Current Affairs Today 24th and 25th May 2020-Download in PDF

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Current Affairs Today – 24th and 25th May 2020

NEWS AT A GLANCE

1. Every year, 25 May is observed as International Missing Children’s Day (IMCD) around the world to commemorate the missing children who have found their way home, remember those who have been victims of crime, and continue efforts to find those who are still missing.
2. Maruti Suzuki India Limited, an automobile manufacturer in India, has joined hands with the Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Company Limited (CIFCL) to launch ‘Buy Now Pay Later’ financing scheme to make the purchase of its cars even more convenient.
3. To meet a temporary liquidity mismatch arising out of the COVID-19 outbreak, Canara Bank has announced a new credit support scheme for borrowers affected by the pandemic.
4. The payroll data of the Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) was released. The data says that around 821,000 new members have joined ESIC social security scheme.
5. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has issued notification for the emission norms for the L7 (Quadricycle) category for BS-VI vehicles.
6. Union Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Minister Prakash Javadekar launched the following five key initiatives towards conservation of biodiversity during the virtual celebration of “International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB)” on the theme “Our solutions are in nature”.
7. Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers announced that HIL INDIA, a PSU under the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, is to produce and supply the pesticides for the farming community, amid the COVID-19 lockdown.
8. Niti Aayog Vice Chairman Rajiv Kumar has presented a seven-point model for India’s development.
9. In Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has announced Rs 1,110 crore ReSTART package for MSMEs to strengthen the sector during this emergency situation as well as create employment.
10. The state government of Chhattisgarh will observe May 25, 2020 as ‘Jhiram Shraddhanjali Diwas’ or ‘Jhiram Tribute Diwas’.
11. The Mizoram State Government has recently provided industrial status to Sports.
12. The Tamil Nadu government has started preliminary works for implementing the unique Solar Fence Farmland Protection Programme, under the Central Agriculture Improvement Scheme
13. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently announced eight candidates to enter human trials.
14. The World Steel Association released the World Steel Report. According to the report, the crude steel report of India declined by 65%.
15. Uttarakhand state has identified total 1145 plant species ranging from state flower Brahmkamal to mythological ‘Sanjivni Booti’.
16. Sports Authority Gujarat signed an MoU with the Times Centre for Learning Limited (TCLL) to impart training for personality and skill development for aspiring athletes in the state.
17. Infrastructure consultancy and engineering company RITES (Rail India Technical and Economic Service) has signed an agreement for acquiring 24% stake in Indian Railway Stations Development Corporation (IRSDC) for Rs 48 crore.
18. The central government has formed a high-level committee of experts to recommend reforms in India’s drug regulatory system so that approval processes can be fast-tracked.
19. Japanese tennis player Naomi Osaka has become the world’s highest-paid female athlete.
20. Spanish football player and Athletic Bilbao striker Aritz Aduriz has announced his retirement citing medical reasons.
21. Sports Authority of India (SAI) has deposited 30,000 rupees each as out of pocket allowance in accounts of 2,749 Khelo India athletes.
22. The NASA researchers have found high energy particles erupting from ice in the Antarctic region.
23. Edelweiss General Insurance launched ‘Edelweiss SWITCH’, an app-based motor insurance own damage (OD) floater policy under IRDAI’s sandbox regulations.
24. Bollywood actor Mohit Baghel passed away at the age of 26 years due to cancer.
25. Former Tamil Nadu football player and coach R Shanmugam passed away at the age of 77 years due to age-related issues.
26. Former Indian hockey player Balbir Singh Dosanjh passed away.
27. Australian tennis player Ashley Cooper passed away at the age of 83 years.
28. Japanese professional wrestler, Hana Kimura, passed away at the age of 22 years.

NEWS IN DETAILS

IMPORTANT DAYS AND THEMES

International Missing Children’s Day observed on 25 May

• Every year, 25 May is observed as International Missing Children’s Day (IMCD) around the world to commemorate the missing children who have found their way home, remember those who have been victims of crime, and continue efforts to find those who are still missing.
• The symbol for IMCD is the forget-me-not flower.
• The day was proclaimed in 1983, by U.S. President Ronald Reagan.
• The first IMCD was observed in 2001 through the joint efforts of the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (ICMEC), Missing Children Europe, and the European Commission.

