Current Affairs – May 18, 2018

S.No Topic Page Number

1 Important Days 2

2 World News 3

3 National News 4 - 5

4 State News 6 – 7

5 Banking & Economy 8 – 9

6 Sports News 10

7 Awards & Honours 11

8 Appointments & Resignation 12 - 13

9 Books & Authors 14

10 Science & Techonology 15

1

Important Days

International Museum Day

 On 18 May 2018, International Museum Day was celebrated all over the world.  When: The International Museum Day is celebrated every year on 18 May since 1977. It is coordinated by the International Council of Museums (ICOM).  Why: International Museum Day is celebrated every year to create awareness on the importance of museums for the development of society.  The theme for International Museum Day 2018 is: “Hyperconnected museums: New approaches, new publics”.

World AIDS Vaccination day

 On 18 May 2018, World AIDS Vaccination day was observed all over the world.  World AIDS Vaccine Day is also known as HIV Vaccine Awareness Day.  When: It is observed every year on 18 May 2018. This day commemorates the speech of former US President Bill Clinton on 18 May 1997, on the importance of HIV vaccine, at Morgan State University.  The first World AIDS Vaccine Day was observed on 18 May 1998. This day stresses on the urgent need for a vaccine to prevent HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection and AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).

2

World News

Visit of M J Akbar to Austria and the Slovak Republic

 Minister of State for External Affairs, M.J. Akbar was on an official visit to Austria and Slovak Republic from 15 to  On May 15, 2018, Mr. Akbar had a meeting with Minister for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs of Austria, Ms. Karin Kneissl, wherein entire gamut of India-Austria bilateral relations were discussed.  In Austria, Mr. Akbar also had a meeting with President of STRATEG (Society for Political & Strategic Studies), Lt. General Christian Segur-Cabanac. STRATEG is a leading think tank of Austria.  On 16 and 17th May, 2018, Mr. Akbar visited the Slovak Republic to participate at the GLOBSEC 2018 Bratislava Forum.  This visit coincided with the 25th anniversary of the establishment of independent Slovak Republic and also marked the 25th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties between India and the Slovak Republic.  During the course of this visit, Mr. Akbar also met top leaders of Slovak Republic including Mr. Miroslav Lajčák – Minister of Foreign and European Affairs.  In Slovak Republic, Mr. Akbar also visited the 7th International Defence Exhibition Bratislava (IDEB) 2018, an important exhibition of defence and security technologies in Central Europe

MoS external affairs general VK Singh visits North Korea

 Minister of State for External Affairs General VK Singh visits North Korea, the first high- level visit from India in 20 years.  General VK Singh held talks with his North Korean counterpart and a host of other leaders.

3

National News

With an objective to conserve water, the Bhusawal division of Indian Railways has fitted specially designed aerators in basin-taps of Tejas Express.

 The aerators have minute pores that break the stream of incoming water into fine water sub-streams.  This phenomenon discharges an optimal amount of water to be utilised for cleanliness and thus reduces excess water flow.  Tejas Express is a high speed (200 kmph) air-conditioned train equipped with several ultra modern facilities onboard.

SC approves Centre’s draft Cauvery management scheme

 On May 18, 2018, Supreme Court approved Central Government’s draft Cauvery Management Scheme aimed at ensuring smooth distribution of water among Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry.  Supreme Court in its verdict delivered on February 16, 2018 had asked the Centre to frame the Cauvery management scheme, which would deal with the issue of water share of the four states in different circumstances like normal and deficient water years in the Cauvery river basin.  In the draft Cauvery management scheme submitted by the Central Government, there was a provision under which Central Government was to pass directions from time to time with regard to the distribution of water.

Delhi cabinet gives in principle approval for procuring 1k buses under cluster scheme

 On 18 May, The Delhi cabinet gave their approval for procuring 1000 CNG run standard floor buses under cluster scheme.  Each bus will have three internet protocol (IP) cameras, panic buttons, in-built GPS and anti skid features  The Delhi government acquired 1000 buses for Rs. 276 crore.  A total of 11000 buses will be acquired 5500 buses each for DTC and cluster scheme of the Delhi government.

