Current Affairs - June 12, 2020 Current Affairs

A team of Scientists from the Observatoie de Paris, PSL (Paris Sciences et Lettres) University in France, have witnessed a birth of a new planet for the first time in human history by using photographs of the SPHERE (Spectro-Polarimetric High-contrast Exoplanet Research) instrument on the Very Large Telescope of the European Southern Observatory in Chile. From the pictures, astronomers have discovered the first direct evidence of a new planet born around a distant star called 'AB Aurigae', about 520 light years from Earth in the constellation Auriga or the Charioteer.

Tata Consultancy Services iON, unit of TCS, partnered with the National Skill Development Corporation to provide its training partners access to the TCS iON Digital Glass Room, a web-based digital education platform so as to enable online vocational skills training for millions of students across the country.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport(CAS), informed that Former European high jump champion(2010) Alexander Shustov(35-year-old) of Russia banned for 4 years for the use or attempted use of a banned substance or method(doping) & did not provide any further details.

Researchers at the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology have developed a new low-cost and low-tech required test for the COVID-19 testing. This test is known as Reverse Transcription nested PCR (RT-nPCR) test.

Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT-BHU) have developed an anti-microbial five-layered face mask. The face mask was aimed to address a few issues to combat novel coronavirus.

POS (Point of Sale ) solution provider in India, ePaisa entered into a partnership with First Alliance Bank Ltd in Zambia, Africa, to provide mobile point of sale solution to small and medium enterprises and other businesses. ePaisa will be the solution provider for First Alliance Bank(FAB), which will further provide it to businesses across Zambia.For ePaisa this partnership becomes first global expansion.

The Gargo International, the delhi based lubricant company under the RG group appoints Sonu Sood as the brand ambassador in January 2020 & praised him now for his support works for the migrants and went live with their TVC starring Sonu Sood.

Large areas of forest land are being diverted to other projects throughout India by the Government. A total 11,467.83 hectares (114.68 square kilometre) forest lands were diverted in 22 states between January 1 and November 6, 2019 . According to the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate change annual report 2019-20 the diversion was for 932 non-forestry projects under the Forest (Conservation )Act (FCA), 1980.

Asian Development Bank, a regional development bank has constituted a 8-member high-level panel of leading experts in economics, finance, and health, moderated by ADB Vice-President Ahmed M. Saeed, to help ministers, central bank governors, and other senior officials identify solutions for Southeast Asian economies to tap into to quickly recover after the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Bharti Airtel's wholly-owned subsidiary, Bharti International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.,(BISPL) directly and through its affiliate entities, has acquired an additional 6.3% stake in Robi Axiata Limited, Bangladesh from Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation Docomo Inc and its group entities for an undisclosed sum.

The Department of School Education and Literacy under Ministry of Human Resource Development has collaborated with Fit India(flagship programme of sports ministry) under the "Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat" initiative to produce a series of special films to promote 10 indigenous sports of India. To create awareness about indigenous games & the culture and heritage of their respective states. 10 indigenous sports covered in the series are Kho-kho, Gatka, Kalaripayttu(very old sports), Mallakhamb, Thang-Ta, Sqay, Kabaddi, Roll Ball, Tug of War and Shooting Ball.

The Department of Agriculture Cooperation & Farmers' Welfare (DAC&FW) has allocated Rs. 4000 cr to the state governments for the year 2020-21 for implementing Per Drop More Crop component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY- PDMC). For further allotment of funds, State Governments have identified the beneficiaries to be covered under the programme.

A new study stated that Saturn's largest moon Titan is now expanding from Saturn at a rate 100 times faster than scientists had previously predicted. This speed of drifting is about 4 inches every year.

In order to eliminate the use of physical card or touch an ATM PIN pad, amid the spread of coronavirus from contaminated surfaces, Empays Payment Systems has joined hands with Mastercard to launch "Cardless ATM powered by Mastercard" in India based on the standards of EMV (Europay, Mastercard, and Visa). With this, India will be the first country outside the United States (US) where this product will be launched. This cardless ATM (automated teller machine) will enable the users to withdraw their money just by scanning a code on the mobile phone, using their banking app.

The President of Republic of Burundi, Pierre Nkurunziza passed away at the age of 55 due to cardiac arrest at the hospital in Karuzi, eastern Burundi. On 9th June 2020, The Government of Burundi entered the seven day of mourning. He was born on 18th December 1964 in Ngozi Province.

As per the report of Deep Knowledge Group's safest country in the world from covid- 19, India ranked 56th position in a list of 200 countries, while Switzerland has been found to be the safest place on earth from the ongoing covid-19 pandemic followed by Germany and Israel. While South Sudan was ranked at 200th position.

The Defence Institute of Advanced Technology, Pune has developed a nano-technology based disinfectant spray to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. The formulation has been named Ananya.

In a big boost to the "Skill India" initiative of the Government of India , National Fertilizers Limited (NFL),a Central Public Sector Enterprise works under the Ambit of Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, has signed an Memorandum of Understanding with Industrial Training Institutes (ITI) Nangal, Punjab to train youths in 12 trades under Dual System of Training Scheme. With the signing of this MoU with ITI, NFL becomes first CPSE to take this initiative in the state of Punjab.

MHA reconstituted a new committee for the welfare of the freedom fighters with the chairman G Kishan Reddy and 9 other "eminent freedom fighters" from across the country. Along with Reddy, former Congress MLA from Gujarat Dinakar Bhai Desai, who took part in 1942 Quit India Movement is one among the 9 member panel.

In order to protect cows and prevent their slaughter, the Uttar Pradesh government approved a draft ordinance titled "Cow Slaughter Prevention (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020" by amending the Uttar Pradesh cow slaughter act, 1955. This proposed law provides a maximum rigorous imprisonment of 10 years and a fine up to Rs 5 lakh. The ordinance was cleared during a meeting held in Lucknow, UP chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Aditynath to enable the conservation and preservation of bovine animals effectively.