15th & 16th July Most Important Current Affairs Quiz: Video Discussion
Important Days
World Youth Skills Day
The United Nations, at its General Assembly in November 2014, declared 15 July as World Youth Skills Day. World Skills is proud to be part of global recognition and promotion of skills. This year’s theme is Skills for a Resilient Youth in the Era of COVID-19 and Beyond.
National Headlines
Indian Railways targets to become ‘Green Railway’ by 2030
The Ministry of Railways is set a goal for converting Indian Railways into Green Railways by 2030. The Ministry of Railways has taken a various measures towards mitigation of global warming and combating climate change.
Useful Notes for all competitive exams:
- Union Minister of Railways: Piyush Goyal.
Iran drops India from Chabahar rail project
Iran has dropped India from Chabahar rail project which comprises rail line from Chabahar port to Zahedan, along the border with Afghanistan. The Iranian government cited delays from the Indian side in funding and starting the project, for its decision of dropping India from the project. Now, Iranian Railways will go ahead without India’s assistance and utilize around $400 million from the Iranian National Development Fund.
India hands over outdoor fitness equipment to Maldives
India has handed over outdoor fitness equipment for 61 islands across the Maldives under a cash grant of 8 million US dollars. The installation of equipment would involve the participation of all 61 island councils and further strengthen the idea of decentralization and a cherished ideal for President Ibrahim Solih’s government.
The project is expected to contribute to the Maldivian government’s ‘healthy lifestyles’ policy through easier access to fitness equipment.
Useful Notes for all competitive exams:
- President of the Maldives: Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
- Capital of Maldives: Male; Currency of the Maldives: Maldivian Rufiyaa.
Govt approves Rs 107 cr for fire-fighting facilities at Haldia Dock
The government has approved Rs 107 crore for modern fire-fighting facilities at Haldia Dock Complex of Kolkata Port to ensure safe cargo operations, especially petrochemical goods. Kolkata Port is one of the top 12 major ports in the country.
It was approved by Union Minister of State (I/C) for Shipping Shri Mansukh Mandaviya. The modern fire-fighting facility will enable the Haldia Dock Complex in the safe handling of the movement of petro-chemical products.
The existing fire-fighting facility does not support the handling the LPG and other petroleum products as per the guideline of Oil Industry Safety Directorate (OISD) of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
State News
Tamil Nadu launches television-based learning programme for 10th standard students
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswamy has launched a television-based learning programme for the Tenth standard students. The state-run Kalvi television channel will initially air two-and-a-half hours of teaching programmes for the students during the weekdays. The move is aimed at helping students to continue their studies through the alternative method until the schools reopen.
Madhya Pradesh tops in implementing PM Svanidhi scheme
Madhya Pradesh comes first among the other states in the implementation of PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi). The scheme is presently serving the beneficiaries of 378 urban bodies of the state.
Till now 8,70,330 street vendors have registered under the scheme, out of which 1,76,000 street vendors have been issued the identity cards and vending certificates. Apart from this, 15,500 cases have been approved in the state along with an interest-free loan of around 15 crores 50 lakh.
Useful Notes for all competitive exams:
- Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh: Shivraj Singh Chouhan; Governor: Anandiben Patel.
International Headlines
China launches “APSTAR-6D” telecommunication satellite
China has successfully launched “APSTAR-6D” telecommunication satellite via a Long March 3B carrier rocket from Xichang Satellite Launch Center.
The commercial satellite ‘APSTAR-6D’ has been developed by China Academy of Space Technology. The satellite aims to provide high-speed communications with a capacity of almost 50 gigabytes/sec. APSTAR-6D is a part of Chin’s First Global High-Throughput Broadband Satellite Communication System.
Useful Notes for all competitive exams:
- China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp Headquarters: Beijing, China.
- China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp President: Xu Qiang.
Andrzej Duda re-elected as Poland President
Andrzej Duda has been re-elected as the President of Poland. He won the presidential elections recently held in Poland after winning 51.21% of the votes, defeating the opposition candidate, liberal Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski who got 48.79% votes.
Useful Notes for all competitive exams:
- Capital of Poland: Warsaw; Currency: Polish złoty.
Awards & Rewards
Sachin Awasthi honoured with Global Humanitarian Award 2020
Sachin Awasthi has been acknowledged with the “Top Publicist” award in the Global Humanitarian Awards 2020, in London. Sachin Awasthi is a person who organised a 5-day long clean Ganga information journey which was begun from Haridwar to Varanasi, it’s also called as Vande Gange Swachhata Jan Jagran Yatra.
