Awards & Honors
PM Narendra Modi is bestowed with Afghanistan’s highest civilian honour:
i. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was accoladed with Amir Amanullah Khan Award, the highest civilian honour of Afghanistan.
ii. The award was bestowed upon him at the inaugural function of the Afghan-India Friendship Dam (Salma Dam) by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.
iii. The award is named after Afghan national hero Amanullah Khan who championed the cause of Afghanistan’s freedom.
National
Business & Economy
International
Appointments & Resignations
Science & Technology
Sports
i. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was accoladed with Amir Amanullah Khan Award, the highest civilian honour of Afghanistan.ii. The award was bestowed upon him at the inaugural function of the Afghan-India Friendship Dam (Salma Dam) by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.
iii. The award is named after Afghan national hero Amanullah Khan who championed the cause of Afghanistan’s freedom.
About Amanullah Khan:
a) He was the ruler of the Emirate of Afghanistan from 1919-1929. Born on June 1, 1892 in Paghman, Afghanistan.
b) After the third Anglo-Afghan War (1919), he was able to pursue an independent foreign policy free from the influence of the Britain.
c) His rule was marked by dramatic political and social change. He was the first Afghan ruler who attempted to modernize Afghanistan on Western designs.
a) He was the ruler of the Emirate of Afghanistan from 1919-1929. Born on June 1, 1892 in Paghman, Afghanistan.
b) After the third Anglo-Afghan War (1919), he was able to pursue an independent foreign policy free from the influence of the Britain.
c) His rule was marked by dramatic political and social change. He was the first Afghan ruler who attempted to modernize Afghanistan on Western designs.
National
PM Narendra Modi, Ashraf Ghani inaugurates Salma Dam:
i. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani jointly inaugurated the Afghan-India Friendship Dam in Herat province inWestern Afghanistan.
ii. The dam was inaugurated during PM Narendra Modi’s first stop to Afghanistan as part of his five- nation tour which will also take him to Qatar, Switzerland, US and Mexico.
i. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani jointly inaugurated the Afghan-India Friendship Dam in Herat province inWestern Afghanistan.ii. The dam was inaugurated during PM Narendra Modi’s first stop to Afghanistan as part of his five- nation tour which will also take him to Qatar, Switzerland, US and Mexico.
Key insights:
a) The Afghan-India Friendship Dam was earlier known as Salma Dam. It is built on the river Chist-e-Sharif in western Herat neighbouring Iran and is earth and rock fill dam.
b) It is a multipurpose project built to generate 42 MW of power, irrigate 75000 hectares of land, water supply and other benefits to the people of Afghanistan.
c) Central Public Sector Unit M/s. WAPCOS under the aegis of Union Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation.
d) The height of the Dam is 104.3 metres, length 540 metres and width at the bottom is 450 metres. The gross capacity of the dam is 633 Million M3.
a) The Afghan-India Friendship Dam was earlier known as Salma Dam. It is built on the river Chist-e-Sharif in western Herat neighbouring Iran and is earth and rock fill dam.
b) It is a multipurpose project built to generate 42 MW of power, irrigate 75000 hectares of land, water supply and other benefits to the people of Afghanistan.
c) Central Public Sector Unit M/s. WAPCOS under the aegis of Union Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation.
d) The height of the Dam is 104.3 metres, length 540 metres and width at the bottom is 450 metres. The gross capacity of the dam is 633 Million M3.
Herat province: It lies on the ancient trade routes of the Middle East, Central and South Asia. Roads from Herat to Turkmenistan, Iran, and other parts of Afghanistan are considered strategically important.
