Current Affairs Daily Digest – May 07 2020
1. Irans parliament introduces new currency, Toman, to tackle inflation
The Iranian Parliament has announced the decision to replace its currency “Rial” with another basic unit of currency called the “Toman.” Each toman will be worth 10,000 rials under the new system. The move aims to ease the psychological impact of soaring consumer prices on a population that has endured high inflation for decades and grappled the number of zeros in government figures.
2. Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury took charge as Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee
Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury took charge as Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament in Delhi on 6 May amid the COVID-19 lockdown. He has been appointed as the Chairperson of the Committee for the term beginning on 1 May 2020 and ending on 30 April 2021. The appointment was made by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.
3. Lt Gen Shukla assumes charge of ARTRAC
Lt Gen Raj Shukla assumed the command of the Army Training Command (ARTRAC). A graduate of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, and the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, General Shukla was commissioned into the Regiment of Artillery in December 1982.
4. “Nigah” Scheme to be launched by Himachal Pradesh Government
The Himachal Pradesh Government is to launch a new programme called “Nigah”. The programme aims at educating family members that are coming from other parts of the country.
The Nigah Programme is to deploy ASHA, anganwadi and health workers to create awareness about maintaining social distancing during home quarantine. Under the programme the health workers will sensitize the members of the family that are arriving from other states.
5. Indian American nominated as OECD Envoy by the US President Trump
The US President Donald Trump appointed Indian American Diplomat Manisha Singh as his envoy to OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development). Manisha Singh was the secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs. She will now act as US representative to OECD. She had also served as secretary of economic growth, environment and energy.
6. Karnataka cadre IAS officer Nilaya Mitash gets ADB posting
Senior IAS officer Nilaya Mitash has been posted at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) as principal operations coordination specialist, according to an official order.
The Karnataka cadre IAS officer of the 1991 batch, was working as Resident Commissioner of Karnataka in the national capital. The state government has relieved him from the current post to take up the long-term foreign assignment at ADB headquartered in Philippines.
7. Indian Cricketer Ajinkya Rahane becomes brand ambassador for edtech company ELSA Corp
Global edtech company ELSA Corp (English Language Speech Assistant Corporation), India has announced the appointment of Ajinkya Rahane, the Vice-Captain of the Indian Cricket Test Team, as its brand ambassador for India, Middle East, ANZ, and SAARC.
8. Danseuse Leela Samson to head JCB Prize for Literature 2020 jury
Leela Samson will head the five-member jury that also includes Aruni Kashyap, Tejaswini Niranjana, Ramu Ramanathan and Deepika Sorabjee
Noted Bharatanatyam dancer, former chairperson of Sangeet Natak Akademi and author Leela Samson will head the five-member jury for the ₹25 lakh JCB Prize for Literature 2020. Writer and translator Aruni Kashyap, cultural theorist and author Tejaswini Niranjana, playwright and director Ramu Ramanathan and Deepika Sorabjee, head of the arts and culture portfolio at Tata Trusts, are the other members of the jury.
9. Iraq forms new government after six months of uncertainty
Iraq’s parliament has approved a new government, after six months without one, as parties squabbled until the last minute over cabinet seats in backroom deals.
Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, Iraq’s intelligence chief and a former journalist, will head the government but will begin his term without a full cohort of ministers after several candidates were rejected.
10. UP CM Yogi Adityanath launches ‘Ayush Kavach’ app
UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched Ayush Kavach app. “Launching of Ayush Kavach app is commendable, in the fight against the global epidemic, the whole world is looking towards India with hopeful eyes to develop immunity to fight this type of virus,” said UP CM Yogi Adityanath. expressed hope that by using the application, people will be able to beat the disease. Application will provide updates for measures to boost immunity based on natural resources.
11. World Athletics Day, 2020
The World Athletics Day is organized by the IAAF (International Amateur Athletic Federation). World Athletics Day was celebrated for the first time in 1996.
In the year 2019-2020; the World Athletics Day is celebrated on 7 May. The date of World Athletics Day is decided by the IAAF. In the year 2006, the participants of this day were between the age of 7 to 15 years but later on this age gap made to 13 to 17 years.