Class X certicates for ‘gurukul’ students

 Students who have studied at ‘gurukuls’ and ‘veda pathshalas’ will soon be eligible for Class 10 and Class 12 certificates, making them eligible to apply for jobs that have a Class 12 qualification.

4

 The National Institute of Open Schooling, which is an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), has set the ball rolling to open such opportunities for Sanskrit learners whose traditional learning did not enjoy certification.

Air India could pay up $8.8 mn to passengers

 State-run carrier Air India may have to pay a penalty of $8.8 million to 323 passengers of its May 9 Delhi-Chicago flight, which was delayed as a fallout of withdrawal of relaxations given on flight duty time limitation (FDTL) of the crew.  Flight AI-127 was bound for Chicago on May 9 with a flight time of 16 hours. Due to inclement weather, it was diverted to nearby Milwaukee, 19 minutes flight time from Chicago.

Approves national policy on Biofuels, 2018

 The Union Cabinet approved National Policy on Biofuels – 2018 in order to promote biofuels in the country.  Biofuels in India are of strategic importance as it augers well with ongoing initiatives of Government such as Make in India, Skill Development and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan

Approves micro irrigation fund under NABARD

 The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved initial corpus of Rs.5,000 crore for setting up of dedicated Micro Irrigation Fund (MIF) in NABARD (National  Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development) under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY).  The allocation of MIF under PMKSY will be made in instalments of Rs 2,000 crore and Rs 3,000 crore in 2018-19 and 2019-20.  Under it, NABARD will extend loans to state governments during this period.  The lending rate under MIF has been proposed at 3% lower than cost of raising fund by NABARD.

Approves enhancement of budget for network for spectrum Project

 The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) gave its approval for enhancement of budget by Rs.11,330 crore for Network For Spectrum (NFS) project.  This is over and above Rs.13,334 crore already approved by Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure in July, 2012. With this, total budget for the network for Defence services has now gone up to Rs. 24,664 crore.

5

State News

Himachal govt sanctions Rs 25 cr for renovating Bantony Castle

 Himachal Pradesh State government will spend Rs 25 crore on renovating and developing the historic British era ‘Bantony Castle Estate’ in Shimla as a major tourist attraction.  ‘Bantony Castle Estate’ is one of the historic and monumental buildings of Shimla town with a very rich history and is a fine example of the Anglo-Gothic architecture.  Himachal Pradesh State Government believes that owing to its strategic location on Mall Road, it would be an added attraction for the tourists.  Bantony Castle was acquired by Government, two years ago from a business family for Rs 27.84 crore. It currently houses state police headquarters.  Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur stated that organising ‘Gram Shilp Mela’ was a new beginning for the Bantony Castle as local artisans of the state got an opportunity to showcase their artefacts

Gujarat government decided to bear medical expenses of road accident victims

 Gujarat government will be bearing medical expenses up to Rs 50,000 for each victim of road accident in  A Government Resolution (GR) was issued on 17 May 2018 regarding this by Gujarat state Health and Family Welfare department.  It stated that, even people from other states or countries will receive free treatment in Gujarat, irrespective of their income, if they are victim of a road accident and admitted to a government or a private hospital.  Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel, had announced the launch of the free treatment scheme recently.  This scheme aims to provide timely and better treatment and to minimise loss of life due to road accidents.  The government will reimburse the amount to the concerned hospital once bills are submitted.  The free treatment for the first 48 hours comprise dressing of wounds, X-ray, blood transfusion, treatment in ICU and MRI, and all other treatment available in a hospital.  If a hospital refers a patient to another hospital within 48 hours, both the hospitals can avail reimbursement of their combined bill of Rs 50,000.

Approves setting up of new AIIMS in Deoghar, Jharkhand

 The Union Cabinet approved setting up of a new All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Deoghar, Jharkhand under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY).

6

 It will serve dual purpose of providing super speciality health care to population and help to create large pool of doctors and other health workers in this region to be available for primary and secondary-level institutions and healthcare facilities being created under the National Health Mission (NHM).  Under PMSSY, Government is planning to set up 20 AIIMS across the country.  So far AIIMs have been established in Bhubaneswar (Odisha), Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh), Raipur (Chattisgarh), Jodhpur (Rajasthan), Rishikesh (Uttarakhand) and Patna (Bihar).

Haryana hikes incentive for intercaste marriage

 The Haryana government has doubled the incentive amount for inter caste marriages under the Mukhyamantri Samajik Samrasta Antarjatiya Vivah Shagun Yojna with immediate effect, an official said.  Under the scheme, an incentive of Rs.2.5 lakh would be provided in the form of fixed deposit jointly in the name of the couple.

7

Banking & Economy

RBI tweaks norms for setting up of IFSC banking Units

 Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has modified the norms for setting up International Financial Services Centres (IFSC) Banking Units (IBUs) by banks.  As per the new norm, parent bank will be required to provide and maintain at a minimum capital of USD 20 million in its IBU on an ongoing basis.  The modification has been brought in to accommodate suggestions from stakeholders to consider minimum prescribed regulatory capital at the parent level rather than at the IBU level.  However, parent bank will be required to provide a Letter of Comfort for extending financial assistance, as and when required, in the form of capital/liquidity support to IBU.  It is to be noted that, government has set up an IFSC in Gujarat (Gujarat International Finance Tec-City, GIFT in Gandhinagar).  These guidelines will be applicable to IBUs set up in GIFT as well as in other IFSCs which may be set up in India in future.

RBI prescribes 100% net stable funding ratio for banks

 Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released final guidelines prescribing 100 percent net stable funding ratio (NSFR) for banks aimed at maintaining adequate liquidity for more resilience.  NSFR is a long-term liquidity measurement included in the Basel III liquidity standards.  It is defined as the amount of available stable funding (ASF) relative to the amount of required stable funding (RSF).  A portion of capital and liabilities which has been assessed to be reliable over a year is referred to as ASF, while RSF is bank’s liquidity position required to honour maturities of the various assets and other off-balance sheet exposures.  RBI’s 100 per cent NSFR guideline requires banks to fund their activities with more stable sources of funding on an ongoing basis.  Stronger NSFR promotes resilience of the bank over a longer-term time horizon.

Indian economy projected to grow 7.6 pc in 2018-19: UN

 As per UN World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) as of mid-2018, India’s economy is projected to grow 7.6 per cent in fiscal year 2018-19.  Clocking 7.6 per cent growth, India will retain the tag of fastest growing economy in the world.

8

 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth in 2018-19 will come on back of robust private consumption, supportive fiscal stance and benefits from past reforms.  However, sustained recovery in private investment has been identified as a crucial challenge.  As per the report, economic growth in China is likely to moderate to 6.5 per cent in 2018 as compared to 6.9 per cent in 2017.  Owing to strong growth in developed countries and broadly favourable investment conditions, world economic growth is projected to reach 3.2 per cent both in 2018 and 2019. BSE becomes first Indian stock exchange to get US SEC’s DOSM recognition

 BSE Ltd (earlier known as Bombay Stock Exchange) has become the first Indian exchange to be designated as Designated Offshore Securities Market (DOSM).  DOSM status has been given by United States Securities and Exchange Commission (US- SEC).  DOSM status will allow sale of securities to US investors through trading venue of BSE without registration of such securities with US SEC.

9

Sports News

Women’s T20 squads for the women’s T20 challenge at Wankhede stadium on May 22

 The BCCI has named the IPL Supernovas and Trailblazers teams, to be led by and respectively, for the women’s T20 challenge at Wankhede Stadium on May 22.  IPL Trailblazers: Smriti Mandhana (capt.), Alyssa Healy (Aus, wk), Suzie Bates (NZ), , Beth Mooney (Aus), , Danielle Hazell (Eng), , Lea Tahuhu (NZ), , , and Dayalan Hemalatha. Coach: Tushar Arothe  IPL Supernovas: Harmanpreet Kaur (capt.), Danielle Wyatt (Eng), , Meg Lanning (Aus), Sophie Devine (NZ), Ellyse Perry (Aus), , Mona Meshram, , Megan Schutt (Australia), Rajseshwari Gayakwad, Anuja Patil and (wk). Coach: Biju George.

10

Awards & Honours

IIM Calcutta wins international awards

 On 18 May 2018, IIM Calcutta said that, two case studies published by the IIM Calcutta Case Research Centre have received awards in the 2017 edition of the European Foundation of Management Development case competition.  In the inclusive business models category, sponsored by the Institute for Management Development: the IIM Calcutta team of Professor Indranil Bose and student Gaurav Gupta won the award for their case ‘SIMsePAY at YES BANK: Creating Value Through an UnSmart Innovation.’  In the sustainable business models category, Prof Ramendra Singh and student Menaka Rao won the award for their case study “Switchon O’nergy: Social innovation challenges at the bottom of the pyramid”.

NMDC gets S&P Platts award in CSR

 On 18 May, State owned NMDC won the S&P Platts award in Corporate Social Responsibility. The award ceremony was held in London, United Kingdom.  NMDC’s CSR has grown from Rs 86 crore (USD13.25 million) in 2011-12 to an average of Rs.190 crore (USD30 million ) during the last three (03) years.  It has worked in areas like education, health , skill development, infrastructure and drinking water.  This is the first time any Indian company has bagged this award from S&P.

Mangaluru is the best in waste management

 The Union government has selected Mangaluru as “India’s best city in solid waste management”.  It was selected under the categories of cities having a population between three lakh and 10 lakh under Swachhata Survekshan 2018.

11

Appointments & Resignation

US Senate confirms Gina Haspel as first female CIA director

 On 17 May, The President of United States Mr.Donald Trump nominated 61 year old Gina Haspel as the first female CIA director.  She won by a 54-45 vote.  She has been working for the CIA for the past 33 years under the Directorate of Operations.  She will be replacing former director Mike Pompeo.  She also won the Intelligence Medal of Merit, the Presidential Rank Award among others.

Rajput appointed interim head coach of Zimbabwe

 On 18 May, The Zimbabwe council appointed 56 year old former Indian Cricketer Mr Lalchand Rajput as the interim head coach of Zimbabwe.  He replaced Heath Streak, a former Zimbabwe pacer, who was sacked after Zimbabwe lost to qualify in March for ICC world Cup to be held next year.  Rajput was the head of Indian team in ICC World Twenty20 in 2007 when India won.  He has been the manager for MS Dhoni , Ravi Shastri and the Indian team during 2008 Australia CB series .  He also managed Afghanistan and has held administrative positions in Mumbai Cricket association.

Yudhvir Singh Malik has been appointed as the new chairman of National Highway Authority of India (NHAI)

 Yudhvir Singh Malik, the Secretary of Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways, has been allotted additional charge of the post of NHAI chairman.  Yudhvir Singh Malik succeeds Deepak Kumar as the chairman of National Highway Authority of India (NHAI).  On 17 May 2018, Deepak Kumar was sent back to his cadre state Bihar before finishing his tenure. He is a 1984 batch IAS officer of Bihar cadre. He became NHAI Chairman on 28 June 2017.

Ramalingam Sudhakar sworn-in as new Chief Justice of Manipur High Court

 On 18 May 2018, Justice Ramalingam Sudhakar was sworn-in as the Chief Justice of the High Court of Manipur.

12

 The oath of office to Justice Ramalingam Sudhakar was administered by Acting Governor of Manipur Jagdish Mukhi.  The event was attended by Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, Deputy chief minister, ministers, MLAs, leaders of opposition parties, high court officials, high ranking civil, police and military officials etc. Himanta Biswa Sarma elected as Vice-President of Badminton Asia Confederation

 On 17 May 2018, Himanta Biswa Sarma, the President of Badminton Association of India (BAI) was unanimously elected as the vice-president of Badminton Asia Confederation (BAC) at the Annual General Meeting of BAC at Bangkok, Thailand.  Himanta Biswa Sarma is also the chairman of Para Badminton committee. He will take charge as VicePresident of BAC with immediate effect.  Devender Singh, Senior vice-president of BAI and Omar Rashid, honorable secretary (events) of BAI also attended the Annual General Meeting of BAC.

Renowned Indian academic and foreign policy analyst C Raja Mohan has been appointed as director of the Institute of South Asian Studies

 Indian academic and foreign policy analyst C Raja Mohan has been appointed as director of the Institute of South Asian Studies, a think tank of National University of Singapore.  C Raja Mohan will take charge as director of the Institute of South Asian Studies on 21 May 2018.  At the same time, he will be a visiting research professor at the ISAS. He was the Henry Alfred Kissinger Chair in Foreign and International Relations at the Library of Congress from 2009 to 2010.  Earlier, he was a professor of South Asian Studies at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi.

Odisha CM appoints Dilip Tirkey as OTDC chairman

 On 18 May, The Chief Minister of Odisha Mr. Naveen Patnaik appointed Dilip Tirkey as chairman of the Odisha Tourism Development Corporation.  Odisha Tourism Development Corporation is a state government undertaking that promotes tourism and operates some of the tourist bungalows and fleets.

13

Books & Authors

The Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu Releases two books ‘A Treatise on Cleanliness’ & ‘Waste Management, an Introduction’

 On 17 May 2018, Vice President of India, M. Venkaiah Naidu released two books namely ‘A Treatise on Cleanliness’ and ‘Waste Management, an Introduction’, written by Shri Rajat Bhargava, in New Delhi.  M. Venkaiah Naidu said that it is apt that the author has selected these subjects at a time when India is going through a phase of growth and development.  He said that ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan’ is contributing a lot to make India a clean country.

14

Science & Techonology

NASA satellites reveal freshwater decline in India

 Scientists of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in the United States, have founded that, India is one of the places where overuse of water resources has led to a serious decline in freshwater availability.  The scientists used data on human activities to map locations where freshwater is changing throughout the world.  This is a first-of-its-kind study that used an array of NASA satellite observations of Earth.  The study was published in the journal Nature. It revealed that Earth’s dry areas are getting drier due to various factors like human water management, climate change and natural cycles.  Areas in northern and eastern India, the Middle East, California and Australia are some of the hotspots where freshwater levels are reducing.  In northern India, groundwater extraction for irrigation of crops has led to a drastic reduce in available water, in spite of receiving normal rainfall throughout the period studied.  The scientists used 14 years of observations from the US/German-led Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) spacecraft mission to track global trends in freshwater in 34 regions throughout the world.

Arsenic Sensor and Removal Media: IISER develops device to detect and remove arsenic from water.

 On 18 May, Kolkata based Institute Indian Institute of Science and Research (IISER) has announced a device that would help detect and remove arsenic from water. It would help detect and remove arsenic from water and thus make it safe for human consumption.  The device called ‘Arsenic Sensor and Removal Media’ is a cost effective product.  On detection of arsenic the sensor will show immediate change in color  This has been created by IISER in collaboration with a private company called ‘ADO Additive’.  As per reports, 83 blocks in eight districts of West Bengal- Burdwan, Malda, Hooghly, Howrah,  Murshidabad, Nadia, North and South 24 Parganas – were hit by arsenic contamination.

15