Switzerland backs India’s NSG bid; to help tackle black money:
i. In a major boost to its diplomatic push for NSGmembership, India managed to win crucial support of Switzerland ahead of a key meeting of the 48-nation bloc even as the two countries agreed to step up cooperation in unearthing blackmoney stashed by Indians in Swiss banks.
ii. Swiss President Johann Schneider-Ammannannounced his country’s support to India’s membership in the elite Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) after holding comprehensive talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on a range of bilateral and global issues.
iii. Switzerland is a key member of the NSG and its support to India’s bid for membership of the grouping was seen as crucial in the backdrop of China harping on the need for consensus as India was not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
iv. India has been pushing for membership of the bloc for last few years and had formally moved its application on May 12 which will be taken up for consideration in its plenary meetings on June 9 in Vienna and June 24 in Seoul.
v. The Prime Minister is likely to raise the issue with the leadership of Mexico, another key member of the NSG.
i. In a major boost to its diplomatic push for NSGmembership, India managed to win crucial support of Switzerland ahead of a key meeting of the 48-nation bloc even as the two countries agreed to step up cooperation in unearthing blackmoney stashed by Indians in Swiss banks.ii. Swiss President Johann Schneider-Ammannannounced his country’s support to India’s membership in the elite Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) after holding comprehensive talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on a range of bilateral and global issues.
iii. Switzerland is a key member of the NSG and its support to India’s bid for membership of the grouping was seen as crucial in the backdrop of China harping on the need for consensus as India was not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
iv. India has been pushing for membership of the bloc for last few years and had formally moved its application on May 12 which will be taken up for consideration in its plenary meetings on June 9 in Vienna and June 24 in Seoul.
v. The Prime Minister is likely to raise the issue with the leadership of Mexico, another key member of the NSG.
India, Qatar sign seven agreements to boost bilateral ties:
i. India and Qatar have signed seven bilateral agreements in various fields to boost bilateral ties.
ii. These agreements were signed in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Qatar Emir Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani in Doha.
iii. It was PM Narendra Modi’s second stop to Qatar after he had visited to Afghanistan as part of his five- nation tour which will also take him to Switzerland, US and Mexico.
i. India and Qatar have signed seven bilateral agreements in various fields to boost bilateral ties.ii. These agreements were signed in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Qatar Emir Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani in Doha.
iii. It was PM Narendra Modi’s second stop to Qatar after he had visited to Afghanistan as part of his five- nation tour which will also take him to Switzerland, US and Mexico.
A few important agreements between the two countries are:
a) MoU for investment in National investment & infrastructure fund: It aims at establishing framework for facilitating participation of Qatari institutional investors in Infrastructure projects in India under NIIF.
b) MoU on cooperation in tourism, Agreement on cooperation and mutual assistance in custom matter, MoU in the field of youth and sports, MoU on cooperation in skill development & recognition of qualifications.
a) MoU for investment in National investment & infrastructure fund: It aims at establishing framework for facilitating participation of Qatari institutional investors in Infrastructure projects in India under NIIF.
b) MoU on cooperation in tourism, Agreement on cooperation and mutual assistance in custom matter, MoU in the field of youth and sports, MoU on cooperation in skill development & recognition of qualifications.
Business & Economy
India ranks 2nd on GRD index on ease of doing business: study
i. India has jumped 13 positions from last year to rank second among 30 developing countries this year on ease of doing business, according to a study topped by China.
ii. According to 2016 Global Retail Development Index (GRDI), which ranks top 30 developing countries for retail investment worldwide, a pick up in GDP growth and better clarity regarding FDI regulations have helped india achieve a second ranking.
iii. India’s retail sector has expanded at a compound annual growth rate of 8.8 per cent between 2013 and 2015, with annual sales crossing the USD 1 trillion mark, according to A T Kearney, a London-based business consultancy.
iv. India has also become the worlds fastest growing economy. That coupled with a large population base and the easing of FDI regulations in the sector has made it an even more attractive market, it said in the ranking.
i. India has jumped 13 positions from last year to rank second among 30 developing countries this year on ease of doing business, according to a study topped by China.ii. According to 2016 Global Retail Development Index (GRDI), which ranks top 30 developing countries for retail investment worldwide, a pick up in GDP growth and better clarity regarding FDI regulations have helped india achieve a second ranking.
iii. India’s retail sector has expanded at a compound annual growth rate of 8.8 per cent between 2013 and 2015, with annual sales crossing the USD 1 trillion mark, according to A T Kearney, a London-based business consultancy.
iv. India has also become the worlds fastest growing economy. That coupled with a large population base and the easing of FDI regulations in the sector has made it an even more attractive market, it said in the ranking.
