Daily GK Updates - 25th February, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES

1. International Conference on sustainable biofuels begins in Delhi: An International Conference on Sustainable Biofuels has been organized by Department of Biotechnology & Govt. of India. It will take place in New Delhi. It will bring together experts from Biofuels sector to take stock of current knowledge, share info & best practices & build consensus on the actions most needed to move forward. Sustainable Biofuel is one of the seven Mission Innovation Challenges.

2. Nilekani to develop IT infra for ‘Modicare’: Nandan Nilekani will assist the government in developing IT infrastructure for the National Health Protection Scheme (NHPS), which seeks to cover 10-crore families. The IT infrastructure for the healthcare scheme will be of a huge scale as was required for Aadhar.

3. Institutes identified to improve ease of doing business: Commerce & industry ministry has appointed four institutes to interact with stakeholders and suggest measures to push India’s ranking in ease of doing business index. NICMAR, IIFT, ICSI and ICAI are the four institutes that have been roped in for the exercise. As per the latest World bank’s Ease of Doing Business ranking, India’s position improved by 30 places to 100th.

4. NCERT syllabus to be reduced to half from 2019: Prakash Javadekar, Union Human Resources Development Minister, said NCERT syllabus will be reduced to half from the 2019 academic session. This move is aimed at ensuring that students get time to pursue other activities for their all-round development.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES

1. TAPI gas pipeline work begins from Afghanistan: Turkmenistan announced the start of construction work on the Afghan section of an $8 billion natural gas pipeline that will link the energy-rich Central Asian nation to Pakistan and India. The ceremony was attended by Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani and his Turkmenistan counterpart Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and India’s Minister of state for external affairs Shri M. J. Akbar. TAPI gas pipeline project is proposed trans-country natural gas pipeline from the Caspian Sea, Turkmenistan to India through Afghanistan and Pakistan. The pipe line connects central Asia with south Asia covering 1,840 km.

OTHER UPDATES

DEFENCE:

1. DRDO successfully tests flight UAV Rustom-2: DRDO has successfully flown its Rustom 2 at its Aeronautical Test Range at Chalakere in Chitradurga district of Karnataka. A medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle, Rustom 2 or TAPAS-BH-201 has been developed by India on the lines of the American Predator drones. Rustom 2 can conduct sustained surveillance and can carry weapons along with surveillance equipment.

2. 8th Indo- Seychelles Army exercise starts: The eighth joint military exercise between the Indian Army and Seychelles People’s Defence Forces started at Mahe Island, Seychelles. The focus of the ongoing exercise is to conduct counter-insurgency and counter-terrorist operations in semi-urban environment under the United Nations Charter. The exercise is named “Lamitye” which in the local dialect ‘Creole’, means friendship.

BUSINESS/ ECONOMY:

1. India Signs MoU with Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC): An MoU between the Government of India and Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) was signed in New Delhi. The agreement was signed to usher the “programme based research support” in addressing current and future global and local developmental challenges. IDRC has funded 551 research activities worth CA$159 million in India through institutions, researchers and NGOs.

BANKING / FINANCE:

1. RBI asks banks to link SWIFT to core banking: RBI has directed banks to link SWIFT (Society for World Interbank Financial Telecommunication System platform) with core banking solutions of banks by April 30, 2018. Failure of SWIFT-CBS link has led to Rs 11,400 cr fraud at PNB. SWIFT system promoted in 1973 by banks globally is used to transmit messages relating to cross border financial transactions.

2. SBI UK to be restructured: SBI is set for a major restructuring of its business in UK from April. SBI’s UK operations will transform into a subsidiary named State Bank of India UK Limited from April 1. It means that all retail branches of SBI in UK will fall under a new UK-incorporated banking entity instead of their previous status as overseas branches of the Indian entity.

SPORTS:

1. Parupalli Kashyap wins Austrian Open: India’s Parupalli Kashyap overcame Malaysia’s June Wei Cheam in straight games in the men’s singles final to clinch the Austrian Open International Challenge. This is Kashyap’s first international title in over 3 years. Kashyap is the only male player from India to reach the Quarterfinals of men’s singles at 2012 London Olympics. He was also awarded the Arjuna Award by Govt of India in 2012.

