Read Tnpsc Current Affairs June 15-16, 2017
International Affairs
International Affairs
World's Most Valuable Brand 2017 is "Google"
Technology giant Google has topped the 2017 BrandZ Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands list, with a brand value of over $245 billion.
- US tech giants Apple, Microsoft, and Facebook were also among the five most valuable brands. Amazon rose three places after achieving the highest dollar value growth, increasing by $40.3 billion to $139.3 billion.
India has been re-elected to the UN's ECOSOC
India has been re-elected to the UN's principal organ on economic, social and environmental issues for another three-year term.
- India was among 18 nations to win election (15.06.2017) to the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
- ECOSOC, one of the six main organs of the United Nations, is the principal body for coordination, policy review, policy dialogue and recommendations on economic, social and environmental issues, as well as for implementation of the internationally agreed development goals.
India-Australia naval exercise ‘AUSINDEX 17’ started in Fremantle, Australia
The 2nd edition of bilateral maritime exercise ‘AUSINDEX-17’ has started between Indian Navy and Royal Australian Navy in Fremantle, Australia from June 13 to increase inter-operability and cooperation between the two forces.
- The Eastern Naval Command of the Indian Navy under the command of Rear Admiral Biswajit Dasgupta is participating in the naval exercise.
- Indian warships INS Shivalik (a muIti-role stealth frigate), INS Kamorta (an anti-submarine warfare corvette) and INS Jyoti (the fleet replenishment tanker) are a part of this 5-day venture.
2017 G7 Environmental ministry meeting was held in Bologna, Italy
- The 2017 G7 Environment Ministers Meetings was held in Bologna, Italy on June 11-12. The meeting was attended by the Environment Ministers of US, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Canada and Japan and the Commissioners of the European Union for Environment and Climate.
India’s Little Padmalaya Nanda becomes Miss Universe Internet 2017
Padmalaya Nanda (12) from India has created history by becoming the youngest girl to bag the “Little Miss Universe Internet 2017”, “Little Miss Universe Grand Prix” and “Little Miss Actress” crowns at the Little Miss Universe 2017 beauty contest at port city of Batumi in Georgia, United States. Nanda, who hails from Odisha, has become the first Indian girl to win the crown.
- Nanda will participate in the “Little Miss World 2017” competition that will be held at Greece from Sept 25 to Oct 1, 2017.
World’s smallest and cheapest private jet “Vision Jet” launched
Cirrus Aircraft, the US-based aviation company, has launched the world’s smallest and cheapest private jet ‘Vision Jet’ at Rs.12.6 Crore.
- Vision Jet can haul five adults up to 1,150 miles at 28,000 feet. It is the first Private Jet with a single engine and can be conveniently operated by a single pilot, thus keeping production and maintenance costs low for the users.
India topped the global remittance-receiving list of 2016, as per UN report “One Family at a Time”
India has topped the global remittance-receiving list of 2016, as per the latest United Nations report ‘One Family at a Time’.
- As per the report, Indians working across the globe sent home $62.7 billion US dollars in 2016, followed by China ($61 billion), Philippines ($30 billion) and Pakistan ($20 billion).
- The ‘One Family at a Time’ study by the UN International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) stated that about 200 million migrants globally sent more than $445 billion dollars as remittances in 2016 to their families.
2017 World Blood Donor Day (WBDD) observed on June 14
The World Blood Donor Day (WBDD) is observed every year on June 14 to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products, and to thank blood donors for their voluntary, life-saving gifts of blood. Every pint of blood donated can save more than 3 lives.
International Albinism Awareness Day (IAAD) is observed on June 13
The International Albinism Awareness Day (IAAD) is observed every year on June 13 to raise worldwide awareness on albinism and to prevent attacks and discrimination against persons with albinism.
- Albinism is a genetic disorder resulting in little or no pigmentation in the skin, hair, and eyes. The lack of melanin in the skin makes albinos more prone to sunburn and skin cancers. Albinism is also associated with visual problems such as photophobia, amblyopia (lazy eye),nystagmus, etc.
National Affairs
Ramanathan Ramanan to head Atal Mission under NITI Aayog
The government has appointed a senior executive of Tata Consultancy Services to head Atal Innovation Mission, its initiative to promote entrepreneurship in the country, in perhaps the first initiative to bring in best of private minds to drive innovation in governance.
- Ramanathan Ramanan, senior vice president at TCS, has been appointed as mission director of Atal Innovation Mission, under the government’s premier think tank NITI Aayog, in the rank of additional secretary.
Dr. Neeru Chadha the first Indian woman to be elected as judge of the ITLOS
Dr. Neeru Chadha has become the first Indian woman to be elected as the judge of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) for a nine-year term from 2017 to 2026.
- Neeru Chadha got most of the votes in Asia Pacific Group. With this election, Dr. Chadha has also become the first Indian woman to occupy a top UN position, after Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit, who served as the President of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
- Hamburg-based ITLOS, established in 1996, is one of dispute settlement mechanisms under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) that entered into force in 1994.
