Top 25 Current Affairs of 28 July 2020

NATIONAL AFFAIRS

India-European Union Agreement on Scientific and Technological Cooperation

renewed for next five years (2020-2025)

On July 25, 2020, and European Union (EU) exchanged Note Verbale to renew its Agreement on Scientific and Technological Cooperation for the next five years (2020-2025) which expired on May 17, 2020. It was initially inked on 23 November 2001 and renewed two times in past in 2007 and 2015. This renewal is on the lines of the decision taken by both nations during the virtual 15th India-EU Summit which was led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from India’s side. This extension of agreement will further collaborate in research and innovations based on the principles of mutual benefit and reciprocity and also acknowledge 20 years of cooperation.

TRIFED Signed Tripartite MoU with IIT Delhi and Vijnana Bharati Under Unnat Bharat Abhiyan of MHRD

On 24th July 2020, The Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs(MoTA) signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) with Indian Institute of Technology(IIT) – Delhi and Vijnana Bharati (VIBHA), a Swadeshi Science Movement under the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan(UBA), a flagship programme under the Ministry of Human Resource Development(MHRD). The partnership aims to increase the opportunities for better livelihood and income generation for the tribal communities.

INDIA-UK’s 14th Joint Economic and Trade Committee meeting 2020 held virtually

On July 24, 2020, the 14th Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) 2020 was held virtually for the first time amid COVID-19 between India and United Kingdom (UK), which was co-chaired by Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Vedprakash Goyal and UK Secretary of State for International Trade, Elizabeth Mary Truss. Both nations have affirmed their shared commitment towards Free Trade Agreement (FTA). In this regard, the two sides will engage in early harvest schemes or limited trade agreements in a staged manner as steps towards FTA. It should be noted that the Early Harvest Programme basically consists of those projects which are to be implemented within a short timeline.

Indian Air Force Commanders Conference: 22nd – 24th July 2020

On 22nd July 2020, , Union Minister of Defence inaugurated the Air Force Commanders Conference (AFCC) at the Air Headquarters (Vayu Bhawan), New Delhi. The conference chaired by Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria was conducted from 22nd July 2020 to 24th July 2020. The theme of the conference was “IAF in the Next Decade”.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

Harsh Vardhan Participated Virtually in the SCO Health Minister’s Digital Meet chaired by Mikhail Murashko

On July 24, 2020 Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Harsh Vardhan participated digitally in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Health Minister’s Digital Meet at Nirman Bhawan, Delhi. The meeting was chaired by Mikhail Murashko, Minister of Health of the Russian Federation.

 The key topic discussed in the meet was about the ongoing COVID crisis.

22 million children from South Asia missed out on early childhood education due to COVID-19: UNICEF

In accordance with the new research titled “Childcare in a global crisis: The impact of COVID-19 on work and family life” by the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), 22 million children from South Asian countries, including India, have missed out on early childhood education in their pre-school year due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic closure. This report was produced by UNICEF’s Office of Research – Innocenti.

 In the South Asia region, UNICEF covered Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka for the research.

 At least 40 million children worldwide, of which nearly 22 million are from South Asia, have missed out on early childhood education in their critical pre-school year

 Prolonged school closure and limited access to distant learning have deprived children of their universal right to education.

BANKING & FINANCE

Bank of Maharashtra joined hands with Uniken for Omni-channel security

The state-owned Bank of Maharashtra has joined hands with Uniken, a pioneer in the field of digital security in India to secure its Internet banking channels on mobile, card, call centres and ATMs, among others, against cyber fraud. In this regard, the bank will use Uniken’s REL-ID technology for Omni-channel security for its online banking app MahaSecure .

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Somalia’s Deputy Prime Minister Mahdi Mohammed Gulaid appointed as Interim Prime Minister

On 25th July 2020, President of Somalia, Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed appointed Deputy Prime Minister Mahdi Mohammed Gulaid as the interim Prime Minister of Somalia following the impeachment of Hassan Ali Khaire, the previous Prime Minister of Somalia.

Tunisia’s Interior Minister Hichem Mechichi appointed as new PM; to form govt in 1 month

Tunisian President Kais Saied appointed Hichem Mechichi(46-year-old), Interior Minister as it’s new Prime minister. He has a month to form a government i.e., should be capable of winning a confidence vote in parliament by a simple majority. He succeeded Elyes Fakhfakh, who resigned over allegations of a conflict of interest.

Croatian Parliament Approved New government Led by Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic after Election

On July 23, 2020 The Croatian parliament approved the new government led by Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic whose Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) party won the most parliamentary seats in the general election held on July 5, 2020.  Andrej Plenkovic was the prime minister of the previous government that was also led by his HDZ .

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Union Minister of Earth Sciences, Harsh Vardhan launched “Mausam” App for Weather Forecasts

On 27th July 2020, in the event of celebration of 14th Foundation day of the Ministry of Earth Sciences(MoES), Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Earth Sciences launched the mobile app “Mausam” designed and developed by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune and the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

China launched new high-resolution mapping satellite Ziyuan-III 03 from Shanxi

On July 25, 2020, China sent a new high-resolution mapping satellite namely “Ziyuan III 03”, developed by the China Academy of Space Technology, into space through Long March-4B carrier rocket from Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in the Northern Province of Shanxi, China. It was the 341st flight mission by the Long March rocket series. Along with high-resolution mapping satellite, there were two small satellites used for dark matter detection and commercial data acquisition were also sent which were developed by the Shanghai ASES Spaceflight Technology Co. Ltd.

