DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS : June 16, 2019

Dear Aspirants,

Daily Current Affairs (June 16, 2019) like many other sections is inevitable and this also helps to score in the Banking awareness, Static GK and Financial Awareness sections. Remember, Banking Awareness and Static Awareness Questions are asked from the General Awareness section. This will also help you to ride your preparations for the forthcoming exams.

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NATIONAL NEWS

Govt. plans to raise USD 84 billion from airwaves auction in 2019

Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA Government hopes to increase around $83.8 billion (Rs 5.83 trillion rupees) from its latest round of airwaves auction in 2019.
The Central government is planning to sell 8,600 megahertz of telecom airwaves across multiple frequency bands. Rs 65,789 crore was raised in the airwaves auction held by the government in 2016-17.
Recently, Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad announced the debut auction of fifth-generation (5G) spectrum this year along with trials within 100 days.

Death toll rises to 66 in Muzaffarpur, Bihar due to Encephalitis

Muzaffarpur district of Bihar reported death of 69 children due to Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES). Till now over 130 have been hospitalised in the district.
The district Magistrate of Muzaffarpur has announced that for students till class eight, schools will remain closed till June 22 and for students in higher standards, classes will be held only till 10.30 am.

Encephalitis:
Encephalitis is an inflammation or swelling and irritation of the brain. In most cases, It is also called acute viral encephalitis or aseptic encephalitis.

Union Cabinet cleared NDIAC Bill, 2019 on institutionalised arbitration

The Union Cabinet has cleared the New Delhi International Arbitration Centre (NDIAC) Bill, 2019, which provides for setting up of an independent and autonomous body for institutional arbitration.
It also aims to acquire and transfer the undertakings of International Centre For Alternative Dispute Resolution to New Delhi International Arbitration Centre (NDIAC) with effect from March 2 this year.
The Bill provides to replace and repeal the NDIAC Ordinance, 2019. The proposed New Delhi International Arbitration Centre is headed by a chairperson, who has been a judge of the Supreme Court or a judge of a high court or an eminent person, having special knowledge and experience in the conduct or administration of arbitration.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Recent reports says the global internet users have touched 3.8 billion

Mary Meeker’s 2019 Internet Trends Report said that the global internet users have touched 3.8 billion which is more than half of the world’s population. China was found to have the largest internet user base at 21%. The internet users in India are 12%, and the United States are 8%.
The report said Asia Pacific region was found to be leading in terms of both the number of users and potential internet users with 53% of users coming from this part of the world.
Global internet users making 51% of the world’s population is a considerable growth as compared to 29% of the world’s population using the internet in 2009. The report noted a slowdown in the year-on-year growth in the volume of global internet users.
Meeker also said the increase in number of users in India is due to the introduction of Reliance Jio. It has created a hybrid, online-to-offline commerce platform by integrating Reliance Retail’s physical marketplace with Reliance Jio’s digital infrastructure and services, thus doubling its growth in a year to a total of 307 million subscribers.

UK bans commercials ads that reinforce gender prejudices

UK government has banned commercials that reinforce gender prejudices. Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), UK’s advertising watchdog introduced the ban because it found evidence suggesting that adverse stereotypes could restrict the choices, aspirations and opportunities of children, young people and adults.
These kinds of stereotypes can be reinforced by some advertising that plays a part in unequal gender outcomes.
The new rule follows a review of gender stereotyping in adverts the organisation that administers the UK Advertising Codes, which cover both broadcast and non-broadcast adverts, including online and social media.

Scientists places world’s highest weather stations atop Mount Everest

Scientists from National Geographic Society and Tribhuvan University installed have installed two highest weather stations in the world in an expedition to Mount Everest that wrapped up in June 2019.
The two weather monitoring stations are located at an altitude of 8,430 meters (27,657 feet) and 7,945 meters (26,066 feet). Also, three other stations have been set up across the Mount Everest.
The setting up of the weather station aim to collect weather data. The data gathered from the stations will help scientists to understand how rising global temperatures impacts the rapidly melting glaciers.
The nearly two month expedition involved a team of more than 30 scientists from all over the world, including 17 Nepali researchers. The team also collected the world highest ice core sample at 8,020 meters , which will help the scientists study the deep record of precipitation on the mountain and composition of the atmosphere during pre-industrial times.

Around 600 American companies urged Trump to resolve trade dispute with China

More than 600 companies, including Walmart Inc, Target Corp, urged U.S. President Donald Trump to resolve the trade dispute with China that totally affects American businesses and consumers.
More than 150 trade groups representing agriculture, manufacturing, retail and tech industries supports the national campaign against tariffs.
The American international consultancy the Trade Partnership reported that additional 25% tariffs on $300 billion in imports, on top of those already levied, would wipe out more than 2 million U.S. jobs.
They would also add more than $2,000 in costs for the average American family of four and reduce the value of U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 1%.

RANKING & INDEX

UNCTAD World Investment Report 2019

According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) World Investment Report 2019, India received foreign direct investments (FDI) worth USD 42 billion in 2018.
India attracted over 77% of the total foreign direct investments that came to the South Asian region. The global FDI slipped by 13% in 2018, to US$1.3 trillion from $1.5 trillion in 2017, the third consecutive annual decline.
India’s rank as a source country for FDI dropped one place to the 10th position as it was overtaken by Spain. Investment in India rose by 6% to USD 42 billion.
Among others in the South Asian region, FDI flows to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka rose to a record level, to USD 3.6 billion and USD 1.6 billion, respectively, while Pakistan witnessed a 27% decline in investment to USD 2.4 billion.