BANKING & FINANCE 

Maruti Suzuki ties-up with Cholamandalam Investment & Finance to launch ‘Buy Now Pay Later’ offer

• Maruti Suzuki India Limited, an automobile manufacturer in India, has joined hands with the Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Company Limited (CIFCL) to launch ‘Buy Now Pay Later’ financing scheme to make the purchase of its cars even more convenient.
• Under the scheme, customers have the option to avail a 60-day surcharge on their EMI (equated monthly instalments).
• However, this offer is available on select Maruti Suzuki models and is applicable on loan payments due on or before 30 June 2020.
• The partnership will enhance both the companies’ convenience by offering customized retail financing to customers.

Extra Shots:

Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Company (CIFCL):

• Headquarters: Chennai, Tamil Nadu
• Managing Director: Arun Alagappan
• Executive Director: Ravindra Kundu

 Maruti Suzuki India Limited:

• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Managing Director & CEO: Kenichi Ayukawa
• Executive Director (Marketing & Sales):Shashank Srivastava

Canara Bank releases emergency credit facilities for MSMEs

• To meet a temporary liquidity mismatch arising out of the COVID-19 outbreak, Canara Bank has announced a new credit support scheme for borrowers affected by the pandemic.

Highlights:

• The scheme extends a quick and hassle-free loan to overcome temporary liquidity mismatches for payment of statutory dues, salaries, wages, electricity bills and rents.
• The public sector bank has since sanctioned six lakh loans amounting to Rs 4,300 crore under agriculture, self-help groups and retail categories.
• The Bank sanctioned more than Rs 60,000 crore of advances to corporates and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) since March.
• The government has announced an emergency credit line of 20 per cent of outstanding credit as on February 29 to MSME borrowers having Rs 25 crore outstanding with an annual turnover up to Rs 100 crore.
• The credit line is 100 per cent guaranteed by the government. The facility can be availed up to October 31.
• Besides, as per the Reserve Bank of India’s regulatory package on COVID-19, the moratorium has been extended on payment of all installments for term loans falling due from March 1 to August 31.

Extra Shots:

Canara Bank:

• Headquarters: Bangalore, Karnataka
• Chairman: N. Manoharan
• Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer(CEO): L.V. Prabhakar
• Tagline: Together we Can

GOVERNMENT SCHEMES

Enrolments in ESIC Social Security Scheme increases to 821,000

• The payroll data of the Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) was released. The data says that around 821,000 new members have joined ESIC social security scheme.

Highlights

• The data was released by National Statistical Office (NSO). According to the data the subscribers to the scheme in 2018-19 were 14.9 million and it increased to 38.3 million in March 2020.
• The NSO report issues data of several social security schemes such as PFRDA, EPFO. This is being done since 2018 covering the period 2017-18.

Recent Changes

• The Government of India reduced the rate of contribution under the scheme.
• The employer contribution was reduced from 4.75% to 3.25% and Employee contribution was reduced from 1.75% to 0.75%.Also, the employees that are earning Rs 137 or less per day are exempted from payment of their contribution.
• Recently, to meet the salary bills of the workers during COVID-19 lock down period, the Government of India ruled to appropriate funds of ESIC

Extra Shots:

ESIC: Employees’ State Insurance is a self-financing social security and health insurance scheme for Indian workers. The fund is managed by the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation according to rules and regulations stipulated in the ESI Act 1948.

• Headquarters location: New Delhi
• Founded: 24 February 1952
• Type of business: Government-Owned

NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

MoRTH notified Emission norms for L7 category for BS-VI Vehicles

• The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has issued notification for the emission norms for the L7 (Quadricycle) category for BS-VI vehicles.
• It was notified on 22 May.
• The move will encourage automobile manufacturers to produce more petrol, diesel, CNG, and biofuel quadricycles for the Indian market.

