Daily GK Updates - 5th December, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1.  Admiral Sunil Lanba releases book titled ‘Blue Waters Ahoy’ : Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba has released a book 'Blue Waters Ahoy', chronicling the history of Indian Navy from 2001-2010.The unveiling was part of Navy Day reception at the Navy House in presence of President Ram Nath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan, Delhi.The book has been authored by Vice Admiral Anup Singh.Vice Admiral Anup Singh is retired Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Eastern Naval Command in 2011.

2. Bihar govt sets Rs 100 fee for family property split : Bihar state’s cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has fixed Rs. 100 as the charge for people to get their property registered after the division of family’s immovable assets.Earlier, the charges for registration of property was 5% (3% stamp duty & 2% registration fee) of the value of property registration fee, as per the prevailing minimum value register (MVR) of the area.This is a decision related to public welfare and will reduce tension, disputes, violence and cases in society.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. World Soil Day being observed today : The World Soil Day is being observed annually on 5th December to focus attention on the importance of healthy soil and advocating for the sustainable management of soil resources.The theme for 2018 World Soil Day is 'Be the Solution to Soil Pollution'.

2. International Volunteer Day observed today :  The International Volunteer Day (IVD) observed every year on 5th December.theme of IVD 2018 is: ‘Volunteers build Resilient Communities’.IVD 2018 celebrates volunteer efforts that strengthen local ownership and the resilience of the community in the face of natural disasters, economic stresses and political shocks.

3.  India, UAE sign two agreements, including one on currency swap : Sushma Swaraj (External Affairs Minister) and Abdullah bin Zayed (UAE minister) jointly co-chaired the 12th session of the India-UAE Joint Commission Meeting for Economic and Technical Cooperation in Abu Dhabi.India and the United Arab Emirates have signed two agreements, one on currency swap and the second agreement would enable both sides to undertake development projects in Africa.

OTHER UPDATES:

BANKING/FINANCE:

1. RBI announces its fifth bi-monthly monetary policy review of 2018-19 : The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced its fifth bi-monthly monetary policy review of the current financial year 2018-19.The six-member Monetary Policy Committee, headed by RBI Governor Urjit Patel, began its three-day meeting on Monday.RBI had kept the key interest rates unchanged in the policy review in Dec  2018-19.RBI maintained 'calibrated tightening' stance and projected H1FY20 GDP growth at 7.5 per cent. 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY:

1.  ISRO's heaviest satellite GSAT-11 successfully launched from French Guiana :

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched India's heaviest satellite GSAT-11 (weighing 5,854 kg) by Ariane-5 VA246rocket from Kourou Launch Zone, French Guiana in South America.The GSAT-11 (also called -Big Bird) will deliver multi-spot beam coverageover the Indian mainland and nearby islands bringing significant advantages to the user community.The GSAT-11 is the next generation high throughput communication satellite that will play a vital role in providing broadband services across the country.

DEFENCE:

1.  EX SHINYUU Maitri-2018 With JASDF Commences : The Japanese Air Self Defence Force (JASDF) is in India for five days bilateral air exercise SHINYUU Maitri-18 with Indian Air Force at A F Station Agra.The theme of the exercise is joint Mobility /Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief (HADR) on Transport aircraft.  The focus of the exercise is set for the IAF and JASDF crews to undertake Joint Mobility/ HADR operations.

SPORTS:

1.  IPL: Delhi Daredevils renamed as Delhi Capitals : Delhi Daredevils was renamed as 'Delhi Capitals' after a poor track record over the past 11 IPL seasons. Co owners Parth Jindal (representing JSW Sport) and Kiran Kumar Grandhi (GMR) unveiled the new name of the team.Shreyas Iyer will continue to lead the team despite the presence of Shikhar Dhawan.Dhawan returns to Delhi for the 2019 season after being traded by Sunrisers Hyderabad.