Current Affairs 2016

• SEBI issues stricter KYC, disclosure norms for P-Notes
• Indian Railways launches Janani Sewa, optional catering Scheme on pilot basis
• China successfully launches 23rd BeiDou Navigation Satellite

Indian American author Akhil Sharma won the prestigious 2016 International Dublin Literary Award for his semi-autobiographical novel �Family Life.� His novel was shortlisted out of an initial 160 nominations by a panel of judges of award that included novelists Ian Sansom, Juan Pablo Villalobos and Carlo Gebler.

In a unique experiment, scientists from Iceland have discovered a new way to trap the greenhouse gas (GHG) carbon dioxide (CO2) deep underground by changing it into rock.

The Union Ministry of Railways launched three passenger service initiatives viz. a Janani Sewa for mothers, optional catering in Rajdhani and Shatabdi trains on a pilot basis and a children�s menu on trains.

Distinguished journalist, editor and author Inder Malhotra passed away following a long illness in New Delhi. He was 86.

Veteran theatre personality, playwright and doyen of Assam�s mobile theatre movement Achyut Lahkar passed away in Pathsala, Assam following a protracted illness. He was 85.

Ace Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal has won the 2016 Australian Open Super Series Badminton tournament title in women�s singles category.

China has successfully launched a 23rd BeiDou Navigation Satellite to support its global navigation and positioning network.

The markets regulator SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) has put in place a stricter KYC (Know Your Customer) norms and disclosure regime for Participatory Notes (P-Notes).

Additional Solicitor General of India and former Parliamentarian Satya Pal Jain was appointed as a part-time member of the 21st Law Commission of India.

• Sikkim becomes Indiaâ��s first State to launch open government data portal
• India ranked 141 out of 163 countries on 2016 Global Peace Index
• India, Japan and US navies kick off 2016 Malabar Exercise near South China Sea

Union Railways Ministry has flagged off Champaran Satyagrah Express train at a function in Motihari, Bihar.