DAILY GK 5 APRIL 2019


DAILY GK 5 APRIL 2019
1. 113 MN PEOPLE OF 53 COUNTRIES FACED SEVERE HUNGER IN 2018, AS PER GLOBAL REPORT ON FOOD CRISES 2019
According to 2019 Global Report on Food Crises, around 113 million people across 53 countries faced severe huger in 2018.
The report examined 53 countries that are vulnerable to food crises and provided the causes of severe food insecurity for 27 countries which were mainly persistent conflict and adverse weather events.
The two-thirds of the total numbers of people facing acute food insecurity are in 8 countries viz. Yemen, Congo, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Syria, Sudan, South Sudan and Northern Nigeria.

2. FITCH KEPT INDIA’S RATING UNCHANGED AT BBB- WITH STABLE OUTLOOK
Fitch Rating affirms India’s Rating sovereign rating unchanged at the lowest investment grade of BBB- with a stable outlook. The growth rate of India forecasted by Fitch Is 6.8% in financial year 2019-20 and 7.1% in FY 2020-21.
According to Fitch, FDI regulations has been eased and there is reduction in red tape but still there are some difficulties in doing business in India due to which India’s rating is not upgraded.
India’s rating is also based on the recent opinion polls which showed that the upcoming government will have smaller majority and due to this it will be difficult for the new government to make majors reforms like Goods and Services Tax.

3. US APPROVES THE SALE OF 24 MH-60 ‘ROMEO’ SEAHAWK HELICOPTERS TO INDIA FOR $2.6 BN
At an estimated cost of $2.6 billion, the United States has approved the sale of 24 multi-mission Lockheed Martin-built MH-60 ‘Romeo’ Seahawk helicopters to India. These choppers designed for targeting ships, hunting submarines and conducting search-and-rescue operations at sea would replenish the age-old fleet of British-made Sea King helicopters used by India.
This particular sale proposal would help in strengthening the US-India strategic relationship by aiding the foreign policy and the national security of the US.


4. UAE HONOURS PM MODI WITH HIGHEST CIVILIAN AWARD ZAYED MEDAL
The UAE honoured PM Narendra Modi with the prestigious Zayed Medal for giving a “big boost’ to bilateral strategic ties. President of the UAE Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan conferred PM Modi with the award, the highest decoration awarded to kings, presidents, and heads of states.

5. VIPIN ANAND TAKES OVER AS MANAGING DIRECTOR OF LIC
Vipin Anand has taken charge as Managing Director of Life Insurance Corporation of India. Prior to this, he was in charge of LIC’s Western Zone, headquartered at Mumbai.
During his service of more than 35 years with the organisation, Anand has handled several assignments in various capacities and departments across different locations in India.

6. FORMER BOLLYWOOD ACTRESS, MAYOORI KANGO HAS APPOINTED THE INDUSTRY HEAD OF GOOGLE INDIA
Ex-Bollywood actress and Managing Director of Performics (A Performance Marketing Agency), Mayoori Kango has been appointed as the Industry head of Google India. She will lead Google engagement with Publicis (Parent Company of Performics) and DAN.

7. WHATSAPP LAUNCHES TIP LINE TO CURB FAKE NEWS
WhatsApp launched an India-focused fact-checking feature to combat fake news and rumours starting with the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections.
Developed in collaboration with India-based media skilling startup PROTO, the tip line feature will help create a database of rumours to study misinformation during elections as part of a research project commissioned and assisted by WhatsApp.