2. Gymnast Aruna Reddy makes history: Aruna Budda Reddy created history by becoming the 1st Indian gymnast to win an individual medal at Gymnastics World Cup as she clinched a bronze in women’s vault event. She scored 13.649 average points to finish 3rd & claim the bronze medal. This was Aruna’s first international medal, though she has taken part at World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, Commonwealth Games & Asian Games.

OBITUARIES:

1. Veteran actress Sridevi passes away: Veteran Bollywood actress Sridevi, who had an illustrious career spanning over four decades, passed away in Dubai. She was 55. A versatile actor, Sridevi made her Bollywood debut in 1978 with Solva Sawan. She was known for her performance is some of the iconic films like Mr India, Nagina, Chaalbaaz, Chandni among many others. In 2013, the Government of India awarded Sridevi the Padma Shri.

Daily GK Updates - 24th February, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES

1. Blue Aadhaar for kids: UIDAI tweeted that children below the age of five years will receive a blue-coloured ‘Baal Aadhaar’ card. While the Baal Aadhaar will not carry biometric details of the child, it will be updated with the information after the child crosses the age of five.

2. Assam to celebrate ‘Rhino Day’ on Sept 22: In a bid to keep the world famous one-horned rhinoceros of Assam under the global spotlight, Assam Government has decided to celebrate September 22 as ‘Rhino Day’. CM Sarbananda Sonowal made this announcement at the 10th meeting of State Board for Wild Life.

3. India’s first 5G Trial Successful, 3 GB/sec Speed Achieved:: Chinese technology giant Huawei and telecom services provider Bharti Airtel announced to have successfully conducted 5G network trial under a test set-up in India. The trial was conducted at Airtel’s Network Experience Centre in Manesar (Gurugram). During the test trial, the speed of more than 3Gbps was achieved. This is the highest measured throughput for a mobile network in 3.5 GHz band with 100MHz bandwidth and end-to-end network latency of approximately 1 msec.

4. 44th Khajuraho Dance Festival held in MP: The 44th edition of Khajuraho Dance Festival 2018 was held at Khajuraho temple, a UNESCO world heritage site in Madhya Pradesh. Khajuraho Dance Festival is an annual cultural festival that highlights the richness of various Indian classical dance styles.

5. India to host first International Solar Alliance in March 2018: India will host the first International Solar Alliance (ISA) summit on 11th March 2018. It will be attended by French President Emmanuel Macron and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The summit will be held in Delhi. The ISA aims to launch 121 projects during the summit. During the summit, two new programmes will be inaugurated on- Scaling Solar E-Mobility and Storage, and Rooftop Solar.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES

1. US tightens H-1B visa rules: The Donald Trump has just made it more difficult for companies and individuals to get H-1B work visas. Indians and Indian IT companies will feel the impact the most because they are the biggest users of this visa.

OTHER UPDATES

DEFENCE:

1. Dhanush missile successfully test fired: India has successfully test-fired the nuclear-capable surface-to-surface Dhanush ballistic missile with a strike range of 350 km. This naval variant of the indigenously-developed Prithvi-II missile was test-fired from the ship positioned near Paradip in the Bay of Bengal. ‘Dhanush’ missile is is capable of carrying a payload of 500 kg and hitting both land and sea-based targets.

BANKING / FINANCE:

1. In a strategic move, RBI launches Ombudsman Scheme for NBFCs: The RBI launched ‘Ombudsman Scheme’ for redressal of complaints against NBFCs. The scheme will provide a cost-free and expeditious complaint redressal mechanism relating to deficiency in the services by NBFCs covered under the Scheme. The offices of the NBFC ombudsmen will function at 4 metro centres – Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai and New Delhi.

2. Idea Payments Bank begins operations: Aditya Birla Idea Payments Bank Ltd commenced operations as a payments bank with effect from February 22, 2018. In November 2016, Airtel Payments Bank Ltd became the first entity to start operations as Payments Bank. Paytm and Fino Payments Bank are the other two entities that have already launched their operations.

BUSINESS/ ECONOMY:

1. Brand Nirav Modi loses Priyanka Chopra: Actress Priyanka Chopra’s spokesperson has confirmed that she has quit as the global ambassador of jewellery designer Nirav Modi’s brand following allegations of money laundering against him. The actress had earlier accused him of non-payment of dues for several advertisement campaigns.

