Daily Current Affairs- 20 June 2016

Dear Readers, we are providing  Today's important current affairs of Competitive Exams specially for Bank and SSC.


 Daily Current Affairs

Current Affairs Booster of May 2016
Daily Current Affairs- 20 June 2016

1. NASA unveils X-57 Hybrid Electric Research Plane
1. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on 17 June 2016 unveiled the iconic X-57 Hybrid Electric Research Plane nicknamed as Maxwell.
2. The plane is fixed with 14 electric motors turning propellers and all of them are integrated into a uniquely-designed wing. NASA will use this plane to test new propulsion technology.
3. Highlights of X-57 Hybrid Electric Research Plane
• The airplane is named after James Clerk Maxwell, the 19th century Scottish physicist who did groundbreaking work in electromagnetism.
• The artist's concept of the X-57 shows the plane's specially designed wing and 14 electric motors.

2. Sri Lankan pacer Shaminda Eranga suspended by ICC for illegal action
1. International Cricket Council (ICC) on 19 June 2016 suspended Sri Lanka’s fast bowler Shaminda Eranga from bowling. He was suspended after an assessment of his bowling action.
2. The assessment revealed that all deliveries exceeded the 15 degrees level of tolerance permitted under the regulations.
The test was performed on 6 June 20156 at the National Cricket Performance Centre in Loughborough, which is an ICC accredited testing centre.

3. World Refugee Day observed on 20 June
1. World Refugee Day was observed on 20 June 2016. It is observed annually to draw attention to the plight of refugees, celebrate their courage and resilience and renew commitment to solve refugee problems.It also recognises contributions of the refugees made to the countries that host them.

4. International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict observed
1. First International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict was observed on 19 June 2016. The day was observed to raise awareness for the need to put an end to conflict-related sexual violence.
2. It calls to honour the victims and survivors of sexual violence around the world and to pay tribute to all those who have courageously devoted their lives to and lost their lives in standing up for the eradication of these crimes.

5. Renowned Educationalist Jeppiaar passes away
1. Jeppiaar, a renowned politician-turned-educationalist and founder of Jeppiaar Educational Trust, passed away on 18 June 2016 following a brief illness at Chennai. He was 85.
2. He was originally named as Jesadimai Pangiraj. He was a pioneer in the setting up of private engineering institutions in Tamil Nadu and was the founder chancellor of Sathyabama University.

6. Punjab Government launches Mukh Mantri Punjab Hepatitis C Relief Fund
1. The Punjab government has launched a special fund “Mukh Mantri Punjab Hepatitis C Relief Fund” to provide free treatment for patients affected by Hepatitis C. With this initiative, Punjab became the first Indian state to provide free treatment to confirmed cases of Hepatitis C.
2. The fund will have initial corpus of 20 crore rupees. This fund will provide all the residents of Punjab affected by Hepatitis C free treatment. The scheme is considered important in the public health measures of the state as the prevalence rate of patients affected by Hepatitis could be as high as 3%.

7. Union Government approves 100% FDI in Aviation, Defence and e-commerce sectors
1. The Union Government has eased foreign direct investment (FDI) norms for nine sectors to give impetus to job creation and ease of doing business in the country. Decision in this regard was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. With these changes, India becomes most open economy in the world for FDI.
Some of these sectors are
Food products: In this sector, 100% FDI under government approval route has been approved. It will include trading in food products including through e-commerce, in respect of food products manufactured or produced in India.
Defence Sector: Present FDI regime in this sector permits 49% FDI participation in the equity of a company under automatic route. Now, FDI beyond 49% has now been permitted through government approval route, in cases resulting in access to modern technology in the country or for other reasons. FDI limit also has been made applicable to Manufacturing of Small Arms and Ammunitions covered under Arms Act, 1959.
Pharmaceutical Sector: In this sector, 100% FDI under automatic route in greenfield pharma has been approved. FDI up to 100% under government approval in brownfield pharma also has been approved.
Aviation Sector: 100% FDI under automatic route in Greenfield and Brownfield Airport Projects to aid in modernization of the existing airports to establish a high standard.
Animal Husbandry: 100% FDI allowed in Animal Husbandry (including breeding of dogs), Aquaculture, Pisciculture and Apiculture under Automatic Route without requirement of controlled conditions.
Single Brand Retail Trading: Entities undertaking single brand retail trading have been relaxed from local sourcing norms up to 3 years.