International
World Environment Day gets celebrated on 05 June:
i. Every year World Environment Day (WED) is observed on 5 June to raise global awareness to take positive environmental action to protect nature and the planet Earth.
ii. 2016 Theme: Go Wild for Life (Zero tolerance for the illegal trade in wildlife) This year’s theme seeks to encourage conservation of all those species under threat and calls for taking action to help safeguard them for future generations.
iii. 2016 Host Country: Angola. The African country is seeking to restore its elephant’s herds, conserve biodiversity-rich wildlife. It also seeks to safeguard the environment as it continues to rebuild after more than a quarter-century of civil war.
iv. Observing this day is global initiative of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The host country for the WED 2015 is Italy.
v. To mark this day Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu flagged off Tiger Express from Safdarjung station, New Delhi. It is a semi-luxury tourist train launched with an aim to spread awareness among people on tiger conservation.
i. Every year World Environment Day (WED) is observed on 5 June to raise global awareness to take positive environmental action to protect nature and the planet Earth.ii. 2016 Theme: Go Wild for Life (Zero tolerance for the illegal trade in wildlife) This year’s theme seeks to encourage conservation of all those species under threat and calls for taking action to help safeguard them for future generations.
iii. 2016 Host Country: Angola. The African country is seeking to restore its elephant’s herds, conserve biodiversity-rich wildlife. It also seeks to safeguard the environment as it continues to rebuild after more than a quarter-century of civil war.
iv. Observing this day is global initiative of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The host country for the WED 2015 is Italy.
v. To mark this day Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu flagged off Tiger Express from Safdarjung station, New Delhi. It is a semi-luxury tourist train launched with an aim to spread awareness among people on tiger conservation.
About World Environment Day (WED): WED was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972 to mark the opening of United Nations Conference on the Human Environment 1972 which began in Stockholm. The first World Environment Day was observed in 1973 and since then it is being held every year with a different themes.
NASA scientists finds 39 unreported sources of SO2 pollution:
i. NASA scientists using a new satellite-based method have located 39 unreported and major human-made sources of toxic sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions that cause pollution.
ii. The unreported emission sources were found in the analysis of satellite data from 2005 to 2014. These sources are clusters of coal-burning power plants, oil and gas operations and smelters notably found in West Asia, Mexico and parts of Russia.
iii. SO2 is a known health hazard and cause of acid rain. Currently, SO2 monitoring activities include the use of emission inventories that are derived from ground-based measurements and factors, such as fuel usage.
i. NASA scientists using a new satellite-based method have located 39 unreported and major human-made sources of toxic sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions that cause pollution.ii. The unreported emission sources were found in the analysis of satellite data from 2005 to 2014. These sources are clusters of coal-burning power plants, oil and gas operations and smelters notably found in West Asia, Mexico and parts of Russia.
iii. SO2 is a known health hazard and cause of acid rain. Currently, SO2 monitoring activities include the use of emission inventories that are derived from ground-based measurements and factors, such as fuel usage.
Appointments & Resignations
V Narayanasamy is appointed as Puducherry CM:
i. Congress Party leader V Narayanasamy was sworn in as Chief Minister of the Union Territory of Puducherry.
ii. He was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Lt. Governor Kiran Bedi at a function held at the historic Gandhi Thidal in Beach Road.
i. Congress Party leader V Narayanasamy was sworn in as Chief Minister of the Union Territory of Puducherry.
ii. He was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Lt. Governor Kiran Bedi at a function held at the historic Gandhi Thidal in Beach Road.
