DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS: JUNE 24&25, 2018

Daily Current Affairs (June 24&25, 2018) 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.

NATIONAL

Gujarat Govt launched Suryashakti Kisan Yojana (SKY)

The Gujarat government became the first state to launch a solar power scheme for farmers- Suryashakti Kisan Yojana (SKY). It enables them to generate electricity for their captive consumption as well as sell the surplus power to the grid through solar energy.

As per the scheme, farmers having existing electricity connection will be given solar panels as per their load requirements. The State and Central governments will give 60 per cent subsidy on the cost of project.

The farmer is required to take 5 percent cost, while 35 per cent will be provided to him as an affordable loan with interest rates of 4.5-6 per cent.

The scheme duration is 25 years, which is split between 7-year period and 18-year period.

CEMS Sets Up Labs in Mumbai and Vizag

The Centre of Excellence in Maritime & Shipbuilding (CEMS), a well-funded start-up in skill development for maritime and shipbuilding sector has announced setting up of 24 labs -6 in Mumbai and 18 in Vizag campus.

CEMS has established one of the first of its kind of infrastructure in Asia Pacific with 24 labs.

With the setting up of these labs in Mumbai and Vizag, CEMS is well-positioned to build competency in the maritime & shipbuilding sector through various courses ably supported by world class infrastructure.

The announcement was made in the first seminar on Competencies, Employability, Methodology and Skills organized by CEMS in Mumbai.

22nd edition of Sindhu Darshan Festival 2018 kicked-off in Leh

The 22nd edition of Sindhu Darshan festival, being organized by Sindhu Darshan Yatra Samiti and Ladakh Phanday Tsogspa commenced with religious fervour and gaiety.

As the name suggests the festival celebrates river Sindhu, also known as Indus.

The festival is held every year on full moon day in the month of June in Leh in Ladakh district of Jammu & Kashmir.

President Ladakh Gonpa Association Leh, Gelong Shatup Chamba inaugurated the 22nd Sindhu Darshan festival.

INTERNATIONAL

US developed the World’s Smallest Computer “Michigan Micro Mote”

The Researchers at the University of Michigan in the US have come out with the world’s smallest computer – a device that measures just 0.3 millimetres and could help find new ways to monitor and treat cancer.

David Blaauw, a professor of electrical and computer engineering led the development of the new system.

In addition to the RAM and photovoltaics, the new micro-computing device – Michigan Micro Mote – has processors and wireless transmitters and receivers.

This device is smaller than a grain of rice.These new microdevices lose all prior programming and data as soon as they are switched off.

India plans make Chabahar Port operational by 2019

India is trying to make the strategic Chabahar Port in Iran operational by 2019.

It was announced by Union Minister Road and Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.

Gadkari was on a two-day visit to Tajikistan to represent India at a global conference on “International Decade for Action: Water for Sustainable Development”.

Gadkari was addressing the Indian Community at the inauguration of the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre at the Indian Embassy in Dushanbe.

Iran and India, in February, signed an agreement worth $85 million to develop Chabahar Port in south-eastern Iran.

Tajikistan

Capital: Dushanbe

Currency: Tajikistani somoni

India and Bangladesh Navies to join hands

India and Bangladesh have agreed to institute a Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) as an annual feature between the two Navies.

The commencement of CORPAT is major step towards enhanced operational interaction between both Navies.

Iran and India, in February, signed an agreement worth $85 million to develop Chabahar Port in south-eastern Iran.

Bangladesh

Capital: Dhaka

Currency: Bangladeshi taka

BANKING AND ECONOMY

AIIB to invest $200 mn in infra fund

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) plans to invest USD 200 million in a fund of funds set up by India to take interest in infra projects.

They are investing USD 100 now and USD 100 million in the time to come. The USD 200-million will flow into the NIIF (National Investment & Infrastructure Fund).

This is the first time that the country is hosting the annual summit of AIIB, which will be addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

India is the second largest shareholder in AIIB after China and is also the largest recipient of funds from the multilateral agency. Nearly 25% of the total funds committed by AIIB have been committed for projects in India, both in the government sector and the private sector.

AIIB

Headquarters: Beijing, China

President: Jin Liqun

Membership: 64 Members; 22 prospective members

Russia To Supply Technical Security Equipment to India

Russian state atomic energy corporation Rosatom’s subsidiary Nikiret has signed an agreement with Indian engineering services firm Core Energy Systems Pvt Ltd for the promotion of its technical security equipment in India.

Rosatom is the technical consultants and equipment suppliers for the Nuclear Power Corp of India-operated Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project in Tamil Nadu.

According to Core Chief Executive Pranay Kumar, the partnership will explore opportunities in the Indian government’s Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS) project.

CIBMS is a smart fencing project to identify and protect infiltration and secure the border.

Russia

Capital: Moscow

Currency: Russian ruble

APPOINTMENTS

Jain takes charge as RBI Deputy Governor

Mahesh Kumar Jain has took charge as the Fourth  Deputy Governor of Reserve Bank of India. Jain was the MD & CEO of IDBI Bank before being appointed as Deputy Governor.

