Current Affairs Today 22nd July 2020-Download in PDF

Hello and welcome to exampundit. Here are the important Current Affairs Today 22nd July 2020. These are important for the upcoming Exams. Candidates who were preparing for the examination can use these current affairs and also you can download the same as PDF.

Current Affairs Today – 22nd July 2020

NEWS AT A GLANCE

  1. The Science Exploration Day (also called Moon Day) is marked every year on 20 July.
  2. The National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI) launched UPI Auto Pay feature for recurring payments.
  3. ln a first, the Maharashtra State Electricity Transmission Company (MSETCL) has started using drones for inspection of power lines and transmission towers.
  4. SpaceX has successfully launched South Korea’s first military satellite “ANASIS-II”.
  5. The Japanese Government recently approved Dexamethasone as a second treatment of COVID-19.
  6. Ola has rolled out its enterprise offering ‘Ola Corporate’ to Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.
  7. The Air Force Commanders’ Conference (AFCC) was inaugurated by the Union Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh on 22 July 2020 at Air Headquarters, Vayu Bhawan, New Delhi.
  8. Union Minister of Information Technology Ravi Shankar Prasad is to address the G20 Digital Minister’s meeting on 22 July 2020.
  9. The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) has released its Global Rights Index for the year 2020, which ranks countries on the degree of respect for workers’ rights.
  10. HDFC Bank Managing Director Aditya Puri has emerged as the highest paid banker among the top lenders for FY 2019-20, with a 38 per cent jump in salary and prerequisites to Rs 18.92 crore.
  11. India and Maldives have signed an agreement for the establishment of ‘Emergency Medical Services’ in Male, Maldives.
  12. Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) and the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 21 July 2020 with immediate effect.
  13. The ‘Legend of Animation’ award instituted by the Toonz Media Group (TMG) as part of the Animation Masters Summit (AMS) 2020 – Digital Edition will be posthumously conferred to the legendary animation director Arnab Chaudhuri.
  14. The Climate Activist Greta Thunberg was awarded the Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity. She was awarded with prize money of 1 million Euros.
  15. A 59-year-old Indian-origin nurse in Singapore has been conferred with the prestigious President’s Award for Nurses for serving on the frontline during the Covid-19 pandemic.
  16. Systems, Applications & Products in Data Processing (SAP) has announced the appointment of Kulmeet Bawa as President and Managing Director for SAP Indian Subcontinent.
  17. Board of Directors of the Karur Vysya Bank has appointed Ramesh Babu Boddu as a Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of the bank.
  18. Rahul Bajaj will step down as Non-Executive Chairman of Bajaj Finance on July 31, after being at the helm of the company for over three decades.
  19. Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has provided drones named ‘Bharat’ to the Indian Army.
  20. Sahitya Akademi Award winner, Baldev Singh Sadaknama has authored a book ‘Suraj Kade Marda Nahi’ (sun never dies).
  21. Spanish novelist, Juan Marse passed away.
  22. The creator of the brown bear mascot “Misha” for the 1980 Moscow Summer Olympics, Viktor Chizhikov passed away.

NEWS IN DETAILS

IMPORTANT DAYS AND THEMES

Science Exploration Day observed on 20 July

  • The Science Exploration Day (also called Moon Day) is marked every year on 20 July.
  • It was on this day in 1969 that Neil Armstrong and Edwin ‘Buzz’ Aldrin became the first humans to land on the Moon’s surface.
  • Neil Armstrong was the first man to set foot on the moon’s surface.
  • The Armstrong- Aldrin duo spent 21.5 hours on the surface of the moon out of which they spent 2.5 hours outside of their capsules.
  • To commemorate their achievement, the day was declared a holiday in 1984 by the then President of the United States, Ronald Reaga

BANKING & FINANCE

NPCI launches UPI Auto Pay Feature

  • The National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI) launched UPI Auto Pay feature for recurring payments.
  • The feature launched is dedicated to recurring payments. It can be used for multiple financial purposes such as booking bus pass, utility payment, paying DTH, train ticket among others.

Extra Shots:

NPCI

  • Headquarters location: Mumbai
  • Founded: 2008
  • Founders: Reserve Bank of India, Indian Banks’ Association

The NPCI offers following services namely

  • Aadhaar Enabled Payment System
  • Bharat Bill Payment System
  • BHIM (a mobile app)
  • Cheque Truncation System
  • Immediate Payment Service
  • National Common Mobility Card
  • National Electronic Toll Collection
  • RuPAy
  • Unified Payment Interface (UPI)

STATE CURRENT AFFAIRS

In a first, Maharashtra to use drones to inspect power lines

  • ln a first, the Maharashtra State Electricity Transmission Company (MSETCL) has started using drones for inspection of power lines and transmission towers.
  • After Maharashtra energy minister Nitin Raut proposed the use of drones — unmanned aerial vehicles for this purpose, the Union home ministry and Director General of Civil Aviation gave the nod.
  • Drones are now being used for aerial surveillance and inspection of Extra High Voltage (EHV) lines and towers in remote areas of the state.
  • These drones are equipped with ultra HD cameras which can take high-resolution close-up photographs and videos of the towers and their components.

 INTERNATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

SpaceX launches South Korea’s 1st military satellite “ANASIS-II”

  • SpaceX has successfully launched South Korea’s first military satellite “ANASIS-II”.
  • The satellite was deployed into a geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) by a Falcon 9 rocket.
  • It was launched from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in the US of Florida.
  • With this launch, South Korea has become the 10th country to own a military-only communications satellite, which will provide permanent and secured military communications.
  • The satellite is expected to reach its orbit of 36,000 kilometres in 2 weeks.
  • South Korea’s military will take over the system in October after testing.

Extra Shots:

SpaceX:

  • CEO: Elon Musk
  • Founder: Elon Musk
  • Founded: 6 May 2002
  • Headquarters: Hawthorne, California, United States

Japan approves Dexamethasone as COVID-19 Treatment

  • The Japanese Government recently approved Dexamethasone as a second treatment of COVID-19.
  • The approval came in after Britain showed that the drug reduced death rates in COVID-19 patients.
  • Dexamethasone has been approved for treatment along with Remdesivir. A clinical trial of UK proved that Dexamethasone as the first drug saved lives of COVID-19.
  • India had approved the use of Dexamethasone in June 2020.
  • The Drug was found to reduce mortality by one-third of COVID-19 patients who are on ventilators and one-fifth of patients on oxygen therapy.

So far, India has approved the following drugs to treat COVID-19

  • Remdesivir – it was approved by the Central Drug Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) for both children and adult.
  • Favipiravir – It is being used on patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 in India.
  • Dexamethasone
  • Tocilizumab – The drug is expected to reduce the mortality of COVID-19 patients by 3.8%. Still India has approved the drug to treat COVID-19.
  • Itolizumab – This drug was approved by the Drug Controller General of India.

Extra Shots:

Japan (Capital/Currency): Tokyo/ Yen

  • President: Shinzō Abe

‘Ola Corporate’ ride service enters Australia, New Zealand, UK

  • Ola has rolled out its enterprise offering ‘Ola Corporate’ to Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.
  • Ola Corporate offers enterprise customers reduced travel expenses, and centralised billing system that eliminates the need for paper-based reimbursement.
  • The Bengaluru-based company operates in more than 250 cities across India, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK.

Extra Shots:

OLA

  • Founded: 3 December 2010, Mumbai
  • CEO: Bhavish Aggarwal
  • Headquarters location: Bengaluru
  • Founders: Bhavish Aggarwal, Ankit Bhati

SUMMITS AND CONFERENCES

Indian Air Force Commanders Conference inaugurated on 22 July

  • The Air Force Commanders’ Conference (AFCC) was inaugurated by the Union Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh on 22 July 2020 at Air Headquarters, Vayu Bhawan, New Delhi.
  • The AFCC conference will be held for 3 days.
  • The theme of the AFCC is ‘IAF in the Next Decade’.

Highlights:

  • It aims in enhancing efforts towards indigenization in the future.
  • IAF is proactively bolstering its operational capabilities over the past few months.
  • Amid the pandemic, IAF is supporting the nation’s response to COVID-19 pandemic and the role played during several HADR missions.
  • IAF has enhanced the synergy and integration within the three services since the appointment of Combined Defence Services (CDS) and the creation of the Department of Military Affairs (DMA).
  • IAF has adapted to changes in technology and adopting emerging capabilities in Nano Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Cyber and Space domains.

India to participate in G20 Digital Ministers Meet

  • Union Minister of Information Technology Ravi Shankar Prasad is to address the G20 Digital Minister’s meeting on 22 July 2020.
  • The Digital Economy Ministers meeting will be held as a part of the Sherpa Track for the G20 Leaders’ Summit 2020, which is to be hosted by Saudi Arabia at the end of 2020.
  • The theme of G20 Digital Minister’s meeting “Realizing Opportunities of the 21st Century For All”.

The annual G20 meeting is conducted through three tracks:

  • Government discussions take place under the Finance
  • Sherpa Tracks
  • Civil society organisations participate through engagement groups.

The Ministers will address three key agenda are:

  • To empower people, by creating the conditions in which all people – especially women and youth – can live, work and thrive
  • To safeguard the planet, by fostering collective efforts to protect our global commons
  • To shape New Frontiers, by adopting long-term and bold strategies to share benefits of innovation and technological advancement.

Extra Shots:

G20: The G20 is an international forum for the governments and central bank governors from 19 countries and the European Union.

