Daily Current Affairs : 17th June 2020 | Daily GK update Quiz

Exp. Maharashtra signed 12 Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) with 12 domestic and foreign companies for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) worth over Rs 16,000 crores.

It is a part of the Magnetic Maharashtra 2.0 initiative. The MoU was signed by the global companies in the field of engineering, car and spare parts manufacturing, information technology, logistics, chemicals, and food processing.

Exp. An ancient temple, submerged in river Mahanadi (has re-appeared after 11 years in Nayagarh district. An archaeology survey team of Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) stumbled upon ‘mastaka’ of the temple submerged in Mahanadi waters at Padmabati village under Bhapur tehsil. Project assistant Deepak Kumar Nayak, who had documented the site with help of a local heritage enthusiast Rabindra Kumar Rana, said the temple was dedicated to Gopinath Deba, a form of Lord Krishna.

The finding is the part of INTACH’s Mahanadi Valley Heritage Sites Documentation project.

Exp. The West Bengal government on 16th June launched a job portal for IT professionals who have returned to the state amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said.

The CM extended her best wishes to the professionals and said that they can use the portal ”Karmo Bhumi” to connect with companies based in the state.

“On behalf of GoWB, we launched Karmo Bhumi, web portal for IT professionals, returned & looking for job change due to COVID 19. Connect now to IT companies of Bengal through karmabhumi.nltr.org.

Exp. India joined international and multi-stakeholder initiative Global Partnership for Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) as its founding member on June 15, 2020. By becoming the founding member of the initiative, India has joined the leading nations of the world including the UK, EU, US, Australia among others.

Aims: The global initiative aims to guide responsible development and use of Artificial Intelligence, grounded in human rights, diversity, inclusion, innovation, and economic growth. It will also provide support to the cutting- edge research and applied activities on AI-related priorities.

The other nations that have joined the partnership are France, Canada, Germany, Japan, Italy, Mexico, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, and Singapore.

Exp. India ranked 6th as nuclear weapons increased since 2019; US tops: SIPRI’s Yearbook 2020.

India and China have increased their nuclear arsenal over the last year, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). The Swedish think-tank that researches on conflict, armaments and arms control also pointed out on Monday that China is significantly modernizing its nuclear arsenal.

China and Pakistan have more nuclear warheads as compared to India, according to the SIPRI Yearbook 2020. India has 150 nuclear warheads, while China and Pakistan have 320 and 160. The figures are until January. Last year, India had 130-140 warheads, while China had 290 and Pakistan 150-160.

In April 2020, SIPRI had identified India as the 3rd largest military spender in the world, behind the United States (US) and China.

Exp. Beijing-based Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) on 17th June said it has approved a USD 750 million (around Rs 5,714 crore) loan to India to help the government strengthen its battle against the adverse impact of Covid-19 on poor and vulnerable households.

AiM: “Cofinanced with the Asian Development Bank, the budgetary support will go toward bolstering economic aid for businesses, including for the informal sector, expanding social safety nets for the needy, and strengthening the country’s health care systems

Exp. Trustees of the PM CARES Fund have appointed SARC & Associates as auditor of the fund. Its website pmcares.gov.in says trustees of the fund, which is called Prime Minister’s Citizens Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations (PM CARES) Fund, appointed “SARC & Associates, Chartered Accountants, New Delhi, as the auditors” for three years.

The firm, headed by Sunil Kumar Gupta, was appointed auditors of the PM’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) in 2019.

Exp. The insolvency regulator IBBI has reconstituted the Advisory Committee on Corporate Insolvency Resolution and Liquidation process. This panel, which would be chaired by Uday Kotak, Executive Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Kotak Mahindra Bank, comprises of 13 members besides the Chairman.

This Advisory Committee will advise and provide professional support— on a request from the IBBI or on its own volition—on any matter relating to the Corporate Insolvency resolution and liquidation dealt with by the Board under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code 2016.

Most members will have a term of three years—up to June 11, 2023.

Exp. The World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is observed every year on 17^th June to promote public awareness of international efforts to combat desertification. The day is a unique moment to remind everyone that land degradation neutrality is achievable through problem-solving, strong community involvement and co-operation at all levels.

Exp. 2020 Theme: Food. Feed. Fibre. – the links between consumption and land

Exp. International Day of Family Remittances 2020 aka IDFR is celebrated each year on June 16 across the world. The day is organised by the United Nations and is universally accepted. This day is celebrated to recognise the efforts of migrants who help to improve the lives of their family members back home. It is also created to observe the hope that they have created for the future to come

Exp. Headquarters: Beijing, China

Exp. President: Jin Liqun