Hello and welcome to exampundit. Here are the important Current Affairs Today 25th June 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 – 25th June 2020
NEWS AT A GLANCE
- The International Maritime Organization is observed on 25th June as the Day of the Seafarer.
- Government of India will bring an ordinance to put all cooperative banks under the Reserve Bank of India supervision.
- India Ratings and Research has projected the GDP growth of India to contract by 5.3% in 2020-21 (FY21).
- Govt extends deadline to file ITR for FY19 till July 31; PAN-Aadhaar till March 2021
- The Union Cabinet headed by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved setting up of Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF).
- Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) has released the roadmap for NCERT for the year 2020-21.
- Union Cabinet has given International Airport status to Kushinagar Airport in Uttar Pradesh.
- The move to leapfrog India’s space activities into the next stage by transforming the Indian Space Sector for the future challenges was made during a meeting of the Union Cabinet on 24th June 2020.
- The Jharkhand government has launched an employment guarantee scheme for the urban unskilled workers. The scheme will be on similar lines of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
- Through the virtual platform, Jitendra Singh (Union Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region I/C) had inaugurated Border Roads Organisation (BRO) constructed bridges- Devika and Puneja on 24th June 2020.
- This scheme was announced as a part of the AtmaNirbhar Bharat Package by Finance Minister back on 13th May 2020. On 24th June 2020, the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Sub-ordinate Debt (CGSSD) was launched.
- The Madhya Pradesh Madhya Kshetra Vidyut Vitaran Company Limited(MPMKVVCL) introduced the Nishtha Vidyut Mitra Scheme for women empowerment.
- The Republic of Mali has awarded the Project Management Consultancy contract to NTPC Limited, a central PSU that functions under the Ministry of Power, in an event held on 24 June 2020.
- Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr. Harsh Vardhan released the annual TB Report 2020 through a virtual event on 24 June.
- Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and IBM partners to unveil free Digital Learning Platform “Skills Build Reignite”.
- The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the acquisition of stake in Jio Platforms Limited by Jaadhu Holdings LLC.
- The Maharashtra government has declared the Vithabai Narayangaokar lifetime achievement award to folk artist Gulabbai Sangamnerkar.
- As the COVID-19 pandemic has restricted activities and movement of people across the globe, one challenge that has emerged for all the States and as well as Central Government of India is in ensuring safe blood for the citizens who require regular blood donation for blood or bleeding disorders suchas hemophilia, etc.
- Hollywood Director Joel Schumacher passed away.
- The Costume designer cum Film Director Joel Schumacher who suffered from cancer for the past one year passed away at the age of 80 in New York, United States of America(USA).
- Researchers at the Department of Biotechnology’s National Centre for Cell Science (DBT-NCCS) in Pune discovered new biomolecules to fight drug resistance in Kala-azar exploring ways to tackle miltefosine resistance.
NEWS IN DETAILS
IMPORTANT DAYS AND THEMES
Day of the Seafarer celebrated on 25th June
- The International Maritime Organization is observed on 25th June as the Day of the Seafarer.
- On this day, people pay respect to Seafarers and sailors who help the entire world function by conducting sea transport.
- This year, the annual Day of the Seafarer (DotS) will be celebrating its 10th anniversary on 25 June.
- The 2020 campaign for the day: Seafarers are Key Workers.
- The campaign seeks to raise awareness of the work seafarers have done during the pandemic and to thank them for their contribution.
- It also encourages people to treat them with respect and dignity so they can continue the good work they have been doing.
History
- The Day of the Seafarer (DotS) was established in a resolution adopted by the 2010 Diplomatic Conference in Manila to adopt the revised Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) Convention. The first edition of the Day of the Seafarers was observed by IMO in 2011.
BANKING & FINANCE
GoI brings all cooperative banks under supervision of RBI
- Government of India will bring an ordinance to put all cooperative banks under the Reserve Bank of India supervision.
- This decision was announced by Union information and broadcasting minister Prakash Javadekar.
- Now 1,482 urban cooperative banks and 58 multi-state cooperative banks came under the supervisory powers of the Reserve Bank of India.
- The RBI’s powers as they apply to the scheduled banks will also apply to cooperative banks.
- This decision will give an assurance to more than 86 million depositors in these banks that their money amounting to Rs 4.84 trillion will stay safe.
