GK Updates

India becomes fourth largest spender on defence:

India has becomes the world’s fourth largest spender on defence, following a 13.1% increase in its 2016-17 defence budget, according to US research firm HIS Inc. India’s rise in the ranking from sixth position last year is a result of an increase in expenditure to $50.7 billion combined with cuts to military spending by Russia and Saudi Arabia where low oil prices have put considerable strain on their finances.

4th Nuclear Security Summit begins in Washington:

The fourth edition of nuclear security summit (NSS) began in Washington, United states to discuss a gamut of issues pertaining to security. In this edition of summit, heads of about 53 countries and representatives of five international organizations including the UNO, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), European Union (EU), Interpol are taking part. 

Telangana govt launches M Wallet mobile App:

State road transport authority’s brand-new mobile app, M-Wallet was launched by IT minister KT Rama Rao and transport minister P.Mahender Reddy. Telangana state transport authority’s launched brand new mobile app named M-Wallet which is first of its kind in India. It will help motorists to avoid physically carrying documents like driving licence, registration certification and other vehicle related documents, since digital certificates can be uploaded through the App. 

Haryana fixes edu qualification for Urban Bodies’ polls”

Haryana Assembly passed two Bills mandating minimum educational qualification for contesting urban local bodies polls in the state.

• The minimum educational qualification for a general male candidate will be Class X, while that for women and those belonging to SC category would be Class VIII.
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Union Govt launches Startup India portal and mobile app:

The Union govt has launched the startup India portal (http://startupindia.gov.in) and mobile application. They will also provide information regarding incubators and funding agencies recognized for the purpose of recommending startup sup to Rs crore.

• Startup India Hub was established within Invest India will be a single point of contact for the entire Startup ecosystem.
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Flipkart acquires mobile payment firm PhonePe:

India’s largest e-commerce company Flipkart has acquired PhonePe a Bengaluru based mobile payments company. It was co-founded by ex-Flipkart employees Sameer Nigam and Rahul Chari.

Ficci, AIBC sign MoU to strengthen business ties:

In a bid further strengthen and promote business ties with Australia FICCI on Friday announced inking an MoU with Australia India Business Council (AIBC).

• The agreement was signed in the presence of the visiting Finance Minister Arun Jaitley during the ‘Invest in India Round Table Conference’ here.
• The agreement reinvigorates the ongoing relationship between the two organisations to further promote, facilitate and grow the trade and investment relationship between Australia and India.
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Rajiv Gauba takes over as Secretary of Urban Development Ministry:

Rajiv Gauba toll over as Secretary to the government of India in the Ministry of Urban development. Jharkhand govt now is looking for another Chief Secretary.

Renowned Iraqi-British Architech Zaha Hadid passes away:

Renowned Iraqi-British Architech Zaha Hadid passed away due to heart attack. She was 65 year old. She was the first female winner of the top Pritzker Architecture Prize (2004), also known as the Nobel for architecture.

• Zaha Hadid Born on 31st October 1950 in Baghdad, Iraq. Hadid first had studied mathematics at the American University in Lebanon and later pursued architecture at the Architectural Association in London in 1972.