Aim:

• The move aims to encourage the production of quadricycles, which was introduced less than two years ago.
• GoI had introduced the quadricycle segment in 2018 and approved it for both commercial and private use.

Highlights:

• The norms issued by MoRTH will be applicable from the date of notification.
• The notification completes the process of BS-VI for all L, M, and N category vehicles in India.
• The emission norms are in line with European Union (EU) with the World Motorcycle Test Cycle (WMTC).
• As per MoRTH, the quadricycle is described as a vehicle the size of a three-wheeler but with four tyres and fully covered like a car. Such vehicles, will have engines like that of a three-wheeler. These vehicles are a cheap and safe mode of transport for last-mile connectivity.

Extra Shots:

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is a ministry of the Government of India, that is the apex body for formulation and administration of the rules, regulations and laws relating to road transport, transport research and in also to increase the mobility and efficiency of the road transport system in India.

• Jurisdiction: India
• Founded: July 1942
• Headquarters: Parivahan Bhavan, 1, Parliament Street, New Delhi
• Annual budget: 91,823 crores INR (US$13 billion, 2020-21 est.)
• Ministry executives: Sanjeev Ranjan, IAS, Secretary; I.K. Pandey, Director General (Road Development) and Special Secretory to Government of India
• Officeholders: Mansukh L. Mandaviya (Minister of State), Nitin Gadkari (Union Minister)

Prakash Javadekar launched five key initiatives to conserve biodiversity

• Union Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Minister Prakash Javadekar launched the following five key initiatives towards conservation of biodiversity during the virtual celebration of “International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB)” on the theme “Our solutions are in nature”.

These include:

Launch of Samrakshan Internship Programme

• National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) ‘Biodiversity Samrakshan Internship Programme which proposes to engage 20 students with postgraduate degrees for a period of one year through an open, transparent, online competitive process.
• Launch of UNEP Campaign on Illegal Trafficking of Endangered Species: ‘Not all Animals Migrate by Choice’.
• It focuses on those students who are willing to learn about natural resource management and biodiversity conservation and to support the projects of NBA in various states and Union Territories (UTs).

Launch of webinar initiatives

• A Webinar Series on ‘Biodiversity Conservation and Biological Diversity Act, 2002’

Launch of WWF Model Conference of Parties (MCoP)

• WWF Model Conference of Parties (MCoP), to involve the younger generation so they engage in conversations around impact of humanity’s footprint on biodiversity.

Launch of awareness campaign

• An awareness campaign supported by WWF to highlight the crucial role played by nature through its free ecological services provided for humankind.

Extra Shots:

NBA:

• Headquarter: Chennai, Tamil Nadu
• Chairperson: Dr. V. B. Mathur

UNDP:

• Headquarters: New York, United States (US)
• Administrator: Achim Steiner

UNEP:

• Headquarters: Nairobi, Kenya
• Executive Director: Inger Andersen

WCCB:

• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Additional Director: Tilotama Varma

HIL INDIA to provide locust control Pesticide to Iran

• Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers announced that HIL INDIA, a PSU under the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, is to produce and supply the pesticides for the farming community, amid the COVID-19 lockdown. HIL is to supply 25 MT Malathion Technical for supply to locust control programme to Iran under Government to Government arrangement.
• Recently, the Credit rating of HIL INDIA was upgraded to BBB from BB. The rating marks a stable investment grade.

Other measures of HIL India:

• HIL signed an agreement with the Ministry of Agriculture and Famers Welfare for the supply of Malathion Technical to Rajasthan and Gujarat for the Locust Control Programme. So far, the company has manufactured and supplied 67 MT of Malathion Technical.
• HIL supplied to malathion Technical to municipal corporations for dengue and chikungunya control program.
• HIL India has exported 10 MT of fungicide ‘Mancozeb’ to Peru and another 12 MT is to be exported.
• It also supplied 314 MT of DDT 50% wdp to various states like Rajasthan, Punjab, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, etc was executed as per the supply order placed by the Ministry of family welfares, NVBDCP programmes.
• During the lockdown period, HIL produced 120 MT of Malathion Technical, 120.40 MT of DDT Technical, 288 MT of DDT 50%, 21 MT of HILGOLD (Water Soluble Fertilizer), 12 MT of Mancozeb Fungicide for Exports and 35 MT of different agrochemical formulations.

