Current Affairs Today 03rd & 04th May 2020| Current Affairs News

CURRENT AFFAIRS: DAYS

World Tuna Day

• The United Nations (UN) established World Tuna Day on May 2 to raise awareness about the importance of tuna and to promote more sustainable fishing practices.
• It is observed for the first time in
• World Tuna Day is aimed at spreading the information about tuna and the possible drastic impact because of overfishing of tuna. Tuna fish is also very important in maintaining the food chain and ecosystem.

International Spring Astronomy Day

• International Astronomy Day is celebrated twice a year one in autumn and another in spring.
• The Spring Astronomy Day is celebrated on May 2. The world will celebrate the next Astronomy Day on September 26.
• In 1973, Doug Berger, president of the Astronomical Association of Northern California, had organised the celebration of first Astronomy Day. The idea behind observing the day is to create awareness and educate people about the beautiful universe.

World Press Freedom Day

• World Press Freedom Day popularly known as World Press Day is organised and promoted by the United Nations, observed annually on May 3.
• It is a day of support for media which are targets for the restraint, or abolition, of press freedom. It is also a day of remembrance for those journalists who lost their lives in the pursuit of a story.
• The theme of World Press Freedom Day 2020, “Journalism without Fear or Favour”.

International Dawn Chorus Day 

• The annual International Dawn Chorus Day is held on the first Sunday in May. The day is dedicated to listen to the sounds of birds, when birds sing at the start of a new day, at around 4:30.
• It is a magical reminder that the natural world lives its life all around us, every day, whether we listen or not.
• In 2020, this day is being celebrated on 03 May 2020. The day encourages people to rise early to listen bird songs.
• The first ever International Dawn Chorus Day was held in Birmingham, England in 1984, by the Urban Wildlife Trust (now The Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the Black Country).

World Laughter Day

• World Laughter Day is celebrated on the first Sunday of May every year. This year the World Laughter Day will be observed on May 3, 2020.
• In 1998, the first celebration took place in Mumbai, India. It was arranged by Dr. Madan Kataria founder of the worldwide Laughter Yoga movement.

Coal Miners Day

• Every year on 4 May, Coal Miners Day is observed to honour the coal miners.
• This day show appreciation for the sacrifices, honour the accomplishments and remember the tragedies that these hardworking individuals experience.
• Coal miners are some of the great unsung heroes of Industrial and modern civilization, who spend every day digging tunnelling and extracting coal from the mines.

International Firefighter’s Day

• International Firefighters’ Day or IFFD is observed annually on May 4 to remember those firefighter’s who have died while serving our community or dedicated their lives to protecting the safety of us all.
• Firefighters are some of the most courageous and fearless people who dedicate their lives for the protection of people and property. They rescue people from burning buildings and vehicles and are well trained to put out a fire.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL

IDEAthon launched by Jal Shakti ministry

• The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti and National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) organized an IDEAthon on “The future of River Management’ to explore how the COVID-19 crisis can shape River Management strategies for the future.
• The IDEAthon led to a very interactive discussion on various aspects of river management. The attendees also took part in parallel polls which were being run during the IDEAthon. Multiple questions were also received from the attendees.
• It introduced‘Ganga Quest’ (an online quiz at gangaquest.com) as one of the initiatives to engage people with knowledge on River Ganga which has evoked a huge response, in the wake of the lockdown, with more than 600,000 students and others joining now.

About Ministry of Jal Shakti

• Union Cabinet Minister of Jal Shakti- Gajendra Singh Shekhawat
• Constituency- Jodhpur, Rajasthan

PM Narendra Modi to participate in NAM virtual summit on coronavirus

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi would participate in the virtual summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) to enhance coordination of the member states in their fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
• PM Modi would take part in the NAM virtual summit which is being organised at the initiative of Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev in his capacity as the current chair of the movement.
• The online session will conclude with a political declaration of the movement “uniting against Covid-19” as well as identified measures for enhanced coordination among NAM members in their battle against the coronavirus.
• The NAM represents the biggest grouping of countries outside the United Nations, comprising 120 developing countries from Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

Health minister Dr Harsh Vardhan launches multimedia guide ‘COVID Katha’

• Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan launched ‘COVID Katha’, a multimedia guide on the Covid-19 disease.
• While releasing COVID Katha, Vardhan stated that , it as extremely useful and exemplary science communication solution for the people at large in the present scenario. It is freely accessible on smart phones, desktop computers as well as other electronic devices.”
• This creative communication channel may help numerous Corona Warriors and have far reaching efforts of building mass awareness on current health and social crisis, the minister stated.
• It is designed to educate on the objective interpretation of scientific aspects. This resource will strengthen public understanding of science and health in the special context of COVID-19, Vardhan stated.
• He also congratulated the team involved in this creative and innovative endeavour.
• The Union Minister interacted with heads of all Autonomous Institutions (AIs) and Subordinate offices of Department of Science and Technology (DST) via video conferencing on the occasion of 50th DST Foundation Day about their S & T initiatives, particularly in relation to their endeavours for combating the Covid-19 outbreak.

