Current Affairs Today 16th July 2020-Download in PDF

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Current Affairs Today – 16th July 2020

NEWS AT A GLANCE

  1. National Bank of Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has provided credit support of Rs 1,607 crore to West Bengal during the COVID-19 pandemic so far.
  2. In Karnataka, NABARD has extended a grant assistance of 221.89 crore rupees to support 298 watershed projects in over three lakh hectares benefitting 66,500 families. The State has about 75 percent of rainfed area.
  3. The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development launched projects worth of Rs 44 lakhs in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
  4. The National Housing Bank (NHB) has in the last four months (March to June 30, 2020) provided a total refinance assistance of over Rs 25,000 crore to the housing finance companies (HFCs) alone.
  5. In a meeting with the 15th Finance Commission, the Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan, highlighted that the government aims at gradually increasing the public health expenditure to 2.5 per cent of the nation’s GDP by the year 2025.
  6. Shipping Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has approved 107 Crore rupees for augmentation of firefighting facilities on five jetties of Haldia Dock Complex at Kolkata Port.
  7. The Union Minister of Human Resource and Development Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishnak launched world’s most affordable COVID-19 kit.
  8. The Indian Railways has launched a new state-of-the-art, ‘Post COVID Coach’ in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19 virus infection.
  9. The Minister of State for Shipping Shri Manasukh Mandaviya reviewed the development activities of Vallarpadam terminal at Cochin.
  10. The Uttarakhand government has decided to convert waste generated in the state to electricity under an initiative titled ‘Waste to Energy’.
  11. Assam Chief Minister, Sarbananda Sonowal has announced, Poba Reserve Forest in Dhemaji district would be upgraded to a wildlife sanctuary.
  12. On July 9, 2020, China successfully launched the APSTAR-6D satellite– a high-power broadband communications satellite into orbit, to provide broadband internet service.
  13. The Tunisian PM Elyes Fakhfakh resigned. He presented his resignation to the President of Tunisia Kais Saied.
  14. On July 15, 2020, the 15th India-European Union Summit was held through video conferencing. The summit aims to strengthen ties between India and European Union.
  15. The Union Minister of State for Defence Shri Shripad Naik inaugurated the conference on Defence Manufacturing Technologies and Aerospace.
  16. On July 15, 2020, the Union Minister of Food Processing Industries Harsimrat Kaur Badal inaugurated the Digital Indo-Italian Business mission on Food Processing.
  17. As per the annual ‘State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World’ report, by United Nations, almost 690 million people (8.9% of overall population) went hungry in 2019.
  18. Google has announced its partnership with CBSE to help 1 million teachers conduct classes online by the end of the year.
  19. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) and Defence Pubic Sector Unit (PSU) Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) has signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
  20. On World Youth Skills Day, UNICEF India today announced its partnership with SAP India to provide career counselling to young people in the country that will improve their employability skills in a COVID and post COVID era.
  21. Reliance Jio has raised $4.5 billion ( Rs 33,737 crore) from the search giant, Google for a 7.77% stake.
  22. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved acquisition by Aceso Company Pte. Ltd. (Aceso) in HealthCare Global Enterprises Limited (HCG).
  23. Tata group chairman, Natarajan Chandrasekaran and Chief Executive Officer and President of Lockheed Martin, Jim Taiclet to receive the US-India Business Council (USIBC) Global Leadership Award 2020.
  24. Former Australian fast bowler and cricket legend Brett Lee has been signed by SportsAdda as its brand ambassador.
  25. Indian-origin, Chandrikapersad ‘Chan’ Santokhi has been elected the president of South American country “Suriname”.
  26. The Federation Internationale de Football Association announced that the 2022 World Cup is to be held in Qatar.
  27. The former IAS officer and the first woman election commissioner of Maharashtra Smt Neela Satyanarayan passed away.
  28. Former Goa health minister, Suresh Amonka passed away at 68 due to COVID-19 infection, while undergoing treatment at ESI hospital in Margao.
  29. The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), Hyderabad observed “Swachhata Pakhwada“.
  30. The GMR Hyderabad International Airport (GHIAL) has introduced India’s first-ever fully contactless airport car parking to provide a safe airport amid COVID-19.