Extra Shots:

HIL: Hindustan Insecticides Limited is a Government of India enterprise under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers. It was incorporated in March 1954 in order to start production of DDT for the National Malaria Eradication Programme.

• Headquarters: Kochi, Rasayani, and Bathinda
• Founded: 1954
• Type of business: State-owned enterprise, Publicly listed company

7-point development model suggested by NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman

• Niti Aayog Vice Chairman Rajiv Kumar has presented a seven-point model for India’s development.
• He emphasised the need to make development a public movement on the lines of the freedom movement. He also stressed on making the indigenous language a contact language instead of English.
• 7-point development model suggested include replacing English with the indigenous language as a contact language, governance with accountability and transparency, development approach, giving importance to the private sector, focussing on the employment scenario, making farming profitable and reducing the burden on farmers, linking urbanisation with the development of villages, and reconciliation with nature in place of victory over nature.
• Self reliance should be the model of India’s rural development

Extra Shots:

The NITI Aayog is a policy think tank of the Government of India, established with the aim to achieve sustainable development goals with cooperative federalism by fostering the involvement of State Governments of India in the economic policy-making process using a bottom-up approach.

• Website: niti.gov.in
• Formed: 1 January 2015
• Objectives: Foster involvement and participation in the economic policy-making process by the State Governments of India
• Jurisdiction: Government of India
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Chairperson: Narendra Modi

STATE CURRENT AFFAIRS

Andhra Pradesh Launches Rs 1,110 crore Mega ReSTART Package for MSMEs

• In Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has announced Rs 1,110 crore ReSTART package for MSMEs to strengthen the sector during this emergency situation as well as create employment.
• The government immediately released Rs 450 crore as the first installment under the scheme, which would benefit nearly 98,000 units.
• These units employ more than 10 lakh people who were facing hardships due to the lockdown.
• The state government will also directly purchase 360 items manufactured by the MSMEs and give payments in a period of 45 days which will further help the sector.

Extra Shots:

Andhra Pradesh:

• Capital: Amravati
• Chief Minister: Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy
• Governor: Biswabhusan Harichandan
• Literacy rate: 67.4%
• National Park: Sri Venkateswara National Park, Sri Venkateswara National Park, Papikonda National Park

Chhattisgarh govt to observe May 25 as ‘Jhiram Tribute Diwas’

• The state government of Chhattisgarh will observe May 25, 2020 as ‘Jhiram Shraddhanjali Diwas’ or ‘Jhiram Tribute Diwas’.
• Naxals had attacked a convoy of Congress leaders during the party’s rally in Jhiram valley on May 25, 2013. In this attack, 29 people were killed including then state Congress chief Nand Kumar Patel, former leader of opposition Mahendra Karma and former Union minister Vidyacharan Shukla.
• The day will be observed to pay tribute to Congress leaders who were killed in a Maoist attack in Jhiram Valley.

Extra Shots:

Chhattisgarh:

• Capital: Raipur
• Chief Minister: Bhupesh Baghel
• Governor: Anusuiya Uikey
• National Park: Indravati (Kutru) National Park, Kanger Valley National Park, Guru Ghasi Das (Sanjay) National Park

Mizoram provides industrial status to Sports

• The Mizoram State Government has recently provided industrial status to Sports.
• This has been done by the government to attract investment in the Sports industry.
• The Mizoram Government is framing new industrial policy under which the sports have been included as sports category.
• The State of Mizoram is known for its great interests towards sports. Of all the footballers in the north east states, Mizoram has pool of football players that play in leading clubs of India.
• The state has also done extremely well in hockey and weightlifting as well.
• Apart from these games, Mizoram is also known for its great interests and achievements in wrestling and other indigenous games such as relay eaces using bamboo (Kalchhet kal), Insuknawra (rod pushing), Inarpathai (cock fighting), etc.

