Current Affairs Today 4th June 2020-Download in PDF

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Current Affairs Today – 4th June 2020

NEWS AT A GLANCE

1. International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression is observed globally on 4th June every year.
2. State Bank of India has created a new and separate business vertical to focus on financial inclusion and micro-markets (FI&MM).
3. The Government of India has launched a new initiative called SWADES (Skilled Workers Arrival Database for Employment Support) to conduct a skill mapping exercise of the skilled citizens returning to the country under the Vande Bharat Mission.
4. Union Cabinet led by Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi approved the re-establishment of the Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy (PCIM&H) as Subordinate Office under Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH).
5. The Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) recently revised Public Procurement Order in order to provide preference to Make in India initiative.
6. India is to join the UK-led virtual Global Vaccine Summit.
7. The Union Cabinet chaired by PM Modi approved to set up “Empowered Group of Secretaries”.
8. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and the Ministry of HRD (Human Resource Development) launched an internship learning programme called “TULIP”.
9. GoI approved the Annual Action Plan of Puducherry for Financial Year 2020-21.
10. Odisha government ordered a complete weekend shutdown in 11 migration-prone districts in June.
11. In the wake of the COVID-19 situation, the Centre has approved the Tamil Nadu Government’s proposal to extend the tenure of the State Chief Secretary K Shanmugham by three months.
12. Karnataka has extended invitation to major chip manufacturing company Intel to set up it’s unit in the state.
13. Under the flagship of the multipurpose Irrigation project; Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project(KLIP), the last and vital Markbook pump house was inaugurated on May 29 2020 by the Chief Minister of Telangana K Chandrasekhar Rao.
14. Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed with His Excellency Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, President of Mozambique.
15. The World Health Organization resumed its clinical trials on exploring whether the Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) drug is effective in treating COVID-19.
16. An agreement has been signed between China and Pakistan to implement Kohala Hydroelectric Power project in the region of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir.
17. The South African National Space Agency(SANSA) has partnered with National Aeronautics and Space Administration(NASA) to host a deep-space ground station to support human spaceflight missions to the Moon, Mars and beyond.
18. The United States issued an order yesterday seeking to suspend passenger flights from China from 16 June.
19. PM Modi will hold a virtual bilateral summit with the Australian PM Scott Morrison. This is the first ever virtual bilateral summit to be held by India.
20. The Union Minister of Rural Development Shri Narendra Singh Tomar chaired the 21st meeting of the Central Employment Guarantee Council.
21. The World Economic Forum announced that it is to host its next summit in Davos under the theme “The Great Reset”.
22. Brand Finance has released its annual Brand Value Report 5000 for the year 2020.
23. The World Bank recently launched the Global Economic Prospects Report, 2020.
24. Facebook has entered into a global deal with Saregama, one of India’s oldest and largest music labels, to license its music for video and other social experiences across Facebook and Instagram.
25. DBS Bank India partnered with Transport Corporation of India Limited (TCIL) to facilitate real time payments for truck drivers by DBS RAPID(Real Time Application Program Interface-APIs by DBS) solution to enable them to receive payments instantly.
26. Indian PM Modi and the Australian PM Scott Morrison held India’s first virtual bilateral summit.
27. Facebook has announced in April 2020 to acquire 9.9 per cent stake in Jio Platforms, at an investment of USD 5.7 billion (Rs 43,574 crore).
28. Every year, WHO recognizes individuals or organizations in each of the six WHO Regions for their accomplishments in the area of tobacco control.
29. Kritika Pandey, a 29-year-old Indian Writer from Ranchi, was announced as the winner of regional award for Asia in 2020 Commonwealth short story prize for her story “The Great Indian Tee and Snakes” – about love in an age of hatred and prejudice.
30. The Managing Director & CEO of Kota Mahindra Bank, Uday Kotak has been appointed as the new President of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for the financial year 2020-21.
31. Twitter Inc has appointed Patrick Pichette, a former chief financial officer (CFO) at Google, as the new chairman of the company’s board.
32. Award-winning television producer Krishnendu Majumdar is the first person of color to be named as the chairperson of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) in its 73 year-long history.
33. Researchers at Durgapur-based CSIR-Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CMERI) have indigenously developed a ventilator to provide help and support to the COVID-19 patients.
34. Former Tamil Nadu BJP President K. N.Lakshmanan passed away due to age related ailments at the age of 90.
35. NBA legend Wes Unseld, one of the greatest American professional basketball player, has passed away at the age of 74.
36. Legendary Filmmaker & the National Film Award winner Basu Chatterjee passed away.

