GK & Current Affairs June 2016

The government on Monday allowed 100 % FDI in aviation sector under automatic route in Greenfield Projects and 74% FDI in Brownfield Projects under automatic route.
•    As per the present FDI policy, foreign investment up to 49% is allowed under automatic route in Scheduled Air Transport Service/ Domestic Scheduled Passenger Airline and regional Air Transport Service. 
•    It has now been decided to raise this limit to 100%, with FDI up to 49% permitted under automatic route and FDI beyond 49% through Government approval.
•    However, foreign airlines would continue to be allowed to invest in capital of Indian companies operating scheduled and non-scheduled air-transport services up to the limit of 49% of their paid up capital and subject to the laid down conditions in the existing policy.
•    With a view to aid in modernization of the existing airports to establish a high standard and help ease the pressure on the existing airports, it has been decided to permit 100% FDI under automatic route in Brownfield Airport projects.

Boeing and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) have joined hands to set up a facility here to co-produce Boeing AH-64 Apache helicopter fuselages and other aero structures.
•    Defence minister Manohar Parrikar on Saturday laid the foundation stone of Tata Boeing Aerospace Limited (TBAL) at the aerospace Special Economic Zone (SEZ) at Adibatla on the city outskirts.
•    The facility will also deal in integrated systems in aerospace.
•    The Hyderabad production facility will eventually be the sole producer of AH-64 fuselage globally.
•    The AH-64 Apache is the world's most advanced multi-role combat helicopter and used by the US forces as well as many other countries, including India.
•    Parrikar termed the joint venture one of the initial big foreign direct investments in defence and aerospace under the government's 'Make in India' initiative.
•    He said things would be speeded up during the current financial year and hoped that there will be more such projects by the end of 2016-17.
•    Boeing and TASL last year signed a framework agreement to collaborate in aerospace and defense manufacturing and potential integrated systems development opportunities, including unmanned aerial vehicles.
•    TASL, a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Sons, is already on contract to manufacture aerostructures for Boeing's CH-47 Chinook and AH-6i helicopters.
•    TASL already has partnership with major players like Ruag, Cobham, Pilatus, Lockheed Martin, Sikorsky and Airbus.
•    Boeing is the world's largest aerospace company and leading manufacturer of commercial jetliners and defense, space and security systems.
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Nico Rosberg of Germany on 19 June 2016 won the European Grand Prix Formula 1 championship in Baku, Azerbaijan.
•    To win the title, the Mercedes driver overcame Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany in the final race.
•    In this championship, Rosberg completed second career Grand Slam. Prior to him, only Lewis Hamilton, Mika Hakkinen, Jack Brabham and Juan Manuel Fangio could able to achieve this rare feat.
•    He recorded the first career Grand Slam in Russian Grand Prix in May 2016. Grand Slam in Formula One racing denotes winning a race from pole while leading every lap and scoring the fastest lap.
•    For Rosberg, it was the first European title and the 5th title in 2016 season as he stood as the champion in Austria, Bahrain, China and Russia also.
•    Overall, it was the 19th title since the beginning of his career in 2006.
•    The Formula 1 event was introduced during the mid-1980s. It was held regularly between 1999 and 2012.
•    The race was removed from the calendar in 2013. In 2016, the race returned, being run on a street circuit in Baku, Azerbaijan.
•    In earlier years, the European Grand Prix was not a race in its own right but just an honorific title.
•    The first race to be so named was the 1923 Italian Grand Prix, held at Monza and won by Carlo Salamano in a Fiat and the last one was the 1977 British Grand Prix.
•    Since its reintroduction, the European Grand Prix has usually been held in a country in Europe that also holds a national Grand Prix in that same year.

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 recognizes contributions of the refugees made to the countries that host them.
•    According to the United Nations 1951 Refugee Convention, refugee is a person who fled his or her home and country owing to a well-founded fear of persecution because of his/her race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.
•    Many refugees are in exile to escape the effects of natural or human-made disasters.
•    Developing countries host four-fifths of the world’s refugees. The 48 Least Developed Countries provide asylum to 2.3 million refugees.
•    The UN General Assembly via its resolution 55/76 on 4 December 2000 decided to observe the World Refugee Day on 20 June every year. 
•    On this day of adoption of the resolution the General Assembly also noted that 2001 marked the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, and that the Organization of African Unity (OAU) had agreed to have International Refugee Day coincide with Africa Refugee Day on 20 June.
•    As per United Nations, every minute eight people leave everything behind to escape war, persecution or terror.