Extra Shots:

Mizoram:

• State formed on: 20 February 1987
• Governor: P. S. Sreedharan Pillai
• Chief Minister: Zoramthanga
• Deputy Chief Minister: Tawnluia
• Capital: Aizawl
• Literacy rate: 91.58%
• Shares borders: Assam, Manipur, and Tripura

Tamil Nadu begins work on implementing Solar Fence Farmland Protection Programme

• The Tamil Nadu government has started preliminary works for implementing the unique Solar Fence Farmland Protection Programme, under the Central Agriculture Improvement Scheme
• The temporary break from normal agricultural activities because of Covid-19 lockdown is being utilized by farmers in such innovative preparatory works.
• The electric fences powered by eco-friendly, non polluting solar panels are being set up in various parts of the state.
• Under the Central Agriculture Improvement Scheme, 50% of the cost of constructing the electric fence, including setting up of the power generating solar panels, will be provided as subsidy to farmers.
• A maximum limit of 2.18 lakh rupees has been fixed for availing subsidy.

Tamilnadu

• Capital: Chennai
• Chief Minister: Edappadi K.Palanisamy
• Governor: Banwarilal Purohit
• Chief Justice of Madras High Court: Vijaya Kamlesh Tahilramani
• National Park: Guindy NP,Gulf of Mannar Marine NP, Indira Gandhi (Annamalai) NP,             Mudumalai NP, Mukurthi NP.

INTERNATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

WHO adopts “Human Challenge Trial” to develop new vaccine

• The World Health Organization (WHO) recently announced eight candidates to enter human trials.
• Several people step forward to participate in human challenge trial as the race to develop new vaccine for the virus is increasing.

Human Challenge Trial

• The trial involves infecting volunteers intentionally with COVID-19 virus. This is done to speed up the process of vaccine development.
• The main benefit of the human challenge trial is that it accelerates testing.
• Many efficacious vaccines shall be available more quickly. Also, the number of people required in phase 3 of these trials is less than the regular trials.

Vaccine Development

• The Vaccine development takes several years to develop through three phases of clinical trials. This includes:
• Phase 1: During this phase small groups of people receive the vaccine
• Phase 2: Vaccine is given to those people whose characteristics are similar to those for whom the new vaccine is intended.
• Phase 3: Vaccine is given to several thousands to test the safety and efficacy. During this phase, the participants either receive placebo or vaccine. Placebo is something that looks like treatment but is not in reality. It can be a sugar solution or saline. The Human Challenge Trial is not new. Earlier, similar trials were conducted for malaria as well.

Extra Shots:

WHO: The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. The WHO Constitution, which establishes the agency’s governing structure and principles, states its main objective as “the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health.”

• Heads: Tedros Adhanom, Soumya Swaminathan, Jane Ellison, Peter Salama Trending
• Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
• Founded: 7 April 1948
• Customer service: 011 6656 4800
• Parent organization: United Nations Economic and Social Council

RANKS ,INDICES AND REPORTS

World Steel report: India’s steel output declined by 65%

• The World Steel Association released the World Steel Report. According to the report, the crude steel report of India declined by 65%.
• During April 2020, the steel output of India was 3.13 million tonnes.

Highlights

• In April 2019, according to the report, India produced 9.02 million tonnes. In March 2020, India faced a decline of 14% steel output as compared to March 2019.
• The report also says that the global steel output declined by 13%.In April 2019, the global steel output was 157.67 million tonnes. In April 2020, the output declined to 137.09 million tonnes.

Findings of the report

• China has reported 1.7% fall in steel production. This is the first time China is facing an output decline. US faced a decline of 32%. South Korea’s steel production declined by 8.4%.
• The other global steel producers such as European Union, France, Italy, Turkey, Spain, Russia, Ukraine and Brazil also faced decline in their output.

