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Indian Affairs
Integrated Criminal Justice System (ICJS) to be 1st launched in AP and TELEGANA
i.As a part of setting up a new milestone in the judicial system of India, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh are the first states in the country where Integrated Criminal Justice System (ICJS)will be launched, Supreme Court Judge Madan B Lokur .
ii.Justice Lokur is also inaugurating the first e-court (paperless court) in the High Court of Judicature at Hyderabad for the states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
GOI releases 100 crore as its contribution for Atal Pension Yojana
i.Government of India liberated Rs. 100 crore as its contribution to the Atal Pension Yojana Scheme.
ii.This additional contribution is offered to those who enrolled before march 31,2016 as 50% of the user contribution with a cap value of Rs.1000.
iii. The APY is focused on all citizens in the unorganized sector. The scheme is administered by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) through NPS architecture.
iv.This scheme is implemented through the APY Service Providers comprising of Public Sector Banks, Private Sector Banks, Regional Rural Banks, Cooperative Banks and Department of Post both in urban and rural areas across the country.
v.It is noted that this APY scheme has around 30 lakh enrolled users with 5000 users joining every day.
UTTAR PRADESH inks pact with NETHERLANDS to foster Farmer Welfare
i.Akilesh Yadav led Uttar Pradesh Government signed an Memorandum of Understanding with Netherland in order to set up a new Skill Development Centre for Famers of UP.
ii.This MoU ensures procedure about how modern techniques can be also used for better production of sugarcane, potato, dairy development and flowers apart from getting information of food processing.
iii. Following this declaration, Netherland is going to help out UP in several sectors such as solid waste management, urban development and infrastructure and water management, water supply, cleanliness of water resources, sewage treatment, transport management and revival of water bodies.
iv. The MoU will be effective for 3 years and would also help in land reclamation of 1,500 acres in the Ganga basin in Kanpur and development of cultural heritage.
v.This MoU results in a state where the agriculture production would increase, dairy industry would be modernised and modern technology would be introduced in the food-processing industry.
About UP, About Netherland,
Capital – Lucknow, Allahabad (Judiciary) Capital – Amsterdam
CM – Akhilesh Yadav Currency – Euro
Governor – Ram Naik Language – Dutch
Railways to set up SOLAR PANELS on all Railway Building across India
i.With focus to curb greenhouse emissions Central Railway Ministry adopted the idea of installing solar panels in all railway buildings across India.
ii.Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu ( Rajya Shaba – Andhra Pradesh constituency) unveiled this new idea of solar power installation in order to produce more energy and also to cut the emissions.
iii. The central railway ministry also planned to produce solar energy from waste materials that would reduce the expenditure of the Railways on electricity,
iv.It is noted that the Union Railway Minister laid the foundation stone of one Megawatt solar power plant at the Amritsar Railway Station. This station is aimed at producing 14 lakh unit of power per year and set up at a cost of Rs. 8 crores.
v.The railway ministry also successfully tested train to run at the speed of 180 kilometers per hour and work would now initiate to start high speed train between Amritsar and New Delhi.
International Affairs
Three new Indian Historical Sites enters the World Heritage Site Listings
For the first time World Heritage Committee (WHC) announced the adding of three new Indian heritage sites of Historical importance to the World Heritage List by the WHC – A separate wing governed by UNESCO on in a single session July 17. During the 40th session of the WHC, this committee has come up with new added listings as follows:-
- Khangchendzonga National Park (KNP), Sikkim
- Nalanda Mahavihara (Nalanda University) Bihar
- The Capitol Complex, Chandigarh.
Turkish musician Kudsi Ergüner named UNESCO Artist for Peace
i.The United Nations cultural agency UNESCO has named musician Kudsi Erguner, as an Artist for Peace in recognition of his efforts to promote the universal values of music, his contribution to the protection of musical heritage.
ii.The appointment comes in a ceremony was held at the Congress Center in the Turkish capital, Istanbul, of the 40th session of the World Heritage Committee.
iii.Ergner was born in Turkey in 1952 who is a musician, player of the ney (reed flute), composer, musicologist, teacher, author and translator.
UNESCO lists Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier’s works among World Heritage Sites
i.UNESCO listed Franco-Swiss architect Le Corbusier’s work among its World Heritage Sites. His works include the Indian city of Chandigarh which he planned in the 1950s.
ii.The decision was announced as the World Heritage Committee meeting in Istanbul.
iii.The chosen creations of Le Corbusier show his contributions to the Modern Movement that emerged after World War I with an emphasis on functionality, bold lines and materials such as concrete, iron and glass.
Bangladesh government approves easier extradition with India
i.Sheikh Hasina led Bangladesh Cabinet has approved India’s proposal to simplify the extradition process on July 18. This extradition treaty between Bangladesh and India took effect on October 23, 2013.
ii.This approval follows by a proposed amendment to an existing extradition treaty with India, thereby alleviating legal formalities to repatriate wanted criminals in their respective countries.
iii.According to the new proposal, extradition of the convicted and under-trial criminals will be possible. India and Bangladesh can now extradite criminals for trial if either country issued a warrant for their arrest
iv.This treaty allows extradition after verifying the evidence found against the accused. The new amendment will remove the verification process and in turn speed up extradition. It is noted that Salauddin will be brought back to Bangladesh after his trial in India is complete.
