Top GKToday’s News Headlines-31 July 2020

Here are Top GKToday’s News Headlines for July 31, 2020

India

Mauritius: Supreme Court Building built with Indian aid inaugurated in Port Louis

PM Modi and Prime Minister of Mauritius Pravind Jugnauth jointly inaugurated the new Supreme Court Building in Port Louis through video conferencing on July 30, 2020. The project was completed with grant assistance of USD 28.12 million from the Government of India.

Folk musician Sonam Tshering Lepcha dies at 92

Sonam Tshering Lepcha, folk musician, composer and lyricist, died on July 30, 2020 at the age of 92. He was awarded Padma Shri in 2007 and Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1995.

West Bengal: Former Lok Sabha MP Somendranath Mitra dies in Kolkata at 78

West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee president Somendranath Mitra passed away in Kolkata at the age of 78 on July 30, 2020. Mitra was Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP from Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha seat in 2009-2014.  He left TMC and returned to Congress in 2014.

Economy

Govt. imposes safeguard duty on solar cells for one more year till July 2021

The government has imposed safeguard duty on solar cells for one more year till July 2021 to protect domestic manufacturers and discourage cheap imports from countries like China. The move followed recommendation by the Commerce Ministry’s investigation arm Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR).

SIDBI, TransUnion CIBIL launch ‘MSMESaksham’ financial education platform

The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) in association with TransUnion CIBIL has launched ‘MSMESaksham’ – a comprehensive financial education and knowledge platform for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The portal will enable timely and affordable financial support to MSMEs, SIDBI’s CMD Mohammad Mustafa said.

CII National Digital conference on Ease of Doing Business for Atmanirbhar Bharat

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on July 30, 2020 inaugurating CII National Digital conference on Ease of Doing Business for Atmanirbhar Bharat. Goyal emphasized that a single window system for industrial approvals will soon be in place.

ISRO’s IN-SPACe to be set up as single-window nodal agency for pvt sector

The proposed IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre) will be a single-window nodal agency for enabling and regulating space activities and the use of ISRO facilities by the private sector, ISRO has said. IN-SPACe responsibilities include space activities such as building of launch vehicles and satellites, sharing of space infrastructure and premises under ISRO’s control.

ICRA Ratings appoints N. Sivaraman as MD & Group CEO

The board of ICRA Ratings on July 28, 2020 announced the appointment of N. Sivaraman, formerly with L&T Finance Holdings & IL&FS, as its MD & Group CEO. He will replace Naresh Takkar, former MD & Group CEO, whose service was terminated in August 2019 following unearthing of the IL&FS scam wherein the role of some rating agencies, including that of ICRA, came under questioning.

Senco Gold CMD Shaankar Sen passes away in Kolkata at 63

Shaankar Sen (63), CMD of Senco Gold Ltd. that runs Senco Gold and Diamonds chain of jewellery stores, passed away in Kolkata on July 28, 2020. A known face in the industry, he was also the vice-chairman of the All India Gem and Jewellery Domestic Council (GJC).

High prices of pulses may affect nutrition security: Tata-Cornell study

Food habits during COVID-19 may have shifted from diverse and nutritive diets to staple foods such as wheat and rice as the prices of vegetables, pulses and eggs rose sharply after the lockdown while those of cereals remained relatively stable, said a study conducted by the Tata-Cornell Institute for Agriculture and Nutrition in New York.

World

NASA launches Mars Perseverance Rover from Cape Canaveral, Florida

NASA launched its Mars Perseverance Rover on Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida on July 30, 2020. It is expected to land on Mars in February 2010 and its mission objective is to seek signs of ancient life and collect rock and soil samples for a possible return to Earth.

World Day against Trafficking in Persons observed on July 30

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) observed the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons on July 30, 2020. This year the focus is on the first responders to human trafficking. These are the people identifying, supporting, counselling and seeking justice for victims of trafficking.

International Day of Friendship celebrated on July 30

The UN celebrated International Day of Friendship on July 30, 2020. The day was proclaimed in 2011 by the UN General Assembly with the idea that friendship between peoples, countries, cultures and individuals can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities.

China’s Jin Liqun re-elected President of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank

China’s Jin Liqun was re-elected President of Beijing-headquartered AIIB (Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank) for a second five-year term on July 29, 2020. India is the second-largest shareholder (with 7.62% voting shares) after China (26.06%) in AIIB that was founded in 2016. India has received $4.35 billion in loans from AIIB – the highest of any country.

China halts Hong Kong’s extradition treaties with Canada, Australia and U.K

China announced the suspension on July 28, 2020 of Hong Kong’s extradition treaties with Canada, Australia and Britain in a tit-for-tat move following similar decisions by those countries. Western countries have alleged an erosion of the civil liberties and human rights the city has enjoyed since its handover from Britain in 1997.

Turkey approves new social media law that will allow authorities to remove content

Turkey adopted a new social media law on July 29, 2020 that will require foreign social media sites to appoint a local representative to address authorities’ concerns. The law would allow Turkish authorities to remove content from platforms.

Month: Current Affairs - July, 2020