Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Starred Articles

World Environment Day observed globally
Days > World Environment Day
World Environment Day was celebrated throughout the world on the 5th of June, 2015 with a theme of '7 billion dreams, one planet. Consume with care'. The day is organised by the United Nations Environment Programme to raise global awareness, to take positive environmental action, to protect nature and the planet Earth. The first World Environment Day was celebrated in the year 1973 and is celebrated since with a different theme and in a different host city every year, the host city for this year was Milan.

Barcelona beat Juventus to claim Champions League Trophy
Sports > Football
Spanish giants Barcelona FC defeated the Italian club Juventus FC 3-1 to win the much coveted title of the European Champions League Trophy at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin. Sunday's win is Barcelona's third major title this season after they won the La Liga and the King's Cup. The goals were scored by Croatian Ivan Rakitic in the fourth minute, Uruguayan Luis Suarez in the 68th and Brazilian Neymar in the final few minutes of the game. Juventus became the first team in the history of the league to lose the finals six times.

Stanislas Wawrinka wins 2015 French Open title
Sports > French Open
The 2015 French Open title was won by Stanislas Wawrinka who defeated Novak Djokovic to secure his second career major after the 2014 Australian Open. Wawrinka's stunning win put an end to Djokovic's dream to secure a career Grand Slam as he had aspired to win one title from each major tournament.

Centre: 'Jal Kranti' campaign will have 'Jal Gram', 'Jal Mitra'
Politics and Government > 'Jal Kranti' campaign
As a part of the ambitious 'Jal Kranti' campaign for ensuring maximum utilisation of water in view of decreasing availability of water, the Centre has launched a 'Jal Gram Yojana' to zero in on areas which need immediate help. An index value would be provided to every village on the basis of demand and availability of water and village with maximum difference in the value would be included in the Abhiyan. Locals involved in water related vocations would be trained to be 'Jal Mitra' who would spread awareness about water related issues. Every village will have development scheme under which water bodies would be renovated and new ones would be constructed.

India, Bangladesh have a settled boundary after 41 long years
India > Indo-Bangladesh Land-boundary Agreement
In a historic move, India and Bangladesh have signed a land-boundary agreement that will settle their 4,096-km long land boundary dispute after 41 long years. The Indian Parliament had passed a historic Constitution Amendment Bill which will operationalise the India-Bangladesh Land Boundary agreement that provides for exchange of 161 enclaves between the two countries. The land boundary agreement will end the misery of 50,000 stateless people struggling with their national identity. With the border agreement in place, India has now control of 510 acres of land while Bangladesh will have control of 10,000 acres of land. The two countries also signed 22 agreements, including on cooperation in maritime safety and to curb human trafficking and fake Indian currency.

Others

US Freedom Act signed by Obama to protect privacy of citizens
World > US Freedom Act
Citizens of the USA will have some respite from America's most controversial surveillance program since 9/11, following the US Freedom Act signed by the US President Barack Obama. The surveillance program enabled National Security Agency (NSA) to collect and store telephone numbers, dates and times of calls from millions of Americans who have no connection to terrorism. This bill is a critical step in restoring America's reputation as the leader in protecting the privacy and security of user data.

10-year defence framework pact signed by India and the US
India > Defence
A 10-year defence framework pact envisaging joint development and manufacture of defence equipment and technology including jet engines, aircraft carrier design and construction was signed between India and the US. The framework agreement was signed between India’s Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and visiting US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter and focuses on areas like maritime security and joint training. The new framework agreement provides a platform for high level strategic discussions, continued exchanges between armed forces of both countries, and strengthening of defence capabilities.

NSDC, Hindustan Coca-Cola join hands for skill development
Corporate > NSDC- Hindustan Coca-Cola
In order to elevate the employability potential of youth and women, the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) has entered into an agreement with Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt. Ltd. with an aim to equip youth and women with retail skills. The pact is designed to impart skill training in retail programmes to 15,000 women through an initiative called PRAGATI to help prospective women entrepreneurs across the country.

SBI's 'Youth for India' rural programme gets 15,000 applications
Banking and Insurance > SBI
SBI's 'Youth for India' fellowship programme has received an overwhelming response from 15,000 youth indicating rising interest of youth in connecting with rural India. 100 shortlisted candidates will work with seven NGOs that have a partnership with the bank. Through the programme SBI gives a platform to connect urban youth with rural India.

Kotak Mahindra Bank, ING Vysya Bank sign MoU for cross-border business
Banking and Insurance > Kotak-ING Vysya MoU
With a view to meet varying client needs across several geographies, Kotak Mahindra Bank has signed a pact with ING Vysya Bank for cross-border business growth. The MoU will be mutually beneficial as it covers an array of co-operation in areas such as trade, finance, remittances and services related to non-resident Indians, funding to counter-parties' corporate relationships, fee-based products, direct banking and digital strategy, and cross-border debt capital markets and M&A. Earlier in April, Kotak Mahindra Bank had announced a merger with ING Vysya Bank.

TCS and Infosys make it to 'Asia's 100 most desirable brands'
Corporate > Asia’s 100 most desirable brands
Two Indian brands – Tata Consulting Services (TCS) and Infosys have made it to the list of 'Asia's 100 most desirable brands'. It is a list compiled by the World Consulting & Research Corporation (WCRC) along with iBrands 360 which includes the most significant brands in Asia such as Hyundai, Honda, Emirates Airlines, and Alibaba.com etc. All the brands were selected based on their robust performance and growth during the last five years.

India and Bangladesh sign 22 agreements; Reliance Power signs MoU with Adani Power to build power plants in Bangladesh
World > India-Bangladesh
India signed 22 agreements with Bangladesh during PM Narendra Modi's visit to the neighbouring country for co-operation in areas of trade, investment, education, climate change and Information and Communication Technology. Along with the agreements the two governments will also implement the Instruments of ratification of the 1974 Land Boundary Agreement and its 2011 Protocol.
Meanwhile, two powerhouses of the Indian energy sector – Reliance Power and Adani Power have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the the state run, Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB). The two companies will build a 3000 MW power plant in the company, which will supposedly provide 35% cheaper power to the country.

Anshu Jain Co-Chief Executive of Deutsche Bank resigns amid regulatory woes
Corporate > Deutsche Bank

The co-chief executive of Deutsche Bank, Anshu Jain, quit from his position after regulator hindrances and paranoia among the the employees and investors of the bank over its performance. Jain is set to be replaced by John Cryan as the the co-chief executive until the other joint co-chief executive Juergen Fitschen resigns in May, 2016, which will also end Deutsche Bank's experimentation of having dual leadership. After which, John Cryan will become the sole CEO. The bank has faced several controversies related to regulator investigations pertaining to money laundering and the rigging of bench-marked interest rates.

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