News Burger – Your Weekly Prep Diet – Week #2 (June)

• • Indians Form Second Largest Group Of Foreign Students In The US:
    Almost 2 Lakh Indian students are currently studying in the US, and this number has doubled in the past decade. China sends the maximum number of students to the US for studies. In 2016, 77% of all international students came from Asia.
    In related news - UK has excluded India from its list of relaxed student visas, which will reduce checks on financial, educational and language requirements to study at UK universities.
  • Indian Meteorological Department To Predict Flash Floods:
    The IMD will use the Flash Flood Guidance System (FFGS) technology to predict flash floods and contain the damage to life and property. This service is likely to be launched by July 2018.
    In related news - IMD will commission 27 doppler radars that will cover major coastlines and cities.
  • Indian Football Team Wins Intercontinental Cup:
    The team beat Kenya 2-0 to lift the 2018 Intercontinental Cup. Both goals were scored by skipper Sunil Chhetri.
  • Railways Launch 'Menu On Rails':
    The Railways have launched an app through which passengers can look at the meals offered on-board. Developed by IRCTC, the app is similar to food delivery apps like Swiggy and Zomato.
    The Ministry of Railways also launched the Rail Mobile Application For Desired Assistance During travel (MADAD) application to facilitate ease of travelling for passengers. The app will have helpline numbers as well.
  • US & North Korea Sign Denuclearisation Agreement:
    Country leaders Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un signed a document according to which the US will provide security guarantees to North Korea in exchange for the complete denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula.
  • 2 Women Battalions To Be Raised In Jammu & Kashmir:
    The Ministry of Home Affairs has approved the raising of two women battalions for the J&K Police forces, and 60% of posts will be reserved for women in 10 border districts.
  • Delhi AQI Deteriorates:
    The air quality in the national capital had gone beyond the 'severe' level, according to the Central Pollution Control Board, and has come down to 'poor' level after 5 days.
    
  • United States Approves Sale Of Apache Helicopters To India:
    The US Government has approved a deal to sell 6 attack helicopters to India for $930 Million, along with missiles and other military weapons and equipment.
  • Millionaires Own Almost Half Of The World's Wealth - BCG:
    According to a study by The Boston Consulting Group, millionaires own 45% of the world's total wealth, which is a record. In 2021, millionaires will have 51% of the total wealth, according to the BCG report.
  • PhonePe And Ola Tie-Up:
    PhonePe, which is owned by Flipkart, has tied up with Ola cabs for digital payments.
  • Indian Chess Player Withdraws From Competition:
    Soumya Swaminathan withdrew from the Asian Team Chess Championship in Iran due to the country's hijab policy, according to which all women are required to cover their heads in public places. On many occasions, sportswomen from India and other countries have withdrawn from championships due to the hijab policy.
  • First Female Chief Financial Officer At General Motors:
    Dhivya Suryadevara has been appointed as the CFO at General Motors. She is currently the Vice President of Corporate Finance at GM, and will take over as CFO on September 1st. She graduated from the University of Madras in the year 2000, and went on to pursue her MBA from the Harvard Business School.
  • Tamil Nadu To Ban e-Cigarette:
    The Health Minister of the TN government, Mr. Vijaya Bhaskar, announced in the assembly that the government will ban e-cigarettes due to emission of vaporised nicotine.
  • Omar Al-Razzaz Becomes Jordan PM:
    Amid anti-austerity protests, King Abdullah of Jordan has appointed Omar Al-Razzaz as the new Prime Minister, who will succeed Hani al-Mulki in office. al-Mulki resigned after mass protests in the nation over price hikes and other policies.
    In related news - Ivan Duque becomes Colombia's President. He is the youngest ever President in the history of the country.
  • Indian Scribe Killed In Kashmir:
    Shujaat Bukhari, editor-in-chief of Rising Kashmir was killed outside his office by 3 armed assailant on a motorcycle. 2 of his PSOs were also killed in the attack. This was the second attempt on Shujaat's life. The incident has been condemned by journalists all over the country, and has been linked to the recent report by the UN on human rights violation and atrocities in Kashmir.
  • Macedonia Signs Pact To Change Name:
    Macedonia has renamed itself to "The Republic of North Macedonia".
  • FIFA World Cup News -
    a) The 21st FIFA World Cup was kicked off in Russia on 14th June, 2018. It will see participation from 32 countries from Europe, South America, Africa and Asia.
    b) It is the most expensive World Cup ever, as over $14.2 Billion dollars have been spent on it.
    c) The World Cup Final will take place on 15th July at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. A total of 12 stadium have been built and renovated for the World Cup.

Which news item did you find the most interesting?

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