Daily GK Updates - 15th February, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES

1. Government extends Anti-Narcotics Scheme to combat illicit drug trafficking: The government has extended the anti-narcotics scheme for 3 more years to combat illicit trafficking in drugs and psychotropic substance. The purpose of the scheme is to assist states and Union Territories, which are contributing in controlling the inter-state and cross-border drug trafficking. The scheme was first launched in 2004 for a period of five years.

2. India to host the 8th Theatre Olympics, to be inaugurated at Red Fort: In an effort to put India firmly among the top nations in the world theatre map, the country will play host to the 8th Theatre Olympics, the greatest carnival of thespianism. The 51-day theatre extravaganza which will be inaugurated at Red Fort It will see 450 shows including 65 shows by international artistes, 600 ambient performances and 250 youth forum shows.

3. NEET mandatory for MBBS aspirant going abroad: Government makes it mandatory for Indian students to clear NEET to obtain an eligibility certificate for applying to medical colleges abroad. Currently, anyone who scores 50% in 12th boards is eligible to go abroad which is why Medical Council of India proposed making NEET mandatory. A common national entrance exam— NEET— is mandatory for admission to all medical courses in the country.

4. No GST on food served to patients in hospital: The government has clarified that the food served to patients admitted to the hospital is part of healthcare services and is therefore exempt from GST. However, the food served by the hospital to patients who are not admitted will be taxable. Also, there will be no GST levied on services provided by doctors, consultants, and technicians at the hospital.

5. Karnataka’s Hampi as ‘Iconic Tourism’ site: The Centre announced that Karnataka’s Hampi monuments will be among the ten destinations selected as ‘Iconic Tourism’ sites. In his Union Budget speech, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had said that the sites will be provided support for holistic infrastructure and skill development. Other selected sites include the Taj Mahal, Konark Sun Temple, and Ajanta and Ellora caves.

6. Bangla becomes first State to opt out of ‘Modicare’: Bengal CM Mamata has opted out of Centre’s ‘Modicare’ scheme. She said state already has a scheme of its own. This makes West Bengal the first state to withdraw from the ambitious programme. Arun Jaitley had announced the NHPS on February 1, making it the biggest global plan to provide quality health cover to a population larger than the combined citizenry of the US, UK, Germany & France.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES

1. Japan posts longest growth since 1980: The Japanese economy posted its longest period of growth since the 1980s boom. The world’s third-largest economy expanded at annualized rate of 0.5% in the fourth quarter of 2017, the eighth straight quarter of expansion. The growth was mainly due to increased consumer spending, which accounts for about two-thirds of the country’s GDP.

2. South Africa’s Jacob Zuma resigns: Jacob Zuma has resigned from the post of South Africa’s President after defying a 48-hour deadline given by the ruling African National Congress (ANC) to leave the office. Zuma, who had to face a no-confidence vote in Parliament said, “I fear no motion of no confidence” He said, “No life should be lost”. The ANC should never be divided in my name.

3. Trump bats for Harley, threatens reciprocal tax on motorcycles: US President Donald Trump has slammed India for high import tariffs on high-end motorcycles and threatened to impose a ‘reciprocal tax’ on motorcycles imported from India. He added that the recent decision of India to reduce the customs duty from 75% to 50% was not enough.

OTHER UPDATES

SCIENCE/ TECHNOLOGY:

1. Andromeda formed after Earth: Milky Way’s nearest spiral galaxy Andromeda formed in a “recent” crash between two smaller star systems when Earth already existed. China and Europe-based astronomers have found this in study. Scientists showed that two galaxies, with a galaxy four times more massive than the other, fused between 1.8 billion and 3 billion years ago to forge Andromeda.

2. NASA to send meteorite from Mars back to Mars: NASA is sending a Martian meteorite, discovered in 1999, back to the Red Planet aboard its Mars 2020 rover. The rock will be used as target practice for a high-precision laser called ‘ SHERLOC’ on the rover. After calibration, the rover will take pictures of Martian rocks and analyse them to look for chemicals that make the ingredients of life.

BANKING/ FINANCE:

1. PNB loses ₹3,800 crore m-cap: Punjab National Bank’s market capitalisation fell by more than ₹3,800 crore after the bank detected fraudulent transactions worth over ₹11,300 crore at a Mumbai branch. The bank is currently valued at ₹35,365 crore after its shares fell nearly 10%. The CBI is investigating billionaire jeweller Nirav Modi and his firms in relation to the fraud transactions.

BUSINESS/ ECONOMY:

1. TATA and Wipro among 135 most ethical companies in the world: Tata Steel and Wipro are the two Indian companies that have been named by US-based Ethisphere Institute in the list of World’s Most Ethical Companies for 2018. The think tank has honoured 135 companies from 23 countries and 57 industries. Notably, Tata Steel and Wipro are receiving the award for the sixth and seventh time respectively.

2. BHEL bags Rs 560 Crore Order from NTPC: Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited has bagged an order worth Rs 560 crore from NTPC for setting up a system for emission control. BHEL has secured the order for “supply and installation of the flue gas desulphurisation system from NTPC for 2×490 MW National Capital Power Station at Dadri in Uttar Pradesh.