RBI:
- Governor: Shaktikanta Das
- Deputy Governor: BP Kanungo, MK Jain and Michael Debabrata Patra
- Headquarters: Mumbai
- Founder: British Raj
- Founded: 1 April 1935, Kolkata
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
India Ratings projects India’s GDP to contract by 5.3% in FY21
- India Ratings and Research has projected the GDP growth of India to contract by 5.3% in 2020-21 (FY21).
- India Ratings and Research expects the GDP of India to grow in the range of 5-6% in FY22.
- This will be the lowest GDP growth in Indian history and the sixth instance of economic contraction, others being in FY58, FY66, FY67, FY73 and FY80.
Govt extends deadline to file ITR for FY19 till July 31; PAN-Aadhaar till March 2021
- The Central Government has extended the deadline for the following for filing income tax returns (ITR) for FY 2018-19 by one month to July 31, 2020; (original as well as revised income tax returns) for linking biometric Aadhaar with PAN till March 31, 2021.
NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
Cabinet approved setting up of Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund
- The Union Cabinet headed by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved setting up of Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF).
- The approval is to provide a much-needed boost to infrastructure across sectors, which are crucial in the time of the pandemic.
Highlights:
- To set up AHIDF, the Centre allocated a sum of Rs.15000 crore.
- AHIDF will be an incentive infrastructure investment in dairy, meat processing, and animal feed plants.
- The beneficiaries who are eligible under the Scheme are Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), MSMEs, Section 8 Companies, Private Companies, and individual entrepreneurs with only a 10% margin money contribution by them.
- The remaining 90% will be the loan component that is to be made available to them by scheduled banks.
- Centre will provide a 3% interest subvention to eligible beneficiaries.
- It also announced a 2 years moratorium period for repayment of the loan with 6 years repayment period thereafter.
- GoI is to establish a Credit Guarantee Fund of Rs.750 crore to be managed by NABARD. It will credit guarantee to the projects that are covered under the MSME defined ceilings.
- Guarantee Coverage will be up to 25% of the Credit facility of the borrower.
Background:
- GoI had earlier approved the Dairy Infrastructure Development Fund (DIDF) worth Rs.10,000 crores for incentivizing investment by the cooperative sector for the development of dairy infrastructure. But, the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and Private companies were also needed to be promoted and incentivized for their participation in processing and value addition infrastructure in the animal husbandry sector.
Ministry of HRD released roadmap for 2020-21 NCERT
- Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) has released the roadmap for NCERT for the year 2020-21.
- The move comes as it has been decided to set up a Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Mission under AtmaNirbhar Bharat.
- The move also focuses on Samagra Shiksha towards a Learning Outcome centric approach.
Highlights:
- MHRD & Department of School Education & Literacy (DoSEL) has directed the NCERT to develop the required resources for implementing these in an effective and timely manner which will lead to an all-around improvement in learning outcomes and learning levels of students.
- Infographics, posters, presentations will explain each of the Learning Outcomes (LOs), for each subject, and for each grade for classes 1-5 will be completed by October 2020 and for classes 6-12 by March 2021.
- Online Teacher training courses for teachers of each grade for classes 1 to 5 will be conducted in phases by December 2020 and for classes 6 to 12 in phases by June 2021.
- NCERT will prepare supplementary/alternative academic learning material for the entire curriculum for learners amid the COVID-19 crisis, especially those who are not able to get access to the digital/online access, for classes 1-5 in phases by December 2020; for classes 6-12 in phases by June 2021.
- At least 10 items & questions each to measure each LO of each subject for each grade in at least two levels of proficiency to be prepared for classes 1 to 5 by November 2020 and for the rest of the classes by March 2021.
New National Curriculum Framework (NCF)
- The Ministry has also initiated a new NCF for School Education. NCERT will be expected to make changes in the textbooks in accordance with the new NCF. Subject experts will initiate this process for school education, and give an interim report by December 2020.
- MHRD has instructed NCERT to ensure that nothing but the core content is placed in textbooks while redesigning textbooks. Also, the cognitive load of the textbooks is too high.
- Additional areas including creative thinking, life skills, Indian ethos, art, and integration, etc. will be integrated.
- NCERT will start working on the layout and design of the new textbooks well in advance, however, the new textbooks shall be written based on the new NCF.
- The new NCF will be prepared by March 2021. For PM E-Vidya, NCERT is to prepare content for Class 1-12 for SWAYAM PRABHA channels (1 class 1 channel) and start the channels by August 2020.