NEWS IN DETAILS

BANKING & FINANCE

NABARD Credit Support of Rs1,607 Crore to Bengal in Coronavirus Crisis

  • National Bank of Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has provided credit support of Rs 1,607 crore to West Bengal during the COVID-19 pandemic so far.
  • Besides the bank’s normal refinance schemes, this is a special liquidity support measure as the pandemic and the lockdown have severely affected the rural economy.
  • The help was provided through state cooperative banks, regional rural banks and micro-finance institutions.

Extra Shots:

West Bengal:

  • Established on: 26 January 1950
  • Capital: Kolkata
  • Governor: Jagdeep Dhankhar
  • Chief Minister: Mamata Banerjee

NABARD extends grant assistance of Rs 221.89 cr to support 298 watershed projects in Karnataka

  • In Karnataka, NABARD has extended a grant assistance of 221.89 crore rupees to support 298 watershed projects in over three lakh hectares benefitting 66,500 families. The State has about 75 percent of rainfed area.
  • The projects have resulted in improving the crop productivity, diversification, soil and water conservation and socio-economic condition of the beneficiaries.

Extra Shots:

Karnataka:

  • Statehood Day: 1st November 1956
  • Capital: Bengaluru
  • Chief Minister: B. S. Yediyurappa
  • Governor: Vajubhai Vala
  • National Park: Anshi NP, Bandipur NP, Bannerghatta NP, Kudremukh NP, Rajiv Gandhi (Nagarahole) NP.

NABARD launches Rs 44 lakhs worth projects in Andaman and Nicobar Islands

  • The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development launched projects worth of Rs 44 lakhs in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
  • The projects have been launched to develop Self Help Groups and also to help in skill development of Self-Help Groups in the territory.
  • Around 385 village level programmes are to be conducted and provide training to leaders of newly formed SHGs with an aid of Rs 10 lakhs.
  • Under the project, women attached to Self Help Groups (SHGs) are to be trained for Mushroom Cultivation and Bamboo handicrafts.
  • NABARD is to carry out a yearly micro-entrepreneurship development programme for 150 members of various SHGs in Middle Andaman.
  • Also, NABARD has tied up with Centre of Agriculture Research Institute (CARI) to conduct agricultural programmes of Rs 20 lakhs.

Extra Shots:

NABARD

  • Founded: 12 July 1982
  • Headquarters: Mumbai
  • Chairperson: Harsh Kumar Bhanwala
  • Purpose: Development assistance; Poverty Reduction
  • Formation: July 12, 1982

NHB provides Rs 25,000 crore to housing fin cos as refinance assistance in last 4 months

  • The National Housing Bank (NHB) has in the last four months (March to June 30, 2020) provided a total refinance assistance of over Rs 25,000 crore to the housing finance companies (HFCs) alone.
  • Total refinance disbursements during July-June 2020 grew 24 per cent year -on-year to touch Rs 31,250 crore under its various refinance schemes.
  • Under the Aatmanirbhar Package announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the NHB was provided a Special Liquidity Facility of Rs10,000 crore by the Reserve Bank of India to address the pandemic related liquidity issues of housing finance sector.

Extra Shots:

National Housing Bank (NHB)

  • Website: nhb.org.in
  • Founded: 9 July 1988
  • Sector: Bank
  • Headquarters: New Delhi
  • Managing Director: Shri Sriram Kalyanaraman
  • Parent agency: Reserve Bank of India

NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

Govt aims to increase public health expenditure to 2.5% of GDP by 2025

  • In a meeting with the 15th Finance Commission, the Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan, highlighted that the government aims at gradually increasing the public health expenditure to 2.5 per cent of the nation’s GDP by the year 2025.
  • The Minister asserted that the outlay for primary health expenditure will also be made nearly two third of the total public health expenditure in the country.
  • The Health Ministry has also revised its requirement of around 4.9 lakh crores to 6.04 lakh crores in view of the COVID pandemic.

