Daily GK Updates - 13th August, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Railway Budget set to be merged with Union Budget from next fiscal:Ending a 92-year-old tradition which started during the colonial era, Railway Budget will be merged with the General Budget from 2017-18 onwards. 

2. Govt sets up National Committee on Trade Facilitation:The Centre has constituted the National Committee on Trade Facilitation following India’s ratification of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) in April. 

3. Nasscom launches operations of its startup warehouse in Visakhapatnam: The apex IT industry body in the country, National Association of Software and Services (Nasscom) has launched operations of its startup warehouse at Sunrise Startup Village at Rushikonda in Visakhapatnam, AP.

4.Nadda inaugurates AMRIT outlet at Safdarjung hospital:Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda has inaugurated an AMRIT pharmacy at the city-based Safdarjung hospital in New Delhi.The new AMRIT (Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment) Pharmacy, the 10th such in the country, will sell drugs at highly discounted rates.

5. Rajasthan signs MoU with India Trade and Exhibition Centre: Rajasthan government led by VasundharaRaje has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with India Trade and Exhibition Centre (ITEC), Dubai for the promotion of skill development, investment and tourism sectors.

6. Manipal Technologies acquires CrossFraud detection solution from Bengaluru Company:Manipal Technologies Ltd (MTL), which is a secure print solutions organization, has announced that it has acquired CrossFraud - an advanced fraud detection and anti-money laundering solution from Bengaluru-based Saraansh Software Solutions Pvt. Ltd for an undisclosed amount. 

7. Cipla names UmangVohra as MD & Global CEO: Indian's multinational pharmaceutical company Cipla Limited has appointed UmangVohra as the managing director (MD) & global chief executive officer (CEO) of the company effective September 1, 2016. 

8. ManjulaChellur is the new chief justice of Bombay high court: The Ministry of Law and Justice has notified the appointment of Justice ManjulaChellur as the next Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court. 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Sri Lanka and China sign a tripartite agreement to construct Financial City Centre in Colombo: Sri Lanka and China have signed a tripartite agreement to proceed with the construction of a Financial City Center in capital Colombo.  However, Sri Lanka's Urban Development Authority, the Ministry of Megapolis and Western Development and the China Harbor Engineering Company Ltd signed the agreement for the development of Colombo International Financial City (CIFC) formerly known as the Colombo Port City.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:                                 

1. Syndicate Bank launches Project Ananya aimed at digital banking: India's major commercial banks of India, Syndicate Bank has launched a program called "Project Ananya" that focuses on improved customer service and offering the latest in digital banking services. 

2. SBI, Korea Development Bank joins hands for biz opportunities:The Country's largest public sector lender State bank of India and Korea Development Bank have signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance business synergies. 

3. Saraswat Cooperative Bank appoints it new Chairman – GautamEknath Thakur.

SPORTS:

4. Lionel Messi announces to continue to play for Argentina:Lionel Messi has announced that he will play on for Argentina, reversing his decision in June to retire from international soccer. 

5. Ethiopian sets world record in 10,000 metre run:Ethiopian runner AlmazAyana ran 10,000 metres in 29:17.45 minutes, to set a new world record and win the gold medal at the Rio Olympics.

OBITUARIES:

6. Former Chief Secretary Sudhanshu Mishra passes away:Former Odisha chief secretary SudhanshuBhushan Mishra has passed away in Bhubaneswar. He was suffering from cancer. Mishra was 76 years old and a 1965 batch IAS officer.