Daily GK Updates - 19th September, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Alka Sirohi appointed as the Chairman of UPSC.

2. Charkhi Dadri is Haryana’s 22^nd district: Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar today announced CharkhiDadri as 22nd district of Haryana.

3. ‘Selfie with toilet’ to boost Swachh Bharat in Ludhiana: To make the Swachh Bharat Mission successful and encourage people to use clean toilets, the Ludhiana district administration has started a ‘Selfie with my Shauchalya’ campaign.

4. Government to expand DBT to 147 schemes by next March: The Government plans to double the number of schemes under DBT to 147 by March and has launched pilots for paying subsidy on food, kerosene and fertiliser directly via bank accounts of beneficiaries.

5. Lt Gen Surinder Singh takes charge of Western Command.

6. Monika Kapil Mohta appointed Ambassador to Sweden.

7. Indian-origin South African is head of Global Blood Service: An Indian-origin South African has become the first person from the African continent to head a global organisation of medicine professionals working for the safety of blood transfusion worldwide.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Malaysian envoy releases translated book on Sai Baba: The Consul General of Malaysia in India EldeenHusaini Muhammad Hashim has released the translated version of 'SaiCharitraGranth', a book on the life of Sai Baba.The book is translated into Malay by a social outfit called 'I love Sai'.

2. 17^th NAM summit held at Venezuela: 17th NAM summit held in Venezuela and Vice President Hamid Ansari held talks with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on a host of issues of mutual interest.

3. World’s largest ship lift begins trial run in China: The trial operation of a world's largest permanent ship lift designed by Chinese and German engineers on China's Three Gorges Dam began.

4. Nobel laureate Aung San SuuKyi to get Humanitarian award: Myanmar leader Aung San SuuKyi has been honored as the 2016 humanitarian of the year by students and faculty at the Harvard Foundation. SuuKyi gained international prominence as the General Secretary of the newly formed National League for Democracy in Myanmar in 1990.

5. China and Russia conduct naval exercises Joint Sea-2016 to improve security:The Chinese and Russian navies have concluded Joint Sea-2016, eight days of naval exercises, in the South China Sea.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:                                 

1. Federal Bank launches Federal Skill Academy at Coimbatore: Federal Bank has launched its second FederalSkill Academy at Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu as part of its CSR initiatives.

SPORTS:

2. Rio Paralympics 2016 concluded: The 15th Rio 2016 Paralympic Games 2016 (7-18 September) is over now and this time, we have witnessed some of the world record-breaking performances by the athletes. The 2020 Summer Paralympics, the 16th edition of the international multi-sports event, will be held in Tokyo, Japan.

AWARDS:

3. Malayalam Critic M Leelavathi bags Mohanan Suvarna Mudra Award: Eminent Malayalam critic and academician Dr M Leelavathi has been chosen for the prestigious N Mohanan Suvarna Mudra Award 2016, instituted in memory of well-known short story writer N Mohanan.

4. West Bengal to confer Bangabi bhushan Award to LataMangeshkar.

5. Emmy Awards 2016: 68th Emmy Awards, television's biggest award ceremony, was held in Los Angeles on September 18. 'Game of Thrones' won the best Drama Series award. Tatiana Maslany won the best actress award for Orphan Black, Rami Malek won the best actor for Mr. Robot.