Current Affairs 19th & 20th June 2017

12 percent reservation for poor Muslim communities by - Telangana state

• Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao said during a government-sponsored Iftar that was held in Hyderabad on 18th June 2017 that the state will shield the  proposed 12 percent reservation for poor Muslim communities even in the highest Central Government offices.

Ramakrishna Mission Chief Swami Atmasthananda passed away on - 18th June 2017

• Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission President Swami Atmasthananda passed away on 18th June 2017 after a prolonged illness. He was elected as the President of the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission on 3rd December 2007.

Pakistan beats India to win 2017 ICC Champions Trophy on - 18th June 2017

• Pakistan defeated India in the final played at The Oval, London to lift the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy on 18th June 2017. 
• Pakistan won the match by 180 runs with the largest margin by any team in the final of an ICC ODI tournament.

Kidambi Srikanth beats Kazumasa Sakai to win - Indonesia Open Super Series Premier title

• Indian shuttler Kidambi Srikanth clinched the Indonesia Open Men's Singles trophy with a straight-game victory over Japanese qualifier Kazumasa Sakai in the final on 18th June 2017.

A Horse Walks Into a Bar by David Grossman wins Man Booker International Prize 2017 on - 14th June 2017

• A Horse Walks Into a Bar by David Grossman was announced as the winner of the 2017 Man Booker International Prize on 14th June 2017. 
• Jessica Cohen translated the novel and Jonathan Cape published it in Britain. Grossman has become the first Israeli author to take home the prestigious prize.

National Mission on Cultural Mapping of India’ launched by - Ministry of Culture

• Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State for Culture & Tourism launched the implementationof the ‘National Mission on Cultural Mapping of India’ at Goverdhan Block, Mathura District of Uttar Pradesh on 17th June 2017. 
• The national mission on cultural mapping was launched in a day long, Block level mega talent hunt program.

International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict observed globally on - 19th June 2017

• The International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict was observed globally on 19th June 2017 with the theme ‘Preventing Sexual Violence Crimes through Justice  and Deterrence’.

Sweden Pledges to reach net-zero carbon emissions - by 2045

• Sweden committed to become a net-zero carbon emission emitter by 2045 in the second week of June 2017. 
• Swedish lawmakers bound the country to reach net-zero greenhouse-gas emissions by 2045 on 15th June 2017

'Celebrating Yoga' mobile app launched by - Union Government

• Union Minister for Science and Technology Harsh Vardhan launched a mobile app “Celebrating Yoga” to popularize Yoga and encourage people to participate in it for a scientifically healthy living on 19th June 2017.

Bihar Governor Ram Nath Kovind resigned on - 20th June 2017

• Bihar Governor Ram Nath Kovind resigned from his post on 20th June 2017. President Pranab Mukherjee accepted the resignation. Subsequently, West Bengal Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi was assigned the responsibility to serve as the Bihar Governor along with his own duties.

First Afghanistan-India air corridor inaugurated by - Afghan President

• Taking ahead the bilateral relations between Afghanistan and India, the Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on 19th June 2017 inaugurated the first Afghanistan-India air corridor.  
• The corridor inaugurated at the Kabul International Airport is a direct route bypassing Pakistan. This corridor will be improving the commerce in Afghanistan.

Syrian refugee Muzoon Almellehan appointed as - Goodwill Ambassador

• United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) announced the appointment of Muzoon Almellehan, a 19-year-old education activist and Syrian refugee,as its newest and youngest Goodwill Ambassador on 19th June 2017.

World Refugee Day 2017 observed globally on - 20th June 2017

• The World Refugee Day was observed across the world on 20th June 2017 to mark the courage, strength and perseverance of millions of refugees.

71st country to ratify UN TIR Convention - India

• India has become the 71st country to ratify the United Nations International Convention on Road Transports (TIR) that will help to boost trade and regional integration across South Asia and beyond, fast-tracking the region’s potential to become a strategic trade hub.