Daily GK Updates - 4th July, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. India’s first Commercial Court and Commercial Disputes Resolution Centre inaugurated in Chhattisgarh: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Dr. Raman Singh has inaugurated country's first commercial dispute resolution centre and a commercial court in the state capital.The commercial court is located in Naya Raipur area of the city.The court also consists of arbitration centre and a meditation centre.

2. BRICS’ meeting on energy efficiency begins today: A two-day meeting of the BRICS nations working group for enhancing cooperation in energy efficiency and energy saving have started from today in Visakhapatnam. This is the first meeting of the group in which participants from all BRICS countries are attending the meet.

3. President inaugurates smart village pilot project at Rashtrapati Bhavan: President Pranab Mukherjee has inaugurated a smart model village pilot project at RashtrapatiBhavan in New Delhi. Initially, this initiative will be implemented in five selected villages in Haryana than later on will be spread to the entire country.

4. PM attends martyrdom anniversary of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur: Prime Minister NarendraModi has attended a commemorative event to mark the 300th Martyrdom Anniversary of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur in New Delhi. On the occasion, Prime Minister Modi has released a book and souvenir on the life of Banda Bahadur.

5. Cyprus set to sign the new tax treaty with India: India and Cyprus have agreed to revise their tax treaty under which capital gains tax will be levied on the sale of shares of investments made after April 1, 2017. The new Cyprus Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA), which has been agreed upon by both the countries, would provide for source-based taxation of capital gains on transfer of shares.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. China fits final piece on world’s largest radio telescope: China has hoisted the final piece into position on what will be the world’s largest radio telescope, which it will use to explore space and help in the hunt for extraterrestrial life. The Five Hundred Metre Aperture Spherical Telescope, or Fast, is the size of 30 football fields and has been cut out of a mountain in the south-western province of Guizhou.

2. Linda Burney becomes first indigenous woman elected to Australia’s lower house: Linda Burney, a former teacher has become the first Indigenous woman elected to the House of Representatives (lower house) of the Parliament of Australia. She achieved the fete after claiming victory in the marginal seat of Barton.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:                                 

1. SBI gets $625 million from World Bank for solar power: State Bank of India (SBI) and the World Bank have inked agreements for a $625 million (around Rs 4,200 crore) facility to support grid-connected rooftop solar programme (GRPV) in the country. Through this initiative, at least 400 megawatt (Mw) solar capacity will be created across the country.

2. India to host world’s first MMA league: India will be hosting the world’s first Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) ‘Super Fight League’ from August 26 to October 1. The franchise-based league will feature eight teams – Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Mumbai, Haryana, Bangalore, Punjab, Pune and Goa.

SPORTS:

3.  India set to host South African Basketball qualifiers: The South Asian Basketball Association (SABA) Zone Qualifying Round of the FIBA Asia Challenge 2016 will be held from July 6 to 8 at the SreeKanteerava Indoor Stadium, Bangalore. 

4. Double bonanza for India’s Praneeth, Manu-Sumeeth win Canada open titles: India is celebrating its double bonanza as India's badminton player B SaiPraneet has won the Canada Open Grand Prix Badminton tournament and also it's Rio Olympics-bound men’s doubles pair of Manu Attri and B Sumeeth Reddy have also won titles at the $55,000 Canada Open Grand Prix badminton tournament in Calgary.

5. Lewis Hamilton wins Austrian Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton has won the Austrian Grand Prix after a dramatic last-lap collision with championship rival NicoRosberg.

OBITUARIES:

6. Ex-MP Ranji player Kapil Seth passed away: Former Madhya Pradesh cricketer Kapil Seth has recently passed away. He was 36 years old. According to the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA), the all-rounder was suffering from Hepatitis B. Mr.Kabil who represented the state in only one first-class and a List A game in the 2000-01 season, made his sole Ranji Trophy appearance against Vidarbha in November 2000.

7. US Oscar-winning director Micheal Cimino at the age of 77.