Daily GK Updates - 5th December, 2017

NATIONAL UPDATES

1. Shamli district of UP included in NCR region: The Shamli district of Uttar Pradesh has been included in the National Capital Region (NCR).The decision was taken by the 37th meeting of the National Capital Region Planning Board. Now there are total 23 districts which come under the National Capital Region.

2.  6th International Tourism Mart 2017 begins in Assam: The 6th International Tourism Mart 2017 begins in Guwahati, Assam.The three- day program has been organized by Ministry of Tourism in association with all North Eastern states.The International Tourism Mart is inaugurated by the Jagdish Mukhi, Governor of Assam.The main objective of the mart is to highlight the tourism potential of the region in the domestic and international markets. 

3.  India & Germany sign Umbrella Agreement: India and Germany signed an agreement on the Government to Government Umbrella Agreement concerning the Financial Cooperation in 2016 (II) under the Indo-German Development Cooperation. The agreement was signed to formalize an amount up to Euro 200 million for the Financial Cooperation in form of loan for the project ‘Climate Friendly Urban Mobility III’ and Euro 11 million Accompanying measures in form of a grant for four projects.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. US withdraws from UN Migrant & Refugee pact: The United States has withdrawn itself from a United Nations Migrant & Refugee pact to improve the handling of migrant and refugee situations. In August 2017, the United States pulled out of the Paris-based culture and education body.

2. World Soil Day: World Soil Day is celebrated annually on 5th of December at Food & Agriculture Organization of the UN headquarters in Rome, the regional offices and through national and local events. It aims to communicate messages on the importance of soil quality for food security, healthy ecosystems and human well-being. The Theme for this year Soil Day is ‘Caring for Planet starts from the Ground’.

3. Syrian boy wins ‘Children’s Peace Prize’: Mohamad Al Jounde from Syria has been awarded the International Children’s Peace Prize for his efforts to ensure rights of Syrian refugee children. Al Jounde set up a school together with his family in a Lebanese refugee camp that currently provides 200 children with education. He received the prize from Malala Yousafzai, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014 for her work for children’s rights.

OTHER UPDATES:

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. Google Maps introduces ‘Motorcycle Mode’: Google has launched a new feature to its Maps application specially, for Indian users called, the Motorcycle Mode. The feature will allow two-wheeler drivers the shortest or the most convenient route for their journey will also show the routes and ETA which are suited best for the bikers. The app will also share details about road blockage or parking trouble near the destination.

2. ADB lends $583mn for RPower’s project: Asian Development Bank has approved debt financing & partial risk guarantee of $583mn to develop Reliance Power’s 750MW power plant & LNG terminal project in Bangladesh. Energy from the power plant will be sold into country’s electricity grid under a long-term power purchase agreement & will significantly improve energy infrastructure in Bangladesh. The total project cost is $1bn (approx).

3. Fitch lowers India’s GDP growth rate to 6.7% for 2017-18: International rating agency Fitch has lowered the India’s GDP growth projection for 2017-18 to 6.7 percent from its earlier forecast of 6.9 percent.It also reduces the GDP growth forecast for 2018-19 fiscal year to 7.3percent from 7.4 percent.

4. Google invests in Dunzo: In its first direct investment in an Indian startup, Google has invested Rs 65 cr in Dunzo, a hyper local concierge & delivery firm. The investment is part of Google’s Next Billion Users push & will see the company lead a $10-12 mn round. Dunzo offers services where customers can use its app to ask for errands such as fetching medicines or buying a cake, for a fee.

5. Book on Indian cinema released by AB: Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan has launched a book based on Indian cinema in Mumbai. The book, titled ‘Bollywood: The Films! The Songs! The Stars!’ is Co-authored by S.M.M. Ausaja, Karan Bali, Rajesh Devraj and Tanul Thakur. It is a coffee table book, which provides historical insights & behind-the-scene exclusives of the most iconic movies made in the history of Indian film industry.

6. Paytm rolls out FASTag across India: Paytm Payments Bank is rolling out Paytm FASTag across the India, with the govt mandating the use of FASTag on every new vehicle sold from Dec 1. The FASTags allow vehicles to pass through 380 toll plazas across India covering 55,000 km without having to stop. Each Paytm FASTtag is linked to a registered Paytm account to facilitate instant automatic deduction of toll charges.