NEWS IN DETAILS

IMPORTANT DAYS AND THEMES

International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression observed on 4 June

• International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression is observed globally on 4th June every year.
• This day affirms the UN’s commitment to guard the rights of children.
• This day is to acknowledge the pain suffered by children throughout the planet who are the victims of physical, mental and emotional abuse.
• The main aim of celebrating today is to spread the notice about the pain and sufferings faced by the victims as children.

History:

• On August 19, 1982, during an emergency session on the question of Palestine, the UN General Assembly, appalled at the amount of innocent Palestinian and Lebanese child victims of Israel’s acts of aggression, decided to commemorate 4 June of every year because of the International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression.

BANKING & FINANCE

SBI creates separate business vertical for financial inclusion, agri biz

• State Bank of India has created a new and separate business vertical to focus on financial inclusion and micro-markets (FI&MM).
• Under FI&MM, State Bank will offer loans predominantly for agriculture & allied activities, and micro/small enterprises and vastly improve the customer experience for the citizens.

GOVERNMENT SCHEMES

Government Launches new Initiative ‘SWADES’ to conduct skill mapping of citizens returning from overseas

• The Government of India has launched a new initiative called SWADES (Skilled Workers Arrival Database for Employment Support) to conduct a skill mapping exercise of the skilled citizens returning to the country under the Vande Bharat Mission.

Highlights:

• SWADES is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Ministry of External Affairs.
• It aims to create a database of qualified citizens based on their skillsets and experience to tap into and fulfil the demand of Indian and foreign companies.
• The collected information will be shared with the companies for suitable placement opportunities in the country.
• The online form available on www.nsdcindia.org/swades has been created to gather required details of the returning citizens. The form contains details related to the work sector, job title, employment, years of experience.

NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

Cabinet approved establishment of PCIMH as Subordinate Office under Ministry of AYUSH

• Union Cabinet led by Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi approved the re-establishment of the Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy (PCIM&H) as Subordinate Office under Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH).
• The commission will be formed by merging Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia Laboratory (HPL) and Pharmacopoeia Laboratory for Indian Medicine (PLIM).

Highlights:

• Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy (PCIM&H) functions under the Ministry of AYUSH. It was established in 2010.
• The merger will optimize infrastructural facilities, technical manpower, and financial resources of the three organizations.
• It will enhance the standardization outcomes of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, and Homoeopathy drugs towards effective regulation and quality control.
• The merger will facilitate the focused and cohesive development of standards of AYUSH drugs and the publication of pharmacopeias and formularies.
• The move will also accord legal status to PCIM&H and its laboratory by virtue of making the necessary amendment.
• It will also enable provisions in the Drugs & Cosmetics Rules, 1945.
• The merger will have an adequate administrative structure to augment the capacity and outcomes of pharmacopoeial work.
• It will achieve harmonization of pharmacopoeial standards of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathy drugs, to prevent duplication and overlapping of drug standardization work and optimal utilization of resources in an effective manner.

Extra Shots:

The Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy is purposed with developing education, research and propagation of indigenous alternative medicine systems in India. The Ministry is headed by a Minister of State, which is currently held by Shripad Yesso Naik.

• Officeholder: Shripad Naik (MOS independent charge)
• Founded: 9 November 2014, India
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Jurisdiction: India

DPIIT revises Public Procurement Order to encourage Make in India

• The Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) recently revised Public Procurement Order in order to provide preference to Make in India initiative.

Highlights:

• According to the order, DPIIT has prescribed minimum of 60% procurement of local content for the year 2020-21, 70% for the years 2021-23 and 80% for the years 2023-25.
• This is applicable to chemicals and petrochemicals.
• DPIIT has identified 55 chemicals and petrochemicals that are eligible to bid for more than Rs 5 lakhs of procurement.
• The step will help to boost Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan that was launched by PM Modi during lock down 4.0.
• Also, it will help to increase domestic production. Under Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, GoI allocated Rs 20,000 lakh crores.
• The fund allocated is being used in MSME, Agriculture, MGNREGA, fisheries, street vendors, Dairy sector, etc.
• The fund is 10% of country’s GDP. The 10% contribution was decided by the meet of several international countries and members at the United Nations.
• The Defence Sector is also placing indents in Ordnance Factory in Medak of Telangana to boost Make in India.

Extra Shots:

DPIIT: The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) is a central government department under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

• Headquarters location: New Delhi
• Founded: 1995
• Parent organization: Ministry of Commerce and Industry

India joins virtual Global Vaccine Summit

• India is to join the UK-led virtual Global Vaccine Summit.
• India will be one among the 50 countries participating at the summit.
• The summit is being held to raise at least 7.4 billion USD of funds for GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance.
• The UK is currently playing a larger role.
• The country had set a Vaccine Task Force to support the COVID-19 Vaccine discovery.

