Current Affairs Daily Digest – May 02 2020
1. India lost top spot in the ICC Test rankings to Australia
India lost the top spot in the ICC Test rankings to Australia on 1 May. It lost the rank because of the 2016-17 record was eliminated from the annual update as per rules.
India dropped in the ladder largely because the record of 12 Tests victories and just one Test defeat in 2016-17 was removed in the latest chart. Australia, the top-ranking country, now has 116 points. It is followed by New Zealand with 115 points and India with 114 points. India yielded the top spot in Test rankings for the first time since October 2016. It continues to lead the ICC World Test Championship.
2. Ajay Tirkey assumes charge as Secretary of Ministry of Women and Child Development
Shri Ajay Tirkey assumed charge as Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) in New Delhi on 1 May 2020. He succeeded Shri Rabindra Panwar who retired on superannuation on 30 April 2020.
Ajay Tirkey is the 1987 batch IAS officer of Madhya Pradesh cadre. Prior to this, held the post of Special Secretary in the same Ministry.
3. NSTMIS report: India placed 3rd in scientific publication
The National Science and Technology Management Information (NSTMIS) has conducted a survey on Research and Development Statistics and Indicators 2019-20. The report says that India ranks 3rd globally in the scientific publication. The first two ranks were occupied by USA and China. The gross expenditure on Research and Development in the country has tripled between 2008 and 2018. It was Rs 39,437 crores in 2008 and increased to Rs 1,13,825 crores in 2018.
4. May 2: International Astronomy Day
Every year, International Astronomy Day is celebrated twice a year. Once on September 26 and other on May 2. On this day, astronomical institutions, planetariums, museums organize fun filled activities and spread awareness about the world of astronomy.
5. May 2: World Tuna Day
Every year, World Tuna Day is observed by the United Nations to spread the importance of conservation of the Tuna Fish species. The tuna and tuna like species are economically important for both developing and developed countries.
6. Kashmir Saffron receives GI Tag
The Saffron cultivated in the Kashmir valley has received Geographical Indication Tag. It is to be noted that three other products such as Gorakhpur Teracotta, Kovilpatti Kadalai Mittai and Black rice of Manipur also received GI tag recently.
7. IIT-Madras professor wins Nikkei Asia prize
T. Pradeep, a faculty in the chemistry department of the Indian Institute of Technology Madras was honoured with the Nikkei Asia Prizes 2020 in the science and technology category, a press release from the institute said.
The Nikkei Asia Prizes are conferred on individuals who have contributed to the region’s sustainable development and to the creation of a better future in Asia. They are awarded annually in three areas — Economic and Business Innovation, Science and Technology and Culture and Community.
8. Sania Mirza nominated for Fed Cup Heart award
Indian tennis star Sania Mirza became the first Indian to be nominated for the Fed Cup Heart Award from the Asia/Oceania zone along with Indonesia’s Priska Medelyn Nugrorho. Sania had recently made a comeback to Fed Cup after four years.
9. Marcus Wallenberg Prize 2020 Winners Announced
Three researchers, Joseph J. Landsberg, Richard H. Waring and Nicholas C. Coops, share the 2020 Marcus Wallenberg Prize for a model to predict forest growth in a changing climate. Satellite imagery offers the possibility to scale up the model to show how different environmental conditions affect the world’s forests.
10. Thomas Cook India wins Silver at Asia Sustainability Reporting Awards 2019
Thomas Cook (India) Ltd., India’s leading integrated travel services company, was selected as winner of the prestigious silver award for Asia’s Best Integrated Report (First Time) at the 5th Asia Sustainability Reporting Awards (ASRA).
The ceremony hosted virtually on April 29, 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, was broadcast live from Singapore, with more than 200 senior business leaders and sustainability professionals from 15 countries attending along with dignitaries from academia, embassies, trade associations and advocacy organisations.
11. Freedom fighter and Social activist Hema Bharali passes away at 102 in Guwahati
Assam born freedom fighter and social activist and Padma Hema Bharali passed away at her residence in Guwahati. She was 102 years old. She is known for her initiative to establish the Kasturba Ashram Pub Sarania.