Extra Shots:

WSA: World Steel Association, often abbreviated as worldsteel, is the international trade body for the iron and steel industry. The association is one of the largest and most dynamic industry associations in the world, with members in every major steel-producing country.

• Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium
• Founded: 10 July 1967
• Location: Brussels
• Key people: André Bier Gerdau Johannpeter, Sajjan Jindal, Roger K. Newport
• Type of business: Trade Association

In a first, Uttarakhand releases one of the biggest reports on plant species conservation in India

• Uttarakhand state has identified total 1145 plant species ranging from state flower Brahmkamal to mythological ‘Sanjivni Booti’.
• A report containing details of all these species was realised by research wing of Uttarakhand state forest department. This report will be updated annually in April starting from now onwards.

Aim:

• The aim of the entire exercise is germplasm conservation and to promote conservation of plant species among general public and to end ‘plant blindness

Report Highlights:

• The report contains detailed information of each species on 9 parameters – family name, scientific name, local name, conservation status, number and location at research establishment, endemism, uses and thumbnail size photograph; conservation sites spread over 8 Research ranges across the State – Haldwani, Lalkuan, Pithoragarh, Ranikhet, Nainital, Gopeshwar, Dehradun, Uttarkashi.
• A total of 386 species conserved, have medicinal properties such as Ashwagandha’, ‘Giloy’, ‘Kalmegh’ and ‘Chitrak’, which are presently part of scientists’ research to find a possible cure to coronavirus.
• 90% of these species are conserved ex-situ (out of their natural habitat) and only 10% are conserved in-situ (inside their natural habitat).
• According to International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) list, total of 8 species among these are critically endangered, 23 species are endangered; 14 species are vulnerable and 12 are near threatened and one remains endangered whole 11 species are threatened as per Uttarakhand biodiversity Board list.
• Further, out of 1145 total conserved species, 46 species are endemic, of which 25 are near endemic, 10 species are endemic to Uttarakhand, and 10 are endemic to Indian Himalayan Region.
• Endemic species are the ones which are unique to a specific geographical area of the planet including a mountain range, a lake, a landscape or a river valley.

Extra Shots:

Uttarkhand

• Capital- Dehradun
• Governor- Baby Rani maurya
• CM-Trivendra Singh Rawat
• National Park -Jim Corbett NP, Gangotri NP, Nanda Devi NP, Rajaji NP

AGREEMENTS AND MOU SIGNED

Sports Authority Gujarat sign an MoU TCLL to train 2000 athletes

• Sports Authority Gujarat signed an MoU with the Times Centre for Learning Limited (TCLL) to impart training for personality and skill development for aspiring athletes in the state.
• This will be the first-of-its-kind training in the State.

Highlights:

• The MoU aims to train over 2000 young and aspiring athletes across Gujarat in areas such as Anand, Nadiad, Tapi, Porbandar, Surat, and Himmat Nagar.
• The participants will be selected using an enlisting process.
• The exercise aims to inculcate the idea of ownership and accomplishment about their respective sport among these athletes.
• It also aims to train psychologically preparing them for their challenging way ahead.

Extra Shots:

Gujarat:

• Capital: Gandhinagar
• Chief Minister: Vijay Rupani
• Governor: Acharya Devvrat
• State formed on: 1 May 1960
• Literacy Rate: 79.31%
• National Park: Vansda NP, Blackbuck NP, Gir Forest NP, Marine NP, Gulf of Kutch

ACQUISITION AND MERGER

RITES signed pact to acquire 24% stake in Indian Railway Station Development Corporation

• Infrastructure consultancy and engineering company RITES (Rail India Technical and Economic Service) has signed an agreement for acquiring 24% stake in Indian Railway Stations Development Corporation (IRSDC) for Rs 48 crore.
• IRSDC, a joint venture of Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA) and IRCON International is tasked with redeveloping railway stations across the country.
• During the lockdown, the company delivered the 188 route kilometre Vijaypur-Pachore Road-Maksi section railway electrification project in Madhya Pradesh.
• Besides working from home on various reports, tenders and designing based projects, it continued its operations at most of the locomotive leasing sites and inspection office at Bhilai, Chattisgarh.

