Daily GK Updates - 23rd October, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1.  3rd Himachal Pradesh Science Congress begins in Mandi : The two-day Himachal Pradesh Science Congress (3rd) has begun at Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT), Mandi to boost to rural innovation sector.During the event, scientists and researchers will discuss recent progress and future trends in technologies relevant for rural transformation.The theme of Himachal Pradesh Science Congress is "Rural Upliftment through Science and Technology Interventions".

2. India's first railway station inside the tunnel to come up in Himachal Pradesh :A railway station will be built inside a tunnel at a height of 3,000 meters, on the strategic Bilaspur-Manali-Leh line close to the Sino-India border.The Keylong station in Himachal Pradesh will be the first on the railway network to be inside a tunnel, Once completed. Keylong (26 km from Manali) is the administrative center of Lahaul and Spiti district and 120 km from the Indo-Tibetan border.

3. Maharashtra Govt. proposes to extend benefits of Employees Provident Fund : The Maharashtra Govt. has to extend benefits of Employees Provident Fund (EPF) as well as insurance schemes to those cutting, harvesting and transporting sugarcane.The state has around eight lakh laborers engaged in these works in 168 cooperative and private sugar factories.It has been proposed to extend benefits of EPF, insurance schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, financial assistance for children's education and housing to these laborers.

4. India’s longest bridge to be built across the Brahmaputra river : India’s longest river bridge will be built across the Brahmaputra, connecting Dhubri (in Assam) to Phulbari (in Meghalaya).The 19.3 km (four-lane bridge) will be built by 2026-27, cut road travel by 203 km as also travel time.At present, vehicles take an over-200 km-long detour using the Naranarayan Bridge.The new bridge will complete the missing link of NH127B from Assam to Meghalaya.

5. Gwalior hosts four-day International Dance Festival : Uzbekistan Ambassador to India Farhod Arziev has inaugurated a four-day international dance festival "Udbhav Utsav -2018" in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh.Dance troupes from India (25 teams), Bulgaria, Turkey, and Sri Lanka are taking apart in the event.The main objective of the competition-festival is to give the opportunity to performers for creative communications, to present new talents and to facilitate acquaintance with pieces of national culture and arts in different countries.An initiative to establish peace and love in the world! One Spirit and One Religion

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. China unveils world's longest sea-crossing bridge linking Hong Kong - Macau –Zhuhai : China's President Xi Jinping has officially opened the world's longest sea-crossing bridge connecting Hong Kong, Macau and mainland China.The bridge connects Hong Kong to Macau and the mainland Chinese city of Zhuhai. The bridge spans 55km including its access roads and has cost about USD 20bn.

 About 30km of its total length crosses the sea of the Pearl River delta.To allow ships through, a 6.7km section in the middle dips into an undersea tunnel that runs between two artificial islands.

2. India 9th most valuable nation brand in the world : According to the Nation Brands 2018 report by Brand Finance, India is the 9th most valuable nation brand (last year it’s rank – 8^th) in the world.ndia's brand value is USD 2,159 billion in 2018.US topped in the list with a brand value of USD 25,899 billion.

3.'Padmaavat' officially selected at 2018 Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival

Sanjay Leela Bhansali's magnum opus "Padmaavat" has been officially selected for 2018 Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival 2018.The film is Bhansali's re-imagining of the story of Queen Padmavati, her king-consort Maha Rawal Ratan Singh and Sultan Alauddin Khilji.Actors Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor, and Ranveer Singh featured in the movie, which was 2018's first blockbuster.

4.  India’s longest bridge to be built across the Brahmaputra river : India’s longest river bridge will be built across the Brahmaputra, connecting Dhubri (in Assam) to Phulbari (in Meghalaya).The 19.3 km (four-lane bridge) will be built by 2026-27, cut road travel by 203 km as also travel time. At present, vehicles take an over-200 km-long detour using the Naranarayan Bridge.The new bridge will complete the missing link of NH127B from Assam to Meghalaya.

OTHER UPDATES:

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. IFC launches USD 1 Billion masala bond programme in the US & Europe : International Finance Corporation (IFC) has launched its USD 1 billion masala bond programme in the US and Europe.These bonds are aimed at funding the rapidly expanding investment activities of IFC in India. Masala bonds are bonds issued outside India but denominated in Indian Rupees.IFC uses them to raise rupee funds overseas and brings the proceeds to India for investments. 

