Read current affairs online with GK Edwurap. It covers the last week current affairs in a comprehensive manner ensuring you prepare confidently for the general awareness for bank exams.

Click here to Download GK Eduwrap Weekly (11th June  – 18th June 2016) in PDF Format

National – Across the India:

 

1. The Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has launched a scheme for setting up of 1000 Mega Watt (MW) Wind Power Project.

It is connected to transmission network of Central Transmission Utility (CTU).

The aim of the scheme is to facilitate supply of wind power to the non-windy states at a price discovered through transparent bidding process.

2. The Union Ministry of Railways launched three passenger service initiatives.

The services are as follows:

Janani Sewa under which hot milk, hot water and baby food will be available at railway stations.

Optional catering services project

Children’s menu on trains’ scheme

These services were launched by Union Railways minister Suresh Prabhu on 8th June 2016 in New Delhi.

3. The Union Cabinet has given its approval for signing of 15 years contract for undertaking exploration and other developmental activities related to Poly-Metallic Sulphides (PMS).

The contract was approved between the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences and the International Seabed Authority (ISA).

PMS are mineral deposit with three or more metals in commercial quantities that may occur in volcanogenic, magmatic or hydrothermal environments.

4.  The Union Cabinet has given its approval for enhancement of retirement age of government doctors’ to 65 years to strengthen the healthcare sector in the country.

Union Cabinet has approved proposal forwarded by Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Cabinet has approved the superannuation age of Public Health and Non-Teaching Specialists of Central Health Service from 62 years to 65 years Doctors of General Duty Medical Officers (GDMOs) sub-cadre of Central Health Service (CHS) from 62 years to 65 years.

5. Railways flags off 1st time-tabled freight train.

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu has flagged off India’s first timetabled freight train, named ‘Cargo Express’, from Delhi to Bengaluru.

The move aims to reduce the delay and uncertainty over the time schedule for delivery of goods.

6. The United States (US) Senate (Upper House) has unanimously approved amendment to enhance military co-operation with India.

The amendment is done as part of National Defence Authorisation Act -2017.

Military co-operation with India will be for developing military doctrine, threat analysis, force planning, logistical support and intelligence collection and analysis.

 

7. Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani has launched Vidyanjali, a school volunteer programme in New Delhi.

Vidyanjali is an initiative under Padhe Bharat Badhe Bharat, to enhance community and private sector involving government-run elementary schools across the country.

Through Vidyanjali, the government aspires to bring change in the quality of education in schools.

8. First batch of three female fighter pilots commissioned.

Creating history, the first batch of three female pilots – Avani Chaturvedi, Bhawana Kanth and Mohana Singh were inducted in Indian Air Force fighter squadron.

On successful completion of their training, the trio were formally commissioned by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar.

International – Across the Globe:

1. Australian Great Barrier Reef rodent has become the first mammal species driven to extinction by human-induced climate change.

It is also known as Bramble Cay melomys.

It was revealed after researchers in extensive survey (searches) failed to find a single specimen from its only known habitat on a sandy island in far northern Australia.

The main reason for extinction Bramble Cay melomys is anthropogenic climate change.

Facts you should know: Bramble Cay melomys is a small rat-like (rodent) animal species in the family Muridae. It is Great Barrier Reef’s only endemic (found nowhere else) mammal species.

2. Norway has become the first country in the world to prohibit deforestation.

Norwegian Parliament had pledged to make government’s public procurement policy deforestation-free.

Norwegian Government has taken steps based on official recommendations of Norwegian Parliament’s Standing Committee on Energy and Environment as part of the Action Plan on Nature Diversity.

3. A small regional Florida bank, Stonegate Bank has made history.

The bank issued the first credit card that can be used in Cuba.

That could make it easier for Americans to travel and work on an island largely.

 

 

Sports:

1. Saina Nehwal, Ace Indian shuttler has won the 2016 Australian Open Super Series Badminton tournament title in women’s singles category.

In the final match played at Sydney, she defeated Chinese Sun Yu by 11-21, 21-14, 21-19 score.

It was her first title of year 2016 season and overall second Australian Open title of her career.

She won her first Australian Open title in 2014.

 

2. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes driver from Great Britain has won 2016 Canada Grand Prix title of Formula One.

It was his second title of the season after winning 2016 Monaco Grand Prix in May 2016.

Canada Grand Prix was the seventh race of the 2016 season and was held at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal.