Govt approves Rs 107 cr for firefighting facilities at Haldia Dock

  • Shipping Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has approved 107 Crore rupees for augmentation of firefighting facilities on five jetties of Haldia Dock Complex at Kolkata Port.
  • The modern firefighting facility will enable the Haldia Dock Complex in safe handling of the movement of petro-chemical products.
  • The existing fire fighting facility does not support the handling of the LPG and other petroleum products as per the guideline of Oil Industry Safety Directorate of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.

India launches World’s Most Affordable COVID-19 kit “COROSURE”

  • The Union Minister of Human Resource and Development Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishnak launched world’s most affordable COVID-19 kit.
  • The kit was developed by IIT Delhi.
  • The test called “COROSURE” has been billed as the world’s most affordable RT-PCR based COVID-19 diagnostic kit. The base price of the kit is Rs 399.
  • Around 10 companies have been given licenses to manufacture the kit. The technology of preparing the kit is to be transferred to the companies by IIT Delhi.
  • Both ICMR and DCGI (Drug Controller General of India) have approved the test kit. ICMR has approved the kit with highest score and DCGI has approved the kit with highest sensitivity and specificity.

Extra Shots:

The Ministry of Human Resource Development, formerly Ministry of Education, is responsible for the development of human resources in India.

  • Officeholder: Ramesh Pokhriyal (Union Minister)
  • Ministry executives: R. Subrahmanyam, (IAS Officer); Rina Ray, (IAS Officer)
  • Founded: 26 September 1985
  • Headquarters: New Delhi
  • Jurisdiction: India
  • Departments: Department of Higher Education, Department of School Education and Literacy

Indian Railways creates ‘Post-Covid Coach’ to ensure safer journey

  • The Indian Railways has launched a new state-of-the-art, ‘Post COVID Coach’ in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19 virus infection.
  • The Indian Railways’ production unit, Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala, has developed this new Post COVID Coach.
  • The salient features of the Post COVID Coach are handsfree amenities, copper-coated handrails & latches, plasma air purification and titanium di-oxide coating for COVID free passenger journey.

STATE CURRENT AFFAIRS

India’s first trans-shipment hub in Cochin port, Kerala

  • The Minister of State for Shipping Shri Manasukh Mandaviya reviewed the development activities of Vallarpadam terminal at Cochin.
  • The terminal accommodates India’s first trans-shipment hub.

Trans-Shipment Hub

  • A Trans-Shipment Hub handles containers and stores them temporarily. Later it transfers them to other ships for onward destination.

Extra Shots:

Kerala:

  • Capital: Thiruvananthapuram
  • Chief Minister: Pinarayi Vijayan
  • Governor: Arif Mohammed Khan
  • Festivals: Onam, Vishu, Thrissur Pooram, Nehru Trophy Boat Race
  • National Parks: Anamudi Shola National Park, Eravikulam National Park, Mathikettan Shola National Park, Pambadum Shola National Park, Periyar National Park,Silent Valley National Park
  • Wildlife Sanctuaries: Aralam WLS, Chimmony WLS, Idukki WLS, Periyar WLS, Wayanad WLS, Peppara WLS, Neyyar WLS, Kurinjimala WLS, Malabar WLS etc

‘Waste to Energy’ initiative of Uttarakhand to generate electricity from waste

  • The Uttarakhand government has decided to convert waste generated in the state to electricity under an initiative titled ‘Waste to Energy’.

Data related to waste:

  • At present 900 tonnes of waste is generated in the hill state every day, according to state government data.
  • Out of the total waste generated, half is organic in nature while 17 per cent falls in a recyclable category followed by 21 per cent biomedical waste and 11 per cent of inert nature which is building material waste.
  • According to Uttarakhand Environment Protection and Pollution Control Board (UEPPCB) this waste can generate upto 5 megawatt of electricity and curb the pollution.

Aim of the Scheme:

  • to convert waste generated in the state to electricity
  • to solve the problem of unavailability of landfills to dispose off the solid waste across the hill state with has 10 out if 13 districts as hill areas.

