Daily Current Affairs Updates – 16th May 2017

Daily Current Affairs Updates – 16th May 2017:

Daily Current affairs News Updates about the National and International events were listed here. Candidates those who are preparing for IBPS/SBI/PO/Clerk exam and all other competitive exams can use this.

Kerala tops, Bihar last in public affairs index

Two South Indian States - Kerala and Tamil Nadu - secured first and second rankings for the second year in a row while poll-bound Gujarat gained two positions rising from five in 2016 to three in 2017 and Bihar stayed at the bottom in public affairs index (PAI) in governance in States.

West Bengal govt to accept Aadhaar as proof of residence for caste

The West Bengal Government has decided to allow the use of Aadhaar card as proof of identity as well as residence for issuing cast certificates. A notification issued by the the Backward Classes Welfare Department in Kolkata yesterday said that Aadhaar card will be treated as a valid document for residential proof and identity of the applicant, applying for Schedule Caste, Schedule Tribe and Other Backward Class certificates.

State : West Bengal

Capital : Kolkata

Chief minister : Mamata Banerjee

Governor : Keshari Nath Tripathi

IIT Kharagpur collaborates to turn Varanasi into smart city

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur has collaborated with the British Geological Survey to turn Varanasi into a smart city. 3D geological modeling of the geology under Varanasi will be prepared to help improve the building of new transport and service infrastructure. It would be the first major 3D subsurface urban study and planning of its kind in India.

Indian Railways to install CCTV cameras at over 900 stations under Nirbhaya fund

Indian Railways on 15 May 2017 announced to install CCTV surveillance system at more than 900 stations under the Nirbhaya Fund at an approved cost of Rs 500 crore with an aim to strengthen security at railway premises. For this purpose, Indian Railways will shortly send out tenders to install about 19000 high definition CCTV cameras at 983 stations across the country to ensure round-the-clock security to passengers including women.

Plastic park to come up in Panipat: Union Minister Ananth Kumar

Union Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister, Mr Ananth Kumar has announced to establish two Central Institute of Plastics Engineering and Technology, CIPET in west and south Haryana, and Plastic Park over 75 acres in Panipat at a cost of Rs 1,500 crore. He was addressing the audience after inaugurating hostels for boys and girls constructed at a cost of Rs 31.64 crore in CIPET, Murthal of district Sonepat.

He said that a Pharma Park would also be established over 100 acres in Karnal. Besides, the number of jan aushadhi centres in Haryana would be increased to 100.

Union Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister: Mr Ananth Kumar

India ranks 26 in World Bank’s electricity accessibility list

India moved up to the 26th spot in the global electricity accessibility rankings of the World Bank's Ease of Doing Business index 2016. India was at the 99th position in 2014, it jumped 73 ranks in 2016. The compounded annual growth in electricity prices in 2014-16 stood at 3.27% compared to 5.97% in 2004-14.

West Bengal makes Bengali Mandatory in all Schools

West Bengal State government has made Bengali mandatory in all schools, including private English medium schools. Henceforth, it would be compulsory for all schools including English medium schools affiliated to boards other than West Bengal Board of Secondary Education to teach Bengali as an optional subject from Class I so that students can study it either as a second or third language.

VO Chidambaranar Port Trust and TANGEDCO sign MoU to upgrade Coal Jetties

The VO Chidambaranar Port (VOCP) on 15 May 2017 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Limited (TANGEDCO) for the upgradation of Coal Jetty I and II. As per the MoU, VOCP intends to increase the capacity of two of its Coal Jetties I and II from 6.25 MTPA to 24 MTPA. The MoU was signed by S Anantha Chandra Bose, Chairman of VO Chidambaranar Port Trust and M Sai Kumar, Chairman cum Managing Director of TANGEDCO.

Fact Box: Public Affairs Index 2017 (PAI-2017)

Kerala and Tamil Nadu have secured first and second rankings for the second consecutive year in public affairs index (PAI) released by the Public Affairs Centre (PAC), Bengaluru. Gujarat has been ranked third followed by Karnataka and Maharashtra at the fourth and fifth position respectively in governance indicators.

Suresh Raina launches foundation dedicated to wellness of Mother and Child

Indian cricketer Suresh Raina launched Gracia Raina Foundation (GRF) on 15 May 2017, which is dedicated to creating awareness and work closely with mothers and children who require help ranging from physical and mental issues. The announcement was made by the cricketer along with his wife Priyanka on the occasion of his daughter, Gracia Raina’s first birthday.

MoU Signed between Indian Navy and Space Application Centre

Indian Navy and the Space Application Centre has signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Data Sharing and Scientific cooperation in the field of Meteorology and Oceanology. As per the MoU, the scientific advancements and expertise achieved by SAC would be synergised into the Indian Naval efforts in order to keep the Indian Navy abreast with rapid developments that has taken place in the field of Environment Sciences and Satellite Data acquisition technology. The MoU has further enhanced the already established collaboration between the two organisations.