Science & Technology
World’s first 3D printed plane THOR unveiled by Airbus:
i. The world’s first 3D-printed aircraft THOR was unveiled by European aerospace company, Airbus at the International Aerospace Exhibition held in Schoenefeld, Germany.
ii. The THOR is short for Test of High-tech Objectives in Reality. It resembles a large, white model airplane but is windowless.
iii. 3D printing technology is also termed additive manufacturing as the 3D printed object is created us additive processes i.e. by laying down successive layers of manufacturing material on each other until the entire object is created.
i. The world’s first 3D-printed aircraft THOR was unveiled by European aerospace company, Airbus at the International Aerospace Exhibition held in Schoenefeld, Germany.
ii. The THOR is short for Test of High-tech Objectives in Reality. It resembles a large, white model airplane but is windowless.
iii. 3D printing technology is also termed additive manufacturing as the 3D printed object is created us additive processes i.e. by laying down successive layers of manufacturing material on each other until the entire object is created.
Sports
Novak Djokovic wins 2016 French Open title:
i. World Number One tennis player Novak Djokovic from Serbia has won the 2016 French Open title in the men’s singles category.
ii. In the final match, Djokovic defeated Britain’s Andy Murray by 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 score. It is his first French Open title and completed the career Grand Slam.
iii. It was Djokovic’s 12th major title and he became the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to hold all four Grand Slams at once. He also becomes only the eighth man in history of tennis to have won all four of the sport’s major singles prizes.
i. World Number One tennis player Novak Djokovic from Serbia has won the 2016 French Open title in the men’s singles category.ii. In the final match, Djokovic defeated Britain’s Andy Murray by 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 score. It is his first French Open title and completed the career Grand Slam.
iii. It was Djokovic’s 12th major title and he became the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to hold all four Grand Slams at once. He also becomes only the eighth man in history of tennis to have won all four of the sport’s major singles prizes.
Other category winners:
Women’s singles: Garbine Muguruza (Spain) won the Women’s singles title of 2016 French Open. In the final she defeated Serena Williams (United States).
Women’s doubles: French pair of Caroline Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic won the Women’s doubles title of 2016 French Open. In the final, they defeated Russian pair of Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina.
Men’s doubles: Spanish pair of Feliciano López and Marc López won the Men’s doubles title of 2016 French Open. In the final, they defeated Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan pair from US
Mixed doubles: Leander Paes (India) and Martina Hingis (Switzerland) pair won the Mixed doubles title of 2016 French Open. In the final, they defeated Sania Mirza (India) and Ivan Dodig (Croatia)
Women’s singles: Garbine Muguruza (Spain) won the Women’s singles title of 2016 French Open. In the final she defeated Serena Williams (United States).
Women’s doubles: French pair of Caroline Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic won the Women’s doubles title of 2016 French Open. In the final, they defeated Russian pair of Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina.
Men’s doubles: Spanish pair of Feliciano López and Marc López won the Men’s doubles title of 2016 French Open. In the final, they defeated Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan pair from US
Mixed doubles: Leander Paes (India) and Martina Hingis (Switzerland) pair won the Mixed doubles title of 2016 French Open. In the final, they defeated Sania Mirza (India) and Ivan Dodig (Croatia)
Indian judoka Avtar Singh qualifies for 2016 Rio Olympic Games:
i. South Asian Games gold medallist Indian judoka Avtar Singh has qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games scheduled to be held in August 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
ii. He has qualified under 90kg weight category under the continental quota. His current world Ranking is 79 with 182 points.
iii. Avtar Singh hails from Gurdaspur, Punjab. He had won a gold in South Asian Games held in Shillong in February 2o16.
i. South Asian Games gold medallist Indian judoka Avtar Singh has qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games scheduled to be held in August 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
ii. He has qualified under 90kg weight category under the continental quota. His current world Ranking is 79 with 182 points.
iii. Avtar Singh hails from Gurdaspur, Punjab. He had won a gold in South Asian Games held in Shillong in February 2o16.