Daily Current Affairs: 18th and 19th June 2015

1) CNR Rao conferred Japan's highest civilian award:

--> Eminent scientist and recipient of Bharat Ratna CNR Rao has been conferred Japan's highest civilian award for promoting academic interchange and mutual understanding in science and technology between the two countries.

--> He was presented with the 'Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star' and certificate by Japanese ambassador to India Takeshi Yagi in the presence of senior officials of the Department of Science and Technology.

--> The highest civilian award of Japan is conferred on academicians, politicians and military officers.

2) Dhoni, Mustafizur fined for breaching ICC Code of Conduct:

--> India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman were on 18 June 2015 fined 75 and 50 per cent of their match fees respectively after being found guilty of breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during the first One-Day International.

--> The incident happened in the 25th over when the India captain made a physical contact with the debutant while running a single.

--> Following the contact, the left-arm fast bowler left the field and Nasir Hossain bowled the remaining four deliveries to complete the over.

--> The Order of the Rising Sun  is a Japanese order, established in 1875 by Emperor Meiji of Japan.

3) China makes first electric passenger plane:

--> China has produced the world's first electric passenger aircraft to gain an airworthiness certificate.

--> The "BX1E" has a 14.5-metre wingspan and a maximum payload of 230 kg.

--> It can fly at an altitude of 3,000 metres.

--> It can be charged within two hours and can fly for 45 minutes to an hour at a maximum speed of 160 kmph.

4) HDFC Bank launches 10-second paperless instant loan plan:

--> Country's second-largest private sector lender, HDFC Bank on 18 June 2015 launched a 10-second paperless instant loan plan for its existing customers.

--> The quick disbursal of funds will help customers, particularly in medical or other types of emergencies.

--> The entire process of availing the loan is completely paperless, and users can simply log into their bank account via net-banking or mobile banking and avail of this loan at a click.

5) Indian-origin MP Keith Vaz re-elected as chairman of UK Parliament committee:

--> Keith Vaz, Britain's longest-serving Indian-origin MP was today re-elected as chair of Parliament's influential Home Affairs Select Committee.

--> Vaz has been battling controversy in the last few weeks over his alleged role in helping controversial Indian Premier League founder Lalit Modi acquire travel documents through the UK Home Office.

6) India ranked 143 out of 162 countries on 2015 Global Peace Index:

--> India ranked 143 out of 162 countries on the Global Peace Index published on 18 June 2015 by Australia-based global think-tank Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP).

--> Iceland is the most peaceful country in the world, Syria the least peaceful.

--> Pakistan ranked 154 with a ‘very low’ state of peace.The Global Peace index gauged global peace using the level of safety and security in society.

7) Union Government launched NOWCAST and Insurance Web-Portals for Farmers:

--> Union Government has launched NOWCAST weather alert system and Crop Insurance web portal for the benefit of farmers.

--> The new initiatives were launched by Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh at a function held in New Delhi.

8) SBI launched net based forex transactions platform 'eforex':

--> State Bank of India on 19 June 2015 launched “SBI eforex”, an internet-based platform that enables customers to book their foreign exchange transactions online.

--> This platform will facilitate the customers of the bank to obtain forex rates without having to physically visit the branch, the bank said in a statement. 

9) Golden State Warriors won the National Basketball Association (NBA) title:

--> Golden State Warriors won the National Basketball Association (NBA) title for 2015 and thus ended its 40-year long title drought on 16 June 2015.

--> Golden State Warriors won its first NBA title in 40 years as it defeated Cleveland Cavaliers by 105-97 in Game 6 of the NBA finals.