Current Affairs Daily Digest – June 17 2020
1. India-Nepal sign MoU
India and Nepal signed a Memorandum of Understanding to improve infrastructure of the Pashupatinath temple complex. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Federal Affairs ministry of Nepal and Indian Embassy. Under the agreement, India has pledged to extend financial assistance of Rs 2.33 crores.
2. June 17: World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought
Every year, the United Nations observes World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought on June 17. This year, the day is observed under the theme
Theme: Food, Feed Fibre
The World Day to combat Desertification and Drought is observed focusing on changing public attitudes towards land degradation and desertification.
3. World Investment Report released by UNCTAD
The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development released its World Investment Report, 2020. According to the report, India is the 9th largest recipient of FDI in 2019.
4. India ranked 43rd on IMD’s World Competitiveness Index; Singapore on top
India continues to remain ranked 43rd on an annual World Competitiveness Index compiled by Institute for Management Development (IMD) with some traditional weaknesses like poor infrastructure and insufficient education investment keeping its ranking low, the international business school said. Singapore has retained its top position on the 63-nation list.
5. Hyderabad NGO wins int’l environmental award with cash prize of ₹35 lakh
The Deccan Development Society (DDS), a non-government organisation based in Hyderabad, Telangana, has won the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation’s Biodiversity Award. The prestigious international environmental award carries a cash prize of €40,000 (around ₹35 lakh). The society has won the award “in recognition of the work of DDS women to rehabilitate degraded lands and promote biodiversity”.
6. Airtel Payments Bank launches Suraksha Salary Account for MSMEs
In a statement, Airtel Payments Bank said that through these innovative accounts, MSMEs and other organisations will be able to make cashless payments and provide a financial security blanket to their employees.
‘Suraksha’ salary account offers a wide range of benefits including hospital cash insurance and personal accidental insurance cover given the low penetration of insurance in India, it said.
7. Uttar Pradesh govt decides to adopt scheme of Flatted Factory Model
In Uttar Pradesh, the State Government has decided to adopt the scheme of Flatted Factory Model which will ensure easy availability of land for industries, and in turn, generate employment also.
In a high level meeting, it was decided by Uttar Pradesh State Industrial Development Authority (UPSIDA) that flatted factories that means multi-storeyed buildings in which multiple non-polluting units can operate will be allowed.
8. Burundi’s new president Ndayishimiye
Burundi’s newly-elected president Evariste Ndayishimiye will be sworn, the foreign ministry announced, in a ceremony fast-tracked by the sudden death of the incumbent, Pierre Nkurunziza.
Nkurunziza died on June 8 aged 55, of what authorities said was heart failure.
9. Swiggy announces Jumpstart Package
Food-hailing giant Swiggy announced a “Jumpstart package” for all its restaurant-partners to resume operations smoothly. It is no secret the food delivery business has been in shreds ever since the lockdown was imposed to contain the spread of coronavirus.
To help the restaurants resume their operations, Swiggy has introduced the package that would provide important elements such as Safety kits required for implementing hygiene protocols, and business booster programs and drive orders volumes subsidized rates. So far over 40,000 restaurant partners have already availed this package.
10. Alibaba Cloud to invest USD 283 mn to accelerate global partner ecosystem
Alibaba Cloud, the data intelligence backbone of Alibaba Group, said it will invest RMB 2 billion (USD 283 million or about Rs 2,144 crore) during this fiscal year to empower global partners and accelerate joint innovations in the post-pandemic era.
The investment aims to help its partners in accelerating their digitalisation capabilities and create joint products and solutions to benefit even more customers across all sectors, a statement said.
