Daily GK Updates - 7th May, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Children’s theatre festival in Kolkata : Children of various theatre groups from eight countries besides host India will take part in an International Children’s Theatre Festival in the Kolkata.The eight countries are France, Slovenia, Swaziland, Mexico, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bangladesh.The festival, organised by the ‘Kolkata Eso Natak Shikhi’, is based on the theme “Safe Drive Save Life, Save Kids’ Life”.

2.Govt to set up marine observation system : India will establish a Marine Observation System Along the Indian Coast (Mosaic).At least six observatories – three along the east coast and and an equal number along the west coast – will be established.The project, to be launched later this year is intended to carry out monitoring, especially the marine coastal pollution.

3. Isro develops desi atomic clock : Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has developed an atomic clock that will be used in navigation satellites to measure precise location data.The space agency currently imports atomic clocks from European aerospace manufacturer Astrium for its navigation satellites.The atomic clock is currently undergoing a series of qualification tests

4. India to soon begin forecasting of tsunami : India would now be able to foretell the distance a destructive sea wave would travel after it breaches the coast, a prediction that can greatly reduce loss of life and property.The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services has developed a model to predict how far sea water would travel.This would be a Level-3 alert under India’s Tsunami Early Warning System.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. India-Malaysia joint exercise enters phase 2 : The second phase of the Indian and Malaysian armies’ joint military exercise ‘Harimau Shakti’ was initiated on May 7.

The exercise was conducted in Hulu Langat forest of Malaysia under harsh and humid conditions.The sappers team from 3 Engineer regiment of the Indian Army are training with the Malaysian Army combat engineers as a part of their first joint exercise.

2.Australia to help save the koala : Australia unveiled a US$34-million plan to help bring its koala population back from the brink, following a rapid decline in the furry marsupial’s fortunes.The Australian Koala Foundation estimates there may be as few as 43,000 koalas left in the wild.Under the Aus$45 million plan, thousands of hectares will be set aside to preserve the marsupial’s natural habitat.

3. Putin to be sworn in as Russian President : Vladimir Putin is to be sworn in for a 4^th term as president of Russia after winning the election in March.He has been in power for 18 yrs, whether as president or prime minister & opponents have likened his tenure to reign of a tsar, or emperor.The country’s best-known opposition leader, Alexei Navalny, was barred from standing against Putin, on grounds of a conviction for embezzlement.

4. World Laughter Day observed on 6th May : Celebrated since 1998, World Laughter Day is an annual event celebrated to raise awareness about laughter and its many healing benefits.World Laughter Day takes place on the first Sunday of May of every year.The first celebration was on May 10, 1998, in Mumbai, India, and was arranged by Dr. Madan Kataria, founder of the worldwide Laughter Yoga movement.

OTHER UPDATES:

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. HPCL begins home-delivery of diesel : After Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), state-owned Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd (HPCL) has launched home-delivery of diesel in Mumbai.‘HP Fuel Connect’ will deliver diesel to select customers having fixed equipment, heavy machinery in their premises.IOC had in March launched home-delivery of diesel in Pune.

DEFENCE:

1. BrahMos to attain 76% localisation in 6 mths : BrahMos, the world’s fastest supersonic cruise missile, will be achieving 75% localisation in the next six months. As of today 65% of the value (in BrahMos) is created in India.The Quad launcher is designed for supersonic cruise missiles in an inclined configuration on-board our navy ships.The launcher provides superior firepower as compared to the twin canniste

2. Indian naval commanders conference : Indian Navy commanders will discuss the country’s maritime security and review the naval force’s mission-based deployments in the Indian Ocean Region.The commanders would discuss the optimal utilisation of the Navy’s share of the defence budget.The conference would be addressed by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.The conference starts on May 8 and will conclude on May 11.

SPORTS:

1. Aditi finishes T-6th at the Texas Classic : Indian golfer Aditi Ashok has notched up her second successive top-10 finish by finishing Tied-sixth at the Volunteers of America LPGA Texas Classic.This was Aditi’s second top-10 in a row after her Tied-seventh at LPGA Mediheal last week. Aditi is the youngest and first Indian to win the Lalla Aicha Tour School.

2. India won 20 gold at junior athletics meet : India finished on top in the seven-nation competition with 20 gold, 22 silver and eight bronze medals at the 3rd South Asian Junior Athletics Championships in Colombo.Host Sri Lanka bagged rest of the 12 gold medals in the competition along with 10 silver and 19 bronze.The juniors will next represent India at the 18th Asian Junior Athletics Championships to be held in Gifu, Japan.