Daily GK Updates - 15th August, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Union Minister launches clean cooking fuel scheme for BPL women in West Bengal:Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas DharmendraPradhan has launched the PradhanMantriUjjwalaYojana (PMUY) in West Bengal, which is a scheme to provide clean cooking fuel to the women belonging to the 'Below Poverty Line' (BPL) households across the country.

2. IISc bags maximum number of INSA Medals for Young Scientists:Indian Institute of Science (IISc) has bagged the 5 Medals for Young Scientists award 2016.

3. Smart Ganga City programme launched in 10 cities:Union Ministers M Venkaiah Naidu and Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti has jointly launched 'Smart Ganga City' programme in 10 cities located along Ganga to set up Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) and improve drainage network there on hybrid annuity mode on public private partnership basis.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Microsoft acquires gaming start-up Beam: Microsoft has acquired Beam, an interactive livestreaming start-up that lets viewers watch and play along with game streamers in real time and did not disclose financial terms of the deal. Beam, launched in January this year, has 24 employees.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:                                 

1. South Indian Bank, SBI Card to launch co-branded credit card: Kochi Based leading private sector Lender South Indian Bank, leading private sector bank, and SBI Card, one of India's leading Credit Card issuers, announced the launch of co-branded credit cards for the customers of South Indian Bank.

2. UBI launches USSD based mobile app for basic banking needs with NPCI: National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) ties up with Union Bank of India to launch an USSD based *99# mobile application for their customers.

3.IRDAI Slaps Rs 35 Lakh Fine On Bharti AXA General Insurance: Insurance watchdog, IRDAI has imposed Rs 35 lakh fine on Bharti AXA General Insurance Co Ltd for violation of various norms including outsourcing activities and corporate governance guidelines.

SPORTS:

4. Indian ace wins Australian Open squash: India squash queen DipikaPallikal won the Australian Open squash title by beating MayarHany of Egypt by 0-12, 11-5, 11-6, 11-4.

AWARDS:

4. NawazuddinSiddiqui, SonamKapoor win top awards at IFF Melbourne: Bollywood star actors SonamKapoor and NawazuddinSiddiqui bagged the best actress and best actor awards at the Indian Film Festival (IFF) of Melbourne 2016.