11th April 2016 - Important Current Affairs updates

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International Affairs

The US topped the Global Connectivity Index 2016.
- Singapore and Sweden were ranked second and third, respectively.
- The report measures the progress of 50 nations, divided into three groups of starters, adopters and frontrunners, in investment and deployment of information and communications technology.
- Note : India, which was placed in the starters category, was ranked 44th.
The number of Tigers in the world has increased for the first time in over 100 years.
- A study by the World Wildlife Fund and the Global Tiger Forum found that there are 3,890 tigers, a significant increase from the lowest 3,200 tigers recorded in 2010.
- This was reportedly driven by successful tiger conservation programmes in India, Nepal and Russia.
Dubai is planning to build a tower that will stand higher than its BurjKhalifa, currently the world’s tallest skyscraper, will be built by property developer Emaar.
- The total cost for building this tower will be USD 1Billion.
China and Sri Lanka have decided to redefine the Colombo Port City project by making it an international financial outpost in the Indian Ocean, as part of the 20-year framework.
- The two sides will use the development of a 21st Century Maritime Silk Road as an opportunity to further advance infrastructure development, promote joint ventures and expand cooperation in the areas of economy, culture, science and technology and people to people contacts.

National Affairs

The Supreme Court today paved the way for implementation of National Eligibility Entrance Test, NEET for Medical courses across the country.
- The top court set aside its 2013 order by which the common entrance test for admissions to MBBS, BDS and PG courses in all medical colleges was quashed.
BSNL is testing a WiFi-based network to connect about one lakh village panchayats with high-speed internet by year end.
- Under this, a wireless network over six kilometres has been set up in three villages of Rajasthan, where 500 test connections have been provided to various users including schools.
- Note : Domestic telecom equipment maker Vihaan Networks is implementing the project for BSNL.

MOUs

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom today signed 6 Agreements after a bilateral talk at the Hyderabad House in Delhi.
Agreements signed are,
- Action Plan for Defence Cooperation.
- Agreement for Avoidance of Double Taxation of income derived from International Air Transport.
- Agreement for the Exchange of Information with respect to Taxes.
- Agreement related to Orbit Frequency Coordination of South Asia Satellite (SAS) proposed at 48oE.
- MoU for Cooperation in the area of conservation and restoration of ancient mosques in Maldives.
- MoU on cooperation in the field of Tourism.

Science & Technology

The first certified 18-rotor electric helicopter, called the Volocopter VC200, has completed its first manned test flight.
- Developed by Germany-based E-Volo, the multicopter is a fuel-free drone-like vehicle that does not need constant monitoring to be airborne.
- The helicopter hits top speed at 60 mph and aims at becoming a semi-affordable personal transport.
Indian Coast Guard Ship Shoor‬ commissioned by Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Shipping, at Goa today.
Pakistan has test fired anti-ship surface to sea “Zarb” missile from the coastal areas successfully.
- It hit its target in the Arabian Sea after it was fired from a strategic point located at a coastal area.
- The missile was formally inducted into Pakistan Navy‘s defence system soon after the test.

Business & Economy

According to a recently released World Bank report, Chinese economic growth will decrease to 6.7% this year and further contract to 6.5% in 2017 owing to a deceleration in the real estate and manufacturing sectors.
- Note : The Chinese government has fixed a GDP target between 6.5% and 7% for this year for the economy which grew 6.9% in 2015.
Telecommunications firm Bharti Airtel today announced that its mobile commerce subsidiary Airtel M Commerce Services, has received payments bank licence from the RBI.
- The subsidiary, which operates under the name of Airtel Money, received in-principle approval from RBI in 2015 to start operations as a payment bank.
- Important Point to Note : Idea Cellular and Vodafone had earlier received approval to form payment banks.

Awards & Honors

Tamil descendent Judge Navanetham Pillay, South Africa’s first non-white woman judge who is of Indian origin, has been convened upon the highest French civilian the Legion of Honour.
Investigative journalist Khadija Ismayilova of Azerbaijan has been chosen for the prestigious 2016 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize.
- She will be bestowed with this award during the celebration of World Press Freedom Day (3rd May 2016) in recognition of her outstanding contribution to press freedom in difficult circumstances.
The IIT (Indian Institute of Technology)-Kharagpur has won the National Intellectual Property (IP) Award in the academic institutes category.

Books & Authors

A copy of English poet and playwright William Shakespeare's First Folio has been discovered in the library of Mount Stuart House on the Isle of Bute in Scotland.
- The book, which dates back to 1623, contains 36 of Shakespeare's plays published seven years after his death.

Sports

Lee Chong Wei has won his 11th Malaysian Open title by defeating world number one Chen Long.
Indian cricketer Virat Kohli was announced as the brand ambassador of the upcoming Premier Futsal League.
- The league will take place in India from July 15 to July 24 and will feature over 50 international futsal players hailing from 21 different countries in five-a-side football matches.
- Note : Each match will be played over two 20-minute halves.
Danny Willett became the first Briton to win the US Masters for 20 years when he took advantage of Jordan Spieth's capitulation on a sensational final day at Augusta.
The Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) has announced the launch of the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL), which is scheduled to be held between August and September.
- Note : The league will not be including any players from the IPL as the tournament is restricted to only state players and players who ply their trade in the TNCA league.