Extra Shots:
NCERT:
- Director: Hrushikesh Senapaty
- Headquarters: New Delhi
- Founder: Government of India
- Founded: 1961
- President: Ramesh Pokhriyal
- Subsidiary: Central Institute of Educational Technology NCERT
Cabinet gives International airport status to Kushinagar Airport
- Union Cabinet has given International Airport status to Kushinagar Airport in Uttar Pradesh.
- The International status to the Airport will end in boosting of domestic/international tourism and economic development of the regions.
- It will be a crucial strategic location with the international border accessible.
- A 3-km-long runway strip has already been made. Now, even an enormous aircraft of Airbus can land at the airport.
- Kushinagar is located within the north-eastern a part of Uttar Pradesh about 50 km east of Gorakhpur and is one among the important Buddhist pilgrimage sites.
Extra Shots:
Kushinagar Airport or Kasia Airport is situated in Kushinagar, Kushinagar district in Uttar Pradesh, India. It is located in 52 km east of Gorakhpur Airport. The airport is in 590 acres, has a single airstrip of 3.2 kilometers by 46 metres. It is capable of handling large aircrafts.
Union Cabinet Approves Private Sector Participation in Space Activities
- The move to leapfrog India’s space activities into the next stage by transforming the Indian Space Sector for the future challenges was made during a meeting of the Union Cabinet on 24th June 2020.
- Under the Chairmanship of the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, to further advance India’s capabilities in the space sector, the Cabinet approved the participation of the private sector in various space activities.
- This long-awaited move from the Indian Government is highly significant in order to establish India’s position as one of the important players in theglobal space economy.
- The decision will bring new energy and dimension to the entire space sector, which in the long run will also help in building an AtmaNirbhar Bharat by making the space sector self-reliant and technologically advanced.
Role of IN-SPACe and NSIL
- The Cabinet has approved setting up of Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe). Through friendly regulatory and encouraging policies, IN-SPACe will have the responsibility to guide the private sector in various space activities.
- State-owned enterprise New Space India Limited (NSIL) was founded in March 2019. The NSIL will have the responsibility to change the economic and social policies for encouraging the private sector in space activities by making Indian Space Sector demand-driven from the current supply-driven model.
STATE CURRENT AFFAIRS
Jharkhand govt launches Jharkhand Mukhyamantri SHRAMIK Yojana Job Card for Urban Poor
- The Jharkhand government has launched an employment guarantee scheme for the urban unskilled workers. The scheme will be on similar lines of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
- The scheme called Mukhyamantri Shramik Yojna will guarantee 100 days of work in a financial year for urban unskilled labourers.
- The new scheme would have a provision to pay an unemployment allowance if the state fails to provide 100 days of work
Extra Shots:
Jharkhand
- Capital: Ranchi
- Chief Minister: Hemant Soren
- Governor: Draupadi Murmu
Devika and Puneja Bridges Inaugurated in Jammu & Kashmir
- Through the virtual platform, Jitendra Singh (Union Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region I/C) had inaugurated Border Roads Organisation (BRO) constructed bridges- Devika and Puneja on 24th June 2020.
Devika Bridge
- The bridge is located at Udhampur of Jammu & Kashmir. Built at a cost of Rs 75 lakhs, the bridge fulfilled 70-year-old demand of the locals of the nearby region. Headquarters of the Indian Armies Northern Command is situated at Udhampur. Apart from solvingtraffic issues, the bridge will provide a smooth passage for the vehicles and convoys of the Indian army. The bridge is 10 meters long.
Puneja Bridge
- The bridge is located in Bhaderwah town in Doda district of Jammu & Kashmir. The cost of constructing the bridge was Rs 4 crore. The bridge is 50 meter long.
Extra Shots:
Jammu & Kashmir:
- Capitals- Jammu (Winter), Srinagar (Summer)
- Lt Governor- Girish Chandra Murmu
- National Parks: City Forest (Salim Ali) National Park, Dachigam National Park, Hemis National Park, Kishtwar National Park
- Wildlife Sanctuaries: Baltal-Thajwas WLS, Changthang Cold Desert WLS, Gulmarg WLS, Jasrota WLS, Karakoram (Nubra Shyok) WLS etc
Scheme with Guarantee Cover worth Rs 20,000 Crore launched for MSMEs
- This scheme was announced as a part of the AtmaNirbhar Bharat Package by Finance Minister back on 13th May 2020. On 24th June 2020, the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Sub-ordinate Debt (CGSSD) was launched.
