Musk’s SpaceX wins NASA award for planned lunar space station

1.Expo 2020 Dubai could be postponed by a year

Expo 2020 organizers are mulling the postponement of the mega event by one year in light of the global pandemic COVID-19’s impact on the worldwide economy.Expo 2020 is a World Expo to be hosted by Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, scheduled to be opened on 20th October, 2020.

UAE has spent billions on infrastructure in preparation.

2.National Gallery of Modern Art celebrates 66 years by launching virtual tour of its permanent collection

National Gallery of Modern Art has celebrated 66 years by launching a virtual tour of its permanent collection amid lock down.The Gallery launched a virtual tour of its permanent collection for the visitors to enjoy without having to physically visit the Museum during these days.

It is for the first time that the National Gallery of Modern Art has provided the facility of virtual tour of its permanent collection to art lovers.

The National Gallery of Modern Art is the premier art gallery under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.

The main museum at Jaipur House in New Delhi was established on 29 March 1954 by the Government of India.

3.Uttar Pradesh CM transfers Rs 611 cr in accounts of 27.15 lakh MNREGA workers

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath transferred 611 crore rupees in accounts of 27.15 lakh MNREGA workers.An average amount of 2,250 rupees was transferred in their respective accounts electronically.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath spoke to Many MNREGA labourers through video conferencing and assured them that apart from money all labourers will also get three months’ free ration and free cylinders.

4.Government of India launches coronavirus tracking app ‘Corona Kavach’

The Government of India has launched a coronavirus risk-tracking app called ‘Corona Kavach.’Jointly developed by the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the app uses a person’s location to assess whether they are in the high risk geographical zone or not.

Corona Kavach is designed to provide information about COVID-19 and capture information.

It will track the data of the users every one hour to alert them of whether they have crossed paths with any person who has tested positive for the infection.

5.Jharkhand govt launches PRAGYAAM app to issue e-passes to everyone associated with delivery of essential services amid lockdown

The Jharkhand Government has launched a mobile app PRAGYAAM to issue e-passes to everyone associated with delivery of essential services during the national lockdown to combat COVID-19.District Transport Officers have been given authority to issue e-passes to vehicles through online mode after verification of the documents uploaded through the app.

These passes will be issued to those involved in the regular supply services, medical, banking and other necessary services.

Officials can also verify the status of the e-passes on the app and other details, including mobile number and identity card of the person engaged in such duties to curb the chances of fake e-passes.

6.Ministry of Corporate Affairs introduces the “Companies Fresh Start Scheme, 2020” and revised the “LLP Settlement Scheme, 2020”

The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), has introduced the “Companies Fresh Start Scheme, 2020” and revised the “LLP Settlement Scheme, 2020”.The scheme has been launched in pursuance of the Government of India’s efforts to provide relief to law abiding companies and Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs) in the wake of COVID 19.

It is a first of its kind opportunity to both companies and LLPs to make good any filing related defaults, irrespective of duration of default, and make a fresh start as a fully compliant entity.

The Fresh Start scheme and modified LLP Settlement Scheme incentivise compliance and reduce compliance burden during the unprecedented public health situation caused by COVID-19.

The Schemes significantly reduce the related financial burden on them, especially for those with long standing defaults, thereby giving them an opportunity to make a “fresh start”.

7.Govt extends validity of vehicle permits till June 30

Centre has extended till June 30 the validity of documents like driving licenses, permits and registration that expired since February 1.The government has introduced this move to ensure hassle-free transportation of cargo amid the lockdown over the novel coronavirus pandemic.

In an advisory to all states and Union territories, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has asked them to treat such documents as valid till June 30.  

The decision was taken to facilitate the citizens facing difficulties in renewing the validity of various documents related to the Motor Vehicles Act and the Central Motor Vehicles.

The documents include fitness, permit (all types), driving licence, registration or any other concerned document under the Motor Vehicles Act.

8.Tata Power JV commences commercial operations of Shuakhevi Hydro Power Project in Georgia

Adjaristsqali Georgia LLC, a Joint Venture between Tata Power, Norway’s Clean Energy Invest (CEI), and International Financial Corporation (IFC) has announced the start of commercial operation of the 178 MW Shuakhevi Hydro Power Project (Shuakhevi HPP) located in southwest Georgia.The project will generate around 450 GWh of clean energy to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases by more than 200,000 tonnes a year.

The successful completion and start of commercial operations are considered crucial for the integrity, security and energy independence of Georgia.

The power generated by the project will be exclusively sold within Georgia throughout the winter which is a period of energy deficit.

9.Musk’s SpaceX wins NASA award for planned lunar space station

NASA picked a new space capsule from Elon Musk’s SpaceX to ferry cargo and supplies to the agency’s planned lunar space station.It is a crucial building block to its plans to build a permanent post on the moon and mount future missions to Mars.

SpaceX will get a portion of a $7 billion NASA contract to use its biggest rocket, Falcon Heavy, to send a new “Dragon XL” spacecraft to the Lunar Gateway.

The Dragon XL spacecraft will carry research supplies that will help future astronauts on the surface of the moon collect lunar samples.

10.Samajwadi Party Founding Member Beni Prasad Verma passed away

Former Union minister and Samajwadi Party founding member Beni Prasad Verma died.Verma was the telecom minister between 1996-1998 in then prime minister H.D. Deve Gowda’s cabinet and was the steel minister in the Congress-led UPA-II government.

The former Union minister’s association with SP leader Mulayam Singh Yadav spans over four decades.