SPORTS:

1. French Open Badminton tournament begins in Paris today : French Open Badminton tournament has begun in Paris, France.Ace Indian shuttlers, including defending champion Kidambi Srikanth, PV Sindhu and Saina Nehwal will be eying their first major title of the year.Srikanth and Saina along with B Sai Praneeth and Sameer Verma are scheduled to begin their Singles campaigns tomorrow.Today, The Men's Doubles pair of Arjun MR and Ramchandran Shlok will play their opening round match.

2.  Serbia wins 2018 Women’s Volleyball World Championship : The Serbian women earned their 2nd World Championship medal, and first-ever World Championship title, on in Yokohama, Japan.It claimed the title for the first time in history at the Volleyball Women's World Championship after edging Italy 3-2 here Saturday, while China hammered the Netherlands in straight sets to get a bronze.

3.  Bajarang punia bagged silver at Wrestling World Championship :Wrestler Bajrang Punia settles for silver after losing to Japanese Takuto Otoguro ((19-years) in 65 kg category in the final at the World Wrestling Championship in Budapest. Otoguro consistently attacked the left leg of Punia and emerged a comfortable 16-9 winner.Now, Otoguru became Japan's youngest World Champion at the age of 19.Sushil Kumar is the lone Indian to win a gold medal at the World Championships, achieving the feat in 2010 in Moscow in the 66kg category.

Daily GK Updates - 22nd October, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1.Maharashtra CM Fadnavis & Nitin Gadkari inaugurate new domestic cruise terminal in Mumbai : Devendra Fadnavis (Maharashtra Chief Minister) and Union minister Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari have inaugurated the new domestic cruise terminal in Mumbai.The Goa cruise service ' Angriya' will be operated between Mumbai and Goa on alternate days.The rates for the luxury Mumbai-Goa ride begin from Rs 7,000 dorm room per person and goes up to Rs 11,000 family suite per person.There will be multiple restaurants offering a wide array of food genres, coffee shops, swimming pool, massage and spa services.

2.4th Edition of NITI Lecture Series held in New Delhi : NITI Aayog has organized the 4th edition of NITI Lecture Series at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has also attended the 4th edition of NITI Lecture series.The theme this year is “AI for ALL: Leveraging Artificial Intelligence for Inclusive Growth”.

3. Man-animal conflict a State Declared Disaster Uttar Pradesh government : The Uttar Pradesh government made the man-animal conflict a ‘State Declared Disaster’. These incidents would be under the ambit of State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). According to the provisions of the order, a compensatory amount of Rs.5 lakh would be given to the family of the deceased if the victim of the animal attack dies. The disbursement of compensation for injury would be in accordance to SDRF guidelines.

 4.India’s First Domestic Cruise ‘Angriya’ Flagged Off From Mumbai : Angriya, India’s first luxury cruise ship, has been inaugurated at Mumbai. Union minister for shipping Nitin Gadkari and Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis flagged-off the cruise which will operate between Mumbai and Goa. Named after the first Maratha Navy Admiral Kanhoji Angre and the Angria bank coral reef near Vijaydurg, the luxury ship has 104 rooms, divided into eight different categories. 

5. PM Announces Award in Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s Name : The Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an annual award in the name of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose for police and paramilitary forces for commendable contributions in disaster relief operations.ii. He announced this while dedicating the National Police Memorial to the nation in New Delhi on the occasion of Police Commemoration Day

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Cope India 2018 - India, Japan, US Plan Joint Air Exercise  : India, Japan and the U.S. are set to elevate the bilateral ‘Cope India’ air exercise to a trilateral format. The three countries already conduct naval war games under the expanded Malabar naval exercise. The U.S. had proposed a trilateral air exercise between India, Japan and the U.S. The next edition is scheduled to be held in December 2018 for which the Final Planning Conference to finalise the modalities of the exercise is scheduled in Kalaikunda, West Bengal. 

2. Climate Fund Approves $1billion For Projects In Poor Countries  :  A UN-backed fund has approved morethan 1 billion dollars for 19 new projects to help developing countries tackle climate change.Officials overseeing the South Korea-based Green Climate Fund stated the funding approved at the meeting in Manama includes projects linked to geothermal energy in Indonesia, greener cities in Europe and West Asia, and protection for coastal communities in India. 