GAVI: Vaccine Alliance

• The GAVI alliance was set up in 2000 under the partnership of UNICEF, WHO, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, World Bank, research agencies, vaccine manufacturers and several other private sector partners.
• The main aim of the alliance is to strengthen primary health care, bring the countries closer to Sustainable Development Goals and make sure no one is left behind.

India and GAVI

• In 2014, India became a donor country from a recipient. Till date India ahs contributed 12 million USD to the Alliance.

Cabinet Approves to form Empowered Group of Secretaries

• The Union Cabinet chaired by PM Modi approved to set up “Empowered Group of Secretaries”.
• The group will also have Project Development Cells to attract investments in India.

Highlights:

• The Empowered Group will provide investment support to global investors.
• It will also ensure timely clearances from the Government side in different departments and ministries.
• The group consists of members from NITI Aayog, revenue department secretary, secretary of economic affairs, etc.
• The Project Development Cell is also a part of the group.

Project Development Cell

• The Project Development Cell will take care of the investible projects.
• It will also coordinate between State Government and Central Government.
• This will help in growth of pipeline of investible projects in the country and also increase FDI inflows.
• An officer not below the rank of Joint Secretary is to be placed in charge of the Project Development Cell.
• The cell will conceptualize, implement and disseminate the details that are related to the projects.

TULIP internship programme launched by HRD

• The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and the Ministry of HRD (Human Resource Development) launched an internship learning programme called “TULIP”.

Highlights:

• The programme has been launched for fresh engineering graduates.
• Under the programme, they will get opportunities to work with 4,400 urban local bodies and 100 smart cities in India.
• The internship will be held for one year.
• The areas of interests included in the programme are financing, urban planning environmental planning, sanitation and infrastructure, environmental engineering.
• Both the urban local bodies and the smart cities shall make use of the youths to improve their services to the citizens of the country.
• The programme has set a target of 25,000 fresh engineering graduates.
• The programme will help India solve its manpower shortage problem in implementing several government schemes.

Portal

• Along with the portal, an online portal of TULIP was also launched.
• The interested graduates shall apply for internship through this portal.

Extra Shots:

The Ministry of Human Resource Development, formerly Ministry of Education, is responsible for the development of human resources in India.

• Ministry executives: R. Subrahmanyam, (IAS Officer); Rina Ray, (IAS Officer)
• Founded: 26 September 1985
• Officeholder: Ramesh Pokhriyal (Union Minister)
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Jurisdiction: India
• Departments: Department of Higher Education, Department of School Education and Literacy

STATE CURRENT AFFAIRS

Puducherry plans to provide tap connections to all rural households by 2020-21 year

• GoI approved the Annual Action Plan of Puducherry for Financial Year 2020-21.
• The plan was approved by National Jal Jeevan Mission. Puducherry Union Territory plans to provide household tap connections to remaining households in 2020-21.

Highlights:

• To implement the plan, village-level planning has involved the local community despite COVID-19. Gram Sabhas are conducted in villages maintaining social distancing.
• As per the plan, the local community will play a pivotal role in the planning, implementation, management, operation, and maintenance of water supply systems in villages to ensure long-term sustainability.
• Local communities have been directed to provide due care also on greywater treatment and re-use.
• Under Jal Jeevan Mission, water quality testing laboratories at different levels are being established in the UT.
• The UT has been advised to focus on 24*7 service delivery in rural areas so that the villages can act as ‘utilities’ with a focus on ‘service delivery’.
• It has been also planned to conduct Internet of Things (IoT) based sensor monitoring for water supply in villages.
• It also aims to provide a livelihood to the migrant workers who have returned to their native villages by providing jobs related to water supply especially water conservation works in every village that will ensure sufficient groundwater availability leading to water security, water availability for agriculture and most importantly will help in the provision of drinking water to every rural household.