North East Region Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (NERCPA) conference started in Manipur
Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan has inaugurated the 16th North East Region Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (NERCPA) Conference at Imphal in Manipur on June 15, 2017.
- The theme of the Conference is “North East and Look East Policy”. The Conference will deliberate on three significant themes – North East and Look East Policy, special plan for development of railways, airways, surface road and inland waterways connectivity for speedy economic development of North East Region.
- Setting up of a chapter of Speaker’s Research Initiative in the North Eastern Region for capacity building of the legislators of the region and generating research for the North Eastern legislatures.
India Top Remittance-Receiving Country In 2016
Indians working across the globe sent home USD 62.7 billion last year, making India the top remittance-receiving country surpassing China, says a UN report.
- 'One Family at a Time' study by the UN International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) said about 200 million migrants globally sent more than USD 445 million in 2016 as remittances to their families, helping to lift millions out of poverty.
- The study said India was the top receiving country for remittances in 2016 at USD 62.7 billion, followed by China (USD 61 billion), the Philippines (USD 30 billion) and Pakistan (USD 20 billion).
India got 60th Place on Global Innovation Index (GII) 2017
India has moved up six places to 60th among 130 nations on the Global Innovation Index (GII) 2017, emerging as the top-ranked economy in Central and South Asia.
- The index, co-authored by Cornell University, INSEAD and World Intellectual Property Organisation shows India's rise as an emerging innovation centre in Asia.
- Although the country ranks far behind China which occupied the 22nd spot.In 2017, Switzerland leads the rankings for the seventh consecutive year.
India’ first canal top solar PV system has set up in Nagpur
NTPC has commissioned a150 KW India’s first canal top solar PV System on Cooling Water (CW) channel at its 2320 MW Mouda Thermal Power Project, near Nagpur in Maharashtra.
- This novel Solar PV system makes use of side walls of CW channels as load bearing structure thereby significantly decreasing cost of civil and mounting structure.
Union Cabinet approves Interest Subvention Scheme for farmers for 2017-18
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the Interest Subvention Scheme for farmers for the year 2017-18.
- The Government has earmarked a sum of Rs. 20,339 crore for this purpose. This will help farmers getting short term crop loan up to Rs. 3 lakh payable within one year at only 4% per annum.
- The Union Government will provide interest subvention of 5 per cent per annum to all prompt payee farmers for short term crop loan upto one year for loan upto Rs. 3 lakhs borrowed by them during the year 2017-18.
Telangana state government has launched Pashu Bazar website for online cattle sale
Telangana government has launched Pashu Bazar website for online cattle sale. The online sale or purchase of cattle through pashubazar.
- www.telangana.gov.in website will help farmers as the cattle need not be brought to shandies every time and farmers can save on transportation cost on cattle. Farmer can keep maximum five registrations for sale at any time.
World’s largest refinery and petrochemical complex will be set up in Maharashtra
The three state-run Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) – Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd (HPCL) and Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd (BPCL) have signed an agreement to jointly set up the world’s largest refinery and petrochemical complex at Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra at a cost of $40 billion.
"Rina Mitra" committee constituted to study free movement along Myanmar border
The Union Home Ministry has constituted an expert committee to examine methods to curb the misuse of free movement along the Myanmar border.
- The committee will be headed by Rina Mitra, the special secretary (Internal Security) in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The committee will examine the present rules and regulations adopted by the border States for implementation of free movement regime and submit the report within 3 months.
- India’s 1,643-km border with Myanmar touches four states — Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram.
Sports Affairs
Jitu Rai and Heena Sidhu won gold in 2017 ISSF Gabala World Cup
Indian shooters Jitu Rai and Heena Sidhu have clinched the gold medal in mixed team 10m air pistol event by defeating Russian pair in the final at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup Rife/Pistol stage held at Gabala, Azerbaijan.
- They defeated Russian pair 7-6 in the finals. This is the pair’s second World Cup gold following their success in ISSF World Cup in New Delhi in February 2017.
2017 ICC Champions Trophy: India enters into final beating Bangladesh
Defending champions India has stormed into the final of the ICC Champions Trophy with a crushing win over Bangladesh by nine wickets at Edgbaston.
- An unbeaten century by Rohit Sharma, and a brilliant knock of 96 by Virat Kohli yesterday set up yet another clash against arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday.
National Basketball Association (NBA) selects 12 Indians for elite camp in China
The National Basketball Association (NBA) selected a dozen young Indian hoopsters for their elite training camp at Hangzhou, China, from June 18 to 21.
- The fourth Asia Pacific team camp will bring together top 73 school going boys and girls from Australia, China, India, Korea and New Zealand. 12 hoopsters were shortlisted from 21 resident players of NBA's maiden academy in India. The camp will also include a variety of NBA cares community outreach efforts with youth in Hangzhou.
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