Current Affairs Today 21st August 2020-Download in PDF

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Current Affairs Today – 21st August 2020

NEWS AT A GLANCE

  1. The World Senior Citizen Day is observed globally on August 21 every year to raise awareness about issues affecting older people, such as deterioration with age and the abuse of the elderly and support, honor and show appreciation to seniors and to recognize their achievements.
  2. The International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism is a UN recognised day observed on August 21.
  3. National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has launched its wholly-owned subsidiary firm named NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL).
  4. Lakshmi Vilas Bank (LVB), one of Tamil Nadu’s oldest private banks, has launched Lakshmi DigiGo, a digital initiative to enable opening of savings account instantly.
  5. YES Bank has launched a unique digital solution called ‘Loan against Securities’ under the bank’s loan in seconds platform that enables online lien marking of mutual funds and avail quick and hassle-free loan.
  6. Apple Inc. has become the first publicly traded U.S. company to reach a market capitalization of over $2 trillion, after its share price climbed above $467.77 on 19 August 2020.
  7. India’s GDP is likely to contract by 20 per cent during the first quarter of the current fiscal on account of the COVID-19 pandemic-induced disruptions.
  8. The tertiary processing centres of “Trifood Project” of TRIFED, Ministry of Tribal Affairs has been virtually launched by the Union Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda.
  9. Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on August 20, 2020, launched the ‘Indira Rasoi Yojana’ in order to provide quality nutritious food to poor people at just Rs. 8.
  10. The state government has decided to distribute ration at minimum price to the non-ration holders in the state from September 1 amid the pandemic.
  11. Madhya Pradesh Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced that the state will offer government jobs to youths on the basis of their score in the Common Eligibility Test (CET) conducted by the proposed National Recruitment Agency (NRA).
  12. India, Australia, and Japan have started the discussions for the launch of a trilateral Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI) in order to reduce the dependency on China.
  13. Keith Rowley sworn in as Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago for a 2nd consecutive 5-year term. He is from the ruling People’s National Movement (PNM).
  14. Francisco Pascual Eyegue Obama Asue was reappointed as the Prime Minister of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea for 3rd consecutive term.
  15. Indore was adjudged India’s cleanest city for the fourth straight year in the central government’s cleanliness survey.
  16. As many as 41 lakh youth in the country lost jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic while construction and farm sector workers account for the majority of job losses, according to a joint report by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
  17. Edelweiss Tokio Life Insurance has partnered with Element AI, a global developer of artificial intelligence-powered (AI) solutions and products, to develop a strategic AI roadmap for the new-age insurer and prioritise investments.
  18. All India Football Federation (AIFF) has signed a two-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Professional Scouting Organisation (IPSO) to deliver a number of courses and webinars with regards to scouting in India.
  19. India and Israel signed a cultural agreement that outlines a three-year programme of cooperation to further strengthen their strategic bilateral relations today. It aims to promote greater people-to-people exchanges.
  20. The Indian Army successfully test-fired the first ever privately manufactured Pinaka rockets recently from the firing range in Pokharan, which achieved the desired results by accurately hitting targets
  21. Google has launched its employment application named ‘Kormo Jobs’ in India. It would help millions of Indians to get entry-level jobs.
  22. Former India goalkeeper Bhaskar Maity passed away at a Navi Mumbai hospital due to brain hemorrhage. He was 67.
  23. Former Cricketer, Administrator and Pitch Curator, Gopalaswamy Iyenger Kasturirangan passed away.
  24. Minister of State (I/C) for Labour and Employment, Santosh Gangwar has launched the official Logo of “Labour Bureau”.
  25. Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Harsh Vardhan has launched a game on COVID-19 titled as “The Corona Fighters”.