Extra Shots:

Puducherry

• Formation: 1 November 1954
• Capital: Pondicherry
• Chief Minister: Velu Narayanasamy
• Governor: Dr. Kiran Bedi
• Literacy Rate: 80.6%

Odisha govt announces complete weekend shut down in eleven districts amid COVID-19

• Odisha government ordered a complete weekend shutdown in 11 migration-prone districts in June.
• The shutdown will be enforced in Ganjam, Puri, Nayagarh, Khordha Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Jajpur, Bhadrak, Balasore and Bolangir.
• the district administration has imposed 144 in puri city from June 4 (10 pm) to the morning of June 6 to restrict the public to see the yatra. The administration has sealed all passages to the Lions Gate through barricades, only a few servitors, officials and police on duty will be allowed.
• For the first time in the history of Jagannath Temple, the Snan Yatra is going to be observed without public participation.
• The State government has announced all schools and colleges across the state will continue to remain closed till July 31. However, online classes and evaluation of answer sheets of Matric and Plus Two

Extra Shots:

Odisha:

• Capital: Bhubaneswar
• Chief Minister: Naveen Patnaik
• Governor: Ganeshi Lal
• National Park: Bhitarkanika NP, Simlipal NP

Centre approves Tamil Nadu Govt’s proposal to extend tenure of State Chief Secretary K Shanmugham by 3- months

• In the wake of the COVID-19 situation, the Centre has approved the Tamil Nadu Government’s proposal to extend the tenure of the State Chief Secretary K Shanmugham by three months.
• He was about to retire next month.

Extra Shots:

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.

Karnataka invites chip manufacturing company ‘Intel’ to set up it’s unit in state

• Karnataka has extended invitation to major chip manufacturing company Intel to set up it’s unit in the state.
• Intel India Head and top executives spoke to the Deputy Chief Minister Dr. C N Ashwath Narayana today through video conferencing, regarding their interest to set up the unit either in Mangaluru or Belagavi.Mangaluru is a port city and Belagavi in North Karnataka is at the proximity of Goa port.
• Dr C N Ashwath Narayana has assured all help to set up the unit in either one of these two cities.
• He said that Karnataka is home to major tech companies and offers the ease of doing business eco-system

Extra Shots:

Karnataka:

• Capital: Bengaluru
• Chief Minister: B. S. Yediyurappa
• Governor: Vajubhai Vala
• National Park: Anshi NP, Bandipur NP, Bannerghatta NP, Kudremukh NP, Rajiv Gandhi (Nagarahole) NP.

Kondapochamma Sagar project inaugurated by Telangana CM

• Under the flagship of the multipurpose Irrigation project; Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project(KLIP), the last and vital Markbook pump house was inaugurated on May 29 2020 by the Chief Minister of Telangana K Chandrasekhar Rao.
• Note: Kaleeshwaram project is estimated to be around Rs One lakh crore and is divided into different packages to lift the water from Godavari river.

Project details

• The KLIP project entails an estimate cost of Rs 3,500 crore.
• It has a storage capacity of 15 TMC or tmcft (one thousand million cubic feet) .
• It will irrigate 2.85 lakh acres in Siddipet, Sangareddy, Medak, Yadadri-Bhongiri and Medchal Malkajgiri districts.

Extra Shots:

Telangana

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

INTERNATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

PM held telephone conversation with H.E. Filipe Jacinto Nyusi President of Mozambique

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed with His Excellency Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, President of Mozambique.
• The leaders discussed the challenges posed in both countries by the continuing COVID-19 pandemic.

Highlights:

• India reaffirmed its willingness to support Mozambique’s efforts during the health crisis, including through the provision of essential medicines and equipment. Both the leaders agreed to close cooperation between both countries in the field of healthcare and pharmaceutical supplies.
• The two leaders discussed Indian investments and development projects in Mozambique.
• India has made large commitments made by Indian companies to the coal and natural gas sectors of Mozambique.
• The leaders agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation in defence and security.
• Leaders of both countries agreed that the two countries would remain in touch to enhance cooperation and support during the ongoing pandemic.

Extra Shots:

Mozambique (Capital/Currency): Maputo/ Mozambican metical

• President: Filipe Nyusi
• Prime Minister: Carlos Agostinho do Rosário
• Official languages: Portuguese

WHO resumes Hydroxychloroquine Study

• The World Health Organization resumed its clinical trials on exploring whether the Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) drug is effective in treating COVID-19.
• The clinical trial on Malaria Drug HCQ was earlier put on hold by the World Health Organization raising concerns of its efficacy.
• The clinical trials were put off by the world organization considering the safety of the patients. WHO raised concerns about people in different parts of the world taking the drugs without proper medical guidance.
• The trials were paused to analyze the results of using the drugs so far.
• The board set up by the WHO has reviewed the available mortality data of COVID-19 and now found that there are no reasons to stop the trials.
• There are more than 400 hospitals that are participating in the trials from 35 countries.
• It includes hospitals from Gujarat as well.