3. Vice President’s 5-Day Visit To Belgium: The Vice President of India, M. Venkaiah Naidu commenced his visit to Belgium to attend the two-day 12th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Brussels, Belgium. This was the first multi-lateral summit the Vice President attended after taking office in August 2017. The 2-day long 12th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit was held in Brussels, Belgium. Indian delegation was led by Mr Venkaiah Naidu. The theme of this years’ ASEM Summit was “Global Partners for Global Challenges”.

OTHER UPDATES:

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. Larsen & Toubro ranks 22 in Forbes global 2000 best employers list : Google’s parent company Alphabet tops the list.  The Second position is occupied by Microsoft. There are only 24 Indian companies in the overall list and only 4 Indian companies in the top 100 list.

SPORTS:

1. Praveen Kumar announces retirement from all forms of Cricket : India’s medium pacer Praveen Kumar (32-years) has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket.Mr. Kumar played six Tests, 68 ODIs and 10 T20Is for India, picking up 112 wickets across the formats.Praveen Kumar made his limited-overs debut in 2007 and Test debut against West Indies cricket team at Kingston in June 2011.

2. Mumbai beat Delhi to win Vijay Hazare Trophy 2018 : Mumbai defeated Delhi by four wickets to win their 3rd Vijay Hazare Trophy title at M Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru, Karnataka.Opting to bowl after winning the toss, Mumbai bowled out Delhi for a paltry 177 in 45.4 overs.The Vijay Hazare Trophy 2018 (17th-season) has been contested by the 37 domestic cricket teams of India.

Daily GK Updates - 21st October, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurates 'Vishwa Shanti Ahimsa Sammelan' in Maharashtra : President Ram Nath Kovind has inaugurated a three-day 'Vishwa Shanti Ahimsa Sammelan' at Mangi Tungi in Nashik district of Maharashtra.The conference has been organized by Bhagwan Rishabhdev Murti Nirmaan Samiti.The President has also given the first international 'Bhagwan Rishabhdev Award' to Teerthanker Mahaveer University based in Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh.President Kovind also released a book, titled 'Sarvoccha Digambar Jain Pratima', on the occasion.The award carries a cash prize of 11 lakh rupees, a memento, and a citation.

2. Ustad Chand Khan Lifetime Achievement Award for Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt : Hindustani classical music instrumentalist 'Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt' will be honored with the annual Ustad Chand Khan Lifetime Achievement Award.Pandit Bhatt is best known for his Grammy award winning album "A Meeting by the River".The award founded in 1940 by Ustad Chand Khan Sahab to conserve and promote an awareness of both the rich and heterogeneous cultural tapestry through focus on the classical arts.

3. Prime Minister dedicates National Police Memorial to the Nation : The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi dedicated the National Police Memorial to the nation, on Police Commemoration Day.PM Modi also announced an award in the name of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, to honor those involved in disaster response operations. The award would be announced every year, recognizing the bravery and courage displayed in saving the lives of people, in the wake of a disaster

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Hindustani classical music instrumentalist 'Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt' will be honored with the annual Ustad Chand Khan Lifetime Achievement Award :Pandit Bhatt is best known for his Grammy award winning album "A Meeting by the River".The award founded in 1940 by Ustad Chand Khan Sahab to conserve and promote an awareness of both the rich and heterogeneous cultural tapestry through focus on the classical arts.

2. 7th Meeting of Education Ministers of SCO Member States held in Astana : The 7th meeting of education ministers of member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) was held in Astana, Kazakhstan.The Minister of State for Human Resource Development Dr. Satya Pal Singh participated on behalf of Government of India.The objective of SCO is military cooperation between members. It also works towards intelligence-sharing, counter-terrorism operations in Central Asia.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. Ethiopian Belihu wins Delhi Half Marathon men's race : Ethiopia's Andamalak Belihu overcame stiff competition from compatriot Amdework Walelegn in the men's elite field to win his maiden Airtel Delhi Half Marathon.Belihu improved on his personal best timing to clock 59.18 seconds Walelegn clinched the Silver), while Kenya’s Daniel Kipchumba grabbed the third sport Among the Indians, runners Abhishek and Sanjivani Jadhav topped in the men’s and women’s category

