22nd May 2019 Daily Current Affairs - PDF Download

Daily Current Affairs of 22nd May 2019

International Current Affairs

Today (22nd May) is International Day for Biological Diversity.
- The United Nations has proclaimed May 22 The International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues.
- Theme of International Day for Biological Diversity 2019 : ‘Our Biodiversity, Our Food, Our Health’.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has launched a permanent residency scheme to woo wealthy individuals and exceptional talents, a move that could attract more Indian professionals and businessmen to the Gulf nation.
- The "Golden Card" programme unveiled by UAE Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum is open to investors and "exceptional talents" such as doctors, engineers, scientists, students and artists.
- As part of this, the 1st group of 6,800 investors from over 70 countries with investments totalling 100 billion dirhams (USD 27 billion) were being given permanent residency.

National Current Affairs

Election Commission has come up with a new initiative to provide real-time trends and results of the Lok Sabha vote counting across the states and union territories.
- The counting trends and results will be available on the Commission Website at www.results.eci.gov.in as well as on the Voter Helpline App.
- The local display of the trends and results by the Chief Electoral Officers, Returning Officers and District Election Officers will also be done through the Digital Display Panels.
- Note : The 2019 Lok Sabha elections witnessed a voter turnout of 67.10% (interim), which is the highest ever voter turnout in the history of general election.
A Breastfeeding room will be set up in Taj Mahal by July, making it the 1st Indian monument to have the facility.

Science & Technology

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) today launched RISAT-2B radar satellite, capable of observing Earth during the day, night and even under rainy and cloudy conditions.
- This comes after Balakot airstrikes on February 26, following which PM Narendra Modi claimed cloud cover helped IAF jets escape Pakistan's radars.
- Note : ISRO already launched two RISATs in 2009 and 2012 and plans to launch four more this year.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) today successfully fired the BrahMos air version missile from its frontline Su-30 MKI fighter aircraft.
- The launch from the aircraft was smooth and the missile followed the desired trajectory before directly hitting the land target.
- Note : The BrahMos missile provides Indian Air Force a much desired capability to strike from large stand-off ranges on any target at sea or on land with pinpoint accuracy by day or night and in all weather conditions.

Banking, Business & Economic Affairs

The ICICI Bank today announced that it is going to buy a 9.9% stake in India International Exchange (INX), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) for nearly ₹31 crore.
- The exchange posted a loss of ₹31 crore in 2018-19 while its total revenue stood at ₹2.25 crore. INX is located at GIFT City in Gujarat.
Pakistan's rupee reached a new record low of 153 per dollar in the wake of a $6 billion loan accord with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
- The country's central bank, the State Bank of Pakistan, lifted interest rates by 150 basis points on Monday to 12.25%.

Recent Committees in News

A High-Level Committee constituted by the Centre has submitted its recommendations to bring down India’s dependence on crude oil imports.
- The Committee submitted its report to Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan in New Delhi today.
- It has recommended short term, medium term and long term strategies in the report, clearly bringing out the strategy to reduce the import dependency of the nation.
- The High-Level Committee was constituted to examine the issues relating to the preparation of action plan to create synergy among Research and Development Centres of Oil and Gas Public Sector Undertakings, tax issues and ways to benefit from GST by the Oil and Gas PSUs.
- The High-Level Committee consisted of Dr Anil Kakodkar, eminent Scientist and Sidharth Pradhan, an expert on financial and tax issues.

MOUs & Agreements

Tech Mahindra has signed its biggest defence contract worth ₹300 crore with Indian Navy.
- As per this contract, the IT major will implement RFID-based access control system across all naval bases and ships as part of 'Armed Forces Secure Access Card (AFSAC)' Project.
- The AFSAC card will replace the existing paper-based identity card for all Navy personnel, including dependents and ex-servicemen.

Awards & Honors

Omani writer Jokha al-Harthi has won the prestegious Man Booker International prize 2019 for her novel 'Celestial Bodies'.
- With this, Alharthi became the 1st Arabic author to win the Man Booker International prize.
- She will split the 50,000 pounds or 64,000 US dollar prize with her UK-based translator, Marilyn Booth who translated the book in English.
Former Indian Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran has been selected for ‘The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star’ (Japan’s Second Highest National Award).
- He will be honored with this prestigious award for his contributions in strengthening strategic ties and enhancing mutual understanding between India and Japan.

New Appointments

Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Group have announced Bimal Dayal, who is currently CEO of Indus Towers, will be appointed CEO of the merged entity of Indus Towers and Bharti Infratel.
- The tower companies further named Indus CFO Hemant Ruia as the combined entity's CFO.
Vistara today appointed Vinod Kannan as its Chief Strategy Officer (CSO), as the carrier prepares to fly overseas.
- He is going to replace Sanjiv Kapoor, who will continue to serve as Vistara's Chief Commercial Officer.

Sports Current Affairs

Gomathi Marimuthu, who won the 800 metres Gold at Asian Athletics Championships in April, has been handed a provisional suspension after being tested positive for a banned substance.
- The 'A' sample of the 30-year-old runner from Tamil Nadu, who clocked 2 minutes and 2.70 seconds to win the gold, has returned positive.

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