About Ministry of Health and Family Welfare:

• Ministry of Science & Technology, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Ministry of Earth Science- Dr. Harsh Vardhan
• Constituency- Chandni Chowk, New Delhi

CURRENT AFFAIRS: INTERNATIONAL

Russia to Launch First Satellite For Monitoring Arctic Climate This Year

• Russia will launch its first Arktika-M satellite for monitoring the Arctic climate and environment at the end of the year, General Director of the Lavochkin aerospace company Vladimir Kolmykov stated.
• As of now, the number one Arktika-M spacecraft has been developed and is undergoing radio-electronic testing … the launch is planned for the end of 2020″, Kolmykov stated, adding that the second Arktika-M satellite is still under development and will be launched in
• In February, a space industry source stated that the launch of the first Arktika-M satellite from the Baikonur space centre was planned for 9 December 2020. According to the source, the satellite will be launched using a Soyuz-2.1b carrier rocket with the Fregat booster.
• The launch of the second Russian satellite for weather forecasting and monitoring climate and the environment in the Arctic region, Arktika-M, has been postponed to 2023 from 2021, according to documents of Russia space corporation Roscosmos published on the public procurement website.
• Russia’s Arktika-M remote-sensing and emergency communications satellites will gather meteorological data in the polar regions of the Earth, which will allow to improve weather forecasts and will enable scientists to better study climate change.

About Russia :

• Capital: Moscow
• Currency: Russian Rouble
• President: Vladimir Putin

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BANKING AND FINANCE

HDFC Bank releases song to keep up hopes up amidst Covid-19 pandemic

• To keep up hopes up amidst the ongoing national lockdown and coronavirus pandemic, HDFC Bank released a collaborative song titled #HumHaarNahiMaanenge (We will not lose).
• Composed by Oscar and Grammy Award-winning musician AR Rahman, with lyrics by Prasoon Joshi, the song is “a tribute to the indomitable spirit of India and millions of Indians who are standing together to fight the Covid-19 pandemic”.
• The song was conceptualised as a clarion call to spread hope, positivity and motivation. The powerful, emotional track reminds people that we are in this together and we will get through it together, HDFC Bank stated.
• The bank stated it will contribute Rs 500 each time the song is shared via social media towards the PM-CARES Fund. Earlier this month, HDFC Group contributed Rs 150 crore towards the PM-CARES Fund.

About HDFC:

• CEO: Aditya Puri
• Headquarters: Mumbai
• Tagline :We understand your world

RBI cancels licence of Mumbai-based CKP Cooperative Bank

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cancelled the licence of Mumbai-based CKP Co-operative Bank Ltd. The licence of CKP Co-operative Bank Ltd has been cancelled with effect from the close of business on April 30, 2020, as the bank’s financial position had worsened.
• In its order, the central bank has maintained that the CKP Co-operative Bank Ltd was not in a position to pay its present and future depositors due to its financial instability.
• The RBI stated, The CKP Co-operative Bank Ltd., Mumbai, is prohibited from conducting the business of ‘banking’ which includes acceptance of deposits and repayment of deposits.
• The Registrar of Co-operative Societies, Pune, Maharashtra, has also been requested to issue an order for winding up the affairs of CKP Co-operative Bank Ltd. and appoint a liquidator for the bank.
• The bank is not satisfying the requirement of minimum capital and reserves….The bank is not in a position to pay its present and future depositors, thereby not complying with Section 22(3) (a) read with Section 56 of the Act, the RBI stated.
• The central bank further stated that the CKP Co-operative Bank’s efforts for revival have been far from adequate though it was given ample time and opportunity and dispensations.