NEWS IN DETAILS

IMPORTANT DAYS AND THEMES

World Senior Citizen Day observed on 21 August

  • The World Senior Citizen Day is observed globally on August 21 every year to raise awareness about issues affecting older people, such as deterioration with age and the abuse of the elderly and support, honor and show appreciation to seniors and to recognize their achievements.
  • The Day was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly on December 14, 1990.
  • The day was officially founded by the former President of the United States of America, Ronald Reagan in 1988 to dedicate a day to older adults and their issues.

International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism observed on 21 August

  • The International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism is a UN recognised day observed on August 21.
  • Aim: to pay tribute to the individuals across the globe who have been attacked, injured, traumatized or lost their lives because of terrorist attacks.
  • The day was designated by United Nations General Assembly in 2017 and first time the day was observed in 2018.

BANKING & FINANCE

NPCI launches its subsidiary firm – NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL)

  • National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has launched its wholly-owned subsidiary firm named NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL).
  • Ritesh Shukla has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NIPL.
  • NIPL will venture into newer international markets and co-create payment systems with participating nations.
  • The primary focus of NIPL would be the internationalization of RuPay and UPI, along with a few more offerings of NPCI.

Extra Shots:

NPCI

  • Headquarters location: Mumbai
  • Founded: 2008
  • Number of employees: 1,000
  • Type of business: Section 8 Company
  • Founders: Reserve Bank of India, Indian Banks’ Association

Lakshmi Vilas Bank launches Lakshmi DigiGo instant savings account opening facility

  • Lakshmi Vilas Bank (LVB), one of Tamil Nadu’s oldest private banks, has launched Lakshmi DigiGo, a digital initiative to enable opening of savings account instantly.
  • Lakshmi DigiGo is a savings account with select features, including internet and mobile Banking.
  • This initiative will help people to avail the most required banking services instantly through the website.

Extra Shots:

Lakshmi Vilas Bank

  • Headquarters: Chennai
  • Founded: 1926

YES, Bank rolls instant digital disbursement for loan against securities

  • YES, Bank has launched a unique digital solution called ‘Loan against Securities’ under the bank’s loan in seconds platform that enables online lien marking of mutual funds and avail quick and hassle-free loan.
  • The new digital solution allows instant disbursements of loans with no documentation.
  • Customers can avail loan of up to Rs 1 crore against debt mutual funds and can set an instant credit limit against the securities held.
  • An interest is charged only for the loan amount which is utilized for the number of days of utilization.

Extra Shots:

YES Bank

  • CEO: Prashant Kumar
  • Headquarters: Mumbai
  • Founder: Rana Kapoor
  • Founded: 2004

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

Apple Becomes First U.S. Company to reach $2 Trillion Market Cap

  • Apple Inc. has become the first publicly traded U.S. company to reach a market capitalization of over $2 trillion, after its share price climbed above $467.77 on 19 August 2020.
  • Apple is also the world’s only second company to hit $2 trillion in market cap.
  • Before this, Oil Major Saudi Aramco was the world’s first and only publicly listed company to reach a $2 trillion market value in December 2019.

Extra Shots:

Apple Inc.

  • Founded: 1 April 1976, Cupertino, California, United States
  • CEO: Tim Cook
  • Headquarters: Cupertino, California, United States
  • Founders: Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, Ronald Wayne

India’s GDP to Contract by 20% in First Quarter of FY21, Says Care Ratings

  • India’s GDP is likely to contract by 20 per cent during the first quarter of the current fiscal on account of the COVID-19 pandemic-induced disruptions.
  • The Central Statistics Office (CSO) will release the gross domestic product (GDP) data for the first quarter of FY21 on August 31, which is expected to statistically mirror the adverse impact of the pandemic led lockdown on economic growth.

NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

Tribal Affairs Minister launches “Trifood Project” of TRIFED

  • The tertiary processing centres of “Trifood Project” of TRIFED, Ministry of Tribal Affairs has been virtually launched by the Union Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda.
  • The Trifood project has been launched in Raigad, Maharashtra and Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh.
  • This project is expected to help in encouraging the tribal entrepreneurship.
  • “Trifood Project” is being implemented by TRIFED, Ministry of Tribal Affairs in association with Ministry of Food Processing (MoFPI).

