1

Current Affairs – June 17, 2018

S.No Topic Page Number

1 Important Days

2

2 World News

3 - 4

3 National News

5 - 6

4 State News

7 - 8

5 Banking & Economy

9 - 10

6 Sports

11

7 Appointments & Resignation

12

8 Science and Technology

13

2

Important Days

World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought –June 17

The World Day to Combat Desertification (WDCD) will be celebrated worldwide on 17th

June with the focus on sustainable land management as a way to regenerate economies,

create jobs and revitalize communities.

World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is observed every year to promote

public awareness of international efforts to combat desertification.

2018 Theme of WDCD :- “Land has true value – invest in “

WDCD was established by the UN General Assembly 23 years ago to raise awareness on

the global and national actions that address desertification, land degradation and

drought.

Seychelles celebrates 4th International Yoga Day in Victoria with the theme “Yoga for Health”

On June 17, 2018, The High Commission of India in Seychelles celebrated the 4th

International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2018 at the iconic Palais des Sports indoor stadium in

Victoria, Seychelles.

The theme of the celebration was: ‘Yoga for Health’.

It was jointly organized by the High Commission of India in Seychelles and the Ministry

of Youth, Sports and Culture, Government of Seychelles.

It was Inaugurated by Jean Paul Adam, Minister of Health.

A Yoga souvenir published by the High Commission was released.

It had a guided Mass Yoga Performance using the Common Yoga Protocol .and yoga for

senior citizens and children, yoga for health, prenatal yoga, meditation and breathing

sessions were also conducted.

Photographs on Yoga shot by noted Indian photographer Binoy K. Behl were displayed.

The event was attended by over 1000 yoga enthusiasts comprising more than 1% of the

country’s population.

3

World News

US surpasses India as top Greenfield FDI investment destination globally; China tops in the

Asia-Pacific Region: FDI Report 2018

On June 17, 2018, According to the FDI Report 2018 compiled by FDI Intelligence, a

division of The Financial Times Ltd. , US has surpassed India as the top destination to

attract Greenfield FDI investment.

In 2017, the US reclaimed the spot from India, recording USD 87.4 billion of announced

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). The number of projects for the US was 1,627.

India has been the top destination for 2015 and 2016 but the number of investments

has fallen by 21% for 2017.

SAARC fund to launch 80 social enterprise programme in all 8 member nations

On June 17, 2018, SAARC Development Fund will soon be launching a social enterprise

development programme (SEDP) to fund 80 entities annually across the 8-member

states including India.

SDF would create access to financial services which can boost job creation, raise income,

reduce vulnerability and increase investments in human capital in — Afghanistan,

Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka (SAARC members).

SDF is currently implementing 12 regional projects with more than 70 implementing and

lead implementing agencies covering all the member countries under the social window

funding.

It has already committed USD 73.74 million for social window projects as of date out of

which it has disbursed USD 47 million to the member states.

It has recently launched two energy infrastructure projects in the region: These include

waste to energy project in Sri Lanka with participation of India and hydropower project

in Nepal with participation of Bangladesh and India. The total loan commitment would

be USD 30 million.

India has trade deficit with 10 out of 16 Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership

members

On June 17, 2018, According to the data of Commerce Ministry, India had trade deficit

with as many as 10 member countries out of 16 of the Regional Comprehensive

Economic Partnership (RCEP)nations.

4

These RCEP bloc nations include: China, South Korea and Australia.

The trade gap with China, Korea, Indonesia and Australia has increased to USD 63.12

billion; USD 11.96 billion; USD 12.47 billion and USD 10.16 billion in 2017-18. It was USD

51.11 billion, USD 8.34 billion, USD 9.94 billion and USD 8.19 billion respectively in the

previous financial year, 2016-17.

It’s same with regard to Japan, Thailand and New Zealand.

However, the trade gap has dipped with the remaining three nations – Lao, Brunei,

Malaysia — in 2017-18.

India would get market access in services and investment opportunities.

5

National News

PM Narendra Modi to Chair Fourth Meeting of NITI Aayog’s Governing Council Today

On June 17, 2018 Fourth meeting of NITI Aayog’s Governing Council has began at the

Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. The meeting will be chaired by Prime Minister

Narendra modi.

Various issues have been expected to be discuss on this meeting including measures

taken to double farmers’ income.

The progress of flagship schemes such as Ayushman Bharat, National Nutrition Mission

and Mission Indradhanush; development of aspirational districts; and celebration of the

150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi also to be discussed during this meeting.

The development agenda for ‘New India 2022’ was also expected to be approved.

In this council, the apex body of Niti Aayog includes all the chief ministers, lieutenant

governors of union territories, several union ministers and senior government officials.

NITI Aayog will act as the “think tank” of the government and work as a bridge between

the centre and the states.