INTERNATIONAL

Portugal wins Eurovision 2017 Song Contest for the first time

Portugal has won the Eurovision-2017 Song Contest for the first time ever with a melancholy ballad performed by a singer who suffers from a serious heart condition. The fado-tinged song "Amar Pelos Dois" was performed by Salvador Sobral (27-year), who is awaiting a heart transplant. The ceremony was in the capital of ex-Soviet Ukraine Kiev watched by some 200 million TV viewers.

Country : Portugal

Capital : Lisbon

Currency: Euro

President: Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa

Prime minister: António Costa

China & Pakistan sign 6 pacts to boost cooperation

China and Pakistan have signed six pacts to boost cooperation on the USD 50 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. The pacts were signed in the presence of Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. The agreements included cooperation in framework of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Initiative, Economic and Technical Cooperation for Gwadar Airport and for East bay Expressway.

Palestine President arrives on 4-day visit to India

President of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas arrived in India on a four-day State visit. The visit of President Mahmoud Abbas will provide an opportunity for reviewing the entire gamut of bilateral relations, regional and international issues. This is his third State visit to India.

Country : State of Palestine

Capital : East Jerusalem

President: Mahmoud Abbas

Prime minister: Rami Hamdallah

Yemen declares state of emergency over cholera outbreak

Authorities in Sanaa in May 2017 declared a state of emergency in the Yemeni capital over a deadly outbreak of cholera. Houthi-run health ministry stated that it was “unable to contain this disaster” and appealed for international humanitarian assistance to deal with the crisis.

Country : Yemen

Capital : Sana'a

Currency: Yemeni rial

President: Ahmed Obeid bin Daghr

Prime minister: Hadi

BANKING NEWS

RBI puts restriction on Uco Bank's business

Reserve Bank of India has put restriction on Kolkata-based PSU UCO Bank’s lending and branch expansion plans as the state-run lender made net losses for the two successive fiscal amid severe stress on asset quality. RBI has initiated 'Prompt Corrective Action' (PCA) framework on UCO bank on account of high bad loans and negative return of assets. UCO has become the second lender to face business restrictions after IDBI Bank.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY NEWS:

Indian Coir Sector registers record growth last Financial Year

According to Union Minister for Micro Small and Micro Medium Enterprises Giriraj Singh, the export of Coir and Coir products from the country has touched all time high of 2282 crore by value and 9.57 Metric tonnes in quantity during 2016-17. This represents an increase by 27% over value and 20 % over quantity comparing to the previous year. The Coir Board is going ahead with a project to fabricate a versatile spinning machine capable of producing yarn with uniform thickness in large quantity.

AWARDS AND HONOURS :

ISKCON's Govardhan Eco Village wins Smart Village Award

Govardhan Eco Village, set up by the ISKCON in adjoining Thane district, has won a Smart Village award for being a sustainable project in rural Maharashtra. The award, "Smart Village," has been instituted by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO).

APPOINTMENTS:

Edouard Philippe appointed as Prime Minister of France

French President Emmanuel Macron has appointed Edouard Philippe as the new prime minister of France. At 46, Edouard Philippe would be the second-youngest Prime Minister of France after Laurent Fabius (1984 to 1986), who was 37 at the time of appointment. Philippe is the Mayor of the port city Le Havre since 2010 and is a member of the Les Républicains party .

Country : France

Capital : Paris

Currency: Euro

President: Emmanuel Macron

Prime minister: Édouard Philippe

Ovais Sarmad appointed as Deputy Executive Secretary of UNFCCC

Ovais Sarmad, a senior Indian official, was appointed as the Deputy Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The appointment was made after consultation with the Conference of Parties through its Bureau.Sarmad was appointed to the post at the assistant secretary-general level by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

SPORTS NEWS:

India win 1 gold, 5 silver & 4 bronze in Asian Wrestling Championship

Bajrang Punia has won the Gold medal of the Asian Wrestling Championship at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex in New Delhi. He defeated South Korea’s Seunghui Lee 6-2 in the men’s 65kg freestyle category. Sumit has won a silver medal in the 125-kg category on the concluding day of the continental event. The Indian wrestlers overall bagged 10 medals comprising a gold, five silver and four bronze.

Women’s Cricket: India’s Deepti Sharma and Poonam Raut Sets new Record

The partnership of Deepti Sharma and Poonam Raut scored 320 in 45.3 overs in 45.3 overs to become the world’s first pair, either male or female, to forge a 300-run opening-wicket partnership in One-Day Internationals (ODIs). The earlier best partnership for the first wicket in men’s cricket was 286 scored by Sri Lanka’s Upul Tharanga and Sanath Jayasuriya against England in 2006, and the best partnership for the first wicket for women’s cricket was 268 scored by Sarah Taylor and Caroline Atkins against South Africa in 2008.