1) Which state is poised to become the first in India to impose streetlight tax on its citizens as approved by the state cabinet during June 2015? – Andhra Pradesh
Explanation: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandra Babu Naidu cleared the proposal to levy streetlight tax on residents of the state. The proposed streetlight tax will become part of the property tax notice served on AP residents. According to the proposal, each house will have to pay Rs. 50 to Rs. 100 as ‘streetlight tax’ per year based on the total amount of the owner’s property tax. In the 2014-15 fiscal, the power utilities supplied 313.12 million units for lighting up the streets of Andhra Pradesh for which it drew a bill of Rs. 170.81 crore. Against this, they got a mere amount of Rs 5.46 crore as payment from the users. With this, a total population of 4.8 crore of Andhra Pradesh would now have to pay streetlight tax. This is the first instance of any Indian state taking steps to shell-out money from its residents for the so-called “streetlight tax”.
2) What is the name of an Augmented Reality (AR) application launched by the Union Govt. on 15 June 2015 to highlight the achievements of the Department of Space during last one year? – “Saakar”
Explanation: The application named “Saakar” was launched by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh on 15 June. The application has been developed by DECU-ISRO for Android devices. It consists of 3D models of MOM, RISAT, rockets (PSLV, GSLVMk-III); videos of INSAT 3D-predicting cyclones, GSLV D5/Cryo, Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) orbit insertion, launch video of MOM, 360 degree animated view of MOM, Anaglyph of Mars surface, etc.
3) Which PSU entity has become the sixth-largest mining company in the world in terms of market capital as disclosed in a recent report of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)? – Coal India Limited (CIL)
Explanation: The PwC report titled “Mine 2015″, which analyses the financial performance of the top 40 mining companies by market capitalization disclosed that Coal India Limited is now the sixth largest mining company in the world. Earlier, CIL was at the eighth spot among top 40 global mining firms, according to the report. Another state-run company, NMDC, the country’s top iron ore miner which also figures in the list, has improved its position by coming to the 21st slot from 24thearlier. The report, in general mentioned, that though there have been improvements in most financial statement metrics across the top 40 companies, market values continued to decline. The top 40 miners lost US$ 156 billion, or about 16% of their combined market value, in 2014. The market capitalisation for the top 40 was USS 791 billion at the end of 2014, which is where it sat 10 years ago, mentioned the report.
4) An annual report by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) concluded that Asia has overtaken Europe as the world’s second-richest region in the world. The report concluded that The Asia Pacific, excluding Japan, held $47 trillion (£30tn) in private wealth during 2014 to overtake Europe. Which region still remains world’s richest region according to the report? – North America
Explanation: North America is the world’s richest region with $51 trillion, but is expected to be surpassed by Asia in 2016. Asia is also projected to hold 34% of global wealth in 2019. Overall, global private financial wealth grew by nearly 12% last year to $164 trillion, lifted by strong gains in the stock and bond markets. The BCG report concluded that as in both 2012 and 2013, Asia-Pacific (excluding Japan) remained the fastest-growing region in 2014. By contrast, growth rates in all ‘old world’ regions remained in the single digits, led by Western Europe and North America, and with Japan lagging somewhat behind.
5) Al-Qaida on 15 June 2015 confirmed that the leader of its offshoot in the Arabian Peninsula, has been killed in a US drone strike in Yemen. What was his name? – Nasser al-Wuhayshi
Explanation: Nasser al-Wuhayshi was a major global figure among jihadists and even supporters of al-Qaeda’s rival Islamic State viewed him with respect. He was seen as al-Qaeda’s second-in-command and was a former personal assistant to Osama Bin Laden. According to reports, in August 2013 Wuhayshi was appointed deputy of al-Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri, a sign of the extent of his influence. Wuhayshi also played a major role in forming the al-Qaida Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) off-shoot, Ansar al-Sharia, in 2011, to appeal to disaffected youth in Yemen at the time of the Arab Spring. His death was announced by the AQAP group in an online video. His successor was named as military chief Qasim al-Raymi. In Yemen, resurgent al-Qaeda militants have seized territory and infrastructure – indirectly assisted by Saudi-led air strikes on the rebel Houthi movement, their Shia Muslim foes. But the deaths of a number of leading figures in AQAP in recent months have reportedly fuelled rumours among supporters that it has been successfully targeted by intelligence agencies.
6) Who became the first 100% visually-challenged person to gain entry into the prestigious Indian Foreign Service (IFS) as announced on 12 June 2015? – NL Beno Zephine
Explanation: NL Beno Zephine is a 25-year girl from Chennai and she was informed by the External Affairs Ministry on 12 June 2015 that she has been inducted into the Indian Foreign Service (IFS). She thus became the first 100% visually-challenged person to gain entry into the 69-year-old IFS. Beno transcended the dependence on Braille books by switching to Job Access With Speech (JAWS), a software that allows visually challenged to read from a computer screen, to scan Tamil and English books. The software can also be adapted to a smart phone. It is worth mentioning that the Union Govt. modified some parameters pertaining to service criteria to give the IFS assignment to her. Till now, apart from visually normal candidates, only candidates wearing spectacles (and thereby have perfect vision) were accepted in IFS.
7) What is the name of the Indonesian volcano which is in news for being active once again during June 2015 and has been active since 2010 after being dormant for more than 400 years? – Mount Sinabung
Explanation: Mount Sinabung volcano is situated on the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. It has been in a dormant stage since last 400 years but went into active stage in August 2010. It had since witnessed a series of volcanic eruptions in 2010, 2013, 2014 and 2015. It once again witnessed volcanic activities from 2 June 2015 and has been erupting in stages since then. At least 3,000 people living near its slopes have had to leave, including 1,200 on 15 June alone. Scientists worry the volcano could pose more dangers in the coming weeks. The long eruption of Mount Sinabung is similar with Mount Unzen in Japan which the mount erupted for 5 years after 200 years dormant.
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