States collect taxes worth Rs 10,000 crore online post e-Governance initiatives: Road Ministry

On June 17, 2018, According to a report of the Road Transport and Highway ministry,

states have collected taxes worth Rs. 10000 crore under Government’s e-governance

initiative.

Since the rollout of Transport Mission Mode Project (MMP), which has also automated

regional transport operations (RTOs) the taxes has been collected.

The government has set up a consolidated nation-wise transport database and launched

citizens and trade-centric applications.

More than 19-crore vehicles and 10-crore driving licence records have come under the

National Register.

India set to launch $240 million retaliatory tariffs on US imports

India is likely to introduce retaliatory tariffs worth $240 million in coming week on a

revised list of 30 items imported from the US to counter the American move to

unilaterally hike duties on Indian steel and aluminium.

6

The move comes at a time when India has decided to negotiate a “trade package” with

the US to ease tensions between the two sides.

Almonds, apples, phosphoric acid and motorcycles with engine capacity more than 800

cc (including Harley-Davidson Inc.), are some of the items on which India intends to

impose retaliatory tariffs.

7

State News

Telangana government to set up Child Protection Units in all 31 districts

On June 17, 2018 Telengana Government will plan to set up Telangana government to

set up ‘District Child Protection Units (DCPU)’ in all 31 districts to protect the children

from child abuse, child labour and also to implement the child rights in all districts.

Women and Children welfare department Secretary M Jagadeeshwar informed that

‘District Child Protection Units (DCPU)’ were already established in 10 districts and plan

to extend another 21 districts of the state by next two months.

The main aim of the development of DCPU is to protection of children, besides anti-

trafickking and also to implement juvenile justice act.

Meghalaya to implement Ayushman Bharat Health scheme

On June 15,2018 As per the MoU has signed with Union Health Ministry, Meghalaya

Health Minister A L He has informed that Meghalaya government will implement the

Centre’s Ayushman Bharat – National Health Protection Mission (AB-NHPM).

He also informed that state would merge its own Meghalaya Health Insurance Scheme

(MHIS) with the AB-NHPM.

The existing health insurance cover is Rs 2,80,000 under Meghalaya Health Insurance

Scheme (MHIS) while the AB-NHPM will provide a cover of Rs 5 lakh per family annually.

‘Yoga Ambassadors Tour’ inaugurated by Ministry of AYUSH with Kerala Government

Shripad Yesso Naik, Minister of State, (I/C), Ministry of AYUSH, inaugurated the Yoga

Ambassador Tour on June 14, 2018 at Leela Convention Centre in Thiruvananthapuram,

Kerala.

Yoga Ambassadors Tour’ is a specialized trip for yoga professionals from around the

world and part of Kerala government’s tourism promotion programme aiming to

propagate Kerala as a global destination for yoga.

The 10 day educational tour for yoga professionals has been organized by the

Association of Tourism Trade Organisations (ATTOI) in association with the Ministry of

AYUSH and Kerala Tourism department.

It will conclude on International Yoga Day, which falls on June 21.

8

The Tour aims to design a wholesome yoga package for visiting tourists, combining well-

known yoga destinations with related activities.

Tripura starts 24×7 ‘mobile policing’ service

The Tripura government has launched the GPS (Global Positioning System) and wireless

based 24×7 “mobile policing” service to curb crime, especially against women.

With the launch of the “mobile policing” service, people won’t need to go to the police,

and police would go to the spot within a few minutes to deal with the situation.

People, with the help of information technology, can inform the police using any

electronic devices or system and police can also, by exploiting the information

technology, deal with the situation. It would save time and physical involvement.

9

Banking & Economy

Insurance regulator IRDAI has formed a 10 member committee to review regulations

governing the Insurance Marketing Firms (IMF)

On June 17, 2018, The Insurance Regulating body IRDAI has formed a 10 member

committee to review regulations of the Insurance marketing Firms (IMF).

It will be a 10 member panel that would be revising the IRDAI (Registration of Insurance

Marketing Firms) regulations 2015.

The Committee consists of: K.G.P.L. Ramadevi, GM (IMF) of IRDAI; Sourabh Bhanot,

senior VP of Aviva Life Insurance; Siddharth Pradhan, GM of New India Assurance; Amit

Rathi, Senior VP of Max Life Insurance; Deepti Rastogi, senior VP of Apollo Munich

Health Insurance; Rakesh Kumar, ED of LIC; Girish Joshi, ED and ISP of iKuber Financial

Services IMF Pvt Ltd.; and Rajinder Singh, MD of JK Insurance Marketing Pvt. Ltd. IRDAI’s

AM-IMF Priya Kumari would be the member secretary.

It would recommend measures to strengthen the distributing channel by including

products under the jurisdiction of other financial sector regulators.