STATE CURRENT AFFAIRS

Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot launches ‘Indira Rasoi Yojana’

  • Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on August 20, 2020, launched the ‘Indira Rasoi Yojana’ in order to provide quality nutritious food to poor people at just Rs. 8.
  • The newly launched scheme will be rolled in 213 urban local bodies of the state which will include 10 locations each in the state capital’s c greater and heritage area.
  • Under Indira Rasoi Yojana, fresh and nutritious food will be provided at Rs. 8 per plate.
  • The meal will have 100 gms of pulses, 250 gms chapatti, 100 gms of vegetables, and pickles.
  • The food will be made available from 8.30 am in the morning till 1 pm and 5 pm to 8 pm.
  • The state government of Rajasthan has also decided to give a grant of Rs. 12 per plate for which Rs. 100 crores annually have been proposed in the state budget.

Extra Shots:

Rajasthan

  • Statehood Day: 30 March 1949
  • Capital: Jaipur
  • Chief Minister: Ashok Gehlot
  • Governor: Kalraj Mishra

Madhya Pradesh gov’t announces ration at minimum price for people with no ration card

  • The state government has decided to distribute ration at minimum price to the non-ration holders in the state from September 1 amid the pandemic.
  • In a virtual conference, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh informed that every member of a family who is poor but does not have a ration card will get salt, wheat, and rice for Rs. 1 and Rs. 1.5 per litre of Kerosene per family, from September 1, 2020.

Extra Shots:

Madhya Pradesh:

  • Statehood Day: November 1, 1956
  • Capital: Bhopal
  • Chief Minister: Shivraj Singh Chauhan
  • Governor: Anandiben Patel
  • National Park: Bandhavgarh NP, Fossil NP, Kanha NP, Madhav NP, Panna NP, Pench NP, Sanjay NP, Satpura NP

Madhya Pradesh becomes the first state to offer jobs based on CET

  • Madhya Pradesh Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced that the state will offer government jobs to youths on the basis of their score in the Common Eligibility Test (CET) conducted by the proposed National Recruitment Agency (NRA).
  • It is the first state in the country to implement this scheme.

Extra Shots:

Madhya Pradesh:

  • Statehood Day: November 1, 1956
  • Capital: Bhopal
  • Chief Minister: Shivraj Singh Chauhan
  • Governor: Anandiben Patel
  • National Park: Bandhavgarh NP, Fossil NP, Kanha NP, Madhav NP, Panna NP, Pench NP, Sanjay NP, Satpura NP

INTERNATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

India, Japan and Australia to launch Supply Chain Resilience Initiative to counter China

  • India, Australia, and Japan have started the discussions for the launch of a trilateral Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI) in order to reduce the dependency on China.
  • The initiative which was first proposed by Japan might be executed.
  • The objective of the countries will be to work out a plan to build on the existential supply chain network.

Keith Rowley becomes PM of Trinidad and Tobago for 2nd consecutive term

  • Keith Rowley sworn in as Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago for a 2nd consecutive 5-year term. He is from the ruling People’s National Movement (PNM).
  • As per the preliminary result, PNM won 22 of the 41 electoral seats, while the opposition United National Congress (UNC) led by former prime minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar won 19 seats.

Extra Shots:

Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (Capital/Currency): Port of Spain/Trinidad and Tobago dollar.

  • President: Paula-Mae Weekes
  • Prime Minister: Keith Rowley

Francisco Asue reappointed as PM of Equatorial Guinea

  • Francisco Pascual Eyegue Obama Asue was reappointed as the Prime Minister of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea for 3rd consecutive term.
  • On 14th August The Asue government tendered the resignation to President Teodoro Obiang, following the criticism of the president.
  • The government was dissolved to resolve the economic situation. Francisco Asue was first appointed as the Prime Minister of Equatorial Guinea on 23rd June 2016.

