Daily GK Updates - 18th July, 2020

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Uttarakhand govt to generate electricity from waste: The Uttarakhand government has decided to convert waste generated in the state to electricity under an initiative titled ‘Waste to Energy’. According to Uttarakhand Environment Protection and Pollution Control Board (UEPPCB), this waste can generate up to 5 megawatts of electricity and curb pollution. The scheme also aims to solve the problem of unavailability of landfills to dispose of the solid waste across the hill state with has 10 out if 13 districts as hill areas.

Note: Chief Minister of Uttarakhand: Trivendra Singh Rawat; Governor: Baby Rani Maurya.

 

2. CBSE ties-up with IBM to integrate AI curriculum in schools: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has integrated a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) course for class XI and XII in the current academic year (2020-2021). The curriculum was developed in collaboration with IBM (International Business Machines Corporation). The IBM AI curriculum is a part of CBSE’s Social Empowerment through Work Education and Action (SEWA) program. The IBM AI curriculum is structured around a course framework for students consisting of base strands of knowledge (basics, history, applications), skills (design thinking, computational thinking, data fluency, critical thinking) and values (ethical decision making, bias) in AI. It will be introduced in 200 schools across 13 states.

Note: CBSE Chairman: Manoj Ahuja; CBSE Head Office: Delhi.

IBM Executive Chairman: Virginia M. Rometty; IBM Chief Executive Officer: Arvind Krishna; IBM Headquarters: New York, United States of America.

 

3. Cabinet approves 2% Interest Subvention on prompt repayment of Shishu Loans : Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved a scheme for interest subvention of 2% for a period of 12 months, to all Shishu loan accounts under Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) to eligible borrowers.  The scheme will be extended to loans which meet the following criteria – outstanding as on 31st March, 2020; and not in Non-Performing Asset (NPA) category, as per Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines, on 31st March 2020 and during the period of operation of the Scheme. The interest subvention would be payable for the months in which the accounts are not in NPA category including for the months that the account becomes a performing asset again, after turning NPA. The estimated cost of the Scheme would be approximately Rs. 1,542 crore which would be provided by the Government of India.

 

4. Andhra Pradesh to reorganise its 13 districts into 25 for optimal use of resources: The Andhra Pradesh cabinet decided to reorganise its 13 districts into 25 districts by March 31 in such a way that each of the 25 parliamentary constituencies will represent a new district. Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy’s cabinet approved the decision to form a committee to look into reorganisation of existing 13 districts into 25. The committee headed by the chief secretary comprises chief commissioner of land administration (CCLA), secretary (services) of general administration department, secretary of planning department and an official from the chief minister’s office as members. Principal Secretary (finance) will be its convener.

 

5. SportsAdda ropes in former Australian pacer and legend Brett Lee as brand ambassador: SportsAdda, the Indian news and information website for cricket, football, and kabaddi, has signed former Australian fast bowler and cricket legend Brett Lee, as its brand ambassador. Lee will be conducting a host of fun activities including contests, quizzes, Q&As, bowling masterclasses, and giveaways that will feature exclusively on the SportsAdda app, website, and social handles.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Ossouka Raponda appointed as first woman Prime Minister of Gabon: Rose Christiane Ossouka Raponda has been appointed as the first woman prime minister of Gabon on 16 July 2020. The 56-year-old is the 12th PM of the country and succeeds Julien Nkoghe Bekale. Prior to holding this position, Ossouka Raponda served as defence minister since February 2019. Her appointment is the fourth cabinet reshuffle by the President of Gabon, Ali Bongo Ondimba since January 2019. Gabon is a country along Atlantic coast of Central Africa

Note: Gabon Capital: Libreville; Currency of Gabon: Central African CFA franc.