Extra Shots:

WHO:

• Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland Trending
• Founded: 7 April 1948
• Parent organization: United Nations Economic and Social Council

Heads: Tedros Adhanom, Soumya Swaminathan, Jane Ellison, Peter Salama

Kohala Hydro Power Project

• An agreement has been signed between China and Pakistan to implement Kohala Hydroelectric Power project in the region of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir.
• The project is being implemented under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor.
• Under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, China sets up Kohala Hydropower project in Pakistan occupied Kashmir.
• A tripartite agreement was signed between the Tripartite Gorges Corporation, Private Power and Infrastructure Board and the authorities in PoK in order to implement the project.

 About the Project

• The project is to be built on Jhelum river. It aims at providing 5 billion units of clean hydro electric power to Pakistan. The project will earn carbon credit from the United Nations Framework convention on Climate Change for clean energy.
• India had earlier protested plans of Pakistan to build dam in Gilgit-Baltistan. Also, India says that projects in territories of illegal occupation of Pakistan is not appropriate.

Jhelum river

• Jhelum is the western most of the river of the five rivers in Punjab. It is a tributary of Indus.

Extra Shots:

China (Capital/Currency): Beijing/Renminbi

• President: Xi Jinping
• Official Language: Mandarin

Pakistan (Capital/Currency): Islamabad/Pakistani Rupee

• Prime Minister: Imran Khan
• President: Arif Alvi
• Official Languages: Urdu,English

SANSA & NASA collaborates to support human spaceflight missions

• The South African National Space Agency(SANSA) has partnered with National Aeronautics and Space Administration(NASA) to host a deep-space ground station to support human spaceflight missions to the Moon, Mars and beyond.
• South Africa became the 4th country(4th site)after the United States of America, Spain and Australia to host a deep space ground station.
• The 4th site will be integrated into an existing network of three sites, will complement the other sites & provide improved coverage and redundancy for critical mission support.
• The station will be operated, maintained & managed by SANSA
• The advantage of the station is its location at the southern tip of Africa, with the climate at Matjiesfontein which makes it ideal for the frequency that will be involved in space studies.
• To capture the faint signals sent from millions or even billions of miles away (from earth) the dishes must be large enough
• The dish antennas with a height equivalent to a 20-storey building will be built soon.

NASA:

• Headquarters: Washington, United States.
• Administrator: James Frederick “Jim” Bridenstine

SANSA:

• Headquarters: Gauteng, South Africa
• Chief Executive Officer: Valanathan Munsami

United States suspends passenger flights from China beginning 16^th  of June

• The United States issued an order yesterday seeking to suspend passenger flights from China from 16 June.
• The Trump administration said that the step was taken in retaliation to China’s refusal to let US airlines resume flights to China.
• The order still needs final approval from US President Donald Trump.
• The United States issued an order yesterday seeking to suspend passenger flights from China from 16 June.
• The Trump administration said that the step was taken in retaliation to China’s refusal to let US airlines resume flights to China.
• The order still needs final approval from US President Donald Trump.

Extra Shots:

USA (Capital/Currency): Washington, D.C./ United States Dollar

• President: Donald Trump
• Official languages: English

SUMMITS AND CONFERENCES

India to hold first ever virtual bilateral summit with Australia

• PM Modi will hold a virtual bilateral summit with the Australian PM Scott Morrison. This is the first ever virtual bilateral summit to be held by India.

Highlights:

• The leaders are to discuss a broad framework on the relation of India and Australia.
• The leaders will also sign several agreements.
• The major agreement is the one to be signed on mutual sharing of military logistics facilities.
• The agreement will help increase the bandwidth of operation of both the Australian and Indian forces in the Indo Pacific region.
• The leaders will also discuss boosting science and technology, COVID-19 crisis, cybersecurity, maritime issues in the Indo Pacific Region and also about other critical technologies.
• The leaders will also share how their respective countries are dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Australia has held similar summit with Singapore earlier.

Extra Shots:

Australia (Capital/Currency): Canberra/ Australian Dollar

• Prime Minister: Scott Morrison
• Official Language: English

Central Employment Guarantee Council Meet chaired by Rural Development Minister

• The Union Minister of Rural Development Shri Narendra Singh Tomar chaired the 21st meeting of the Central Employment Guarantee Council.
• During the meet, it was highlighted that the GoI has created assets for irrigation and water conservation.
• Also, individual assets have been created to help agriculture under MGNREGA. All time high amount was allocated to MGNREGA during the COVID-19 times. The GoI allocated around Rs 61,500.
• Also, under Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, additional amount of Rs 40,000 was allocated.

Central Employment Guarantee Council

• The Council monitors and Evaluates MGNREGA. It also advises the GoI about the implementation of the scheme.
• The council also prepares annual reports about the implementation of the act.
• The act makes the council meet compulsory at least twice a year.
• The CEGC is headed by the Rural Development Minister. It is made of both official and non-official members.