Extra Shots:

Uttarkhand

  • Statehood Day: 9th November 2000
  • Capital: Dehradun
  • Governor: Baby Rani maurya
  • Chief Minister: Trivendra Singh Rawat
  • National Park :Jim Corbett NP, Gangotri NP, Nanda Devi NP, Rajaji NP

Poba Reserve Forest in Assam will be upgraded to Wildlife Sanctuary

  • Assam Chief Minister, Sarbananda Sonowal has announced, Poba Reserve Forest in Dhemaji district would be upgraded to a wildlife sanctuary.
  • The announcement was made during a meeting with senior officials of Lakhimpur, Dhemaji and Majuli districts at Jonai.
  • Poba Reserve Forest declared in 1924 with an area of 10,522 hectares is home to a large number of flora and fauna.

NOTE:

  • Dehing Patkai wildlife sanctuary declared as Stae’s National Prak.
  • Dehing Patkai will be the sixth national park in Assam. the other five being Kaziranga, Nameri, Manas, Orang and Dibru-Saikhowa.

Extra Shots:

Assam:

  • Capital: Dispur
  • Chief Minister: Sarbananda Sonowal
  • Governor: Jagdish Mukhi
  • National Park: Dibru-Saikhowa NP, Kaziranga NP, Manas NP, Nameri NP, Rajiv Gandhi Orang NP, Dehing Patkai

INTERNATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

China Successfully Launches High-throughput broadband communications satellite APSTAR-6D

  • On July 9, 2020, China successfully launched the APSTAR-6D satellite– a high-power broadband communications satellite into orbit, to provide broadband internet service.
  • The APSTAR-6D telecommunication satellite was launched aboard a Long March 3B carrier rocket from Xichang Satellite Launch Center.
  • APSTAR-6D is designed and manufactured by the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST), a subsidiary of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC).
  • The geostationary satellite, APSTAR-6D is the first satellite of China’s global, high-throughput broadband satellite communication system that will form a space-wide Internet communication network covering the whole world, similar to GPS.
  • It will be operated by the APT Mobile SatCom Limited to provide satellite broadband telecommunication services for airborne, shipborne, vehicle-borne, and other mobile communication applications for users across the Asia-Pacific region.

Extra Shots:

Xichang Satellite Launch Center

  • Opened: 1984
  • Alternative names: Base 27
  • Province: Sichuan
  • Location: Xichang, Liangshan, Sichuan

China (Capital/Currency): Beijing/Renminbi

  • President: Xi Jinping
  • Official Language: Mandarin

Tunisian Prime Minister Elyes Fakhfakh resigns

  • The Tunisian PM Elyes Fakhfakh resigned. He presented his resignation to the President of Tunisia Kais Saied.
  • Bad weather delays launch of UAE’s first mission to Mars

Extra Shots:

Tunisia (Currency/Currency): Tunis/Tunisian dinar, Dinar

The Hope mission launch was further delayed, again due to weather concerns

  • The UAE’s Hope spacecraft was scheduled to blast off today (July 14) from Tanegashima Space Center in Japan aboard an H-IIA rocket before the weather interfered.
  • The launch is now targeting Thursday (July 16) at 4:43 p.m. EDT (2043 GMT),
  • The $200 million spacecraft, also called the Emirates Mars Mission, represents the Arab region’s first foray into interplanetary space and an ambitious step for the UAE, which first participated in a satellite launch in 2009 by partnering with a South Korean company.

SUMMITS AND CONFERENCES

India-European Summit held via video conferencing

  • On July 15, 2020, the 15th India-European Union Summit was held through video conferencing. The summit aims to strengthen ties between India and European Union.
  • The fourteenth India-European Union Summit was held in New Delhi in 2017.

Highlights of the Summit:

  • Under the Summit, India and European Union agreed to boost their ties in the areas of defence, trade and investment.
  • They agreed to launch a dialogue on maritime security.
  • The leaders at the summit decided to strengthen India-EU strategic partnership.
  • They affirmed their determination to promote multilateralism with United Nations and World Trade Organization (WTO).

A Roadmap to 2025

  • The Roadmap to 2025 was created during the 15th India-EU Summit. The roadmap does not give rise to any financial commitments and does not create any legally binding rights or obligations.

Clean Energy and Climate Partnership

  • India and EU discussed the ongoing cooperation under the “Clean Energy and Climate Partnership”.

