Current Affairs Daily Digest – May 18 2020
1. World Hypertension Day is observed on 17 May
World Hypertension Day (WHD) is observed on 17 May every year. The day aims to promote public awareness of hypertension. It also encourages all the people across the world to prevent and control this silent killer.
Theme:
The theme of 2020 World Hypertension Day is “Measure Your Blood Pressure, Control It, Live Longer.” It focuses to create awareness about raising high blood pressure (BP) in all the populations around the world.
2. PM of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu sworn-in for the 5th time
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu finally swore in his new government on 17 May for the fifth time. The ceremony of the swearing-in of Israel’s new government, the Knesset, was held in accordance with coronavirus social distancing directives. Netanyahu will be in power until 13 November 2021. This ended the 18-month political crisis in the country. Benny Gantz will serve in the specially created role of alternate Prime Minister and Defense Minister.
3. India joins 61 nations in WHO to identify Zoonotic source of COVID-19
India joined 61 other countries in the World Health Organization to identify the source of COVID-19. China and US are not a part of the resolution. Only three permanent members of the United Nations Security Council have backed the resolution namely Russia, France and UK. The other countries to support the resolution includes South Korea, Japan, Australia, South Africa, India, New Zealand, etc.
4. Indian Army to implement “ToD”
In order to help the country fight unemployment generated due to COVID-19 and also citing resurgence of nationalism and patriotism, the Indian Army has launched “ToD”. ToD is Tour of Duty. ToD is a three year internship for youths to work as officers and soldiers in the Indian Army.
5. Nabard sanctions Rs 1,500 cr for Punjab to ensure credit flow to farmers
The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has sanctioned Rs 1,500 crore for Punjab to ensure continuous credit flow to farmers, through state cooperative banks, amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
This is part of Nabard’s Rs 25,000 crore nationwide special liquidity facility (SLF), which has been made available to state cooperative banks, regional rural banks, and microfinance institutions (MFIs), to ensure flow of credit to farmers for agricultural operations during COVID-19 pandemic.
6. HDFC’s Zubair Iqbal to be new MD J&K Bank
The J&K Government has nominated Zubair Iqbal, Senior Vice President (SVP) of HDFC Bank to be elected as Managing Director of the J&K Bank.
In an order passed by the Finance Department, the government has decided to appoint Iqbal as a Government Nominee/Director on the Board of J&K Bank for a period of three years.
7. GCPL acquires balance 25% stake in Kenya-based Canon Chemicals
FMCG major Godrej Consumer Products Ltd (GCPL) announced acquisition of the balance 25 per cent stake in Kenya-based Canon Chemicals Ltd for an undisclosed sum. Through this transaction, Canon Chemicals would now be a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company. The acquisition was made through its step down firm Godrej East Africa Holdings Ltd.
8. Reliance Jio sells 1.34% stake to General Atlantic
Jio Platforms announced that it has sold a 1.34 percent stake to New York-based private equity firm General Atlantic for nearly Rs 6,600 crore, making it the fourth such stake sale in the last four weeks. Following is the full text of a media release issued by Reliance Industries Limited and Jio Platforms Limited in this regard.
9. India’s ultra mega solar parks offer $500-700 billion investment potential
The country’s ultra mega solar parks have offered potential investors an opportunity to join $500-700 billion renewable energy and grid infrastructure investment boom in the coming decade, a study noted.
The Bhadla solar park in Rajasthan is the world’s largest such installation to date, covering more than 14,000 acres with total capacity of 2245 Mw.