The Global Humanitarian Award intends to acknowledge the common men and women who are paying contributions to the betterment of society and the world.
Useful Notes for all competitive exams:
- World Humanitarian Drive (WHD) founder & chairman: Abdul Basit Syed.
- World Humanitarian Drive (WHD) Headquarters: London, United Kingdom.
Gurbux Singh, Palash Nandi to be honoured with Mohun Bagan Ratna
According to ATK-Mohun Bagan club, Hockey legend Gurbux Singh and former first-class cricketer Palash Nandi will receive this year’s Mohun Bagan Ratna.
The club has decided not to hold the customary ‘Mohun Bagan Day’ function on July 29 this year owing to the pandemic. July 29 was the date of Bagan’s IFA Shield triumph in 1911 when they defeated East Yorkshire Regiment 2-1.
Ashok Kumar, a member of India’s 1975 World Cup-winning hockey team, will be given the Lifetime Achievement Award along with Pranab Ganguly (football) and Monoranjan Porel (athletics). Joseba Beitia will get the best footballer (senior) prize. Sajal Bag (U-18) has been chosen as the best youth player.
ISRO Chief K Sivan named for Von Karman Award 2020
Indian Space Research Organisation(ISRO) Chief, Kailasavadivoo Sivan has named for Von Karman Award 2020 by the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA).
The Von Karman Award is known as the highest distinction of the IAA. Dr K. Sivan is going to receive an award in March 2021 at Paris France. The Von Karman award was established in 1982 and is the premier award of the Academy.
It is given annually to recognize outstanding lifetime achievements in any branch of science without limit of nationality or gender.
Useful Notes for all competitive exams:
- International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) Founder: Dr Theodore Von Karman.
- International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) Headquarters: Paris, France.
Chhattisgarh awarded “Elites Excellence Awards 2020”
Chief Minister Darpan website and mobile app prepared for monitoring Chhattisgarh Government’s ambitious Suraji Gaon Scheme and other flagship schemes, has been awarded “Elites Excellence Awards-2020” at the national level.
Chhattisgarh has been awarded this honour by the country’s prestigious IT institution Elites Technomedia, New Delhi under the ‘Digital India initiative’.
Useful Notes for all competitive exams:
- CM of Chhattisgarh: Bhupesh Baghel; Governor of Chhattisgarh: Anusuiya Uikey.
CM K Palaniswami honours with Paul Harris Fellow Recognition
Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister, Edappadi K Palaniswami has honoured with Paul Harris Fellow recognition by Rotary Foundation of Rotary International, Chicago.
The person recognised as the fellow will receive a certificate along with a lapel pin. They are also eligible to buy a Paul Harris Fellow medallion.
Useful Notes for all competitive exams:
- Governor of Tamil Nadu: Banwarilal Purohit.
- President of Rotary International: Holger Knaack.
Agreement & MoUs
UNICEF INDIA partners with FICCI for #Reimagine Campaign
UNICEF INDIA has tied-up with Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry’s (FICCI), Socio-Economic Development Foundation (SEDF) to jointly develop UNICEF’s #Reimagine Campaign.
The campaign intends to help the most helpless populations and children during the COVID-19 response and its after-math in India. The campaign will also assist in bypassing the potential long-term damage to business operations as well as employment pipeline.
Useful Notes for all competitive exams:
- President of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry: Sangita Reddy.
Business & Banking News
Qualcomm Ventures acquires 0.15% stake in Jio Platforms
Qualcomm Ventures has acquired 0.15% stakes in Jio Platforms. The Reliance Industries (RIL) announced the sale of 0.15% stake in Jio Platforms to Qualcomm Ventures. The transaction cost Rs 730 crores to the Qualcomm Ventures.
Jio Platforms Limited is a subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited and runs digital applications and holds controlling investments in technology-related units. It exists under the laws of the Republic of India and aims to provide high-quality and affordable digital services across India.
Qualcomm Ventures is a global fund of Qualcomm that invests in pioneering companies across the wireless ecosystem in various areas such as 5G, Artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of things (IoT), automotive, networking as well as enterprise.
Useful Notes for all competitive exams:
- Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Qualcomm: Steve Mollenkopf.
Visa partners Federal Bank to launch “Visa Secure”
Visa, a global leader in payments technology has tied-up with Federal Bank to launch “Visa Secure” to the bank’s cardholders. “Visa Secure” is a modernized technology that provides a quicker and frictionless checkout experience to the consumers.
