Daily GK Updates - 10th June, 2017

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. 'SATH’ initiative launched by NITI Aayog: For furthering the agenda of cooperative federalism, NITI Aayog has launched SATH, a program providing ‘Sustainable Action for Transforming Human capital’ with the State Governments. The objective of this program is to initiate transformation in the education and healthcare sectors.

2. Pranab Mukherjee launches mobile app ‘Selfie with Daughter’: The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee launched a mobile Application ‘Selfie with Daughter’ at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The App is aimed at raising awareness among people about female foeticide and sex selection. The President has urged the people to take selfies with their daughters to make the campaign a huge success.

3. EU, France give 3.5 Million Euros as Grant to Curb Emissions in India: EU and France will give a grant of 3.5 million euros to three Indian cities- Nagpur, Kochi and Ahmedabad as part of the EU’s commitment under the Paris Climate agreement to curb emissions and promote sustainability in these cities.

4. India’s Forex Reserves reach Life Time High of $381.167 billion: According to RBI, India’s foreign exchange (Forex) reserves have increased by $2.404 billion to touch a lifetime high of $381.167 billion in the week that ended on June 2. The increase was due to increase in foreign currency assets (FCAs).

5. Government awards Contracts for completion of Kaladan project in Myanmar: Government has awarded a Rs 1,600-crore contract for constructing 109-km road connecting Paletwa river terminal to Zorinpui in Mizoram border as a part of the $484-million Kaladan multi-modal transport (KMTT) projects in Myanmar which will offer connectivity to Mizoram.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Preet Kaur Gill becomes Britain's first female Sikh MP: Preet Kaur Gill has become the first Sikh to be elected to the British Parliament’s House of Commons. Labour Party candidate Preet Kaur Gill won her Birmingham Edgbaston seat by polling 24,124 votes, defeating ruling Conservative party rival Caroline Squire by 6,917 votes.

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS:

1. Jelena Ostapenko wins Women’s Crown: Unseeded Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia has lifted the the 2017 French Open Women’s Singles crown. She defeated Simona Halep 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.  This will be Ostapenko’s first ever Grand Slam title. With this win, Ostapenko, 20, has become the first unseeded woman to win the French Open after Britain’s Margaret Scriven’s feat in 1933. Ostapenko also earned the distinction for being the first player of Latvian origin – men or women – to win a Grand Slam event.

BANKING & FINANCE:

2. Canara Bank partners with New India Assurance: Canara Bank has tied up with New India Assurance recently. Under this agreement NIA will sell its policies through the branches of Canara Bank.

3. SBI reduces the interest rate home loans above Rs. 75 lakhs: SBI has reduced the home loan interest rates above Rs. 75 lakhs by 10 basis points to 8.55-8.6%. The rate of 8.55% is for women borrowers and for the rest , it is 8.6%.

4. IOB launches retail mart in Thiruvananthapuram: Indian Overseas Bank (IOB), the Lead Bank for Thiruvananthapuram district, has launched the Retail Mart, a retail lending concept, in Kerala's capital city. The exclusive facility that handles retail products has started functioning at the main branch of the bank at Statue Junction in Thiruvananthapuram.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY:

5. Vikram Limaye appointed as the new MD & CEO of National Stock Exchange: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has approved the appointment of Vikram Limaye as the new managing director and chief executive officer (MD & CEO) of National Stock Exchange.