Daily GK Updates - 5th February, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. A new wildlife sanctuary has been approved by Maharashtra government: A new wildlife sanctuary at Ghodazari in Chandrapur has been approved by the Maharashtra government.This sanctuary, in the north east of Tadoba, will include 159 sq.km. of Brahmapuri forest. This will not only save the forest but will also improve tourism in nearly 40 villages in the area.

2. Green Good Deeds campaign: Dr Harsh Vardhan, the Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, has launched people-oriented campaign “Green Good Deeds” to sensitize the people and students, in particular, about climate change and global warming. Referring to the crucial role played by “Polio Sainiks” for Pulse Polio campaign, Dr Vardhan has underlined the need for “Green Sainiks” to broad-base the Green Good Deeds movement and to take it down to the grassroots level successfully.

3. Dinesh Srivastava-newly appointed Chief Executive of the Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC): Dr. Dinesh Srivastava, the distinguished nuclear scientist, has taken charge as the new Chief Executive of the Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC). He succeeded G. Kalyanakrishnan. In this capacity Dr. Srivastava will also be Chairman of the NFC Board. Prior to this assignment, he was holding the position of Deputy Chief Executive in NFC. Previously, he had worked for 3 decades in Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai and is a senior Professor in Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), Mumbai.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. PM Modi to visit UAE to boost ties: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit the UAE later this week which authorities and business leaders say signifies the special importance India attaches to its ties with the oil-rich nation and will help in furthering cooperation in diplomatic, economic and security issues.Narendra Modi will be in the UAE on February 10 and 11 and will address the sixth World Government Summit in Dubai.

2. India contributes $1 mn to UN Development Partnership Fund: India has contributed additional $1 million to India-UN Development Partnership Fund, earmarked for South-South cooperation. The contribution aims to intensify its partnerships with other developing countries in south. India has pledge multi-year contribution of $100 million to the fund established in June 2017. India has already provided $6 million within the seven months since launch of fund.

OTHER UPDATES:

BANKING/ECONOMY:

1. RBI sending alerts regarding Rs 10 coins: The Reserve Bank of India is sending alerts to people busting rumours regarding Rs10 coins that are doing the rounds in markets. The alert message from RBI read, “Rs10 coins have been issued both with rupee symbol and without it. Both are valid. Accept them without dear.”

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. Singtel to invest in Airtel’s parent firm: Singapore Telecommunications(Singtel) has said that it will invest Rs. 2,649 crores in Airtel’s holding company Bharti Telecom. After having this investment, Singtel’s total stake will increase from 47.17% to 48.9% while Bharti Enterprises will continue to hold over 50% in Bharti Telecom.

SPORTS:

1. A Galaxy is named after Football player Ronaldo: A galaxy, Cosmos Redshift 7, is named after five times Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, who is known as CR7.Ronaldo also has an airport named after him.

2.Harmanpreet and Bumrah have been named in Forbes India 30 under 30 list: Indian cricketers Jasprit Bumrah and Harmanpreet Kaur have been named in Forbes India 30 under 30 achievers list.Bumrah finished 2017 as the third highest ODI wicket taker while Harmanpreet scored 171* against Australia in 2017 WC, the fourth highest individual score in Women’s WC history.

OBITUARIES:

1. Sudha Karmarkar, the veteran theatre artist has passed away: Sudha Karmarkar (83), the veteran theatre artist, director, and pioneer of Children’s Theatre in Maharashtra, has passed away in Mumbai on February 5, 2018. Karmarkar founded the children’s theatre in Mumbai which is known as ‘Bal Rangbhumi- Little Theatre’ and directed various plays for children. She not only directed the plays but also acted in the plays.