3rd G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting held virtually

NATIONAL NEWS

MoD signs contract with BEML for procurement of 1,512 Mine Plough for T-90 tanks

• The acquisition wing of Union Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a contract with Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) for acquiring of 1,512 Mine Plough (MP) for T-90 tanks.
• The total value of the contract is approximately Rs 557 Crore; the contract is more like a Buy and Make category where 50% of the Make portion is of indigenous content.
• These mine ploughs will be fitted on T-90 Tanks of Indian Armoured Corps, which will facilitate individual mobility to Tanks while negotiating minefield.
• This contract is done mainly with an aim of enhancing the significant initiative of Government of India called “Make in India”.

Fact: Union Minister of Defence – Rajnath Singh.

Prakash Javadekar acknowledges KURMA mobile app for conservation of Indian Turtles

• Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Information & Broadcasting Prakash Javadekar has acknowledged KURMA mobile app for its unique contribution towards conservation of Indian turtles and tortoises.
• KURMA was launched in May 23^rd 2020 on World Turtles day.
• Indian Turtle Conservation Action Network (ITCAN) developed the application in collaboration with the Turtle Survival Alliance of India and Wildlife Conservation Society of India.
• The mobile app mainly helps in effective tracking of the turtle’s location and reporting to the nearest rescue centre.

Odisha Government included Transgender Community under Madhu Babu Pension Yojana

• Odisha Government has included the transgender community under Madhu Babu Pension Yojana (MBPY), a social security scheme by amending to Rule 6 of the Madhu Babu Pension Rules 2008.
• The Department of Social security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD) gave the information.
• MBPY was launched in Odisha in 2008 by merging the two pension schemes: Revised Old Age Pension Rules, 1989 and Disability Pension Rules, 1985.
• The main aim is to provide financial assistance for the weaker sections of the society.

Fact: Chief Minister of Odisha – Naveen Patnaik

          Governor - Ganeshi Lal

Tamil Nadu Government Signed eight MoUs with Industrial Groups for Employment Creation

• The Government of Tamil Nadu has signed eight Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) with companies to create employment opportunities of worth Rs 10,388 Crore.
• The MoUs were signed in the fields like production of solar cells and modules, air compressors, ductile iron foundry, industrial parks, cashew nut processing, data centre and a foundry expansion project.
• The MoUs were signed in the presence of Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami in the Secretariat at Fort St George in Chennai.

Fact: Governor of Tamil Nadu - Banwarilal Purohit.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Statement of Intent signed for partnership with UNICEF India, YuWaah India, and UN in India

• Youth Affairs Secretary Usha Sharma signed statement of Intent for partnership with UNICEF India, YuWaah India and United Nations in India to empower the youths in the country with access to aspirational socio-economic opportunities.
• The statement of intent was signed with UNICEF representative in India Dr Yasmin Ali Haque.

Fact: Union Minister of Youth affairs and Sports – Kiren Rijiju.

US – Indian Navy undertakes Passing exercise in the Indian Ocean Region

• Indian Navy and USS Nimitz led by US Navy carrier strike group, conducted the maritime drills, PASSEX aiming in enhancement of interoperability between Navies of both the countries.
• The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is on its way to be deployed in the Gulf region from the South China Sea.

ECONOMIC NEWS

3rd G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting held virtually

• The 3^rd G20 (Group of Twenty) Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) meeting was held virtually on July 18, as a part of the Finance Track for the G20 Leaders Summit 2020.
• The meeting was organised under the Saudi Arabian Presidency and Union Minister for Finance Nirmala Sitharaman represented from India.
• The main objective of the meeting is to overlook on the global economic outcomes amid COVID-19 crisis.
• The composition of G20 countries are – the European Union (EU) plus 19 countries they are as follows, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, France, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the UK, and the US
• This year presidency is with Saudi Arabia and theme was “Realizing Opportunities of the 21st Century for All”.

IMPORTANT DAYS

First World Chess Day celebrated on July 20, 2020

• United Nations (UN) First World Chess Day is celebrated on 20th July all over the world to commemorate the significance of chess in developing solidarity among nations.
• This day also marks the 95th Anniversary of the International Chess Federation (FIDE – Federation Internationale des Echecs).
• The FIDE’s motto of 2020 is “Teach someone how to play chess.”

OBITUARY

Madhya Pradesh Governor Lal Ji Tandon Dies At 85

• Madhya Pradesh Governor Lal Ji Tandon died today at the age of 85 due to breathing and some age related ailments.
• Lal Ji Tandon was the governor of Bihar between August 2018 and July 2019 when he took over as Madhya Pradesh's Governor.

Fact: Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh – Shivraj Singh Chauhan.

Veteran Odia actor Bijoy Mohanty passes away

• Veteran Odia film actor Bijoy Mohanty passed away at the age of 70, who was suffering from multiple health issues.
• The actor started his career in the Odia film industry in 1977. Mohanty acted in more than 150 films.