1) UNCTAD releases World Investment Report 2016

a) The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development has released the World Investment Report 2016 – Investor Nationality: Policy Challenges.

b) It analyses international production by multinational enterprises (including sales, exports, employment and value-added), and their ownership structures and control of affiliates.

c) According to the report, in terms of FDI inflow in 2015, the USA surpassed China & Hong Kong with $380 billion. India has maintained its 10th position with $44 billion.

d) Considering total global investment, FDI inflows rose by 38% to their highest level since the global economic crisis in 2008-09. Inward FDI flows to developed economies nearly doubled to $962 billion. The report expects upcoming decline by 10-15% in 2016.

e) Asia has shown a record breaking 16% growth as regards FDI inflows through investment due to strong performance of east and south Asian countries.

f) The report advises policy makers to work towards striking a balance between liberalisation and regulation in pursuing the ultimate objective of promoting investment for sustainable development.

2) International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking observed

a) The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking was observed on 26 June. The theme for this year was Listen First.

b) ‘Listen First’ aims to increase support for prevention of drug use. The initiative is based on science and thus an effective investment in the well-being of children and youth, their families and their communities.

c) On this occasion, the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) also released the World Drug Report 2016.

d) The Punjab Frontier of Border Security Force organised a cycle rally comprising 65 BSF personnel to spread the message of dedication to national security, awareness against drugs and of physical fitness among citizens, especially the youth.

3) Railway minister flags off Danapur-Saharsa Janhit Express

a) Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu has flagged off a new train service between Danapur and Saharsa in Bihar to increase connectivity.

b) He also announced the extension of three trains in Bihar and Jharkhand.

c) While the daily service of Jaynagar-Saharsa Janki Express was extended up to Katihar, Patna-Murliganj Koshi Express was extended up to Purnea Court.

4) Olympian Anju Bobby George resigns as president of Kerala Sports Council

a) Olympian Anju Bobby George quit the post of President of the Kerala Sports Council.

b) The star long jumper who was the first Indian athlete ever to win a medal in World Athletics Championships has been accused of corruption by the state sports minister EP Jayarajan.

c) Among her many achievements, George earned the Arjuna award in 2002 and a gold medal at the Asian Games in Busan.

5) G D Birla award for Sanjay Mittal from IIT Kanpur

a) IIT-Kanpur professor Sanjay Mittal has bagged the prestigious G D Birla Award for Scientific Research for 2016.

b) Mittal (48) is a professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur and has been chosen for his contribution in the area of Mechanics.

c) Mittal has made significant contribution to development of finite element algorithms for high performance computing (HPS).

6) Nagaland Governor launches women’s helpline number ‘181’

a) Nagaland Governor has launched women’s helpline number 181 and a one-stop centre named ‘Sakhi’ intended to support women affected by violence both in private and public spaces.

b) The helpline and centre will provide integrated assistance, medical, legal and psychological counselling to women affected by violence.

c) The two initiatives aim to bolster women’s safety and reduce violence against them.

7) Nokia appoints Sanjay Malik as India head

a) Sanjay Malik has been appointed as the head of Nokia’s India operations with effect from August 1. He will replace Sandeep Girotra.

b) Currently, he serves as the Head of Network Implementation (NI) at Nokia Global Services.

c) Previously, he was heading Bharti GCBT, where he led the transformation of business.

8) Quiz Master Neil O’Brien dies at 82

a) Quiz master and former MP of Lok Sabha Neil O’Brien passed away at the age of 82.

b) He was former chairman of the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examination and the Inter State Board of Anglo-Indian Education.

c) Neil O’Brien conducted the first well-organised, formal quiz in 1967 at Christ the King Church Parish Hall in then Calcutta (now Kolkata).

9) BCCI to host mini IPL in September

a) BCCI is set to introduce a mini IPL in September 2016 outside India including all the eight teams.

b) Also known as overseas IPL, it will be held every September and is expected to finish within a two weeks with less number of matches.

