Daily Current affairs - June 16th, 17th and 18th, 2018 for all competitive exams
International Integration Day is held on June
16th and is an annual international UN observance day on the same date each
year.
- International
Integration is a financial concept in which countries have an ever greater
number of financial transactions, investments & interests outside
their borders. Through financial integration, nations become increasingly
financially interdependent.
June 16 - International day of family remittances
International Day of Family Remittances (IDFR),
celebrated every year on 16 June, is aimed at recognizing the significant
financial contribution migrant workers make to the wellbeing of their families
back home and to the sustainable development of their countries of origin.
- Theme:
One family at a Time
It is also aimed at encouraging the public
and private sectors, as well as the civil society, to do more together and
collaborate to maximize the impact of these funds in the developing world.
The first IDFR was celebrated on 16 June 2015
by more than 400 policy-makers, private sector representatives and civil
society leaders at the opening of the Fifth Global Forum on Remittances and
Development in Milan.
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June 17 - World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought
World Day to
Combat Desertification and Drought is observed every year to promote public
awareness of international efforts to combat desertification.
- 2018
Theme: “Land has true value – invest in it.”
The day is a
unique moment to remind everyone that land degradation neutrality is
achievable through problem-solving, strong community involvement and
co-operation at all levels.
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June 18 - International Picnic Day
International Picnic Day is a made-up holiday
that is celebrated annually on June 18.
- International
Picnic Day celebrates gathering together outdoors to eat and enjoy one
another’s company, which has traditionally been called Picnic.
- The
word “picnic” comes from the French language, and it’s believed this type
of informal outdoor meal became a popular pastime in France after the
Revolution.
June 18 - Sustainable Gastronomy
UN General Assembly adopted on 21 December 2016 its
resolution A/RES/71/246 and designated 18 June as an international observance,
Sustainable Gastronomy Day.
- Sustainable
Gastronomy Day emphasizes the need to focus the world’s attention on the
role that sustainable gastronomy can play. It also reaffirms that all
cultures and civilizations are contributors and crucial enablers of
sustainable development.
- The
decision acknowledges gastronomy as a cultural expression related to the
natural and cultural diversity of the world.
National Tribal Museum proposed to be set up at
Delhi-Shri Jual Oram
A National Tribal Museumand a National
Level Tribal Research Institute is proposed to be set up at
Delhi by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
- The
proposal to set up the Museum and TRI has already been sent to the Niti
Ayog.
Tripura starts 24×7 mobile policing service
Tripura government on has launched the GPS
(Global Positioning System) and wireless-based 24×7 mobile policing service to
curb crime, especially against women.
- To
operate the ‘mobile policing’ service, a police van or a small vehicle
with police personnel would keep patrolling round-the-clock in their
assigned zone. The mobile patrolling would remain in constant contact with
the nearest police station, outpost besides higher authorities
Kerala state literacy mission authority
initiated a ‘water literacy’ campaign
Kerala State Literacy Mission Authority
initiated a ‘water literacy’ campaign with the involvement of 70,000 students
aiming to create awareness about the importance of water conservation in the
State.
- As
per the campaign, every student will take classes about water conservation
for 15 families in their locality.
Par-Tapi-Narmada inter-state river link project
Gujarat
government has expressed its inability to divert 434 MCM water for Maharashtra
in Tapi basin as requested by Maharashtra as part of the Par-Tapi-Narmada
inter-state river link project. The project has been mired in controversy for
years now.
- The
projects envisage transfer of surplus water of rivers in Maharashtra and
south Gujarat to feed the command area of the Miyagam branch of Narmada
canal. It will save water in Narmada dam, which will be taken to
Saurashtra and Kutch.
- The
project is aimed at diverting “surplus” water from parts of west flowing
rivers like the Par, the Nar, the Ambika and the Auranga basins in
Maharashtra.
The project
of Par-Tapi-Narmada link generally falls in the state of Gujarat except Jheri
reservoir which falls in Maharashtra state. Jheri dam is located in Nasik
district of Maharashtra, while remaining dams viz. Mohankavchali, Paikhed,
Chasmandva, Chikkar, Dabdar and Kelwan dams are located in Valsad and Dang
districts of Gujarat.
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World Bank approves $700mn to improve primary
education in Bangladesh
World Bank has approved $700 million to
help Bangladesh achieve its education for all vision by improving the
primary education sector.
- The Quality
Learning for All Program (QLEAP) will cover more than 18 million
children studying in pre-primary level to grade 5.
- It
will also finance implementation of the government's Fourth Primary
Education Development Program (PEDP4).
Seychelles cancelled agreement on Assumption Island
After a
growing political opposition, Seychelles President Danny Faure has cancelled
the agreement with India for the development of Assumption Island.
- The
decision by the Seychelles President to drop the deal in the face of
protests over a perceived loss of sovereignty is a blow to the
government’s “SAGAR” (Security and Growth for All in the Region)
programme, announced by PM Modi during a visit to Indian Ocean Rim (IOR)
countries in March 2015.
