Current Affairs Today 26th June 2020-Download in PDF

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Current Affairs Today – 26th June 2020

NEWS AT A GLANCE

  1. International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is observed globally on 26th June every year.
  2. International Day in Support of Victims of Torture is observed on 26th June every year.
  3. The International Day of the Seafarer is observed annually on June 25 as a tribute to the Seafarers and sailors who are essential to global trade and transport.
  4. IBMC Financial Professionals Group, an internationally recognized financial services institution and business consultants, has joined hands with US Gold Currency Inc and Blockfills to bring the world’s first monetary gold-backed digital gold currency to India.
  5. India has retained and consolidated its position as the third-largest economy after China and the US in terms of purchasing power parity (PPP) for 2017, said the government quoting the World Bank data.
  6. In a first, Ahmedabad based Indian Institute of Management announced the launch of the ‘IIM Ahmedabad Endowment Fund’, with an initial commitment of ₹100 crore from 10 founding alumni.
  7. Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) launched Sandalwood and Bamboo plantation to spur monetization of its assets.
  8. Surakshit Dada-Dadi, Nana-Nani Abhiyan is a collaborative effort between NITI Aayog, Piramal Foundation, and 25 Aspirational Districts to ensure the well-being of 2.9 million Senior Citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  9. Tripura government has launched Mukhyamantri Matru Pushti Uphaar scheme to provide nutrition kits to pregnant and lactating women. The scheme is a part of the state’s efforts to fight malnutrition and maternal mortality.
  10. me Minister Narendra Modi has launched a 125-day campaign on 26th June 2020 that will provide employment migrant and daily wage workers in the state of Uttar Pradesh. The campaign is called Atma Nirbhar Uttar Pradesh Rojgar Abhiyan.
  11. By planting a sapling of a Black Plum at Medak districts Narsapur forest is on 25th June 2020, the Chief Minister of Telangana K Chandrashekhar Rao has launched the sixth phase of the Haritha Haram Programme.
  12. The Chhattisgarh government has allowed the clubs, shopping malls, restaurants and hotels to reopen from.
  13. World Bank has approved a loan amount of USD 500 million to Bangladesh on 23rd June 2020. The amount was approved for improving road connectivity along the Jashore-Jhenaidah corridor that will benefit 4 western districts of Bangladesh.
  14. Union Minister of State for Defence Shri Shripad Naik inaugurated a two-day digital conference on the defence & aerospace manufacturing sector Defence Conclave 2020, Gujarat via video conference on 26 June.
  15. NITI Aayog, in partnership with Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), Centre for Social and Behavioural Change (CSBC), Ashoka University, and the Ministries of Health and Ministry of Women and Child Development launched a behaviour change campaign called ‘Navigating the New Normal’, and its website on 25 June.
  16. Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru(KIAB/ BLR Airport) becomes the 1st airport in India to get an indigenously-developed Aviation Weather Monitoring System (AWMS) at both ends of the runway.
  17. Himachal Pradesh state Panchayati raj department wins 1st prize under e-Panchayat Puraskar-2020.
  18. Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra and filmmaker Anurag Kashyap named among the 50 ambassadors at 45th edition Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) 2020.
  19. Former England women’s captain Clare Connor is to become the 1st female president of Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) in its 233-year history.
  20. NewZealand wicketkeeper-batswoman Rachel Priest has announced her retirement from International Cricket.
  21. Liverpool has won the English Premier League 2019-20 title.
  22. Trinamool Congress MLA, Tamonash Ghosh passed away due to COVID-19.
  23. The National Centre of Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) has warned about the decline in the Arctic sea ice.
  24. Researchers from the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG), Dehradun, have traced the paleoclimatic history of the Indus River in Ladakh Himalaya.

NEWS IN DETAILS

IMPORTANT DAYS AND THEMES

International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking observed on 26 June

  • International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is observed globally on 26th June every year.
  • The day is observed by the United Nations as an expression of its determination to strengthen action and cooperation to achieve the goal of an international society free of drug abuse.
  • The theme of International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2020: “Better Knowledge for Better Care”.
  • The main purpose of the theme is to improve the understanding of the world drug problem and at fostering greater international cooperation for countering its impact on health, governance and security.