About RBI:

• Headquarters– Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Formation– 1 April 1935
• Governor– Shaktikanta Das
• Deputy Governors– 3 (Bibhu Prasad Kanungo, Mahesh Kumar Jain, Michael DebabrataPatra)

CURRENT AFFAIRS: STATES

UP govt makes Arogya Setu app must for those in hotspot areas

• Uttar Pradesh government has made it compulsory to download Arogya Setu app for those living in hotspot areas of the state. State government has issued instructions regarding opening of offices, and resuming work in industrial areas.
• Special instructions have been issued for surveillance management in hotspot areas and containment zones.
• Now Arogya setu Apo is a must for everyone in Hotspot area. If anyone is facing any problem in download and use of the app then teams comprising members of administration, Medical Services and Police personal  will help them.
• Administrative and  health department officials have been directed for contact mapping of every case in hotspot area. five or more persons will not be allowed to gather at any point as part of the covid-19 management.

About Uttar Pradesh:

• Chief minister: Yogi Adityanath
• Governor: Anandiben Patel
• Capital: Lucknow

CURRENT AFFAIRS: APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATION

Yes Bank Appoints Neeraj Dhawan As Chief Risk Officer

• Yes Bank has appointed Neeraj Dhawan as its Chief Risk Officer with immediate effect.
• He has 29 years of experience in financial services and banking industry.
• He will assume charge in place of Ashish Agarwal, the current chief risk officer, who will be transitioning to a new role in the bank.

About Yes Bank

• Headquarters- Mumbai
• CEO- Prashant Kumar
• Tagline- Experience our Expertise.

Ramesh Babu appointed as NTPC Director (Operations)

• NTPC has appointed Ramesh Babu V as Director (Operations).
• He joined NTPC as Executive Trainee in 1987 and has more than 32 years’ experience in managing large Power Stations in the areas of operations & maintenance, renovation & modernisation of old units as well as in the domains of efficiency & systems improvement of thermal plants.
• As Director (Operations), Babu will be responsible for the overall planning of safe, reliable and efficient operations of all power generating stations of the NTPC Group while ensuring fuel security and environmental compliance of these power stations.

About National Thermal Power Corporation

• Headquarters– New Delhi.
• Chairman and Managing Director (CMD)– Shri Gurdeep Singh.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SUMMITS AND CONFERENCE

Ministry of Tourism  hosts 13th webinar titled  ‘Destination- Sariska Tiger reserve’ of “Dekho Apna Desh” series

• The 13th session of Ministry of Tourism’s Dekho ApnaDesh webinar titled, ‘Destination- Sariska Tiger reserve’ was a presentation and virtual tour of wildlife adventure, safari experience for the traveller within the Sariska Tiger Reserve’ in Alwar district,
• The first webinar “City of cities- Delhi’s Personal Diary” was launched on April 14. It was on the history of Delhi that unfolded the long heritage of the city.

About Sariska Tiger Reserve

• Sariska Tiger Reserve is located in the Aravalli Hills, 35 km from Alwar, 250 km SW of Delhi and 110 km NE of Jaipur. The former hunting reserve of the Maharaja of Alwar, the Sariska valley is home to a variety of flora and fauna. The park has populations of tigers, leopards, Nilgai, Sambar, chital etc.
• The place is a paradise for bird lovers as it shelters a large population of Indian peafowl, crested serpent eagles, sand grouse, golden backed woodpeckers, great Indian horned owls, tree pies, vultures and many others.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

CSIR’s Kisan Sabha App to connect farmers to supply chain

• The Central Road Research Institute (CRRI), a CSIR lab, has come up with an app called Kisan Sabha to resolve the problems related to the agricultural supply chain. The App was remotely launched by Director General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Trilochan Mohapatra. The primary objective of Kisan Sabha is to connect farmers to supply chain and freight transportation management system.
• Kisan Sabha acts as a single stop for every entity related to agriculture, be they farmers who need a better price for the crops or mandi dealers who want to connect to more farmers or truckers who invariably go empty from the mandis.
• App also works for people in the agriculture services sector such as dealers of fertilizers/pesticides, who can reach out to more farmers for their services. It would also prove to be useful for those associated with cold stores or godowns.
• Kisan Sabha aims to provide the most economical and timely logistics support to the farmers and increase their profit margins by minimizing the interference of middlemen and directly connecting with the institutional buyers.
• It will also help in providing the best market rates for crops by comparing the prices in the nearest mandis, booking of freight vehicle at the cheapest cost, thereby giving maximum benefit to the farmers.