Extra Shots:

RITES Ltd.

• Chairman & Managing Director (CMD): Rajeev Mehrotra
• Headquarter: Gurugram, Haryana

IRSDC:

• Chairman: Vishwesh Chaube
• Headquarter: New Delhi

RLDA:

• Chairman: Vishwesh Chaube
• Headquarter: New Delhi

IRCON International:

• Chairman & Managing Director (CMD): SK Chaudhary
• Headquarter: New Delhi
• Parent organization: Ministry of Railways

RECENT COMMITTEES IN NEWS

Govt forms high level committee to recommend reforms in India’s drug regulatory system

• The central government has formed a high-level committee of experts to recommend reforms in India’s drug regulatory system so that approval processes can be fast-tracked.
• The committee is headed by Rajesh Bhushan, the OSD to the Union health minister.
• The committee will study the current drug regulatory system and submit recommendations for reforms, so as to bring the system in line with global standards and make it more efficient.

SPORT CURRENT AFFAIRS

Naomi Osaka tops Forbes world’s highest-paid female athlete list 2020

• Japanese tennis player Naomi Osaka has become the world’s highest-paid female athlete.
• She has replaced US rival, Serena Williams, from the top spot.
• Osaka’s had an earning of $37.4 million while Serena Williams had an earning of $36 million.

Extra Shots:

Japan (Capital/Currency): Tokyo/ Japanese yen

• Prime Minister: Shinzō Abe

Spanish football player Aritz Aduriz announces retirement

• Spanish football player and Athletic Bilbao striker Aritz Aduriz has announced his retirement citing medical reasons.
• He has won 13 caps for Spain and also become the Spain’s oldest goalscorer in 2016, scoring at the age of 35 years and 275 days.
• Aritz Aduriz has scored 141 goals in 296 appearances for Bilbao and has also represented Real Valladolid, Real Mallorca and Valencia.
• He is also the only player other than Lionel Messi to score goals in 15 LaLiga seasons in a row.

Extra Shots:

Spain (Capital/Currency): Madrid/Euro

• Prime Minister: Pedro Sánchez

2,749 Khelo India athletes given Rs 30,000 each: SAI

• Sports Authority of India (SAI) has deposited 30,000 rupees each as out of pocket allowance in accounts of 2,749 Khelo India athletes.
• The amount added up to 8.25 crore rupees in all. the money has been transferred to the bank accounts of the athletes.
• A total of 2,893 athletes will be given the pocket allowance with the funds for the remaining 144 athletes to be transferred by the end of this month.
• The allowance is for the first quarter of 2020-21.
• Athletes from 35 states and union territories have been given the allownaces in 21 sporting disciplines with the maximum number of them from Maharashtra (386), Haryana (381), Delhi (225), Punjab (202) and Tamil Nadu (165).

Extra Shots:

SAI: The Sports Authority of India is the apex national sports body of India, established in 1984 by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports of Government of India for the development of sport in India.

• Headquarters: Delhi
• Founder: Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
• Founded: 25 January 1984
• Agency executive: Sandip Pradhan Indian Revenue Service, Sports Secretary-cum-Director General
• Annual budget: 481 crores INR (US$70 million, 2017–2018)
• Parent agencies: Department of Youth and Sports Development, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Antarctic Impulsive Transient Antenna (ANTIA) finds high energy particles from ice

• The NASA researchers have found high energy particles erupting from ice in the Antarctic region.
• The researchers believe that these particles are proof to parallel universe.

ANTIA

• The ANTIA is high-energy cosmic neutrino that detect radio pulses that are being emitted by Antarctic ice sheet.
• The neutrinos in the ice produce radio pulses due to Askaryan effect.
• The ANTIA instrument detect cosmic-ray neutrinos through a scientific ballon that is flying in the region of Antarctica. It is the first NASA observatory of neutrinos. T
• he researchers have special interest for neutrinos as they are the only particle that reach the earth unattenuated.