Adoption of new improved technology will enable the bank to focus on customer-centric digital solutions that make online shopping experiences seamless. Visa Secure is a global authentication program which is built on EMVCo 3DS (3D Secure) 2.0 protocol.
Useful Notes for all competitive exams:
- MD & CEO of Federal Bank Ltd: Shyam Srinivasan.
Ranking
Mukesh Ambani’s $72 billion fortune makes him richer than Elon Musk and Google’s Larry Page and Sergey Brin
India’s richest man Mukesh Ambani surged past Silicon Valley tech titan Elon Musk as well as Alphabet Inc. co-founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page to become the world’s sixth-richest person.
The chairman of Reliance Industries Ltd., whose wealth surpassed Warren Buffett’s last week, is now worth $72.4 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
The sudden surge in Ambani’s wealth since April is because his three-year-old telecom arm Reliance Jio has raised more than $15.6 billion in the last four months from Facebook, Silver Lake, Vista Equity Partners, General Atlantic, KKR, Mubadala, Saudi PIF (Public Investment Fund) and more.
Top Jeff Bezos(US) with USD 184billion, 2. Bill Gates(US) with USD 115billion, 3. Bernard Arnault(France) USD 94.5billion.
Appointments
Hemang Amin appointed as interim CEO of BCCI
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has appointed Hemang Amin as its interim chief executive officer (CEO). He will replace Rahul Johri who recently resigned as the chief executive officer (CEO) of BCCI and his resignation was accepted by the BCCI office-bearers.
Vidhu Nair appointed as Ambassador of India to Turkmenistan
Government of India has appointed Dr. Vidhu P. Nair as the next Ambassador of India to Turkmenistan. Nair is presently serving as the Director in the Ministry of External Affairs. He is a Foreign Service Officer of 2002 batch.
Useful Notes for all competitive exams:
- Capital of Turkmenistan: Ashgabat; Currency: Turkmenistan Manat.
Rudrendra Tandon appointed India’s next Ambassador to Afghanistan
Indian Foreign Service officer, Rudrendra Tandon has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to Afghanistan. Tandon is presently serving as Indian envoy to ASEAN at Jakarta.
Useful Notes for all competitive exams:
- Afghan afghani is the currency of Afghanistan.
- Kabul is the capital of Afghanistan.
- President of Afghanistan: Ashraf Ghani.
Vikram Doraiswami appointed India’s next Ambassador to Bangladesh
Indian Foreign Service officer, Vikram Doraiswami has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to Bangladesh. Doraiswami is currently serving as additional secretary in-charge of international organisations and summits at the headquarters of the external affairs ministry in Delhi.
Science and Technology
IIT Kanpur develops UV sanitizing device ‘SHUDH’
IIT Kanpur has developed an Ultraviolet (UV) sanitizing device named Smartphone operated Handy Ultraviolet Disinfection Helper (SHUDH). This device has 6 UV lights of 15 Watts each that can be individually monitored from a distance. Initial testing has proved that the device at its full operation can disinfect a 10×10 squared feet room in about 15 minutes.
Useful Notes for all competitive exams:
- Prof. Abhay Karandikar is currently serving as the Director of IIT Kanpur.
Russian varsity claims successful trials of world’s first Covid-19 vaccine
A Russian Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University has claimed the clinical trials of the world’s first vaccine against the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) on volunteers have been completed successfully.
The vaccine was produced by Russia’s Gamaleya Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology. The trials in the first stage comprised 18 volunteers and the second one involved 20 people. All of them were kept in isolation in a hospital for 28 days.
Useful Notes for all competitive exams:
- President: Vladimir Putin
- Capital: Moscow
- Currency: Russian Ruble
- Prime minister: Mikhail Mishustin
Sports News
Former Socceroos captain Mile Jedinak retires from sport
Former Socceroos captain Mile Jedinak has announced his retirement from the sport. Socceroos is the official nickname of the Australia national soccer team that represents Australia in international men’s soccer.
Jedinak made his national team debut in 2008 and made 79 appearances for Australia. He also won the 2015 Asian Cup title for the team. He has appeared for his national side in three World Cups.
Obituary
Wim Suurbier, Dutch Football Legend, passes away
Netherlands and Ajax defender Wim Suurbier, a key member of the 1970s Dutch squad who played in two World Cup finals, passed away at the age of 75. With Ajax from 1964 to 1977, he won three European Cups and seven national titles.
Wim Suurbier was also part of the Dutch sides that lost in the 1974 and 1978 World Cup finals, to West Germany and Argentina. He ended his career with 60 caps.
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