2. Viking Air joins hands with Mahindra Aerospace for UDAN projects: Mahindra Aerospace Private Limited has signed a MoU with Canada’s Viking Air Ltd. to form a strategic alliance to take advantage of India’s growing regional air connectivity opportunities. Under the MoU, both would support each other’s non-competing aircraft business to boost market expansion. In India, this portfolio can address the much-needed requirements of regional connectivity scheme, UDAN.

3. Paytm ventures into Insurance business: Digital payments startup Paytm has launched two insurance companies, Paytm Life Insurance and Paytm General Insurance. Paytm Founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma, CFO Madhur Deora, and Shankar Prasad Nath are the three signatory stakeholders in both the companies. In January this year, Paytm announced that it has set up Paytm Money Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of One97 Communications.

SPORTS:

1. NADA bans Jithin Paul: Athlete Jithin Paul became the first Indian athlete to be banned by the National Anti-Doping Agency for possession of a prohibited substance. NADA has meted out a 4-year-ban on Paul for possession of a banned substance called ‘Meldonium’.

2. Cricket Canada Unveils ICC-Approved T20 League: Canada’s own first franchise-based Twenty20 league “Global T20 Canada”, was announced in New Delhi. The Global T20 Canada League will begin functioning from July 2018 at three venues in Toronto. Global T20 Canada League has received official sanction of the International Cricket Council (ICC). Cricket Canada has become the first Associate member of the ICC to start a Twenty20 franchise league in the North America market.

Daily GK Updates - 23rd February, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES

1. NER’s first Regional Centre for Agriculture with Israeli collaboration to be inaugurated in Mizoram: Israeli Ambassador to India, Mr Daniel Carmon has stated that a Centre for Agriculture, with the collaboration of Israeli expertise, is going to be inaugurated in Mizoram in March 2018. This will be the first such centre in the North East region (NER) of India that is being established with Israeli collaboration. It has been set up at a cost of Rs 8-10 crore.

2. Asian Development Bank and India sign $84 million loan for water supply in Bihar: The Government of India and Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a $84 million loan for improvement and expansion of water supply in Bhagalpur and Gaya towns in Bihar. The tranche 2 loan is part of the $200 million multi-tranche financing facility (MFF) for the Bihar Urban Development Investment Program that was approved by ADB in 2012. The loan will have a 25-year term, including a grace period of 5 years, an annual interest rate determined in accordance with ADB’s lending facility based on the London interbank offered rate (LIBOR), and a commitment charge of 0.15% per year.

3. ED freezes deposits, shares worth Rs.44 cr of Nirav Modi group: The Enforcement Directorate(ED) froze bank accounts with Rs.30 cr balance, shares worth Rs.13.86 cr held in a company of Nirav Modi. Earlier, ED has frozen shares and mutual funds worth Rs.94.52 cr belonging to Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi’s firms.

4. Gopalganj district constructs a record 11,000+ toilets in 100 hrs: Gopalganj district in Bihar has set a record by constructing 11,244 toilets in 100 hours. The previous record was set in March 2017 Andhra Pradesh’s Vizianagaram district, where 10,499 toilets were built in 100 hours.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES

1. Global Passport Index released: According to the 2018 Global passport Index, S Korea and Singapore have the most powerful passports in the world with a visa-free score of 162. Germany and Japan ranked second, while UK and US ranked 4th and 5th respectively. With a visa-free score of 57, India has ranked 73rd, falling below Saudi Arabia and Zimbabwe. Afghanistan ranked last on the list.

OTHER UPDATES

BUSINESS/ ECONOMY:

1. India Signs MoU with Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC): An MoU between the Government of India and Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) was signed in New Delhi. The agreement was signed to usher the “programme based research support” in addressing current and future global and local developmental challenges. IDRC has funded 551 research activities worth CA$159 million in India through institutions, researchers and NGOs.

Daily GK Updates - 22nd February, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES

1. Government Sets Up The “NITI Forum For Northeast”: The Union Government has issued order setting up the ‘Niti Forum for North-East’. The forum will be co-chaired by the Vice-Chairman of NITI Aayog and Minister of State (I/C), Ministry of Development of Northeastern Region (DoNER). The Forum is tasked to identify various constraints on the way of accelerated, inclusive and sustainable economic growth in the North East Region of the country.

2. Avani Chaturvedi becomes the first Indian woman to fly fighter aircraft solo: Flying officer Avani Chaturvedi has scripted history by becoming the first Indian woman to fly a fighter aircraft solo. She flew a MiG-21 bison in her first solo sortie from IAF’s Jamnagar base in Gujarat. She is one of the three in the first batch of female pilots, besides Bhawana Kanth and Mohana Singh, who were inducted in Indian Air Force fighter squadron in 2016.

