She Toilets’ at two public places on pilot basis which received appreciation from all quarters as the move fulfilled the requirements of women.

3. Rohtang Pass opens for Vehicular traffic: 13,050 feet high Rohtang Pass has been opened for vehicular traffic and tourists after remaining closed for almost six months. The pass connects tribal-district of Lahaul-Spiti with other parts of the state.

Tourists can access Rohtang Pass by obtaining a proper permit. The permit system has been put in place as per directions of the NGT which took serious note of the vehicular pollution.

4. Devendra Fadnavis to launch Samwad Sabha: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will launch a ‘Shivar Samwad Sabha’ to reach out to farmers and address their issues. MPs, MLAs, zilla parishad members and corporators, will engage in a dialogue with farmers to know about their issues and take their feedback on decisions taken by the government till now. The initiative is being launched amid the rising resentment among farmers.

5. Cabinet approves allocation of 2.5% of Central Road Fund for development of National Waterways: The union Cabinet has approved allocation of 2.5% of Central Road Fund for development and maintenance of National Waterways by amending in the Central Road Fund Act, 2000 to boost inland water transport. It will provide about Rs. 2000 crore per annum for the development and maintenance of National Waterways.

6. World’s first philosophical novel on God: Kiren Rijiju, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs has unveiled a philosophical novel on God titled “Confessions of a dying mind: The blind faith of atheism”. A young Indian IAS officer, Haulianlal Guite, has written it.

7. Anti encephalitis campaign in UP: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has launched a campaign to eradicate the deadly encephalitis disease. Close to 40,000 children have died of the disease in the past four decades in the region. The drive will cover over 88 lakh children for which the central government has provided one crore vaccines.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Nepal PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal resigns: He was elected as the 39th prime minister of Nepal after forging alliance with the Nepali Congress. Nepali Congress Chief Sher Bahadur Deuba will replace him.

OTHER UPDATES:

BUSINESS & ECONOMY:

1. Digital Payment company - ItzCash raises ₹800cr: Digital payment company, ItzCash, has raised about ₹800 crore from US-based Ebix Inc. EBix will now own about 80 per cent stakes in ItzCash.

2. ITC and EDII bags Porter Prize 2017: ITC Ltd and EDII (Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India), Gujarat and have won the Porter Prize 2017 for their acumen in competitive strategies. ITC has won the award for Excellence in Corporate Governance and Integration and for its contribution in ‘Creating Shared Value’.

BANKING & FINANCE:

3. SBI launches national hackathon: State Bank of India has launched a national hackathon for developers, start-ups and students to come up with innovative ideas and solutions for the banking sector. The hackathon is named ‘Code For Bank’.

SPORTS:

4. Man United clinch Europa League title: Manchester United defeated Ajax 2-0 to win their maiden Europa League title and claim their second major trophy of the season. Manchester United is now the fifth team to have now won all three of Europe’s major competitions.

5. PV Sindhu elected to BWF Athlete Commission: PV Sindhu became one of the members of the BWF Athletes’ Commission after the end of voting for the four places on the representative body.