Daily GK Updates - 10th May, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Stanford University to partner with UP : Uttar Pradesh Health Minister Sidharth Singh has said that the Stanford University in the United States will partner with UP to combat diseases like Japanese encephalitis and acute encephalitis syndrome.Companies like Boeing, Lockheed Martin also want to set up their plants in India, Singh added.Singh had led a delegation to the US to get investments from the country.

2.Kerala Government to provide free internet : The Kerala Government will set up a Joint Venture company to launch its new optic fibre network.The Kerala Fibre Optic Network Limited will implement the Kerala Fibre Optic Network (K-FON) project.The K-FON initiative is being implemented to provide speedy internet connectivity to government offices and educational institutions and to the public at an affordable rate.

3. Biggest City Gas Distribution Auction :  India has launched its biggest auction of city gas distribution networks, offering permits for selling compressed & piped natural gas in 86 geographical areas.The 9th CGD licensing round would help bring gas coverage to 174 districts in 22 states & UTs, covering 29% of the country’s area.The cities for which CGD licenses are on offer include Bhopal, Ahmednagar & Ludhiana among others.

4. India’s longest rail bridge on Brahmaputra : Bogibeel bridge, India’s longest rail-cum-road bridge on the Brahmaputra connecting Dibrugarh to Dehamji is expected to be open for public by October 2018.The bridge will boost defence logistics along the China border and reduce travel time for rail passengers and road users.The bridge will make Itanagar in Arunachal Pradesh easily accessible from Dibrugarh.

5. Delhi government amended Minimum Wages Act : President Ram Nath Kovind has given his assent to the Delhi government’s Bill to amend the Minimum Wages Act.Under the amended act, employers violating labour rules in the city will now face fine ranging from Rupees 20,000-50,000 and jail term between one to three years.For an unskilled worker, the minimum wages is Rs 13,350 per month while for semi-skilled, it is Rs 14,698.

6. Telangana govt to launch Rythu Bandhu scheme : Telangana Government launched the “Rythu Bandhu Scheme” (Farmers’ investment support scheme) at Karimnagar district on 10th May.Under the scheme, the farmers will get ₹4,000 each an acre in the Kharif and Rabi seasons to take care of the credit needs ahead of the farm seasons.The government has excluded about 11 lakh tenant farmers from the scheme.

7. Green licence plates for e-vehicles : To promote electric vehicles in India, the government has approved green licence plates bearing numbers in white fonts for private e-vehicles & yellow for taxis.The purpose behind distinctive number plates is their easy identification for preferential treatment in parking beside other proposed benefits like concessional toll.India at present has 1 to 1.5 lakh electric vehicles.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. India, Panama signed two agreements : India and Panama have signed two agreements on the exemption of Visas for holders of Diplomatic and Official Passports and in the field of Agriculture.Two centres for Biodiversity and Innovation will be set up by India in Panama.Both the countries have agreed to strengthen cooperation in tax information, air services, traditional medicines, culture and space.

2. India, Ethiopia held bilateral talks : India and Ethiopia vowed to strengthen cooperation in key areas such as defence, counter-terrorism, and trade and investment during the 2nd Joint Committee Meeting between the two countries.External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Dr Gebeyehu led their respective delegations.Both sides also exchanged views on issues of mutual interest.

Addis Ababa is the capital of Ethiopia.

3. China launched new satellite : China successfully launched a hyperspectral imaging satellite for comprehensive observation of the atmosphere, including air pollution.The Gaofen-5 satellite was launched off the back of a Long March 4C rocket from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in northern Shanxi Province.It will help reduce China’s dependence on foreign hyperspectral satellite data.

OTHER UPDATES:

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. YES Bank to launch water-security programme :  YES Bank is all set to roll out a capacity building project with farmers in Haryana and Rajasthan under its ‘Livelihood and Water Security’ CSR initiative.The overall focus of the programme would be on sustainable agricultural practices and digital literacy.The programme would be rolled out initially across 15 districts (eight districts in Haryana and seven in Rajasthan).

2. Walmart to buy control of Flipkart : Walmart had agreed to pay $16 billion for about 77% stake in Flipkart.It will be the biggest ever acquisition in India by a foreign firm surpassing the about $13 billion Vodafone spent in 2007 for buying Hutchison’s Indian business.The Walmart entered India in a joint venture with the Bharti Group in 2007 & started cash-and-carry stores named ‘BestPrice Modern Wholesale’ in 2009.

DEFENCE:

1. Army’s Vijay Prahar exercise in Rajasthan ends : Indian Army’s ‘Vijay Prahar’ exercise in which over 25,000 troops of the Jaipur based South Western Command participated culminated in Rajasthan’s Suratgarh.Fighting equipments including tanks, attack helicopters, drones and fighter aircraft were used in the month-long exercise.The concept of ‘Air Cavalry’ employing attack & weaponized helicopters was also validated during the exercise.

2. India to station fighter planes in Andaman : India has decided to station fighter airplanes in Andaman & Nicober Islands to strengthen India’s hold over the crucial Malacca, Sunda, and Lumbok Strait.This is the first time fighter airplanes will be positioned in Andaman and Nicobar islands since World War II.The Malacaa, Sunda and Lumbok straits are narrow ocean passes that connect the Indian Ocean to the South China Sea.

SPORTS:

1. Six CWG stars join TOPS : Six Commonwealth Games medallists from the track and field, shooting and weightlifting disciplines were inducted into the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS)The objective of TOPS, launched by Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, is to identify & support the potential medal prospects for 2020 Olympic Games.The selected athletes are provided financial assistance for their training.