About BANGLADESH
- Capital – Dhaka,
- Currency – Bangladeshi taka
- Official language: Bengali
- PM- Sheikh Hasina
- President: Abdul Hamid
ASEM 11 Concludes with the adoption of Ulaanbaatar Declaration
i.With objectives to resolve the fight against the terrorism, Asia Europe meeting (ASEM) Summit in its 11th session signed the Ulaanbaatar Declaration on July 16 at Mongolia.
ii.Heads of State and Government from ASEM partner countries, the President of the European Council, the President of the European Commission and the Secretary-General of ASEAN gathered in Mongolian summit to conclude this declaration.
iii. This declaration fosters fraternity through informal political forum and promotes initiatives in economic and socio-cultural fields.
iv.This declaration aims to focus on fight against terrorism and greater connectivity among the Asia and Europe.
v.It is noted that our vice president Mr. Mohammed Hamid Ansari participated in this summit representing India.
About ASEM,
- Name – Asia Europe meeting
- Partnership – 53 partners
- Establishment – 1996
- Venue – Mongolia
- Theme – 20 Years of ASEM: Partnership for the Future through Connectivity.
Banking & Finance
IndiaFirst Life Insurance partners Nainital Bank
i.IndiaFirst Life Insurance announced a partnership with Nainital Bank for distribution of its products and also to provide life insurance solutions to the customers of the bank and enhance our distribution footprint in northern India.
ii.IndiaFirst Life Insurance is a joint venture between Bank of Baroda and Andhra Bank and Legal & General (UK).
Appointments & Resigns
Rudra Gaurav Shresth concurrently accredited as the High Commissioner of India to the Kingdom of Swaziland
i.IFS officer Rudra Gaurav Shresth presently High Commissioner of India to the Republic of Mozambique has been concurrently accredited as the High Commissioner of India to the Kingdom of Swaziland, with residence in Mozambique
ii.He is IFS officer of 1999 batch also the current High Commissioner of India to Mozambique.
Swaziland
- Capitals: Lobamba, Mbabane
- Currencies: Swazi lilangeni, South African rand
BJP leader Navjot Singh Sidhu resigns from Rajya Sabha
i.Cricketer-turned- BJP leader in Punjab, Navjot Singh Sidhu resigned from the Upper House at a time speculations were rife that he might join the AAP party.
ii.Sidhu’s wife Navjot Kaur, who is a lawmaker in Punjab, is also set to resign. She had announced her resignation on Facebook earlier but changed her mind.
iii.The eminent commentator was nominated to the Rajya Sabha in April this year.
Accquisitions & Mergers
DABUR India acquires South African Cosmetic Giant
i.India’s leading FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods) Dabur International has acquired South Africa-based manufacturing and trading cosmetic company Discaria Trading Ltd on July 14.
ii.By acquiring 100% stakes of this south African cosmetic company, this becomes the fully owned subsidiary of India based Dabur company.
iii.Currently Dabur have manufacturing points in Nigeria and Egypt to serve the needs of the North and East African countries. With this acquittal of South African company, now Dabur is entering the highly formulistic South African market.
iv.Following this deal, Dabur is going to set up a Greenfield manufacturing plant in South Africa and is going to produce hair and skin care products to sell in the South African markets.
Science & Technology
SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket propels cargo to International Space Station, lands successfully
i.SpaceX rocket blasted off from Florida to direct a cargo ship to the International Space Station, then returned around and landed itself at the launch site.
ii.California-based Elon Musk’s Space Exploration Technologies or SpaceX developed the 23-story-tall Falcon 9 rocket, lifted off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
iii.The on board cargo weighing over 2,300 kilograms includes an international docking adaptor that will function as a parking spot for commercial space taxis in future.
Sports
Shah scales to No.1 spot in ICC Test rankings
i.Pakistani Wrist spinner Yasir Shah has reached the number spot in the MRF ICC Test rankings, becoming the first Pakistani bowler to do so since Mushtaq Ahmed achieved the feat two decades back.
ii.Shah achieved this feat after bowling Pakistan to a 75-run victory over England in the first Test at Lord’s.
iii.Shah also bagged the player of the match award in his first Test outside Asia and now leads Indian Spinner Ashwin by seven points and Anderson by 10 points.
Dipika Pallikal Karthik, Saurav Ghosal clinches 73rd Senior National Squash Championship
i.Nineteenth seed Dipika Pallikal Karthik dethroned defending champion Joshna Chinappa to regain the women’s title in the 73rd Senior National Squash Championship held in Mumbai.
ii.In the men’s event was seized by title holder and top seed Saurav Ghosal, who created history by winning it for the 11th time, defeating fourth seed Harinderpal Singh Sandhu.
iii.The World no. 19 seed Dipika, who won the title in 2011, made it to the tops once again by beating arch-rival Joshna 4-11, 11-6, 11-2, 11-8.
Bopanna beats Hong Chung to win 10th Davis Cup singles
i.Indian Tennis Star Rohan Bopanna defeated Hong Chung by a 3-6 6-4 6-4 to win against Chung his 10 th Davis Cup Singles win.
ii.This happened before Yong-Kyu Lim prevented a Korean whitewash with a gritty win over Ramkumar Ramanathan in the Davis Cup Asia\Oceania Group I tie on.
iii.The Indian Bopanna last played a singles match in the Davis Cup back in 2012 when he won the dead fifth rubber against Uzbekistan’s Sarvar Ikramov.
Important Days
Nelson Mandela International Day 2016 – July 18
i.Nelson Mandela International Day was observed July 18 each year. The day remembers Mandela’s achievements in working towards conflict resolution, democracy, human rights, peace, and reconciliation.
Nelson Mandela:
- Mandela was born in Transkei, South Africa, on July 18, in 1918. He is one of the eminent anti-apartheid activists in the home country.
- He was prisoned in 1964 for leading the liberation movement against apartheid and for his stance on the human right to live in freedom.
