Current Affairs Today 25th August 2020-Download in PDF

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Current Affairs Today – 25th August 2020

NEWS AT A GLANCE

  1. The United Nations’ (UN) International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition is annually observed on August 23 to remind people of the tragedy of the transatlantic slave trade.
  2. The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) has launched dedicated debt and credit guarantee product named Structured Finance and Partial Guarantee Programme to NBFC-MFIs to ensure the unhindered flow of credit in rural areas hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
  3. The Reserve Bank of India today announced that it will conduct open market operations or OMO of government t securities worth ₹20,000 crore in two tranches.
  4. The State Bank of India (SBI) has introduced a new doorstep ATM service which will allow its customers to withdraw cash without having to leave their homes.
  5. The Finance Ministry said 24 proposals by stressed non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) and housing finance companies (HFCs) worth ₹8,594 crore have been sanctioned under the special liquidity scheme.
  6. On world’s entrepreneur day, technology-driven general insurance company Digit Insurance has launched an exclusive do-it-yourself (DIY) advisory tool for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and startups, SME Buddy.
  7. Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has decided to extend the validity of Fitness, Permits, Licenses, Registration or other documents under Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989 till the 31st of December 2020.
  8. to give a boost to the Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Mission, a handicraft production centre is inaugurated in Guwahati today by Assam Apex Weavers and Artisans Cooperative Federation Limited- ARTFED.
  9. Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari will inaugurate and lay the foundation stones for 45 Highway projects in Madhya Pradesh.
  10. Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has signed a loan agreement (with Government of India, the Government of Maharashtra and Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation) for a $500 million Mumbai Urban Transport Project-III.
  11. Private lender, RBL Bank has selected Accenture to enhance it’s IT systems and processes to support its objective of becoming a truly digital bank.
  12. Fair trade regulator Competition Commission of India (CCI) said it approved the proposed acquisition of C&S Electric by Siemens.
  13. Reshma Mohandas, a nurse with the Government Medical College (MCH), Kottayam, has been selected for the Tomyas Award worth ₹1 lakh for the best nurse in Kerala.
  14. Australian all-rounder Cameron White has announced his retirement from all forms of professional cricket.
  15. In Football, German team Bayern Munich defeated French side Paris Saint-Germain 1–0 to win the UEFA Champions League 2019-20.
  16. Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria, the Chief of the Air Staff has launched a mobile application named ‘MY IAF’.
  17. UP has launched an ambitious NRI unified portal that will not only help in investment in the state, but also provide an opportunity for those who want to go abroad.
  18. Mumbai’s iconic Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus is set to get a makeover with world class facilities at a cost of 1,642 crore rupees. Indian Railway Stations Development Corporation (IRSDC).
  19. Union Minister, Jitendra Singh has released a book on cancer named “Gastric Cancer” edited by Dr Ashok K. Vaid.

NEWS IN DETAILS

IMPORTANT DAYS AND THEMES

International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition day on 23rd Aug

  • The United Nations’ (UN) International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition is annually observed on August 23 to remind people of the tragedy of the transatlantic slave trade.
  • It gives people a chance to think about the historic causes, the methods, and the consequences of slave trade.
  • This year, the theme is ‘Confronting Slavery’s Legacy of Racism Together’

BANKING & FINANCE 

NABARD launches credit guarantee programme for NBFC-MFIs

  • The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) has launched dedicated debt and credit guarantee product named Structured Finance and Partial Guarantee Programme to NBFC-MFIs to ensure the unhindered flow of credit in rural areas hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • It will provide partial guarantee on pooled loans extended to small and mid-sized microfinance institutions (MFIs).
  • Nabard has signed a pact with Vivriti Capital and Ujjivan Small Finance Bank for this.
  • It will help facilitate Rs 2,500 crore funding in the initial phase and is expected to be scaled up.
  • The programme is expected to cover over 1 million households across 28 states and 650 districts.

Extra Shots:

NABARD

  • Founded: 12 July 1982
  • Headquarters: Mumbai
  • Chairperson: Harsh Kumar Bhanwala
  • Purpose: Development assistance; Poverty Reduction
  • Formation: July 12, 1982; 38 years ago
  • Subsidiaries: Nabcons, NABVENTURES Ltd., Nabkisan Finance Ltd., NABSAMRUDDHI Finance Limited

RBI announces OMO of govt securities worth ₹20,000 crore

  • The Reserve Bank of India today announced that it will conduct open market operations or OMO of government t securities worth ₹20,000 crore in two tranches.
  • The Reserve Bank has decided to conduct simultaneous purchase and sale of government securities under Open Market Operation (OMO) for an aggregate amount of ₹20,000 crores in two tranches of ₹10,000 crores each.
  • The auctions would be conducted on August 27, 2020 and September 03, 2020.
  • The RBI will be buying longer-dated government securities maturing between 2024 to 2032 while it will be selling securities that mature between October and November this year.