  • Leader: Salman of Saudi Arabia (2020)
  • Chairman: King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (2020)
  • Founder: Group of Seven
  • Founded: 26 September 1999
  • Formation: 26 September 1999; 20 years ago; 2008 (heads-of-state/heads-of-government summits)

RANKS AND INDICES

India among 10 Worst Countries For Working People: ITUC Global Rights Index

  • The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) has released its Global Rights Index for the year 2020, which ranks countries on the degree of respect for workers’ rights.
  • This is the seventh edition of the annual report and ranks 144 countries.
  • The ITUC Global Rights Index ranks countries on a scale from 1 (best) to 5+ (worst)

5+ – No guarantee of rights due to the breakdown of the rule of law

5: No guarantee of rights

4: Systematic violations of rights

3: Regular violations of rights

2: Repeated violations of rights

1: Sporadic violations of rights

Highlights:

  • Each country is analysed against a list of 97 indicators derived from ILO conventions.
  • The index provides an opportunity to increase the visibility and transparency of each country’s record on workers’ rights.
  • India has been ranked among the 10 worst countries for working people. It is rated with 5 on the scale.
  • The ten worst countries for workers in 2020 are Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Egypt, Honduras, India, Kazakhstan, the Philippines, Turkey and Zimbabwe.
  • The Middle East and North Africa is the worst region in the world for working people.
  • Austria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Slovakia, Sweden, Uruguay are the best countries with rating of 1.

The most violated rights in the world include:

  • Right to strike
  • Right to collective bargaining
  • Right to establish or join unions
  • Right to civil liberties
  • Right to trade union activities
  • Right to civil liberties

Extra Shots:

International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC)

  • Headquarters location: Brussels, Belgium
  • Founded: 1 November 2006
  • Office location: Brussels, Belgium
  • Subsidiaries: AFL–CIO, Trades Union Congress
  • Predecessors: International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, World Confederation of Labour
  • Key people: Sharan Burrow, Ayuba Wabba, Karl-Petter Thorwaldsson

HDFC Bank MD Aditya Puri emerges highest paid banker for FY 2019-20 with Rs 18.92 crore salary

  • HDFC Bank Managing Director Aditya Puri has emerged as the highest paid banker among the top lenders for FY 2019-20, with a 38 per cent jump in salary and prerequisites to Rs 18.92 crore.
  • Second largest private sector lender ICICI Bank’s managing director and chief executive Sandeep Bakhshi’s gross earnings stood at Rs 6.31 crore in his first full year.

 AGREEMENTS AND MOU SIGNED

India-Maldives sign agreement to establish “Emergency Medical Services”

  • India and Maldives have signed an agreement for the establishment of ‘Emergency Medical Services’ in Male, Maldives.
  • The Emergency Medical Service is financed by India under grant assistance of 20 million USD for neighbouring countries.
  • This will help to increase the collaboration between the countries, especially in the areas of health care facilities, disaster responses during critical times, etc.

Extra Shots:

Maldives (Capital/Currency): Male/Maldivian Rufiyaa.

  • President: Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

CBIC signed MoU with CBDT to facilitate smoother bilateral exchange of data

  • Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) and the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 21 July 2020 with immediate effect.
  • The MoU aims for data exchange between the two organizations.

Highlights:

  • The MoU aims to facilitate data sharing and information between CBDT and CBIC on an automatic and regular basis.
  • Apart from this, CBDT and CBIC will exchange with each other, on request and spontaneous basis, any information available in their respective databases which may have utility for the other organization.
  • The MoU is an ongoing initiative of CBDT and CBIC, who are already collaborating through various existing mechanisms.
  • Under the MoU, a Data Exchange Steering Group has been constituted for the initiative.
  • The group will meet periodically to review the data exchange status and take steps to further improve the effectiveness of the data-sharing mechanism.

Extra Shots:

Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC)

  • Chairperson: M. Ajit Kumar
  • Elected officer responsible: Nirmala Sitharaman, Finance Minister of India
  • Founded: 1 January 1964
  • Governing body: Government of India
  • Headquarters: New Delhi
  • Subsidiary: Directorate of Revenue Intelligence

Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT)

  • Chairman: Pramod Chandra Mody

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL AWARDS

Arnab Chaudhuri to receive Toonz Media Award

  • The ‘Legend of Animation’ award instituted by the Toonz Media Group (TMG) as part of the Animation Masters Summit (AMS) 2020 – Digital Edition will be posthumously conferred to the legendary animation director Arnab Chaudhuri.
  • The award is being presented for his invaluable contribution to the animation and entertainment industry of India.

Climate Activist Greta Thunberg awarded 1 million Euros Gulbenkian Prize

  • The Climate Activist Greta Thunberg was awarded the Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity. She was awarded with prize money of 1 million Euros.
  • The Climate Activist is to donate the prize money to organizations focused on environment and climate change.
  • Miss Thunberg is the first person to receive the prize.
  • She was selected among 136 nominees from 43 countries.

