Today Current Affairs - 25th May 2020

National News

India Launches Five initiatives to share its best practices and experiences in conserving biodiversity with the rest of the world

• The Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Prakash Javadekar virtually launched five key initiatives towards conservation of biodiversity on the occasion of International Day for Biological Diversity on 22 May 2020.

1. National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) ‘Biodiversity Samrakshan Internship Programme which proposes to engage 20 students with postgraduate degrees for a period of one year through an open, transparent, online competitive process.
2. Launch of UNEP Campaign on Illegal Trafficking of Endangered Species: ‘Not all Animals Migrate by Choice’.
3. A Webinar Series on ‘Biodiversity Conservation and Biological Diversity Act, 2002’
4. WWF Model Conference of Parties (MCoP), to involve the younger generation so they engage in conversations around impact of humanity’s footprint on biodiversity.
5. An awareness campaign supported by WWF to highlight the crucial role played by nature through its free ecological services provided for humankind.

Uttar Pradesh Government to Introduce ‘Startups’ as a Subject in Colleges & Universities

• Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath led Uttar Pradesh government has planned to introduce ‘startups’as a subject in colleges and universities to have more young entrepreneurs in the state.
• This is an effort of the government to make the youths job providers and not just be job-seekers.
• The government is also set to introduce a new policy under which students in the final year of their graduate and post-graduate courses will get one-year study leave.
• Students can undertake internships during study leave, and will also get an allowance of Rs 2,500 per month during internship period.

Uttarakhand becomes the first state to release report on conservation of endemic, threatened floras

• Uttarakhand has become the first state to release a unique report on conservation of endemic, threatened floras.
• The report highlights the conservation efforts of the state to save over 1,100 rare plants from extinction.

Andhra Pradesh Launches Rs 1,110 crore Mega ReSTART Package for MSMEs

• In Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has announced Rs 1,110 crore ReSTART package for MSMEs to strengthen the sector during this emergency situation as well as create employment.
• The government immediately released Rs 450 crore as the first installment under the scheme, which would benefit nearly 98,000 units. These units employ more than 10 lakh people who were facing hardships due to the lockdown.
• The state government will also directly purchase 360 items manufactured by the MSMEs and give payments in a period of 45 days which will further help the sector.

Chhattisgarh govt to observe May 25 as ‘Jhiram Tribute Diwas’

• The state government of Chhattisgarh will observe May 25, 2020 as ‘Jhiram Shraddhanjali Diwas’ or ‘Jhiram Tribute Diwas’.
• Naxals had attacked a convoy of Congress leaders during the party’s rally in Jhiram valley on May 25, 2013. In this attack, 29 people were killed including then state Congress chief Nand Kumar Patel, former leader of opposition Mahendra Karma and former Union minister Vidyacharan Shukla.
• The day will be observed to pay tribute to Congress leaders who were killed in a Maoist attack in Jhiram Valley.

 BANKING & FINANCE

Maruti Suzuki ties-up with Cholamandalam Investment & Finance to launch ‘Buy Now Pay Later’ offer

Edelweiss General Insurance launched app-based OD floater policy

ICICI introduced ‘ICICI Bank Golden Years FD’ a special FD with interest rate of 6.55% pa for senior citizens

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

IRDAI’s working committee recommended enhancing trade credit policy (TCI) cover to 90% from 85%

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

UN declares Khudol initiative of Manipur as one of the top 10 global initiatives to fight against COVID-19

Important Day

International Missing Children’s Day: 25 May

• Every year, 25 May is observed as International Missing Children’s Day (IMCD) around the world to commemorate the missing children who have found their way home, remember those who have been victims of crime, and continue efforts to find those who are still missing.
• The symbol for IMCD is the forget-me-not flower.
•  The day was proclaimed in 1983, by U.S. President Ronald Reagan.
• The first IMCD was observed in 2001 through the joint efforts of the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (ICMEC), Missing Children Europe, and the European Commission.

Obituary

Japanese professional wrestler Hana Kimura passes away at 22

• 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.