How much did UN owe India for peacekeeping operations?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled translated volumes of Vachana, penned by 12th century social reformer Basavanna and other saints in 23 Indian languages. The volumes were released on the occasion of Basavanna's birth anniversary. The 23 Vachana volumes are edited by renowned literary scholar late M M Kalburgi and translated by more than 200 people.

Bank of Baroda and city-based Srei Equipment Finance Ltd will collaborate to offer joint loans for infrastructure equipment under a new agreement.This collaboration will allow both Srei and Bank of Baroda to cooperate and widen their respective markets and customer base.Sourcing of loans will be facilitated through iQuippo, which is a Kanoria Foundation initiative.

Two international financial institutions the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have launched a private blockchain and quasi-crypto currency called as "Learning Coin" for better understanding of blockchain technology and the function of crypto assets. The asset will only be available for use within the IMF and the World Bank. It has no monetary value, means it is not a true cryptocurrency. After the testing period, the IMF and the World Bank may use blockchain technology to create smart contracts, fight money laundering, and improve transparency.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath launched his government's Rs 50,000-crore farm debt-waiver scheme named 'Jai Kisan Rin Mukti Yojana'. It is expected to benefit 55 lakh small and marginal farmers. The eligibility cut-off date has been extended to December 12, 2018, from March 31, 2018. Only those farmers who have not registered themselves to pay GST and income tax can avail benefits under this scheme.

Australian flight carrier, Qantas operated the world's first zero-waste commercial flight named QF739 from Sydney to Adelaide which disposed of all waste through compost, reuse or recycles. This airline has substituted over 1000 single-use plastic items with more environment-friendly items which have helped the airline to achieve zero-waste during a commercial flight. The Australian airline Qantas has planned to eliminate 100 million single-use plastics by the end of 2020 and also to reduce 75% of airline's waste by the end of 2021.

Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU), Amritsar, has won the prestigious Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy for 2017-18. The MAKA Trophy, first given in 1956-57, is awarded annually to the university with the best all-round performance. The winner gets a replica of the trophy, a certificate and a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh, which is to be utilised for sports activities. GNDU has claimed the trophy for the 22nd time.

Airtel Payments Bank joined hands with Bharti AXA General Insurance for a two-wheeler insurance product offering which is available on MyAirtel App and at over 40,000 Airtel Payments Bank points across India. This offers various benefits like 70 percent savings on an annual premium, personal accident cover, protection against third-party liabilities and inspection-free renewal through a paperless process. Also, Customers can avail towing services at no extra cost on claim intimation, at the time of insured vehicle breaks down. Customers without an Airtel Payments Bank account can also avail this policy and can renew their two-wheeler insurance at Airtel Payments Bank banking point.

UBER unveiled an investment of $1 billion in U.S. company Uber to drive forward the development of driverless ridesharing services. The latest cash injection, expected to close in the third quarter this year, came amid fevered anticipation of Uber's public share offering which is expected to be the largest in the tech sector for years. Toyota has already invested $500 million in Uber as the firm races Google-owned Waymo and a host of other companies, including major automakers, to develop self-driving vehicles.

The Union Minister for Water Resources, River development and rejuvenation Nithin Gadkari presented 82 National Water Awards in 14 categories for the year 2018 at a ceremony held in New Delhi. The department of geology at Kakatiya University, Warangal Telangana received the best campus in India in terms of water usage. Panjab University secured 2nd position in the category. Madurai district received first prize for rejuvenations and creating new water bodies in the National Water Awards 2018. In best state category Maharashtra, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh bagged first, second and third prizes resource management in India.

As per Ficci's survey 'Ficci's Economic Outlook Survey', the Indian economy is expected to grow at 7.4 per cent in the current fiscal. It projects that GDP will grow at 7.4 per cent for 2018-19, with a minimum and maximum range of 7.1 per cent and 7.5 per cent, respectively. The economic activity on the first quarter of the current fiscal would be 7.1 per cent. The study further said the median growth forecast for agriculture and allied activities has been put at 3 per cent for 2018-19.