Discussions
regarding development of Assumption Island began in 2003, but were formalised
in 2015. The deal was to include a 20-year access to the base, as well as
permission to station some military personnel on ground with facilities on
the island funded by India, owned by the Seychelles and jointly managed by
both sides.
The deal is
seen as important for India because it enhances its surveillance capabilities
over the Indian Ocean.
Assumption
Island’s position dominating the Mozambique channel, a key sea lane for
merchant ships, adds to India’s kitty a second potential choke point after
the Strait of Malacca; the latter is dominated by India’s augmented presence
in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands chain as well as with naval agreements
with Vietnam and Singapore.
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SAGAR Programme (Security and Growth for All in the Region):
It is a
maritime initiative which gives priority to Indian Ocean region for ensuring
peace, stability and prosperity of India in Indian Ocean region. The goal is
to seek a climate of trust and transparency; respect for international
maritime rules and norms by all countries; sensitivity to each other`s
interests; peaceful resolution of maritime issues; and increase in maritime
cooperation.
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Russia successfully launched GLONASS-M positioning satellite
Russia has
successfully launched a Glonass-M positioning satellite using a Soyuz-2.1b
carrier rocket from Plesetsk space center.
- With
this launch, there are now 26 Glonass satellites in orbit.
- GLONASS
is an acronym, which stands for Globalnaya Navigazionnaya Sputnikovaya
Sistema, or Global Navigation Satellite System. GLONASS is Russia’s
version of GPS (Global Positioning System).
GLONASS –
launched in 1982, the satellites launched were intended to work for weather
positioning, velocity measuring and timing anywhere in the world or
near-Earth space by the military and official organisations.
GLONASS-M –
launched in 2003 add second civil code. It is important for GIS mapping
receivers.
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Artillery gun Dhanush successfully completed final trials
The
indigenously upgraded artillery gun Dhanush has successfully completed final
user trials and is ready for induction into the Army.
- Dhanush
is an upgraded version of the Swedish Bofors gun procured by India in the
mid-1980s.
- Dhanush
is a 155-mm, 45-calibre gun with a maximum range of 40 km in salvo mode.
It has been developed by Ordnance Factory Board (OFB).
IISc scholars developed Artificial leaf that creates biofuel
IISc scholars
have developed an artificial ‘leaf’ that’ll help reduce carbon footprint and
create biofuel.
- The
researchers used copper aluminium sulphate and zinc sulphide.
- The
two materials, which are otherwise wide band gap semiconductors, became
low band gap semiconductors when combined. Simply put, the lower the band
gap, the better conductivity a substance will have.
- Basically,
for photosynthesis or the process of plants taking in carbon dioxide to
produce oxygen and glucose. For this process to happen, a high energy
photon, electron and sunlight are needed. The electron needs to have a lot
of kinetic energy.
The
semiconductor they made by combining copper aluminium sulphate and zinc
sulphide fulfilled the requirements to convert sunlight into energy, which
is how they decided to try and replicate photosynthesis.
In the
process, they also found that this quantum leaf had a much better rate of
energy conversation compared to natural leaves – 20% as compared to 0.4-0.5%
in photosynthesis.
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Reliance Industries investing in India’s first
carbon fiber unit
Reliance Industries is investing in setting up
India’s first carbon fibre manufacturing unit to cater to aerospace and defence
needs.
- The
owner of world’s largest oil refining complex will also make low-cost and
high-volume composite products like modular toilets, homes and composites
for windmill blades and rotor blades.
Muthoot Fincorp, NSDC to train 10,000 youth
under PMKVY
Muthoot Fincorp Limited announced its
partnership with National Skill Development Corporation to train over
10,000 youth over the next three years and make them job ready.
- With
the partnership, Muthoot Fincorp claims to havebecome the first major
private sector player to partner with National Skill Development
Corporation (NSDC) to launch the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY.2)
programme.
- NSDC
has approved a target of 3,000 candidates in the first year and 3,500 each
in the subsequent two years.
National Skill Development Corporation India
(NSDC), established in 2009, is a not- for- profit company set up by the
Ministry of Finance, under Section 25 of the Companies Act,1956 corresponding
to Section 8 of the Companies Act,2013. NSDC aims to promote skill development by catalyzing
creation of large, quality and for-profit vocational institutions. Further,
the organisation provides funding to build scalable and profitable vocational
training initiatives.
MD & CEO - Manish Kumar
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28th Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) meeting
held in Latvia
28th NSG
plenary meeting was held recently in Jurmala, Latvia.
- With
this, Latvia has become the first Baltic state to Chair the NSG. There was
no headway in India’s application for NSG entry in the meeting.