3. Parivartan scheme launched in Haryana: The state govt. launched Parivartan scheme designed to address 10 issues. The 10 issues include facilitation of financing, making agriculture profitable & sustainable, improving health services, implementing Swachh Bharat, decongesting market areas, engaging the youth, checking air pollution, ensuring availability of identity-related services, effective policing, and ensuring road order and conduct.

4. Only M2M (machine to machine) SIMs to have 13-digit numbers: Starting July 1, 2018 all SIM-based M2M communication devices will carry a 13-digit number, instead of the 10-digit number now. This is applicable only to numbers used by machines to communicate with other machines and not normal retail mobile numbers. The DoT has asked all telecom service providers to ensure that their network elements are aligned with the 13-digit numbering before July 1, 2018.

5. Kamal Haasan launches political party: Actor Kamal Haasan launched his political party ‘Makkal Needhi Maiam’ and hoisted a flag carrying the party’s symbol in Tamil Nadu’s Madurai. Haasan, who has embarked on a statewide tour, visited former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam’s residence and addressed three public meetings earlier in the day.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES

1. America pushes for ban on gun ‘bump stocks’, a move welcomed by all: US President Trump has signed an order to ban bump-stock devices, which were used by a gunman who killed 58 Las Vegas concert-goers last year. Such devices enable a rifle to shoot hundreds of rounds a minute.

OTHER UPDATES

DEFENCE:

1. Transport plane Saras to be fast-tracked: The government will fast-track the revived light transport plane Saras towards production and begin the feasibility study for a 70-seater regional transport aircraft RTA-70. The improved 19-seater would be first produced for the Indian Air Force by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. Saras would be a good fit for regional travel under the subsidised UDAN scheme.

2. Successful Night Trial Of Prithvi-II Missile: India successfully conducted a night trial of its indigenously developed nuclear capable Prithvi-II missile with a strike range of 350 km, from a test range in Odisha. The surface-to-surface missile was test-fired from a mobile launcher from launch complex-3 of the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, Odisha.

BUSINESS/ ECONOMY:

1. RIL to buy 5% stake in Eros International: Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries said it will buy a 5% stake in NYSE-listed Eros International for $48.75 million (over ₹316 crore). Separately, the companies also announced a ₹1,000-crore fund to produce and acquire Indian films and digital content. It is noteworthy that last year RIL had purchased 25% stake in media company Balaji Telefilms for ₹413 crore.

2. UP’s Khadi products to be now sold on Amazon: Uttar Pradesh’s Khadi and Village Industries Board has signed a pact with Amazon India. It is to facilitate online selling of Khadi products. As part of an MoU, Amazon India will educate, train and enable rural khadi artisans to directly sell their products to Amazon.in customers across the country under the brand of UP Khadi.

3. Capital First gets the NHB nod for merger with IDFC Bank: Capital First announced that the regulator National Housing Bank has approved the merger of the company along with Capital Home Finance and Capital First Securities Limited with IDFC Bank.

4. New KYC rules for telecom company managed payments banks: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has said that KYC (Know Your Customer) verification of payments bank customers done by telecom companies is not permissible. It has instructed payments banks to complete the KYC process independently through third parties. This comes after Airtel was penalised by UIDAI for allegedly opening payments bank accounts without ‘informed consent’ of the users.

5. India International Textiles Expo begins in Colombo: A three day India International Textiles Expo of India began in Sri Lankan capital of Colombo. It is being organized by Powerloom Development & Export Promotion Council with the support of Ministry of Textiles & Ministry of Commerce & Industry. At the event, about 45 exhibitors from various textile clusters of India displayed variety of fabrics, home textiles, traditional items etc.

6. EPFO fixes interest rate at 8.55 %: The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation, EPFO has declared 8.55% interest rate for 2017-18 for its about 5 crore members, the lowest in five years. The move will affect around 6 crore subscribers and leave EPFO with a surplus of Rs 586 crore against Rs 695 crore in the previous financial year. Cut comes at a time when returns on debt funds have decreased to 6.75% from 7.5-8% last year.

