Current Affairs from 24 June 2014 for exams

1) Delhi University Vice Chancellor resigned: Delhi University Vice Chancellor Dinesh Singh resigned on 24 June 2014 in the midst of a raging controversy over the four-year undergraduate programme (FYUP) rocking the varsity. "VC has resigned," DU's media coordinator Malay Neerav said without giving details. The resignation of Singh, who was instrumental in introducing the FYUP, has come two days after the varsity was asked by the UGC to roll back the controversial four year course.

2) Uruguay knocked Italy out of FIFA World Cup: Uruguay captain Diego Godin's late strike against 10-man Italy sent his team into the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup here today and knocked their opponents out of the tournament in the opening stages for the second edition in a row. Godin's goal off a corner in the 81st minute was enough for the 2010 semifinalist to progress in the competition after a fiercely fought battle against the Italians in a match witnessing flared tempers, rough tackles and a moment when Giorgio Chiellini accused Luis Suarez of biting him. The result meant Uruguay finished second in Group D behind Costa Rica, who drew 0-0 with England in Belo Horizonte.

3) Air India joins Star Alliance:  Air India has joined the Star Alliance group of airlines, a spokesman of the national carrier said on 24 June 2014. After talks in London on Monday, Air India and Star Alliance officials arrived at the decision on the airline's affiliation. The alliance membership will allow Air India to share routes with the other airlines to more than 1,200 destinations and in the process will help improve its revenue. The formal induction will take place next month, most probably on July 11, with the unveiling of the Star Alliance logo and its livery on Air India’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner and an Airbus A-320. India is among the first clutch of countries to have acquired the Dreamliner.

4) Partial roll back of rail fare hike in suburban, 2nd class travel:Bowing to pressure from within and allies, the Railways today partially rolled back some of its stiff proposals by exempting second class suburban travel upto 80 km from the 14.2 per cent hike in fares and reduced the severity of hike for monthly season ticket-holders. In reliefs that will mainly benefit lakhs of daily commuters mainly in metros and other big cities, the Railway Ministry announced that last week's across-the-board hike of 14.2 per cent in passenger fares will not apply to second class suburban journey upto 80 kms.

5) Gujarat CM announced 33% quota for women in police force: In a pioneering move, Gujarat chief minister Anandiben Patel on Tuesday announced 33 per cent reservation for women in the police force. "It is necessary to empower women for their uplift in the society. My government has decided to provide 33 per cent reservation to women in new recruitment in the police force. It will be implemented in all cadres," Patel, the state's first woman chief minister, told reporters.

6) Veteran Director-Producer Ramanarayanan passed Away: Tamil film director and producer Ramanarayanan, who is popular for making films featuring animal characters, passed away on Sunday at a private hospital in Singapore. Ramanarayanan (65), hailing from Tamil Nadu, was admitted to the hospital for a kidney-related ailment and passed away this evening, his media manager said, adding that the final rites are expected to be held in the city on June 24.

7) Myanmar's first site inscribed to World Heritage List: Myanmar made its entry onto the World Heritage List today, with the inscription of its first site, Pyu Ancient Cities. The World Heritage Committee, meeting in Doha (Qatar) under the Chair of Sheikha Al Mayassa Bint Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, also  inscribed Iran’s ‘Burnt City” on the List.