Baltic
states, also known as the Baltic countries, is a geopolitical term used for
grouping the three sovereign countries in Northern Europe on the eastern
coast of the Baltic Sea: Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
The
three countries cooperate on a regional level in several intergovernmental
organizations. All three countries are members of the European Union, NATO
and the Eurozone. They are classified as high-income economies by the World
Bank and maintain high Human Development Index. Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania
are also members of the OECD
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Nuclear
Suppliers Group (NSG) is a multinational body concerned with reducing nuclear
proliferation by controlling the export and re-transfer of materials that may
be applicable to nuclear weapon development and by improving safeguards and
protection on existing materials. Interestingly, the NSG was set up in 1974
as a reaction to India’s nuclear tests to stop what it called the misuse of
nuclear material meant for peaceful purposes. Currently, it has 48 members.
India sought
membership of the NSG in 2008, but its application hasn’t been decided on,
primarily because signing the NPT or other nuclear moratoriums on testing is
a pre-requisite. However, India has received a special waiver to conduct
nuclear trade with all nuclear exporters.
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I&B Minister inaugurates EU film festival
in New Delhi
Information and Broadcasting Minister Col Rajyavardhan
Rathore inaugurated the European Union Film Festival at Siri Fort
Auditorium in New Delhi.
- The
festival will improve cultural ties between India and European countries.
- 24
latest European movies from 23 European countries will be screened.
- The
festival is organized by Directorate of Film Festivals under
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
106th Science Congress to be hosted by Lovely
Professional University (LPU) in Jalandhar
Government was announced that The 106th
Indian Science Congresswill be held at Lovely Professional University (LPU)
in Jalandhar, Punjabfrom January 3 to 7, 2019.
- Focal
Theme of this year's event is - Future India : Science & Technology
- The
event organised by the the Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA),
will witness the gathering of 15,000 delegates, including 300 top
scientists and Nobel Laureates from across world as attendees.
Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA) is
a premier scientific organisation of India with headquarters at Kolkata, West
Bengal. The association started in the year 1914 in Kolkata and it meets
annually in the first week of January. It has a membership of more than
30,000 scientists.
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Conference on implementation of NPS by the CABs
held in Delhi
A Conference on Implementation of National
Pension System (NPS)by the Central Autonomous Bodies (CABs) was
organized by Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority
(PFRDA) in Delhi.
- The
prime objective was to provide a forum to all the CABs, where the progress
in the implementation of NPS with respect to compliance of timelines in
various NPS related activities could be brought to the fore and a way
forward could be provided.
Former World Bank economist Omar Al-Razzaz
sworn in as Jordan PM
Former World Bank Economist Omar al-Razzazwas
sworn in as Jordan’s Prime Minister after King
Abdullah issued a decree approving the new government.
- The
58-year-old, who studied at Harvard University, was tasked with reviewing
the country’s disputed tax system.
- Omar
succeeded Hani al-Mulki who resigned following mass protests over
price hikes and other government economic policies.
Ivan Duque wins election to become Colombia's
president
Colombia has chosen Ivan Duque to be its
next president after a long and divisive campaign that often centred on a
controversial peace process with leftist rebels the Revolutionary Armed
Forces of Colombia (FARC).
- Duque,
who will turn 42 just before taking office will be Colombia's
youngest ever President.
World's most experienced spacewoman Peggy
Whitson Retires as Astronaut
NASA's record-breaking astronaut, Peggy
Whitson, retired after a 22-year-long career.
- Whitson,
who joined NASA as a researcher in 1986, has spent more time off
Earth than any other American, totalling 665 days over three International
Space Station missions.
- The
58-year-old is the oldest woman to go into space and also the most experienced
female spacewalker, with 10 missions.
Veteran Journalist Adiraju Venkateswara Rao
passes away
Senior journalist and writer Adiraju Venkateswara
Rao passed away. He was 79. Rao worked in different Telugu and
English newspapers. He also authored several books.
- He
played an active role in the separate Telangana agitation in 1969 and the
state government honoured him during the Telangana formation day
celebrations recently.
Brooks Koepka wins 2nd US Open Golf Title 2018
American golfer Brooks Koepka has made
history and finished strong as he became the first player in 29 years to
win back-to-back US Open titles at Shinnecock Hills in New York.
- The
28-year-old Florida native emerged victorious by one shot over
England's Tommy Fleetwood.
- The World
number one Dustin Johnson finished third at plus-three on account of
a 70. With this, Koepka becomes the first player since Curtis Strange in
1988-89 to win back-to-back U.S. Open events.
Roger Federer wins 98th ATP Title in Stuttgart,
Regained No. 1 title
Roger Federer claimed his 98th ATP title and
re-established his unrivalled superiority on grass with a victory
over Milos Raonic in the Stuttgart Cup final. Top-seeded
Swiss beat his Canadian opponent for the 11th time in 14 meetings while winning
a first Stuttgart title.
- The
36-year-old regained the world number one ranking. Federer made a return
to the top ATP ranking for the sixth time.
- Tim
Putz and Phillip Petzschner (Germany) won the Men's
Doubles title after defeating M. Matkowski (Poland) and R.
Lindstedt (Sweden).