2016 Canada Grand Prix are as follows:

1st position: Lewis Hamilton (Britain) of Mercedes.

2nd position: Sebastian Vettel (Germany) of Ferrari.

3rd position: Valtteri Bottas (Finland) of William.

4th position: Max Verstappen (Belgium) Red Bull.

5th position: Nico Rosberg (Germany) Mercedes. Top Teams: Mercedes, Ferrari, William and Red Bull.

3. The Rio 2016 organizing committee revealed the official slogan for the first Olympic and Paralympic Games in South America – “A new world”.

It also unveils the medals, 52 days from the start of the quadrennial extravaganza.

Along with the Olympic torch, the medals and the mascots, the slogan plays a major part in creating the unique identity of each Olympic Games.

Awards & Recognition:

1. President Pranab Mukherjee has been presented National Order of the Republic of Ivory Coast.

It is the highest civilian award of the West African country.

The award was bestowed upon Pranab Mukherjee during his two days visit to Ivory Coast on the second leg of his three-nation African tour.

By receiving the award, he became the first Indian President to visit Ivory Coast.

National Order of the Republic of Ivory Coast is state honour awarded to those who have highly distinguished themselves to the service to the state.

2. Canadian poet, novelist and environmental activist Margaret Atwood has been awarded with the 2016 PEN Pinter Prize.

She is a winner of the Arthur C. Clarke Award and Prince of Asturias Award for Literature.

The PEN Pinter Prize is an annual literary award launched in 2009 by English PEN and was launched in honour of the late Nobel Literature Prize-winning playwright Harold Pinter.

3. Pune-based diabetes specialist Shashank S Shah was conferred with the Vivian Fonseca Scholar Award 2016.

The award was given by American Diabetes Association (ADA) for his pioneering research on diabetes in South Asia.

 

4. Mohun Bagan announced that it will honour country’s only Dronacharya football coach Syed Nayeemuddin with the Mohun Bagan Ratna.

Nayeemuddin was chosen for the prestigious award for his overall contribution to the club and the country both as a player and as a coach.

Syed Nayeemuddin is an Indian football coach and former player.

5. Kerala Tourism won four awards at ‘FilmAT’ which is one of the biggest international film festivals dedicated to tourism, art and ecology in Poland.

Three of the honours were given to a single campaign.

‘Responsible Tourism’ initiative started by Kerala Tourism won three awards under categories of the Best Promotional Social Campaign, Protection of Nature, and Eco-Food categories respectively.

The tourism board’s ad film ‘The Great Backwaters of Kerala’ won the ‘Best Editing Award’.

Appointments & Resignations:

1. Peter Thomson, Fijian diplomat has been elected as President of 71st session of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

Peter Thomson defeated Andreas Mavroyiannis of Cyprus by 94 to 90 votes, with one abstention.

By this, Peter Thomson becomes the first representative from the Pacific island states to get elected for the largely honorific post in the UN’s 71-year history.

Fact you should know: Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit was first and only Indian to serve as President of UNGA in 1953. She was also the first woman President of UNGA.

 
2. Rakesh Ranjan Prasad, the senior-most Judge of the Manipur High Court Justice has assumed charge of the Chief Justice of the High Court.

He succeeded Justice Laxmi Kanta Mohapatra.

Earlier in February 2016, President Pranab Mukherjee had transferred Justice Rakesh Ranjan Prasad from Jharkhand High Court to Manipur High Court in exercise of his powers conferred to him by Article 222 of the Constitution of India.

 

3. G Kalyanakrishnan, a famous scientist has taken charge as Chief Executive of Hydereabad based Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC).

He succeeded Dr. N Saibaba, who had retired on completion of two years of extended period of service.

The NFC is a major industrial unit of Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), for the supply of nuclear fuel bundles and reactor core components.

4. Isreal has been elected to chair a UN committee for the first time in the world body’s 71 years history.

Israel has got 109 votes in secret voting.

None of the member has voted against Israel.

5. Fijian diplomat Peter Thomson has been elected as the President of 71st session of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

Thomson will begin his tenure in September 2016 at the commencement of the 71^st session of UNGA and will replace incumbent President Mogens Lykketoft.

6. Ranu Langthasa was unanimously appointed as the chairperson of the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC) in Assam on 13 June 2016.

With this, she also became the first women chairperson to be appointed to the post since the formation of Autonomous Council in 1950s.

The NC Hills Autonomous Council can be described as a state in miniature having all the paraphernalia of a Government like Legislative, Executive and Judiciary.