The government has appointed Jain as the Deputy Governor of the RBI for three years.

Jain has come in place of SS Mundra who retired last year.

The other 3 deputy governors  are BP Kanungo,, N S Vishwanathan and Viral Acharya.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan declares victory in Turkish presidential poll

The Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has declared victory in a tightly-contested presidential election.

Erdogan of Justice and Development Party has just under 53 percent in the presidential poll while Ince, of the secular Republican People’s Party (CHP), was on 31 per cent.

Turkish voters had for the first time cast ballots for both president and parliament.

Turkey

President: Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Capital: Ankara

Currency: Turkish lira

AWARDS AND HONOURS

Rajasthan Chief Minister conferred with the ‘Chief Minister of the Year’ Award

Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje was conferred the ‘Chief Minister of the Year’ award for her remarkable work in e-governance.

The award was given at the 52nd Skoch Summit held in New Delhi. Union Steel Minister Chaudhary Birender Singh was the chief guest at the function.

The award was received by Raje’s OSD in advisory council Dr Anuj Saxena and joint director of IT department R L Solanki on her behalf from Skoch Group chairman Sameer Kochhar.   

Prem Chopra honoured with living legend award

The Veteran Bollywood actor Prem Chopra was has been honoured with the living legend prize at the 25th annual Bharat Nirman awards function. Chopra played villainous roles on-screen during the 1970s and 1980s.

Besides Chopra, well-known actor Raza Murad was also felicitated under the ‘Achievers Awards’ category for ‘Film Actor’.

Olympic gold medallist and former India hockey captain Gurbux Singh and ex-Governor of West Bengal Justice Shyamal K Sen were conferred lifetime achievement awards.

Bharat J Mehra was rewarded for social welfare activities while Prahladha Rai Agarwala was received the entrepreneurship award.

Indian Army Contingent Awarded United Nations Medal

The 7 Garhwal Rifles Infantry Battalion Group was awarded the United Nations Medal for “selfless service” in the peacekeeping mission in South Sudan.

The ceremony was attended by a number of military and civil dignitaries, including Brigadier General Mohammed Al Masoom, Commander United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), and a host of senior commanders of various nationalities.

India is a leading contributor to the United Nations Peacekeeping missions.

According to the data obtained from UN Peackeeping Missions website, India contributes over 6,000 troops in 14 missions across the world.

SPORTS

Hamilton wins in French Grand Prix

The Defending Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton of Britain (Mercedes) won the French Grand Prix.

He regained the overall top spot in the 2018 drivers’ standings from German driver Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari).

In second place was Max Verstappen of the Netherlands (Red Bull), while Finland’s Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari) completed the podium third and Australia’s Daniel Ricciardo came fourth.

Hamilton, who started from the pole position, earned his 65th career win and his third of the year, and sits atop the drivers’ standings with 145 points, 14 ahead of Vettel.

India’s R Praggnanandhaa Becomes World’s 2nd Youngest Chess Grand Master

The Chennai lad R Praggnanandhaa created history as he became the second youngest Grandmaster in the world at 12 years, 10 months and 13 days. Sergey Karjakin of Ukraine had become the youngest Grandmaster at 12 years, seven months back in 1990.

Praggnanandhaa had already achieved his first GM norm in the World Juniors 2017, and he achieved his second GM norm at a closed round-robin tournament in Greece. He had also crossed 2500 Elo rating points.

Sandeep Sejwal clinches gold at Singapore National Swimming C’ships

Indian swimmer Sandeep Sejwal clinched gold medal in men’s 50m breaststroke event at the Singapore Nation    al Swimming Championships in Singapore.

He had also won the silver in the men’s 100m breaststroke.

Besides, Virdhawal Khade grabbed a creditable silver medal in the 50m freestyle event.

Amit Kumar Saroha wins gold at World Para Athletics

The Haryana para-athlete clinched a gold medal in the men’s club throw event (F51) at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Tunisia.

In 2017, he clinched a silver in club throw at the World Para Athletics Championships.

In 2010, Amit had won a silver in discus throw at the Asian Para Games in China. Two years later, he won a gold in the Olympics qualifier event in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

IMPORTANT DAYS

The Day of the Seafarer 2018 – June 25

The Day of the Seafarer was observed across the world on 25 June, 2018 by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

It is to express the gratitude towards the seafarers for their contribution to the economy and civil society of the world.

Theme: ‘Seafarers’ wellbeing’

OBITUARY

Veteran mountaineer Gautam Kanjilal Passed away

The Veteran rock climber and mountaineer Gautam Kanjilal has passed away.

An engineer by profession and a member of city-based mountaineering club Himalayan Association, Kanjilal began his outward bound activities way back in 1970.

Award-Winning Poet Donald Hall Passes Away

The Award-winning American poet and writer Donald Hall has passed away.

He was the United States Poet Laureate for 2007-’08, and received the Robert Frost Medal in 1991 and the National Medal of Arts, the nation’s highest honour for artists, in 2010.

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