Top Current Affairs of the Week (01 June- 07 June 2020)

UK to create 5G club of 10 democracies

• British government has approached US with the prospect of creating ‘5G club of 10 democracies’, including India due to the growing security concerns related to Chinese telecom giant Huawei.
• The club will be named 'D10' and will include G7 countries: UK, US, Italy, Germany, France, Japan, and Canada along with Australia, South Korea, and India.
• It is framed to create alternative suppliers of 5G equipment and other technologies to avoid relying on China.

Russia hosts BRICS Heads of Tax Authorities meeting

• Heads of Tax Authorities meeting of the BRICS countries was held to discuss the response of BRICS Tax Authorities to the COVID-19 pandemic through video conference
• The meet was also held to explore potential areas of cooperation in tax matters.
• It was hosted by the Federal Tax Service of Russia, which currently holds the BRICS Presidency.
• BRICS stands for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
• Headquarter of BRICS: Shanghai, China.

Govt invites bid for One Sun One World One Grid

• Government of India has invited ‘One Sun One World One Grid’ (OSOWOG) initiative to set up a framework for global ecosystem of interconnected renewable energy resources.
• It may also leverage the International Solar Alliance that has 67 countries as members.
• “The Sun Never Sets" is its vision. 
• It will encourage sharing of solar resources among more than 140 countries of West Asia and South East Asia in the first phase.

IT Minister Launches National AI Portal of India

• Union Minister for Electronics and IT Ravi Shankar Prasad has launched India’s national Artificial Intelligence Portal ‘www.ai.gov.in’.
• It has been jointly developed by MeitY and IT industry and will be run by NASSCOM.
• This portal will work as a one stop digital platform for AI related developments in India with learning and new job roles related to AI.
• “Responsible AI for Youth” has also been launched to empower the youth with AI reducing the skill gap.

MoPPGP launches DARPG e-booklet

• Union Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Dr. Jitendra Singh has launched the e-booklet on DARPG achievements on the completion of 1 year of Modi Government 2^nd term through videoconferencing.
• DARPG has provided immense impetus to e-Governance in India by implementation of e-Office and conduct of 22nd and 23rd National e-Governance Conferences.
• It has made significant reforms in handling Public Grievances by pursuing CPGRAMS reforms.

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Virat Kohli only Indian in recent Forbes top 100 highest-paid athlete

• Indian Cricket Team Captain Virat Kohli becomes the Indian to feature in the Forbes’ Top 100 highest paid athletes of 2020.
• He is ranked 66 in the list.
• Tennis player Roger Federer Tops Forbes top 100 highest-paid athletes list for the first time with estimated earnings 106.3 million USD followed by Cristiano Ronaldo ($105 million), and Lionel Messi ($104 million).
• The 2020 list included athletes from 21 countries and 10 sports.

PM announces "My Life My Yoga" Video Blogging contest

• PM Narendra Modi has announced ‘My Life My Yoga’ (‘Jeevan Yoga’) Video Blogging contest at national and international level.
• The contest will be run by AYUSH Ministry and Indian Council for Cultural Relations.
• This will raise awareness about Yoga inspiring people to participate in IDY 2020.
• Participants must upload 2 min yogic postures video with a short inspiring message on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram with hashtag #MyLifeMyYogaINDIA.
• Winners will be given cash prizes.

Music director-singer Wajid Khan passes away

• Bollywood music composer and Singer Wajid Khan (42 years) passes away.
• He was known by the duo partnership as Sajid-Wajid with his brother Sajid Khan.
• He made his Bollywood debut in 1998 with movie Pyaar Kiya Toh Darna Kya followed by Garv, Tere Naam, Partner and various others.
• His singing career started with ‘Partner’ in 2008.
• He mentored the shows “Sa Re Ga Ma Pa 2012” and “Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Singing Superstar”.
• Origin: Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh.