Bilateral Cooperation

  • They also reinforced their cooperation in International Solar Alliance (ISA), International Platform on Sustainable Finance (IPSF). These platforms will help in environmentally sustainable investments.

India-EURATOM Agreement

  • The leaders at the summit welcomed the signing of India-EURATOM agreement on research and development in nuclear energy.

Cyberspace

  • The leaders confirmed their full support to an open, free, stable and secure cyberspace, and their commitment to foster the responsible and liable behaviour of all the actors in the cyberspace.

Extra Shots:

European Union (EU)

  • Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium
  • Founded: 1 November 1993, Maastricht, Netherlands
  • Unemployment rate: 6.2% (Jan 2020) Eurostat
  • Founders: Germany, Italy, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg

World Trade Organization (WTO)

  • Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
  • Membership: 164 member states
  • Head: Pascal Lamy
  • Founded: 1 January 1995
  • Purpose: Reduction of tariffs and other barriers to trade

Conference on Defence Manufacturing Technologies and Aerospace inaugurated

  • The Union Minister of State for Defence Shri Shripad Naik inaugurated the conference on Defence Manufacturing Technologies and Aerospace.
  • The conference is being held to promote Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan and Make in India initiative.
  • The conference is held under the theme: Empowering India with Atma Nirbhar Bharat Mission
  • The event was jointly organized by Tamil Nadu Technology Development Promotion Centre, Confederation of Indian Industry and Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers.
  • The Technology promotion centre of Tamil Nadu participated as one of the two defence industrial corridors of the country is located in the state. The other is located in Uttar Pradesh.
  • The conference will help India achieve its defence target of 26 billion USD of domestic production by 2025.

Extra Shots:

The Ministry of Defence is charged with coordinating and supervising all agencies and functions of the government relating directly to national security and the Indian armed forces. The President of India is the ceremonial commander-in-chief of the armed forces of the country.

  • Headquarters: New Delhi
  • Founded: 15 August 1947
  • Officeholders: Rajnath Singh (Minister), Subhash Bhamre (Minister of State)

Indo-Italian Business Mission on Food Processing inaugurated

  • On July 15, 2020, the Union Minister of Food Processing Industries Harsimrat Kaur Badal inaugurated the Digital Indo-Italian Business mission on Food Processing.

Highlights:

  • The Mission will focus on key areas such as fruits and vegetables, milk, cereals, dairy processing, bottling and packaging.
  • The event is to be held for two days.
  • During the event, trade fairs, digital conferences and back to back meetings are to be conducted.
  • Around 23 Italian companies are to exhibit their products and services.
  • India is to invest in mega food parks and agricultural export zones in the future.
  • Also, GoI will link these parks with Industrial estates, industrial parks and clusters in the country.

Extra Shots:

The Ministry of Food Processing Industries is a ministry of the Government of India responsible for formulation and administration of the rules and regulations and laws relating to food processing in India.

  • Departments: National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management
  • Headquarters: New Delhi
  • Founded: 1947
  • Officeholders: Niranjan Jyoti (Minister of State), Harsimrat Kaur Badal (Minister)

RANKS AND INDICES

According to UN Report, around 690 million people were found hungry in 2019, with highest population in Asia

  • As per the annual ‘State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World’ report, by United Nations, almost 690 million people (8.9% of overall population) went hungry in 2019.

Reports Highlights:

  • This figure is up by 10 million from 2018, and by nearly 60 million in five years.
  • This means that more people are going hungry while tens of millions have joined the ranks of the chronically undernourished over the past five years, and countries around the world continue to struggle with multiple forms of malnutrition.
  • The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report was released on 13 July 2020.
  • It is co-developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Fund for Agriculture (IFAD), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the UN World Food Programme (WFP) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
  • The report is the most authoritative global study tracking progress towards ending hunger and malnutrition.
  • The report also states that the hungry are most numerous in Asia but expanding fastest in Africa.
  • Globally, the COVID-19 pandemic could tip over 130 million more people into chronic hunger by the end of 2020.
  • High costs and low affordability are also the key reasons why billions cannot eat healthily or nutritiously.

