Daily GK Updates - 24th June, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Union Government approved setting up of District Level Advisory and Monitoring Committees: Union Ministry of Urban Development has approved the setting up of District Level Advisory and Monitoring Committees to promote people centric planning and execution of new urban development schemes.

2. Union Government launches India’s first pilot programme to run two-wheelers on CNG in New Delhi: Union Government has launched a pilot programme to run two-wheelers on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) in New Delhi to curb air pollution in cities.

3. Odisha Government 500 new gram panchayats: Odisha government has approved a proposal of the Panchayati Raj department to add 500 new gram panchayats before the 2017 three-tier panchayat polls.

4. India and Switzerland ink MoU to enhance cooperation in skill development: India and Switzerland have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish formal cooperation in the fields of skills development and vocational and professional education and training.

5. Tech Mahindra Ltd acquires UK-based BIO Agency Ltd: Technology services provider Tech Mahindra Ltd (TechM) has acquired UK-based digital transformation firm The BIO Agency Ltd. The acquisition was carried out in an all-cash deal for an enterprise value of up to 45 million pounds.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Brexit wins as Britain votes to leave European Union in historic referendum: The United Kingdom has voted by 52 % to 48 % to leave the European Union after 43 years in a historic referendum. According to a newspaper London and Scotland voted strongly to stay in the Union but the remaining vote has been done against it which mainly contains the north of England. Voters in Wales and the English shires have backed Britain exit from the EU in large numbers. The decision launches what will be years of negotiations over trade, business and political links with the European Union, which will shrink to a 27-nation bloc. Meanwhile because of the referendum, the pound fell to its lowest level against the dollar since 1985 as the markets reacted to the results.

2. Asian millionaires now the wealthiest in the world: Millionaires in Asia are wealthier than their counterparts in other regions of the world, including North America and Europe. According to a report by the Capgemini consulting firm, Asian millionaires’ wealth was worth 17.4 trillion dollars in 2015, more than double the 8.4 trillion dollars in 2006.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

1. RBI releases framework on payments systems: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released its much awaited 'Vision-2018' document. The ‘Payment and Settlement Systems in India: Vision-2018’ aims at building best of class payment and settlement systems for a ‘less-cash’ India and ensuring access to mobile banking services to even basic phone users.

SPORTS:

2. M S Dhoni becomes brand ambassador of Exide Life Insurance.

3. BCCI appoints Anil Kumble as the new coach of Indian Cricket Team.

4. Artemi Panarin wins 2015-2016 Calder Memorial Trophy: Russian hockey winger ArtemiPanarin, playing for the Chicago Blackhawks, has won the 2015-2016 Calder Memorial Trophy.

5. Harika wins best women’s player in Kazakhstan Blitz: Grand Master Harika Dronavalli added another feather to her cap by winning the best women's player award in the Eurasian Blitz chess tournament in Kazakhstan.

AWARDS:

6. IIT-Kanpur Professor Sanjay Mittal awarded 2015 GD Birla Award for Scientific Research for the year 2015.