8. Assam Government launches Maitree Ek Gyan Yatra initiative to link primary schools to colleges
1. The Assam Government has launched a unique initiative ‘Maitree Ek Gyan Yatra’ to link primary schools to high schools to colleges. The purpose of the programme is to change the mindset of the teachers, as in some places in states teachers of a school considered it below their dignity to teach the lower level students.
2. Under the initiative, college teachers will take classes in high schools and high schools teachers will teach in primary schools voluntarily. The basic idea of implementing the initiative is to improve quality of school students and create better synergy in education sector.

9. India wins Silver medal at Archery World Cup in Antalya
1. The Indian mixed recurve team of Deepika Kumari and Atanu Das has won the silver medal at the Archery World Cup held in Antalya, Turkey. In the final match played at Konyaalti Beach Park, the Indian team lost to South Korea by 1-5 score. In the first of the match, Indian team trailed by 0-2 score against the top-seeded Korean pair of Choi Misun and Ku Bonchan.
2. The Sixth seeded Indian recurve duo reached final of this world cup after defeating second-seeded Italian pair of Mauro Nespoli and Guendalina Sartori by 5-1 score in the semi-finals.

10. PM Narendra Modi, Sri Lankan President inaugurate Duraiappah stadium in Jaffna
1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena inaugurated Duraiappah Stadium in Jaffna which was renovated by India. Sri Lankan President Sirisena was present at the stadium in Jaffna while PM Narendra Modi joined the event through video-conferencing from New Delhi.
2. The newly renovated Duraiappah Stadium has been named in honour of a former Mayor of Jaffna late Alfred Thambirajah Duraiappah. The stadium was not in use since 1997 as it was damaged and neglected during the course of the various phases of the Sri Lankan civil war.

11. HAL unveils indigenous basic trainer aircraft HTT-40
1. Public sector aerospace and defence major Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has unveiled indigenous Basic Trainer Aircraft (BTA) HTT-40 in Bengaluru. The aircraft made its maiden flight recently the HAL Airport in Bengaluru in presence of Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar. It was flown by Group Captain C Subramaniam and Group Captain Venugopal for about 10 to 15 minutes.
2. HTT-40 stands for Hindustan Turbo Trainer-40. It is two-seater aircraft designed and developed indigenously by the HAL. The aircraft weighs about 2,800 kg and has Turbo Prop engine of 950 shp class. It has indigenous content close to 80%. Almost 50% of the components on HTT-40 are manufactured by private players of the Indian aerospace manufacturers.
Dear Readers, we are providing  Today's important current affairs of Competitive Exams specially for Bank and SSC.


 Daily Current Affairs

Current Affairs Booster of May 2016
Daily Current Affairs- 20 June 2016

1. NASA unveils X-57 Hybrid Electric Research Plane
1. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on 17 June 2016 unveiled the iconic X-57 Hybrid Electric Research Plane nicknamed as Maxwell.
2. The plane is fixed with 14 electric motors turning propellers and all of them are integrated into a uniquely-designed wing. NASA will use this plane to test new propulsion technology.
3. Highlights of X-57 Hybrid Electric Research Plane
• The airplane is named after James Clerk Maxwell, the 19th century Scottish physicist who did groundbreaking work in electromagnetism.
• The artist's concept of the X-57 shows the plane's specially designed wing and 14 electric motors.

2. Sri Lankan pacer Shaminda Eranga suspended by ICC for illegal action
1. International Cricket Council (ICC) on 19 June 2016 suspended Sri Lanka’s fast bowler Shaminda Eranga from bowling. He was suspended after an assessment of his bowling action.
2. The assessment revealed that all deliveries exceeded the 15 degrees level of tolerance permitted under the regulations.
The test was performed on 6 June 20156 at the National Cricket Performance Centre in Loughborough, which is an ICC accredited testing centre.

3. World Refugee Day observed on 20 June
1. World Refugee Day was observed on 20 June 2016. It is observed annually to draw attention to the plight of refugees, celebrate their courage and resilience and renew commitment to solve refugee problems.It also recognises contributions of the refugees made to the countries that host them.

4. International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict observed
1. First International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict was observed on 19 June 2016. The day was observed to raise awareness for the need to put an end to conflict-related sexual violence.
2. It calls to honour the victims and survivors of sexual violence around the world and to pay tribute to all those who have courageously devoted their lives to and lost their lives in standing up for the eradication of these crimes.

5. Renowned Educationalist Jeppiaar passes away
1. Jeppiaar, a renowned politician-turned-educationalist and founder of Jeppiaar Educational Trust, passed away on 18 June 2016 following a brief illness at Chennai. He was 85.
2. He was originally named as Jesadimai Pangiraj. He was a pioneer in the setting up of private engineering institutions in Tamil Nadu and was the founder chancellor of Sathyabama University.