Daily GK Updates - 21st February, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES

1. Vaccination compulsory for school admissions: Kerala government has made vaccination compulsory for school admissions from next academic year onwards. Parents will have to show details of shots given to children at the time of enrolment in schools. The move comes in the wake of stiff opposition from certain communities against the vaccination drive.

2. Rajiv Kumar to head the committee on study of the river Brahmaputra: Centre has constituted a committee headed by Rajiv Kumar, Vice Chairman of the NITI Aayog to study the Brahmaputra and flood control measures in Assam and neighbouring states. Assam govt has submitted required report on flood control measures to the committee.

PM Modi during his visit to Guwahati last year, announced to provide 100 crore rupees to find out a permanent solution of flood.

3. PM Flags Off Palace Queen Hamsafar Express: PM Modi flagged off the Palace Queen Humsafar Express between Mysuru and Udaipur in the Mysuru Railway Station. The train between Mysuru and Udaipur will act as a backbone of tourism, an employment generating industry. Both the Mysuru Palace and Udaipur palace are iconic tourist attractions and this special train will create a new tourist circuit connecting North India and the South.

4. PM Modi inaugurates UP Investors’ Summit 2018: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the two-day Uttar Pradesh Investors Summit 2018 along with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Lucknow. The Investors’ Summit has been organised to further the cause of economic development in the state and attract investments. The Summit is being attended by at least 5,000 people including industry heads from India and abroad.

5. India-Morocco Cooperation agreement approved by the Cabinet: Cabinet has given its ex-post facto approval to the Cooperation Agreement b/w India and Moroccan National Railways Office. The agreement aims to develop long-term cooperation and partnership in different areas of railway sector. The Agreement will enable technical cooperation in Training and staff development and Mutual technical assistance, including exchanging of experts among others.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES

1. International Mother Language Day observed: International Mother Language Day is a world-wide annual observance held on February 21 to promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and promote multilingualism. The theme of this year is ‘linguistic diversity and multilingualism for sustainable development’.

2. Maldives extends State of Emergency: Maldives Parliament has approved extension of State of Emergency by 30 days, a day after President Yameen sought extension citing threat to national security. Opposition leaders boycotted, calling the extension illegal and unconstitutional. Maldives is facing political unrest since President Yameen imposed emergency after refusing to implement a SC order of freeing imprisoned opposition leaders.

3. UN observes World Day of Social Justice 2018: World Social Justice Day is observed annually on 20th Feb for promoting efforts to tackle issues such as poverty, unemployment, gender equality and to create an equitable society for all. The theme of World Day of Social Justice 2018 is ‘Workers on the Move: the Quest for Social Justice’. This year the theme is focused on hurdles of migrant workers who are suffering for good work opportunities.

OTHER UPDATES

DEFENCE:

1. Rs. 20,000 crore defence corridor for Bundelkhand: PM Modi has announced a defence industrial corridor in Bundelkhand region, one of the most backward regions of UP. In this year’s budget, govt. had announced that it will establish 2 defence industrial production corridors. The corridor will link Agra, Aligarh, Lucknow, Kanpur, Jhansi and Chitrakoot. The decision was taken keeping in mind the developmental requirements of Bundelkhand region.

BUSINESS/ ECONOMY:

1. Google Launches Google Pay: Google has combined its two payment services, Google Wallet and Android Pay, into a new app called Google Pay. Google Pay combines features from both, including the ability to pay at checkout counters with a smartphone, and even the option to scan into transit systems. With Google Pay, one can digitally store their credit and debit cards, as well as gift cards and rewards cards.

2. BSNL signs pact with Japan’s NTT AT: BSNL and Japan’s NTT AT along with their Indian partner Virgo Corps, have signed an agreement to collaborate in developing futuristic technologies. The companies would collaborate in futuristic technologies such as artificial intelligence / IoT and jointly create a 5G test bed. Agreement is in line with the vision of PM Modi and Japanese PM Shinzo Abe to collaborate on next generation technologies.

Daily GK Updates - 20th February, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES

1. India test fires Agni-II missile: India has test-fired its medium range nuclear capable Agni-II missile with a strike range of 2,000 km from Abdul Kalam Island off Odisha coast. Agni-II is developed by Advanced Systems Laboratory along with other DRDO labs and integrated by Bharat Dynamics. The 20-m-long Agni-II ballistic missile has a launch weight of 17 tonne and can carry a payload of 1,000 kg over a distance of 2,000 kms.

