Daily GK Update: 9th May 2020

Important Dates

The World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) is being observed across the world on the second weekend in May (9th May) to raise awareness and highlight the need for the protection of migratory birds and their habitats.
The theme of WBBD 2020 is “Birds Connect Our World”.
It is an effective tool to help raise global awareness of the threats faced by migratory birds, their ecological importance, and the need for international cooperation to conserve them.

State Affairs

Uttar Pradesh Government has launched the 'Pravasi Rahat Mitra' App for migrant workers of state who are returning from different parts of the country amidst lockdown.
The multipurpose App is aimed at providing benefits of government schemes to the migrant workers.
It will also help in monitoring their health besides providing jobs and livelihood, related to their skills.
In this, app, details of more than 65 types of skills will also be collected.

Banking & Finance

Global rating agency Moody’s cuts down India’s Gross Domestic Product(GDP) growth to “zero” for the current fiscal 2020-21 (previous estimate -2.6%).
The latest estimate is lower than Fitch's forecast (0.8%), IMF's (1.9%), World Bank's(1.5-2.8%) and ADB's estimate of 4%.
In 2021-22, India’s GDP growth rate will bounce back to 6.6%.
The negative outlook reflects an increase in risk that economic growth remains significantly lower than in the past.

Sports

The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) decided to recommend a second term for its President Kumar Sangakkara as the current activities at the club have been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The former Sri Lanka wicketkeeper-batsman Sangakkara became the first non-British President of the club when he assumed office on October 1 last year.
The club also mentioned that this was not the first time a president will serve beyond his one year tenure.

State Affairs

Jharkhand Govt. banned manufacture, sale and storage of 11 brands of pan masala for a year saying these products contain a chemical which is harmful to the heart and can cause various diseases.
Jharkhand becomes the third state after Maharashtra and Bihar to impose a ban on pan masala.
According to Jharkhand health minister Banna Gupta, the ban would also help contain the spread of Covid-19 in Jharkhand.

Honours & Awards

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) extended environmentalist and actor-producer Dia Mirza's term as its National Goodwill Ambassador for another two years.
Mirza will continue work with the UN to further spread the message on key areas including clean air, clean seas, wildlife protection and climate change.
One of Dia's big campaigns during her first tenure as the ambassador was #BeatPlasticPollution helped in highlighting the issue at the highest levels.

State Affairs

Tamil Nadu government increased the retirement age of its staff from 58 years to 59 years, in an attempt to give itself some relief from a near Rs. 5,000-crore financial burden.
It will be applicable to all government employees (more than 25,000 government ), teaching and non-teaching staff in government and aided educational institutions, and employees of constitutional statutory bodies, PSUs, corporations, local bodies, boards, commissions and societies.

Agreement

India and Russia signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) to import coking coal to meet requirements of the Indian steel industry.
India has begun negotiations with Russia on long-term assured supplies of crude oil, especially from Russia’s the Far East.
India is expected to play a key role in the resurgence of demand which will be pivotal in global economic revival after the COVID-19 crisis.

International Affairs

The United Nations called on governments, companies and billionaires to contribute to a USD 6.7 billion fund for immediate needs in fighting the coronavirus pandemic in vulnerable countries.
The UN''s initial USD 2 billion appeals unveiled on March 25 was being increased because there is already evidence of incomes plummeting and jobs disappearing, food supplies falling and prices soaring, and children missing vaccinations and meals.

Banking & Finance

According to an RBI press release, India's foreign exchange reserves has increased by 1.622 million dollars to reach 481.078 billion dollars in the week ended 1st May.
A major part of the overall reserves rose by 1.752 billion dollars to 479.455 billion dollars.
Gold reserves depleted by 623 million dollars to end at 32.277 billion dollars. India's special drawing rights with the International Monetary Fund went up by 5 million dollars to 1.426 billion dollars.