20th May 2020 Daily GK Update: Read Daily GK, Current Affairs for Bank Exam

India has provided USD 2 million aid for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency working for the welfare of Palestinian refugees. This aid is given for UNRWA core programmes and services, including education and health, amidst the coronavirus crisis. India has increased the annual contribution to the UNRWA from USD 1.25 million (Rs. 9.45 crore) to USD 5 million  (Rs. 37 crore) in 2019. The contribution was presented to the United Nations agency by the Representative of India (ROI) to the State of Palestine, Sunil Kumar.

• United Nations Relief and Works Agency Headquarters location: Amman, JordanUnited
• Nations Relief and Works Agency  Commissioner-General: Christian Saunders

International News

3. WHO will initiate Independent Inquiry in handling of COVID-19

The World Health Organisation will initiate the Independent Inquiry in the handling of COVID-19. To achieve this, WHO will launch “Resolution on COVID-19 response”. The main aim of the review is to put an end to the international blame game in the origin of COVID-19. Around 116 countries backed the resolution of independent review. India backed the resolution. The idea of the resolution was initiated by Australia. However, the resolution was drafted by the European Union.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Headquarters of WHO: Geneva, Switzerland.
• Director-general of WHO: Tedros Adhanom.

4. Prime Minister of Lesotho,  Thomas Thabane resigns

Thomas Thabane has formally resigned as the Prime Minister of Lesotho. Thabane and his current wife are suspected of conspiring to murder his former wife nearly three years ago. Lesotho’s Finance Minister Moeketsi Majoro has been named by parliament as the interim Prime Minister of the country.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Lesotho is the southern African mountain kingdom.
• Lesotho Capital: Maseru.
• Lesotho Currency: Lesotho loti.

5. China announces USD 2 billion help at WHO assembly

China has announced to provide USD 2 billion over two years to fight the coronavirus pandemic at WHO assembly with an aim of supporting COVID-19 response efforts, particularly in developing countries. The decision comes after, when China faced growing global pressure over the lockdowns, the death toll and a huge increase in coronavirus cases that has brought the world to a standstill. WHO announced the coronavirus outbreak to be a worldwide health emergency on January 30 which was further declared as a pandemic on March 11, after the virus had killed thousands globally.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• China Capital: Beijing; Currency of China: Renminbi.
• President of China: Xi Jinping.

Awards & Rewards

6. Vice Admiral Vinay Badhwar wins Alexander Dalrymple Award 2019

Vice Admiral Vinay Badhwar, the National Hydrographer to the government of India, has been honoured with the 2019 Alexander Dalrymple Award for his outstanding contribution to Indian hydrography and across the broader Indian Ocean region. The award was presented by the UK Ministry of Defence. The recipients of the award are selected by the chief Committee of the UK Hydrographic Office( UKHO) for his or her efforts in raising the standards of hydrography, cartography and navigation around the world.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

Books & Authors

7. Ruskin Bond’s new book released in an e-book format

Ruskin Bond’s new book titled ‘Hop On: My Adventures on Boats, Trains and Planes’ was released on his 86th Birthday in an e-book format. The book presents its readers with a number of the author’s hilarious journeys and travel adventures. The illustrations for Ruskin Bond’s new book has been done by Samrat Halder.

Important Days

8. World Bee Day observed globally on 20th May

World Bee Day is observed globally on 20th May every year to acknowledge the role of bees and other pollinators for the ecosystem. About 33% of the world’s food production depends on bees thus they are vital for the preservation of biodiversity, ecological balance in nature and helpful in reducing pollution. To mark the day, a virtual event was held under the theme “Bee Engaged”. The day was observed for the first time in year 2018.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Food and Agriculture Organization Director-General: QU Dongyu.
• Food and Agriculture Organization Headquarters: Rome, Italy.
• Food and Agriculture Organization Founded: 16 October 1945.

Miscellaneous News

9. Cyclone Amphan intensifies into Super Cyclone

Cyclone Amphan intensified into a super cyclone with wind speed above 200 kmph and moved further towards North-Northeastwards over West Central Bay. It is the first super cyclone to hit the region in the last two decades since a super cyclone-hit Odisha in 1999 causing widespread damage and loss of life. India Meteorological Department has warned of heavy rain in Odisha and West Bengal under its impact.

10. ‘Rail-Bot’ developed by SCR to provide better health care to COVID-19 patients

South Central Railway zone has developed a robotic device named as “RAIL-BOT” (R-BOT) to assist in the functions of hospital management to provide better health care to the COVID-19 patients. It will be used to supply medicines, medical accessories and to serve food to the patients, without any need for physical contact. The R-BOT holds sensor-based features to read the blood heat of patients and transmit an equivalent for display on Mobile phones.