2.  Grappler Bajrang Punia enters 65 kg Final of World Wrestling Championships in Hungary : Star Indian grappler Bajrang Punia (24-years) has booked a place in the 65 kg Final at the World Wrestling Championships in Budapest, Hungary.In a thrilling semi-final, Bajrang Punia edged past Cuba's Alejandro Valdes, 4-3 to put himself in contention for a historic World Championship gold medal.Olympian Sushil Kumar (in 2010) is the only Indian to have won the coveted yellow metal at the event.Bajrang had won a bronze at the Championships in 2013

OBITUARIES:

1.Japanese Nobel Chemistry laureate Shimomura passes away : Japanese-born Marine biologist Osamu Shimomura has passed away in Japan’s southern city of Nagasaki.Shimomura, one of three scientists who won the 2008 Nobel Prize in chemistry for the discovery and development of a jellyfish protein that contributed to cancer studies.Shimomura was born in Kyoto and studied in Nagasaki, where he survived in Aug. 9, 1945, U.S. atomic bombing.In 1951. After earning a chemistry degree, he moved to Princeton University, where he found the protein from 10,000 jellyfish samples on America’s West Coast.

Daily GK Updates - 20th October, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. GSI to organise an exhibition of rocks, minerals : The Geological Survey of India (GSI) will organise a two-day exhibition ‘Bhusampada 2018’ of rocks, minerals and fossils from 22 October 2018.Various scientific instruments being used in surveys, mineral exploration, remote sensing, earthquake geology will be displayed at the exhibition.The event will provide a suitable platform for students to interact with geo-scientists.

2. Punjab extends 50% reservation for women : The Punjab Cabinet decided to extend the enhanced 50% reservation for women in the matter of rotation for the office of the panchayat sarpanch to the office of the chairperson of panchayat samitis and zila parishads.The state government had enhanced reservation for women in these bodies from 33% to 50% in 2017.The cabinet has now approved amendments to the Punjab Panchayati Raj Act, 1994.

3. 73.9% Indians are holders of H-1B visa : The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released a report titled – ‘H-1B petitions by gender and country of the birth fiscal year 2018’.Nearly three out of every four H-1B visa holders as of October 5 are Indian citizens. There were as many as 419,637 foreign nationals working in the U.S. on H-1B visas.Indians account for 73.9% of the total H-1B visa holders in the U.S.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Modi, Wickremesinghe held talks in Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with his Sri Lankan counterpart Ranil Wickremesinghe on 20 October 2018.They discussed a range of issues related to bilateral ties, including the progress of India-assisted development projects in the island nation.Wickremesinghe is on a three-day visit to India for boosting ties in a range of areas, including trade, investment and maritime security.

2. World Osteoporosis Day observed on 20 October : World Osteoporosis Day 2018 is observed on October 20.The day is meant to raise awareness about osteoporosis, a condition which causes the bones to become weak and brittle.World Osteoporosis Day 2018 calls for global action in order to improve bone health and prevent fractures caused by osteoporosis.The day is organized by the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF).

3. 2019 Military World Games in China : The 2019 Military World Games will be held in China.It will for the first time include badminton, tennis, table tennis and men’s gymnastics.The Military World Games is a multi-sport event for the armed forces being organised by the International Military Sports Council every four years since 1995.India hosted the games in 2007.

4. India, Japan, U.S. plan joint air exercise : India, Japan and the U.S. are set to elevate the bilateral ‘Cope India’ air exercise to a trilateral format.The three countries already conduct naval war games under the expanded Malabar naval exercise.The U.S. had proposed a trilateral air exercise between India, Japan and the U.S.

5. Piyush Goyal received Carnot prize : Kleinman Center for Energy Policy at the University of Pennsylvania awarded 4th annual Carnot Prize to Union Minister Piyush Goyal.Carnot Prize is the Kleinman Center’s annual recognition of distinguished contributions to energy policy through scholarship or practice.Carnot Prize is named after French physicist Nicolas Sadi Carnot.Cope India was first conducted in 2004.

