Daily GK Updates - 24th May, 2020

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. MoHFW constitutes committee to reform Drug Regulatory System: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has constituted a committee to reform the Drug Regulatory System. The committee comprises of 11 members including the senior health officials, scientists and representatives of the pharmaceutical industry and is headed by Rajesh Bhushan. It has been tasked to examine the current drug regulatory system and to give recommendations for reforms in order to bring the system more efficient and to streamline it with global standards.

Note: Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare: Harsh Vardhan.

2. India becomes world’s 2nd largest manufacturer of PPE body coveralls: India has become the second-largest producer of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) kits in the world, only behind China. PPE is important for frontline warriors to safeguard against the COVID-19 pandemic. A PPE kit basically consists of shoe cover, gloves, eye shield, mask, and gown. The Ministry of Textile has taken several steps to ensure both quality and quantity of PPE coveralls, to help India rise from zero to second largest in the world, within a very short span of time of two months. The ministry is also taking steps to ensure that only certified players across the entire supply chain are allowed to supply body coveralls to governments.

Note: Minister of Health and Family Welfare: Harsh Vardhan

3. Uttarakhand releases report on conservation of plant species: Uttarakhand has become the 1st state to release report on conservation efforts of endemic and threatened floras. ‘Ashwagandha’, ‘Giloy, Kalmegh, Sanjeevani, Brahmkamal, Thuner and ‘Chitrak’ herbs are the part of the report. As per the report, 1,145 plant species have been conserved covering 46 species that are endemic to Uttarakhand and 68 rare, endangered, or threatened species under red list of the IUCN. The report is one of the largest repositories of conserved plants.

4. Jahnabi Phookan takes charge as FICCI FLO National President: Assam-based entrepreneur Jahnabi Phookan has been appointed as the new National President of FICCI Ladies Organization (FLO) on 22 May 2020. She took over from outgoing National President Harjinder Kaur Talwar. FICCI FLO represents over 8000 women entrepreneurs and professionals across 17 chapters nationally and works aggressively towards promoting economic empowerment and equal opportunities for women. FICCI FLO is the women wing of the leading industry chamber, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).

Note: Phookan is the 37th National President of FICCI FLO

5. Govt extends validity of vehicle documents till July 31: The Union government has extended the validity of various motor vehicles related documents until 31st July 2020. No additional or late fee will be charged for delays invalidation of documents pending from February 1. Earlier, The ministry has issued an advisory on March 30, 2020, to all regarding extension of validity of the documents related to Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989.

6. Ladakh Police comes into existence, LG approves new insignia of Police: After the formation of Union Territory of Ladakh, separate Ladakh Police has come into being. Now, Police in Leh and Kargil districts will be called 'Ladakh police'. Ladakh Police will have its new symbols, insignia, formation sign and flag with a separate identity. LP in symmetric design and Juniper leaves (incense offered on religious occasions) covering the Ashoka and LP.  Ladakh police flag with 'Khidmat aur Himmat' reads service and courage is ready to fly high.

7. Government notifies BS-VI emission norms for quadricycles: The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has notified BS-VI emission norms for quadricycles, paving the way for higher production of the new category of vehicle that was introduced less than two years ago. The emission norms are on the lines of the European Union’s World Motorcycle Test Cycle (WMTC). A quadricycle cannot be more than 3.6 metres long, should have an engine smaller than 800cc, and should not weigh more than 475 kgs.

8. UP govt to set up a commission for employment of migrant labourers: The Uttar Pradesh government has decided to set up a Migration Commission for the employment of migrant labourers(Over 23 lakh returned) in the state. The commission has been proposed to look into various factors associated with migrant workers' rights and to prevent exploitation while providing an official framework to ensure socio-economic-legal support for them. The chief minister Mr Yogi also suggested that a scheme be launched to ensure their job security.

9. ‘Break the Chain’ cartoon campaign inaugurated by Kerala: Kerala Health Minister K K Shailaja has inaugurated the Kerala Cartoon Academy’s ‘Break the Chain’ campaign. Well-known cartoonists participated in the event and painted cartoons on walls to spread awareness amongst people about the campaign. In the first phase, 14 cities in 14 districts are selected to complete cartoon drawings. In the next phase, it will be extended to 28 cities.

