Daily GK Updates - 17th Oct, 2020

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Cabinet approves Rs. 5718 crore World Bank-supported STARS project: Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has approved the implementation of the Strengthening Teaching-Learning and Results for States (STARS) project. ‘STARS’ is a new Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education for improving the quality of education, in the Indian School Education System. The total project cost is Rs 5718 crore with the financial support of World Bank amounting to the USD 500 million (approximately Rs. 3700 crores). The project will cover 6 states namely Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala and Odisha.

Under the STARS Project: The project envisages improving the overall monitoring and measurement activities in the Indian School Education System by supporting the selected states in developing, implementing, evaluating and improving interventions with direct linkages to improved education outcomes and school to work transition strategies for improved labour market outcomes. The overall focus and components of the STARS project are aligned with the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 of Quality-Based Learning Outcomes.

 

2. DG of Shipping notified as National Authority for Ships Recycling: The Central government has notified the Directorate General of Shipping as the National Authority for Recycling of Ships. The DG Shipping has been designated as the apex authority for the ship recycling industry of India under Section 3 of the Recycling of Ships Act, 2019. The office of the National Authority of Ship Recycling will be set up in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

About National Authority for Recycling of Ship: National Authority for Recycling of Ships will administer, supervise and monitor all activities relating to ship recycling. It would be the final authority for the various approvals required by the ship-recycling yard owners and the State governments.

Note: Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Shipping: Mansukh L. Mandaviya.

 

3. Union Cabinet approves Rs 520 crore package under NRLM for J&K and Ladakh: The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved a special package of Rs 520 crore for the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh under the National Rural Livelihood Mission. This special package has been approved for a period of five years till the financial year 2023-24. The Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM) will ensure sufficient funds to both the Union Territories with the aim to eliminate rural poverty and improved access to financial services. The decision is in line with Centre’s aim to universalise all centrally sponsored beneficiary-oriented schemes in J&K and Ladakh in a time-bound manner.

 

4. Rajnath Singh lays foundation stone for Nechiphu tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh: Amid face-off between the Indian and Chinese troops along the Line of Actual Control, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh laid the foundation stone for the strategically important Nechiphu tunnel at West Siang district in Arunachal Pradesh via video conferencing. The 450m-long tunnel, which will bypass the existing road, will be D-shaped and comprise two lanes of 3.5m width each. Another 1.8 km-long tunnel is also being constructed on the BCT road and both will reduce the distance to the area bordering China by 10km. Besides this, the Defence Minister also inaugurated 43 BRO-made bridges across 7 Border States of the country, including 7 in Arunachal and 4 in Sikkim.

 

5. Akbar Ebrahim Gets A Second Term As FMSCI President: Former racer Akbar Ebrahim was unanimously elected for a second term as the president of India’s motorsports governing body, FMSCI. Farooq Ahmed was unanimously elected as the vice-president. Ebrahim had his first stint as FMSCI chief from 2016-2018 following which he was replaced by J Prithviraj.

 

6. IIT Delhi-incubated Startup Launches Antimicrobial Water Storage Containers ‘AqCure’: IIT Delhi-incubated startup Nanosafe Solutions has developed a range of antimicrobial mixing traditional science with nanotechnology i.e. antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal water storage containers and launched it as “AqCure”, which is based on the inherent antimicrobial properties of copper. AqCure water containers have >99.99% antibacterial, >99.99% antifungal, and >99% antiviral activity tested as per ISO and ASTM standards. These containers are made from BPA/BPS-free high quality food grade polymers and is ideal for home and office use.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Kyrgyzstan President Sooronbai Jeenbekov resigns: Kyrgyzstan President, Sooronbai Jeenbekov has resigned from his post, following 10 days of unrest caused by protesters who have demanded his removal from office. On 4th October 2020, he was re-elected as the President in Parliamentary election, causing political turmoil throughout the country. The 61-year-old has served as the President of Kyrgyzstan from 2017 to 2020. He was also the Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan from April 2016 to August 2017.

Note: Kyrgyzstan Capital: Bishkek; Kyrgyzstan Currency: Kyrgyzstani som

 

2. Russia approves 2nd coronavirus vaccine “EpiVacCorona”: Russia has given regulatory approval to a second Covid-19 vaccine, named ‘EpiVacCorona’, after early-stage studies. The new coronavirus vaccine comes two months after a similar move for Russia’s first vaccine Sputnik V prompted widespread criticism from scientists both at home and abroad. Russia became the first country to give regulatory approval to a Covid-19 vaccine in August when Sputnik V was officially registered ahead of the large-scale clinical trial. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that the country has registered the second Covid-19 vaccine.

About EpiVacCorona: The second Russian vaccine to receive regulatory approval was developed by the Vector State Research Centre of Virology and Biotechnology. The two-shot vaccine, ‘EpiVacCorona’, was tested among 100 volunteers in early-stage, placebo-controlled human trials, which lasted more than two months and were completed two weeks ago. The volunteers were between 18 and 60 years old. Vector’s vaccine EpiVacCorona relies on chemically synthesized peptide antigens of SARS-CoV-2 proteins, conjugated to a carrier protein and adsorbed on an aluminium-containing adjuvant, according to details posted at ClinicalTrials.gov, a database of privately and publicly funded clinical studies conducted around the world.

