Hello and welcome to exampundit . Here are the Important Current Affairs from 25th of June to 27th of June, 2016. These are important for the upcoming SBI PO Mains 2016 & UBI PGDBF 2016 Exams.
Current Affairs at a Glance – 25 – 27th June, 2016
Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 22 June 2016 approved the sale of all available spectrum in the country. This is the largest-ever spectrum auction in the country.
A consortium of three companies in Chinahas signed an agreement with the Andhra Pradesh government for setting up Rs 10,183 crore gas-based fertilizer plant near Krishnapatnam.
State-run Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) today said that it has commissioned two units of 14 Megawatts each at Salma Hydro Electric Project in Afghanistan.
In a bid to ensure that meritorious students do not stop enrolling for higher education due to lack of funds, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today launched a new scheme, 'Kalinga Sikshya Sathi Yojana'.
India on 27 June 2016 became the 35th full member of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). This entry would be mutually beneficial to enhance global non-proliferation norms.
International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking was observed on 26 June 2016.
International Day in Support of Victims of Torture was observed on 26 June 2016.
Day of the Seafarer 2016 was observed across the world on 25 June 2016.
The International Olympic Day was celebrated on 23 June 2016.
Chile on 26 June 2016 won the Copa America football tournament. In the final clash played at MetLife Stadium, Chile defeated Argentina 4-2 through penalties shootout.
Lionel Messi, the Barcelona star, on 26 June 2016 announced his plans to retirement from international football.
Anju Bobby George and Pullela Gopichand were named as the members of Khelo India on 26 June 2016. Khelo India is a national programme launched by the Union Government for the development of sports in the country.
Indian sprinter Dutee Chand on 25 June 2016 qualified for Rio Olympics in the women’s 100metre event. With this fete, the champion from Odisha also became the first Indian woman to qualify for the event since qualification started for the event.
The finance ministry on Monday in a statement said that Sujoy Bose has been appointed as the chief executive officer (CEO) of National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) Ltd.
Yasmin Sooka, the South African Indian-origin lawyer and long-time human rights activist, was appointed to chair a UN commission on 24 June 2016.
The 17th International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards 2016 were presented on 25 June 2016 in Madrid, Spain. Bajrangi Bhaijaan won the best film while Ranveer Singh & Deepika Padukone won the best actor & actress awards respectively.
Veteran Malayalam theatre artist and poet Kavalam Narayana Panicker passed away on 26 June 2016 in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
Finance/Industry –
Union Cabinet approves largest-ever Spectrum Auction
Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 22 June 2016 approved the sale of all available spectrum in the country. This is the largest-ever spectrum auction in the country.
The move could fetch 5.5 lakh crore rupees for the exchequer, going by the reserve price. This amount is five times higher than the revenue of 1.1 lakh rupees that government earned through the auction conducted in 2015.
Main highlights of the decision
The auction, to be conducted in September 2016, will put up about 2000 MHz of airwaves for sale.
It will put up 700 MHz band for sale for the first time at a reserve price of 11485 crore rupees per MHz pan-India. 700 MHz band is preferred for offering high-speed broadband services and the cost of delivering mobile services in the 700 MHz band is also approximately 70% cheaper than in the 2100 MHz band (used for 3G services).
It has fixed a reserve price of 2873 crore rupees for the 1800 MHz spectrum, which is widely used for offering voice services
For spectrum in the 900 MHz, 800 MHz, 2100 MHz and 2300 MHz bands, reserve prices of 3341 crore rupees, 5819 crore rupees, 3746 crore rupees and 817 crore ruppes respectively have been stipulated.
MoU signed for Rs 10,183 crore fertilizer plant in Andhra Pradesh
A consortium of three companies has signed an agreement with the Andhra Pradesh government for setting up Rs 10,183 crore gas-based fertilizer plant near Krishnapatnam.
The MoU for the plant was signed in Tianjin on Monday on the second day of China visit by 13-member delegation led by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.
China Huanqiu Contracting and Engineering Corporation, Isomeric Holdings, and LEPL Ventures signed the MoU with the Andhra Pradesh Economic Development Board and its department of commerce and industries.
The plant is expected to provide direct employment to 5,000 people. The work on the project will start in 2017-18, said a statement from the chief minister's office.
Beijing-headquartered Huanqiu has 50 years experience in chemical industry, while Malaysia's Isomeric has expertise in building gas based-projects and LEPL Ventures of Andhra Pradesh is a diversified firm with stakes in infrastructure, airlines, logistics, hospitality, health and education.
BHEL commissions two hydel units in Afghanistan
State-run Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) today said that it has commissioned two units of 14 Megawatts each at Salma Hydro Electric Project in Afghanistan.
