Important Days
World Day Against Child Labour: 12 June
- The International Labour Organization (ILO) launched the World Day Against Child Labour in 2002 to focus attention on the global extent of child labour and the action and efforts needed to eliminate it.
- Each year on 12 June, the World Day brings together governments, employers and workers organizations, civil society, as well as millions of people from around the world to highlight the plight of child labourers and what can be done to help them.
- Theme 2017: "In conflicts and disasters, protect children from child labour"
National Events
Arunachal wants separate time zone to improve efficiency, work hours
- Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu reiterated northeastern states’ decades old demand for a separate time zone.
- Leaders from the region argue that a separate time zone would increase daylight savings and efficiency.
- One of the arguments that the states advance is that the early sunrise means that by the time they start their day, almost half the day has passed.
- This means an early sunset which requires extra use of lights in both homes, offices and public places.
- The longitudinal difference between India’s easternmost point Kibithu in Arunachal Pradesh and the westernmost point int Gugariyana, Gujarat is is almost 30 degrees — a time difference of two hours.
Meghalaya passes resolution opposing Centre's notification on cattle sale
- The Meghalaya assembly unanimously passed a resolution opposing the Centre's notification banning the sale and purchase of cattle at animal markets for slaughter
- The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change had issued the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules, 2017 on May 23.
- Sangma told the House that to balance the demand and supply of beef, the government had put in place the Meghalaya State Livestock Mission for 2017-2022 to augment the livestock production.
- The prohibition on the sale and purchase of cattle at animal markets for the purpose of slaughter would affect the livelihood of over 5.7 lakh (79%) households, which were currently involved in cattle-rearing
Government launches Tele-Law initiative
- With an aim to make legal aid easily accessible to the marginalised communities and citizens living in rural areas, the government has launched the ‘Tele-Law’ initiative of the Ministry of Law and Justice partnered with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
- It anchors the Digital India programme, to provide legal aid services through its Common Service Centres (CSC) at the panchayat level, spread across the country.
- Under the scheme, a portal called ‘Tele-Law’ will be launched, which will be available across the CSC network. This will connect the citizens to legal service providers with the help of technology-enabled platforms.
- ‘Tele-Law’ will enable people to seek legal advice from lawyers through video conferencing available at the CSC.
International Events
China launches world's largest floating solar farm
- World's largest floating solar farm is launched in China's central Anhui province
- The impressive array, which consists of 160,000 panels, is buoyant upon a lake that emerged after the collapse of a coal mine.
- It's an appropriate symbol for China's changing energy policies; the nation is projected to get 20 percent of its power consumption from low-emission energy, including nuclear, by 2030.
- It also comes at an ominous time, after the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement.
- China already leads the world in clean energy investment, and now it has the chance to take up the top leadership position in the fight against climate change.
- At least, it's an opportunity that China has been given an open door to seize.
Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar Make It to Forbes World's Highest-Paid Celebrities List
- Bollywood actors Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar are among the ‘World’s Highest-Paid Celebrities’ list, according to Forbes magazine.
- In the list which was released by Forbes magazine on Monday, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh, the top-ranked Indian, has bagged the 65th position with his earnings of $38 million.
- Salman Khan made it to the 71st position with earnings of $37 million, Akshay (had 3 releases Airlift, Rustom, Housefull 3) was on rank 80, with earnings of $35.5 million.
- American rapper, singer and songwriter Sean Combs leads the Forbes list
Sports
French Open 2017: Michael Venus, Ryan Harrison win men's doubles title
- Michael Venus became New Zealand's first Grand Slam champion since 1974 when he partnered American Ryan Harrison to the French Open men's doubles title.
- Venus and Harrison defeated Santiago Gonzalez of Mexico and American Donald Young 7-6 (7/5), 6-7 (4/7), 6-3 in the final at Roland Garros.
- The 29-year-old is just New Zealand's second Grand Slam winner in the modern era, after Onny Parun teamed up with Australian Dick Crealy to win the men's doubles crown in Paris 43 years ago.
Vietnam GM Nguyen bags Mumbai Mayor Chess title
- Vietnam Grand Master Nguyen Duc Hoa clinched a decisive win against Indian GM Neelotpal Das in the 10th and concluding round to finish with 8.5 points and emerge champion of the 10th Mumbai Mayor's Cup International Open Chess Tournament
- The champion went home richer with the top prize of Rs 3 lakhs, while top-ranked Tajikistan GM Farrukh Amonatov (ELO 2635) took home a cheque of Rs 2 lakhs by finishing runner-up.
- Amonatov finished with 8 points following his triumph over Russian GM Deviatkin Andrei (2481) to claim the second spot.
Lewis Hamilton wins in Canada for sixth time
- Lewis Hamilton won the Canadian Grand Prix by slashing Sebastian Vettel'
- After watching Ferrari sweep to a one-two finish two weeks ago in Monaco, Mercedes hit back with a dominating display as Hamilton cruised to his 56th career win, a leisurely 19.7 seconds in front of team mate Valtteri Bottas.
- It was Hamilton's third victory of the season and also his third in a row at the sun-bathed but windswept Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
Jitu Rai-Heena Sidhu pair wins gold in ISSF World Cup
- India's Jitu Rai and Heena Sidhu combined to clinch the gold medal in mixed team 10m air pistol event of the ISSF World Cup, beating Russia 7-6 in the final
- France beat Iran to win the bronze in the event.
- China has been leading the medal tally at Gabala with six medals, including three gold.
Banking & Finance
GST Council cuts tax rate on gold jewellery making charges to 5%
- Goods and Service Tax (GST) Council reduced the applicable rate on making charges from 18 per cent to just 5 per cent.
- The GST Council has reduced the tax levels in 66 out these 133 cases. The diamond processing and others would attract a levy of five per cent now,
- The GST Council has reduced the tax levels in 66 out these 133 cases. The diamond processing and others would attract a levy of five per cent now,
Awards & Achievements
Indian girl bags Little Miss Universe Internet 2017 crown at Little Miss Universe in Georgia
- 12 year old Padmalaya Nanda from Odisha has created history by becoming the youngest girl to bag the "Little Miss Universe Internet 2017" and "Little Miss Actress" crowns at the Little Miss Universe 2017 at port city of Batumi in Georgia.
- Padmalaya Nanda, who studies in the 8th standard at a school in Cuttack, Odisha, bagged the crowns at the finale of the :little Universe 2017, held at port city of Batumi in Georgia
- She will now participate in the "Little Miss World 2017" competition that will be held at Greece from Sept 25 to Oct 1, 2017.
- The silver crown was won by Thailand.
- The award recieved by the girl was a golden crown which is valid only for a year and will be returned for the Little Miss Universe 2018 competition.
Nalanda model of water conservation chosen for national award
- A model of water conservation adopted successfully by the authorities in Nalanda district of south central Bihar, has been selected for the national award for excellence in the Mahatma Gandhi national rural employment guarantee programme (MGNREGP), by the ministry of rural development.
- The award for excellence will be conferred on ‘Project Jal Sanchay’, the water conservation model developed in chief minister Nitish Kumar’s native district
- It was under these conditions that ‘project jal sanchay’ was launched under MGRNREGP, to offer farmers a wide spectrum of solutions to their water crisis