History

  • On 7 December 1987, the United Nations General Assembly decided to observe 26 June as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking as an expression of its determination to strengthen action and cooperation to achieve the goal of an international society free of drug abuse by passing a resolution 42/112.

International Day in Support of Victims of Torture observed on 26 June

  • International Day in Support of Victims of Torture is observed on 26th June every year.
  • This day is observed by the United Nations to raise awareness among the people about the human torture that it is not only unacceptable but it is also a crime.

History

  • On 12 December 1997, The UN General Assembly passed a resolution 52/149 and decided to watch 26 June because the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture to eradicate torture and therefore the effective functioning of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. it’s to be remembered that pain or suffering caused by legal penalty isn’t considered as torture. On 26 June 1998, the primary International Day in Support of Victims of Torture was held.

Extra Shots:

UN:

  • Secretary general: António Guterres Trending
  • Headquarters: New York, New York, United States
  • Founded: 24 October 1945, San Francisco, California, United States
  • Official languages: Arabic; Chinese; English; French; Russian; Spanish

International Day of the Seafarer 2020 observed on June 25

  • The International Day of the Seafarer is observed annually on June 25 as a tribute to the Seafarers and sailors who are essential to global trade and transport.
  • The day aims to raise awareness about the dangers of sea travel, like piracy.
  • This year marks the 10th edition.
  • The 2020 campaign is: #SeafarersAreKeyWorkers & the aim is to raise awareness of their work in response to the pandemic and to thank them for their contribution.
  • The campaign calls on Member States to acknowledge seafarers as key workers and also to provide them the support, assistance and travel options during the pandemic.
  • The campaign also encourages everyone to treat seafarers with the respect and dignity they deserve.
  • To support the campaign, a webinar on the theme “Seafarers are key workers: Essential to shipping, essential to the world” will be held online on June 26, 2020.
  • The webinar aims to address issues of seafarers in regard to the pandemic, including crew changes and repatriation.

BANKING & FINANCE 

World’s First Gold-backed Digital Gold Currency launched in India

  • IBMC Financial Professionals Group, an internationally recognized financial services institution and business consultants, has joined hands with US Gold Currency Inc and Blockfills to bring the world’s first monetary gold-backed digital gold currency to India.
  • The currency is also being simultaneously introduced in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Middle East and Africa.
  • Each US Gold digital currency is backed by US American Eagle one ounce (33.931 gram) gold coin, minted by US Federal Agency, US Mint.
  • The holders of the currency can redeem their digital assets as physical gold coin or in US dollars anywhere in the world.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

India Retains Position as Third-largest Economy in Terms of Purchasing Power Parity for 2017

  • India has retained and consolidated its position as the third-largest economy after China and the US in terms of purchasing power parity (PPP) for 2017, said the government quoting the World Bank data.
  • PPP of the rupee per dollar at the gross domestic product (GDP) level rose to 20.65 in 2017 from 15.55 in 2011, while the exchange rate of a dollar to a rupee rose to 65.12 from 46.67 during the period.
  • Also, the Price Level Index (PLI), the ratio of a PPP to its corresponding market exchange rate, which is used to compare the price levels of economies, improved to 47.55 in 2017 from 42.99 in 2011

Extra Shots:

PPP: Purchasing power parity is a measurement of prices in different countries that uses the prices of specific goods to compare the absolute purchasing power of the countries’ currencies.

NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

IIM-Ahmedabad launches endowment fund of Rs 100 crore from alumni

  • In a first, Ahmedabad based Indian Institute of Management announced the launch of the ‘IIM Ahmedabad Endowment Fund’, with an initial commitment of Rs100 crore from 10 founding alumni.
  • The endowment aims to raise ₹1,000 Crore over a period of five years.
  • Endowment funds help ensure financial health of any institute, thereby encouraging growth and self-sufficiency.

