Current Affairs - July 20, 2020 Current Affairs

The United Nations' "the Multidimensional Poverty Index(MPI) 2020: Charting pathways out of multidimensional poverty: Achieving the SDGs" states that India records the largest reduction in the number of People living in poverty as around 273 million people moved out of the multidimensional poverty over 10 years.

During a virtual interaction with the media, Railway Board Chairman Vinod Kumar Yadav has announced the connectivity of all capitals of North-Eastern (NE) states through rail network by 2023. Railways are already implementing a project in this regard.

The State Government of Andhra Pradesh (AP) announced the Andhra Pradesh Renewable Energy Export Policy 2020, which permits the sale of power to the other states of India. The policy will be in force for the five years.

Former Australian skipper and wicketkeeper-batsman Barry Jarman has recently passed away. He was 84-year-old.

Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Minister of Steel Dharmendra Pradhan and United States (US) Secretary of Energy Dan Brouillette co-chaired the 2nd ministerial meeting of the U.S.-India Strategic Energy Partnership (SEP) virtually to review progress, highlight major accomplishments, and prioritize new areas for cooperation.

Ramesh Tikaram, a former star para-badminton player and an Arjuna awardee has passed away of coronavirus. He was 51.Ramesh was the first para-badminton player in India to be honoured with an Arjuna award in the year 2002.

Pakistan and China have signed an agreement for construction of Azad Pattan Hydel Power Project in Sudhoti district of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK).

According to the New World Bank country classifications by income level 2020-2021, India remains in the classification, Lower-Middle-Income Economy. In total 218 countries were included in this classification. Headquarters- Washington, D.C., United States

Indian Navy conducted major naval exercises in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands led by Sanjay Vatsayan, Chief Rear Admiral of Eastern naval fleet as a display of strategic intents against China amid the current military conflicts in the Northeastern borders in Ladakh. Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) is Admiral Karambir Singh.

As per the research report of India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra), Centre's fiscal deficit is estimated to increase to 7.6% in FY21, which is twice the budget estimate as the country spends more to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic, facing a shortfall in revenues.

Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, The President of United Nations General Assembly announced that Marianna Vardinoyannis, of Greece, and Doctor Morissana Kouyate, of Guinea will receive the 2020 Nelson Mandela Prize. They will be recognised in the virtual ceremony on 20th July 2020.

Income Tax Department rolls out new Form 26AS with an aim to assist Tax payers in filing quick and correct Income Tax Return (ITR)

Union Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri informed that India has established individual bilateral 'air bubbles' with France and the United States (US). In addition to this, a similar arrangement with Germany has been established and Lufthansa will be operating the flights. This agreement allows countries' airlines to operate international flights.

One of the eminent Indian mathematicians of the post-Independence era, Professor C S Seshadri, has passed away. He was 88.

The United Nations' (UN) Nelson Mandela International Day is annually celebrated on July 18th, the birth anniversary of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, to recognise his contribution in creating a democratic South Africa.