19th July Most Important Current Affairs Quiz – Video Discussion
Important Days
International Nelson Mandela Day
Nelson Mandela International Day is an annual international day in honour of Nelson Mandela, celebrated each year on 18 July, Mandela’s birthday. The day was officially declared by the United Nations in November 2009, with the first UN Mandela Day held on 18 July 2010.
State News Headlines
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.
Useful Notes for all competitive exams:
- Chief Minister of Uttarakhand: Trivendra Singh Rawat; Governor: Baby Rani Maurya.
International News
Ossouka Raponda appointed as 1st woman PM of Gabon
Rose Christiane Ossouka Raponda has been appointed as the first woman prime minister of Gabon. She 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.
Useful Notes for all competitive exams:
- Gabon Capital: Libreville; Currency of Gabon: Central African CFA franc.
Agreement & MoUs
CBSE ties up with IBM to integrate AI curriculum
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.
Useful Notes for all competitive exams:
- 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.
Banking & Finance
Bank of Maharashtra launches OD facility against fixed deposits
Bank of Maharashtra (BoM) has launched an overdraft facility (OD) against fixed deposits (FDs) for its individual customers holding a savings bank account. Under this facility, up to 90 per cent of the FD value can be availed as OD. The interest rate on this facility will be 2 percentage points over and above the FD rate.
The bank has also decided not to charge any processing fee. Additional documentation is not required to avail of this facility. The OD facility can be availed from the comfort of home in three simple steps using the Bank of Maharashtra’s Mahamobile App.
Useful Notes for all competitive exams:
- Headquarters: Pune
- CEO: A. S. Rajeev
- Tagline: One Family One Bank
NABARD sanctions ₹795 cr to re-construct infra damaged by cyclone in Bengal
National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has sanctioned ₹795 crores for reconstructing infrastructure damaged by cyclone Amphan that ripped through West Bengal in May.
The state government had sought ₹1,028 crore from NABARD for repairing impaired embankments under Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF).
The amount of ₹795 crores was sanctioned following the appeal of the government. NABARD has already provided ₹145 crores under RIDF to the state as special liquidity support for boosting rural infrastructure in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Useful Notes for all competitive exams:
- Founded: 12 July 1982
- Headquarters: Mumbai
- Chairman: Govinda Rajulu Chintala
Appointments News
Roshni Nadar Malhotra becomes new chairman of HCL Tech
India’s wealthiest woman, Roshni Nadar Malhotra becomes the new chairman of Noida-based IT company, HCL Technologies. The appointment of non-executive director Roshni Nadar Malhotra to the new role takes effect immediately. She will replace her father, Shiv Nadar. Shiv Nadar will continue to be HCL Tech’s managing director, with the designation as the chief strategy officer.
SAP appoints Kulmeet Bawa as new India MD
SAP SE announced the appointment of Kulmeet Bawa as President and Managing Director for SAP Indian Subcontinent, effective July 20, 2020.
Kulmeet will be responsible for driving and delivering an exceptional SAP experience for employees and customers across our ecosystem, as well as guide businesses in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka to adopt a digital-first mindset. Kulmeet will report directly to Scott Russell, President of SAP Asia Pacific Japan (APJ).
RBI approves reappointment of Shyam Srinivasan as Federal Bank MD & CEO
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved the reappointment of Shyam Srinivasan as the MD & CEO of the Federal Bank, w.e.f. September 23, 2020 (the completion of the present term of office) till September 22, 2021.
Useful Notes for all competitive exams:
- Managing Director & CEO– Shyam Srinivasan
- Headquarters– Aluva, Kerala
- Tag line- Your Perfect Banking Partner
Awards & Rewards
CPJ International Press Freedom Award 2020 announced
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has announced the recipients of the International Press Freedom Awards 2020 include Shahidul Alam from Bangladesh, Mohammad Mosaed from Iran, Dapo Olorunyomi from Nigeria and Svetlana Prokopyeva from Russia.
All four journalists have faced arrests or criminal prosecution in reprisal for their reporting. In addition to them, lawyer Amal Clooney will be honoured with the Gwen Ifill Press Freedom Award 2020.
Useful Notes for all competitive exams:
- CPJ Headquarters: New York, US.
- CPJ Executive Director: Joel Simon.
Ranks and Reports
India ranks 3rd in Global Manufacturing Risk Index 2020
India is the third top-most country in the Global Manufacturing Risk Index 2020. The annual Global Manufacturing Risk Index (MRI) report was released by the US-based property consultant Cushman & Wakefield, to rank the most suitable locations for global manufacturing among 48 countries in Europe, Americas, and the Asia-Pacific.
Sports News
Real Madrid clinch record 34th La Liga title
Spanish professional football club, Real Madrid has been crowned La Liga Champions for the 34th time after defeating Villarreal 2–1 at Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano in Madrid, with one match remaining. Karim Benzema was the leading scorer for a 2-1 victory against Villarreal.
Obituaries
Arjuna awardee para-athlete Ramesh Tikaram passes away
Arjuna awardee, para-athlete and para-badminton player, Ramesh Tikaram passed away due to COVID-19. 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.
19th July Most Important Current Affairs Quiz – Video Discussion
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