Daily GK Updates - 16th June, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Railways flags off 1^st time-tabled freight train: Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu has flagged off India's first timetabled freight train, named ‘Cargo Express’, from Delhi to Bengaluru. The move aims to reduce the delay and uncertainty over the time schedule for delivery of goods. 

2. Union Cabinet, approvals on 15^th June, 2016: The Union Cabinet gave its ex-post facto approval to the MoU for the cooperation in the field of agriculture and allied sector between India and Taiwan. Besides, the cabinet also gave its nod to the signing of Air Services Agreement between both the countries. The MoU was signed between Taipei Economic and Cultural Centre in India and India-Taipei Association in Taipei, Taiwan.

3. President reaches Windhoek on the last leg of 3-nation tour to Africa: President Pranab Mukherjee has reached Windhoek, the capital of Namibia on the last leg of his three-nation tour to Africa. He was received on his arrival at Hosea Kotako international airport by the deputy Prime Minister Ms. Nandi Ndaitwah Netumbo. 

4. HRD Minister Smriti Irani launches Vidyanjali in New Delhi: Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani has launched Vidyanjali, a school volunteer programme in New Delhi. Vidyanjali is an initiative under Padhe Bharat Badhe Bharat, to enhance community and private sector involving government-run elementary schools across the country.

5. 3,049 people perform largest Karma dance in Madhya Pradesh enters Guinness world records: During the recent event in District Mandla, Madhya Pradesh, 3,049 people registered their spot in the Guinness book of world records for performing largest Karma Naach dance ever. The people took part in the dance to celebrate the culture and history of the Gond tribes of central India.

6. Petroleum Minister visiting St Petersburg to represent India at the SPIEF: Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, the Minister of State (I/C) for Petroleum and Natural Gas is going to visit St Petersburg, Russia on two days meet holding on 16th and 17th June, to represent India at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). 

7.  Kiran Bedi launches a mobile app to help senior citizens in distress: The “HelpAge SOS App’’ was launched by Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi at Raj Nivas. The app provides for an SOS-Save our seniors button to immediately reach to the counsellor desk of Help Age for rendering emergency help and assistance, apart from health related information.

8. Uber enters into pact with Tata Group: Tech-based car-hailing company Uber has entered into an agreement with Tata group to help its drivers own Indica and Indigo cars with less hassle. While Tata Capital Financial Services and Tata Motors Finance will offer loans at "competitive'’ interest rates, ‘affordable’ insurance would be offered by Tata AIG as a package.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Russia launches most powerful nuclear icebreaker Arktika:  Russia's new Project 22220 nuclear-powered icebreaker dubbed Arktika was launched from the Baltic Shipyard in Russia's second largest city of St. Petersburg.   

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

1. Karnataka Bank gets Award: Karnataka Bank Ltd has bagged CFBP (Council for Fair Business Practices) Jamnalal Bajaj award for fair business practices.

SPORTS:

2. India won the three matches ODI Series against Zimbabwe: India has won the three-match One-Day International (ODI) series against Zimbabwe 3-0. In the third and final match played at Harare, India defeated Zimbabwe by 10 wickets. The ODI series will be followed by 3 Twenty-20 matches that will begin on 18 June 2016.

3. “A new World”- the official slogan for Rio Olympics: The Rio 2016 organising committee revealed the official slogan for the first Olympic and Paralympic Games in South America – “A new world” – while also unveiling the medals, 52 days from the start of the quadrennial extravaganza. 

AWARDS:

4. Margaret Atwood awarded 2016 PEN Pinter prize: Canadian poet, novelist and environmental activist Margaret Atwood was awarded the 2016 PEN Pinter Prize. Atwood will receive her award at a public event at the British Library on 13 October 2016.

5. Indian Diabetes Specialist Dr Shashank S Shah wins Vivian Fonseca Scholar Award 2016: Pune-based diabetes specialist Shashank S Shah was conferred with the Vivian Fonseca Scholar Award 2016. He was selected for his research  titled Gastric Bypass vs. Medical/Lifestyle Care for Type 2 Diabetes in South Asia with BMI 25-40 kg/m2 — The COSMID Randomised. It is one of the pioneering bariatric surgeons in India and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in Asia.

OBITUARIES:

6. Assam Pradesh Congress President Anjan Dutta passes away: Assam Pradesh Congress President (APCC) Anjan Dutta has passed away in New Delhi. He was undergoing treatment at AIIMS for past several days. He was 64 years old.