UAE launches its first space mission to Mars from Japan

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

UNDP report states that more than 27 crore people in India moved out of poverty in last 10 years

• The United Nations’ “the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) 2020: Charting pathways out of multidimensional poverty: Achieving the SDGs” has reported that around 273 MN people in India has moved out of poverty over 10 years.
• The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI), which deals with how multidimensional poverty has declined, released the report.
• Multidimensional Poverty includes accessing the dimensions of the problems experienced by the poor people like lack of education, poor health, and threat of violence, hazardous living environments and inadequate standard of living.
• The information related to the 273 million people moving out of poverty in India was based on the population data from the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA).

Fact: UNDP Headquarters– New York, USA.

UAE launches its first space mission to Mars from Japan

• The Arab world’s first interplanetary landmark mission has started by United Arab Emirates (UAE) by successfully launching spacecraft Hope Probe to Mars.
• H2A, the rocket carrying the Hope Probe to space was launched from Tanegashima Space Center in Japan.
• The aim of the mission is the orbiter Hope expected to take images and send information about the Red Planet and expected to reach the Red Planet by February 2021.

Fact: UAE space agency - Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC)

Global Energy Transition Index, 2020

• India has ranked 74^th position in the Global ‘Energy Transition Index (ETI)’ released by World Economic Forum (WEF).
• India has improved in all the key parameters of the ETI index like economic growth, energy security and environmental sustainability.
• The ETI is a fact-based ranking intended to enable policy-makers and businesses to plot the course for a successful energy transition.
• Sweden has topped the ETI for the third consecutive year and is followed by Switzerland and Finland in the top three.

Fact: WEF Headquarters - Cologny, Switzerland.

UN announced the recipients of 2020 Nelson Mandela Prize

• The president of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has announced the recipients of the 2020 Nelson Mandela Prize.
• Marianna Vardinoyannis, of Greece and Doctor Morissana Kouyaté, of Guinea will receive the award for the year 2020.
• Nelson Mandela Prize is an award established by the UNGA in July 2014, which is been awarded every 5 years in order to honour Nelson Mandela’s life and legacy.
• The award is bestowed to honour the achievements of the individual’s contribution and dedication in serving the humanity in their lifetime.

Fact: UNGA Headquarters– New York, USA

          President of UNGA - Tijjani Muhammad-Bande

NATIONAL NEWS

Narendra Singh Tomar declared the 2019 ICAR Awards

• The Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar has e-inaugurated the 92^nd Foundation day of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
• In this occasion he has announced the ICAR awards for the year 2019, around 161 awards under 20 categories were presented.
• The awards were presented to honour their contribution towards the research and development of agricultural sector.

Fact: ICAR Headquarters – New Delhi

         Director General of ICAR - Trilochan Mohapatra

Government of Andhra Pradesh Announces Renewable Energy Export Policy 2020

• 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 aim of the policy is to utilize the unused potential and to attract private investments to boost the economy and to generate additional revenue to the government.
• To implement the projects the New and Renewable Energy Development Corporation of AP Limited (NREDCAP), will be the nodal agency under the new export policy 2020.

Fact: Chief Minister of AP – YSR Jaganmohan Reddy.

         Governor– Biswa Bhusan Harichandan.

ECONOMIC NEWS

India Business Council to host 2020 India Ideas Summit

• India Business Council is to host the India Ideas Summit 2020, which discusses the future of the U.S.-India Partnership and the trends shaping globalization, trade and investment.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will deliver the keynote addresses.

IMPORTANT DAYS

Nelson Mandela International Day 2020

• The birth anniversary of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela is been celebrated as “Nelson Mandela International Day” conferred by United Nations on July 18^th every year.
• This was celebrated to recognise his contribution in creating a democratic South Africa.
• The first Nelson Mandela International Day was celebrated on 18th July 2010.
• The theme of Nelson Mandela International Day is “Take action, inspire change”
• United Nations Secretary General António Guterres, unveiled the statue of Mandela gifted by the Republic of South Africa.