The Salma dam, or the Afghan-India Friendship dam, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in presence of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, BHEL said in a statement.
In the execution of the Salma hydro project, BHEL faced numerous challenges in the movement of men and material through difficult terrains, it said.
This project has been funded under government of India's grant to Afghanistan.
India –
Odisha launches new higher education loan scheme 'Kalinga Sikshya Sathi Yojana' for underprivileged
In a bid to ensure that meritorious students do not stop enrolling for higher education due to lack of funds, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today launched a new scheme, 'Kalinga Sikshya Sathi Yojana'.
Under the provisions of the scheme, the state government would provide education loan at only 1 per cent interest per annum to students undergoing higher education, including management, law, engineering, medicine and others.
The state government has earmarked Rs 500 crore from its own resources for the purpose.
Biju Babu had instituted Kalinga UNESCO award for popularisation of science when he was only 35 years old, the chief minister said.
India became 35th full member of Missile Technology Control Regime
India on 27 June 2016 became the 35th full member of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). This entry would be mutually beneficial to enhance global non-proliferation norms.
The instrument of accession to MTCR for India was signed in New Delhi by Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar. The entry also marks India's first entry into any multilateral export control regime.
The MTCR Point of Contact in Paris conveyed the decision regarding India's accession to the regime through the French Embassy in New Delhi as well as the Embassies of The Netherlands and Luxembourg.
Key Facts of India joining MTCR
India's entry into the regime as its thirty-fifth member would be mutually beneficial in the furtherance of international non-proliferation objectives.
It entered this multilateral export control regime with the support of all thirty-four MTCR Partners. In 2015, India’s membership to the group was blocked by Italy.
MTCR membership will now enable India to buy high-end missile technology and also enhance its joint ventures with Russia.
Days –
International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking observed with theme Listen First
International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking was observed on 26 June 2016. The day was observed with theme Listen First.
2016 theme Listen First is an initiative to increase support for prevention of drug use that is based on science and is thus an effective investment in the well-being of children and youth, their families and their communities.
On this day, the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) also released the World Drug Report 2016.
International Day in Support of Victims of Torture observed
International Day in Support of Victims of Torture was observed on 26 June 2016. The day is held annually to speak out against the crime of torture. It also seeks to honor and support victims and survivors throughout the world.
Torture seeks to annihilate the victim’s personality and denies the inherent dignity of the human being. The United Nations has condemned torture from the outset as one of the vilest acts perpetrated by human beings on their fellow human beings.
Day of the Seafarer 2016 observed with theme At Sea For All
Day of the Seafarer 2016 was observed across the world on 25 June 2016. The theme for the year is At Sea For All.
The theme for the year has a clear link with the 2016 World Maritime Day theme, Shipping: indispensable to the world.
The themes highlight the point that seafarers serve at sea not just for the shipping industry or for their own career purposes but for all of us.
International Olympic Day celebrated on 23 June
The International Olympic Day was celebrated on 23 June 2016. To mark the occasion, over 160 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and sports organizations across the world organised a series of events to spread Olympic values and encourage people to get involved in sports and lead more active lives.
The 2016 Summer Olympics host-city Rio de Janeiro unveiled its athletes' village to mark the day. The Brazilian city will host the XXXI Olympiad between 5 August and 21 August 2016.
Sponsored
Sports –
Chile beat Argentina to win 2016 Copa America Football tournament
Chile on 26 June 2016 won the Copa America football tournament. In the final clash played at MetLife Stadium, Chile defeated Argentina 4-2 through penalties shootout.
This was second America title for Chile, it won the first title in 2015 after defeating Argentina 4-1 in a penalty shootout following a 0-0 scoreless draw at the end of regulation.
With this, Chile also became the first team to win the Copa America in back to back years since Argentina in 1946 and 1947.
Awards
Golden Ball: Alexis Sanchez (Chile)
Golden Boot: Eduardo Vargas (Chile)
Golden Glove award: Claudio Bravo (Chile)
Fair Play Award: Argentina
Lionel Messi retires from Argentina after Copa America final loss to Chile
Lionel Messi, the Barcelona star, on 26 June 2016 announced his plans to retirement from international football.
The announcement from the foot balling great of his generation came just hours after he missed the penalty in the Copa America final. His team, Argentina, faced a defeat from Chile in Copa America final at New Jersey in the US.
Argentina lost 4-2 on penalties to Chile after a 0-0 draw in MetLife Stadium.
Anju Bobby George & Pullela Gopichand taken as members of Khelo India
Anju Bobby George and Pullela Gopichand were named as the members of Khelo India on 26 June 2016. Khelo India is a national programme launched by the Union Government for the development of sports in the country.