7. Sunil Bharti Mittal, Founder and Chairman, Bharti Enterprises, has been elected as the Chairman of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).

The ICC World Council elected the new leaders at a voting held in Sao Paolo, Brazil.

He takes over fromT erry McGraw, Chairman Emeritus of S&P Global, who will subsequently become ICC’s Honorary Chairman.

He is the third Indian business leader to hold this position in ICC’s near 100-year history.

 

8. Hollywood actress Anne Hathaway was named as the Global Goodwill Ambassador for UN Women.

In her new role she will focus her efforts on injustices mothers around the world and also challenging issues like unpaid leave, wage gaps and a lack of access to affordable childcare.

Mergers & Acquisitions:

1. Tata Power Co. Ltd, the private power producer acquired renewable energy company Welspun Renewables Energy Pvt. Ltd.

Tata Power’s renewable energy unit Tata Power Renewable Energy Ltd (TPREL) has signed share purchase agreement to acquire Welspun Renewables Energy.

The transaction deal is sized at 9,249 crore rupees, which is considered as largest transaction in renewables space in India.

It will help Tata Power to grow its clean energy portfolio to 2.3 gigawatts (GW)

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU):

1. India and Ghana have signed three bilateral agreements to strengthen co-operation in varied fields.

These agreements were signed after delegation level talks between President Pranab Mukherjee and his Ghanaian counterpart John Dramani Mahama in Accra.

The signed agreements include one for visa waivers for holders of diplomatic and official passports and one for setting up a Joint Commission.

2. The Union Cabinet has given its approval for India’s membership of the International Continental Scientific Drilling Program (ICDP) consortium.

Union Government has signed a MoU with the Helmholtz Centre Potsdam GFZ German Research Centre for geosciences.

The MoU will enable India to get engaged with internationally renowned experts with profound expertise in different aspects of scientific drilling.

These experts will accomplish India in deep drilling and associated investigations in Koyna region.

 
3. India and Namibia have signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) during the final leg of President Pranab Mukherjee’s three-nation African visit.

The two signed MoUs include MoU on Capacity building for civil servants of Namibia.

Mou on setting up of centre of excellence in Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

 

Economics & Banking GK:

1. The markets regulator SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) has put in place a stricter KYC (Know Your Customer) norms and disclosure regime for Participatory Notes (P-Notes).

P-Notes are offshore/overseas derivative instruments (ODIs) issued by registered foreign institutional investors (FII) to overseas investors.

They provide easier and cost-effective route to foreign investors to invest in Indian markets without directly registering as Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs).

The aim of SEBI’s stricter KYC, disclosure norms is to make it tougher to use these offshore instruments that do not disclose the money-trail and details of their users.

2. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued guidelines called Scheme for Sustainable Structuring of Stressed Assets (S4A).

The main aim of these guidelines is to strengthen the lenders’ ability to deal with stressed assets and to put real assets back on track of entities facing genuine difficulties by providing an avenue for reworking financial structure.

The RBI has formulated the S4A as an optional framework for the resolution of large stressed accounts.

 
3. A cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the takeover by State Bank of India (SBI) of several subsidiaries.

SBI wanted to take over five units that had been running at arms-length, as well as state-run Bharatiya Mahila Bank.

The merged entity will create a banking giant, which can compete with the largest in the world with an asset base of almost Rs 37 lakh crore, with 22,500 branches and 58,000 ATMs as on December 2015.

4. The Union Finance Ministry has announced that non-resident Indians (NRIs) can now open National Pension Savings (NPS) accounts online i.e. through eNPS if they have Aadhaar Card or Permanent Account Number (PAN) card.

Earlier, NRIs could open NPS accounts only through paper based applications by approaching Bank offices.

5. India’s largest public sector lender State Bank of India (SBI) has created a dedicated IT innovations and startup fund and have set aside Rs 200 crore for investment in promising startups.

The fund would be extending upto Rs 3 crore for any India registered company for promoting their business in India using information technology for banking.

Science & Technology:

1. Scientists using NASA’s Kepler Space Telescope have discovered a Jupiter-like circumbinary planet named Kepler1647b orbiting a system of two stars.

The planet was discovered by astronomers from NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Centre and San Diego State University (SDSU).

KST is an unmanned space observatory launched in 2009 by NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration).

 

2. Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), a Public Sector Power equipment manufacturer has commissioned 195 MW unit at Muzaffarpur Thermal Power Station in Bihar.