Businessman Bipin R Patel was on 18 June 2016 appointed as the President of Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) for the term 2016-17. He succeeds Rohit J Patel.
•    The decision in this regard was taken during the annual general meeting (AGM) of the GCCI. In another development, Shailesh Patwari was appointed as the Senior Vice-President of the chamber.
•    The Chamber was founded in 1949 by Kasturbhai Lalbhai and Amrutlal Hargovandas, pioneers of industrial Gujarat
•    It is registered as a Society under the Society Registration Act, 1860.
•    It works to create and sustain an environment conducive to the growth of industry and trade in Gujarat, partnering both of them through advisory processes.
•    It has 2983 direct members which include over 176 Trade and Industry Associations and leading Chambers of Commerce of the State.

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.
•    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.
•    Eranga, who has played 41 times for Sri Lanka across all three formats, was reported after the second Test against England at Chester-le-Street on 31 May 2016.
•    In accordance with Article 6.1 of the regulations, Eranga’s international suspension will also be recognized and enforced by all National Cricket Federations for domestic cricket events played in their own jurisdiction. But he can play domestic cricket in Sri Lanka, with the consent of the country's cricket board.
•    He can also apply for a re-assessment after modifying his bowling action in accordance with clause 2.4 of the Regulations for the Review of Bowlers Reported with Suspected Illegal Bowling Actions.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on 17 June 2016 unveiled the iconic X-57 Hybrid Electric Research Plane nicknamed as Maxwell.
•    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.
•    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.
•    NASA Aeronautics researchers will use the Maxwell to demonstrate that how electric propulsion can make planes quieter, more efficient and more environmentally friendly.
•    Maxwell will be powered only by batteries, eliminating carbon emissions and demonstrating how demand would shrink for lead-based aviation fuel still in use by general aviation.
•    Energy efficiency at cruise altitude using X-57 technology could benefit travellers by reducing flight times, fuel usage, as well as reducing overall operational costs for small aircraft.
•    Moreover, X-57’s electric propulsion technology is expected to significantly decrease aircraft noise, making it less annoying to the public.
•    With the return of piloted X-planes to NASA’s research capabilities, the general aviation-sized X-57 will take the first step in opening a new era of aviation.
•    The first X-plane was the X-1, which in 1947 became the first airplane to fly faster than the speed of sound. 
•    The X-1 project defined and solidified the post-war cooperative union between US military needs, industrial capabilities and research facilities.

Union Ministry of AYUSH released a Yog Geet (Song) on 17 June 2016 in connection with the celebration of International Day of Yoga–2016.
•    The song is of 3 minutes and 15 seconds in Hindi language.
•    The song is written and produced by Deeraj Saraswat.
•    Gandhar TD Jadhav and Gatha Jadhav were given their voice.
•    The Music of the song is composed by Sumanto Ray.
•    As part of celebration of 2nd International Day of Yoga a National level competition for selection of a Yog Geet was organised by the Ministry of AYUSH.
•    About one thousand entries were received for Yog Geet out of which the Committee OF Yoga Experts constituted for the celebration of International Day of Yoga–2016 under the chairmanship of Dr HR Nagendra selected released one.

Australia on 18 June 2016 won Hero Hockey Champions Trophy 2016 at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre in London. It defeated India 1-0 in a shoot-out.
•    The game finished with the score locked at 0-0 but later Australia scored a goal in the shoot-out reducing the score to 1-0 and won the final match to win the Gold medal. 
•    Australia’s Blake Govers missed a penalty stroke, while India was dominant in the third and fourth quarter before losing the shoot-out.
•    With this victory, Australia claimed the Champions Trophy title for the 14th time.
•    Germany defeated Great Britain to win the bronze medal.
1: Australia
2: India
3: Germany
4: Great Britain
5: Belgium
6: Korea
•Best player: Tobias Hauke (Germany)
•Best junior player: Harmanpreet Singh (India)
•Best goalkeeper: George Pinner (Great Britain)
•Top scorer: Marco Miltkau (Germany)

India and South Korea on 18 June 2016 launched a special initiative, Korea Plus. The initiative aims at promoting and facilitating Korean Investments in India.
The platform was launched by the Commerce & Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Joo Hyunghwan, the Minister of Trade, Industry & Energy, Government of Korea.
•    The mandate of Korea Plus covers the entire investment spectrum including supporting Korean enterprises entering the Indian market for the first time.
•    It will look into issues faced by Korean companies doing business in India and policy advocacy to the Union Government on their behalf.
•    It will act as a mediator in arranging meetings, assisting in public relations and research/evaluation
•    It will provide information and counseling in regard to Korean companies’ investing in India.
It comprises of a representative from the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Energy, Government of Korea and representative from Korea Trade Investment and Promotion Agency (KOTRA). Besides, it also includes three representatives from Invest India.
The two nations inked a MoU for establishing Korea Plus in January 2016. This MOU came as an outcome of the visit of the Indian Prime Minister to South Korea in May 2015.