Daily GK Updates - 23rd September, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. President, PM launch VP’s book titled ‘Citizen and Society’: President Pranab Mukherjee has released Vice President Hamid Ansari’s book ‘Citizen and Society’ at the Rashtrapati Bhawan in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The book is a collection of lectures delivered by Hamid Ansari ranging from the role of women in a multicultural society to other dynamics of a democratic nation.

2. Union Cabinet approvals: Cabinet gives ex-post facto approval to the enhancement of Pension for Freedom Fighters. Union Cabinet approved Agreement between India and Samoa for the exchange of information on Taxes. Cabinet approves the provision of submarine optical fibre cable connectivity between Chennai and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

3. MadhusudanSahoo appointed as the chief of Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India.

4. NavtejSarna appointed as India’s new Ambassador to US.

5. IOCL, GAIL sign MoU for taking equity stake in Dharma LNG Terminal: ndian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) and GAIL (India) Limited on 21 September 2016 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dhamra LNG Terminal Private Limited (DLTPL) for taking equity in the 5 MMTPA capacity LNG Receiving, Storage and Regasification Terminal. The Dhamra LNG terminal is being built by Adani Enterprises Ltd at Dhamra Port, Odisha.

6. Wipro acquires Chinese FMCG Brand:Wipro Consumer Care & Lighting, the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) arm of Wipro Enterprises has signed a pact to acquire 100% shareholding in Zhongshan Ma Er Daily Products to boost its presence in the fast-growing toiletries and liquid detergent space in south China.

7. India International Seafood Show in Visakhapatnam from today: The 20th Edition of India International Seafood Show (IISS-2016) to be organised by the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) will be kick-started in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Afghanistan signs peace deal with militant group Hezb-e-Islami: Afghanistan has signed a peace agreement with one of the country's largest militant groups Hezb-e-Islami led by Gulbuddin Hekmatyar. This agreement paves the way for Hekmatyar to make a political comeback.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:                                 

1. Andhra Bank ties up with Cigna TTK, Reliance General Insurance: Andhra Bank has entered into corporate agency agreements with Cigna TTK Company Ltd, and Reliance General Insurance Company Ltd for providing health and general insurance respectively, to its customers.

AWARDS:

2. Two Indians selected for wildlife awards: Two Indian forest officials, Sanjay Dutta and Ritesh Sarothiya, have been selected for the 2016 Clark R. Bavin Wildlife Law Enforcement Awards. Clark R. Bavin Wildlife Law Enforcement Awards honours individuals engaging in exemplary law enforcement actions to protect wildlife.