Daily GK Updates - 25th July, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Rs 2048 crore sanctioned under ‘SwadeshDarshan’ scheme: The Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned 25 projects under the SwadeshDarshan scheme worth Rs. 2048 Crore. The scheme is launched in January 2015. For the North Eastern States, the Ministry has sanctioned 9 projects worth Rs. 821 Crores covering all the 8 states.

2. Solar Power tree developed for the generation of electricity: The Ministry of Science and Technology has come up with a 'Solar Power Tree', an innovative way to generate electricity using solar power in a limited space. The Solar Power Tree model is actually designed like a tree with branches made of steel to hold the photovoltaic panel.

3. TCS top employer in IT industry, says NASSCOM: Software services major Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has been ranked as the top employer in the Indian IT industry by the representative body Nasscom. Though Cognizant is a US-based IT firm, it has the largest number of employees in India with development centres in Chennai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad.

4. Quikr acquires online recruitment start-up Hiree: Online classifieds platform Quikr has acquired Bengaluru-based online recruitment firm Hiree for an undisclosed amount. Hiree will be merged with the startup's jobs vertical QuikrJobs, and will work out of Quikr headquarters.

5. ITC appoints SanjivPuri as COO.

6. Ricoh India Chairman Tetsuya Takano resigns and Ian Peter Winham appointed as its new Director and Chairman.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. AG600 Aircraft unveiled by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China: The plane AG600 has been unveiled by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) in southern port city of Zhuhai. Before the AG600, the largest amphibious cast was the H-4 Hercules, known as the Spruce Goose, used in WW2. Its wingspan is still longer than the AG600's.

2. Nepal PM KP Oli resigns ahead of a no-confidence vote: Nepal's Prime Minister, Khadga Prasad Oli has resigned from his office. He resigned ahead of a no-confidence vote. Oli, 64, who became prime minister of Nepal in October 2015, has been facing a no-trust motion after the Maoists withdrew support from the coalition government.

3. Ericsson CEO Vestberg steps down: Swedish mobile telecoms maker Ericsson's Chief Executive Officer Hans Vestberg has resigned from his post with immediate effect. Vestberg has been the company's CEO since 2010.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

1. RBI imposes a penalty of Rs 5 crore on Bank of Baroda: The Reserve Bank of India has imposed a penalty of Rs5 crore on Bank of Baroda in the alleged rs. 6,000 crore forex related irregularities that were observed in October last year.

2. ICICI, Axis Bank join Swift’s global payment initiative: ICICI Bank and Axis Bank are the first Indian banks to sign up for Swift’s global payments innovation initiative. The Belgium-based Swift is a global member-owned cooperative and a leading provider of secure financial messaging services.

SPORTS:

3. Lewis Hamilton wins 5^th Hungarian Grand Prix.

4. Indian Shooter ManavadityaRathore clinch Bronze in Junior World Cup in Italy.

5. Feliciano Lopez wins 2016 Swiss Open Gstaad: The 2016 Swiss Open Gstaad, a men's tennis tournament played on outdoor clay courts has won by the Spain player Feliciano Lopez. He has defeated Robin Haase of the Netherlands.

AWARDS:

6. Violinist A Kanyakumari, first female violinist to get Sangita Kalanidhi Award: In the 87 years of the Sangita Kalanidhi award, this year is special as Renowned violinist Avasarala Kanyakumari from south India was selected for the prestigious 2016 Sangita Kalanidhi Award.