Extra Shots:

United Nations

  • Secretary general: António Guterres
  • Headquarters: New York, New York, United States
  • Founded: 24 October 1945, San Francisco, California, United States
  • Official languages: Arabic; Chinese; English; French; Russian; Spanish

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

  • Headquarters: Rome, Italy
  • Head: Qu Dongyu
  • Founded: 16 October 1945, Quebec City, Canada
  • Parent organization: United Nations Economic and Social Council
  • Formation: 16 October 1945

International Fund for Agriculture (IFAD)

  • Headquarters location: Rome, Italy
  • Head: Gilbert Houngbo
  • Founder: India
  • Founded: December 1977, Rome, Italy
  • Parent organization: United Nations Economic and Social Council
  • Formation: 15 December 1977

World Food Programme (WFP)

  • Headquarters: Rome, Italy
  • Founded: 1961
  • Parent organization: United Nations General Assembly
  • Heads: David Beasley, Ertharin Cousin
  • Founders: Food and Agriculture Organization, United Nations General Assembly
  • Video games: Food Force, Freerice – Learn, Have Fun, Help End Hunger

World Health Organization (WHO)

  • Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
  • Founded: 7 April 1948
  • Parent organization: United Nations Economic and Social Council
  • Heads: Tedros Adhanom, Soumya Swaminathan, Jane Ellison

AGREEMENTS AND MOU SIGNED

Google partners with CBSE to help 1 mn teachers run online classes

  • Google has announced its partnership with CBSE to help 1 million teachers conduct classes online by the end of the year.
  • Google will help teachers from 22,000 schools across India to run classes via YouTube, Google Classrooms, and GSuite.
  • G Suite for Education includes Google’s usual tools, like Google Docs, Sheets and more. It also includes ways for teachers to give assignments to students and use Google Forms.

Extra Shots:

CBSE

  • Headquarters location: Delhi
  • Founded: 1962
  • Parent organisation: Ministry of Human Resource Development
  • Chairperson: Manoj Ahuja, IAS
  • Type of business: Government

AAI & BEL signs MoU for co-operation in civil aviation sector

  • The Airports Authority of India (AAI) and Defence Pubic Sector Unit (PSU) Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) has signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
  • The MoU aims to tap the emerging global markets in the airport business, including the ones in the Asia-Pacific region.
  • The partnership between the two companies will support each other in addressing the emerging global opportunities in the airport business.
  • The MoU will also provide a common platform for both the companies to work together and hence, will give a major lift to the civil aviation industry in the future.
  • AAI will help BEL in its domain of expertise while playing the role of a development partner.
  • This will enable BEL in execution of the MEA projects outside India.
  • Hence, the partnership will help BEL in tapping the domestic civil aviation market as well into the South-East Asian, African and Latin American civil aviation markets.

Extra Shots:

Airports Authority of India (AAI)

  • Headquarters: New Delhi
  • Parent organization: Directorate General of Civil Aviation
  • Founded: 1 April 1995
  • Chairman: Arvind Singh

Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL)

  • Headquarters: Bengaluru
  • Owner: Government of India
  • Founded: 1954, Bengaluru
  • CMD: M V Gowtama

UNICEF India and SAP India partner to improve employability of young people

  • On World Youth Skills Day, UNICEF India today announced its partnership with SAP India to provide career counselling to young people in the country that will improve their employability skills in a COVID and post COVID era.
  • UNICEF is collaborating with the initiative named ‘ YuWaah’ (Generation Unlimited).
  • Under this initiative they decided to provide digital education and occupational skillset to the underserved young people of the country.

Under the collaboration UNICEF – YuWaah – SAP will strengthen the following:

  • Improve digital skills and life skills for young people
  • Provide young people with career options.
  • Reimagine the model in other states with the Government of India
  • Impacting one million young people by the end of 2022

Extra Shots:

UNICEF

  • Headquarters: New York, New York, United States
  • Head: Henrietta H. Fore
  • Founded: 11 December 1946, New York, New York, United States
  • Founders: United Nations General Assembly, Ludwik Rajchman
  • Parent organizations: United Nations General Assembly, United Nations Economic and Social Council

SAP India Pvt. Ltd.