KVIC launched Sandalwood and Bamboo plantation to stir up monetization of its assets

  • Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) launched Sandalwood and Bamboo plantation to spur monetization of its assets.
  • The first of its kind initiative began with a drive with plantation of 500 saplings each of sandalwood and bamboo at its Nashik training center spread over 262 acres of land.
  • The plantation ceremony was launched through video-conference by KVIC Chairman Vinai Kumar Saxena.

Highlights:

  • KVIC has procured sandalwood saplings from Fragrance and Flavour Development Centre (FFDC) Kannauj, Uttar Pradesh, and Bamboo saplings from Assam.
  • The plantation of the Sandalwood was aimed to create an asset for the KVIC.
  • It has been estimated to fetch between Rs.50 crore to Rs.60 crore in the next 10 to 15 years.
  • A sandalwood tree matures in 10-15 years and as per the current rate, sells at Rs.10 lakh to Rs.12 lakh each.
  • Sandalwood trees have high potential in the export market. Sandalwood and its oil have high demand in many countries like China, Japan, Taiwan, Australia, and the US.
  • This will create a great opportunity for India to increase sandalwood plantation and occupy the position of a global leader in sandalwood production.
  • Also, a special variety of bamboo, Bambusa Tulda, was brought from Assam and planted in Maharashtra. This kind of bamboo is used for making Agarbatti sticks.
  • The aim is to support the local Agarbatti industry and to create regular income for the training center.

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KVIC:

The Khadi and Village Industries Commission is a statutory body formed in April 1957 by the Government of India, under the Act of Parliament, ‘Khadi and Village Industries Commission Act of 1956’.

  • Founded: 1956
  • Purpose: To plan, promote, facilitate, organise and assist in the establishment and development of khadi and village industries
  • Headquarters: Mumbai
  • Agency executive: Vinai Kumar Saxena (Chairperson)
  • Parent agency: Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
  • Type: Statutory corporation

‘Surakshit Dada-Dadi, Nana-Nani Abhiyan’ launched to ensure well-being of Senior Citizens amid COVID-19 pandemic

  • Surakshit Dada-Dadi, Nana-Nani Abhiyan is a collaborative effort between NITI Aayog, Piramal Foundation, and 25 Aspirational Districts to ensure the well-being of 2.9 million Senior Citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • NITI Aayog has launched this campaign following the appeal by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take care of senior citizens.
  • Surendranagar district is one of the 25 aspirational districts of the country, which is implementing this scheme very successfully.
  • Piramal foundation with the help of social welfare department and district administration is implementing this campaign in Surendranagar district.
  • More than 150 volunteers are engaged in this campaign.
  • They are contacting about 25000 senior citizens of the district through phone calls by taking the contact details from the district administration.
  • They inquired about the health of old persons and gave them information on Coronavirus.
  • They also helped them to fulfill their essential requirements like medicines, ration or work related to ration cards.
  • It is worth mentioning that Surendranagar district administration with the help of volunteers has already contacted more than 5 thousand senior citizens.
  • They provided all required help to 850 such old age persons.

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NITI Aayog:

  • 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

Tripura govt launches Mukhyamantri Matru Pushti Uphaar Scheme to Provide Nutrition Kits to Pregnant and Lactating Women

  • Tripura government has launched Mukhyamantri Matru Pushti Uphaar scheme to provide nutrition kits to pregnant and lactating women. The scheme is a part of the state’s efforts to fight malnutrition and maternal mortality. The scheme was announced by state Minister for Social Welfare and Social Education Santana Chakma.
  • The government expects to incur an expenses of about Rs 8 crore annually for this scheme.
  • The scheme will be in addition to the Pradhan Mantri Matru Bandana Yojana under which Rs 5000 each was given to 58,996 beneficiaries, after the birth of their first child.
  • Each nutrition kit will cost Rs 500 & will have food items and grocery supplies, such as peanuts, soya beans, mixed pulses, jaggery and ghee.
  • Pregnant women will be tested 4 times in nearby Primary Health Centers (PHC) and the kit will be given after each test .Nutrition kit will be given after each test as per the Matru Pushti Uphaar scheme.
  • Around 40, 000 women will be benefited under the scheme.

