Current Affairs – 4,July 2017-WHO declares an end to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo:

NATIONAL:

Kerala CM launches ride sharing app for techies:

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan launched G-Ride, a digital ride sharing platform designed and deployed for the IT industry by the Group of Technology Companies (GTech), the industry body of IT companies in the state.

The G-Ride app automatically matches co-workers and neighbours and help them travel together to work. It is available in Android and iOS versions.

Kerala:

 

Assam to raise new force for rhino protection:

The Assam government is going to raise a new Special Rhino Protection Force (SRPF) for better protection of the one-horned rhinos in Assam.

Assam Forest Minister Pramila Rani Brahma said the government has already started the process of recruitment for the proposed force which will be deployed for better protection of the one horned rhinos in the state.

Assam:

  • Chief Minister: Sarbananda Sonowal
  • Governor: Banwarilal Purohit
  • Capital City: Dispur

 

Supreme Court allows woman to abort 26-week foetus due to abnormalities:

The Supreme Court was permitted a woman who is in her 26th week of pregnancy, to abort her foetus that is suffering from severe cardiac ailments.

A bench of Justice Dipak Misra and M Khanwilkar said the procedure of termination of pregnancy should be carried out “forthwith” at the SSKM Hospital in Kolkata.

    Presidential assent for Kambala Bill:

All the hurdles for resuming Kambala — the traditional slush-track buffalo race of the coastal districts — are cleared with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Karnataka Amendment) Bill, 2017, finally getting Presidential assent.

Karnataka:

  • Capital: Bengaluru
  • Chief Minister: Siddaramaiah
  • Governor: Vajubhai Vala

 Sushma Swaraj to address 9th edition of Delhi Dialogue:

           

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will address 9th edition of Delhi Dialogue in New Delhi. The theme of the two day dialogue is “ASEAN-India Relations: Charting the Course for the Next 25 Years”.

 Finance ministry removes additional excise duty on tobacco, cigarettes:

The Finance ministry has removed additional excise duty on tobacco, pan masala and cigarettes with effect from July 1, following the GST implementation.

The revenue department also repealed its earlier central excise notification, which deals with excise duty rate on unmanufactured tobacco and chewing tobacco. The other items are petroleum crude, diesel, petrol, natural gas and ATF (Aviation Turbine Fuel). 

Manipur govt declares flood situation a ‘State Calamity’:

          In Manipur, an emergency review meeting chaired by State Chief Minister N. Biren Singh assessed the flood situation in the state and decided to declare the present disaster as ‘State Calamity’.

An official statement of the state government said, the emergency review meeting was held and Chief Minister Biren Singh had requested the Centre to declare the same as a calamity of ‘severe nature’.

Manipur:

  • Capital: Imphal
  • Chief Minister: Biren Singh
  • Governor: Najma Heptulla 

Delhi High Court asks SpiceJet to deposit Rs 579 crore:

The Delhi High Court directed the budget airline to pay Rs 250 crore as a cash deposit on or before August 31.

          A division bench headed by justice S Ravindra Bhat also directed the carrier to furnish a bank guarantee of Rs 329 crore with the court towards satisfaction of the disputed amount.

INTERNATIONAL

WHO declares an end to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo:

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the end of the most recent outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The announcement comes 42 days (two 21-day incubation cycles of the virus) after the last confirmed Ebola patient in the affected Bas-Uélé province tested negative for the disease for the second time.

Democratic Republic of the Congo:

  • Capital: Kinshasa
  • President: Joseph Kabila
  • Currencies: Congolese franc, Zairean Zaire

We support India’s fight against terrorism: Israel

          Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Israel, both countries reaffirmed their support of the other in the fight against terrorism.

India and Israel could cooperate even more closely and complement each other’s efforts to fight with the menace of terrorism.

Israel:

  • Currency: Israeli new shekel
  • Capital: Jerusalem 

Sushma Swaraj holds talks with Nepal’s Deputy PM to strengthen bilateral ties:

          External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj held talks with Nepal’s Deputy Prime Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara. This is the first high-level interaction between the two countries after the Sher Bahadur Deuba government assumed power.

 Nepal:

  • Prime minister: Pushpa Kamal Dahal
  • Currency: Nepalese rupee
  • Capital: Kathmandu

Banking & Business

FINO becomes payments bank:

FINO Payments Bank has commenced operations as a payments bank with effect from June 30, according to the Reserve Bank of India. FINO PayTech Ltd, Navi Mumbai, was one of the 11 applicants which were issued in-principle approval for setting up a payments bank.

Besides FINO, the other applicants which have launched payment bank operations are Airtel M Commerce Services, Department of Posts and Paytm Payments Bank.

