Daily GK Updates - 17th June, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Maharashtra government, Quebec ink pact : The Maharashtra government and Canada’s Quebec province have signed a pact to increase the economic cooperation especially in areas like information technology, biotechnology, artificial intelligence and welfare of the tribal community.The pact was signed between Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadanvis and Philippe Couillard, Prime Minister of Quebec province of Canada.

2. PM Modi to chair NITI Aayog meeting : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair the fourth meeting of the Governing Council of NITI Aayog at Rashtrapati Bhawan.

The Governing Council will also review the work done during the previous year and deliberates upon the future developmental priorities.The Governing Council of NITI Aayog is the premier body tasked with evolving a shared vision of national development.

3. Tripura starts 24×7 mobile policing service : The Tripura government launched the GPS (Global Positioning System) and wireless-based 24×7 mobile policing service.

It will help in curbing crime, especially against women.To operate the ‘mobile policing’ service, a police van or a small vehicle with police personnel would keep patrolling round-the-clock in their assigned zone.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Japan to allow more foreign workers : Japan adopted an economic plan that would allow more foreign workers as the rapidly aging country seeks to make up for its declining workforce.Japan would relax visa requirements in sectors facing severe labour shortages such as nursing care, agriculture, construction and transport.

The workers would be allowed to stay in the country for only up to 5 years as visitors, not as immigrants.

2. Nepal, China to sign deal for 3 oil depots : An agreement on building oil storage depots at three locations in Nepal with Chinese assistance is expected to be signed.

As per the agreement, the building oil storage depots would have a combined capacity of 110,000 kilo litre.The construction of the project is expected to be completed by mid 2019. The site for this purpose has been specified.

3. Peggy Whitson retires as astronaut : NASA’s record-breaking astronaut, Peggy Whitson, retired after returning from her last and longest spaceflight.Whitson was the first woman to command the International Space Station, holding the position twice, and the oldest woman ever to fly in space.She was also the only woman to have served as chief of NASA’s male-dominated astronaut corps

OTHER UPDATES:

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. Muthoot Fincorp, NSDC to train 10,000 youth : Muthoot Fincorp Limited announced its partnership with National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC).Under the scheme, Muthoot Fincorp targets to train over 10,000 people over the next three years and make them job ready under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana.NSDC has approved a target of 3,000 candidates in the first year and 3,500 each in the subsequent two years.

2. India’s exports hit six month high in May : India’s exports grew 20.18 percent to $28.86 billion in May, recording the highest number in six months.India’s trade deficit widened to a four-month high of $14.62 billion in May as imports surged nearly 15%.Even though exports outpaced imports, higher oil import bill wiped away the benefits of a contraction in gold imports.

3. Panel to vet insurance marketing firm norms : Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has formed a committee to review regulations governing the Insurance Marketing Firms (IMF).Such firms, which serve as a distribution channel for insurers, are governed by regulations announced about three years ago.IRDAI had approved IMF in 2015 as a measure to increase insurance penetration in the country.

OBITUARIES:

1.Veteran journalist Adiraju passes away : Senior journalist and writer Adiraju Venkateswara Rao passed away in Hyderabad.He worked for several Telugu and English dailies and news agencies including Andhra Jyothi, Udayam, Deccan Chronicle, Indian Express, Himachal Times and Hindustan Samachar at Hyderabad and Delhi.He played an active role in the separate Telangana agitation in 1969.