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Tripura

  • Capital: Agartala
  • Chief Minister: Biplab Kumar Deb
  • Governor: Ramesh Bais
  • National Park: Rajbari National Park, Clouded Leopard National Park

PM launches Atma Nirbhar Uttar Pradesh Rojgar Abhiyan

  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched a 125-day campaign on 26th June 2020 that will provide employment migrant and daily wage workers in the state of Uttar Pradesh. The campaign is called Atma Nirbhar Uttar Pradesh Rojgar Abhiyan.
  • The campaign was launched through video conferencing in the presence of Yogi Adityanath (Chief Minister Uttar Pradesh).
  • It was also announced that 5000 tool kits will also be distributed under the Atma Nirbhar Bharat Initiative in the state.
  • The mega job scheme launched by Prime Minister today is part of the Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan that was launched on 20th June 2020 by Prime Minister himself.
  • The Campaign launched will focus on providing employment in a total of 31 districts of Uttar Pradesh.
  • There are more than 25,000 returnee migrant workers in each of the 31 districts.
  • More than 30 lakh (3 million) migrant workers have returned inhe state of Uttar Pradesh following the loss of employment in urban cities of the country after the nationwide lockdown was implemented in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Under the campaign, employment to migrant workers in the remaining 44 districts of the state and for other daily wage workers in the state those who require a job will also be provided.

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Uttar Pradesh:

  • Capital: Lucknow
  • Chief Minister: Yogi Adityanath
  • Governor: Anandiben Patel
  • State formed in: 24 January 1950
  • Literacy Rate: 67.68%
  • Nation Park: Dudhwa National Park

Telangana launched the sixth phase of Haritha Haram Programme

  • By planting a sapling of a Black Plum at Medak districts Narsapur forest is on 25th June 2020, the Chief Minister of Telangana K Chandrashekhar Rao has launched the sixth phase of the Haritha Haram Programme.
  • The Chief Minister also inaugurated a 636 acre Urban Forest Park at Narsapur.
  • Under the sixth phase of the programme, the target has been set to plant 30 crore saplings across the state. Out of the 30 crores, 50 lakh saplings will be planted in Medak district.
  • The large scale tree plantation programme has also generated employment in the state as the pits for the plantationof saplings are dug under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS).

Haritha Haram Programme

  • The programme was launched on 3rd July 2015 by Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao. Through the programme, the Telangana state government has set a target to increase the forest cover in the state to 33 per cent from the 24 percent (as per 2015 records) by planting a total of 230 crore saplings across the state.
  • As per records, a total of 182 crore saplings have been planted to date across the state.
  • The saplings are planted across the state with the help of departments such as forest, municipal administration, Panchayati raj and rural development etc.

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Telangana

  • Capital: Hyderabad
  • Chief Minister: K. Chandrashekar Rao
  • Governor: Tamilisai Soundararajan

Chhattisgarh allows clubs, malls, restaurants to reopen

  • The Chhattisgarh government has allowed the clubs, shopping malls, restaurants and hotels to reopen from.
  • According to the order issued by the government, all these places will have to strictly adhere to the Standard Operating Procedure -SOP and maintain social distancing guidelines.
  • However, cinema halls, gyms, swimming pools, amusement parks, theatre, bar, auditorium and assembly halls will remain shut.
  • Moreover, in sports complexes and stadia, only sports activities will be permitted, while viewers will not be allowed there.
  • The state government has also permitted passenger buses to operate within the state.
  • The State Transport Commissioner has allowed the resumption of passenger bus service within and between districts with immediate effect for the convenience of the people.

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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

INTERNATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

World Bank Approves USD 500 Million to Bangladesh for Improving Road Connectivity

  • World Bank has approved a loan amount of USD 500 million to Bangladesh on 23rd June 2020. The amount was approved for improving road connectivity along the Jashore-Jhenaidah corridor that will benefit 4 western districts of Bangladesh.
  • This will be Phase I of the overall USD 1.4 billion multi-phase projects of the World Bank for improving road connectivity in Bangladesh.
  • The World Bank stated that the western districts of Bangladesh are endowed with much natural and agricultural produce.
  • The project once completed will have great economic potential for the entire region.