BANKING & FINANCE

RBI directed all the banks to grout ATMs to a structure to enhance security

The Reserve Bank of India has asked the banks to ensure their ATMs are grouted to a wall, pillar, or floor by the end of September month, except those installed in high secured premises such as airports. The announcement comes with an aim to enhance security of the cash vending machines.
The ATMs shall be operated for cash replenishment only with digital One Time Combination (OTC) locks. All banks can also roll out a comprehensive e-surveillance mechanism at the ATMs. This will ensure timely alerts and quick response.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

India’s trade deficit widened to USD 15.36 bn in May month

Ministry of Commerce reported that India’s trade deficit expanded to a six-month high of $15.4 billion in May, with import growth outpacing export growth following a 37% jump in gold imports. Exports grew 3.93% in the month of May, while imports rose 4.31%.

Iran, China-US trade war:
Out of six months in the past 7 months, the exports have been in low single digits which barred March when it grew in double digits. Rising crude oil prices, amid sanctions on Iranian oil imports, could further increase imports and put pressure on India’s current account deficit.
China’s exports in May increased by 1.1%, while imports fell by 8.5%. This lead to a significantly higher trade surplus of $41.65 billion than analysts projected.

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNS

Sarah Huckabee Sanders to step down as White House Press Secretary

After serving more than three years, Sarah Huckabee Sanders is stepping down from her current position as White House Press Secretary.
Sanders, 36, worked on the communications team of Trump’s 2016 campaign, and later joined the White House as deputy press secretary when Trump took office.
She has been appointed as the White House Press Secretary in July 2017, after Sean Spicer resigned from the position.

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

Sahitya Akademi announces winners of 2019 Bal Sahitya Puraskar, Yuva Puraskar

Sahitya Akademi, India’s national academy of letters has announced a list of 22 winners of the Bal Sahitya Puraskar and 23 recipients of the Yuva Puraskar for the year 2019.
The selection of awardees in Agartala has been approved by the Executive Board of the Akademi, under the chairmanship of its President, Chandrashekhar Kambar.
The Bal Puraskar awaard is to be conferred upon the winners on the Children’s Day. The day for the Yuva Puraskar is yet to be decided.

India designated as guest country at Guadalajara International Book Fair in Mexico

India designated as the Guest of Honour at the 33rd Feria Internacional del Libro de Guadalajara (Guadalajara International Book Fair)in Mexico, the National Book Trust.
The book fair organized from November 30 – December 8, India pavilion at the fair will showcase over 35 Indian authors and artists, along with 15 publishing houses.
India displays a wide array of its rich and composite literary and cultural heritage through literary and academic activities comprising conferences.
Ancient and rare manuscripts including “Mahabharata” and “Ramayana” will be put on exhibition, along with photo books, handicrafts, and paintings.
The exhibition will run parallel to the book fair in the pavilion. They will feature art by 40 renowned Indian women artists including Arpana Caur, Paula Sengupta, and Seema Kohli.
The “Festival of India” will showcase folk, classical and contemporary cultural programmes.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Two female scientists Ritu Kridhal and Vanitha to head Indias 2nd Moon mission Chandrayaan-2

For the first time, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has appointed two women scientists – Ritu Karidhal (as mission director) and Muthayya Vanitha (as project director) – to head the India’s second Moon mission Chandrayaan-2.
ISRO Chairman K Sivan announced that close to 30 percent of the ISRO team working on Chandrayaan 2 are women.
Ritu Karidhal was referred as the ‘Rocket Woman of India‘. She became famous with the launch of the Mars Orbiter Mission where she was the deputy operations director.
Muthayya Vanitha received the Best Woman Scientist award in 2006 by the Astronomical Society of India.

SPORTS NEWS

Peter Gilchrist won the 2019 Pacific International Billiards Championship

Peter Gilchrist won the 2019 Pacific International Billiards Championship at the Yarraville Club in Melbourne, Australia.
Peter Gilchrist defeated Kolkata cueist Kothari who had been on a roll winning the International Reventon Classic Snooker championship, a triple crown event of Australia and thereafter went on to display some outstanding billiards en-route the final.

Virat Kohli is the only Indian in the list of top paid athletes

Indian cricketer Virat Kohli is the only Indian in the Forbes list of world’s highest-paid athletes.
He has been estimated with an annual earnings of $25 million. According to the report, his earnings are $21 million from endorsements and USD 4 million from salary and winnings for the last 12 months.
Kholi, the Indian captain, has dropped 17 spots to be 100th in the rankings despite an increase of $1 million in endorsements. He was ranked 83rd in 2018.
The list is topped by Barcelona and Argentina football superstar Lionel Messi. Retired boxer Floyd Mayweather has been dethroned by Messi as the sports world’s highest earner, raking in $127 million via salary and endorsement deals.
Messi’s long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo, the Juventus and Portugal star is second with earnings of $109 million.

Australia and Qatar to be guest nations at the 2020 Copa America

Australia will be one of the two guest nations at the 2020 Copa America. Qatar will also return to 2020 tournament, which will be co-hosted by Argentina and Colombia.
Qatar and Japan are the guest nations in 2019 Copa, which started on June 15 in Brazil. This year’s Copa America broadcast to a record 178 countries.

About Copa America:

It is a men’s international football tournament contested between national teams from CONMEBOL (South American Football Confederation).
Founded: 1916
Current champions: Chile
President of CONMEBOL: Alejandro Dominguez
Headquarters: Luque, Paraguay

India remained at 101 in the latest FIFA Rankings, Belgium on Top

The Indian men’s football team remained static at the 101st position in the latest FIFA rankings. India recently participated in King’s Cup in Thailand, in which it lost one match and won the other in the tournament.
Belgium remained to top the overall FIFA world rankings, followed by France, Brazil, England, and Portugal.
The Indian team is at the 18th spot among the Asian countries. Iran has become the only Asian country to feature in the top 20 as they moved one spot to finish at the 20th rank.