Extra Shots:

RBI

  • Governor: Shaktikanta Das Trending
  • Headquarters: Mumbai
  • Founder: British Raj
  • Subsidiaries: Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation, Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran

SBI introduces pilot doorstep ATM service

  • The State Bank of India (SBI) has introduced a new doorstep ATM service which will allow its customers to withdraw cash without having to leave their homes.
  • All customers need to do is send a WhatsApp message or make a call to the designated SBI number, and a mobile ATM will reach their location.
  • The service is currently a pilot project offered to SBI customers in Lucknow.
  • If the project receives good feedback, it will be implemented in other cities too.
  • These doorstep banking service include cash pickup, cash delivery, cheque pickup, cheque requisition slip pickup, ford 15H pickup, delivery of drafts and KYC documents pickup, among others.

Extra Shots:

SBI

  • Chairperson: Rajnish Kumar
  • Headquarters: Mumbai
  • Founded: 1 July 1955

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

₹8,594 cr to be disbursed to stressed NBFCs and HFCs

  • The Finance Ministry said 24 proposals by stressed non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) and housing finance companies (HFCs) worth ₹8,594 crore have been sanctioned under the special liquidity scheme.
  • The scheme was announced in July, as part of the ₹20.97 lakh crore ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ package.

Extra Shots:

NBFC

A non-banking financial institution or non-bank financial company is a financial institution that does not have a full banking license or is not supervised by a national or international banking regulatory agency.

Digit Launches SME Buddy to Simplify Insurance for SMEs and Startups

  • On world’s entrepreneur day, technology-driven general insurance company Digit Insurance has launched an exclusive do-it-yourself (DIY) advisory tool for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and startups, SME Buddy.
  • The online tool helps entrepreneurs calculate the insurance coverage for their business in just a few simple steps.
  • The business owner has to key in details about the nature of his business, its industry, assets linked to the enterprise and the businesses resources.
  • Based on these details, SME Buddy will give suggestions on the kind of insurance coverage that the entrepreneur can buy for his business.

NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

Validity of Motor Vehicle documents extended till December 31, 2020

  • Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has decided to extend the validity of Fitness, Permits, Licenses, Registration or other documents under Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989 till the 31st of December 2020.
  • The validity of all of the above-referred documents whose extension of validity could not or not likely be granted due to lock-down and which had expired since 1st of Feb, 2020 or would expire by 31st Dec 2020, the same may be treated to be valid till 31st of December 2020.
  • Earlier this extension was provided till 30th of September 2020.

STATE CURRENT AFFAIRS

Handicraft production centre inaugurated in Guwahati

  • To give a boost to the Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Mission, a handicraft production centre is inaugurated in Guwahati today by Assam Apex Weavers and Artisans Cooperative Federation Limited- ARTFED.
  • There are 1 thousand societies with around 1 lakh members under the ARTFED.
  • The Assam government has already set up yarn banks across the state so that weavers could get yarn at subsidised rate. ARTFED has recently sent a proposal to the state government to establish a cloth bank at Sualkuchi.

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

Nitin Gadkari to inaugurate, lay foundation stones for 45 Highway projects in Madhya Pradesh

  • Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari will inaugurate and lay the foundation stones for 45 Highway projects in Madhya Pradesh.
  • The projects for inauguration and foundation laying include one thousand 361 kilometres of Road, two over bridges and six bridges involving construction value of 11 thousand 427 crore rupees.
  • Paving the way for development of Madhya Pradesh, these roads will enhance better connectivity, convenience and economic growth in and around the state.
  • Movement of people and goods to and from the state will also improve substantially especially with the neighbouring states of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

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

AGREEMENTS AND MOU SIGNED

India and AIIB sign agreement for $500 million for Mumbai Urban Transport Project-III

  • Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has signed a loan agreement (with Government of India, the Government of Maharashtra and Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation) for a $500 million Mumbai Urban Transport Project-III.
  • The aim is to improve the network capacity, service quality and safety of the suburban railway system in Mumbai.
  • With a population of 22.8 million (2011), Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) is the most populous metropolitan region in India and is expected to reach 29.3 million by 2031 and 32.1 million by 2041.

Extra Shots:

AIIB

  • Headquarters: Beijing, China
  • Region served: Asia and Oceania
  • Membership: 102 Members
  • Main organ: Board of Governors; Board of Directors
  • Purpose: Crediting
  • President: Jin Liqun

RBL Bank partners Accenture to accelerate its Digital Journey

  • Private lender, RBL Bank has selected Accenture to enhance it’s IT systems and processes to support its objective of becoming a truly digital bank.
  • Accenture will provide managed services enabling RBL Bank to modernize and consolidate its large and disparate environment and help in streamlining and automate key business processes like finance and compliance, human resources and sales.

