Daily GK Updates - 29th January, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Union Government announced 1^st batch of 20 smart cities from 11 States and Delhi: The 20 smart cities were selected through the Smart City Challenge competition that saw the participation of 1.52 crore citizens from 97 cities and towns. Among the 20 cities and towns, 3 cities are from MP, two each from AP, Karnataka, TN, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Rajasthan and one each from the remaining five made it to the winning list. 

2. Commemorative coins of Rs 150 and circulation coin of Rs 10 on Lala Lajpat Rai released.

3. $80 m loan from ADB to improve infrastructure in Agartala, Aizwal: The loan is the third tranche of $200 m financing facility under the North Eastern Region Capital Cities Development Investment Program.

4. Kerala to host global skill summit: Kerala will host a three-day ‘Nypunyam International Skill Summit and Skill Fiesta 2016’ next month with a view to bridging the gap between the job market requirement and the skill level of available workforce.

5. Gurdeep Singh appointed as the new CMD of NTPC Ltd.

6. Government lowers GDP growth rate to 7.2%: It has marginally revised downward the economic growth for 2014-15 to 7.2% from the earlier estimate of 7.3% after factoring in latest data on agriculture and industrial production.

7. Puducherry Lt Governor AK Singh launched MITRA app for women safety.

8. Madhya Pradesh to impose ban on polythene from January 2017.

9. JS Deepak appointed as the new Telecom Secretary.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Iran, Airbus signed deal to buy 118 Airbus planes: Iran and Airbus have signed two agreements covering new aircraft orders and a comprehensive civil aviation co-operation package. The agreement includes purchase of 118 new Airbus aircrafts.

2. Indo-Pak Agreement on Rail Link extended for three years: India and Pakistan have extended their agreement relating to rail communication by mutual consent through diplomatic channels for next three years.

3. China, Iran signed 17 agreements to broaden bilateral cooperation: The agreements cover various fields such as energy, industrial capacity, finance, investment, communication, culture, judiciary, science and technology, news media, customs, climate change and human resources.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. Navneet Kaur and Santosh Kadale won gold in Senior National Rowing Championship held in Hyderbad in the women’s and men’s category respectively.

2. Sania Mirza and Martina Hingis won 2016 Australian Open Women’s Doubles title.

3. Graham Ford named Chief Coach of Sri Lanka cricket ahead of India Tour.

OBITUARIES:

4. Former minister and freedom fighter Maheshwar Baug died at the age of 85.

BOOKS AND AUTHORS:

5. The book titled ‘The Turbulent Years, Volume II of memoirs of President Pranab Mukherjee’ released.