Extra Shots:

The Ministry of Rural Development, a branch of the Government of India, is entrusted with the task of accelerating the socio-economic development of rural India. Its focus is on health, education, drinking water, housing and roads. Jurisdiction: India

• Founded: June 2011
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Annual budget: 1.22 lakh crores INR (US$17 billion, 2020-21 est.)
• Departments: Department of Rural Development, Department of Land Resources
• Officeholders: Narendra Singh Tomar (Minister), Ram Kripal Yadav (Minister of State)

World Economic Forum to hold Twin Summit

• The World Economic Forum announced that it is to host its next summit in Davos under the theme “The Great Reset”.
• The forum has named the summit as “A Unique Twin Summit”.
• The 51st annual summit of the World Economic Forum is to bring together global leaders, civil society and multi stake holders from 400 cities.
• The plan of the summit is to draw thousands of young people all around the world and keep them interconnected through a powerful virtual hub to to interact with the leaders.

Extra Shots:

World Economic Forum

• Headquarters: Cologny, Switzerland
• Founder: Klaus Schwab
• Founded: January 1971
• Leader: Klaus Schwab
• Motto: Committed to improving the state of the world

RANKS AND INDICES

Amazon tops Brand Finance Global 500 2020 report; Tata Group top Indian brand

• Brand Finance has released its annual Brand Value Report 5000 for the year 2020.
• It is for the third consecutive year that Amazon has retained the title of the world’s most valuable brand having brand valuation of $220,791 million.
• It is also made history by becoming the first brand in Brand Finance Global 500 to exceed US$200 billion value mark.
• Google has jumped one place up to come second in the list at $159,722 million. In 2019 it was at 3rd spot.
• Apple ($140,524M), Microsoft ($117,072M) and Samsung Group ($94,494M) makes top 5 brand in the list.
• Among Indian companies, Tata Group has once again retained its position as top Indian brand. It is the only Indian brand to feature in top 100.
• Globally, it is ranked at 85th spot with brand value of USD 20 billion, becoming the first Indian brand to cross this mark.

Global Economic Prospects Report, 2020 by World Bank

• The World Bank recently launched the Global Economic Prospects Report, 2020.
• The report highlighted the impact of COVID-19 on countries.

Findings of the report

• The report says that the Emerging Market and the Developing Economies are highly vulnerable.
• They face health crisis, external shocks, restrictions, tourism, falling trade, capital outflows and commodity prices.
• These countries according to the report are expected to have 3% to 8% output loss.
• Around 60 million people may be pushed to extreme poverty due to COVID-19 this year.
• The financial crisis due to recession will reduce the potential output by almost 8%.

Recommendations

 The report makes the following recommendations

• The report suggests to make better policy choices.
• It includes greater debt transparency, major expansion of cash safety and faster advances in digital connectivity.
• Along with addressing health emergencies, policies to boost long term boost should also be considered.
• This includes improving environment for business, enhancing outcomes of education and improving governance.

Extra Shots:

World Bank:

• Headquarters: Washington, D.C., United States
• President: David Malpass
• Parent organization: World Bank Group
• Membership: 189 countries (IBRD); 173 countries (IDA)
• Purpose: Economic development

AGREEMENTS AND MOU SIGNED

Facebook Signs Global Licensing Deal with Indian Music Label Saregama

• Facebook has entered into a global deal with Saregama, one of India’s oldest and largest music labels, to license its music for video and other social experiences across Facebook and Instagram.
• That means users can now add Saregama-owned music to their posts and stories on both Facebook and Instagram.
• Users can choose from over 1,00,000 songs across different genres including film songs, devotional music, ghazals and indipop in more than 25 languages, to add to their social experiences such as videos, stories via music stickers and other creative content.
• People will also be able to add songs to their Facebook Profile.

Extra Shots:

Facebook:

• Founded: February 2004, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
• CEO: Mark Zuckerberg
• Headquarters: Menlo Park, California, United States
• CFO: David Wehner
• Founders: Mark Zuckerberg, Andrew McCollum, Eduardo Saverin, Dustin Moskovitz, Chris Hughes

DBS Bank India partners with TCIL to facilitate real time payments for truck drivers by DBS RAPID solution

• DBS Bank India partnered with Transport Corporation of India Limited (TCIL) to facilitate real time payments for truck drivers by DBS RAPID(Real Time Application Program Interface-APIs by DBS) solution to enable them to receive payments instantly.
• The bank has proposed to set up a Unified Payments Interface(UPI)-based real-time payments solution which is available 24x7x365, considering the large volumes of transactions & round-the-clock nature of the operations.
• The solution has been set up under the support of National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
• DBS RAPID and UPI payments provide an ideal integration with the company’s Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system.
• By this solution, TCIL truck drivers will receive an instant credit into their bank account, which they can then swipe at terminals or withdraw cash using ATMs.