About CSIR:

• Headquarters : New Delhi
• Director General : Shekhar C. Mande

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BOOKS AND AUTHORS

Prahlad Singh Patel releases e-book “Prof. B. B. Lal -India Rediscovered”

• On the occasion of centenary year of great archaeologist Professor B. Lal, Union Culture Minister Prahlad Singh Patel released an e-book “Prof. B. B. Lal -India Rediscovered” in New Delhi.
• Prof Lal was born on 02nd may 1921 in village Baidora, District Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh. The book is a centenary special edition which has been prepared by Ministry of culture in collaboration with Prof B B Lal Centenary Celebration Committee. The book is a tribute from Ministry of culture for his immense contribution to the field of archaeology.
• B. B. Lal was conferred upon Padma Bhushan in the year of 2000. He was the Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) from 1968 to 1972 and has served as Director of the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies, Shimla.

Recent News

• Ministry of Culture’s Development of Museums and Cultural Spaces (DMCS) digitally launched the short film‘A Ray of Genius’ to mark the beginning of the centenary celebrations of Satyajit Ray

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SPORTS

Former world snooker champion Peter Ebdon retires to avoid spinal surgery

• Former World Snooker champion Peter Ebdon has retired from the sport to avoid having to endure daunting spinal surgery.
• The 49-year-old, who has been plagued by neck, back, shoulder and arm pain, won the 2002 world title, beating Stephen Hendry in an 18-17 final thriller. He was also a two-time runner-up.
• Won the 2002 world championship, beating Stephen Hendry in a 18-17 final thriller, reached the 1996 and 2006 finals(runner-up), 2006 Maplin Electronics UK Championship, UK Championship runner-up in 1995.
• Became the 1st to make 4 century breaks in five frames, in the European Open qualifying competition at Blackpool on 6 Sep 1992 & is one of 9 players to win both the World and the UK Championships.

Australia bans use of saliva as sports activities set to return

• Australia banned saliva and sweat to shine the cricket ball as the federal government released guidelines for the gradual return of professional and recreational sport in the coronavirus pandemic, cricket website ESPNCricinfo reported.
• Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) made the guidelines with the help of medical experts, sporting bodies, and federal and state governments.
• Under the AIS framework, restrictions on sport are currently outlined as being at “Level A” restricting all training except that of the individual kind.
• But soon there will be a shift to “Level B” and it will allow net sessions in which batters will be able to face bowlers. However, bowlers will be limited for the session. Level B will also allow for unrestricted fielding sessions.
• Under Level B, warm-up drills involving unnecessary person to person contact has not been allowed. Ball shining with sweat/saliva has also been not allowed under training, ESPNCricinfo reported.
• The third and final “Level C”, will be permitted later in the year and it is outlined as: “Full training and competition. No ball shining with sweat/saliva in training.”
• Shining the ball is a major thing for bowlers in trying to extract some swing from the match. As the game starts swaying in favour of batsmen by each passing day, bowlers have to try everything they can in trying to trouble the batsmen.

About Australia :

• Capital: Canberra
• Currency: Australian dollar
• Prime Minister : Scott Morrison

Commonwealth Youth Games 2021 rescheduled to 2023

• The 2021 Commonwealth Youth Games was postponed to 2023 because of clash of dates with Tokyo Olympics, which has been pushed back by a year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
• The Tokyo Olympics were originally scheduled to be held from July 23 to August 8 this year but the quadrennial event was postponed by a year last month owing to the pandemic, which has so far claimed over 2 lakh lives globally.
• The Commonwealth Games Federation Executive Board have decided to explore rescheduling options for the 2021 Commonwealth Youth Games, the CGF stated in a statement.
• The impact of the pandemic on the global international sporting calendar means that the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics have now been rescheduled to the summer of 2021 during the orginal dates of the Youth Games.
• Following positive discussions, the CGF has agreed to consider the best alternative options and time frames for staging the event in the future, potentially in 2023, it added.

List of commonwealth youth games venue:

Year	City	State	Country
2015	Apia	Tuamasaga	Samoa
2017	Nassau		The Bahamas

World Championships 2021 postponed to November-December, to be held in Carolina Marin Stadium

• The Badminton World Federation (BWF) announced that the World Championships in 2021 is being moved from August to later in the year. The prestigious tournament is now scheduled to be held from November 29 to December 5 at the Carolina Marin Stadium in Huelva, Spain.
• The World Championships was scheduled to be held in August but it has now been postponed due to the delay in the Tokyo Olympics. The Games were postponed to 2021 due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus pandemic that has had a massive impact on the global sporting calendar.
• “The Badminton World Federation (BWF) and Spanish Badminton Federation (FESBA) can confirm the BWF World Championships traditionally scheduled for August 2021 will now take place at the end of 2021 from Monday 29 November to Sunday 5 December,” BWF stated
• The new schedule will allow players to have a clear focus for 2021 in which they will have dual objectives of both the Olympic Games and World Championships, according to the BWF.
• BWF President Poul-Erik Hoyer stated changing the BWF World Championships to late November was in the best interests of the sport.

