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Current Affairs 07 July 2020
Daily Current Affairs 07 July 2020: We have collected the latest current affairs for 07 July 2020 that are important for all competitive exams like Bank, SSC, IBPS, SBI exams. The GK current affairs will help you score more in these competitive exams. Improve your general knowledge with our daily online current affairs. You can also read the daily current affairs on our mobile app.
National News
Kolkata Port Starts new Shipping service from Kolkata to Bangladesh’s Chattogram port
- The Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port Trust (SMPT), Kolkata, has introduced a new service between Kolkata Dock System (KDS) and Chattogram (Chittagong)Port, Bangladesh through Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route, to transport containers to Chittagong by ship.
- This move will not only save transportation costs for importers but also help avoid congestion along roads and hence ease trade between India and Bangladesh.
- The vessel used for this new service will be Singapore flag carrier MV Asiatic Moon. This is the biggest vessel by size to ply between Kolkata and Chattogram till date. It can carry upto 600 containers in a single voyage to Chattogram.
- The vessel ‘M.V Asiatic Moon’ is expected to carry 300 containers of Indian exports to Bangladesh in its maiden voyage.
- The service has been launched by Zim Integrated Services in association with Bengal Tiger Lines. The port and the shipping line are also in consultations with Federation of Indian Exports Organisation (FIEO) to enable all exporters to get to know of this facility.
Odisha launches Balaram scheme provide Rs 1,040 crore credit to 7 lakh landless farmers over two years
- The Odisha government, under Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, has launched a scheme named ‘Balaram’ to provide agricultural credit to landless farmers who are facing hardships due to the coronavirus outbreak.
- This is a first-of-its type scheme in India, targeting landless farmers of the country.
- The scheme will provide agriculture credit worth Rs 1,040 crore to landless farmers of the state in the next two years.
- Around 7 lakh landless cultivators will be benefited from the programme.
- The loan facility will be provided through joint liability groups in every district, which will be formed based on their collateral.
- For the first year, each group on an average will get a maximum Rs 1.60 lakh loan.
- The scheme has been designed in collaboration with the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)
- The state-run organisations namely ‘Institute on Management of Agricultural Extension’ and the Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) will be the nodal agencies at the state and district levels respectively for implementation of the scheme.
Karnataka launches Weavers’ Sammaan Yojana to provide annual financial assistance of Rs 2000 through DBT to handloom weavers
- The Karnataka Chief Minister B. S. Yediyurappa virtually launched Weavers Sammaan Yojana, (Nekar Samman Yojane) on 6th July 2020.
- Under the scheme, state government will provide annual financial assistance of Rs 2,000 to handloom weavers in the state through Direct Benefit Transfer.
- The State Government has allocated Rs 10.96 crore under the programme.
- In the first phase of the scheme, 19,744 weavers will be covered.
International News
Israel successfully launches new spy satellite ‘Ofek 16’
- On 6th July 2020, Israel Space Agency successfully launched a new spy satellite called ”Ofek 16”, that would help the country in keeping tabs on its many threats across the region.
- Ofek is an electro-optical reconnaissance satellite with advanced capabilities.
- The satellite has been developed by the Ministry of Defence, along with the state-owned Israel Aerospace Industries.
- The launch took place at 4 a.m. from the Palmachim air base in central Israel into space.
Books/Authors
Former RBI governor Urjit Patel pens book on dealing with NPA issue titled ‘Overdraft: Saving the Indian Saver’
- Former RBI Governor, Urjit Patel, has written a book titled ‘Overdraft: Saving the Indian Saver’ which focuses on the non-performing assets (NPAs) issue that has afflicted Indian banking in recent years, its causes and Patel’s efforts as the RBI Governor in dealing with it.
- The book is likely to be released on 31 July 2020.
- It has been published by HarperCollins India.
Banking & Economy
SBM Bank India, Mastercard partners to facilitate cross border remittances using Mastercard Send
- SBM Bank India (promoted by Government of Mauritius) and Mastercard have joined hands to facilitate cross-border payments and remittances services by using ‘Mastercard Send’.
- Mastercard Send is a secured and innovative solution – crafted to modernize domestic and cross-border payments and remittances.
- SBM Bank India is the first bank to receive universal banking licence from the RBI to set up and operate as a scheduled commercial bank through the wholly-owned subsidiary mode.
U.S. GDP Expected to Contract 4.6% in 2020: Goldman Sachs
- The Goldman Sachs Group Inc. economists have revised down their estimates for the U.S. economy which is expected to contract 4.6% in 2000, worse than the earlier estimate of 4.2%.
- However, the growth is expected to rebound to 5.8% in 2021.
Sports
Valtteri Bottas wins Austrian Grand Prix 2020
- Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes-Finland) has won the Austrian Grand Prix 2020.
- This was the first race of 2020 Formula One season and was held on 5th July 2020.
- Charles Leclerc finished second for Ferrari while McLaren’s Lando Norris came third.
Lt. Col. Bharat Pannu creates history by securing podium position in first edition of Virtual Race Across America
- Lt. Col. Bharat Pannu, a serving Indian Army Officer and an Ultra Endurance Cyclist from Bengaluru created history on 28th June 2020 by successfully securing a podium place at the first edition of the Virtual Race Across America (VRAAM) 2020.
- Lt. Col. Pannu finished 3rd on the leaderboard with a total distance of 4086 km in 12 days and total cumulative elevation gain of 71,000 meters.
- He is the first Indian ever to win a podium place at an international ultracycling race.
- Race Across America (RAAM)
- The Race Across America (RAAM) is an annual 5000 km transcontinental race from the West coast to East coast of the United States of America with a cut-off time of 12 days.
- The 2000 edition of the event was cancelled the event due to the ongoing pandemic and so organizers came up with a virtual format for the race.
- The race saw participation of 17 ultra-endurance cyclists from around the world and only 9 could successfully complete the grueling race.
Important Days
World Zoonoses Day: 6 July
- World Zoonoses Day is held every year on July 6 to raise awareness for the risk of zoonotic diseases.
- Zoonoses are infectious diseases (virus, bacteria and parasites) that can spread from animals to humans, and vice versa, either with direct contact with animals or indirectly, vector-borne or food-borne.
- It was on July 6, 1885, when Louis Pasteur successfully administered the first vaccine against Rabies virus, which is a zoonotic disease.
World Chocolate Day: 07 July
- World Chocolate Day (also known as International Chocolate Day) is an annual observance taking place globally on 7th July.
- The day is said to be chosen to celebrate the introduction of chocolate to Europe in 1550.
- It is marked by eating chocolates and sharing with dear ones.