Phase I of the Project

  • Phase I of the project for which USD 500 million has been approved is named as Western Economic Corridor and Regional Enhancement (WeCARE).
  • In this phase, an existing 110 Km of two-lane highway will be upgraded to a safer and climate-resilient four-lane highway.
  • This 110 Km project will be part of the Bangladesh Government’s larger plan of developing an economic corridor of 260 km in the western part of the corridor of 260 km in the western part of the country.
  • Between Jhenaidah and Jashore, 48 Km will also be upgraded on the N7 highway under the Phase I. Apart from this, 600 Km of rural roads that connect 32 rural markets will also be improved under this Phase.

Extra Shots:

World Bank

  • Headquarters: Washington, D.C., United States
  • Parent organization: World Bank Group
  • Membership: 189 countries (IBRD); 173 countries (IDA)
  • Founded: July 1944
  • Founders: John Maynard Keynes, Harry Dexter White

SUMMITS AND CONFERENCES

Defence Minister inaugurated two-day Defence Conclave 2020 Gujarat through video conferencing

  • Union Minister of State for Defence Shri Shripad Naik inaugurated a two-day digital conference on the defence & aerospace manufacturing sector Defence Conclave 2020, Gujarat via video conference on 26 June.
  • The conclave is being jointly organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Gujarat and Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM).

Highlights:

  • The Conclave will bring together high-level government representatives, key industries, and academia.
  • The representatives will discuss, deliberate and exchange ideas, viewpoints, and knowledge about critical defence offset policies, sector analyses, and review choices of technology available globally for the manufacturing and production of indigenous defence systems.
  • The Conclave intends to build on the positives of the ‘Make in India’ vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for boosting the defence manufacturing.
  • Gujarat has emerged as a State with excellent infrastructure facilities and can offer both forward and backward supply chain linkages to the Defence & Aerospace manufacturing sector.

Extra Shots:

The Ministry of Defence is charged with coordinating and supervising all agencies and functions of the government relating directly to national security and the Indian armed forces. The President of India is the ceremonial commander-in-chief of the armed forces of the country.

  • Preceding Ministry: Department of Defence (1938–47)
  • Headquarters: New Delhi
  • Founded: 15 August 1947
  • Annual budget: 4.71 lakh crores INR (US$66 billion, 2020–2021)
  • Officeholders: Rajnath Singh (Minister), Subhash Bhamre (Minister of State)

NITI Aayog launched Behaviour Change Campaign Navigating the New Normal and Website

  • NITI Aayog, in partnership with Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), Centre for Social and Behavioural Change (CSBC), Ashoka University, and the Ministries of Health and Ministry of Women and Child Development launched a behaviour change campaign called ‘Navigating the New Normal’, and its website on 25 June.
  • Around 92,000 Non-Governmental Organisation (NGOs) and civil society organizations (CSOs) working with NITI Aayog participated in the virtual launch via a webcast.

Highlights:

  • The campaign focuses on COVID-19-safe behaviours, especially wearing masks, during the ‘Unlock’ phase of the ongoing pandemic.
  • The campaign & website was developed under the guidance of Empowered Group 6, constituted by the Government of India and chaired by CEO, NITI Aayog.
  • The campaign has two parts.
  • The first is a web portal, http://www.covidthenewnormal.com/, containing resources informed by behavioural science and the use of nudge and social norms theory, related to COVID-safe behavioural norms during the ongoing Unlock phase
  • The second is a media campaign focused on the wearing of masks.
  • Empowered Group 6 & Ministry of Health nudged the citizens towards desired social behaviour.
  • The effort aims to provide people with prompts and reminders along with simple, easy-to-practice ideas of designing their environment in such a manner that practising these behaviours become easy.

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NITI Aayog:

  • 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

RANKS AND INDICES

Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport becomes the 1st airport in India to get AWMS at both ends of the runway

  • Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru(KIAB/ BLR Airport) becomes the 1st airport in India to get an indigenously-developed Aviation Weather Monitoring System (AWMS) at both ends of the runway.
  • AWMS is installed by Bangalore International Airport (BIAL). The technology is developed by Bengaluru-based CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL).
  • The AWMS sensor has been installed on a 10 meters mast which is a 1st of its kind, designed by NAL.
  • It has many unique features including eco-friendly, light weight & has a life span of over 60 yrs. The sliding mechanism enables easy maintenance.

