NATIONAL UPDATES:
1.
Government Approves Historic Amendment to Essential Commodities Act to give
boost to Rural India: The Union cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra
Modi has taken three historic decisions in the field of agriculture to benefit
farmers and transform the agriculture sector.
Amendment to the Essential
Commodities Act (ECA) 1955: Cabinet has approved amending the over
six-decade old Essential Commodities Act (ECA). Under the historic amendment,
commodities like cereals, pulses, oilseeds, edible oils, onion and potatoes
will be removed from list of essential commodities.
‘The Farming Produce Trade and Commerce
(Promotion and Facilitation) Ordinance, 2020’: The Ordinance will
create an ecosystem where the farmers and traders will enjoy freedom of choice
of sale and purchase of agri-produce. It will also promote barrier-free
inter-state and intra-state trade and commerce outside the physical premises of
markets notified under State Agricultural Produce Marketing legislations.
‘The Farmers (Empowerment and
Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Ordinance, 2020’: The ordinance will
empower farmers for engaging with processors, wholesalers, aggregators, wholesalers,
large retailers, exporters etc. It will transfer the risk of market
unpredictability from the farmer to the sponsor. Farmer will get access to
modern technology and better inputs.
2.
DRDO develops device SUMERU-PACS to keep PPE wearers comfortable, without
sweating: The
Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed a device dubbed
as SUMERU-PACS, which will helps wearers of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
to feel comfortable without sweating. On the basis of the feedback received
from doctors and medical staff, the PPE wearers feel uncomfortable after
wearing PPE for more than 30 to 45 minutes and start sweating which makes the
situation worse. SUMERU-PACS is a personal air circulation system which can be
used inside the PPE cover as a small backpack of approximately 500 grams
weight. It works well at an ambient temperature of 39 degrees Celsius and keeps
wearer comfortable and cool without sweating, as the system draws the outside
air with the help of a filter and the moist air goes out from the front face
opening thereby, cooling neck and head area. The device is suitable for doctors
and other medical staff who wear PPE cover all six hours in the hospitals.
3.
EESL Partners with USAID for “Healthy and Energy Efficient Buildings”
Initiative:
The Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a joint venture of PSUs under
Ministry of Power, has partnered with the U.S. Agency for International
Development’s (USAID) MAITREE program to launch the “Healthy and Energy
Efficient Buildings” initiative that will pioneer ways to make workplaces
healthier and greener. The Market Integration and Transformation Program for
Energy Efficiency (MAITREE) is a part of the US-India bilateral Partnership
between the Ministry of Power and USAID to accelerate the adoption of
cost-effective energy efficiency as a standard practice within buildings, and
specifically focuses on cooling. As part of this pilot, “Healthy and Energy
Efficient Buildings” Initiative, EESL has taken the leadership by being the first
to implement this framework in its own offices.
4.
Nitin Gadkari launches UNDP national awareness campaign on ‘Prevention of Human
and Animal Mortality on Highways’: Union Minister for Road Transport &
Highways (MoRTH) and MSME Shri Nitin Gadkari launched an national awareness
campaign on ‘Prevention of Human and Animal Mortality on Highways’ via video
conference on the occasion of World Environment Day. It is an awareness
campaign with focus on imparting education to masses at large towards reducing
or eliminating mortality on the roads of both human beings and animals. The
campaign is a joint effort of the MoRTH and the United Nations Development
Programme (UNDP). As per the data, India witnesses nearly five lakh road
accidents every year, in which about 1.5 lakh lives are lost. Through this
campaign, government aims to bring down these figures by 20-25 percent by 31st
March 2021.
5.