Lt General Manoj Pande took charges as 15th CINCAN

• Lt General Manoj Pande will take charges as the 15th Commander-in-Chief of the Andaman & Nicobar Command (CINCAN) succeeding Podali Shankar Rajeshwar.
• Prior to this, he was Director General at Army Headquarters.
• During his 37 years of distinguished service, he has taken part in Operation Vijay and Parakram.
• He was honoured with Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) in 2020 and appointed as an Honorary Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to the President of India in November 2019.

PM launches CHAMPIONS technology platform to empower MSMEs

• PM Narendra Modi has launched ‘CHAMPIONS’ technology platform.
• It will solve grievances of smaller units along with encouraging, supporting, and handholding them in becoming champions.
• CHAMPIONS stand for Creation and Harmonious Application of Modern Processes for Increasing the Output and National Strength.
• It is a one-stop-shop solution of MSMEs Ministry with control room-cum-management information system.
• It has ICT tools, AI, Data Analytics and Machine Learning.

DRDO develops Ultra Swachh for disinfection of materials

• Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed ‘Ultra Swachh’ to disinfect materials including Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs), electronics items, fabrics, etc.
• It is disinfection unit that uses advanced oxidative process with multiple barrier disruption approach using double layer Ozonated Space Technology for disinfection.
• It also has catalytic converter for environment friendly exhaust.
• It operates on 15 Amp, 220 Volts, 50 Hts power supply.

Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) campaign launched for dairy farmers

• The Government has launched Kisan Credit Card (KCC) campaign for 1.5 crore dairy farmers belonging to Milk Unions and Milk producing Companies to boost productivity within the next 2 months.
• It is a part of Atma Nirbhar Bharat package.
• Dept of Animal Husbandry and Dairying with Financial Services has circulated circulars and KCC application format.
• In the 1st phase, all farmers without KCC will be the target.
• Farmers with KCC can enhance KCC credit limit.

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Government launches PM SVANIDHI for street vendors

• Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry, Govt of India has launched PM SVANIDHI (Pradhan Mantri Street Vendor’s Atmanirbhar Nidhi) scheme.
• It is a special micro-credit facility scheme for providing affordable loan to street vendors for resuming livelihoods amidst COVID-19.
• This scheme will benefit over 50 lakh street vendors in urban areas.
• The scheme will be applicable till March 2022.
• Under this, street vendors can avail 10k, repayable in monthly installment in 1 year.

Former Olympic Sprint Champion Bobby Morrow Passes Away

• Former Olympic American sprinter Bobby Joe Morrow (84 years) passes away.
• He was known as ‘The San Benito Bullet’.
• He won three athletics gold medals for 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay at the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games.
• He was the first man after American Jesse Owens (1936) to win sprint treble.
• Carl Lewis (1984) and Usain Bolt (2012 and 2016) are other who won the three sprint titles at the same Games.
• He was named as the “Sportsman of the Year” in 1956.

WHO launches COVID-19 Technology Access Pool

• World Health Organization (WHO) along with Costa Rica has launched ‘COVID-19 Technology Access Pool (C-TAP)’.
• C-TAP will ensure the latest and best science benefits to all including vaccines, tests, diagnostics, treatments in the covid-19 response.
• It will be made universally available as global public goods.
• Participation in C-TAP will be voluntary and based on social solidarity.
• 30 countries are participating in C-TAP as of now.
• WHO HQ: Geneva, Switzerland.

ks 23rd in StartupBlink's Ecosystem Ranking Report

• StartupBlink has launched ‘Startup Ecosystem Rankings Report 2020’ that ranks 1,000 cities and 100 countries.
• India has dropped to 23^rd rank in 2020 with 5.698 score from the 17^th rank in 2019.
• US has topped the rank list with 123.167 score followed by UK, Israel, Canada, and Germany.
• The ranking is based on Quantity, Quality and Business Environment.
• Only 4 Indian cities are placed in top 100 in 2020.
• StartupBlink is global startup ecosystem map and research center.

Cricket Australia announces India’s cricket tour to Australia dates

• Cricket Association of Australia has announced the dates for India's tour to Australia that will consist of 4 Tests, ODIs as well as T20 International.
• Indian team will be facing first T20 series in October 11 at Brisbane followed by matches on October 14 and 17.
• In December 4-test series will be held at Brisbane followed by 3 ODI match series beginning from January 12, 2021.
• Indian women's team will also travel to Australia for an ODI series in January 2021.

SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft landed at International Space Station

• SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft along with two NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley successfully docked with the International Space Station.
• It was launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
• The spacecraft has marked the dawn of a new age in commercial space travel after traveling 19 hours.
• With this, SpaceX became the 1st private company to launch people into orbit.
• US, Russia and China are the only countries which had made this significant move earlier.

International Archery coach Jayantilal Nanoma passes away

• Former International Archer turned coach Jayantilal Nanoma (34 years) passes away in a road accident in Rajasthan.
• He won the medal in Asian Cup and Asian Grand Prix in 2010.
• He was the recipient of prestigious Maharana Pratap State Sports Award.
• He was presently serving as a coach at the District Sports Officer in Dungarpur and had worked in various overseas competitions.
• He is known for generating national and international archers from Rajasthan.
• Origin: Rajasthan.

US President postpones G7 Summit

• US President Donald Trump has postponed G7 Summit till September 2020.
• He has also expressed to expand the Group of G7 to G10 or G11 by including India and three other nations Russia, Australia, and South Korea to the grouping of the world's top economies.
• Group of Seven (G7) is an international intergovernmental economic organization.
• G7 members: US, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and UK at present.

Kiren Rijiju launches Khelo India e-Pathshala programme

• Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports Kiren Rijiju has inaugurated ‘Khelo India e-Pathshala’ programme through webinar.
• The webinar featured participation of young archers, archery coaches and experts from across the nation.
• It is first ever National-level open online coaching and education programme.
• Eminent athletes and coaches will teach modules to improve the technical skills of athletes across India.
• The programme has been launched by SAI along with NSF.

Union Power Minister launches pan-India Real Time Electricity Market

• Union Power Minister R. K. Singh launched pan-India Real-Time Electricity Market through video conference in New Delhi to enable the buyers and sellers to meet their energy requirement.
• This places India among the few real-time electricity market of the world.
• It will bring flexibility, grid management and diversity in the market.
• Gate Closure has been introduced for schedule firmness.
• GoI’s target of 175 GW RE Capacity by 2022 is driving renewable penetration.

Government launches electronic incentive scheme

• Govt has launched three electronic incentive schemes with a total outlay of ₹48,000 crore to boost large-scale manufacturing of electronics.
• The three schemes are Production Linked Incentive (₹41,000 crores and will incentivize 10 firms), Component Manufacturing Scheme (₹3,300 crores) and Modified Electronics Manufacturing Clusters (₹3,800 crores).
• It is aimed to manufacture electronics worth ₹8 lakh crore while generating employment for about 10 lakh people.

CSIR-CMERI develops new indigenous ventilator

• Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CMERI), Durgapur have indigenously developed ventilator for COVID-19.
• It is designed to meet the requirement as per the patient’s parameter.
• It will cost around Rs 80,000 to Rs 90,000.
• It automatically responds to the fluctuating variables of a patient.
• The ventilator will act as the substitute for imported ones.
• This will also help in massively upgrading the tertiary health care infrastructure of the Nation.

India signs MoU with Bhutan on environment cooperation

• Govt of India and Bhutan has signed MoU on Cooperation in the areas of Environment.
• The MoU covers Air, waste, chemical management, climate change and other associated areas.
• It will enable establishment and promotion of closer and long-term cooperation with management of natural resources on the basis of equity, reciprocity and mutual benefits.
• The participants must hold Joint Group/ bilateral meetings to review and analyze the progress.
• Bhutan Capital: Thimphu.

Legendary Filmmaker Basu Chatterjee passes away in Mumbai

• Legendary Filmmaker Basu Chatterjee (93 years) passes away in Mumbai due to age-related ailments.
• He was known for films like Chhoti Si Baat, Khatta Meetha, Us Paar, Baton Baton Mein, Piya Ka Ghar and Rajnigandha also hit TV serials namely “Byomkesh Bakshi” and “Rajani”.
• He had worked in Hindi and Bengali.
• He was honoured with National Film Award for Best Film on Family Welfare for his film Durga in 1992.
• Born: Ajmer.