2. SC directive to let a tribunal settle the Mahanadi water dispute: Cabinet has approved setting up of a tribunal to resolve the dispute between Odisha and Chhattisgarh on sharing Mahanadi river water. The tribunal would determine water sharing on the basis of availability of water in Mahanadi basin, present utilisation of water resource and potential for future development. The decision came after SC directive to form the tribunal to resolve the long-standing dispute.

3. RB Pandit takes over as Commandant of INA: Vice Admiral RB Pandit, Flag-Officer-Commanding, Western Fleet at Mumbai, took over as the Commandant of Indian Naval Academy. He replaces Vice Admiral SV Bhokare who handed over responsibilities to Vice Admiral Pandit after a tenure of over 15 months.

4. Govt. gives nod to Chit Funds (Amendment) Bill: Cabinet has given its nod to introduce Chit Funds (Amendment) Bill in the parliament. Bill aims to amend Sec 85 (b) of the Chit Funds Act, 1982 to remove ceiling of Rs. 100. It also aims at hiking ceiling of foreman’s commission from a max of 5% to 7%. Chit business will be required to use the word Fraternity Fund to signify its nature as well as to differentiate its working from Prize Chits.

5. India to be Global Host for Environment Day: India and United Nations have signed a document declaring India as the Global Host of World Environment Day, 2018. This came despite the fact that India was one of three countries to reject concrete target in a UN agreement to reduce plastic waste in oceans in December 2017. The theme of this year’s environment day observance is ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’.​​

6. PNB fraud case-Firestar finance head Vipul Ambani arrested: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday arrested Firestar International president (finance) Vipul Ambani and four other key executives of companies implicated in the alleged ₹11,400-crore fraudulent transactions in the Punjab National Bank (PNB). Mr. Ambani, who was President (finance) of the Firestar Diamonds of the Firestar International group, has been arrested in the case against Nirav Modi and others. “He has been accused of being involved in the scam”.

7. RBI sets up panel to look into factors leading to bank frauds: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has set up a panel under board member Y.H. Malegam, a former president of Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), to look into the factors leading to increasing incidents of bank frauds. The move comes a week after Punjab National Bank said it has fallen victim to a Rs11,400 crore fraud, at the centre of which is billionaire jeweller Nirav Modi. The Malegam panel will also look into reasons for high divergence in NPA classification and provisioning by banks.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES

1. Pakistan the riskiest and Japan the safest place to be born: According to a UNICEF report, Pakistan is the riskiest country to be born in, with 1 in 22 babies born there dying before they turn 1 month old. India’s neonatal mortality rate is 25.4, which ranks it at 12 among 52 “lower-middle-income countries” in terms of risk for newborns. The safest nation for birth is Japan, where less than 1 in 1,000 babies die by the time they complete a month.

2. Saudi Arabia to host its first Arab Fashion Week: Saudi Arabia is set to host its first Arab Fashion Week next month as part of a push to support aspiring Saudi designers and drive growth in the sector. The move is another example of the opening up of the country under Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman’s ambitious transformation programme.

3. Mandarin approved as official language of Pakistan: Pakistani Senate has approved a motion to declare Mandarin as one of the official languages of Pakistan. Relation between Islamabad and Beijing would deepen further and help people connected with CPEC communicate easily if Mandarin was made the official language. Punjabi, which is widely spoken in Punjab province of Pakistan, Pashto and many other native languages have not been declared official languages.

4. India warns Maldives not to extend emergency: India on Tuesday issued a subtle warning to the Maldives not to extend a state of emergency, urging it to restore democracy amid reports that President Abdulla Yameen was planning to keep emergency provisions in place for another month. Maldives has been under a state of emergency since 5 February after the country’s Supreme Court ordered the freeing of nine opposition lawmakers including former president Mohamed Nasheed after overturning charges of terrorism against them.

OTHER UPDATES

DEFENCE:

1. Defence acquisition council approves purchase of military hardware worth Rs1,850 crores: The defence acquisition council (DAC) on Tuesday approved the purchase of military hardware worth over Rs1,850 crore, including combat vehicles for the army. The DAC, which was chaired by defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman, also approved the procurement of a survey training vessel for the Indian Navy’s growing hydrographic survey needs in ports, harbours and exclusive economic zones, the statement said.