KBUNL is a joint venture (JV) of NTPC (National Thermal Power Corporation) and BSPGCL (Bihar State Power Holding Company Limited).

The first 195 MW unit was commissioned in March, 2015.

BHEL is a power plant equipment manufacturer completely owned by Union Government.

Fact you should know: It is the largest engineering and manufacturing company of its kind in India.

 

3. China has successfully launched a 23rd BeiDou Navigation Satellite.

It was launched to support its global navigation and positioning network.

It was launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China’s Sichuan Province on board of Long March-3C carrier rocket.

BNS is 2nd generation of the Chinese navigational system seen as rival to the US’s Global Positioning System (GPS).

4. NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope has uncovered a mysterious solitary dwarf galaxy known as UGC 4879.

The galaxy is smaller and messier than its cosmic cousins and lacks the majestic swirl of a spiral or the coherence of an elliptical.

HST was launched in 1990 as an international cooperation space project between NASA and European Space Agency.

It is managed by NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. Its science operations are conducted by Baltimore based Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI).

5. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar inaugurated Child Labour Tracking System (CLTS). The system was launched to keep a track of rescued child labour for their proper rehabilitation.

 

A committee headed by Chief Secretary for implementation of children’s demands will also be set up.

6. The “Help Age SOS App’’ was launched by Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi at Raj Nivas.

The app provides for an SOS-Save our seniors button to immediately reach to the counsellor desk of Help Age for rendering emergency help and assistance.

It has 24×7 functionality and aims at helping elders in distress at any given time.

 

7. Scientists for the first time in modern medical history have grown a living bone in the lab to repair large defects in the head and face of patient.

This medical breakthrough was achieved by a new technique developed by Gordana Vunjak-Novakovic, professor at Columbia University.

 

Important Dates:

1. The World Day Against Child Labour is being observed annually across world on 12 June.

It is celebrated to bring awareness against child labour.

2016 Theme for celebrating the day was ‘End child labour in supply chains – It’s everyone’s business’ which focuses on child labour and supply chains.

2. The World Blood Donor Day is observed on 14 June to raise the public awareness about the need for safe blood donation.

Observance of the day seeks to spread awareness about the need for safe and secure blood supplies.

It also seeks to provide an opportunity to draw public attention to the importance of blood donation for saving lives.

2016 Theme for the celebration is “Blood connects us all” that highlights the common bond that all people share in their blood.

2016 slogan is “Share life, give blood”.

Death:

1. Mudrarakshas, a renowned Hindi novelist and critique passed away in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. He was 82.

He passed away due to old age related causes.

He was distinguished Hindi writer, activist, thinker and cultural personality.

His write-ups invariably hinged on various vital social issues and causes.

Facts you should know: He was born as Subhash Chandra in Behta near Lucknow in 1931. He was rechristened as Mudrarakshasa by his teacher Dr Devendra when he had started writing.

2. Achyut Lahkar, veteran theatre personality, playwright and doyen of Assam’s mobile theatre movement passed away in Pathsala, Assam following a protracted illness. He was 85.

He was considered as the father of the Bhryamyman (Mobile Theatre of Assam).

He had given birth to mobile theatre in Assam in the 1960s.

He was awarded with Kamal Kumari National Award (1997), Mancha Prabhakar Award, Bhaben Barua Award and Braja Nath Sarma Award.

3. Inder Malhotra, famous journalist, editor and author passed away. He was 86.

He passed away following illness in New Delhi.

He had served as a resident editor of The Times of India and The Statesman.

In his journalistic career he had mapped the ebb and flow of the Indian politics under every Prime Minister of independent India.

He also received Ramnath Goenka Lifetime Achievement Award (2013).

4. Famous Television actress Ann Morgan Guilbert died after battling with cancer. She was 87.

She began her TV career in the 1960s, appearing on popular programmes such as I Dream of Jeannie, My Three Sons, The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, The Partridge Family, Love, American Style, and The New Andy Griffith Show.

5. Manimala Devi, veteran Odia actress, passed away following a prolonged illness at Bhubaneswar, Odisha. She was 86.

Manimala ruled the Odia film industry in the 1960s as lead actress with her influential performances in various films.

6. Assam Pradesh Congress President (APCC) Anjan Dutta has passed away in New Delhi. He was 64.

He was undergoing treatment at AIIMS for past several days.

He served as the Minister and the Member of the State Legislative Assembly.

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