20 June 2016

World Refugee Day observed on 20 June

·        World Refugee Day was observed on 20 June 2016.


·        It is observed annually to draw attention to the plight of refugees, celebrate their     courage and resilience and renew commitment to solve refugee problems.


·        It also recognises contributions of the refugees made to the countries that host them.

Union Ministry of Power launches URJA mobile app

The Union Ministry of Power has launched ‘URJA’- Urban Jyoti Abhiyaan Mobile application for Urban Power Distribution Sector. It was launched by Union Power minister Piyush Goyal on the side-lines of two day conference of Power Ministers at Cansaulim in South Goa. 

Key Facts

• The mobile app has been developed by Power Finance Corporation (PFC) on behalf of Union Ministry of Power. 
• The aim of the app is to enhance consumer connect with the Urban Power Distribution sector by providing information of IT enabled towns.
•  The app will work as manifestation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s principle of good governance i.e. People focus, co-operative federalism.
•  The app allows users to get information of performance of their town, State level DISCOMs on different parameters including their ranking, pending consumer complaints.
•  It also will provide information on average percentage of consumers making e-Payments, power cuts as well as power loss or theft. 
• The app will also give information on various schemes and initiatives undertaken by the Union Government to improve the power supply.

Bipin R Patel appointed as President of Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry

·        Businessman Bipin R Patel was appointed as the President of Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) for the term 2016-17. He succeeds Rohit J Patel.


·        The decision in this regard was taken during the annual general meeting (AGM) of the GCCI.


·        In another development, Shailesh Patwari was appointed as the Senior Vice-President of the chamber

Italian capital Rome gets 1st ever female Mayor

·        Italy's capital Rome elected its first ever female Mayor, as Virginia Raggi, from the Five Star Movement party, won 67% of the vote against the Democratic Party’s (PD) Roberto Giachetti.

·        The Five Star Movement also won Mayoral elections in Turin, with another female candidate, Chiara Appendino, winning 55% of the vote.

·        The results purportedly signify discontent with mainstream political parties.

Panama Papers wins Investigation of the Year

·        The 'Panama Papers' investigation, which revealed details of offshore entities owned by people across the world, won the Investigation of the Year award 2016, presented at the Global Editors Network summit in Vienna.


·        The investigation was a collaboration of over 100 media organisations, with Indian Express being the Indian partner. 'Panama Papers' was the biggest ever data leak since 2015.

NASA unveils X-57 Hybrid Electric Research Plane

·        The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) unveiled the iconic X-57 Hybrid Electric Research Plane nicknamed as Maxwell.



·        The plane is fixed with 14 electric motors turning propellers and all of them are integrated into a uniquely-designed wing. NASA will use this plane to test new propulsion technology.

India won Silver medal at Archery World Cup in Antalya

·        The Indian mixed recurve team of Deepika Kumari and Atanu Das won silver at the Archery World Cup in Antalya, Turkey.

·        In the final clash at Konyaalti Beach Park, the Indian team lost to South Korea 1-5.


·        Indian team trailed 0-2 in the first set against the top-seed Korean pair of Choi Misun and Ku Bonchan and went down 1-5 in the final.

Australia wins 2016 Champions Trophy title of Hockey

Australia has won the 2016 Champions Trophy title of Hockey by defeating India by 3-1 score. With this victory, Australia created history by winning the title for record 14 times. In the final match played at London (United Kingdom), both teams in regulation period failed to score goals. However in the penalty shootout Australia managed to defeated India by scoring 3 goals to 1 goal. For Australia, in penalty shootout goals were scored by Aran Zalewski, Daniel Beale and Simon Orchard. For India, the single goal was scored by Harmanpreet Singh. With this defeat India settled for the silver medal.