Current Affairs June 26, 2017 – 24/7 helpline ‘181’ launched for Manipur women

NATIONAL

World highest rail track to commence in Leh:

The Railways will kick off the final location survey of the 498 km long Bilaspur-Manali-Leh line at Leh in Jammu and Kashmir. Coming up at a high of 3,300 metres and set to be become the highest rail track in the world overtaking China’s Qinghai-Tibet Railway.

Railway minister Suresh Prabhu will inaugurate the work for the final location survey on June 27 at an estimated cost of Rs 157.77 crore. The survey is funded by the defence ministry.

The final location survey has been entrusted to RITES, a Railway PSU and survey will be carried out in 3 phases and set to complete by 2019.

Jammu & Kashmir

• Capitals: Jammu (Winter), Srinagar (Summer)
• Chief minister: Mehbooba Mufti Sayeed
• Governor: Narinder Nath Vohra

Aadhaar not valid for travel to Nepal, Bhutan:

The Union Home Ministry announced that Aadhaar is not a valid identification document for Indians travelling to Nepal and Bhutan.

Indians can travel to Nepal and Bhutan were don’t need visas if they possess a valid national passport or election ID card issued by the Election Commission.

24/7 helpline ‘181’ launched for Manipur women:

To battle the ever increasing crimes against women in Manipur, the Manipur government has launched a toll free 24/7 helpline number 181 for women in the state. The helpline 181 was launched by Nemcha Kipgen, State Minister for Social Welfare and Corporation.

A helpline just for women was launched at Kuranga Nayani Hall, D C office complex of Lamphel by Manipur State Commission for Women (MSCW) and department of social welfare.

Manipur

• • Capital: Imphal
  • Chief Minister:Nongthombam Biren Singh
  • Governor: Najma A. Heptulla

Dehradun-Haridwar metro project in Uttarakhand:

    Uttarakhand CM Trivendra Singh Rawat announced a metro rail project to connect the State capital “Dehradun” to the holy city of “Haridwar” to celebrate 100 days of the BJP government in Uttarakhand.

INTERNATIONAL

India and Portugal sign 11 pacts on science, tech, education, research, commerce

India and Portugal announced a four million euros joint fund to bolster research in science and technology during PM Modi visit to Portugal.

The agreements signed included cooperation in outer space, double taxation avoidance, Nano technology, improving cultural ties, youth and sports, higher education and scientific research, and Portugal-India business hub and Indian Chamber of Commerce.

Portugal

• Prime Minister: Antonio Costa
• Capital & Currency: Lisbon & Euro

Banking & Business

World drug report by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC):

As per world drug report 2017 released by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) , around 29.5 million people or 0.6% of the global adult population were engaged in problematic use and suffered from drug use disorders, including dependence.

Opioids were the most harmful drug type and accounted for 70% of the negative health impact associated with drug use disorders worldwide.

• UNODC Headquarters: Vienna, Austria
• Executive Director: Yuri Fedotov

The World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) renamed as World Taekwondo:

The World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) has changed its name to “World Taekwondo” because of the “negative connotations” associated with its initials.

The change was made before the start of the 2017 World Taekwondo Championships held in Muju, South Korea.

• World Taekwondo president: Choue Chung-won.
• Headquarters: Seoul, South Korea

States’ fiscal deficit soars to Rs 4.93 trillion in FY16:

According to the 2nd edition of RBI’s statistical publication titled ‘Handbook of Statistics on States 2016-17’. The gross fiscal deficits of all the states skyrocketed to Rs 4,93,360 crore in fiscal 2016 from Rs 18,790 crore in FY1991. The gap is projected to improve to Rs 4,49,520 crore as per the budget estimates of the states for fiscal 2017.

Rajasthan with Rs.67,350 crore deficit in FY16 and Uttar Pradesh with Rs.64,320 crore deficit in FY16 accounted for the largest chunks in the total gross fiscal deficits of Indian States.

• A fiscal deficit occurs when a government’s total expenditures exceed the revenue that it generates.

Science & Technology

SpaceX launches 10 satellites from California air base:

A SpaceX rocket carried 10 communications satellites into orbit from California, two days after the company successfully launched a satellite from Florida.

The Falcon 9 rocket will provide real-time tracking and surveillance of aircraft around the globe. The rocket will be a revolutionary aspect of air-traffic control.

AWARDS

PV Sindhu, Indian junior hockey team win SJFI annual awards:

The Sports Journalists Federation of India, at its annual general meeting decided to confer the Best Sportsperson of the Year Award on the ace Shuttler P V Sindhu.

The Best Team of the Year award was bagged by the Indian junior hockey squad which won the World Cup in Lucknow last December.

Both the awards would be presented at the 40th convention of the SJFI to be held in Indore in September.

Haryana girl Manushi Chhillar is Femina Miss India World 2017:

The 54th Femina Miss India World 2017 winner is Manushi Chhillar from Haryana while the first runner-up is Sana Dua from Jammu and Kashmir and the second runner-up is Priyanka Kumari from Bihar. The event was held at Yash Raj Studios in Mumbai.

Haryana

• Haryana CM: Manohar Lal Khattar
• Haryana Governor: Kaptan Singh Solanki

APPOINTMENTS

IDFC appoints Sunil Kakar as MD & CEO for 3 years:

IDFC Ltd (Infrastructure Development Finance Company) announced the appointment of Sunil Kakar as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the company with effect from July 16 for three years.

Sunil Kakar has also been appointed as additional director. Both the appointments are subject to shareholders’ approval at the annual general meeting (AGM).

• IDFC Headquarters: Mumbai, India

SPORTS

Shooter Anish Bhanwala has won gold medal at ISSF Junior world championship:

Pistol shooter Anish Bhanwala bagged gold and silver on the opening day of the ISSF Junior World Championship Rifle/Pistol campaign in Suhl, Germany. He won gold in the Junior Men’s 25m Standard Pistol competition with a world record score of 579.

Ricciardo wins chaotic Azerbaijan Grand Prix:

Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo won a chaotic Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Formula One championship leader Sebastian Vettel finishing fourth after being penalised for swerving into rival Lewis Hamilton who came home in fifth.

Boxer Ankush Dahiya wins Gold in Ulaanbaatar Cup:

Indian boxer Ankush Dahiya won the gold medal in the 60 kg weight category at the Ulaanbaatar Cup in Mongolia. Ankush defeated Korean Man Choe Chop in the final encounter.

Mongolia

• • Capital: Ulaanbaatar
  • Currency: Tögrög/Tugrik (MNT)

• Prime Minister: Chimed Saikhanbileg

Leander Paes and Adel Shamasdin clinch Aegon Ilkey Challenger title:

Indian tennis star Leander Paes and his Canadian partner Adil Shamasdin clinched the men’s doubles title at the Aegon IIkley Challenger Trophy held in United Kingdom.

They defeated Brydan Klein and Joe Salisbury pair to clinch the trophy.

Historic Events of the Day

June 25: Day of Seafarer

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) announced that June 25, 2017 would be observed as the annual Day of the Seafarer (DotS). DotS was established in a resolution adopted by the 2010 Diplomatic Conference in Manila to adopt the revised STCW Convention.

Theme of 2017: Seafarers Matter

• IMO Headquarters: London, UK
• Secretary general: Kitack Lim

June 26: International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

The UN General Assembly decided to observe 26 June as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking as an expression of its determination to strengthen action and cooperation to achieve the goal of an international society free of drug abuse.

Theme of 2017 is: “Listen First – Listening to children and youth is the first step to help them grow healthy and safe”