Current Affairs Daily Digest – May 29 2020
1. May 29: International Day of UN Peacekeepers
Every year, the United Nations celebrates International Day of UN Peacekeepers on May 29. This year the day is being celebrated under the theme –
Theme: Women in Peacekeeping: A key to Peace
The International Day of UN Peacekeepers is celebrated to honour more than 3,900 peacekeepers that lost their lives serving under the United Nations.
2. Former Chhattisgarh CM Ajit Jogi passes away
Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Ajit Jogi passed away on May 29, 2020. He was 74. The news of his demise was shared by his son Amit Jogi on his twitter handle. The late leader was undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Raipur after suffering a cardiac arrest on May 9. His health was termed by the doctors as extremely critical.
3. FDI in India rises up by 18 per cent to reach USD 73 billion in 2019-20
Union Commerce and Industry Minister, Piyush Goyal on May 28 stated that the total Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in India has grown by 18% to reach 73 billion in FY 2019-20. He further asserted that this long- term investment will help in job creation.
4. Irdai member Nilesh Sathe appointed NHAI finance advisor
Nilesh Sathe, former IRDAI member and veteran of Life Insurance Corporation has joined National Highways Authority of India as financial advisor. The government undertaking has taken on board Sathe at a time when it is looking to raise funds for road development from foreign institutional investors, World Bank, Asian Development Bank, Pension Funds abroad and also from Domestic Institutional Investors from India.
5. Capgemini’s Thierry Delaporte to be Wipro’s new CEO and MD
Wipro has picked Capgemini executive Thierry Delaporte as its chief executive officer and managing director, the company said in a BSE filing. Delaporte takes over from Abidali Neemuchwala on June 1. Neemuchwala left the technology firm after four years at the helm citing ‘family commitement’.
6. M P Veerendra Kumar dies at 84
M P Veerendra Kumar, the Managing Director of leading Malayalam daily Mathrubhumi and a member of PTI’s Board of Directors, died at a private hospital following cardiac arrest, family sources said.
7. ITC, Amway tie up to launch products in health and immunity space
Leading FMCG player ITC has tied up with direct selling company Amway India with a focus on products in the health and nutrition space.
This partnership has been kicked-off with the launch of ‘B Natural+’ fruit beverage range, which has been developed by ITC, and positioned in the immunity-boosting space. The range will be exclusively distributed by Amway through its direct selling network in the initial period.
8. Facebook Launches ‘Catchup’ Audio Calling App
“Catchup,” built by Facebook’s internal R&D group, differs from other group chat apps, in that the calls are audio-only, not video, and displays users’ status to indicate they’re available to talk.
9. Missile Park ‘Agneeprastha’ to be set up at INS Kalinga
Foundation Stone for a Missile Park ” AGNEEPRASTHA” was laid at INS Kalinga by Cmde Rajesh Debnath, Commanding Officer, in the presence of Vice Admiral Atul Kumar Jain, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, FOC-in-C (East) on 28 May 20.
The Missile Park “AGNEEPRASTHA” once completed will be dedicated to all the Officers, Sailors and Support Staff of INS Kalinga, who have served in this premier op-support Base of the ENC since its establishment in 1981. The Park also commemorates the award of the prestigious Unit Citation to INS Kalinga for the year 2018-19.
10. Sun Pharma to begin clinical trial of pancreatitis drug in COVID-19 patients
Sun Pharma said that it has received approval from the Drugs Controller General of India to begin clinical trials of pancreatitis drug, nafamostat mesilate, in COVID-19 patients. Sun Pharma said that it has initiated manufacturing of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and the finished product of nafamostat using technology from its subsidiary, Pola Pharma Japan.
11. Andhra HC reinstates Ramesh Kumar as State Election Commissioner
The Andhra Pradesh High Court has directed the state government to reinstate State Election Commissioner Nimmagadda Ramesh Kumar who was dismissed on April 10. The court struck down an ordinance which reduced the SEC’s term from five to three years and abruptly ended Kumar’s tenure. The state government had posted former Madras HC judge Justice V Kanagaraj in Kumar’s place.
12. CIPET is renamed as Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering and Technology
Centre has been renamed the Central Institute of Plastics Engineering & Technology (CIPET), a premier national institution under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, as Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering & Technology (CIPET). The announcement was made by the Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers DV Sadananda Gowda.