The committee is expected to deliver their recommendations by July 31, 2018.

This would be applicable to the firms that serve as distribution channels for insurers and

had been approved of area wise registration in the 2015 amendment.

This would help the distribution channels to spread to every strata of society to provide

insurance coverage.

WhatsApp Introduced payments service in India

On June 17, 2018, WhatsApp payment service has been in beta testing and almost one

million people are testing the feature. This is being implemented with the help of NPCI

and multiple banks.

It has tied up with banks to facilitate financial transactions via Unified Payments

Interface (UPI).

The Reserve Bank of India has mandated all payment system operators to ensure that

data related to payments is stored only in India giving firms six months to comply with

it.

The compliance would be monitored by NPCI.

It has been stated that sensitive user data such as the last 6 digits of a debit card and

UPI PIN is not stored at all.

10

Muthoot Fincorp, NSDC to train 10,000 youth under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana

On June 17, 2018 Muthoot Fincorp Limited and National Skill Development Corporation

announced its partnership to train over 10,000 youth under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal

Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) programme.

Under the scheme, Muthoot Fincorp will train over 10,000 people over the next three

years and make them job ready. NSDC has approved a target of 3,000 candidates in the

first year and 3,500 each in the subsequent two years.

The Muthoot Pappachan Group will also absorb 80 per cent of the trained students

8,000 into the Group for regular positions (Job Roles), after successful completion of

training and assessment of the candidates. The programme will equip these candidates

with job-ready skills to access steady income opportunity in the NBFC space in India.

ICICI Bank & Marg ERP’s maiden tie up to provide integrated payments platform to MSMEs

Marg ERP limited, a leading Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) company has partnered

with ICICI Bank to offer an integrated payments platform to Micro, Small and Medium

Enterprise (MSME) customers, using Marg’s accounting software.

This integration enables ICICI Bank’s current account holders to securely connect their

bank account with the Marg ERP software and undertake an array of digital transactions

from within the ERP platform.

This pioneering initiative significantly enhances convenience for MSMEs as they are no

longer required to toggle between a banking platform and an ERP software to undertake

their business transactions.

Reliance Industries investing in India’s first carbon fibre unit

Reliance Industries (RIL) is investing to set up India’s first carbon fibre manufacturing

unit to cater to aerospace and defence needs.

The company will also make low-cost and high-volume composite products like modular

toilets, homes and composites for windmill blades and rotor blades.

RIL is developing new business verticals in the petrochemicals business to capture Rs

30,000 crore composites market and has plans to produce graphene, enhanced plastics

and elastomers, fibre reinforced composites.

11

Sports News

Shikhar Dhawan becomes first Indian to score century before lunch

Shikhar Dhawan became the first Indian batsman to score a hundred before lunch on

the opening day of a Test match.

The Delhi left-hander achieved the feat in the opening session of the first day of the

one-off Test match against Afghanistan in Bangalore on June 14.

New Zealand’s teenage player Amelia Kerr sets world record in the women’s ODI cricket

New Zealand teenager Amelia Kerr set a new world batting record in women’s one-day

cricket with her unbeaten 232 against Ireland in Dublin.

With the feat, Kerr broke the 21-year-old record held by Australian Belinda Clarke, who

scored unbeaten knock of 229 against Denmark in 1997.

Kerr’s 232* is the third highest score in ODI cricket history.

India men’s player Rohit Sharma is at the top of the pile with his 264 scored against Sri

Lanka in 2014, with the unbeaten 237 made by New Zealand’s Martin Guptill, against

West Indies in 2015.

12

Appointments & Resignation

Omar Al-Razzaz sworn in as Jordan PM

On June 17, 2018, Jordan’s King Abdullah II has appointed Omar al-Razzaz as the

country’s prime minister.

He will be succeeding former Prime Minister Hani al-Mulki who had resigned due to

mass protests.

Omar Al-Razzaz is a former World Bank economist, previously served as Jordan’s

education minister.

13

Science and Technology

Russia successfully launched Glonass - M positioning satellite

On June 17, 2018 Russia successfully launched a Glonass - M positioning satellite using a

Soyuz-2.1b carrier rocket.

The Glonass network provides real-time positioning data for surface, sea and airborne

objects around the globe, at an accuracy reportedly at par with the U.S. Global

Positioning System.

DRDO turns Pinaka rocket system into guided missile

The indigenous Pinaka rocket system of the Defence Research and Development

Organisation (DRDO) is being evolved into a precision-guided missile, with enhanced

range and accuracy to hit its targets.

The missile, known for firing a salvo of 12 rockets in just 44 seconds, has completed the

initial trial, will undergo developmental trials next month.

The Pinaka Mark II is expected to be inducted in the armed forces in the next two years.