 FINO PayTech Ltd:

  • Headquarters of FINO: Mumbai
  • CEO: Rishi Gupta 

UPI monthly transactions cross 1 crore:

A monthly transaction on the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has crossed the 1-crore mark in June 2016, just 11 months from its launch. Use of the electronic fund transfer facility has increased more than 10 times since it was launched in August 2016.

Transactions on UPI are growing exponentially due to increased acceptance among member banks, merchants and consumers,” said AP Hota, MD & CEO, National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). 

NMCE, ICEX to merge creating 3rd biggest commodity exchange:

The National Multi-Commodity Exchange (NMCE) has decided to merge with the Indian Commodity Exchange (ICEX), creating the third-largest commodity exchange in the country. .

The merged entity will have a net worth of around Rs 200 crore, while its total capital base will be Rs 553 crore. The country’s largest exchange by volume is the Multi Commodity Exchange, or MCX, followed by the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX). 

ADB, Centre ink pact for road revamp:

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of India signed a $220 million loan agreement meant to improve connectivity, transport efficiency, and safety on the State highways of Rajasthan.

 ADB:

  • Headquarters: Manila, Philippines
  • Chairman: Takehiko Nakao   

TERI ranked second among world’s climate think tanks:

An international body which focuses on climate policies has ranked The Energy Resources Institute (TERI) among the top think tanks in the world.

          TERI was ranked number two by the International Center for Climate Governance (ICCG), an internationally-renowned body whose activities focus on the design of climate policy and related governance issues.

 Microsoft India inks pact with NISA:

Microsoft India signed an agreement with National Independent Schools Alliance (NISA) to offer Microsoft Aspire School Program (MASP) Pro Plus to over 55,000 member schools.

 

MoU Signed between Department of Defence Production and MDL:

          Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL), a Miniratna Schedule ‘A’ DPSU under the Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the financial year 2017-18 with the Ministry.

The annual MoU was signed between Secretary (Defence Production) Shri AK Gupta on behalf of the Ministry and Chairman and Managing Director, MDL Cmde Rakesh Anand.

The revenue from operations has been targeted at 4500 crore. Significant milestones to be achieved under Project 75 (Scorpene Submarines) and shipbuilding projects of 15B (destroyers) and 17A (frigates) also form part of the MoU.

 Investment in G-sec: RBI revises norms for foreign investors:

          The Reserve Bank of India has revised rules for foreign portfolio investments in government securities, giving preference to long-term investors. The central bank has also increased the investment limits by foreign investors in government bonds by Rs 11,000 crore to Rs 2,42,000 crore.

As part of the additional limits, the RBI increased the limits for the “general” category by Rs 2,800 crore to Rs 1,88,000 crore, and the limits for the “long-term” category by Rs 8,200 crore to Rs 54,300 crore. The revisions will be effective from July 4, 2017.

Maharashtra’s DCCBs get RBI green signal to exchange old notes:

          The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has given the beleaguered District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs) the green signal to exchange their deposits in old currency notes. The remittance, however, will be restricted only to deposits the banks had received between November 10-14.

Maharashtra

  • Capital: Mumbai
  • Chief Minister: Devendra Fadnavis
  • Governor: C. Vidyasagar Rao

Bangalore Tops List of World’s Most Dynamic Cities, Hyderabad at No.5 Overtakes London:

          A report by World Economic Forum (WEF) on the top thirty world’s most dynamic cities, stated that Bangalore topped the list being declared as the Most dynamic city as per the parameters decided upon by WEF. While Bangalore overtook China as per the latest report, Hyderabad secured the fifth position leaving behind London at number six and Boston at nine.

Svatantra Microfin launches cashless solution ‘Saathi’:

Mid-sized microfinance institution Svatantra Microfin  had launched an app, an end-to-end cashless solution called Saathi, for an entire spectrum of operations in areas such as loan originating system, loan management system and collections.

In partnership with third-party service providers, it has also created a affordable, cashless mediclaim product for up to five family members. .

 Pune NGO wins UN prize for sustainable farming model:

          Swayam Shikshan Prayog, a city-based NGO, has been awarded the United Nations Development Programme’s Equator Prize for devising an ecologically sustainable agriculture model to combat the adverse impacts of drought. It is the only Indian organisation to win the award, making the cut from more than 800 nominations across 120 countries.

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNS

Signature Global ropes in Bollywood star Vidya Balan as brand ambassador:

Realty firm Signature Global which is into development of affordable homes has roped in Bollywood actress Vidya Balan as brand ambassador for 2 years.