Note: Russia President: Vladimir Putin; Russia Capital: Moscow; Russia Currency: Russian Ruble.

 

3. India contributes 1 million dollars to UNRWA for Palestine Refugees: India has contributed one million dollars to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestine Refugees in Near East. This aid will support the Agency’s programmes and services, including education, health care, relief and social services. The Representative Office of India in Ramallah stated, India’s support for the Palestinian cause is an integral part of the nation’s foreign policy. It shall continue supporting the UNRWA’s activities in providing vital services and necessary humanitarian aid to Palestinian refugees.

Note: UNRWA is a United Nations (UN) agency which was established by the UN General Assembly in 1949. The agency is mandated to provide protection and assistance to some 5.6 million Palestine refugees who are registered with UNRWA across its 5 fields of operation. TThe mission of UNRWA is to help the Palestinian Refugees in Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, West Bank, including Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem.

UNRWA Headquarters: Amman, Jordan; UNRWA Commissioner-General: Philippe Lazzarini.

 

4. International Day for the Eradication of Poverty: 17th October: International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is observed globally on 17 October every year. The day aims to raise awareness of the need to eradicate poverty and destitution around the world, particularly in developing countries. 2020 Theme: “Acting together to achieve social and environmental justice for all”. The theme for the Day this year addresses the challenge of achieving social and environmental justice for all. This year marks the 27th anniversary of the declaration by the General Assembly, in its resolution 47/196 of 22 December 1992, of 17 October as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. This year also marks the 32nd anniversary of the Call to Action by Father Joseph Wresinski — which inspired the observance of October 17 as the World Day for Overcoming Extreme Poverty — and the recognition by the United Nations of the day as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. AIFF announces ‘Indian Football – Forward Together’ as its new motto: All India Football Federation, the apex body for the sport of football in the country, announced the launch of their new motto “Indian Football. Forward Together”, defining the new brand direction. The motto is based on the core belief of the Federation to promote, grow and develop the game of football throughout India with the support of the football community, and creates synergy with the core values of the organization – passion, respect, leadership, teamwork, integrity, professionalism and inclusivity.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. IKEA partners Mastercard, Citi to launch Family Credit Card: Citibank India (Citi) and Mastercard jointly announced the launch of “IKEA Family Credit Card by Citi” to make shopping at the Swedish furnishing company more affordable, convenient and rewarding. The card provides instant in-store card bookings, direct payments via Bharat QR, accelerated reward points and attractive EMIs and would also offer reward points on all purchases with instant reward redemption at IKEA. The card is available to IKEA family members at ”zero joining fee and zero annual fee’‘ and can be used for purchases made on IKEAs online and offline stores, or anywhere in the world that accepts credit cards.

 

2. EarlySalary launches ”Salary Card” powered by RuPay to meet the Rising Demand for Digital Credit: EarlySalary, India’s largest consumer lending platform, announced the launch of ‘Salary Card’ a zero-touch digital card that provides instant access for salaried professionals, enabling them to make instant purchases across thousands of merchants across India. Powered by RuPay, the Salary Card comes with a unique feature that allows consumers the flexibility of setting up a dynamic credit limit to suit that shopping, medical, travel, entertainment and other needs. The ‘Salary Card’ backed by advanced Machine Learning (ML) technologies and risk-oriented decision making mechanisms, is designed to serve as a secure payment mode to help consumers spend responsibly.

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. BharatPe elevates Dhruv Dhanraj Bahl to chief operating officer: Merchant payment network BharatPe has elevated Dhruv Bahl as its chief operating officer (COO) with immediate effect.  In his new role, Bahl will be leading operations across customer support, deployments – QR, Swipe & Cards, KYC, loan disbursals and lead generation.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Former New Zealand all-rounder John R Reid passes away: New Zealand’s oldest surviving Test cricketer and former captain John Reid has died at the age of 92. Reid, regarded as one of the world’s best all-rounders during his heyday in the fifties and early sixties, captained New Zealand in 34 Tests including, most notably, the country’s first three victories. Reid played 246 first-class games and scored 16128 runs at 41.35, including 39 centuries, while taking 466 wickets at 22.60. He retired in 1965 and later became a New Zealand selector, manager, and an ICC match referee.

 

2. India’s first Oscar winner Bhanu Athaiya passes away: India's first Oscar winner Costume designer Bhanu Athaiya (91 years) passed away in Mumbai. She won Oscar for her work in epic film Richard Attenborough's Gandhi in 1983 jointly with John Mollo. She began her career as a costume designer in movie 'C.I.D.'.  She is known for Bollywood's looks, including Vyjayantihmala in Aamrapaali, Waheeda Rehman in Guide and Zeenat Aman in Satyam Shivam Sundaram. She also won 2 national awards for Lekin (1990) and Lagaan (2001). In 2012, Athaiya returned her Oscar to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for safekeeping.

 

3. Cricket journalist and commentator Kishore Bhimani passes away: Veteran sports journalist and Cricket commentator, Kishore Bhimani passed away. He was a leading cricket commentator in the Eighties and Nineties and is best remembered for being on the air during the tied Test of 1986 between India and Australia in Chepauk, Chennai. He had received a lifetime achievement award for his decades-long contribution in the fields of media and commentary in 2013.