ANTIA’s detections

• The ANTIA has so far made four major cosmic ray detections. The cosmic rays that are coming from the sky are reflected off the ice. However, two of these detections have proofs that they are generated from the ice below.

Askaryan Effect

• It is the phenomenon where a particle travelling at a velocity faster than light in a dense electric medium, produces shower of secondary charged particles. The dense electric medium can be ice, salt of lunar regolith.

Extra Shots:

NASA: The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is an independent agency of the United States Federal Government responsible for the civilian space program, as well as aeronautics and space research. NASA was established in 1958, succeeding the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics.

• Founder: Dwight D. Eisenhower
• Founded: 29 July 1958, United States
• Administered by: Jim Bridenstine

WEBPORTALS & APPS IN NEWS

Edelweiss General Insurance launched app-based OD floater policy

• Edelweiss General Insurance launched ‘Edelweiss SWITCH’, an app-based motor insurance own damage (OD) floater policy under IRDAI’s sandbox regulations.
• This driver-based motor insurance allows the owners of the vehicles to cover multiple vehicles under a single policy.
• Edelweiss SWITCH is approved under the ‘Pay as you use’ model, expected to change the standard of determining the premium of Motor OD based on the age, make and model of vehicle to usage of vehicle and experience of driver
• It allows the user to switch their policy cover based on the usage of their vehicles allowing the user to pay the premier on the days when they use the vehicle and the policy also covers accidental damage
• The policy holder can cover three vehicles in a single policy for one year.
• This was developed to satisfy the needs of the customers who may not use their vehicles regularly or use alternate vehicles like cars and two wheelers as this will reduce the premiums as they pay per usage.

Extra Shots:

Edelweiss General Insurance:

• Executive Director & CEO: Shanai Ghosh
• Chief Financial Officer(CFO): Jitendra Attra
• Corporate Office : Mumbai

OBITUARY

Actor Mohit Baghel passes away at 26

• Bollywood actor Mohit Baghel passed away at the age of 26 years due to cancer.
• He is best known for playing Amar Chaudhary in Salman Khan’s movie “Ready”.
• He has also worked in “Comedy Circus” and “Jabariya Jodi”.

Former TN footballer and coach Shanmugam passes away at 77

• Former Tamil Nadu football player and coach R Shanmugam passed away at the age of 77 years due to age-related issues.
• Shanmugam, who was born in Burma (now Myanmar) in 1943, had represented the Burmese junior and senior national teams in 1966-’67.
• He coached ICF, Tamil Nadu and Indian Railways in the Santosh trophy and also served as selector for Tamil Nadu and Railways.

Indian hockey legend Balbir Singh Dosanjh passes away

• Former Indian hockey player Balbir Singh Dosanjh passed away.
• He was a part of three-time Olympic gold medal-winning Indian hockey team, i.e. in London Olympics (1948), Helsinki Olympics (1952), and Melbourne Olympics (1956). In 1956 Olympics, he was the captain of the Indian team that won the gold medal after defeating Pakistan in the finals.
• Balbir Singh Dosanjh was the only Indian among 16 legends who were chosen by the International Olympic Committee across modern Olympic history.

Australian tennis player Ashley Cooper passes away at 83

• Australian tennis player Ashley Cooper passed away at the age of 83 years.
• Ashley Cooper won the Australian championship, Wimbledon and U.S. Nationals in 1958. He is one of only 11 men to claim three Grand Slam crowns in a calendar year.
• Cooper had won all four of his Grand Slam crowns by beating compatriots in the final.

Japanese professional wrestler Hana Kimura passes away at 22

• Japanese professional wrestler, Hana Kimura, passed away at the age of 22 years.
• She has also starred in the latest season of Netflix reality series “Terrace House”.
• Kimura won her first title at the Japan Pro-Wrestling (JWP) Junior plate in 2016 and joined Stardom in 2019.

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