World Environment Day being observed today

• World Environment Day is observed every year on June 5 to encourage awareness and environmental protection.
• It was first observed in 1974 with the theme “Only One Earth”.
• UN General Assembly in 1972 established World Environment Day on the first day of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment and later United Nation Environment Programme (UNEP) was created.
• World Environment Day Theme 2020: “Biodiversity”.

The Urban Learning Internship Program (TULIP) launched for graduates

• HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal and MoHUA Minister Hardeep. S. Puri launched `The Urban Learning Internship Program (TULIP)’ in New Delhi.
• It is an internship opportunities to fresh graduates in all Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and Smart Cities.
• For smooth functioning, MoU between MoHUA and AICTE has been signed for 5 years.
• It originates in Budget 2020 under ‘Aspirational India’.
• B. Tech, B. Arch, BSc, etc student can apply within 18 months from date of their graduation.

'One Year of Modi 2.0 - Towards A Self-Reliant India' e-booklet launched

• I&B Ministry has launched e-Booklet on 1-year achievements of Modi Government 2.0 through Video Conferencing.
• The 92-page booklet is named as ‘One Year of Modi 2.0 – Towards A Self-Reliant India’.
• The book consists of all the major steps taken during the second term of the Govt ranging from scraping article 370, triple talaq, citizenship act, economic reforms, Atmanirbhar Bharat package and the measures related to COVID-19.
• I&B Minister: Prakash Javadekar

Govt launches SWADES initiative for skill mapping of overseas citizens

• Govt. has launched SWADES (Skilled Workers Arrival Database for Employment Support) initiative to conduct skill mapping of overseas Indian under Vande Bharat Mission.
• It is a joint initiative of Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Ministry of Civil Aviation and Ministry of External Affairs.
• It will create qualified citizens database based on  skillsets and experience for placement opportunities in companies by filling up an online SWADES Skills Card.

PM Modi addresses virtual Global Vaccine Summit 2020

• PM Narendra Modi addresses virtual Global Vaccine Summit elaborating the vaccination need in the world.
• The Summit was hosted by UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and attended by business leaders, UN Agencies, and others of 50 countries.
• India has pledged $15 Million to Gavi, an international vaccine alliance.
• It witnessed new era of global health cooperation with commitment to equitable immunisation and health security due to COVID-19.
• Gavi HQ-Geneva‎, Switzerland.

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Kritika Pandey awarded with Commonwealth Short Story Prize 2020

• Indian writer Kritika Pandey has won the coveted honour of the regional award for Asia in in Commonwealth Short Story Prize 2020.
• She is awarded for her unpublished work ‘The Great Indian Tee and Snakes’ that depicts about love in an age of hatred and prejudice.
• She has been nominated for Pushcart Prize earlier.
• Commonwealth Short Story Prize is awarded for the best unpublished short fiction to commonwealth citizens aged 18 and above.

RBI announces Payments Infrastructure Development Fund creation

• Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announces Payments Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF) creation with initial contribution of Rs 250 crore.
• PIDF will to encourage acquirers to deploy Points of Sale (PoS) in both physical and digital modes across tier-3 to tier-6 centres and north eastern states.
• It will provide impetus to infrastructure project especially in undeserved regions.
• It will be governed by Advisory Council and managed by RBI.
• Governor: Shaktikanta Das.

Rajeev Topno appointed as Senior Advisor to WB’s Executive Director

• Senior bureaucrat and private secretary to the prime minister, Rajeev Topno (1996 batch IAS officer) has been appointed as the Senior Advisor to Executive Director (ED) of World Bank for 3 years.
• Along with him, Brajendra Navnit (1999 batch IAS officer) has been appointed as Ambassador to the Permanent Mission of India (PMI) to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) for 3 years.
• He served in PMO as Joint Secretary.
• WTO HQ: Geneva, Switzerland
• WB HQ: Washington DC, USA.

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