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL  AWARDS

Himachal Pradesh wins e-Panchayat Puraskar 2020

  • Himachal Pradesh state Panchayati raj department wins 1st prize under e-Panchayat Puraskar-2020.
  • This prize was given by the Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj. All the 3,226 panchayats of the state have been provided internet facility and people can access various services online.
  • The various services such as family register, registration of birth, death and marriages are registered online in the panchayats.
  • Union ministry of Panchayati raj has been making efforts to bring in transparency, efficiency and accountability in the functioning of gram panchayats through the use of information and communication technology.
  • The e-panchayat puraskar is conferred to those states which have ensured maximum use of information technology for monitoring the works of the panchayats.

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Himachal Pradesh:

  • State formed on: 25 January 1971
  • Governor: Bandaru Dattatreya
  • Chief Justice: Lingappa Narayana Swamy
  • Chief Minister: Jai Ram Thakur
  • Official language: Hindi

APPOINTMENTS IN NEWS

Priyanka Chopra & Anurag Kashyap named among ambassadors at TIFF 2020

  • Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra and filmmaker Anurag Kashyap named among the 50 ambassadors at 45th edition Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) 2020.
  • This year 45th edition Toronto International Film Festival is to be held virtually. The 45th edition of TIFF will take place from September 10-19.
  • This is the 1st time TIFF will launch a digital platform for the festival, offering new opportunities to connect with audiences beyond Toronto.
  • TIFF has partnered with Shift72 to develop this industry-leading online platform.
  • The selection for 2020 comprises 50 new feature films, 5 programmes of short films, interactive talks, film cast reunions, and Q&As with cast and filmmakers.

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TIFF:

  • Headquarters: Toronto, Canada
  • Artistic Director & Co-Head: Cameron Bailey
  • Executive Director & Co-Head: Joana Vicente

SPORTS CURRENT AFFAIRS

England’s Clare Connor to become 1st female president of MCC

  • Former England women’s captain Clare Connor is to become the 1st female president of Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) in its 233-year history.
  • The 1st non-British MCC president, Kumar Sangakkara has nominated Connor. Connor is presently served as England and Wales Cricket Board’s head of women’s cricket.
  • She made her England debut aged 19 in 1995 and went on to captain her country in 2000 before retiring six years later.
  • Presidents of MCC usually remain in post for one year but Sangakkara’s term is about to be extended by an extra 12 months due to the coronavirus pandemic.
  • It was not until 1998 that MCC, which owns Lord’s Cricket Ground, voted to permit women to become members.

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MCC:

Marylebone Cricket Club is a cricket club founded in 1787 and based since 1814 at Lord’s Cricket Ground, which it owns, in St John’s Wood, London. The club was formerly the governing body of cricket in England, Scotland and Wales, and still holds considerable global influence.

  • Ground: Lord’s Cricket Ground
  • CEO: Derek Brewer
  • Headquarters location: London, United Kingdom
  • Founder: Thomas Lord
  • Founded: 1787

Rachel Priest retires from International Cricket

  • NewZealand wicketkeeper-batswoman Rachel Priest has announced her retirement from International Cricket.
  • She has represented New Zealand in 87 One Day Internationals (ODIs) and 75 T20Is. She had a long career which spanned for 13 years.
  • After her retirement, she has now signed up a contract with Cricket Tasmania to play in Australia Women’s National Cricket League and will represent Tasmanian Tigers for the 2020/21 season.

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New Zealand (Capital/Currency): Wellington/ New Zealand dollar

  • Prime Minister: Jacinda Ardern

Liverpool wins English Premier League 2019-20 title

  • Liverpool has won the English Premier League 2019-20 title.
  • The football club has won the first English top title in last 30 years.
  • This is club’s overall 19th league title win, while this victory is their first in the Premier League era.
  • The club won the title after Manchester City’s loss to Chelsea with score 2-1.
  • Liverpool has clinched the title earlier than any other Premier League champions, breaking the previous record of five games left.
  • Liverpool has scored 86 points from 31 matches hence making them the earliest ever champions in terms of games played.