- The scheme is also called as Distressed Assets Fund- Sub- Ordinate Debt for MSMEs.
- Union Minister of Medium, Small and Marginal Enterprises (MSMEs) Nitin Gadkari launched the scheme.
- After consultation with the Reserve Bank of India, SIDBI, and the Ministry of Finance, the scheme was approved by the Committee on Economic Affairs.
- As a result of nationwide lockdown to contain the spread of COVID-19, most of the economic activities came to a halt across the globe.
- In India as well, the livelihood of millions of people is dependent on the MSME sector.
- As per data available to the Government, the biggest challenge that was faced by these MSMEs was in getting capital for restarting their businesses.
About the Scheme
- The scheme will provide support to about 2 lakh MSMEs across the country. Rs 20,000 crores of guarantee cover have been sanctioned under the scheme. The guarantee cover under the scheme will be provided from banks to the promoters. Only those promoters, who’s MSMEs have either become a Non-Performing Asset (NPA) or are financially stressed as on 30th April 2020 will be eligible for the scheme. Through Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Mirco and Small Enterprises (MSEs), the scheme will be implemented.
Madhya Pradesh Madhya Kshetra Vidyut Vitaran Company Introduces Nishtha Vidyut Mitra Scheme for Women Empowerment
- The Madhya Pradesh Madhya Kshetra Vidyut Vitaran Company Limited(MPMKVVCL) introduced the Nishtha Vidyut Mitra Scheme for women empowerment.
- Under this scheme, women Self-Help Groups at Gram Panchayat level will act as Nishtha Vidyut Mitra.
About the scheme
- The scheme will increase the revenue collection of the company & women will also earn additional income as the company will pay an incentive to Nishtha Vidyut Mitra for recovery of dues and new connections.
- It has been implemented in the Gram Panchayats of all 16 districts of Bhopal, Narmadapuram, Gwalior and Chambal divisions of the company’s jurisdiction.
Role of Women Self-Help Groups in the scheme
- The women Self-Help Groups will encourage consumers to pay bills online or through the Upay App.
- They will rectify various consumer complaints like faulty meters and replace them with new connections through online processes.
- They will provide information about the electricity theft and illegal use of electricity to the company.
Extra Shots:
MPMKVVCL:
- Headquarters: Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
- Managing Director: Vishesh Garhpale
INTERNATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
Mali awarded Project Management Consultancy contract to NTPC to develop 500 MW Solar Park
- The Republic of Mali has awarded the Project Management Consultancy contract to NTPC Limited, a central PSU that functions under the Ministry of Power, in an event held on 24 June 2020.
- The contract aims to develop 500 MW Solar Park.
- The event was chaired by the Union Minister of State for Power R.K.Singh, NRE, Skill Development and President of International Solar Alliance (ISA), and Mr.H.E. Sekou Kasse, the Ambassador of Mali.
Highlights:
- The event was hosted by ISA in the Ministry of Renewable Energy, New Delhi.
- The Republic of Mali has taken various initiatives towards the energy security of the country especially to increase access to electricity for its citizens.
- The move comes with a focus on solar power and applications.
- The development of Solar Projects in Mali is expected to make a considerable impact on the socio-economic growth of Mali.
Extra Shots:
Republic of Mali (Capital/Currency): Bamako/ West African CFA franc
- President: Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta
- Prime Minister: Boubou Cisse
- Official language: French
RANKS AND INDICES
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare released 2020 Annual TB Report
- Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr. Harsh Vardhan released the annual TB Report 2020 through a virtual event on 24 June.
- Also, a Joint Monitoring Mission (JMM) report, a manual on Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to TB patients under NIKSHAY system, a Training Module, and the quarterly newsletter NIKSHAY Patrika was released.
Report Highlights:
- The report stated that around 24.04 Lakh TB patients have been notified in the year 2019. The new reports amount to a 14% increase in TB notification as compared to the year 2018.
- Centre is to achieve near-complete on-line notification of TB patients through the NIKSHAY system.
- There occurred a reduction in the number of missing cases to 2.9 lakh cases against more than 10 lakhs in 2017.