Extra Shots:

Republic of Equatorial Guinea (Capital/Currency): Malabo/ Central African CFA franc

  • Prime Minister: Francisco Pascual Eyegue Obama Asue

RANKS AND INDICES

Indore Gets India’s ‘Cleanest City’ tag fourth time in a row, Surat Comes Second Followed by Navi Mumbai

  • Indore was adjudged India’s cleanest city for the fourth straight year in the central government’s cleanliness survey.
  • The second and third positions went to Surat in Gujarat and Maharashtra’s Navi Mumbai respectively.
  • The Swachh Survekshan awards 2020 were announced by Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri at a ceremony.
  • As many as 20 MP cities earned a place in the top 50 list of cleanest cities in India. MP has also become the third cleanest state in the country, according to the survey.
  • State capital Bhopal ended up as the seventh cleanest city in the list and the cleanest capital in India.

41 lakh young Indians lost jobs due to COVID-19 crisis: ILO-ADB Report

  • As many as 41 lakh youth in the country lost jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic while construction and farm sector workers account for the majority of job losses, according to a joint report by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
  • The report titled “Tackling COVID-19 Youth employment crisis in Asia and Pacific”, for India estimates job loss for 4.1 million youth. Construction and agriculture have witnessed the major job losses among seven key sectors in India
  • In 13 countries of the Asia and Pacific region, around 1-1.5 crores of youths might lose their jobs. Pakistan is to lead in youth losing jobs followed by India in the Asia and Pacific regions.
  • The unemployment rate in India is to increase to 32.5%.
  • However, of all the countries in the region, Sri Lanka is to face the maximum unemployment at the rate of 37.8%

Extra Shots:

ADB

  • Headquarters: Mandaluyong, Philippines
  • President: Masatsugu Asakawa
  • Founded: 19 December 1966
  • Membership: 68 countries
  • Purpose: Economic development

AGREEMENTS AND MOU SIGNED

Edelweiss Tokio Life partners with Element AI for AI transformation journey

  • Edelweiss Tokio Life Insurance has partnered with Element AI, a global developer of artificial intelligence-powered (AI) solutions and products, to develop a strategic AI roadmap for the new-age insurer and prioritise investments.
  • The Element AI Advisory and Enablement team will work closely with Edelweiss Tokio Life to create an actionable roadmap for strategic AI deployment for the company, which will ultimately support a detailed AI transformation plan.
  • This work will utilize unique learnings and insights from Element AI to establish technical feasibility and identify AI use cases.

Extra Shots:

Edelweiss Tokio Life Insurance

  • CEO: Sumit Rai
  • Founded: 2009
  • Parent organization: Edelweiss Financial Services Limited

AIFF signs MoU with IPSO to conduct online scouting workshops in India

  • All India Football Federation (AIFF) has signed a two-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Professional Scouting Organisation (IPSO) to deliver a number of courses and webinars with regards to scouting in India.
  • The first of these online workshops are set to take place from September 7 to 11, which will include a two-hour session each of the four days starting at 7 pm IST every day.
  • Ministry of Skill Development, Ministry of Shipping ink MoU for skill development in port & maritime sector.
  • A Memorandum of Understanding, MoU was signed between Ministry of Skill Development and Ministry of Shipping today for skill development in port and maritime sector.
  • The MoU is aimed at skilling, re-skilling and up-skilling manpower for the growing maritime industry and development of coastal community.
  • this MoU will reinforce the commitment of Coastal Community Development under Sagar Mala programme of Ministry of Shipping and nurture the skilled manpower for the development of ports and maritime sector of India and globally.

