Current Affairs (This Week) Set-1

Shanghai Cooperation 12th conference was held at Beijing:

 Shanghai Cooperation 12th conference was held at china's capital Beijing on june 6th & 7th 2012. External Affairs Minister SM Krishna arrived here to participate in the 12th summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to which India is an observer
SCO members include Russia, China,Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.

Pakistan, India, Iran and Mongolia have the observer status while Turkmenistan and Afghanistan attend SCO gatherings as guest nations. During the summit, Afghanistan and Turkey are likely to be granted observer status.

Pak test fires nuclear-capable Hatf-7 cruise missile:

Pakistan test fired nuclear-capable Hatf-7 cruise missile with a range of 600 km that can hit targets in India.

It is a “low flying, terrain-hugging missile with high manoeuvrability, pin-point accuracy and radar avoidance features.”

Nobel Prize reduces prize winners' cash amount:

Nobel Prize winners are to receive a smaller cash sum in future, after a cut to prize winnings was announced.

The Nobel Foundation said the economic crisis was to blame for the move, which will see a 20% cut in prize money.

The foundation said the returns on its capital had not grown at the same rate as its costs, and that future winners would receive $1.1m (£700,000).

The money that prize winners are awarded with was donated by the chemist Alfred Nobel in his will.

 VS Sampath takes over as new chief election commissioner:

Seniormost election commissioner VS Sampath  was appointed the chief election commissioner ahead of the President's election. President Pratibha Patil cleared his appointment in the evening.

Sampath, a 1973 batch IAS officer of Andhra Pradesh cadre, will take over after SY Quraishi's term as the CEC ends on June 10.

Anand Mahindra gets global leadership award:

Anand Mahindra, vice chairman & managing director of Mahindra Group, and Alan Mulally, president & CEO, Ford Motor Company, have been honoured with Global Leadership Awards for their outstanding contributions to the US-India growth story. The Indian and US business leaders were given the awards at the 37th anniversary leadership summit of the US-India Business Council (USIBC) comprising about 350 top US and Indian companies.

The Mahindra Group continues to invest heavily in the American agricultural sector.

Ford Motor Company has recently laid the foundation stone for its new $906 million manufacturing facility in Sanand, Gujarat.

Vice Admiral DK Joshi named new Navy chief :

Vice Admiral DK Joshi, a highly-decorated anti-submarine warfare specialist, will be the new Indian Navy chief in the rank of admiral, an official announcement said in Mumbai on Tuesday. He will take over from incumbent Admiral Nirmal Verma, who will retire Aug 31. Joshi (58) is currently the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command, the Indian Navy's sword arm.

Born July 4, 1954, Joshi was commissioned into the executive branch of the Indian Navy April 1, 1974.

Joshi has been awarded the Param Vishist Seva Medal, the Ati Vishist Seva medal, Yudh Seva Medal, Nau Sena Medal and the Vishist Seva Medal.

R.P.Singh appointed Chairman of NHAI: 

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Shri Rajinder Pal Singh as Chairman of National Highways Authority of India. Shri Singh, an IAS officer of 1976 batch of Andhra Pradesh Cadre (Retired) will hold the office for a period of three years with effect from the date of assumption of charge or till the age of 65 years or until further orders, whichever is the earliest.

Munaf, Yusuf presented Eklavya award after 14 months` delay:

All-rounder Yusuf Pathan, a member of the World Cup winning cricket team, has finally been presented the Gujarat Government`s Eklavya Award, almost 14 months after it was announced.

The award was also presented to his teammate and fellow Gujarati, Munaf Patel, at his residence in Bharuch on Wednesday.

Chief Minister Narendra Modi had announced the awards for Munaf and Yusuf Pathan in April 2011.

Eklavya Award is the highest sports award set up by the Gujarat government.

Wisden India award for legend Sachin Tendulkar:  

                                       
Cricket superstar Sachin Tendulkar received the first ever Wisden India Outstanding Achievement award in Dubai. Fans were able to meet and talk with Tendulkar at the celebration.

Indian cricket superstar Sachin Tendulkar became the first recipient of the Wisden India Outstanding Achievement award. He was honored at a function in Dubai during the weekend.