  • Founded: 1996
  • Parent organization: SAP

ACQUISITION & MERGER

Google to pick 7.7 per cent stake in Jio for Rs 33,737 crore

  • Reliance Jio has raised $4.5 billion (Rs 33,737 crore) from the search giant, Google for a 7.77% stake.
  • This marks the end of the successful $20.6 billion (Rs 1,52,056 crore) funds raise cycle from 13 investors by Reliance Jio- India’s largest digital company for a 33% stake in the firm.
  • The Reliance-Google partnership is stated to be making cheap data, affordable smartphones beyond the current 500 million internet customers across India.
  • Google has also entered into a commercial agreement with Reliance to build entry level-affordable 4G/ 5G smartphones.

Complete list of Investors of Jio Platforms

S.No

Investor

Investment Amount (in crores)

Stake Bought
1 Facebook, Inc. Rs 43,573.62 9.99%
2 Silver Lake Partners Rs 5,655.75 1.15%
3 Vista Equity Partners Rs 11,367.00 2.32%
4 General Atlantic Rs 6,598.38 1.34%
5 KKR Rs 11,367.00 2.32%
6 Mubadala Rs 9,093.60 1.85%
7 Silver Lake Partners (additional investment) Rs 4,546.80 0.93%
8 Abu Dhabi Investment Authority Rs 5,683.50 1.16%
9 TPG Rs 4,546.80 0.93%
10 L Catterton Rs 1,894.50 0.39%
11 PIF Rs 11,367.00 2.32%
12 Qualcomm Rs 730 0.15%
13 Google Rs 33,737 7.7%

Extra Shots:

Google

  • CEO: Sundar Pichai
  • Founded: 4 September 1998, Menlo Park, California, United States
  • Parent organization: Alphabet Inc.
  • Headquarters: Mountain View, California, United States
  • Founders: Larry Page, Sergey Brin

RIL:

  • CEO: Mukesh Ambani
  • Owner: Mukesh Ambani (47.35%)
  • Founder: Dhirubhai Ambani
  • Founded: 8 May 1973, Maharashtra

CCI approves acquisition by Aceso Company Pte. Ltd. in HCG

  • The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved acquisition by Aceso Company Pte. Ltd. (Aceso) in HealthCare Global Enterprises Limited (HCG).
  • CCI has approved acquisition under Section 31(1) of the Competition Act, 2002.
  • Aceso Company Pte. Ltd. (Aceso) is an entity which forms part of the CVC Network.
  • The CVC Network consists of three entities which are privately owned and offers investment advice to and / or managing investments on behalf of certain investment funds as well as platforms.
  • HealthCare Global Enterprises Limited (HCG) is engaged in the business of offering services via cancer treatment clinics, multi-specialty hospitals, and fertility treatment centres.

Extra Shots:

Competition Commission of India (CCI)

  • Website: cci.gov.in
  • Founded: 14 October 2003
  • Jurisdiction: India
  • Headquarters: New Delhi
  • First executive: Dhanendra Kumar

HealthCare Global Enterprises Limited (HCG)

  • Headquarters: India
  • Founded: 1989
  • CEO: B S Ajai Kumar

Aceso Company Pte. Ltd. (Aceso)

  • Founded: 2009

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL AWARDS

N Chandrasekaran & Jim Taiclet to receive Global Leadership Award 2020

  • Tata group chairman, Natarajan Chandrasekaran and Chief Executive Officer and President of Lockheed Martin, Jim Taiclet to receive the US-India Business Council (USIBC) Global Leadership Award 2020.
  • N Chandrasekaran joined the Board of Tata Sons in October 2016 and was appointed as Chairman in January 2017. He currently serves as a Part-Time Non-Official Director on the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Central board.
  • Jim Taiclet became president and CEO of Lockheed Martin in June 2020. He succeeded Marillyn A. Hewson.

