Current Affairs - June 18, 2020 Current Affairs

Kyrgyzstan's Prime Minister Mukhammedkalyi Abylgaziyev(52 years) resigned, amid ongoing criminal investigation into whether the government illegally sold radio frequencies. He was appointed as prime minister by President Sooronbai Jeenbekov after succeeding Sapar Isakov in April 2018.

The fifth state of matter has been observed by the scientists for the first time in space. This observation has offered unprecedented insight that can help in solving some of the quantum universe's most difficult questions. A team of NASA Scientists on June 11 unveiled the first results from Bose-Einstein condensates (BEC) experiments aboard the International Space Station, where particles are free from manipulation from any of the Earthly constraints.

Deepak Kumar Nayak, Project Assistant of Indian National Trust for Art & Cultural Heritage(INTACH) with Rabindra Rana, heritage enthusiast of Odisha located the 500-year-old submerged temple in the Mahanadi river near Baideswar in Padmavati area, Cuttack.

The Competition Commission of India approves acquisition by MacRitchie Investments Pte.Ltd. in 91Streets Media Technologies Private Limited, Ascent Health and Wellness Solutions Private Limited and API Holdings Private Limited under section 31(1) of the competition Act, 2002. Chairman of CCI is Ashok Kumar Gupta.

In accordance with the "SIPRI Yearbook 2020-Armaments, Disarmament and International Security" of Swedish think tank, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), from 2019 there is an increase in the nuclear weapons stockpile of India and China. However India's overall possession of nuclear weapons is less than half of Beijing's and also slightly lower than what Pakistan possesses. Headquarters of SIPRI is in Stockholm, Sweden.

Maharashtra signed 12 MoUs with 12 domestic and foreign companies for Foreign Direct Investment(FDI) worth over Rs 16,000 crores. It is a part of the Magnetic Maharashtra 2.0 initiative. The MoU was signed by the global companies in the field of engineering, car and spare parts manufacturing, information technology, logistics, chemicals, and food processing.

India & China got engaged into a violent face off on 15th June night when the troops of both the armies fired at each other in the Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh. Both the nations suffered several casualties. Indian Army lost around 20 of its soldiers.

Airtel Payments Bank launched 'Suraksha Salary Account' for the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The account will enable the MSMEs & other organisations to make cashless payments & provide financial security to their employees.

India has pledged to construct a Rs.2.33 crore sanitation facility at the Pashupatinath Temple complex in Kathmandu, Nepal. It will improve the infrastructure in the holy shrine for the pilgrims.

The US handed over to India 100 ventilators, valued at about $1.2 million, as part of President Donald Trump's offer of assistance to New Delhi in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. US Ambassador to India Kenneth Juster handed over the first shipment of 100 ventilators to Indian Red Cross Society Secretary General RK Jain.

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), Chairman M. Ajit Kumar launched the 'e-Office' application in over 500 CGST and customs offices across India, on 15th June at New Delhi. The e-Office is a Mission Mode Project(MMP) under the e-Governance of India. e-Office has been developed by the National Informatics Center(NIC), and supported by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG).

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launched Karmo Bhumi, a job portal to help Information Technology(IT) professionals who have lost their jobs after the outbreak of COVID-19 and returned to the state. The portal will enable them to get employment in the state.

The Union Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri stated on June 16, 2020 that the decision to resume international flights will be taken in the coming month. The Minister said that they are confident that in the coming month they will start making decisions on resuming international flights. He, however, said that he cannot give a timeline for the same as it would be done only after taking into confidence all the stakeholders and passengers.

The Trustees of the Prime Minister's Citizens Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations (PM CARES) fund appointed SARC & Associates, New Delhi based Chartered Accountants as its auditors for the next three years.

An annual World Competitiveness Index compiled by Institute for Management Development (IMD) has ranked India at the 43rd position. The International Business School mentioned on June 16 that the continued low ranking is due to the traditional weaknesses such as insufficient education investment and poor infrastructure.

The Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr. Thaawarchand Gehlot is to inaugurate Composite Regional Centre (CRC) on 17 April through video conferencing amid COVID-19 pandemic. The Centre is located inside Namkum Block Office, Khijri, Ranchi. CRC-Ranchi will provide rehabilitation services including Physical medicine, Physiotherapy, Occupational therapy, Audiology and Speech Therapy, Psychology, Prosthetics & Orthotics, Special Education, Early intervention & treatment, etc., to persons with disabilities in Jharkhand and adjoining areas.

Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh inaugurated three projects- Integrated Water Supply Project for Imphal Planning Area Phase-1 ,Imphal Sewerage Project Phase-1 Integrated Water Supply Project for Imphal West Planning Area Phase-1 undertaken by the State Public Health Engineering Department through Video Conferencing from the Chief Minister's Secretariat Imphal.

The Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) under Ministry of Labour and Employment has launched Multi-location claim settlement facility. This new facility has replaced the old using system of geographical jurisdiction for claim process. On current pandemic crisis COVID 19, multi-location claim facility tends to improve service delivery and ensure social security for its more than 6 crore subscribers. Headquarters of EPFO is in New Delhi.

A new species of fish, 'Schizothorax sikusirumensis' discovered in Arunachal Pradesh by Dr. Keshav Kumar Jha, Associate Professor & Head, Department of Zoology, Jawaharlal Nehru College, Pasighat. The fish species is from genus Schizothorax. The fish was discovered from the junction of River Siku and Sirum near Gakang area under Mebo circle of East Siang District. This Fish lives in a submerged area.

The Deccan Development Society(DDS), Hyderabad Based non-governmental organisation won the Biodiversity award 2020 and a grant of 40000 Euros (approx. Rs. 35 Lakhs) of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation for the contribution of DDS women in rehabilitation of degraded lands and to promote biodiversity.