Extra Shots:

DBS Group:

• Headquarters: Singapore
• Chief Executive Officer(CEO) and Director: Piyush Gupta

DBS Bank India Limited:

• Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashthra
• Managing Director (MD) and CEO: Surojit Shome

TCIL:

• Corporate Office: Gurgaon, Haryana
• Chairman and MD: D P Agarwal

India-Australia sign landmark Defence Agreements

• Indian PM Modi and the Australian PM Scott Morrison held India’s first virtual bilateral summit.
• The leaders signed several agreements during their meet and also discussed about the COVID-19 measures being implemented in their respective countries.

Highlights:

India and Australia signed the following agreements:

• Framework Arrangement on Cyber Enabled critical Technology
• MoU on cooperation in processing of Critical and Strategic minerals
• Implementing arrangement related to cooperation in Defence
• MoU on cooperation of training and vocational education
• MoU on understanding water resource management
• MoU un the field of Governance Reforms and Public Administration
• MoU on cooperation in mining and processing of strategic minerals.
• The Mutual Logistics Support Agreement signed will allow the countries to have access to each other’s military bases.
• The countries also decided to enhance their 2+2 foreign affairs and defence dialogues.

Extra Shots:

Australia (Capital/Currency): Canberra/ Australian dollar

• Prime Minister: Scott Morrison
• Official Language: English

ACQUISITION & MERGER

Facebook to acquire 9.9% stake in Jio Platforms via Jaadhu Holdings

• Facebook has announced in April 2020 to acquire 9.9 per cent stake in Jio Platforms, at an investment of USD 5.7 billion (Rs 43,574 crore).
• As per a nee notification, Facebook will acquire this stake in Jio Platforms via a new entity named Jaadhu Holdings LLC.
• According to a submission made to the Competition Commission of India, Jaadhu Holdings, LLC is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Facebook, Inc.
• Jaadhu is a newly incorporated company formed in March 2020 under the laws of the State of Delaware.

Extra Shots:

Facebook:

• Founded: February 2004, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
• CEO: Mark Zuckerberg
• Headquarters: Menlo Park, California, United States
• CFO: David Wehner
• Founders: Mark Zuckerberg, Andrew McCollum, Eduardo Saverin, Dustin Moskovitz, Chris Hughes

Jio:

• Parent organization: Reliance Industries Limited
• Members: 388 million; (31 December 2019)
• Founder: Mukesh Ambani
• Founded: 2007
• Subsidiaries: LYF, Reliance Jio Infocomm Pte. Ltd

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL  AWARDS

Patna-based NGO ‘SEEDS’ Wins World No Tobacco Day Award 2020

• Every year, WHO recognizes individuals or organizations in each of the six WHO Regions for their accomplishments in the area of tobacco control.
• This recognition takes the form of WHO Director-General Special Recognition Award and World No Tobacco Day Awards.
• For the year 2020, Patna based Indian NGO Socio Economic and Educational Development Society (SEEDS) has conferred the World No Tobacco Day Award, for its efforts to ban pan masala, gutkha, e-cigarettes and hookah in Bihar and Jharkhand.
• SEEDS is among the three awardees selected from the South-East Asia Region.

Indian writer Kritika Pandey wins 2020 Commonwealth short story prize in Asian Region

• Kritika Pandey, a 29-year-old Indian Writer from Ranchi, was announced as the winner of regional award for Asia in 2020 Commonwealth short story prize for her story “The Great Indian Tee and Snakes” – about love in an age of hatred and prejudice.

 Kritika Pandey

• Education: She is currently doing her MFA degree at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Extra Shots:

Commonwealth Writers:

• Programme Manager : Janet Steel
• Senior Programme Officer : Emma D’Costa
• Headquarters : London, United Kingdom

APPOINTMENT IN NEWS

Uday Kotak Takes Over as the New President of CII for 2020-21

• The Managing Director & CEO of Kota Mahindra Bank, Uday Kotak has been appointed as the new President of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for the financial year 2020-21.
• He will replace Vikram Kirloskar, Chairman and Managing Director of Kirloskar Systems Ltd, and Vice Chairman of Toyota Kirloskar Motor.
• Uday has been the President-Designate of CII for the last two years.
• Meanwhile, Sanjiv Bajaj, Chairman and Managing Director of Bajaj Finserv, has been named as the Vice President of the apex industry body for 2020-21.
• The industry body has also appointed T V Narendran, CEO and Managing Director of Tata Steel, as the President Designate of CII for 2020-21.