Extra Shots:

All India Football Federation

  • President: Praful Patel
  • Founded: 23 June 1937
  • Headquarters: Dwarka, Delhi

India, Israel sign cultural agreement to further boost people-to-people ties

  • India and Israel signed a cultural agreement that outlines a three-year programme of cooperation to further strengthen their strategic bilateral relations today. It aims to promote greater people-to-people exchanges.
  • The agreement was signed by Israel’s Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi and India’s Ambassador to Israel, Sanjeev Singla, at the foreign ministry in Jerusalem.
  • The programme of cooperation between the two countries for the years 2020-23 is based on the cultural agreement signed between them on May 18, 1993.
  • The major areas of cooperation identified to promote cultural ties include the exchange of culture and art experts, encouraging cooperation in the protection of cultural heritage and archaeology.
  • It also includes student exchanges through scholarships, encouraging the participation of films and film-makers in each other’s international film festivals, devising youth exchange programmes and encouraging sports-related interaction among youth.

Extra Shots:

Israel (Capital/Currency): Jerusalem/ Israeli Shekel

  • President: Reuven Rivlin

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY CURRENT AFFAIRS

DRDO Successfully Test Fires First Pinaka Rockets Produced by Private Sector

  • The Indian Army successfully test-fired the first ever privately manufactured Pinaka rockets recently from the firing range in Pokharan, which achieved the desired results by accurately hitting targets.
  • The rockets have been manufactured by Economic Explosives Ltd (EEL) and are the first ammunition of its kind made by the private sector in India.
  • Six Pinaka rockets were test fired as part of the final developmental trials.
  • This development will enable Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to do away with its single source dependency on Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) for the rockets and also boost Make in India initiative.

Extra Shots:

DRDO

  • Motto: बलस्य मूलं विज्ञानम्; “Strength’s Origin is in Knowledge” (Sanskrit)
  • Headquarters: New Delhi
  • Founded: 1958
  • Minister responsible: Rajnath Singh, Minister of Defence
  • Subsidiaries: Gas Turbine Research Establishment, Defence Scientific Information & Documentation centre

WEBPORTALS & APPS IN NEWS

Google launches Mobile app ‘Kormo’ in India to help people find entry-level jobs

  • Google has launched its employment application named ‘Kormo Jobs’ in India. It would help millions of Indians to get entry-level jobs.
  • Kormo Jobs will help to provide entry-level jobs to thousands of people, to help those who have lost their jobs during the coronavirus and young professionals who are looking for jobs.
  • Google had first launched the employment application in Bangladesh in 2018 and further expanded it to Indonesia in 2019.
  • In 2019, Google had also tested this app in India but under the brand ‘Spot’ on Google Pay app, which saw more than 2 million verified jobs posted on the platform, including from companies like Zomato and Dunzo.
  • After receiving positive response, Google is now rebranding the Jobs Spot on Google Pay as Kormo Jobs in India and making it a standalone Android app.

OBITUARY

Ex-India Goalkeeper Bhaskar Maity passes away

  • Former India goalkeeper Bhaskar Maity passed away at a Navi Mumbai hospital due to brain hemorrhage. He was 67.
  • Maity represented India against Iraq during the 1978 Asian Games at Bangkok. He played for Maharashtra from 1975-1979 in the Santosh Trophy.
  • He also played for Mafatlal Sports Club from 1974-80 and the Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilisers from 1981-82.

Former Indian cricketer Gopalaswamy Kasturirangan passes away

  • Former Cricketer, Administrator and Pitch Curator, Gopalaswamy Iyenger Kasturirangan passed away.
  • He was born on 12th October 1930 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
  • He began his career in the 1948-49 season representing Mysore in the Ranji Trophy and retired from first-class cricket after the 1962-63 season.

MISCELLANEOUS

Santosh Gangwar launches official Logo of “Labour Bureau”

  • Minister of State (I/C) for Labour and Employment, Santosh Gangwar has launched the official Logo of “Labour Bureau”.
  • It displays the three goals that Labour Bureau aspires to achieve in producing quality data i.e. Accuracy, Validity and Reliability.
  • It also indicates that the Labour Bureau is a data-based organization which deals in data pertaining to workers and work.

Harsh Vardhan launches game on COVID-19 “The Corona Fighters”

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