Daily GK Updates - 10th July, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Railways introduces double container service : In a bid to capture lost traffic & to enhance its freight revenue, Indian Railways has introduced Double Stack Dwarf container services.The containers are shorter in size and can run on electrified tracks. They can hold a capacity of 30,500 kgs.By using the dwarf containers, the cost will be significantly reduced since rail transport is cheaper than road.

2. India to hold first ever India Tourism Mart : To increase tourist footfalls, India will organise its first-ever India Tourism Mart for 3 days from September 16 in New Delhi.It is expected to provide a platform for all stakeholders in the tourism & hospitality industry to interact & create business opportunities.It will be organised by the Tourism Ministry, in partnership with Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism & Hospitality.

3. Delhi CM approves yatra scheme : The Delhi government would send 77,000 senior citizens along with one adult attendant each on all-expenses paid pilgrimages every year.Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal approved the Mukhyamantri Tirth yatra Yojana.The government would also pay for one attendant over the age of 18 years to accompany each senior citizen.The pilgrims would be selected through a draw of lots.

4. One farmer one transformer’ scheme : In order to reduce electricity losses, the Maharashtra government will launch a new scheme allocating one transformer per farmer.The scheme, “one farmer one transformer”, will be unveiled on August 15.Two lakh farmers will be given electricity connection for high voltage distribution line which will ensure uninterrupted power supply.

5. Gujarat’s Jews gets religious minority status : The Gujarat government has granted religious minority status to the Jewish community in the state.The notification to this effect was issued on July 6 by the state’s Department of Social Justice and Empowerment.They shall get benefits of welfare schemes formulated for religious minority communities within the jurisdiction of Gujarat.

6. Govt launches LAP and TPS for 25 smart cities : To fast track the resolution of area based infrastructure issues, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has launched the Local Area Plan (LAP) and Town Plan Schemes (TPS) for 25 smart cities in the country.Under which the ministry will provide Rs 2 crore as central assistance to every city for planned urban expansion.The LAP and TPS has been formulated under AMRUT.

7. Varanasi to host Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2019 : The next Pravasi Bharatiya Divas will be held in the holy city of Varanasi in January 2019.The theme of the event, which is being organised in PM Modi’s parliamentary constituency, will be the ‘Role of Indian Diaspora in building a New India’.Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is observed biennially on 9 January to mark the contribution of the overseas Indian community towards development of India.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. China pledges 20 bn in loans for Arab states : China will provide Arab states with $20 billion in loans for economic development, as China seeks to build its influence in Middle East.The money will be earmarked for projects that will produce employment opportunities & positive social impact in Arab States.China is also prepared to provide another 1 billion yuan to countries in the region to build capacity for stability maintenance.

2. Jeremy Hunt named UK foreign secretary : Jeremy Hunt will replace Boris Johnson as the U.K. foreign secretary following Johnson’s resignation.Hunt had served as health minister for more than 5 and half years, the longest term in the history of the State-funded National Health Service.

3. Microsoft signs MoU with Rajasthan Government : Microsoft signed a MoU with the Rajasthan Government to provide free digital training to 9,500 college students in one year.The initiative was taken for the enhancement of digital learning and capacity building of college students in the state.The company will run MS office specialist training programme in 50 government colleges from August which will benefit 9,500 students.

4. UK’s Brexit minister resigns : Britain’s Brexit minister David Davis has resigned from the Cabinet stating policy differences over PM Theresa May’s exit plan from the European Union.It is a blow to May as she seeks to win over Eurosceptic MPs to her proposed Brexit vision, which would form the basis of UK’s position in ongoing talks with EU.Junior minister for housing Dominic Raab will be Britain’s new Brexit minister

5. Pakistan launches 2 satellites from China : Pakistan has launched 2 indigenously built satellites into the orbit from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in China.One of the satellites launched is PRSS-1, a remote sensing satellite that will enable Pakistan to meet its imagery requirements in areas of land mapping & agriculture classification among others.It is the 2^nd time both China & Pakistan have collaborated in the space sector.

OTHER UPDATES:

BANKING/FINANCE:

1. ADB approves USD 503 mln lining project : The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved USD 503-million lining project of the Son canal in Shahabad-Bhojpur region of Bihar.This project will bring immense benefits to the agriculture sector of Shahabad Bhojpur region of Bihar.The estimated cost of this project is USD 503 million out of which USD 352 million is being provided by ADB.

SPORTS:

1. PR Sreejesh to lead Indian hockey team : Goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh will lead the 18-member Indian Men’s Hockey Team at the 18th Asian Games, slated to be held in Jakarta and Palembang from August 18.Midfielder Chinglensana Singh Kangujam has been named the Vice Captain for the tournament.Indian forward Akashdeep Singh has returned to the Indian squad.