Daily GK Updates - 24th December, 2016

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Union Cabinet Approves Ordinance to amend Payment of Wages Act, 1936: The Centre approved a draft ordinance on December 21, 2016, to empower states and enable industries to pay wages by cheque or by direct credit into bank accounts of workers earning up to Rs. 18,000 a month, without taking their explicit consent.

2. The External Affairs Ministry's launches Twitter Seva: The External Affairs Ministry's have launched a new service called Twitter Seva that will enable timely, transparent and large-scale response to citizens' tweets in real time.

3. 'Coal Mitra' portal launched to facilitate flexibility in utilization of domestic coal:Power Minister Piyush Goyal has launched 'Coal Mitra' Web Portal to facilitate Flexibility in Utilization of Domestic Coal. 

4. Tata Steel to acquire 100% equity in Brahmani River Pellets,Odisha :Tata Steel has signed an agreement to acquire 100% equity in Odisha-based Brahmani River Pellets (BRPL) for Rs 900 crore.

5. Textile Ministry to launch Bunkar Mitra-Handloom Helpline Centre for weavers:The Ministry of Textiles has decided to establish a “Bunkar Mitra-Handloom Helpline Centre” where professional queries of weavers will be answered by the experts in the field. 

6. Odisha Government launches BijuSishuSurakshyaYojana for HIV+ orphan children: Naveen Patnaik launches Biju Sishu Surakshya Yojana to nurture orphan kids.The state government launched the Biju Sishu Surakshya Yojana, a scheme to nurture the orphan and HIV-infected children residing in different child care institutions and orphanages.

7. Kisan Diwas is observed every year on 23 December across India: Kisan Diwas is observed every year on 23 December across India Since 2001 to celebrate the birth anniversary of the fifth prime minister and kisan leader,Ch. Charan Singh.

8.Govt Okays Rs 7,000-cr defence projects: The Defence Acquisition Council approved defence requirements worth approximately Rs 7,000 crore. These include purchasing six modern surveillance aircraft for the Indian Coast Guard. 

9. Nusli Wadia voted out of Tata Chemicals: Shareholders of Tata Chemicals have voted out Nusli Wadia as an independent director of the company with 75.67 % votes going in favour of a resolution moved by Tata Sons to remove him. 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Global Wage Report shows India to be among the worst levels of gender wage disparity: According to Global Wage Report, India has among the worst levels of gender wage disparity.Men earning more than women in similar jobs with the gap exceeding 30%, the Global Wage Report 2016-17 released by the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

2.Nepal to hold military exercise with China: Nepal has announced to hold its first ever joint military exercise with China on February 10, 2017 to begin a new level of bilateral military engagement with China.

3. France is the first to use drones for its national mail service: France’s airspace regulator, General Directorate for Civil Aviation, has approved the plan to launch drone delivery program, making France the world’s first national postal service to use drones regularly.

OTHER UPDATES:

FINANCE/BANKING:                                 

1. ICICI Bank Launches EazyPay app for Merchants: ICICI Bank has now launched a payments collection app for offline merchants and retailers called Eazypay which will allow customers to pay via UPI, cards, net banking and the bank’s Pockets wallet app. 

SPORTS:

2. APIS India ropes in badminton sensation PV Sindhu as its brand ambassador: APIS India a leading producer, distributor and exporter of honey under APIS Himalaya brand, has roped in Indian badminton champion and Rio Olympics silver medalist PV Sindhu as its brand ambassador. 

3. India beat Sri Lanka in final; clinch Asia Cup under-19 title: India, coached by Rahul Dravid, continued their dominance in the Asia Cup as they clinched the U-19 title by defeating Sri Lanka in the final at the R Premadasa stadium in Colombo.

4. Shiva Keshavan grabs gold at Asian Luge Championship:India’s Seasoned Winter Olympian Shiva Keshavan clinched a gold medal at the Asian Luge Championship on 23rd December. 

5. Pakistan's first Sikh cricketer Mohinder Pal Singh to join national cricket academy: Pakistan cricket has seen Christians and Hindus represent the country at home and abroad, but for the first time a Sikh has secured a place in the National Cricket Academy.

AWARDS:

6. Acclaimed Bengali poet Shankha Ghosh to get 2016 Jnanpith Award.