SPORTS

Haryana to host the 4th edition of Khelo India Youth Games 2021

The Minister of State of Youth Affairs and Sports, Kiren Rijiju and Haryana Chief Minister, Manohar Lal Khattar announced that Haryana will host the 4th edition of Khelo India Youth Games(KIYG) in 2021 through video conference. The Games will be held in Panchkula in Haryana. Star Sports will be the Official Broadcast Partner like the previous year. The games will take place after the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.

OBITUARY

Two time Oscar winner and actress, Olivia de Havilland passed away at the age of 104 in Paris, France

On July 24, 2020 Olivia de Havilland, two time Oscar Winner died at the age of 104 in Paris, France. She was known as a doe-eyed actress. She was born on 1st July 1916, in Tokyo, Japan. She served as the last surviving lead of the movie ‘Gone with the Wind’.

American Actor John Saxon passed away at 83

On 25th July 2020, the American actor, John Saxon passed away at the age of 83 at his residence in Murfreesboro, Tennessee due to pneumonia. He was born on 5th August 1936 as Carmine Orrico in Brooklyn, New York, United States of America.

Popular Jazz Singer and actor Annie Ross passed away at the age 89 in New York

On July 21, 2020, Annabella Allan Short popularly known as ‘Annie Ross,’ a British- American jazz vocalist, and actress of the 1950s, passed away at the age 89 in New York. She suffered from emphysema and heart disease. She was born on 25 July 1930, in London, England.

BOOKS & AUTHORS

A new book “The India Way: Strategies for an Uncertain World” authored by External Affairs Minister Dr.S Jaishankar was published by HarperCollins, India

The India Way: Strategies for an Uncertain World, a book authored by External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar, argues about the standards of India in the global order. The book was published under the HarperCollins India publications. The book centers about the three burdens that India’s foreign policy carries.He insisted that India should not only visualise its interest but also try to communicate effectively. The e-version of the book is available on Amazon.

A new book titled “Quest for Restoring Financial Stability in India”authored by former RBI deputy Viral V.Acharya

The book titled “Quest for Restoring Financial Stability in India”authored by former Reserve Bank of India(RBI) deputy governor Viral V.Acharya. The book portrays his quest to restore financial stability in India and offers a concrete plan for sustained improvement. The book is published by SAGE Publications India Pvt Ltd.

IMPORTANT DAYS

82nd CRPF Raising Day: July 27

The Central Reserve Police Forces(CRPF)’s raising day is observed annually on July 27. This year marks the 82nd year of its existence. The CRPF came into existence as Crown Representative’s Police on 27th July 1939. It was renamed as CRPF on the enactment of the CRPF Act on 28th December 1949 by the country’s 1st home minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

21st Kargil Vijay Diwas 2020 – July 26

26th July 2020 is celebrated as the 21st Kargil Vijay Diwas which marks the 21st anniversary of India’s victory against Pakistan under Operation Vijay, launched to recapture the Indian Territories captured by the Intruders of Pakistani army in the Kargil Drass sector in 1999.

Income Tax Day 2020 – July 24

24th July 2020 is marked as the 160th Income Tax day or Aaykar Diwas by the Income Tax Department. The Income Tax Day has been celebrated in India on 24th July since 2010. In 2010, The Income Tax Department declared July 24th as the annual Income Tax Day to mark the 150th year of this levy, the income tax was first imposed as a duty and came into force on 24th July 1860. STATE NEWS

Karnataka Cabinet Approved the New Industrial Policy for 2020-2025

Karnataka Cabinet approved the new Industrial Policy for 2020-2025 that aims to attract Rs 5 lakh crore investment and create about 20 lakh employment over the next 5 years to help mitigate the economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis. Other Key Cabinet approval

 “The Industrial Disputes and Certain Other Laws (Karnataka Amendment) Ordinance”2020

 To set up the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission under section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013 to promote 7,000 start-ups, e-commerce and other gig economy companies.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, launched a free website portal named ‘Rozgaar Bazaar’ for job seekers, employers

On July 27, 2020 the Delhi chief minister, Arvind Kejriwal launched a free website http://jobs.delhi.gov.in named ‘Rozgaar Bazaar 2020’ via video conference. The portal connects the job seekers and the recruiters on one platform. The objective of the portal is to boost the economy and employment in Delhi. These measures are finalized by a 12-member committee headed by the vice chairman of Dialogue and Development Commission of Delhi (DDC), Jasmine Shah.

AC GAZE

Road in named after former MP Governor Lalji Tandon: UP

The Lucknow Municipal Corporation,(UP), has named a road Lucknow- Hardoi as Tandon Marg and a crossing Chauk Chauraha as Lalji Tandon Chauraha after former (MP) Governor Lalji Tandon.

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