OTHER UPDATES:

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. Sajaan Jindal elected as treasurer : World Steel Association (worldsteel) has elected JSW Steel CMD Sajjan Jindal as its treasurer.The association has also appointed Tata Steel MD TV Narendran and ArcelorMittal Chief L N Mittal as its members.The new officers are elected for a one-year period.World Steel Association is the international trade body for the iron and steel industry.Its headquarters is in Brussels, Belgium

2. IFC launched $1 billion masala bond programme : International Finance Corporation (IFC) has launched a $1 billion masala bond programme to fund its investment activities in India.The first tranche of $100 million under the programme was issued on London Stock Exchange.Masala bonds are rupee-denominated borrowings issued overseas.IFC is a member of the World Bank Group.

DEFENCE:

1. China & ASEAN will hold joint naval exercises : China and Southeast Asian Nations will hold their first joint maritime exercises from 22 October 2018.The navies of China and ASEAN countries will hold ‘ASEAN-China Maritime Exercise’ in the South China Sea.The exercise with China’s navy will include operations like maritime safety, medical evacuation, and search and rescue procedures.

Daily GK Updates - 19th October, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. 6th meeting of NDMA held : Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the sixth meeting of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) at New Delhi on 18 October 2018.NDMA is an agency of the Ministry of Home Affairs NDMA was established through the Disaster Management Act enacted by the Government of India in may 30 2005.The Prime Minister is the ex-officio chairperson of NDMA.

2. Haryana to form GST Appellate Tribunal : Haryana Government has decided to constitute State Bench of Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal in Hisar for speedy settlement of matters related to Goods and Services Tax (GST).The State Government would soon send its request to the Central Government.Central GST Act, 2017 provides that the Central Government would constitute an Appellate Tribunal known as GST Tribunal.

3. Festival to promote organic farming : The Women and Child Development Ministry will organise the fifth edition of the ‘Women of India Organic Festival’ in Delhi.It will be held from 26 October 2018 to 4 November 2018.The move aims to empower women to boost organic culture and promote women organic farmers and entrepreneurs.Women entrepreneurs would be coming together from across the country with their organic products

4. Arshdeep won 2018 Wildlife Photographer award : Arshdeep Singh is among the winners of the 2018 Wildlife Photographer of the Year award in the 10-years-and-under category.He won the award for his ‘Pipe Owls’ photograph.The Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition is organised by the Britain’s Natural History Museum.Arshdeep recently won the Junior Asian Wildlife Photographer of the Year award.

5. Assam celebrated Kati Bihu festival : Assam’s third Bihu festival, known as Kati Bihu or Kongali Bihu, was celebrated across the state on 18 October 2018.The other two Bihu festivals are the Rongali and Bohagi Bihu.The festival is held at this time of the year since the granaries of the farmers usually remain empty and therefore it is known as Kongali (poor) Bihu.

6. Two apps launched by North Central Railways : The North Central Railways (NCR) launched two apps – ‘NCR RASTA’ (Railway assets Summarised Tracking Application) and ‘Yatri RASTA’ (Railway Approach to Station Tracking Application).The ‘NCR RASTA’ app is for the use of railway officers and staff and has the exact mapping of all railway assets.The ‘Yatri RASTA’ app will allow the general public to locate the railway stations easily.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. China to launch three artificial moons : China will launch three artificial moons in space in 2022.The artificial or man-made moon is a satellite carrying a huge space mirror, which can reflect the sun light to the Earth.The man-made moon is expected to be put on an orbit within 500 km from the Earth.Man-made moon is especially useful in civil area.

2. Indo-Japan Joint Exercise: Dharma Guardian : India and Japan will hold the first-ever joint military exercise ‘DHARMA GUARDIAN-2018’.The exercise will be held at Counter Insurgency Warfare School, Vairengte, Mizoram from 1 November to 14 November 2018.The Indian contingent will be represented by 6/1 Gorkha Rifles.Japanese contingent will be represented by 32 Infantry Regiment of the Japanese Ground Self Defence Force.

OTHER UPDATES:

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. Anti-dumping duty on China steel products : India has imposed anti-dumping duties of up to US$ 185.51 per tonne for five years on certain varieties of Chinese steel.This will guard domestic manufacturers from cheap imports from China.The revenue department imposed the duty based on recommendations of the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR).

