Daily GK Updates - 16th July, 2017

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Prasar Bharti to distribute free set-top boxes in naxal-hit areas: Prasar Bharati is likely to distribute around 10 lakh free of cost DTH set-top boxes in naxal-hit areas of the country. It would enable people in naxal-affected states to connect with various schemes of government.

2. Chitraveen Maestro N. Ravikiran selected for Sangit Kalanidhi award: Noted Chitraveena Maestro N. Ravikiran has been selected for Sangit Kalanidhi award of this year. The awards are given every year by Madras Music Academy.

3. Soldiers exempted from toll tax in Madhya Pradesh: Shivraj Singh Chouhan has announced exemption for soldiers from paying toll-tax on highways in the state. Jawans will be provided with the relief in Madhya Pradesh after they present their official identity cards.

4. Vijay Goel flags off Slum Yuva Daud: Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Vijay Goel flagged off Slum Yuva Daud to mark the beginning of the Adopt Slum Campaign. Run started from Delhi University’s Shankarlal Hall and ended at the Rugby Stadium with participation of about 5000 youngsters from various slums of Delhi.

5. IIFA Awards 2017: 18th edition of International Indian Film Academy Awards was held in New York. Alia Bhatt won Best Actress Award for Udta Punjab while her co-star in the film, Shahid Kapoor, won the Best Actor Award. Neerja won the Best Film Award, while Pink director Aniruddha Roy was awarded the Best Director.

International UPDATES:

1. Indonesia renames a part of South China Sea as “North Natuna Sea”: Indonesia has renamed northern parts of its exclusive economic zone of South China Sea as ‘North Natuna Sea’. The move is considered as an act of defiance against Beijing’s territorial ambitions in the region.

2. San Miguel de Allende of Mexico named as the world’s best city by T&L Magazine: Mexican city San Miguel de Allende is named as world’s best city by Travel and Leisure Magazine. Only one Indian city could make it for Top 15. The city Udaipur is ranked 14th.

OTHER UPDATES:

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY:

1. Raymond to launch khadi range on October 2, Gandhi Jayanti Day: Textile & apparel major Raymond will launch Khadi by Raymond on October 2. Raymond was 1st to forge the first partnership with Khadi & Village Industries Commission and will promote fabric in India & global markets.

2. Singapore Airline rated as the best airline in the world: Singapore airline has been rated as best airline in the world by Travel and Leisure. While Emirates and Qatar airways secured second and third place respectively.

3. MobiKwik partners with Samsung Pay: Digital payments company MobiKwik has partnered Samsung Pay under which consumers will be able to make payments with a single tap using select Samsung handsets. MobiKwik wallet is now integrated with Samsung Pay Mini to enable one-tap payments at more than 1.4 million MobiKwik-powered merchants across the country.

4. India tops the world in spam calls according TrueCaller: According to a report by Truecaller, India tops the list of countries most affected by spam calls. India is ahead of countries like US, Brazil, Chile & South Africa with an average user receiving over 22 spam calls a month.

SPORTS:

5. Roger Federer wins record eighth Wimbledon title: The 35-year-old Swiss champion became the tournament’s oldest winner with a straight-sets victory over his opponent Marin Cilic.

6. Muguruza wins first Wimbledon title in the women’s singles category: Garbine Muguruza won a maiden Wimbledon title after defeating 5 time champion Venus Williams under the roof on Centre Court.

7. Lewis Hamilton wins fourth consecutive British Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton cruised to a fourth successive British Grand Prix victory on Sunday as he cut Sebastian Vettel’s lead in the championship to a single point.

OBITUARIES:

8. Maryam Mirzakhani, the first woman to win Fields Medal, dies at 40: Maryam Mirzakhani, an Iranian- born mathematician who was the first woman to win the coveted Fields Medal, has died of cancer. She had won the Fields Medal, the equivalent of the Nobel Prize for Mathematics, in 2014.