About Badminton World Federation (BWF):

• Headquarters: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
• Founded: 5 July 1934
• President: Poul-Erik Høyer Larsen

CURRENT AFFAIRS: OBITUARY

Judicial Member, Lokpal of India, Justice Ajay Kumar Tripathi passes away

• Judicial Member, Lokpal of India, Justice Ajay Kumar Tripathi passed away after having breathing problems.
• He started practice of law at Patna High Court and was elevated as an Additional Judge Patna High Court on 9thOctober, 2006 and took oath as Permanent Judge of the High Court on 21st November, 2007. He was sworn in as the Chief Justice of Chhattisgarh High Court on 7th July, 2018.
• On 27thMarch, 2019 Justice Tripathi took oath as a Judicial Member of Lokpal of India. He played an important role in setting up the Institution of Lokpal of India with his innovative ideas and inputs.

DAILY CA 2nd MAY

• CAIT to launch national e-commerce marketplace ‘bharatmarket’ for retail traders
• Government raises Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Minor Forest Produce (MFP) of 49 items in view of circumstances arising out of Covid 19
• RBI extends benefits under SLF-MF to all banks
• GI tag to Manipur black rice, Gorakhpur terracotta and Kovilpatti kadalai mittai
• Tripura govt to launch agri entrepreneur facilitation desk to boost economy
• National Board for Wildlife Permits Coal Mining in Dehing Patkai Elephant Reserve in Assam
• Maharashtra becomes first state in country to provide free and cashless insurance premium to people of the state
• Kashmir saffron gets GI tag
• CSIR launches Kisan Sabha App to connect farmers to supply chain, transportation Management System
• Ajay Tirkey assumes charge as Secretary of WCD Ministry
• IIT Madras professor, Padma Shri awardee chosen for Nikkei Asia Prizes 2020 for clean water tech at Rs 2 per litre
• Ramayan sets world record, becomes most viewed entertainment programme globally
• Ross Taylorbags New Zealand Cricketer of the year award
• American Academy of Arts and Sciences elects three Indians
• India lose top spot in ICC Test rankings for first time since October 2016
• DST launches programme on health & risk communication with focus on COVID-19
• Shivaji in South Block: The Unwritten History of a Proud People by Girish Kuber
• South African anti-apartheid veteran Denis Goldbergpasses away
• Writer and columnist RV Smith passes away

DAILY CA 3rd and 4th MAY

• World Tuna Day-2nd may
• International Spring Astronomy Day – 2nd may
• World Press Freedom Day– 3rd may
• International Dawn Chorus Day-3rd may
• World Laughter Day– 3rd may
• Coal Miners Day– 4th may
• International Firefighter’s Day– 4th may
• IDEAthon launched by Jal Shakti ministry
• PM Narendra Modi to participate in NAM virtual summit on coronavirus
• Health minister Dr Harsh Vardhan launches multimedia guide ‘COVID Katha’
• Russia to Launch First Satellite For Monitoring Arctic Climate This Year
• HDFC Bank releases song to keep up hopes up amidst Covid-19 pandemic
• RBI cancels licence of Mumbai-based CKP Cooperative Bank
• UP govt makes Arogya Setu app must for those in hotspot areas
• Yes Bank Appoints Neeraj Dhawan As Chief Risk Officer
• Ramesh Babu appointed as NTPC Director (Operations)
• Ministry of Tourism hosts 13th webinar titled  ‘Destination- Sariska Tiger reserve’ of “Dekho Apna Desh” series
• CSIR’s Kisan Sabha App to connect farmers to supply chain
• Prahlad Singh Patel releases e-book “Prof. B. B. Lal -India Rediscovered”
• Former world snooker champion Peter Ebdon retires to avoid spinal surgery
• Australia bans use of saliva as sports activities set to return
• Commonwealth Youth Games 2021 rescheduled to 2023
• World Championships 2021 postponed to November-December, to be held in Carolina Marin Stadium
• Judicial Member, Lokpal of India, Justice Ajay Kumar Tripathi passes away