Current Affairs 18 - 19 June

Current Affairs 18 - 19 June

> Autistic Pride Day observed today - 18 June

Autistic Pride Day is being observed today. Autistic pride recognizes the importance of pride for autistics and understands it not as a disease but as a difference. Autism or Autism Spectrum Disability is a range of complex neurodevelopment disorders characterized by social impairments, communication difficulties, restrictive and repetitive patterns of behavior. It is a lifelong condition that usually occurs in the first three years of life. The exact cause of autism is not known but it is known to be associated with genetic and environmental factors.

Autistic Pride Day was initiated by Aspies For Freedom, a group that raises public awareness about autism rights.

> Slowdown Blues: Fitch lowers India's GDP growth forecast to 6.6% for FY20

Global rating agency Fitch Ratings on Monday slashed India's gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecast to 6.6 percent for the current fiscal, from 6.8 percent projected earlier, citing persistent slowdown in manufacturing and agriculture sectors. The rating agency, however, retained its GDP growth forecast for FY21 and FY22 at 7.1 percent and 7 percent, respectively.

"We see growth for FY 2019-2020 printing at 6.6 percent, before stepping up to 7.1 percent in FY 2020-2021 and 7.0 percent in FY 2021-2022," Fitch said in its latest global economic outlook. The development came amid mounting evidence of slowing economic growth with GDP growth hitting a 5-year low of 6.8 percent in 2018-19. The lower GDP growth figures were attributed to weaker domestic consumption, slower global growth, and tensions between the United States and China.

> Facebook's Cryptocurrency "Libra" Will Be Launched In 2020

Facebook Inc revealed plans on Tuesday to launch a cryptocurrency called Libra, the latest development in its effort to expand beyond social networking and move into e-commerce and global payments. Facebook has linked with 28 partners in a Geneva-based entity called the Libra Association, which will govern its new digital coin set to launch in the first half of 2020, according to marketing materials and interviews with executives.

> Former Egyptian President Mohamed Morsy dies in court, says state media

Ousted former Egyptian President Mohamed Morsy died on Monday after he fainted in court following a hearing, state television reported. Morsy, a top figure in the Muslim Brotherhood who was the first democratically elected President in Egypt's modern history, had been in jail since he was toppled by the military in 2013 after mass protests against his rule. State television said Morsy, who was 67, was in court for a hearing on charges of espionage emanating from suspected contacts with the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas. Morsy was serving a 20-year prison sentence for a conviction arising from the killing of protesters during demonstrations in 2012 and a life sentence for espionage in a case related to the Gulf state of Qatar.

> Lander and rover meant for Chandrayaan-2 reaches ISRO’s launch pad at Sriharikota

Chandrayaan-2 will be launched aboard India’s most powerful booster GSLV-Mark-3 tentatively early in the morning on July 15th with the aim of making the lander to soft-land on the South Pole of the moon by September 6th. India would be the fourth country to have its probe soft-land on the moon. 

> HDFC Bank slapped with Rs 1-crore penalty

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed a 1-crore penalty on private sector lender HDFC Bank for non-compliance with directions on ‘Know Your Customer/Anti-Money Laundering norms and on reporting of frauds. “The penalty has been imposed in exercise of powers vested in RBI under the provisions of Section 47A(1)(c) read with Section 46(4)(i) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, taking into account failure of the bank to adhere to the aforesaid directions issued by RBI,” the central bank said on Tuesday, adding that the action is based on deficiencies in regulatory compliance. The issue pertains to a reference to the RBI from customs authorities regarding the submission of forged bill of entries (BoEs) by certain importers for remittance of foreign currency.

Further examination revealed violations of directions on ‘KYC/AML norms’ and on reporting of frauds, after which a notice was issued to HDFC Bank advising it to show cause as to why monetary penalty should not be imposed for non-compliance with RBI norms.

> Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Yury Trutnev on India Visit

The business program of the outreach session in Mumbai provided participants with information on existing investment opportunities in the region and preferences for investors. This time Prime Minister Modi is expected to be the Guest of Honour at the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF), scheduled between 04-06 September at Vladivostok, Russia. 

> Om Birla takes charge as Speaker of 17th Lok Sabha

Om Birla, a two-time Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament from Rajasthan, was elected Speaker of the 17th Lok Sabha on Wednesday. The motion to choose Birla as the speaker was moved by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is also Leader of the House, and passed by a voice vote. His candidature was supported by Congress, DMK, Biju Janata Dal, AIADMK, YSR Congress among other parties.

> Afghanistan’s leg-spinner Rashid Khan becomes most expensive bowler in World Cup history

Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan Tuesday endured the ignominy of becoming the most expensive bowler in World Cup history during their match against hosts England at Old Trafford here. Rashid Khan, the world’s No.3 ODI bowler, leaked 110 runs off nine overs as England racked up a gigantic 397 for six after electing to bat.

The 20-year-old spinner, who plays for Sunrisers Hyderabad in Indian Premier League, was in the firing line of English batsmen Eoin Morgan (148), Jonny Bairstow (90) and Joe Root (88) on a flat pitch here. The record earlier belonged to New Zealand’s Martin Snedden, who had conceded 105 runs for two wickets against England in the 1983 World Cup.

> PM Modi to set up a committee to examine the issue of one nation one election

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting of Presidents of all political parties having representation in Parliament on the issue of One Nation One Election. 

Briefing media persons after the meeting, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that Prime Minister will form a committee to look into the various aspects of One Nation One Election in the country. Within a time frame, the committee will submit its report. Mr. Singh said that in the meeting, most of the political parties supported the idea of One Nation One Election. 

> Ravinder Singh takes over as Director at PFC

Ravinder Singh Dhillon has taken over as the Director (Projects) in Power Finance Corporation. He has more than 34 years of experience in various areas of the power sector. He is an electrical engineer with PG in Power Systems from IIT Delhi.

> Indiabulls Housing Finance appoints Naveen Uppal as chief risk officer (CRO)

Chairman of Indiabulls - Sameer Gehlot

> 29 journalists conferred with Matri Shree Media awards

The very first award was presented to journalist Lala Jagat Narayan.

> Joshana Chinappa wins record 17th national squash title

Joshana is a 2 time Asian Games and Commonwealth Games medallist. She defeated Tamilnadu's Sunaya Kuruvila in the final and thus broke a 27-year-old record set by Bhuvneshwari Kumari, who had won 16 titles.

> The fifth CICA Summit held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan

5th CICA Summit was held in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan. The theme of the 5th Summit is "Shared Vision for a secure and more prosperous CICA region". CICA ensures peace, security, and stability in Asia.

> Gary Woodland wins 119th US Open, defeating Brooks Koepka

American Gary Woodland won the 2019 United States Open Championship at Pebble Beach Golf Links in California. It is his first major career title.

> Nihal Sarin wins blitz event at ACC championship

India's 14-year-old Grand Master Nihal Sarin won the blitz event in the Asian Continental Chess Championship at Xingtai, China. Srinath Narayan took the third spot.

> Hero MotoCorp appoints Yerry Mina, the popular Columbian professional footballer, as new brand ambassador

> Social activist Makarand Tilloo receives 'Save Water Hero Award'

> Veteran athletics coach and Dronacharya awardee N. Lingappa passes away

> India wins FIH Series finals

India defeated South Africa by 5-1 in the summit clash to win the FIH Series finals Hockey Tournament at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.

> Franco Zeffirelli, Italian legendary directory of 'Romeo and Juliet', 1968, passes away at 96