GK and Current Affairs Updates

India and the US signed a new strategically important 10-year defence framework pact (2015 Framework for the India-US Defence Relationship) envisaging joint development and manufacture of defence equipment and technology including jet engines, aircraft carrier design and construction. Both sides also finalized two project agreements for hi-tech mobile power source and next generation protective suits for chemical and biological warfare. The framework agreement was inked by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and visiting US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter.

India and Belarus enhance bilateral co - operation.

These include 

1) Agreement on Textiles. 

2) Protocol to amend the agreement between two countries to avoid double taxation. 

3) MOU between Prasar Bharati and National State TV and Radio Company of Belarus Broadcasting Corporation. 

The State University of Belarus will confer President Pranab Mukherjee the Professor Honoris Causa degree at a function tonight.

P. Kunhikrishnan was appointed as the Director of Satish Dhawan Space Centre (S.D.S.C) with immediate effect. He succeeded M.Y.S. Prasad, who superannuated in May 2015. Before the present appointment, he was the Deputy Director at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (V.S.S.C).

Harriette Thompson, a 92 year old became the oldest woman to finish a marathon. She achieved this fete at San Diego’s Rock 'n' Roll Marathon of 26.2 miles (42.2 kilometers) by completing the race in 7 hours, 24 minutes, 36 seconds. This was her 16^th Rock 'n' Roll Marathon. With this, Harriette Thompson of Charlotte, North Carolina got her name inscribed into the record books.

The Indian Academy of Paediatrics (I.A.P) in partnership with HealthPhone, Ministry of Women and Child Development (M.W.C.D), Government of India and UNICEF, announced the formal launch of the IAP HealthPhone programme, the world's largest digital mass education programme to tackle the challenge of malnutrition in women and children, at the national-level in India. I.A.P HealthPhone is a public private partnership initiative that is supported by Vodafone India. It is a unique programme that leverages the increasing penetration of mobile phones in the country to educate over 6 million girls and women between 13 and 35 years of age and their families on better health and nutrition practices by 2018.

Air Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa took over as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff (V.C.A.S). He was commissioned in the I.A.F in June 1978 as a fighter pilot. Air Marshal Dhanoa has taken over as Vice Chief of the Air Staff from Air Marshal Ravi Kant Sharma, who relinquished the office after 40 years of glorious service in the I.A.F.

Former leader of Britain's Liberal Democratic Party Charles Kennedy died at his residence in Scotland. He was 55 years old.

The central government has made major changes in the bureaucracy. Gujarat cadre I.A.S officer from the 1981 batch, Rita A. Teaotia, has been appointed as the new commerce secretary after Rajeev Kher retires this month. Pradeep Kumar Pujari has been appointed the new power secretary in place of P.K. Sinha.

US President Barack Obama has signed into law landmark U.S.A Freedom Act, forcing intelligence agencies to set up a system that will leave the telephone metadata with telecom companies rather than the government. Obama signed the bill after the Senate voted in favour of it by 67-32, significantly reversing America's most controversial surveillance program since 9/11.

Sepp Blatter has resigned as President of F.I.F.A in a stunning capitulation to critics as a mounting corruption scandal engulfs world football's governing body. The 79-year-old Swiss official, F.I.F.A president for 17 years was re-elected for fifth term on 29 May 2015. In his resignation speech, Blatter admitted no wrongdoing, and says he's resigned for the good of the sport.