Miss Thunberg

  • Miss Thunberg is a Swedish Environmental activist. She gained international recognition for promoting existential humanity crisis due to climate change.

Indian-origin nurse in Singapore conferred with President’s Award

  • A 59-year-old Indian-origin nurse in Singapore has been conferred with the prestigious President’s Award for Nurses for serving on the frontline during the Covid-19 pandemic.
  • Kala Narayanasamy was among the five nurses given the award.
  • Each recipient was awarded a trophy, a certificate signed by President Halimah Yacob and SGD 10,000 (USD 7,228).

Kala Narayanasamy

  • She is currently involved with the planning for the Woodlands Health Campus.
  • She has been involved with the modernisation of nursing in Singapore
  • She was also involved in the introduction of the use of a streamlined wound assessment process that provides accurate wound measurements and image capture.

APPOINTMENTS IN NEWS

SAP appoints Kulmeet Bawa as new India MD

  • Systems, Applications & Products in Data Processing (SAP) has announced the appointment of Kulmeet Bawa as President and Managing Director for SAP Indian Subcontinent.
  • He will replace the incumbent Deb Deep Sengupta.
  • Kulmeet will be responsible for driving and delivering an exceptional SAP experience for employees and customers across our ecosystem, as well as guide businesses in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka to adopt a digital-first mindset.
  • Kulmeet will report directly to Scott Russell, President of SAP Asia Pacific Japan.

Ramesh Boddu appointed as MD & CEO of Karur Vysya Bank

  • Board of Directors of the Karur Vysya Bank has appointed Ramesh Babu Boddu as a Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of the bank.
  • He has also been co-opted as an Additional Director.
  • The appointment of Ramesh Babu Boddu has been made for a period of three years from the date of taking charge.
  • He will succeed PR Seshadri who resigned on 31st March 2020. Ramesh Babu Boddu has earlier served as Deputy Managing Director in State Bank of India and retired in April 2020.

Extra Shots:

Karur Vysya Bank

  • Headquarters: Karur
  • Founded: 1916
  • CEO: P. R. Seshadri, K Venkataraman
  • Founders: M. A. Venkatarama Chettiar, Athi Krishna Chettiar

Rahul Bajaj steps down as Chairman of Bajaj Finance

  • Rahul Bajaj will step down as Non-Executive Chairman of Bajaj Finance on July 31, after being at the helm of the company for over three decades.
  • He will be succeeded by Sanjiv Bajaj, currently Vice Chairman.
  • Rahul Bajaj, however, will continue to serve the company as a non-executive non-independent director.
  • The company’s board “has approved the appointment of Sanjiv Bajaj as Non-Executive Chairman of the company with effect from August 1, 2020, in place of Rahul Bajaj.

Extra Shots:

Bajaj Finance

  • CEO: Sanjiv Bajaj
  • Founder: Jamnalal Bajaj

DEFENCE CURRENT AFFAIRS

Indian Army gets ‘Bharat’ drones

  • Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has provided drones named ‘Bharat’ to the Indian Army.
  • The indigenously developed drones are sent in order to provide accurate surveillance along the Line of Actual Control in high altitude and mountainous terrains of Eastern Ladakh.
  • It can also detect humans who are hidden in deep forests.
  • Bharat drones are equipped with artificial intelligence which helps the drone to detect friends from foes and helps take any action accordingly.
  • It has been made in a way that ensures its survival in extreme cold weather temperatures.
  • Bharat Drones a series of drones that are one of the world’s lightest and agile drone

Extra Shots:

DRDO

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

BOOKS & AUTHORS

A book titled “Suraj Kade Marda Nahi” authored by Baldev Singh Sadaknama

  • Sahitya Akademi Award winner, Baldev Singh Sadaknama has authored a book ‘Suraj Kade Marda Nahi’ (sun never dies).
  • The book portrays many aspects of freedom fighter Udham Singh.
  • The book is published by Unistarbooks.
  • The book has been released and will be formally launched on July 31, 2020.
  • Udham Singh 80th death anniversary will fall on July 31, 2020.
  • The book portrays some facts pertaining to Colonel Reginal Dyer, also known as the butcher of Jallianwala bagh.

OBITUARY

Spanish novelist Juan Marse passes away

  • Spanish novelist, Juan Marse passed away.
  • He was one of Spain’s most-respected novelists over the past few decades and the winner of the 2008 Cervantes Prize, the Spanish-speaking world’s top literary award.
  • His most important novel was “Úlitmas trades on Teresa” (“Last Afternoons with Teresa”) published in 1965.

Creator of 1980 Olympic Mascot Viktor Chizhikov passes away