Daily GK Updates - 9th July, 2017

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Ahmedabad declared as India’s first World Heritage city by UNESCO: The 600 year old Walled City of Ahmedabad has been declared as India’s first World Heritage City. Delhi and Mumbai were also among the race. Ahmedabad’s nomination received huge support from 20 countries for the peaceful co-existence of Hindu, Islamic, Jain communities in Walled City area.

2.  Defence Ministry names two former Army chiefs in Adarsh Scam: Former Army chiefs, General N.C.Vij and General Deepak Kapoor have been named for their complicity on Adarsh Housing Society scam in Mumbai.  The Adarsh housing society, a 31-storey apartment complex in a prime location in south Mumbai, was meant for the families of Kargil war veterans but several top politicians, bureaucrats and military officers became the of owners of apartments in the complex.

3. Home Minister Rajnath Singh assures Sikkim of safety of NH10: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today assured the Sikkim government that the Centre will ensure the security of national highway 10, the lifeline of the landlocked state, which is facing crisis of essential commodities in the wake of protests and counter-protests over the demand for Gorkhaland in neighbouring West Bengal.

4. Digital initiatives over e-education launched: President Mukherjee launched 3 digital initiatives – Swayam, Swayam Prabha and National Academic Depository to push e-education in the country. Aim of the initiatives is to raise the Gross Enrollment Ratio in  higher education from 24.5 to 30 by 2020. Swayam will host courses taught in classrooms from Class 9th to post-graduation, which can be accessed by anyone, anywhere at any time.

5. Beef detection kit developed by Maharashtra: Directorate of FSL in Maharashtra has developed a portable kit which can determine if a meat sample contains beef or not. If meat sample fed into the kit is beef, the sample turns yellow and will be sent for further confirmation to FSL. Cow Meat Detection ELISA Kit can provide results within 30 mins. It will help police secure more convictions in cases of beef possession or transportation.

6. Lower berth in 3AC coach to be reserved: Indian Railways has fixed quota for ‘Divyangs’ in 3AC of mail and express trains to make the journey hassle-free. A lower berth in 3AC coach will be reserved for Divyangs. Currently, there is a provision for lower berth quota in sleeper class only. In order to facilitate smooth entry into platforms, all stations are being made accessible for differently-abled passengers.

International UPDATES:

1. IMF Chief calls for removing barriers and reducing subsidies at G20: IMF Chief Christine Lagarde has asked the members of G20 to reduce trade barriers and subsidies to step up trade.She called for urgent action to strengthen global growth and build inclusive economies while keeping away from complacency.

2. India new global growth pole, to keep lead over China says Harvard: According to the study conducted by Harvard University’s Centre for International Development, the growth projections say that India will feature on the top of the list of fastest growing economies till 2025.The annual growth rate will be 7.7 percent.

3. Battulga wins Presidential election in Mongolia: Former martial arts star and businessman Khaltmaa Battulga has won Mongolia’s presidential run-off election. Battulga of the Democratic Party won with 50.6% of the vote on a 60.9% turnout and defeated Miyeegombo Enkhbold of the ruling Mongolian People’s party.

4. Nepal, China ink border security deal: Nepal and China have signed an agreement to set up a border law enforcement centre to manage and curb border related crimes while respecting each other’s sovereignty. The aim of establishing the centre is to co-operate each other on the border security management and to curb border related crimes.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. Indian women hold South Africa in Hockey World League: Brilliant goalkeeping by Savita saw India hold hosts South Africa 0-0 in their first match of the Women’s Hockey World League Semi Final in Johannesburg. India will take on USA next.

BANKING & FINANCE

2. India to join New GXFC: India will soon get a seat on the Global Foreign Exchange Committee. It is a newly-constituted forum of central bankers and experts working towards promotion of a robust and transparent forex market. Committee has been set up under the guidance of the Bank for International Settlements. GXFC will seek to promote collaboration and communication among local foreign exchange committees.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

3. Oracle opens its first Digital Hub: Oracle has launched its first Digital Hub in Asia Pacific region in Bengaluru. Hub would provide cloud computing technology & resources to small & medium businesses to empower them in their digital transformation. There will be 5 hubs across Asia Pacific, India is the 1st hub, other 4 hubs will come up in Sydney, Singapore, Seoul and Beijing.