Daily GK Updates - 28th June, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Fourth National Consultation of Ministers : The fourth National Consultation Meeting of Ministers of States & UTs, in-charge of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs is being held on 29th June 2018 in New Delhi.The meeting will be chaired by Shri Ram Vilas Paswan, Union Minister of Consumer Affairs.The consultation will be on measures for improving consumer protection and welfare including Public Distribution System etc.

2. India votes against the draft at OPCW meet : India has voted against the draft addressing the threat from chemical weapons use at a conference of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).The conference has been called by the UK, the US & the West to have discussions on upholding the global ban against the use of chemical weapons.India’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the OPCW is Venu Rajamony.

3. National Statistics Day on 29th June : Vice President Venkaiah Naidu will attend the closing ceremony of the 125th birth anniversary of Professor P. C. Mahalanobis on Statistics Day on 29th June.The theme of 2018 is – Quality Assurance in Official Statistics.The objective of the celebration is to create public awareness about statistics in socio-economic planning, to acknowledge the contribution of Prof. Mahalanobis.

4. Sagarmala receives Gold Award at Skoch Summit : The Ministry of Shipping’s flagship programme for port-led-prosperity ‘Sagarmala’ received the ‘Gold Award’ at 52nd Skoch Summit 2018 in New Delhi.The Skoch Awards recognize leadership and excellence in accelerating socio-economic changes.Sagarmala is the programme of govt for port-led-development of the country through harnessing 7,500 km long coastline, 14,500 km of navigable waterways.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Caninet approves MoU with Denmark : The Cabinet gave approval for the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between India and Denmark in the field of animal husbandry and dairy.Under this, a joint working group consisting of representatives from both the countries will be created to formulate joint programmes.This will facilitate the exchange of knowledge & expertise in the areas of animal breeding, animal health.

2. India signed JDI with Germany in Aviation : The Cabinet signed a Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) between India and Germany on Cooperation in the field of Civil Aviation.The Declaration will lead to the promotion of the effective and efficient development of air transport between India and Germany.It would cover Aviation Safety and Air Traffic Management, Helicopter Emergency Medical Services and Training and Skills Development.

3. U.S. postpones 2+2 dialogue with India : US has postponed its inaugural 2+2 dialogue with India, citing “unavoidable reasons”.The dialogue was to be held on July 6, Sushma Swaraj and Nirmala Sitharaman were to take part in the meeting with US secretary of state Michael Pompeo and secretary of defence James Mattis.The meeting was expected to focus on strengthening strategic, security, and defence cooperation.

4. Cabinet approves MoU between India & Singapore : Union Cabinet has given its nod to a Memorandum of Understanding between India & Singapore for cooperation in urban planning and development.The agreement will facilitate government agencies to tap into expertise offered by Singaporean agencies in urban development and management.MoU aims is to facilitate government bodies like municipal corporations to help in rejuvenation of urban areas.

OTHER UPDATES:

BANKING/FINANCE:

1. RBL Bank raise stakes in SFPL to 100% : RBL Bank has fully acquired Mumbai-based microlender firm Swadhaar FinServe Pvt Ltd (SPFL)where it had 60.49% holding earlier.SFPL operates 331 branches across 16 states and two union territories and has an AUM (Assets under management) of around Rs 2,000 crore and reaches 750,000 customers.SFPL distributes loans and savings products, to low-income households and microenterprises.