- Notifications by the Private sector increased by 35% with 6.78 lakh TB patients notified.
- It also reported that the proportion of children diagnosed with TB has increased to 8% in 2019 against 6% in 2018, due to easy availability of molecular diagnostics.
- The provision to test HIV for all notified TB patients has increased from 67% in 2018 to 81% in 2019.
- Treatment services have expanded and resulted in a 12% improvement in the treatment success rate of notified patients to 81% in 2019 against 69% in 2018.
- More than 4.5 lakh DOT Centers provide treatment covering almost every village across the country.
NIKSHAY Patrika has expanded the provision of four DBT schemes of the programme namely:
- Nikshay Poshan Yojana (NPY) to TB patients
- Incentive to Treatment Supporters
- Incentive to Private Providers
- Transport incentive to TB patients in the notified tribal areas
Extra Shots:
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is an Indian government ministry charged with health policy in India. It is also responsible for all government programs relating to family planning in India. The Minister of Health and Family Welfare holds cabinet rank as a member of the Council of Ministers.
- Founded: 1976
- Headquarters: New Delhi
- Jurisdiction: India
- Departments: Department of AIDS Control, Suraksha Clinic, Department of Health Research
- Officeholders: Harsh Vardhan (Minister), Faggan Singh Kulaste (Minister of State)
ACQUISITION & MERGER
MSDE & IBM partners to launch “Skills Build Reignite” Platform
- Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and IBM partners to unveil free Digital Learning Platform “Skills Build Reignite”.
- The platform has been launched to reach more job seekers & provide new resources to Business Owners in India. Along with “Skills Build Reignite”, IBM has also launched the Skills Build Innovation Camp.
- The two initiatives have been created to bridge the current skills gap in the country.
Skills Build Reignite:
- The Skills Build Reignite has been launched to facilitate job seekers and entrepreneurs an access to free online coursework and mentoring support.
- This will help them in transforming their careers as well as businesses.
- Some of its key features are: personalized coaching for entrepreneurs, imparting advice to help establish or restart their small businesses as they start to focus on recovery to arise out of the COVID 19 pandemic.
About the Program
- The SkillsBuild Innovation camp is a 10 week program.
- The programme will provide 100 hours of structured learning to learners interested in gaining hands-on project experience to improve learning and are dedicated in building their network as well as enhancing their employability.
- With the guidelines of expert facilitators including IBM volunteers and coaches, these students will undergo the design thinking process.
- After going through this learning process, the students will use strategic methods to craft their problem statement, ideate creatively, solve complex problems more quickly and design an innovative user experience.
Extra Shots:
The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship is a Ministry of Government of India set up on 9 November 2014 to coordinate all skill development efforts across the country.
- Officeholder: Mahendra Nath Pandey (Minister)
- Founder: Government of India
- Founded: 9 November 2014, India
- Jurisdiction: India
- Headquarters: New Delhi
- Annual budget: 3,400 crores INR (2018-19 est., US$480 million)
IBM
- CEO: Arvind Krishna
- Founder: Charles Ranlett Flint
- Founded: 16 June 1911, Endicott, New York, United States
- Headquarters: Armonk, New York, United States
CCI approves acquisition of stake in Jio Platforms by Jaadhu
- The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the acquisition of stake in Jio Platforms Limited by Jaadhu Holdings LLC.
- Jaadhu Holdings LLC will acquire approximately 9.99% stake in Jio Platforms.
- Jaadhu Holdings LLC (Jaadhu) is a newly incorporated company and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Facebook, which is a publicly traded company listed on NASDAQ, with headquarters in California, United States of America.
- Jio Platforms Limited is a subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited and runs digital applications and holds controlling investments in technology related units.
- It exists under the laws of the Republic of India and aims to provide high-quality and affordable digital services across India.
Extra Shots:
Jio:
- Founder: Mukesh Ambani
- Founded: 2007
- Subsidiaries: LYF, Reliance Jio Infocomm Pte. Ltd
- Parent organizations: Reliance Industries Limited, Jio Platforms
NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL AWARDS
Folk artist Gulabbai Sangamnerkar to get lifetime honour
- The Maharashtra government has declared the Vithabai Narayangaokar lifetime achievement award to folk artist Gulabbai Sangamnerkar.
- The Vithabai Narayangaokar lifetime achievement award is given to a senior tamasha (folk art) artiste.