 

2. India ranks tenth globally in intellectual property filings in 2018, China tops: WIPO Report: India has emerged as the top tenth nation in the ranking of the total (resident and abroad) Intellectual Property (IP) filing activity, as per World Intellectual Property Indicators-2019 Report. The overall ranking has been topped by China, which was the main source of growth in worldwide IP filings in 2018. China was followed by United States, Germany, Japan, and Republic of Korea as the top five nations in the list. The report released by Geneva-based World Intellectual Property Organization analyzes IP activity around the globe. The 2019 report presents data for 49 countries based on their 2018 filing, registration and renewals statistics, collected from national and regional IP offices and WIPO. The Intellectual Property (IP) considered for ranking countries covers patents, utility models, trademarks, industrial designs, microorganisms, plant variety protection and geographical indications.

 

3. PM Modi Virtually addresses UN ECOSOC on UN’s 75th anniversary: Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi delivers a keynote address virtually at the valedictory session of High-Level Segment of UN ECOSOC (United Nations Economic and Social Council) on July 17 in New York, on the eve of 75th anniversary of the United Nations. The year 2020 marks the 75th Anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, in 1945. The theme of the High-level Segment was “Multilateralism after COVID19: What kind of UN do we need at the 75th anniversary”. This was Prime Minister Modi’s first speech at the UN after India’s election to the UN Security Council as a non-permanent member on 17th June 2020 for the term 2021-22. PM was joined by his Norwegian counterpart Erna Solberg as well as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The High-Level Segment is held annually by ECOSOC for discussing international economic and social issues and formulating policy recommendations addressed to member states and United Nations system.

 

4. Pakistan and China sign agreement to construct 700MW Azad Pattan Hydel Power Project: Pakistan and China have signed an agreement for construction of Azad Pattan Hydel Power Project in Sudhoti district of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK). The project is being developed under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), at an estimated cost of $1.5 billion. The 700.7 MW Azad Pattan Hydel Power Project is located at River Jhelum and is expected to be completed in 2026. Once completed, Pakistan would no longer need to import fuel, enabling the country to move towards cheaper and greener power while generating local job opportunities. The first agreement, for the 1,100 MW Kohala project, was signed on June 23. That project, worth $2.3 billion, too will come upon the Jhelum near Muzaffarabad.

Note: China Capital: Beijing; Currency of China: Renminbi; President of China: Xi Jinping.

Prime Minister of Pakistan: Imran Khan; President of Pakistan: Arif Alvi; Capital of Pakistan: Islamabad.

 

5. Nelson Mandela International Day: 18th July: Nelson Mandela International Day (also Mandela Day) is held every year on July 18 globally to honour the legacy of the late President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela. The day acknowledges Nelson Mandela’s contribution to the struggle for democracy internationally and the promotion of a culture of peace throughout the world. The day 18 July marks the birth anniversary of the great South African leader, who was born in 1918. United Nations officially declared July 18 as UN Mandela Day in November 2009. The first UN Mandela Day was held on 18 July 2010.

Note: Headquarters of United Nations: New York, USA; Founded: 24 October 1945; Secretary-General of the United Nations: Mr Antonio Guterres

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Real Madrid clinch record 34th La Liga title defeating Villarreal: Real Madrid have been crowned La Liga Champions for the 34th time after defeating Villarreal 2–1, with one match remaining. Also, the La Liga 2019-20 season title for Spanish football club Real Madrid is first in three years. Last time the team won the title in 2017. Under the leadership of the coach Zinedine Zidane, Real Madrid won all 10 games out 10 since the restart, and still a game remaining. Karim Benzema was the leading scorer for a 2-1 victory against Villarreal.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. NABARD Credit Support of Rs 1,607 Crore to Bengal in Coronavirus Crisis: National Bank of Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has provided credit support of Rs 1,607 crore to West Bengal during the COVID-19 pandemic so far. Besides the bank’s normal refinance schemes, this is a special liquidity support measure as the pandemic and the lockdown have severely affected the rural economy. The help was provided through state cooperative banks, regional rural banks and micro-finance institutions.