Extra Shots:

US-India Business Council (USIBC)

  • Headquarters location: Washington, D.C., United States
  • Founded: 1975
  • Key person: Nisha Desai Biswal (Chairman)
  • Type of business: Non-profit organisation

USIBC Global Leadership Award

  • The USIBC Global Leadership Award has been presented annually since 2007. It is accorded to the top corporate executives from the United States and India whose companies play a major role in promoting growth in the US-India commercial corridor.
  • It is recognition for their outstanding leadership and for promoting Indo-US trade and business.

APPOINTMENTS IN NEWS

Brett Lee becomes brand ambassador of SportsAdda

  • Former Australian fast bowler and cricket legend Brett Lee has been signed by SportsAdda as its brand ambassador. SportsAdda is an Indian news and information platform that provides all updates, insights and statistics for cricket, football, and kabaddi.
  • Brett Lee has claimed 718 wickets while playing for Australia in 221 ODIs, 76 Tests, and 25 T20Is.

Indian-origin ‘Chan’ Santokhi elected as the President of South American “Suriname”

  • Indian-origin, Chandrikapersad ‘Chan’ Santokhi has been elected the president of South American country “Suriname”.
  • A former Justice Minister, Santokhi of the Progressive Reform Party (PRP) was elected unopposed.
  • He will succeed Desi Bouterse, a former military strongman, whose National Party of Suriname (NPS) lost the election in May as he sent the country to an economic precipice.
  • Suriname is a former Dutch colony where people of Indian descent make up the largest ethnic group comprising 27.4 per cent of the population of 587,000.

SPORTS CURRENT AFFAIRS

2022 FIFA World Cup to be held in Qatar

  • The Federation Internationale de Football Association announced that the 2022 World Cup is to be held in Qatar.
  • The 2022 FIFA World Cup will be the first world cup to be held in Arab World and also the first in a muslim-majority country.
  • NOTE: Indian National Team ranks 108 in the latest FIFA rankings that were released in 2019.

Extra Shots:

FIFA

  • President: Gianni Infantino
  • Headquarters: Zürich, Switzerland
  • Founded at: Paris, France
  • Founded: 21 May 1904, Rue Saint-Honoré, Paris, France
  • Senior Vice-President: Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa (AFC)

OBITUARY

Maharashtra’s First Woman Election Commissioner passed away

  • The former IAS officer and the first woman election commissioner of Maharashtra Smt Neela Satyanarayan passed away.
  • Neela Satyanarayan retired in 2014. She has penned more than 150 songs. Also, she has composed music for several Marathi movies.
  • The GoI has constituted several committees and brought about law reforms to keep up the autonomy of these executives.

Former Goa health minister Suresh Amonkar passed away

  • Former Goa health minister, Suresh Amonka passed away at 68 due to COVID-19 infection, while undergoing treatment at ESI hospital in Margao.
  • He was born on May 15, 1952 in Amona, Goa.
  • He served as the Minister of Health, Social Welfare, and Labour & Employment in Francisco Sardinha’s cabinet from 1999 to 2000.
  • He also served as the Minister of Health, Labour & Employment, and Factories and Boilers in the First Manohar Parrikar cabinet.

MISCELLANEOUS

INCOIS Hyderabad observes Swachhata Pakhwada

  • The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), Hyderabad observed “Swachhata Pakhwada“.
  • During the event, several activities were conducted to aware people about the mission objectives such as to eradicate open defecation, efficient management of solid and liquid waste, overall cleanliness etc.
  • It also included plantation of trees at ITCOocean campus, single-use plastic avoidance pledge, campus sanitization etc.

Extra Shots:

INCOIS: Indian National Center for Ocean Information Services is an autonomous organization of the Government of India, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.

  • Headquarters location: Hyderabad
  • Founded: 1999

Hyderabad Airport gets India’s 1st contactless car parking

  • The GMR Hyderabad International Airport (GHIAL) has introduced India’s first-ever fully contactless airport car parking to provide a safe airport amid COVID-19.
  • GHIAL has also scaled up its NETC (National Electronic Toll Collection) FASTag Car Parking in collaboration with NPCI (National Payments Corporation of India).
  • The parking payment is done using the Reloadable Electronic Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag linked to a prepaid account which enables the automatic deduction of the parking charges.

Extra Shots:

NPCI

 

 

This post was last modified on July 17, 2020 7:21 pm

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