- The honour for 2018-19 is being presented upon Gulabbai Sangamnerkar.
- The honour conveys the money prize of Rs 5 lakh, a citation and a memento.
- The Annasaheb Kirloskar award will be presented upon veteran theatre on-screen character artist Madhuvanti Dandekar.
- The Sangeetacharya Annasaheb Kirloskar musical theatre lifetime achievement award also carries the cash prize of Rs 5 lakh, a memento and a citation.
WEBPORTALS & APP IN NEWS
Mobile Application ‘eBloodServices’ launched by Union Health Minister
- As the COVID-19 pandemic has restricted activities and movement of people across the globe, one challenge that has emerged for all the States and as well as Central Government of India is in ensuring safe blood for the citizens who require regular blood donation for blood or bleeding disorders suchas hemophilia, etc.
- On 25th June 2020, a mobile application named ‘eBloodServices’ was launched for the citizens of the national capital New Delhi by Dr. Harsh Vardhan (Union Health Minister).
- The mobile application is an initiative of the Indian Red Cross Society.
- Mobile blood collection units will be sent across all localities of New Delhi by the Indian Red Cross Society for conducting blood donation camps.
- This will help in ensuring no shortage of blood in the city.
- Through the app, the government aims to end the worries of those who require regular blood by bringing transparency in the blood donation program.
- The mobile application will provide information about the availability of blood in blood banks in the city.
- A person will be able to place orders for four units of blood at a time.
- The ‘eBloodServices’ mobile application is developed by the ERaktkosh team of Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC).
Extra Shots:
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is an Indian government ministry charged with health policy in India. It is also responsible for all government programs relating to family planning in India. The Minister of Health and Family Welfare holds cabinet rank as a member of the Council of Ministers.
- Founded: 1976
- Headquarters: New Delhi
- Jurisdiction: India
- Departments: Department of AIDS Control, Suraksha Clinic, Department of Health Research
- Officeholders: Harsh Vardhan (Minister), Faggan Singh Kulaste (Minister of State)
OBITUARY
Hollywood Director Joel Schumacher passes away
- Hollywood Director Joel Schumacher passed away.
- The costume designer-turned-director was renowned for directing hit movies such as St. Elmo’s Fire, The Lost Boys, Falling Down, including two Batman films.
- Joel Schumacher’s first movie was Batman Forever which starred Val Kilmer, Tommy Lee Jones, Jim Carrey and Nicole Kidman.
- He also directed the movie titled “The Phantom of the Opera” which received three Oscar nominations.
Batman, Hollywood Director Joel Schumacher passed away
- The Costume designer cum Film Director Joel Schumacher who suffered from cancer for the past one year passed away at the age of 80 in New York, United States of America(USA).
- He was born on August 29, 1939 in New York, USA.
- He was the production designer for telefilm Killer Bees in 1974.His most well known directed movies are St Elmo”s Fire”, “Falling Down” as well as two “Batman” movies
- He became a writer in the late 1970’s for the films like “Sparkle” , “Car Wash” and film adaptation of Broadway musical “The Wiz”.
- He debuted as a director for the sci-fi comedy “The Incredible Shrinking Woman” in 1981.
- He received the Distinguished Collaborator Award from the Costume Designers Guild and was nominated for the Daytime Emmy Award for the mental health documentary ‘Half of Us’ in 2011.
MISCELLANEOUS
Researchers finds new biomolecules to fight drug resistance in Kala-azar
- Researchers at the Department of Biotechnology’s National Centre for Cell Science (DBT-NCCS) in Pune discovered new biomolecules to fight drug resistance in Kala-azar exploring ways to tackle miltefosine resistance.
Highlights:
- The researchers worked with one of the species of Leishmania that causes infection, called Leishmania major.
- The researchers manipulated the transporter proteins in the species in a manner that would result in increased uptake of the drug and decrease in its being thrown out of the parasite’s body.
- The researcher used a computational method to design small molecules, called peptides, that could very specifically interact with the transporter proteins of L. major alone, and not interfere with human proteins in any way.
- The peptides were designed to modulate the transporter proteins “allosterically”, that is, by interacting with the protein molecule at a location other than the specific location where miltefosine binds to it.
- Teh outcomes of the research indicated that this approach could prove useful in the long run to develop novel therapeutics against drug-resistant Leishmania parasites.
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