BUSINESS/ ECONOMY:

1. Virgin group and Mah govt. to build Hyperloop: The Virgin Group has signed an ‘intent agreement’ with the Maharashtra State govt to build a hyperloop transportation system between Mumbai and Pune. The first hyperloop route will link central Pune with Mumbai and the proposed Navi Mumbai international airport. The ​hyperloop is expected to reduce travel time between the cities to 20 minutes, from the present three hours.

2. Three UK cities partner to attract more tourists from India: In a first-of-its-kind partnership, London, Manchester and Birmingham will collaborate on the ‘Experience England’ initiative to promote the best of English tourism. The cities have partnered to attract more tourists from India, China and the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Daily GK Updates - 19th February, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES

1. PM Modi opens ‘biggest party office in world’: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the BJP’s new headquarters on Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg, spread over 1.70 lakh square feet. According to the BJP Chief, the building is bigger than the office of any political party in the world. The new headquarters is fitted with the latest communication technologies and has a spacious social media office.

2. Assam is worst in maternal mortality rate(MMR): Assam is at the bottom of the list in MMR with a figure of 300 against the national average of 167. The fund spending under National Health Mission(NHM) is just 13.58%for 2017-18.

3. World Congress on Information Technology: The three day long, World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT) has begun in Hyderabad. WCIT is being organised for the time in the country and Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate the summit through a video conference. It has been organized in partnership with NASSCOM, WITSA and the Government of Telangana. The humanoid, Sophia the robot, is also one of the featured speakers at the WCIT summit.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES

1. Singapore to impose “carbon tax” from 2019: Singapore would impose a carbon tax from next year to cut its greenhouse gas emissions. The tax would be levied on all facilities producing 25,000 tonnes or more of greenhouse gas emissions a year. Singapore ranks 26th out of 142 countries in terms of emissions per capita.

OTHER UPDATES

DEFENCE:

1. Garuda Shakti Exercise begins: A special task force of Indian Army and Indonesian Army have begun the 6th Garuda Shakti exercise in the West Java province of the archipelago country. The drill aims to build experience sharing in counter-terrorism operations, close quarter combat and other areas of special operations. The exercise between Indian and Indonesian Special Forces highlights the increasing trust and cooperation between the two armies.

2. India’s defence budget breaks into top 5: According to a report by London-based global think tank, India’s defence budget broke into the world’s top 5, beating the UK for the first time. India overtook the UK as the 5th largest defence spender in 2017 at $52.5 billion. While India continues to modernise its military capabilities, China’s defence budget remains far ahead with 3 times India’s defence budget at USD 150.5 billion.

SCIENCE/ TECHNOLOGY:

1. ISRO plans to launch second space observatory: Indian Space Research Organisation is planning to launch the country’s second AstroSat-2 or space observatory. The mission is meant to further the study of astronomy and astrophysics. The advantage of having such a space observatory in outer space is that it helps observe distant planets, galaxies and other astronomical objects more clearly than from the Earth.

BANKING/ FINANCE:

1. Axis Bank hikes MCLR by 10 basis points: Axis Bank has hiked its benchmark marginal cost of funds based lending rate (MCLR) by 10 basis points in the three month to three year buckets. The bank’s three months MCLR is now 8.15% and 6 months at 8.30% while the 1 year rate is 8.40%. This is the second time that the bank has hiked its lending rates in two months. MCLR is closely linked to the cost banks pay on their deposits.

BUSINESS/ ECONOMY:

1. Amazon India enters food retail venture: Amazon has rolled out its own food retailing business in India called Amazon Retail with a pilot in Pune. With this Amazon becomes the first foreign e-commerce firm to stock and sell food items directly to consumers.vAmazon had last year secured govt’s permission to invest $500mn in a wholly-owned venture to retail locally produced and packaged food products through offline and online channels.

2. PhonePe partners with IOCL: PhonePe has partnered with Indian Oil Corporation Limited for adoption of its indigenously-designed Point of Sale device at IOCL retail outlets. Customers can now pay using UPI, credit and debit cards, PhonePe wallet and other wallets for their fuel purchases, through PoS device at IOCL retail outlets in Bengaluru. PhonePe received its RBI licensing in Aug 2014 and was later acquired by Flipkart.

  

SPORTS:

1. Roger Federer wins Rotterdam Open title: Roger Federer celebrated his return to the top of the world rankings by winning his third Rotterdam Open. Federer thrashed Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 6-2. In the Open era, only American Jimmy Connors has won more titles than Federer, with 109 titles under his belt.