Extra Shots:

CII:

• President: Uday Kotak
• Vice President: Sanjiv Bajaj
• President Designated: TV Narendran
• Established: 1895
• Headquarters: New Delhi

Ex Google CFO Patrick Pichette Appointed as new Chairman of Twitter’s Board

• Twitter Inc has appointed Patrick Pichette, a former chief financial officer (CFO) at Google, as the new chairman of the company’s board.
• It is the first time in Twitter’s history that an outsider will preside over the group.
• Pichette will replace Omid Kordestani.
• Pichette joined Twitter’s board of directors in 2017 and had been lead independent director since the end of 2018.
• He previously served as Google’s CFO from 2008 until 2015.
• Meanwhile, Kordestani will stay on as a director, serving on the 11-member board alongside three new directors.

Extra Shots:

Twitter:

• Founders: Jack Dorsey, Evan Williams, Noah Glass, Biz Stone Trending
• Founded: 21 March 2006, San Francisco, California, United States
• CEO: Jack Dorsey
• Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States

Krishnendu Majumdar becomes first person of colour to be appointed BAFTA Chair

• Award-winning television producer Krishnendu Majumdar is the first person of color to be named as the chairperson of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) in its 73 year-long history.
• Majumdar is also the youngest chair of BAFTA in the last 35 years.
• He will remain as chair for the next three years, the newly extended term for all future BAFTA chairs..
• He succeeds Pippa Harris, who will now continue as deputy chair.
• Majumdar is an Emmy-winning and BAFTA-nominated television producer and director. He has been closely involved with BAFTA for 14 year.

Extra Shots:

BAFTA: The British Academy Film Awards or BAFTA Film Awards are presented in an annual award show hosted by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts to honour the best British and international contributions to film.

• Ceremony date: 3 February 2020
• Country: United Kingdom
• Currently held by: Fiona Crombie

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

CSIR-CMERI developed new indigenous ventilator

• Researchers at Durgapur-based CSIR-Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CMERI) have indigenously developed a ventilator to provide help and support to the COVID-19 patients.

Highlights:

• The ventilator was developed by CSIR-CMERI, in coordination with critical care experts of the Health care professionals.
• The design, controllers, and embedded electronics have been customized to ensure price efficacy and to meet the requirements of the relevant industries.
• The ventilator was tested under multiple technical and design changes after adopting critical feedbacks from healthcare professionals.
• The cost of the ventilator is around Rs.80,000-90,000.
• The ventilator will be further upgraded to meet the requirements of various other patient’s parameters.
• The ventilator is expected to help massive substitution of import dollars by strengthening the medical care manufacturing landscape of the country.
• It will upgrade the tertiary healthcare infrastructure.
• The newly developed ventilator will ensure the availability of these ventilators in makeshift hospitals, basic hospitals, and other healthcare facilities.

OBITUARY

Former Tamil Nadu BJP Chief KN Lakshmanan Passes Away at 90

• Former Tamil Nadu BJP President K. N.Lakshmanan passed away due to age related ailments at the age of 90.
• He was elected as a member of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly in 2001 from the Mylapore constituency when BJP had aligned with the DMK.
• Lakshmanan served as BJP’s State President between 1984 and 1989 and 1996 and 2000.

NBA Hall Of Famer Wes Unseld Passes Away At 74

• NBA legend Wes Unseld, one of the greatest American professional basketball player, has passed away at the age of 74.
• Unseld is universally considered as the greatest player in league’s history.
• He led his franchise ‘Washington Wizards’ (the then Baltimore Bullets) to the NBA Championship in 1978.
• He played for Washington Wizards throughout his entire 13-season playing career and also worked for as a coach and general manager.
• He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1988.

Legendary Filmmaker Basu Chatterjee passes away

• Legendary Filmmaker & the National Film Award winner Basu Chatterjee passed away.
• He was known for his middle-of-the-road cinema and films like “Chhoti Si Baat” and “Rajnigandha”.
• He also directed two hit TV serials namely “Byomkesh Bakshi” and “Rajani”.
• Basu Chatterjee worked in Hindi as well as Bengali cinema and some of his best known works includes “Khatta Meetha”, “Us Paar”, “Chitchor”, “Baton Baton Mein” and “Piya Ka Ghar”.
• He received National Film Award for Best Film on Family Welfare for his film Durga in 1992.
  

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