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.

Current Affairs April 2016

France operation “Sangaris” comes to an end in CAR: 

France will end its three years long military operation “Sangaris” in Central African Republic which came onto force in 2013 following a communal violence. The France govt proposed to withdraw its troops citing the formation of the new govt under faustin Archange Touadera and restoration of peace. 

Narendra Modi to launch Asia’s biggest telescope Aries in Nainital:

A Major achievement and progress in the field of Astronomy, the Aryabhatta research institute for observational sciences abbreviated as ARIES the first optical telescope is set to be inaugurated by PM Modi in Nainital.

• It was a contract undertaken by the Aries and Belgian company- Advanced mechanical and optical systems in March, 2007.
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Kachhabali becomes 1st Liquor free village in Rajasthan:

Kachhabali village in Rajasthan and district of Rajasthan has become the first in state to vote in support of closing down the only liquor shop in the village.

• The polling was carried out by the excise department of the state and 94% of the voters demanded that they want a complete ban on the sale of alcohol in the village.
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Mumbai to get its first Arbitration Centre:

The financial capital of India is likely to get the international Arbitration Centre. This will be the India’s first arbitration centre for dealing the financial disputes.

• The financial disputes of India were dealt in the Singapore Arbitration centre, now with the establishment of the International arbitration centre in Mumbai it will be a boon to the Indian companies.
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Japan commits loan worth 14251 crores:

Japan has been providing support to India both financially and technically when it comes to the development of Infrastructure. It has now committed a loan worth 242.2 billion yen for the various infrastructure projects in India.

Faustin-Archange Touadera sworn in as president of central Africa:

Faustin Archange Touadera was sworn-in as President of Central African Republic. With this, 58-year-old Touadera became the first elected President of the country in three years.

Wipro appoints Patrick Dupuis as its board member:

The IT major Wipro has announced the appointment of Patrick Dupuis as its new independent board member. Patrick Dupuis was the Senior Vice President of PayPal holdings. He has also been a part of BJC health care and functioned as the CFO of Site1, one of the largest customer care company.

First female speaker for Vietnam Parliament:

Vietnam has chosen Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan as its first female speaker. Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan got 472 votes out of the total 481 votes and got a clean sweep of majority in becoming the speaker of the assembly.

• She became the first female speaker of the nation and also elected as the chairperson of national election council with 467 votes out of 477.
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Babu Bharadwaj passes away:

Renowned writer and journalist Babu Bharadwaj 68 passed away. He breathed his last at a private hospital in the city where he was undergoing treatment after suffering a cardiac arrest.

• He was working as the chief editor of the online news portal Dool News. He had worked with Kairali TV, Chinta Magazine and Media One. He was the first Joint Secretary of Students’ Federation of India (SFI).