1. International Prize for Arabic Fiction 2020: Abdelouahab Aissaoui of Algeria
- The prize for his Novel ‘The Spartan Court’.
- IPAF is one of the most generous literary awards sponsored by Dept of Culture & Tourism (Abu Dhabi) & the Booker Prize Foundation.
- Aissaoui receives $50000 prize;
- English translation of his book.
2. Fit India and CBSE organise first-ever live fitness sessions for school students
- After a good response for Fit India Active Day Programme, GoI and CBSE organise it.
- To launched a new series of Fitness sessions for school student.
- During this programme, guidelines of Ministry of AYUSH to stay healthy will be shared with students.
- Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports : Kiren Rijiju.
3. Jim Corbett is India’s first quarantine facility for animals
- The decision has been taken after the outbreak of COVID-19 in big cats in the US.
- Jim Corbett is India’s oldest National Park in Uttarakhand.
- At least ten quarantine centres are being prepared within the premises to contain animals.
- National Tiger Conservation Authority – NTCA was launched in 2005.
4. IMF proposes to deploy its full $ 1 trillion lending capacity to support countries
- IMF head Kristalina Georgieva proposed it.
- She also called it the worst recession since the Great Depression.
- IMF had already approved debt relief for 25 of its poorest countries.
- Member Countries of IMF : 189.
5. Uttar Pradesh to start pool testing for COVID-19 to expedite process
- UP obtained clearance from ICMR to start “pool testing” becoming the first in the country to attempt this method.
- ICMR = Indian Council of Medical Research
- Pool testing is done using a single RTPCR – Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction.
- Maharashtra also got permission for pool testing.
6. Maharashtra government launches ‘COVID-MADAT’ for tele-screening
- The caller is expected to answer some questions through an intelligent IVR Platform.
- Operated by ‘Telemeds Vs COVID-19’, a group of start-up founders
7. Rajasthan govt. launches ‘SMILE’ for e-learning at School
- SMILE = Social Media for Learning Engagement.
- It is a digital platform to provide online classes and courses through various platforms of Social Media.
- Rajasthan Education Minister : Govind Singh Dotasra.
8. RBI reduces FPI investment limits in G-Sec to Rs 2.34 lakh crore for FY21
- RBI reduced the general FPI investors’ limit in Central government securities to Rs 2.34 L Cr. for FY21 from the existing limit of Rs 2.46 Lakh Crore.
- Long-term FPI investment limits in G-Secs have been brought down to Rs 1.03 L Cr. from Rs 1.15 L Cr.
- RBI increased General Category FPI limits in SDL to Rs 64415 cr.
9. Care Ratings appoints Ajay Mahajan MD, Chief Executive
- Ajay Mahajan who has been working in IDFC First Bank has been appointed as the MD, Chief Executive of Care ratings for a period of five years.
- He had also worked with Bank of America in which he was the country head.
- CARE Ratings Head Office : Mumbai.
10. Lakshmi Vilas Bank appoints Chief Risk Officer
- Lakshmi Vilas Bank appointed S Vaidyanathan as the Chief Risk Officer.
- For a period of two years.
- He was the Assistant Vice President of the Risk Department.
- Lakshmi Vilas Bank HO : Chennai.
11. Andhra Bank, Syndicate Bank chiefs appointed as OSD in different banks
- Andhra Bank MD J Packirisamy & Syndicate Bank CEO Mruthanjay Mahapatra appointed as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Union Bank of India & Canara Bank resp.
- Andhra Bank & Corporation Bank merged with Union Bank.
- Syndicate Bank merged with Canara Bank.
- They are appointed until their retirement.
12. GP Global acquires lubricants assets of Nigeria’s Grand Petroleum
- GP Global, an energy-agriculture conglomerate has acquired Nigeria based Grand Petroleum assets to strengthen its presence in Nigeria.
- It includes a lubricant plant and a blending plant.
- GP Global plans to set up a new blending plant in India.
- GP Global is based on UAE.
13. GSK and Sanofi join forces to create vaccine
- Two of the world’s largest pharmaceutical giants are GSK & Sanofi.
- They joined hands to create a vaccine for COVID-19.
- Even if it’s successful, it will not be ready until the second half of next year.
- Vaccines usually take a decade to be developed.
- GSK HQ : UK.
- Sanofi HQ : France.
14. World’s most famous cycle race tour de France postponed
- The 3-week race was to set to start in June but has been postponed to August.
- The last time the tour was not held was 1946, as the nation was emerging from WWII.
- It was also not held during WWI.
15. Vikram Solar bags 300 MW solar project in Rajasthan from NTPC
- Green Energy provider, Vikram Solar bagged a 300 MW solar plant project for Rs 1,750 cr. From NTPC.
- The plant is to be spread across 1,500 acres in Rajasthan under the CPSU – II scheme.
- It is expected to be completed in 18 months.
- CEO of Vikram Solar : Saibaba Vutukuri.
- HO : Kolkata.
16. Former Pakistani Cricketer Zafar Sarfaraz develops symptoms of COVID-19; passes away at 50
- Pakistan President: Arif Alvi.
17. Willie Davis, Pro Football Hall of Famer, dies
- He was the first black captain for the Packers in 1965 and spent 10 years with the Wisconsin team
- Davis never missed a single game of 138 with the packers.
- Davis was inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1981.
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