Current Affairs Daily Digest – June 04 2020
1. June 4: International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression
Every year, International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression is celebrated on June 4. The day was established in 1982 and is marked by the United Nations.
The day is being marked to acknowledge the pain suffered by the children throughout the world. The day speaks about the agony of the young innocent souls becoming victims of mental, physical and emotional abuse. The day also affirms United Nations commitment towards protecting rights of children.
2. Global Economic Prospects Report, 2020 by World Bank
The World Bank recently launched the Global Economic Prospects Report, 2020. The report highlighted the impact of COVID-19 on countries. The report says that the Emerging Market and the Developing Economies are highly vulnerable. They face health crisis, external shocks, restrictions, tourism, falling trade, capital outflows and commodity prices. These countries according to the report are expected to have 3% to 8% output loss.
3. GoI: 10 Sectors identified to cut imports
The Department of Promotion for Industry and Internal Trade identified 10 sectors where in the imports are to be cut. This includes textiles, jewelry, mobile, gems, pharmaceuticals, garments, electronics, machinery, etc.
The GoI has recently changed the set targets in order to become self-reliant in footwear, furniture and air conditioner. In parallel, the Government has also laid groundwork to become self-reliant in 10 other sectors.
4. SWADES Initiative: Skill Mapping programme for Indians returning from Abroad
The Government of India is to conduct SWADES initiative to map the skills of Indians returning from abroad. SWADES is Skilled Workers Arrival Database for Employment Support. The SWADES initiative has been begun under Vande Bharat Mission. The initiative aims to generate database of Indians returning from abroad based on their skill sets and experience. The database will then be used to fulfil need of foreign companies and Indian companies.
5. India to hold first ever virtual bilateral summit with Australia
PM Modi will hold a virtual bilateral summit with the Australian PM Scott Morrison. This is the first ever virtual bilateral summit to be held by India. The leaders are to discuss a broad framework on the relation of India and Australia.
The leaders will also sign several agreements. The major agreement is the one to be signed on mutual sharing of military logistics facilities. The agreement will help increase the bandwidth of operation of both the Australian and Indian forces in the Indo Pacific region.
6. Uday Kotak takes over as CII president
Banker Uday Kotak assumed office as the president of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for the year 2020-21. He will replace Vikram Kirloskar, who is the chairman and managing director (MD) of Kirloskar Systems Ltd and vice-chairman of Toyota Kirloskar Motor.
7. Cabinet approved to rename Kolkata Port as Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port
The Union Cabinet chaired by PM Narendra Modi approved to rename Kolkata Port as Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port. The decision was made by the Board of Trustees of Kolkata Port Trust in its Meeting held on 25 February 2020. The Board also passed a Resolution to rename Kolkata Port as Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port.
8. Ookla certifies ACT Fibernet as India’s most consistent wired broadband
ACT Fibernet is verified as India’s most consistent wired broadband, according to Ookla® analysis of Speedtest Intelligence® data Q1 2020. ACT Fibernet offers seamless work from home and helps you enjoy 4k streaming on its network. The company aims to offer you the fastest, most consistent and unparalleled internet experience through its latest technology of fiber broadband.
9. Veteran filmmaker Basu Chatterjee passes away; Prez, VP, PM, MIB express grief
Veteran filmmaker Basu Chatterjee, known for his soulful cinema, passed away following age related health issues. He was 93. Chatterjee who is survived by his daughters Sonali Bhattacharya and Rupali Guha, died in his sleep at his Santacruz residence.
10. Twitter Names Ex Google Official Patrick Pichette As Chairman
Twitter Inc appointed Patrick Pichette, a former chief financial officer at Google, as the social network’s board chairman, marking the first time in Twitter’s history that an outsider will preside over the group.
Pichette, who had been Twitter’s lead independent director since the end of 2018, will replace Omid Kordestani in leading the directors as chairman. Kordestani supervised the board and had more day to day involvement with the company as executive chairman for nearly five years.
11. Virendra Nath Datt given additional charge as NFL CMD
State-owned fertiliser firm NFL said Virendra Nath Datt has been given additional charge as chairman and managing director (CMD) of the company. Datt has been director (marketing) of the firm since October 2018.
“Virendra Nath Datt, Director (Marketing), NFL has taken over the additional charge of Chairman & Managing Director of the Company,” NFL said in the statement.
12. 8 Indian universities feature in THE Asia Rankings top 100 list — and it’s not just IITs
Indian engineers are known and recognized around the world. And its institutions being placed high in the global ranking is a validation to that. According to the Times Higher Education (THE) Asia Rankings, eight Indian institutions have been ranked in the top 100 list this year — including six Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).
13. Indian writer Kritika Pandey wins regional award for Asia in 2020 Commonwealth Short Story Prize
Kritika Pandey, a writer from Ranchi, announced as the regional winner for Asia in the 2020 Commonwealth Short Story Prize. The 29-year-old writer won for her story The Great Indian Tee and Snakes, which is about two young people trying to navigate the idea of love in an era of hatred and prejudice. The story about a Hindu girl falling in love with a Muslim man had made it to the shortlist for the Asian region.
