Daily GK Updates - 5th June, 2017

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. ISRO launches India’s heaviest rocket: ISRO launched India’s heaviest rocket GSLV-Mk III along with a communications satellite GSAT-19 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre. The 43.43m rocket that weighs 640 tonnes is capable of lifting payloads of up to 4000 kg into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit.

2. NTPC installs electric charging stations: National Thermal Power Corporation Limited has facilitated the installation of charging stations for electric vehicles at Delhi and Noida. The main objective of setting up EV charging points is to promote clean energy transportation.

3. Vizianagaram in Andhra Pradesh bags MGNREGA National Award: Ministry of Rural Development has selected Vizianagaram across the nation for the MGNREGA annual award for effective implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act during 2015-16. Vizianagaram generated works for 3,61,668 households in 2015-16 and disbursed Rs. 483.42 crore as wages with an average of Rs. 106.

4. Bhandarkar, Sri Sri and Late Kalpana Chawla to get New York’s Bharat Gaurav Award: Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar will be conferred with the Bharat Gaurav Award at the United Nations Hall, New York. He will be conferred with Bharat Gaurav Award along with spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and Late Kalpana Chawla.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. World Environment Day 2017: World Environment Day is observed on 5 June every year to raise global awareness worldwide for the protection of our environment and the planet Earth. World Environment Day was designated by the UN General Assembly in 1972. The theme for 2017 World Environment Day is ‘Connecting People to Nature’. This year’s host country Canada got to choose the theme.

2. Arab states break ties with Qatar: Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates broke off relations with Qatar. The countries have accused Qatar of supporting terrorism and destabilizing the region. Qatar has been ejected from the Saudi-led coalition. Qatari citizens have been told they have 14 days to leave Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE, and those countries also banned their own citizens from entering Qatar.

OTHER UPDATES:

BANKING & FINANCE:

1. RBI initiates prompt corrective action against Dena Bank: Reserve Bank of India has initiated Prompt Corrective Action for Dena Bank In view of high non-performing assets and negative return on assets. Earlier similar action was initiated against UCO Bank, IDBI Bank, and Indian Overseas Bank.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY:

2. India tops Global Retail Index: India has surpassed China to secure the top position among 30 developing countries on ease of doing business in retail sector. China stood at 2nd position.

3. India sinks in World Competitiveness list: India has been ranked 45th in IMD’s World Competitiveness list. Hong Kong topped the list while Switzerland and Singapore were ranked 2nd and 3rd respectively.

4. NSDC signs MoU with Bird Academy: National Skill Development Corporation has signed a MoU with Bird Academy for skilling of unemployed youth in aviation and aerospace sector. More than 30000 unemployed youth across various states and 5000 women and tribal youths from underprivileged sections of the society will be trained.