George, India's lone athletics World Championship medal winner and Gopichand, the chief national badminton coach are the two sportsperson who were included in the seven-member committee of Khelo India.
The committee will be headed by Sports Secretary Rajiv Yadav.
Jitu Rai wins silver in ISSF World Cup
Shooter Jitu Rai on 25 June 2016 won silver in the 10 m Air Pistol event at the ISSF World Cup held in Baku, Azerbaijan.
It is the second medal in a World Cup this season for Rai, who had won the free pistol gold in the first World Cup in Bangkok.
Brazilian shooter Felipe Almeida Wu won the gold medal, while Korea’s Jin Jongoh bagged the bronze medal.
Sprinter Dutee Chand qualifies for Rio Olympics
Indian sprinter Dutee Chand on 25 June 2016 qualified for Rio Olympics in the women’s 100metre event. She qualified in the games after meeting the qualification mark at 26th International Meeting G. Kosanov Memorial in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
Dutee clocked 11.30 seconds beating the Rio Olympics qualification mark of 11.32 secs.
With this fete, the champion from Odisha also became the first Indian woman to qualify for the event since qualification started for the event.
PT Usha had qualified for the event in 1980 Olympics.
Appointments –
Sujoy Bose appointed as new CEO of NIIF
The finance ministry on Monday in a statement said that Sujoy Bose has been appointed as the chief executive officer (CEO) of National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) Ltd.
Bose at present is director at Infrastructure and Natural Resources, International Finance Corporation (IFC).
In a tweet, minister of state for finance Jayant Sinha congratulated Bose and said that NIIF is an innovative fund to finance India's infrastructure needs.
Economic affairs secretary, Shaktikanta Das also tweeted that NIIF will play big role in infrastructure financing.
Indian-origin lawyer Yasmin Sooka to chair panel on human rights in South Sudan
Yasmin Sooka, the South African Indian-origin lawyer and long-time human rights activist, was appointed to chair a UN commission on 24 June 2016.
The commission will monitor the human rights situation in South Sudan and make recommendations for their improvement.
She will serve together with Kenneth Scott from the US and Godfrey Musila of Kenya on the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan.
The UN resolved to establish the Commission following calls for investigation into alleged atrocities by both government and rebel forces before an independent South Sudan was carved out of the larger Sudan in 2011.
N Srinivasan re-elected President of Tamil Nadu Cricket Association for 15th term
Former BCCI chief N Srinivasan was unanimously re-elected as President of the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) for a 15th consecutive term on 25 June 2016.
He along with the other office bearers of the state cricketing body for the current season were elected at its 86th annual general body meeting in Chennai based on consensus.
Awards & Honors –
International Indian Film Academy IIFA Awards 2016 presented
The 17th International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards 2016 were presented on 25 June 2016 in Madrid, Spain.
The awards were presented by the International Indian Film Academy honouring the best Hindi films of 2015.
List of 2016 IIFA Awards
Best Film - Bajrangi Bhaijaan
Best Director - Sanjay Leela Bhansali for Bajirao Mastani
Best Actor in a Leading Role - Ranveer Singh for Bajirao Mastani
Best Actress in a Leading Role - Deepika Padukone for Piku
World –
China launches first Dark Sky Reserve in Tibet to limit light pollution
China in the fourth week of June 2016 launched its first dark sky reserve in Ngari Prefecture, Tibet.
The purpose of the dark sky reserve is to limit light pollution and preserve sites for making astronomical observations.
Key facts related to the reserve
The reserve covers an area of 2500 square kilometres.
It was jointly launched by the China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation and the regional government of Tibet.
Nepal bans citizens from working in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and Libya
Nepal on 24 June 2016 banned its citizens from working in strife-torn Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and Libya. The decision was made at a cabinet meet after 13 Nepali security guards were killed in a Taliban suicide bombing in Kabul.
Nepali nationals killed in Afghanistan were employed as security guards in the Canadian embassy in Kabul. They were killed when militants exploded a bomb in a minibus on 20 June 2016.
Obituaries –
Noted Malayalam theatre artist Kavalam Narayana Panicker passes away
Veteran Malayalam theatre artist and poet Kavalam Narayana Panicker passed away on 26 June 2016 in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. He was 88.
In 1993, Erin B. Mee directed his play Ottayan in New York City.
His notable works are Madhyamavyayogam, Kalidasa's Vikramorvasiyam, Shakuntalam, Karnabharam, Bhasa's Uru Bhangam, Swapnavasavadattam and Dootavakyam.
He also directed two movies, Mani Madhava Chakyar: The Master at Work, and Parvati Viraham in Kuttiyattam form. Kuttiyattam is a form of Sanskrit theatre.
He was awarded with the Padma Bhushan in 2007.
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