Daily GK Updates - 16th June, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Tamil Nadu to ban e-cigarette : Tamil Nadu is planning to ban electronic cigarettes, battery-operated inhalers that emit doses of vaporised nicotine, state Health Minister Vijaya Baskar told the assembly.An electronic cigarette or e-cigarette is a handheld electronic device that simulates the feeling of tobacco smoking.

It works by heating a liquid to generate an aerosol, commonly called a “vapor”, that the user inhales.

2. Bellandur largest septic tank of Bengaluru : A committee appointed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has said that the Bellandur lake in Bengaluru has become the “largest septic tank of the city”.The report states that the lake’s water-holding capacity has shrunk due to the dumping of garbage and construction waste, among other things.Agara and Varthur were the other waterbodies inspected by the panel.

3. Telangana banned plastic items in offices : The Telangana government directed all urban local bodies and civic municipal bodies to ban usage of single-use plastic in the offices.Use of plastic below 50 microns of thickness is already banned as per Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016.The government plans to make Hyderabad a single-use plastic-free city by 2022.

4. NABARD releases book on Indian Crops : Shri Nitin Gadkari released a book ‘Water productivity mapping of major Indian crops’ published by NABARD.The book is based on a study of 10 important crops.The ten important crops include rice, wheat, maize, pulses, oilseeds, sugarcane, cotton and potato etc.The book suggests to realign cropping pattern keeping in view water scarcity of irrigation.

5. National Tribal Museum to be built : A National Tribal Museum along with a National Level Tribal Research Institute is proposed to be set up at Delhi by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.The Minister of Tribal Affairs Shri Jual Oram said that the Museum will showcase the rich tribal culture and heritage using state-of-the-art technologies.The proposal to set up the Museum and TRI has already been sent to the Niti Ayog.

6. New Incredible India website launched : Minister of State for Tourism Shri K.J. Alphons launched the new Incredible India website.The website showcases India as a holistic destination, revolving around major experiences, such as, spirituality, heritage, adventure, culture, yoga, wellness and more.The website follows the trends and technologies of international standards with an aim to project India as a “must-visit” destination.

7. PM dedicated expanded Bhilai Plant to Nation : PM Modi inaugurated the Integrated Command and Control Centre at Naya Raipur Smart City, Chhattisgarh.

​Prime Minister dedicated the modernized and expanded Bhilai Steel Plant, to the nation.He laid the foundation stone for IIT Bhilai.He also unveiled a plaque to mark the commencement of phase-2 of BharatNet.The Prime Minister inaugurated air services between Jagdalpur and Raipur.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Omar Al-Razzaz sworn in as Jordan PM : Former World Bank Economist Omar al-Razzaz was sworn in as Jordan’s Prime Minister after King Abdullah issued a decree approving the new government.The 58-year-old, who studied at Harvard University, was tasked with reviewing the country’s disputed tax system.Omar succeeded Hani al-Mulki who resigned following mass protests over price hikes and other government economic policies.

2. Georgia’s PM Giorgi Kvirikashvili Resigns : Giorgi Kvirikashvili, prime minister of Georgia, has announced his resignation amid a disagreement with Bidzina Ivanishvili, the leader of the ruling party.Kvirikashvili, 50, has been the country’s prime minister since 2015.The prime minister’s resignation comes amid growing popular discontent over his government’s handling of the economy and after mass protests in recent months.

3. India to host European Union Film Festival : The European Union Film Festival will premiere in New Delhi on 18th June, 2018.With a selection of 24 latest European films from 23 EU Member States, this years’ film festival will bring some unusual stories for the world cinema enthusiasts.The European Union Film Festival is organized by Directorate of Film Festivals, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India and EU.

OTHER UPDATES:

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. Wholesale inflation hits 14-month high : India’s inflation measured by the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) rose to a 14-month high of 4.43% in May as compared to 3.18% in April, government data revealed.Vegetable prices grew by 2.51% in May, while primary articles that account for over one-fifth of the entire WPI, grew by 3.16%.Fuel and power inflation grew at 11.22% in May.

2. WhatsApp opens UPI-based payments service : Facebook-owned messaging service WhatsApp has started the mass rollout of WhatsApp Payments feature via UPI platform in India, according to reports.The feature was rolled out to select users in February, but now, besides invite-based access, users can also access it after updating the app.WhatsApp will be able to send ₹5,000 in a single transaction, the reports added.

3. Inder Jit Singh became Secretary, Min of Coal : Dr. Inder Jit Singh, assumed charge as Secretary, Ministry of Coal at Shastri Bhawan office, New Delhi.Dr. Jit Singh took over the charge of Secretary which fell vacant after superannuation of Shri Susheel Kumar on April 30 this year.Dr. Jit Singh was posted as Secretary (Coordination) in Cabinet Secretariat, he is a Ph.D in Economics from Punjab University.

BANKING/FINANCE:

1. HDFC, 5th Biggest Consumer FSC: Forbes : Housing finance major HDFC has been ranked as the 5th biggest public company globally in the ‘consumer financial services category’ on a list compiled by Forbes magazine.HDFC’s rank has moved up from 7th place last year.American Express has topped this category, while Indiabulls Housing Finance is the only other Indian company (at 13th place) on the list.