2. Indian household wealth grows modest 2.6% :  According to Credit Suisse Research Institute’s 2018 Global Wealth Report, wealth in India grew a modest 2.6% and wealth per adult stayed flat at US$ 7,020.By mid-2018, there were an estimated 3.43 lakh millionaires in India and 3,400 ultra high net worth individuals.Among major countries, India has one of the highest proportion of female billionaires at 18.6%.

Daily GK Updates - 18th October, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. M J Akbar resigns as minister of state for external affairs : The Minister of State for External Affairs Mobashar Jawed Akbar has resigned from his post in the wake of allegations of sexual harassment made by several women against him.The resignation comes in the wake of allegations of sexual harassment against him.Mr. Akbar has already filed a criminal defamation case in this regard. Veteran Indian journalist M J Akbar is Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha (In July, 2015) from Jharkhand.

2.  NITI Aayog launches guidelines for Public-Private partnership in NCDs : NITI Aayog has launched the model guidelines for Public-Private partnership in Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).As per the guidelines, the private partner will invest in upgrading, building and deploying human resources, responsible for operational management and service delivery.The guidelines will help streamline private participation and encourage world-class infra & patient care in the health sector.The state governments will provide the required physical space.It is suggested that the tariff structure for the services offered under the NCD care facility may be linked to the existing state and Central Government Health Insurance Scheme.

3.Shahi litchi’ of North Bihar gets Geographical Indication (GI) tag :The famous ‘Shahi litchi’ of North Bihar has got the Geographical Indication (GI) tag after Jardalu mango, Katarni rice and Magahi paan from the state.GI is a name (sign) used on products to certify that they possess certain qualities for being made or produced as per traditional methods or enjoy a certain reputation due to its geographical origin.A total of 3 lakh metric tonnes of different varieties of litchi were produced in Bihar in 2017-18, out of which 60 percent were Shahi litchis.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. 12th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit begins in Brussels :The two-day 12th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit begins in Brussels, Belgium.Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu will lead the Indian delegation at Europa Building for Opening Ceremony of ASEM Summit.The theme this year is, 'Global Partners for Global Challenges'.The summit will prioritize issues related to connectivity, trade and investment, sustainable development, climate change, terrorism, migration, maritime security and cyberspace.

2. Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe arrives in New Delhi : Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe arrived in New Delhi on a three-day visit to India.He will hold wide-ranging talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his stay.India is among the top four investors in Sri Lanka with cumulative investments of over one billion dollars since 2003.The investments are in diverse areas including petroleum retail, IT, financial services, real estate, and telecommunication.Trade between the two countries grew rapidly after the India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement in March 2000.

3. Bhutan: General elections are being held : The third General elections of National Assembly (the lower house of Parliament) in Bhutan being held today.The voters will seal the fate of total 94 candidates, 47 each from both the parties.The Election Commission has deputed over 5,300 officials in 865 polling stations across the country.Out of four lakh 38,000 registered voters, more than three lakhs are expected to exercise their franchise through EVMs.

4. Putin, al-Sisi sign strategic co-operation treaty : Vladimir Putin (Russian President) and Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi (Egyptian President) have signed a strategic co-operation treaty to increase trade, military and other ties in Sochi.Mr al-Sisi hailed his talks with Mr. Putin and termed the agreement as a new chapter in the history of the countries' bilateral relations.Mr. Putin and the Egyptian President discussed expanding arms trade and military ties

5. Canada becomes the 2nd country to legalize recreational cannabis:Canada has become the second country (first Uruguay) to legalize possession and use of recreational cannabis.Now, Canadians can grow up to four plants in their own home and carry up to 30 grams of dried cannabis for personal use.Cannabis possession first became a crime in Canada in 1923 but medical use has been legal since 2001.

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE:

1.  ESA to send spacecraft to Mercury in a first-of-its-kind mission : UK-built spacecraft will set off for Mercury to determine whether the plant, which is the closest to the Sun (contains water).The European Space Agency's (ESA) BepiColombo mission will send two orbiters to explore the planet where the surface temperatures reach about 450 degrees Celsius.The space agency hopes to get answers to the questions raised by the previous missions such as whether the planet holds water.On 20^th October, Spacecraft will launch from the European Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.It will take seven years to reach Mercury, arriving in 2025.