Extra Shots:

The Premier League, often referred to as the English Premier League or the EPL outside England, is the top level of the English football league system. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the English Football League.

  • Current champion: Liverpool F.C.
  • Most championships: Manchester United; (13 titles)
  • Most appearances: Gareth Barry (653)
  • Top goalscorer: Alan Shearer (260)
  • Founded: 20 February 1992

OBITUARY

Trinamool MLA Tamonash Ghosh passes away

  • Trinamool Congress MLA, Tamonash Ghosh passed away due to COVID-19.
  • He represented Falta Assembly constituency in South 24 Parganas district in West Bengal.
  • He was three-time MLA from Falta & party treasurer since 1998.
  • Ghosh is the first elected public representative in the State to succumb to the contagious viral infection.

MISCELLANEOUS

NCPOR warns about the decline in the Arctic sea ice

  • The National Centre of Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) has warned about the decline in the Arctic sea ice.
  • The dramatic decline in the Arctic sea ice is due to global warming.
  • The loss of sea ice led to a localized increase in evaporation, air humidity, cloud cover, and rainfall.

Highlights:

  • It is well known that Arctic sea ice is a sensitive indicator of climate change and has strong retaliatory effects on other components of the climate system.
  • NCPOR observed that the largest decline in Arctic sea ice in the past 41 years happened in July 2019.
  • It stated that, in the last 40 years (1979-2018), the sea ice has been declining at a rate of -4.7% per decade, while its rate was found to be -13% in July 2019.
  • It warned that, if this trend continues, there would be no ice left in the Arctic sea by 2050, which would be dangerous for humanity and the entire environment.
  • The study also stated that the decline of the Arctic sea ice area and the increase in the duration of summer and autumn seasons have affected the local climate & weather over the Arctic Ocean and its marginal seas.
  • The report also highlighted that the loss of sea-ice at this rate will have a catastrophic impact due to rising global air temperature and slowing down of global ocean water circulation.

Extra Shots:

National Centre of Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR)

The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, formerly known as the National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research is an Indian research and development institution, situated in Vasco da Gama, Goa.

  • Headquarters: Vasco da Gama
  • Director: Dr. M. Ravichandran
  • Founded: 25 May 1998
  • Region served: India
  • Abbreviation: NCPOR
  • Formation: 25 May 1998

Gravel geometry of the Indus river unravel its paleoclimatic history

  • Researchers from the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG), Dehradun, have traced the paleoclimatic history of the Indus River in Ladakh Himalaya.
  • It was traced with the help of geometric data from overlapping gravels of channel fills.

Highlights:

  • The researchers studied the discharge during periods in which the river experienced an increase in land elevation, due to the deposition of sediment and its incision.
  • River Terraces are part of valley-wide aggradations, which has been studied extensively in Himalaya to understand the processes driving such a periodic increase in river valley land elevation and incision.
  • The researchers studied the discharge during periods of established river aggradation and incision of the Indus River, Ladakh Himalaya over late Quaternary.
  • The researchers used the geometric data from overlapping gravels of channel fills to calculate paleo discharges during net river aggradation at 47–23 ka (thousand years), and preserved slack water deposits (SWDs) at 14–10 ka to constrain paleo discharges that occurred during net river incision.
  • The researchers also observed that the aggradation in the Himalayan rivers occurred in glacial-interglacial transient warm climatic conditions (33–21 ka and 17–14 ka) when the sediment budget in the rivers increased just after the glacial events.
  • The recent study showed that aggradation took place in the Indus River when sediment to water ratio was higher during MIS-3 (Marine isotope stages (MIS).
  • Marine oxygen-isotope stages are alternating warm and cool periods in the Earth’s paleoclimate, deduced from oxygen isotope data reflecting changes in temperature derived from data from deep-sea core samples) and incision initiated when sediment to water ratio reduced during post-glacial climatically wet phase (early Holocene).

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Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG)