Current Affairs - March 4, 2020 Current Affairs

Global agency OECD lowered its India's GDP growth forecast to 5.1 percent from the earlier projection of 6.2 per cent for 2020 on concerns of impact of deadly coronavirus on the domestic as well as the global economy. India is a member of G20, a grouping of developed and developing economies.

Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Mohammed Allawi withdrew his candidacy for the post, accusing political parties of obstructing him, deepening a domestic crisis and threatening an unprecedented power vacuum. His move came hours after parliament failed for the second time in a week to approve his cabinet amid political infighting in the oil producer, where mass protests and deadlock between lawmakers are delaying Iraq's recovery from years of war.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has developed "Jeevan Kaushal" (life skills) curriculum for undergraduate students at Universities and Colleges. The information was passed by the Union Minister for Human Resource Development Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank'.

Saudi Arabia starts issuance of permanent premium residency permit to foreigners; Indian investor Yusuffali M A, Chairman of the Lulu group, is among the first recipients.

BJP MLA from Sadar seat in Bulandshahr (UP) Virendra Singh Sirohi dies aged 74.

World Wildlife Day is observed on 3 March. The day aims to celebrate beautiful and varied forms of wild fauna and flora. It raises awareness to conserve wildlife. Theme: The theme of 2020 World Wildlife Day is "Sustaining all life on Earth". The theme encompasses all wild animal and plant species as a component of biodiversity and the livelihoods of people.

Andhra Pradesh government appoints retired former Union finance secretary, Subhash Chandra Garg, as an advisor to chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy to help the cash-strapped state mobilize resources. Garg has been given the rank of a cabinet minister in the state government and tenure of two years. Andhra Pradesh has a debt to GDP ratio of 31.6%, one of the highest among Indian states, junior finance minister in the Union government.

Jack Welch, the longtime leader of General Electric, died on March 2 at the age of 84, the company confirmed.

Union Minister for Labour and Employment Santosh Gangwar launched 'Humsafar' a mobile application based, diesel at doorstep service for bulk and stationed equipment users in the National Capital Region (NCR) on March 2.

Project Tiger scheme financial assistance of Rs 10.30 crore and Rs 22.81 crore were allocated by the government. It is a conservation program launched in April 1973 by the Government of India during Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's tenure. The project aims at ensuring a viable population of Bengal tigers in their natural habitats, protecting them from extinction, and preserving areas of biological importance as a natural heritage forever represented as close as possible the diversity of ecosystems across the distribution of tigers in the country.

Khelo India University Games 2020 was held for the first time at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) University, Bhubaneshwar, Odisha. The games were held from 22 February to 1 March 2020. Over 4,000 top athletes from a total of about 176 universities across India participated in the event. Punjab University, PB - 46 (17 Gold, 19 Silver, 10 Bronze).

World Hearing Day is observed on 3 March every year. The day raises awareness on how to prevent deafness and hearing loss and promote ear and hearing care across the world. Theme: The theme of 2020 World Hearing Day is "Don't let hearing loss limit you.Hearing for life!". It highlights that timely and effective intervention will ensure that people with hearing loss can achieve their full potential.

The 68th All India Police Athletic Championship 2019-20 began at Bhanu in Panchkula District of Haryana on 3 March. The event was inaugurated by the Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Kiren Rijiju, who declared the meet open at the Basic Training Centre of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).

Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI) celebrated its 8th Foundation Day on 2 March in New Delhi. The Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Nityanand Rai, presided over the celebration.

The Centre declared the National Chambal Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh, home to gangetic dolphins and 75 per cent population of critically endangered species gharial, as eco-sensitive zone (ESZ). It is home to naturally living population of 75 per cent of gharial.

Telecom gear maker Nokia said its board of directors has appointed Pekka Lundmark as President and CEO to succeed Rajeev Suri. Lundmark is expected to start in his new role on September 1, 2020 and will be based in Espoo, Finland.

President Ram Nath Kovind is to confer Lalit Kala Akademi's 61st annual awards to 15 artists on 4 March 2020 at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi. The award appreciates the extraordinary talents to perform even better in the future. Jury: The awardees were selected by jury of the eminent artists.

The fifth edition of joint exercise Indradhanush between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Royal Air Force (RAF) of the United Kingdom culminated at Air Force Station Hindan. The joint exercise provided the participating forces an opportunity to enhance expertise in conduct of special operations.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed victory in Israel's general election 2020. The early results put him ahead of his rival Benny Gantz. Benjamin Netanyahu is Israel's longest-serving leader. He is seeking a record fifth term, having been in office from 1996 to 1999 and again from 2009.

Ramniklal Solanki, a giant of Gujarati journalism and the pioneer of the British Asian media, passed away in India after a brief illness. He was 88 and is survived by his wife, two sons, one daughter and 11 grandchildren. Solanki was the founder and Editor-in-Chief of UK-based 'Garavi Gujarat' newsweekly and the Asian Media Group (AMG), which is Britain's biggest and one of the most successful Asian media businesses.

Muhyiddin Yassin was sworn in as the 8th Prime Minister of Malaysia. He emerged as a frontrunner for the top job at the end of February. But Mahathir Mohamad claimed he was the one with enough support to form a government and would prove it with a vote in Parliament.