India Loses 750 Tigers in Last Eight Years; Madhya Pradesh Reports Maximum
Casualties: NTCA Survey: The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has
shared the data related to details of tiger deaths during the eight year period
between 2012 and 2019. According to the official data of NTCA, as many as 750
tigers died in the country in the last eight years due to poaching and other
causes. Of these total tiger mortalities, 369 were due to natural causes, 168
due to poaching, 70 deaths are under scrutiny and 42 due to unnatural reasons,
including accident or conflicts events and 101 seizures. The data showed that
Madhya Pradesh has the highest number of 526 tigers in the country. However,
Madhya Pradesh reported the highest tiger deaths during this eight year period
at 173, of which, 38 were due to poaching, 94 natural deaths, 19 under
scrutiny, six due to the unnatural causes and 16 seizures. Maharashtra has
reported second highest casualties at 125 during this period followed by 111 in
Karnataka. It is reported that the present tiger population in the country is
estimated at 2967 (lower and upper limits being 2603 and 3346 respectively).
6. Unmanned Aircraft System Rules 2020 notified: Ministry of Civil
Aviation has notified Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Rules 2020. It will
regulate production, import, trade, ownership, and operation of drones. Under
the new rules, only authorised entities can sell drones. Flight permit must be
taken online with log sharing. Nano-drones (250 grams) can be operated without
a drone pilot license. Drone Insurance policy is made mandatory. Businesses
operating drones should be owned and controlled by Indian nationals.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1.
United Kingdom hosts virtual Global Vaccine Summit 2020: PM Narendra Modi
addresses virtual Global Vaccine Summit elaborating the vaccination need in the
world. The Summit was hosted by UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and attended by
business leaders, UN Agencies, and others of 50 countries. India has pledged $15
Million to Gavi, an international vaccine alliance. It witnessed new era of
global health cooperation with commitment to equitable immunisation and health
security due to COVID-19.
Note: Gavi HQ-Geneva, Switzerland; Chief Executive
Officer of Gavi, the
Vaccine Alliance: Dr Seth Berkley.
2. 8
Indian Institutes Make It To Top 100 in THE Asia University Ranking 2020: Time Higher
Education (THE) released its annual THE Asia University Rankings 2020, which
lists 489 institutions from 30 countries and regions. 56 Indian institutes
participated in the 2020 ranking, out of which 8 have made it to the top 100.
Among the Indian institutes, Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore is
the best institute. Globally it has been placed at 36th rank. 6 IITs have also
made place in top 100. List of eight Indian institutes in the list: Rank 36 –
IISc Bangalore; Rank 47 – IIT-Ropar; Rank 55 – IIT-Indore; Rank 59 –
IIT-Kharagpur; Rank 67 – IIT-Delhi; Rank 69 – IIT-Bombay; Rank 83 –
IIT-Roorkee; Rank 92 – Institute of Chemical Technology
The universities are ranked by performance
in five areas: teaching (learning environment); research (volume, income and
reputation); citations (research influence); international outlook (staff,
students and research); and industry income (knowledge transfer). Top 10 Global
Universities in the list:
(1) Tsinghua University, China
(2) Peking University, China
(3) National University of Singapore,
Singapore
(4) University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
(5) The Hong Kong University of Science and
Technology
3.
Akshay Kumar lone Indian to feature on Forbes 2020 World’s 100 Highest-Paid
Celebrities: Bollywood
Actor Akshay Kumar is the only Indian to feature on Forbes 2020 list of World’s
100 Highest-Paid Celebrities. The 52-year-old superstar has been placed on 52nd
spot with estimated $48.5 million earnings (approximately Rs 366 crore); he was
on the 33rd spot in 2019 with earnings of $65 million. The 2020 Forbes 100 list
is topped by model-entrepreneur Kylie Jenner with $590 million.
4.
World Food Safety Day: 7th June: The World Food Safety day is celebrated
every year on June 7 to remind people of the need to have safer and healthy
food for disease-free life. Theme 2020: ‘Food Safety, Everyone’s Business’. The
day was declared by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2018 and
the first World Food Safety Day (WFSD) was held on 7 June 2019 with the theme
‘The Future of Food Safety’. WFSD aims to draw attention and inspire action to
help prevent, detect and manage foodborne risks, contributing to food security,
human health, economic prosperity, agriculture, market access, tourism and
sustainable development.
Note: FAO HQ: Rome, Italy; WHO HQ: Geneva,
Switzerland.
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1.
