Daily GK Updates - 26th July, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Kargil Divas observed on 26^th July: On this day, 26 July 1999, India successfully took command of the high outposts which had been lost to Pakistani intruders. The Kargil war was fought for more than 60 days, ended on 26 July and resulted in the loss of life on both sides, India and Pakistan and with the India regain possessions of Kargil.

2. 7^th Pay Commission to be implemented from August: The Centre has published the implementation notification of the 7th Pay Commission, stating that central government employees will get the revised pay from August. As the Commission had recommended a 23.55 percent overall hike in salaries, allowances and pension involving an additional burden of Rs 1.02 lakh crore, or nearly 0.7 percent of GDP.

3. Policy planning dialogue meeting of BRICS has begun today in Patna: BRICS policy planning dialogue meeting has begun today in Patna. Delegates of BRICS countries - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa are participating in this meeting. The dialogue meeting is being held ahead of the 8th BRICS Summit, which is going to be held in Goa on October 15-16 under the chairmanship of India. This year's theme of dialogue is Building responsive, Inclusive and collective solutions.

4. Hinduja National Power commissions 1040 MW thermal power project in Visakhapatnam: Part of the Hinduja Group, Hinduja National Power Corporation Limited (HNPCL) has commissioned its 1,040 MW coal fired thermal power project on the coast of Bay of Bengal at Palavalasa village in the Visakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh.

5. Rajasthan planned to double farmers’ income in six years: In an attempt to double the income of farmers by 2022, the Rajasthan government plans to bring in latest technological innovation and introduce best farming practices by inviting experts to Global Rajasthan Agritech Meet (GRAM) in Jaipur from November 9 to 11.

6. Karnataka opens dedicated start-up cell: The Government of Karnataka has set-up a dedicated start-up cell for speeding up the implementation of the initiatives under its start-up policy. This is the first time in India that a government has come up with a dedicated Start-up Cell guided by the Start-up Policy, which envisages the growth of 20,000 new start-ups, including 6,000 product start-ups, by 2020 in Karnataka.

7. Oldest elephant in Kerala set to enter Guinness World Records: Dakshayani, 86, is all set to enter the Guinness World Records as the oldest living elephant. The Travancore Devasom Board (TDB) - the owner of the elephant - has already written to the Guinness authorities staking claim to Dakshayani being the oldest living elephant in the world.

8. Dr. Buddha Rashmi Mani appointed as the Director General of National Museum.

9. Flipkart’sMyntra acquires Jabong: Online fashion marketplace Myntra has announced that it has acquired its rival Jabong from Global Fashion Group to create India’s biggest fashion shopping destination. The acquisition of Jabong further strengthens Myntra and its parent company Flipkart’s position as the undisputed leader in fashion and lifestyle segment in India.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Solar Impulse completes historic round the world trip: The Solar Impulse has become the first aircraft to circle the globe powered by the sun, after landing in Abu Dhabi on the last leg of its journey, where it first took off on an epic 25,000-mile (40,000-kilometer) journey that began more than a year ago.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:

1. Vodafone M-Pesa ties up with Punjab power utility: Vodafone M-Pesa, a mobile phone-based money transfer service, has tied up with Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) to enable consumers pay their electricity bills instantly.

SPORTS:

2. R Ashwin becomes No. 1 Test bowler again after taking 6 wickets against West Indies.