10) DRDO inks MoU with Kolkata’s JU to establish Rs.100 cr research centre at Jadavpur University

a) The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) is joining hands with Jadavpur University to launch a research centre worth Rs.100 crore at Jadavpur varsity to develop technologies related to cyber security and robotics for the defence forces.

b) The centre will focus on pursuing collaborative advanced research, starting with secure systems and cognitive technologies, directed energy, unmanned and robotics technologies and later venturing towards other futuristic technologies.

c) The centre is expected to be ready in the next two years and will act as a self-accounting unit of the DRDO.

11) Mahasthangarh declared as SAARC cultural capital for 2016-17

a) Mahasthangarh, the 3rd century BC archaeological site in Bogra, Bangladesh, has been declared as the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation SAARC cultural capital for 2016-17.

b) As a SAARC cultural capital, the historic place will host festivals on literature, films, foods and dances from October 2016 to September 2017.

c) The year 2016-17 has also been declared as the SAARC Year of Cultural Heritage.

d) Mahasthangarh is one of the earliest urban archaeological sites discovered in Bangladesh.

12) ADB extends $500-million loan for river bridge in Bihar

a) The Asian Development Bank has approved $500 million for the construction of bridge across the Ganga.

b) The 9.8 km bridge to be built in Bihar will be India’s longest.

c) It would provide vital transport links between the northern and southern parts of the state and with neighbouring country Nepal.

d) The project will run for four years and is expected to be complete by December 2020.

13) Sri Lanka’s parliament votes in favour of right to information bill

a) The Sri Lankan parliament has unanimously passed the Right to Information Bill which aims to restore transparency and good governance in the country plagued by corruption and misrule.

b) It will allow the citizens to access public information except for personal data, national security information, financial and commercial policy decisions, intellectual property and medical reports.

c) The RTI bill is likely to make moderate changes to uphold transparency in the functioning of the state.

14) Day of the Seafarer 2016 observed

a) Day of the Seafarer 2016 was observed worldwide on 25th June. The theme for this year is ‘At Sea For All’.

b) The theme has a clear link with the 2016 World Maritime Day theme, “Shipping: indispensable to the world”, emphasising that seafarers are also “indispensable to the world”.

c) The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) designated 25 June as the Day of the Seafarer and it was first observed in 2011.

15) US to provide Afghan forces $3 billion for 2018-2020 and also donates $20 million to UN for Fallujah refugees

a) The United States plans to provide more than $3 billion a year in support for the security and reconstruction of Afghanistan from 2018 through 2020.

b) It is also contributing $20 million in humanitarian aid to the United Nations’ effort to help the thousands of refugees who have fled fighting in the Iraqi city of Fallujah.

c) The UN Central Emergency Relief Fund released 17.5 million dollars to help. The US also urged other countries to help meet the UN’s call for more money to help the refugees.

16) South India Bank launches Remit2 India Service

a) Remit2 India, a secure online money transfer service for NRIs, has been launched by the South Indian Bank.

b) NRI customers will get a cashback of Rs. 600 for the first three transactions as a part of the inaugural offer.

c) This facility is available for remittances from Europe, Australia, the UAE and Singapore.

17) IWAI and IPGPL ink MoU on Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project

a) The Inland Waterways Authority has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with India Ports Global Private for projects worth Rs. 476 crore to facilitate connectivity and trade.

b) Ministry of external affairs is administering the Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP) in Myanmar. This project is aimed at facilitating facilitating connectivity between the mainland and the North-East through maritime shipping, inland waterways and roads of Myanmar.

c) Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is appointed as the Project development consultant by Ministry of external affairs. for implementation of the Port and Inland Water Transport (IWT) component of the Kaladan Project.

d) India Ports Global Private (IPGPL) has been established as a joint venture between the Kandla Port Trust and the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust for the purpose of development of ports overseas.