Signature Global has launched 9 affordable housing projects, comprising about 9,300 units in a price range of Rs 15-25 lakh, in Gurgaon in the last three years of operations. All projects are under the Haryana Affordable Housing scheme. 

Tata Global Beverages appoints N Chandrasekaran as Chairman:

          Tata Global Beverages Ltd appointed Tata Sons head N Chandrasekaran as Chairman with immediate effect.

 French judge to lead UN Syria war crimes probe:

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has appointed a French judge Catherine Marchi-Uhel to lead an international panel tasked with gathering evidence of war crimes in Syria’s six-year war.

Uhel, who has served as an international judge in Kosovo, Cambodia and at the war crimes court for the former Yugoslavia, was named to head the Geneva-based panel.

FRANCE

  • France President :Emmanuel Macron
  • Currencies: Euro, CFP franc
  • Capital: Paris

 Manish Jaiswal joins as new CEO of Magma Housing Finance:

          Manish Jaiswal has joined Magma Housing Finance as its new chief executive officer following the departure of its previous CEO Sachin Khandelwal. 

MFIN re-elects Rakesh Dubey as its president:

          Microfinance Institutions Network (MFIN) has re-elected Rakesh Dubey, chief of SV Creditline Private Ltd, as its president for the second term.

NBFC-MFIs has also elected Devesh Sachdev, chief executive of Fusion Microfinance as vice president. 

UAE Exchange and Financial Services applied for banking licence:

The UAE Exchange and Financial Services Ltd has applied for a universal banking license in India, becoming the first entity to seek it after Reserve Bank of India opened the door for on-tap license last August.

Bandhan Bank and IDFC Bank were the last ones to get licences under the previous policy regime. 

Shriram Capital appoints Rajesh Laddha as new MD and CEO:

          Shriram Capital (SCL) today announced appointment of Rajesh Laddha as its new managing director (MD) and chief executive officer (CEO), effective from July 1.

Media man Sanjay Gupta appointed on board of governors of IIM:

Shri Sanjay Gupta, CEO & Whole Time Director, Jagran Prakashan Limited has been appointed as Chairman of the Society and Board of Governors of Indian Institute of Management, Amritsar for a period of five years. 

Cisco India and SAARC President Dinesh Malkani quits:

Cisco India and SAARC President Dinesh Malkani has resigned and put in his papers at the networking solutions giant to take on a leadership role at a start-up.

Malkani will continue in his role until July 31 and remain associated with Cisco till the end of September.

AWARDS

Indian-American student wins top original orator contest in US:

          Indian-American student in the US has won this year’s National Speech and Debate Tournament, considered to be the most prestigious high school competition in the country.

          J J Kapur, a Sikh, composed his own persuasive speech titled ‘Let’s Dance’ addressing a social issue.

SPORTS

Novak Djokovic wins Eastbourne Aegon Championship:

          Novak Djokovic has won the Aegon Championship in Eastbourne by beating Gael Monfils in the final held at Britain.

Pranjala triumphs over ITF women’s tennis tournament:

          Y.Pranjala won her first pro title, beating Giada Clerici in the final of the $15,000 of ITF women’s tennis tournament at Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt.

Kang wins; Aditi finishes T29 at KPMG Women’s PGA Championship:

          Danielle Kang captures first career win and Major title at KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. Aditi Ashok finished at T29 Olympia fields.

          Danielle Kang moving towards getting her first professional victory at Olympia Fields, exhibited a brilliant game in Round 3 of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. It was the 63rd Women’s PGA Championship at Olympia Fields Country Club in Olympia Fields, Illinois, a suburb south of Chicago (US).

 Indian shuttlers win singles, doubles titles in Ivory Coast International tournament:

          Ritika Thaker beat Simran Singhi in an all-Indian women’s singles final before the duo combined together to win the doubles title in the Ivory Coast International badminton tournament at Abidjan.

Donegal defeat Monaghan to claim Ulster title:

          DONEGAL were crowned Ulster senior champions for just the second time in their history with an eight-point victory over holders Monaghan in St Tiernach’s Park, Clones, Ireland.

Historic Events of the Day:

INDEPENDENCE DAY of US: JULY 4th

          Fourth of July, a day of celebration for Americans at gaining their freedom and nationhood from the United Kingdom hundreds of years ago. It’ll be the 241st anniversary this year.

OBITUARY

Veteran journalist Ravinder Randev passed away:

Veteran journalist Ravinder Randev (82) passed away following a massive cardiac arrest. He was 82.

 Veteran Marathi actor-writer Madhukar Toradmal passed away:

Veteran Marathi actor-writer, theatre veteran Madhukar Toradmal passed away due to kidney failure. He was 84.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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