10. Lok Sabha Passed Mineral Law Amendment Bill: Lok Sabha has passed the Mineral Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2020 which aims to amend Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 along with Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015. Commercial mining will completely be open up in the coal sector by this bill and it also intends to remove end-use restrictions to participate in coal mine auction.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Abhas Jha appointed as World Bank’s Practice Manager for Climate Change: World Bank has appointed Indian economist Abhas Jha as its Practice Manager for Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management for South Asia. He will be looking after nurturing, leading, and inspiring professionals for best solutions in South Asian countries. He will also ensure to connect and unite the region with Global practices for Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change. Abhas Jha joined World Bank in 2001 and has been working for South Asia since then.

Note: President of World Bank: David Malpass; Headquarter of World Bank: Washington DC.

2. Microsoft stopped online sale of Huawei laptops after US ban on Chinese tech companies: Microsoft has removed the Huawei laptops it sold on its online store. The move of Microsoft is to comply with the US President’s executive order to crack down on Chinese tech companies. Google cut off Huawei’s Android license but Microsoft stayed silent on whether it will prevent the Chinese company from obtaining Windows licenses. For now, Huawei has been granted a 90-day extension to provide software updates to Android-powered handsets and maintain continued operation of existing networks and equipment.

Note: Huawei CEO: Ren Zhengfei; Headquarters: Shenzhen, China

OTHER UPDATES:

SPORTS

1. Spanish football player Aritz Aduriz announces retirement: Spanish football player and Athletic Bilbao striker Aritz Aduriz has announced his retirement citing medical reasons. He has won 13 caps for Spain and also become the Spain’s oldest goalscorer in 2016, scoring at the age of 35 years and 275 days. He has scored 141 goals in 296 appearances for Bilbao and has also represented Real Valladolid, Real Mallorca and Valencia.

2. Mizoram Cabinet grants “Industry” status to Sports:  The Mizoram Cabinet has granted “industry” status to “sports” to invest more in sports in order to generate employment and increase value. Giving the industry status to sports would also ensure sustainability, proper registration as well as management of sports. With this move, the sports and its infrastructure will be eligible to avail the facility of subsidy, loan and assistance from the private and government sources. Mizoram is known for its love for sports, especially football which is played competitively through the Mizoram Premier League, the state’s highest football league.

Note: Chief Minister of Mizoram: Pu Zoramthanga; Governor: P.S. Sreedharan Pillai.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

1. Samsung India partners Facebook to enable offline retailers go digital: Samsung India has partnered with social media giant Facebook to train offline retailers to go digital. In the first phase, Samsung and Facebook have already trained more than 800 offline retailers, with more training sessions lined up in the coming weeks. The major focus of this training programme is on enabling offline retailers build a digital presence through the Facebook family of apps — Facebook, Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp.

2. Maruti Suzuki ties up with Cholamandalam Investment & Finance; launches ‘Buy-Now-Pay-Later Offer’: The country’s largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki India announced partnership with Cholamandalam Investment & Finance Company Ltd to provide customised auto retail financing solutions to retail buyers. The new solution ‘Buy-Now-Pay-Later Offer’ is aimed to provide customers with easy financing options.

3. Patanjali launches e-commerce app ‘OrderMe’: Swami Ramdev’s Patanjali Ayurveda Limited has launched its e-commerce app named “OrderMe”. The name of the app represents the spiritual word ‘OM’ (O for Order and M for Me). OrderMe will limit its delivery and endorsing to swadeshi products.

OBITUARIES

1. Indian hockey legend Balbir Singh Dosanjh passes away: Former Indian hockey player Balbir Singh Dosanjh who was a part of three-time Olympic gold medal-winning Indian hockey team, i.e. in London Olympics (1948), Helsinki Olympics (1952), and Melbourne Olympics (1956), passed away. Balbir Singh Dosanjh was the only Indian among 16 legends who were chosen by the International Olympic Committee across modern Olympic history. He has also an unbeaten record of scoring most goals by an individual in the men’s hockey final of the Olympics, under his name.

2. Japanese professional wrestler Hana Kimura passes away: Japanese professional wrestler, Hana Kimura, passed away at the age of 22 years. The cause of the death is unknown. She has also starred in the latest season of Netflix reality series “Terrace House”. Kimura won her first title at the Japan Pro-Wrestling (JWP) Junior plate in 2016 and joined Stardom in 2019.