Daily GK Updates - 11th July, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. India’s first internet telephony service : BSNL has unveiled 1^st internet telephony service in India that will allow users to dial any telephone number in India through its mobile app, “Wings”.Before this, phone calls on mobile apps was possible within users of a particular app & not on telephone numbers.BSNL customers will be able to make calls on any network in the country even by using BSNL Wi-Fi or any other service provider.

2. India’s first private UAV factory : India’s first private sector unit for manufacturing unmanned air vehicles (UAV) and light bullet proof vehicles (LBPV) will be set up by DCM Shriram Industries Group in Kota.These UAVs and LBPVs are likely to be used by defence and para-military forces in the country.The new defence unit in Kota is being set up under ‘Make in India’ initiative of the union government.

3. 5 new languages for Rajya Sabha members : Members of the Rajya Sabha can now speak in any of the 22 Scheduled Languages from the Monsoon Session of Parliament beginning on July 18th, 2018.The simultaneous interpretation facility has been added in 5 more languages – Dogri, Kashmiri, Konkani, Santhali & Sindhi.Of the 22 scheduled languages, Rajya Sabha had earlier established simultaneous interpretation service for 12 languages.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. India Climbs To 57th Position in GII rankings : India was ranked 57th in the latest Global Innovation Index (GII) rankings.Switzerland maintained its number one position in the Global Innovation Index rankings.Other countries that fell in the top 10 list were Netherlands, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States of America, Finland, Denmark and Germany.GII rankings are published by the World International Property Organisation (WIPO).

2. India-Korea technology exchange centre : India-Korea technology exchange centre was inaugurated by MoS MSME, Giriraj Singh & Minister of SMEs & Start-ups of Republic of Korea, Hong Jong- hak in Delhi.It will work towards identifying Indian technologies which can be exported to Korea & find suitable Korean partners for the same.It will help SMEs of both the countries to learn from each other to enhance their comparative advantages

3. World Population Day : World Population day is an annual event, observed on July 11 every year, which seeks to raise awareness of global population issues.This year, the theme for the World Population Day is ‘Family Planning is a Human Right’. According to UN, China with 1.4 billion & India with 1.3 billion people are the 2 most populous countries, contributing to 19% & 18 % of the global population respectively.

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE:

1. INS Sumitra enters port of Sabang : Indian naval ship INS Sumitra became the first-ever warship to enter port of Sabang in Indonesia.The warship was deployed in Malacca Straits.Sabang port is located close to the northern entrance of the Malacca straits.Almost 40% of India’s trade passes through Malacca which is one the busiest shipping routes.

2. Indian Naval aircraft deployed for RIMPAC : Indian Navy’s P8I long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft from INS Rajali has inducted at Hawaii for participating in the Rim of Pacific Multinational Naval exercise.This is the first time ever that an Indian Naval aircraft has traversed so far east into the Pacific.The aircraft will form part of the largest naval exercise which has 26 nations participating in this year’s edition.

SPORTS:

1. Arothe resigns as India women’s cricket coach : Indian Women’s Cricket Team Coach Tushar Arothe has stepped down from the role citing personal reasons.A former batting allrounder, Arothe took over as head coach in April 2017 after the removal of Purnima Rau from the job.Having previously been part of the Indian women’s coaching staff between 2008 and 2012, Arothe had been initially appointed until the 2017 World Cup.

2. India bag four medals at Asian Archery : India has bagged four medals in the Asia Cup World Archery Ranking Tournament Stage 3 in Taipei.The feat comprised 3 silver medals and a bronze. India finished joint third with Iran in the championship.India ended their campaign behind toppers Korea and hosts Chinese Taipei.