Current Affairs June 16, 2015

DOWNLOAD PDF

1. Madras City’s 376th birthday: On Aug 22,2015 Madras will turn 376. To commemorate the founding of this historic city in the year 1639, a number of organisations will be coming together to mark the event. This year, Madras week will be observed from August 16 to 23.
2. Britain celebrates 800 years of Magna Carta: Magna Carta is a historic document that established the foundation of parliamentary democracy, human rights and the supremacy of law which was signed 800 years before. Britain is celebrating the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta in Runnymede, UK where the Magna Carta was originally signed.
3. India signs motor vehicle pact with three nations: India signed a motor vehicles agreement with three SAARC nations namely- Bhutan, Bangladesh and Nepal –that envisages seamless transit of passenger and cargo vehicles among these countries.
4. ISRO to test re-usable satellite launch vehicle : In a major technology demonstration ultimately aimed at cutting down the cost of satellite launches to one- tenth of the present rates, the Indian Space Research Organisation( ISRO) will test an indigenously developed re- usable satellite launch vehicle for the first time in September.
5. DIP in WPI Inflation Continuous: The Wholesale Price Index( WPI) inflation was (minus)-2.36 % in May, marking the seventh consecutive month in which it has been negative. However food inflation remained positive at 3.8% compared to what it was in May 2014. The continued reduction in WPI was due to reduction in the cost of fuel, power and manufactured products.
6. Rising NPAs put banks in a tight spot: The banking system as a whole has been witnessing higher level of Non-Performing Assets( NPAs). Public Sector banks as on Mar 30,2014 have reported NPAs at 5.17% of the total credit. If the restructured loans are added to it then the stressed asset ratio jumps to 13.2 % of the total credit ,according to the RBI data.
7. PM Modi hosts envoys from Muslim nations and praises Islam: In a significant outreach to Muslim world, PM Modi praised Islam for emphasizing the importance of education. The Quran mentioned the word ”ilm” 800 times. It is among the most repeated words after Allah. This is the importance given to knowledge by Islam said Modi.
8. Adani to set up 700MW solar power plant in Tamil Nadu: Power major Adani group is setting up a 700 MW solar power plant, the largest in south India at an investment of Rs,5000 crore in Ramanathapuram district in Tamil Nadu.
9. 110 Butterfly species found in Srivilliputhur Wildlife Sanctuary: A startling 110 species of butterflies have been found at the Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife sanctuary in Srivilliputhur by the Tamil Nadu Butterfly Society.
10. Tata Starbucks withdraws 12 ingredients: Tata Starbucks has decided to suspend a dozen ingredients it uses in its beverages, pending approval from the central food safety regulator FSSAI.
11. RCom and Sistema are planning for a merger: Anil Ambani owned Reliance Communications( RCom) and Russian conglomerate Sistema are in exclusive talks to merge their Indian telecomm business . This will be the first major consolidation in the telecomm sector since 2009.
12. Government plans new law , if NJAC is struck down: The Government is planning to introduce fresh legislation should the Supreme Court strike down the laws that have enabled the establishment of the National Judicial Appointments Commission( NJAC). Such a course could set the stage for a “ constitutional stalemate “ between the Government and the Supreme Court.