IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF JUNE 28th, 2018

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF JUNE 28th, 2018

1.   The United States and Russia have reached an agreement to hold the summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in a "third country".

a.   This comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin met US National Security Adviser John Bolton in Moscow. 

2.   Aiming to take the defence ties to a newer height, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj handed over handed over the second Dornier maritime reconnaissance aircraft to visiting President of Seychelles Danny Faure.

3.   According to the Language Data of Census 2011 which was released On 28th October , Hindi is the mother tongue of 43.63% Indians, making it India's most spoken language, followed by Bengali. 

a.   Top 5 in the List :

                                         i.    Hindi

                                       ii.    Bengali

                                     iii.    Marathi

                                     iv.    Telugu 

                                       v.    Tamil

4.   The Rupee has hit an all-time low of 69.10 against US dollar.

a.   This comes after spike in crude oil prices and concerns of higher inflation and widening current account deficit.

b.    The previous record low for Rupee was 68.86 on November 24, 2016.

5.   India's largest lender State Bank of India (SBI) is in the process of closing down 9 foreign branches as part of rationalisation of overseas operations. 

a.   Note : SBI has over 190 foreign offices spread across 36 countries.

6.   US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley On 28th October  asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to cut oil imports from Iran. 

a.   Adding that the US will impose more sanctions against Iran, Haley asked India to reduce its dependence on the country. 

b.   Important Note : Iran is India's third-largest oil supplier after Iraq and Saudi Arabia.

7.   India announced to increase its grant to Global Environment Facility’s (GEF) new four-year investment cycle, known as GEF-7 from $12 million to $15 million.

8.   India has pledged $5 million for United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) in the Near East. 

a.   Besides India, 19 countries also made pledges (contributions) for UNRWA at the Pledging Conference for UNRWA held in New York, US. 

9.   The Union Cabinet has approved establishment of additional 6.5 Million Metric Tonne (MMT) Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR) facilities at Chandikhol in Odisha and Padur in Karnataka. 

10.               Late 'King of Pop' Michael Jackson's father Joe Jackson (89) passed away.

a.   Joe Jackson shaped and promoted 'Jackson 5' band comprising his five sons including Michael Jackson.

11.               Anant Barua has been appointed as whole-time member of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). 

12.               Senior bureaucrat S Ramesh has been appointed as chairman of Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), the apex policy-making body for indirect taxes. 

a.   He will replace Vanaja N Sarna who retired on June 30, 2018.

13.               India defeated Ireland in the first T20I of the two-match series in Dublin to register their 62nd outright T20I victory, the most by a team after 100 T20Is. 

a.   South Africa held the previous record of winning the most number of matches (59) after 100 T20Is. 

b.   Important Note : India became the seventh team to have played 100 T20I matches.

14.               16-year-old Manu Bhaker won the top prize in 10m air pistol event at ISSF Junior World Cup in Germany. Apart from the CWG gold medal, this was Manu's seventh ISSF individual gold in the year, third with a world record.