SPORTS:

1. Akash Malik claims India’s maiden archery silver at Youth Olympics : Akash Malik (15-year) became India’s first silver-medallist in archery at the Youth Olympic Games.He lost one-sided final to Trenton Cowles of the USA 0-6.Currently, Akash is enrolled by the Olympic Gold Quest and trains under South Korean coach Kim Hagyong at the Army Sports Institute in Pune.India concluded with 3 gold, 9 silver, and 1 bronze at the event that was launched in 2010.

Daily GK Updates - 17th October, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. H M Pernal gets Vishwa Konkani book award : According to the World Konkani Centre, H M Pernal has won the prestigious ‘Vimala V Pai Vishwa’ Konkani best book award for the year 2018.He has conferred this award for ‘Beeg Ani Beegath’, a collection of short stories in Konkani.

2.  'Building A Legacy': Mr. Naidu releases the biography of Anumolu Ramakrishna : Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu has released a biography of late Anumolu Ramakrishna titled 'Building a Legacy'.The biography is authored by Chartered Accountant V Pattabhi Ram.Ramakrishna (former president and Managing Director at Larsen and Toubro) is the pioneer of the application of innovative systems and construction techniques in the Indian construction sector.Ramakrishna posthumously awarded Padma Bhushan in 2014.

3. IRCTC gets new AI-based assistant 'Disha' to Resolve Problems : IRCTC has launched a new (artificial intelligence) AI-based assistant, 'Ask Disha' for its website.

This new assistant will be prompt in answering generic queries about most frequently asked questions on the ticket booking platform. 'Ask Disha' is powered by CoRover (Bengaluru-based startup) that owns the platform which is built on artificial intelligence and machine learning.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. British writer Anna Burns wins 2018 Man Booker Prize for ‘Milkman’ : British writer Anna Burns (56-year) has won the prestigious Man Booker for her Novel 'Milkman'.Milkman is a vibrant, violent story about men, women, conflict, and power set during Northern Ireland’s years of Catholic-Protestant violence.Ms. Burns won the 50,000-pound ($66,000) prize.Anna Burns was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland.She is the author of two novels, No Bones and Little Constructions, and of the novella, Mostly Hero.

2. 17th October: International Day for the Eradication of Poverty : The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is an international observance celebrated every year on 17th October throughout the world.The theme of 2018 is ‘Coming together with those furthest behind to build an inclusive world of universal respect for human rights and dignity’.This year marks the 70th anniversary of the proclamation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

3. Vice President leaves for Brussels to attend the 12^th ASEM summit : Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu left for Brussels (Belgium) to attend the two-day Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit.The theme of this year’s ASEM Summit is "Global Partners for Global Challenges”.Mr. Naidu will also participate in the Plenary Session and interact with various stakeholders.ASEM Agenda for 2018 will prioritize issues related to connectivity, trade and investment, sustainable development, climate change, terrorism, migration, maritime security and cyberspace.

OTHER UPDATES:

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1.Govt hikes GPF interest rate to 8% for Oct-Dec quarter : The union government has increased the rate of interest for General Provident Fund (GPF) and other related schemes by 0.4 percentage points to 8 percent from 1^st October-31^st December 2018.The interest rate on GPF was 7.6 percent for the July-September quarter.The interest rate would apply on Provident Funds of central government employees, railways and defense forces.Earlier, the union government has announced that the interest on small savings, including NSC and PPF, will be hiked by up to 0.4 percentage point for the October-December quarter.

2.  India is 58th most competitive economy in the WEF index : India has been ranked as the 58th most competitive economy on the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) global competitiveness index for 2018.On the list of 140 economies, the US (1st) is followed by Singapore(2nd) and Germany (3rd).India’s rank rose by five places from 2017.

SPORTS :

1.Praveen Chitravel bags a Bronze medal at 2018 Summer Youth Olympics : Indian Triple Jumper ‘Praveen Chitravel’ won the Bronze medal at the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics in Argentine.Praveen ended at the third spot with a combined effort of 31.52 meters.Cuba won the Gold, while Nigeria won the Silver.This was India's second medal in Athletics at the Games after Suraj Panwar clinched a Silver in Men's 5,000 meters race walk event.Currently, India has 12 medals in its kitty (3 Gold, 8 silver and 1 Bronze) and they are 14th in the table.