Daily GK Updates - 19th January, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. IBM bags $40mn deal from Bank Tech India Payments: Technology giant IBM bagged a 7-year deal worth $40 million from Bank Tech India (BTI) Payments a white label ATM (WLA) operator to transform its IT Infrastructure. 

2. BHEL commissions 660 MW Lalitpur supercritical thermal unit: BHEL has commissioned the second 660 MW supercritical unit of Lalitpur Super Thermal Power Project (STPP) in Uttar Pradesh.

3. Tata Motors appoints Airbus official Guenter Butschek as CEO & MD.

4. Ola appoints Raghuvesh Sarup as Chief Marketing Officer.

5. World Bank to fund 20 million US dollar for reconstructing Indira Gandhi Zoological Park: The World Bank decided to extend an assistance of 20 million US dollar to help reconstruct the Indira Gandhi Zoological Park (IGZP), which got devastated during the cyclone Hudhud, in Vishakhapatnam.

6. Jayalalithaa launches Amma Call Centre: In an initiative aimed at quick delivery of government services, TN CM J Jayalalithaa launched a round the clock call centre for ensuring fast response to grievances.

7. 40^th edition of International Kolkata Book Fair to be held on 27^th January.

8. HaloSource appoints Tamal Chaudhari as India head.

9. IMF retains India’s GDP forecast for 2017 at 7.5%.

10. India slips to 89^th rank on global talent competitiveness: Switzerland has topped the list. India has slipped 11 places to rank 89^th on a global index of talent competitiveness.

11. World Bank approves 24x7 water project for Belagavi, Karnataka.

12. Union Government to introduce new category of award for ‘most film friendly state/UT’ under the National Film Awards.

13. ReNew Power commissioned 40 MW wind project in Karnataka.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. UNWTO released World Tourism Barometer: The World Tourism Organisation has released the World Tourism Barometer, which reviewed trends in tourism at the regional and global level for 2015 and enumerated prospects for 2016.

2. Oxfam released report titled An Economy for the 1%: The report analysed growing trends of concentration of wealth across the world and suggested remedies to correct the anomaly.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

1. Draft report of R V Easwar Committee to simplify Income-tax Act, 1961 released: The draft recommendations of the 10-member committee contain 27 suggestions for amendments under the Income-tax Act, 1961 and 8 recommendations for reform through administrative instructions.

2. SBI offers loans for women entrepreneurs under MUDRA scheme: The MUDRA loan for women entrepreneurs or Boutique Finance for Women Entrepreneurs-a special loan scheme under PM Mudra Yojana-has been launched for catering to the financial needs of women entrepreneurs.

SPORTS:

3. BCCI imposes a five year ban on Ajit Chandila, Hiken Shah.

4. Ronnie O’Sullivan defeated Barry Hawkins to win sixth Snooker Masters title.

5. Viktor Troicki defeated Grigor Dimitrov to win 2016 WTA Apia International Sydney title.

OBITUARIES:

6. World’s oldest man Yasutaro Koide dies at the age of 112 in Japan.

7. The Eagles’ guitarist Glenn Frey died at the age of 67.

8. Senior BJP leader Daulatrao Aher died at the age of 74.