Adidas India ropes in former Miss World Manushi Chillar as brand ambassador: The Indian arm of German sports
brand Adidas has appointed former Miss World Manushi Chillar as its new brand
ambassador. Chillar will support #HOMETEAMHERO Challenge and lead Adidas’s
mission to inspire more women to embrace fitness, while creating a positive
social impact through the power of sport. Chillar joins the roster of Adidas
ambassadors including Ranveer Singh, Rohit Sharma, Hima Das, and over 20 other
top athletes.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1.
HDFC Bank launches ‘Summer Treats’ to meet post lockdown needs of customers: India’s largest
private sector lender HDFC Bank has launched ‘Summer Treats’, to offers a range
of products to help meet the changing needs of merchants as well as salaried
and self-employed customers, due to COVID-19. As COVID-19 have changed consumer
lifestyles and demands such as work from home and school from home, there have
been an increased demand for phones, tablets, computers and related accessories.
Similarly, demand for safe digital payments and private transport is also
rising as well as the need for business finance has also increased. Summer
Treats fulfills all such needs by providing a host of exciting offers. The key
offers include:
(1) Exclusive discount for iPhone SE
launch, no cost EMI and no down payment for large appliances,
(2) Discounts and cash back on select
brands,
(3) 50% extra reward points on online
spends using Credit Cards,
(4) Exclusive offers on the bank’s lending
products and
(5) Extra rewards on online spends via
Debit Card Credit Card or Payzapp
Summer Treats offers can be availed both
digitally and through the bank’s extensive branch network.
BUSINESS AND ECONOMY
1.
CCI approves merger of Peugeot S.A & Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V.: The merger of
Peugeot S.A (PSA) and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. (FCA) has been approved by
the Competition Commission of India (CCI). Peugeot S.A (PSA) is a publicly
listed limited liability company incorporated in France. Headquartered in
London, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. (FCA) is a public company with limited
liability with HQ at London and incorporated under Netherlands laws and is a
global automotive group. PSA is an original equipment manufacturer and dealer of
motor vehicles, passenger cars as well as light commercial vehicles.
Note: CCI Chairman: Ashok Kumar Gupta.
2.
IIFL Finance Ropes in Rohit Sharma as its First-ever Brand Ambassador: India’s Non-Banking
Finance Companies, India Infoline Finance Limited (IIFL) has signed up India’s
leading batsman, Rohit Sharma as its first-ever brand ambassador. The company
has launched 30-second message titled “Rohit Sharma Ki Seedhi Baat”, under its
first-ever campaign #SeedhiBaat with Rohit Sharma, which is a public service
message advising people on safety guidelines and rules to follow during
lockdown to fight Covid19 outbreak.
Note: Chairman & Independent Director
of IIFL: S. Sridhar; Headquarters of IIFL: Mumbai, Maharashtra
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1.
Hyderabad airport wins ACI Asia-Pacific Green Airports Platinum Recognition
2020: The
Airports Council International (ACI) Asia-Pacific announced the results of the
ACI Asia-Pacific Green Airports Recognition 2020. The Rajiv Gandhi
International Airport (RGIA), Hyderabad has received the Platinum award in the
15-35 Million Passengers Per Annum (MPPA) category for its water management
practices. The award was presented in 3 categories. The winners of each
category are as follows:
Over 35 million passengers per annum: Platinum
– Taoyuan International Airport
Gold – Indira Gandhi International Airport
Silver – Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
International Airport
15 to 35 million passengers per annum: Platinum
– Rajiv Gandhi International Airport
Gold – Muscat International Airport
Silver – Kempegowda International Airport
Less than 15 million passengers per annum: Platinum
– Kaohsiung International Airport
Gold – Adelaide Airport
Silver – Sharjah Airport
OBITUARIES
1.
Former US Gymnast Thomas passes away: Veteran American Olympic gymnast, Kurt
Thomas, has passed away at the age of 64, from the complications of a stroke.
Kurt was the first American male gymnast to win a gold medal at the 1978 World
Artistic Gymnastics Championships in France. He competed in the 1976 Montreal
Olympics, but lost a chance to go for a medal in a second Olympics when the
Americans boycotted the 1980 Moscow Games. He was a five-time NCAA champion at
Indiana State University.
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