 

2. HSBC to set up IFSC Banking Unit at GIFT city in Gandhinagar: HSBC- the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited is to set up the IFSC Banking Unit at Gujarat International Finance Tec City, GIFT city in Gandhinagar Gujarat. The world’s largest financial services organization HSBC has got in-principle approval from the GIFT SEZ Authority to set up an IFSC Banking Unit -IBU at GIFT City, subject to other Regulatory approvals. This development marks a major milestone for HSBC in India, which has been present in the country for more than 160 years.

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. Shiv Nadar Retires, Daughter Roshni Nadar takes over as new Chairman of HCL Technologies: Roshni Nadar Malhotra has been appointed as the new Chairperson of the IT services company HCL Technologies, after her father Shiv Nadar, expressed his desire to step down from the position of the Chairman. Roshni Nadar took over the role of the Chairperson of the Board of Directors and the Company w.e.f. July 17, 2020. Before this, the 38-year-old Malhotra was the chief executive officer and non-executive director of the company. Shiv Nadar would continue as managing director and hold the designation of Chief Strategy Officer.

Note: HQs: Noida, Uttar Pradesh; HCL Tech CEO: C Vijayakumar

 

2. Snapdeal’s Kunal Bahl to lead CII’s e-commerce committee: Confederation of Indian Industry said Snapdeal’s Co-founder & CEO Kunal Bahl has taken over as the Chairman of its e-commerce committee for the year 2020-21. The upcoming e-commerce policy, the consumer protection rules and a consistent interpretation of the intermediary status of e-commerce platforms figure high on the immediate agenda of the committee. The committee will focus on resolving policy issues that will help accelerate the growth of exports through e-commerce platforms.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Four Journalists Honored with CPJ’s 2020 International Press Freedom Awards: Four Journalists have been named as the recipients of the 2020 International Press Freedom Awards by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), a New York-based non-profit organisation to promote press freedom and defend the rights of journalists. All these four journalists have faced arrests or criminal prosecution for their reporting. The 30th edition of the annual International Press Freedom Award will be presented to the winners on November 19, 2020. CPJ International Press Freedom Awards honor journalists or their publications around the world who show courage in defending press freedom despite facing attacks, threats, or imprisonment. 2020 International Press Freedom Awards Winners:

(1) Shahidul Alam from Bangladesh,

(2) Mohammad Mosaed from Iran,

(3) Dapo Olorunyomi from Nigeria

(4) Svetlana Prokopyeva from Russia.

Apart from this, Human rights lawyer Amal Clooney has been honoured with the Gwen Ifill Press Freedom Award. CPJ’s Gwen Ifill Press Freedom Award is presented annually to an individual who has shown extraordinary and sustained achievement in the cause of press freedom.

Note: CPJ Headquarters: New York, US; CPJ Executive Director: Joel Simon.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Para-badminton player Ramesh Tikaram passes away: Para-badminton player Ramesh Tikaram (51 years) passes away in Bangalore due to coronavirus. He was honoured with Arjuna Award in 2002. His journey in sport started in school. He switched to sport for the differently abled in 1988. He competed in athletics in the Barcelona Paralympics Games. He was part of the Indian powerlifting team for the World Cup in France in 1994. He won many medals in shotput and Javelin throw including an international meet in Nottingham in 1995. He was awarded the Arjuna Award for his excellence in para-athletics and badminton in 2002. He became the founder secretary of the Badminton Sports Association of India for the Challenged, now known as the Para-Badminton Association of India in 2000.

 

2. Purushottam Priyadasji Swamishree Maharaj passes away: Head Priest of Maninagar Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan, Purushottam Priyadasji Swamishree Maharaj (78 years) passes away in Ahmedabad due to Covid-19. He was the fifth spiritual leader in Supreme Lord Shree Swaminarayan’s divine lineage and was the successor of Gurudev Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa, and current Acharya of Shree Swaminarayan Gadi. He is succeeded by his spiritual successor Shree Jitendriyapriyadasji Swami.