6. Punjab Government launches Mukh Mantri Punjab Hepatitis C Relief Fund
1. The Punjab government has launched a special fund “Mukh Mantri Punjab Hepatitis C Relief Fund” to provide free treatment for patients affected by Hepatitis C. With this initiative, Punjab became the first Indian state to provide free treatment to confirmed cases of Hepatitis C.
2. The fund will have initial corpus of 20 crore rupees. This fund will provide all the residents of Punjab affected by Hepatitis C free treatment. The scheme is considered important in the public health measures of the state as the prevalence rate of patients affected by Hepatitis could be as high as 3%.

7. Union Government approves 100% FDI in Aviation, Defence and e-commerce sectors
1. The Union Government has eased foreign direct investment (FDI) norms for nine sectors to give impetus to job creation and ease of doing business in the country. Decision in this regard was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. With these changes, India becomes most open economy in the world for FDI.
Some of these sectors are
Food products: In this sector, 100% FDI under government approval route has been approved. It will include trading in food products including through e-commerce, in respect of food products manufactured or produced in India.
Defence Sector: Present FDI regime in this sector permits 49% FDI participation in the equity of a company under automatic route. Now, FDI beyond 49% has now been permitted through government approval route, in cases resulting in access to modern technology in the country or for other reasons. FDI limit also has been made applicable to Manufacturing of Small Arms and Ammunitions covered under Arms Act, 1959.
Pharmaceutical Sector: In this sector, 100% FDI under automatic route in greenfield pharma has been approved. FDI up to 100% under government approval in brownfield pharma also has been approved.
Aviation Sector: 100% FDI under automatic route in Greenfield and Brownfield Airport Projects to aid in modernization of the existing airports to establish a high standard.
Animal Husbandry: 100% FDI allowed in Animal Husbandry (including breeding of dogs), Aquaculture, Pisciculture and Apiculture under Automatic Route without requirement of controlled conditions.
Single Brand Retail Trading: Entities undertaking single brand retail trading have been relaxed from local sourcing norms up to 3 years.

8. Assam Government launches Maitree Ek Gyan Yatra initiative to link primary schools to colleges
1. The Assam Government has launched a unique initiative ‘Maitree Ek Gyan Yatra’ to link primary schools to high schools to colleges. The purpose of the programme is to change the mindset of the teachers, as in some places in states teachers of a school considered it below their dignity to teach the lower level students.
2. Under the initiative, college teachers will take classes in high schools and high schools teachers will teach in primary schools voluntarily. The basic idea of implementing the initiative is to improve quality of school students and create better synergy in education sector.

9. India wins Silver medal at Archery World Cup in Antalya
1. The Indian mixed recurve team of Deepika Kumari and Atanu Das has won the silver medal at the Archery World Cup held in Antalya, Turkey. In the final match played at Konyaalti Beach Park, the Indian team lost to South Korea by 1-5 score. In the first of the match, Indian team trailed by 0-2 score against the top-seeded Korean pair of Choi Misun and Ku Bonchan.
2. The Sixth seeded Indian recurve duo reached final of this world cup after defeating second-seeded Italian pair of Mauro Nespoli and Guendalina Sartori by 5-1 score in the semi-finals.

10. PM Narendra Modi, Sri Lankan President inaugurate Duraiappah stadium in Jaffna
1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena inaugurated Duraiappah Stadium in Jaffna which was renovated by India. Sri Lankan President Sirisena was present at the stadium in Jaffna while PM Narendra Modi joined the event through video-conferencing from New Delhi.
2. The newly renovated Duraiappah Stadium has been named in honour of a former Mayor of Jaffna late Alfred Thambirajah Duraiappah. The stadium was not in use since 1997 as it was damaged and neglected during the course of the various phases of the Sri Lankan civil war.

11. HAL unveils indigenous basic trainer aircraft HTT-40
1. Public sector aerospace and defence major Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has unveiled indigenous Basic Trainer Aircraft (BTA) HTT-40 in Bengaluru. The aircraft made its maiden flight recently the HAL Airport in Bengaluru in presence of Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar. It was flown by Group Captain C Subramaniam and Group Captain Venugopal for about 10 to 15 minutes.
2. HTT-40 stands for Hindustan Turbo Trainer-40. It is two-seater aircraft designed and developed indigenously by the HAL. The aircraft weighs about 2,800 kg and has Turbo Prop engine of 950 shp class. It has indigenous content close to 80%. Almost 50% of the components on HTT-40 are manufactured by private players of the Indian aerospace manufacturers.