Daily GK Updates - 13th October, 2017

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Himachal Pradesh poll dates announced: According to the Chief Election Commissioner A K Joti, Himachal Pradesh (HP) will go to polls on 9th November 2017 in a single phase. The notification for the Assembly polls will be issued on 16th Oct and counting of votes will take place on 18th December.

2. Air Force launches App ‘MedWatch’: On its 85th anniversary, the Indian Air Force has launched an innovative mobile health App named ‘MedWatch’ on the lines of Prime Minister’s vision of ‘Digital India’. ‘MedWatch’, available on the IAF’s AFCEL network, comprises a host of features that will provide authentic health information to all IAF personnel.

3. India-Sri Lanka start “Mitra Shakti 2017”: ‘Mitra Shakti 2017’, a joint exercise between India and Sri Lanka for military co-operation and interoperability, will be conducted at the Aundh Military Camp in Pune between October 13 and 25. It is an effort in India’s response to China’s growing influence in South Asia and the Indian Ocean region. The aim of this training is to exchange the best of military practices of the two countries.

4. Government launches ‘Sampoorna Bima Gram’ Yojana: Under the Sampoorna Bima Gram Yojana, at least one village having a minimum of 100 households will be identified in each of the revenue districts of the country. It has been decided that its benefits will no longer be confined to government and semi-government employees but also be available to the professionals such as doctors, engineers, management consultants, chartered accountants, lawyers, and bankers. The postal policies have low premium and high bonus, unlike the private ones.

5. Assam Government sanctions Rs 500 crore for development of National Highways: The Assam state government has sanctioned Rs 500 crore for development of National Highways in Barak valley. Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal also laid the foundation stone of a project upgradation and improvement of Silchar airport Road in Cachar.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. China develops inexpensive laser gun for counter-terrorism operations: China has developed a new laser gun capable of hitting the targets within 200 meters in one second for counter-terrorism operations. The gun contains a handset for aiming and a backpack containing the power supply with a remote control and laser emitter.

The gun makes no sound or light when fired and it does not recoil, and is inexpensive to maintain.

2. US to withdraw from UNESCO accusing the cultural body of 'anti-Israel bias': The United States (US) will withdraw from the United Nations Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) accusing the body of anti-Israel bias. It will establish an observer mission to replace its representation at the Paris-based agency.

3. Egypt extends state of emergency for three months: According to a presidential decree released, Egypt has extended for a third time a nationwide state of emergency for three months. In April 2017, the emergency was first declared by President Sisi for 3 months and extended in July for a further three months.

OTHER UPDATES:

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. IIP rises 4.3% in August: The country's industrial production grew at a nine-month high of 4.3% in August 2017 due to a robust performance of the mining and power sectors. Factory output measured in terms of the Index of Industrial Production had grown 4% in August 2016.

2. Bharti Airtel to buy Tata Teleservices: The Tata Group has agreed to sell its mobile business to Bharti Airtel BSE. It is done to get rid from the loss-making venture while bolstering the market share and 4G airwaves capacity of the Sunil Mittal-led company. The deal, which has been done on a ‘debt-free, cash-free basis’ will intensify the consolidation process underway in the telecom industry.

3. “Make in India: Sweden 2017” exhibition held: Make in India: Sweden 2017, organized by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion in Stockholm, from October 12-13 aims to enhance Indo-Swedish cooperation. Delegation is led by the Minister of Commerce & Industry, Shri Suresh Prabhu. The meeting was held to further strengthen Indo-Swedish economic relationship and explore new avenues of collaboration.

BANKING/FINANCE:

4. SBI launches SME Assist: State Bank of India launched a new product called ‘SME Assist’ to provide a short-term working capital demand loan to its MSME clients. The loans shall be provided on the basis of clients’ input credit claims under GST. These loans will help clients to manage their working capital requirement till the time they get input credit and will thereby ensure stability in operations.

SPORTS:

5. Yuvraj Singh becomes Laureus’ ambassador: Yuvraj Singh has become the first Indian ambassador of Laureus. Laureus works to improve the lives of young people through sport, and uses the power of sport to end violence, discrimination and disadvantage. Laureus consists of Indian cricket legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Kapil Dev.