Extra Shots:

RBL

  • Headquarters: Mumbai
  • Founded: August 1943
  • Subsidiaries: RBL FinServe Ltd., RBL Bank Ltd., Asset Management Arm

ACQUISITION & MERGER

CCI approves Siemens’ acquisition of C&S Electric

  • Fair trade regulator Competition Commission of India (CCI) said it approved the proposed acquisition of C&S Electric by Siemens.
  • As per a statement issued by Siemens in January, it had inked an agreement to acquire 99 per cent equity in New Delhi-based C&S Electric for around Rs 2,100 crore.

Extra Shots:

Competition Commission of India

  • Website: cci.gov.in
  • Founded: 14 October 2003
  • Objectives: Enforce the Competition Act, 2002 throughout India, MORE
  • Jurisdiction: India
  • Headquarters: New Delhi
  • First executive: Dhanendra Kumar

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL AWARDS

Tomyas Award for Reshma Mohandas

  • Reshma Mohandas, a nurse with the Government Medical College (MCH), Kottayam, has been selected for the Tomyas Award worth ₹1 lakh for the best nurse in Kerala.
  • The award was instituted in memory of Treesa Ignatius, mother of Thomas Pavaratti, owner of Thrissur-based Tomyas Advertising Agency.
  • The Award will be presented by Bobby Paul and Antio Paul, directors of Star Plastics, at Tomyas Garden, Peramangalam, on October 2.

SPORTS CURRENT AFFAIRS

Australian all-rounder Cameron White announces retirement from all professional cricket

  • Australian all-rounder Cameron White has announced his retirement from all forms of professional cricket.
  • The 37-year-old Australian player will however, continue to play at the Premier Cricket level as the captain of the Melbourne Cricket Club.
  • During his international career spanning nearly a decade, White played 91 ODIs scoring 2,072 runs.
  • In T20 Internationals, he scored 984 runs from 47 matches, while he played four Tests for Australia, scoring 146 runs.

Extra Shots:

Australia (Capital/Currency): Canberra /Australian dollar

  • Prime Minister: Scott Morrison

Bayern Munich beat Paris Saint-Germain to win UEFA Champions League 2019-20

  • In Football, German team Bayern Munich defeated French side Paris Saint-Germain 1–0 to win the UEFA Champions League 2019-20.
  • In doing so, Bayern Munich has become the first European Cup winners who won all their matches during the tournament.
  • This is the sixth European Champions League title for Bayern Munich.
  • The final was played in Lisbon, Portugal on 23 August 2020.

WEBPORTALS & APPS IN NEWS

Indian Air Force launches mobile app ‘My IAF’ to provide career-related information to aspirants

  • Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria, the Chief of the Air Staff has launched a mobile application named ‘MY IAF’.
  • The app launched as a part of Digital India initiative has been developed in association with Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) to provide career related information and details to the aspirants who wish to join the Indian Air Force (IAF).
  • The app serves as a single digital platform where users can find the details of selection procedure, training curriculum, pay and perks etc for both officers and airmen in the IAF.

Extra Shots:

Indian Air Force

  • Helicopter: Apache AH-64E, CH-47 Chinook, Dhruv, Chetak, Cheetah, Mi-8, Mi-17, Rudra, Mi-26, Mi-25/35
  • Founded: 8 October 1932, India
  • Headquarters: New Delhi
  • Attack: Jaguar, Harpy
  • Role: Aerial warfare
  • Fighters: Sukhoi Su-30MKI, Dassault Rafale, Dassault Mirage 2000, Mikoyan MiG-29, HAL Tejas, Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21

Uttar Pradesh launches NRI unified portal

  • UP has launched an ambitious NRI unified portal that will not only help in investment in the state, but also provide an opportunity for those who want to go abroad.
  • The website – nri.up.gov.in – will also provide a platform for NRIs keen to know about their roots or those seeking help from the UP Government related to their homes or families in the state.
  • The NRI department of state will use festivals to connect with Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) in other countries.
  • The NRI department in the state will be live streaming the Deepotsav festival in Ayodhya during Diwali and then the Holi celebrations in Vrindavan too.
  • Other Uttar Pradesh festivals and cultural events will also be a part of this initiative.

Extra Shots:

Uttar Pradesh:

  • Statehood Day: January 26, 1950
  • Capital: Lucknow
  • Chief Minister: Yogi Adityanath
  • Governor: Anandiben Patel
  • Literacy Rate: 67.68%
  • Nation Park: Dudhwa National Park

Mumbai’s CSMT to get Rs 1,642 cr makeover with world class facilities

  • Mumbai’s iconic Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus is set to get a makeover with world class facilities at a cost of 1,642 crore rupees. Indian Railway Stations Development Corporation (IRSDC).
  • Under the project, authorities have planned to demolish some existing buildings in the CSMT premises and shift some railway offices to Byculla and Wadi Bunder yards, to create more pedestrian area on the southern end of the station.

BOOKS & AUTHORS

A book titled “Gastric Cancer” released by Jitendra Singh