Current Affairs Daily Digest – May 08 2020
1. Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for victims of WWII is observed on 8-9 May
The Time of remembrance and reconciliation for those who lost their lives during the Second World War is observed on 8-9 May every year. On this day people across the world and many authority bodies including UNGA, pay tribute to all victims of World War-II (WWII).
2. UNEP extends Actress Dia Mirzas term as Goodwill Ambassador
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) extended environmentalist and actor-producer Dia Mirza’s term as its National Goodwill Ambassador for another two years till the end of 2022. Dia is also a United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Advocate.
3. Union Minister Gadkari sets road construction target for next two years at Rs.15 lakh crore
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has announced its target to construct roads worth Rs.15 lakh crore in the next two years. The announcement was made by the Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways and MSMEs Nitin Gadkari. The Ministry is working overtime to clear all arbitration cases with concessionaires.
4. Long March 5B: China’s new Rocket launch successful
China had launched a new rocket and a deep-space spacecraft to operate a permanent space station and also to send astronauts to moon.China launched the Long March 5B rocket from its Wenchang launch site that is located on the island of Hainan. The rocket is a massive vehicle and is being compared with deep space Orion capsule of NASA.
5. Govt sets road construction worth Rs. 15 lakh crores in next two years
The Union Minister of Road Transport, Highways, and MSME, Nitin Gadkari on May 7 announced that the government has been planning to build national highways worth Rs. 15 lakh crores in the next two years.
The union minister also informed that the auto scrapping policy will also be finalised soon. He talked about being prepared for the bad times and the industry must focus on technology, innovation, and research to become competitive in the global market.
6. Govt starts clinical trials of Ayush medicines for COVID-19
The Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan on May 7 announced that the clinical trials of Ayush medicines have been started by the Health Ministry for COVID-19. The trials will be of age-old medicines such as Yashtimadhu, Ashwagandha, and Guduchi Pippali.
7. Tamil Nadu State raises retirement age of government employees to 59
The Tamil Nadu government raised the age of superannuation of its employees to 59 years, in an attempt to give itself some relief from a near ₹5,000-crore financial burden.
“This will apply to all those who are in regular service as on date and due to retire on superannuation from May 31, 2020,” a G.O. issued by Chief Secretary K. Shanmugam said.
8. World Thalassemia Day is observed on May 08
World Thalassemia Day is celebrated every year on May 8th to commemorate Thalassemia victims and to encourage those who struggle to live with the disease. Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder that causes your body to have less hemoglobin than normal.
9. MP Sanjeevani Clinics (Mohalla Clinic) – Free Treatment & 120 Types of Medicines
Madhya Pradesh govt is going to start MP Sanjeevani Clinics on lines of Mohalla Clinic opened by Delhi government. CM Kamal Nath has inaugurated 1st Sanjivani Clinic in Indore district. In these clinics, govt. will provide treatment and more than 120 types of medicines absolutely free of cost. The main objective is to provide comprehensive healthcare to poor people residing in rural and urban areas.
10. World Red Cross Day 2020
World Red Cross day is observed on May 8 to celebrate the principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
On this day, people pay tributes to the Red Cross volunteers for their contribution in helping those in need. The day is observed on May 8 on the birth anniversary of Henry Dunant, who was the founder of the International Committee of the Red Cross.
