Daily GK Updates - 16th May, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. ‘Dhan Wapasi’ Income Declaration Scheme for domestic black money to commence from June 1: Individual willing to declare their black money in the country will have to pay tax and a penalty, totalling 45%, to come clean.

2. Union Minister J P Nadda lays foundation stone for three medical colleges in Jammu and Kashmir: The three new medical colleges will be opened at Rajouri, Anantnag and Baramulla districts in Jammu and Kashmir.

3. India Posts goes High-tech, Geo-tags post offices on Bhuvan: The postal department of India, India post is going hi-tech by geo tagging the post office on Bhuvan and has begun monitoring timely clearance of letter boxes through a mobile app.

4. Centre approves proposal to set up Kalinganagar National Investment Manufacturing Zone in Jajpur district of Odisha.

5. Wholesale Price Index (WPI) inflation positive for 1^st time in 18 months: Wholesale prices rose for the first time in 18 months, posting an annual gain of 0.34 per cent, driven up by higher costs for food and manufactured items.

6. India successfully test fires Interceptor missile from the Odisha coast: The missile is capable of destroying hostile ballistic missile and will help in strengthening India’s Missile Defence System.

7. BHEL wins Rs 1600-crore order from the joint venture of NTPC and SAIL to set up a coal based thermal power project in Odisha.

8. India and Bangladesh power ties with 21^st-century nuclear deal: India and Bangladesh has concluded a nuclear agreement with each other to engage the bilateral neighbourhood relationship.

9. United Nations to honour 4 Indian peacekeepers and a civilian: They have died while serving on peacekeeping missions last year. The names of the awardees are Head Constable Shubhkaran Yadav, Rifleman Manish Malik, Havildar Amal Deka, Naik Rakesh Kumar and Gagan Punjabi. All of these will be honoured with the Dag Hammarskjold Medal on May 19, International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers.

10. Justice Mukul Mudgal appointed as the Deputy Chairman of FIFA’S Governance Committee.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. 2016 Red Flag Aerial Combat exercises concluded in US: The multilateral Red Flag Aerial Combat exercises between US, NATO and allied forces and Indian Air Force (IAF) concluded in Alaska (US).

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. Indian women’s squash team led by Joshna Chinnappa clinched silver at Asian Squash Championship held at Taipei.

2. Andy Murray defeated Novak Djokovic to list his maiden Rome Masters title 2016.

3. Serena Williams defeated Madison Keys to win her 4^th Rome Masters title.

4. Sudha Singh breaks 3000m steeplechase national record by clocking 9 min and 26.55 sec.

5. FC Barcelona crowned La Liga Champions for the 24^th time.

6. Mirza and Hingis win Rome Masters Women’s doubles title.

7. Max Verstappen becomes the youngest Formula 1 winner by defeating Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen.

AWARDS:

8. Former ISRO Chairman U R Rao becomes first Indian to be honoured with International Astronautical Federation (IAF) ‘Hall of Fame’ Award.

9. Celina Jaitley honoured by Harvey Milk Foundation for her contribution to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) equality as a United Nations Equality Champion.

OBITUARIES:

10. Former Test Cricketer Deepak Shodhan passed away at the age of 87.