Daily Current Affairs - 18th June 2013

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International Affairs

• Iran's ancient citadel of Bam, almost completely destroyed by a major earthquake in 2003, has been removed from the UNESCO list of "World Heritage in Danger".
• A large bomb exploded in the Afghan capital on Tuesday, killing at least three people on the day the international military coalition hands over responsibility for fighting the Taliban insurgency to the nascent national army and police they have been training.
• Holding that a "peaceful and stable" Pakistan was in India's interest, Defence Minister AK Antony on Tuesday said that the neighbouring country must initiate strong action against terrorist groups operating from its soil, in order to improve Indo-Pak ties.
• HamidKarzai announces transfer of security from NATO to Afghan control, a major milestone as US-led war effort winds down after 12 years.
• Barack Obama defends NSA surveillance programme; says operations were "transparent" and disrupted terrorist plots not just in US but overseas.
• Cash-strapped Britain Tuesday axed nearly 4,500 army personnel in the third and biggest round of job cuts since the 2010 defence review.
• The controversial secret cyber spying programme run by America's National Security Agency (NSA) foiled more than 50 potential terrorist plots in as many as 20 countries, including India.

National Affairs

• The Bihar government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with a consultant - Rites Ltd - for feasibility study and Detailed Project Report preparation for the proposed 30-km Patna Metro railway project, officials said on Tuesday.
• Director KingshukDe's upcoming Bengali film 'Nadi Re Tui' to dwell on Narmada Bachao movement.
• Union Health Ministry's ambitious schemes of providing free generic drugs at government health care centres have been launched after being put on hold last year due to financial constraints.
• RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat likely to meet L K Advani and hold meetings with other party leaders to discuss recent political developments.
• Portion of Kedarnath Temple compound washed off by rains in Uttarakhand but no reports of damage to the temple.
• People from low-lying areas along the Yamuna evacuated as water level in the river crosses danger mark.
• Sensex snaps 2-day uptrend, ends at 19,223.28 ahead of US Fed meet.
• About 200 stranded pilgrims flown in IAF choppers from Kedarnath shrine to Fata helipad in Rudraprayag district.
• Australian scientists have identified 280 craters on the moon that have never been mapped before, utilizing ultra-high resolution mapping techniques.

Appointments

• Girija Vyas takes charge as new Minister for Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation.
• Y K Sinha takes charge as new Indian High Commissioner to SriLanka.

Sports

• Rising shuttlers Sai Praneeth, P C Thulasi and Arundhati Pantawane qualified for the main draw of the Singapore Super Series after winning their respective qualifying round matches at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
• Former India fast bowler Javagal Srinath was Tuesday appointed the match referee for the first Champions Trophy semifinal between England and South Africa at the Oval on Wednesday.
• Sania Mirza and Liezel Huber move to quarterfinals of WTA Aegon International.
• Divij Sharan and Purav Raja move to 2nd round of Wimbledon qualifiers.