Current Affairs May 16, 2019
In this post, GKToday presents Current Affairs of May 16, 2019 in Short Notes form for preparation of IBPS, Banking, CLAT, SSC, Railway, UPSC, IAS/PCS, UPPSC, BPSC, MPPSC, RPSC, TNPSC, MPSC, KPSC and all other competitive examinations of India.
1. Pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who made a mark for India and IPL franchise Mumbai Indians, has been adjudged as International Bowler of the Year during the CEAT Cricket Rating (CCR) International awards 2019. The ceremony was held in Mumbai in presence of a galaxy of past and present cricketers on May 13. Indian captain Virat Kohli bagged the International Cricketer and Batsman of the Year award. Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan was awarded for outstanding bowling and Australian batsman Aaron Finch for his exceptional performance in T20. Young prodigy Yashasvi Jaiswal, who performed exceptionally over the year was awarded Junior Cricketer of the Year, while chinaman Kuldeep Yadav took the home outstanding performance of the year award. Ashutosh Aman was awarded Domestic Cricketer of the Year. Legendary Mohinder Amarnath, who played a key role in India's 1983 World Cup triumph, was bestowed with the 'CCR International Lifetime Achievement Award'.
2. The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has decided to hold the high-level 2020 United Nations Conference in Lisbon, Portugal from June 2 to 6 to support the sustainable use of the oceans, seas and marine resources. The UNGA also decided that the conference shall involve all relevant stakeholders, bringing together governments, the UN system, intergovernmental organizations and all other actors to assess challenges and opportunities relating to, as well as actions taken toward, the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14.
3. Pakistan off-spinner Sana Mir bagged the title of the most successful women ODI’s spinner in the world after she dismissed Sune Luus from South Africa in the third ODI of ICC Women’s Championship on May 12, 2019. It was Sana’s 147th ODI wicket in her 118th appearance. With this, she jumped to top sending West Indies’ player Anisa Mohammed and Australia’s Lisa Sthalekar on No. 3 on the list of all-time successful bowlers. Overall, Sana Mir is the third highest wicket-taker after pacers Jhulan Goswami of India (218) wickets) and Cathryn Fitzpatrick of Australia (180). Prior to this, Mir had also become the first Pakistani bowler to head the ICC rankings in October of 2018.
4. Japan has started testing it’s fastest-ever shinkansen bullet train “Alfa-X”, which is capable of reaching 400 kilometres per hour (249 mph). The train is scheduled to go into service in 2030 and will run at speeds of up to 360 kph (224 mph). With this feat, it will become the world's fastest bullet train. This bullet train will be even faster than Fuxing train in China, which runs 10 kph slower than Alfa-X. The model's futuristic design features 10 cars and a long pointed nose. Alfa-X train is packed with the latest technological features like - vibration sensors, temperature sensors - and its distinct 72 ft long aerodynamic nose is dramatically elongated to minimise noise and pressure when passing through tunnels. ALFA-X also features sensors to reduce the impact of possible earthquake tremors.
5. ISRO Chairman Dr. K Sivan has recently inaugurated Young Scientist Programme (Yuvika-2019) for school children at Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The initiative is primarily aimed at imparting basic knowledge on Space Technology, Space Science and Space Applications to the younger ones with the intent of arousing their interest in the emerging areas of Space activities. The Yuvika (Yuva VIgyani KAryakram) 2019, which will be conducted from May 13 to 26, is a two week summer vacation residential training programme. It is launched by ISRO in tune with the Union Government’s vision ‘Jai Vigyan, Jai Anusandhan’.
6. Kiki Bertens has won women’s singles title at the 2019 Madrid Open tennis tournament. In the final, she defeated Simona Halep 6-4, 6-4 in straight sets to win the coveted title. Earlier, in the ongoing tournament, Top seed Novak Djokovic of Serbia beat Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece 6-3, 6-4 to win his third Madrid Open Tennis title.
7. HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company has recently launched the 'Mosquito Disease Protection Policy'. This new policy will cover an individual against common mosquito-borne diseases like Dengue Fever, Malaria, Chikungunya, Japanese Encephalitis, Kala-azar, Lymphatic Filariasis and Zika Virus. According to the report published by National Health Profile 2018, there has been an alarming rise in dengue cases in India, an increase of 300% between 2009-2017. These diseases also lead to hospitalization adding burden on expense or affecting the No Claim Bonus of any standard Health Insurance. Hence, keeping this in mind, HDFC ERGO launched this new policy which will cover hospitalisation expenses incurred during the treatment of any mosquito-borne disease. Alternatively, the policyholder may opt for a lump sum amount to be paid as a policy benefit on providing the proof of hospitalization. In addition, the policy will pay the beneficiary the sum insured in case of the policyholder's death due to the disease. This cover is available for individuals between the age group of 91 days to 65 years. This policy also provides international cover to individuals and covers all the vector-borne diseases listed in the policy document.
8. Nabventures, a subsidiary of NABARD, has recently launched its first-ever Rs 700-crore venture capital fund for equity investments in agriculture and rural-focused startups. The fund will have a high impact as it will provide a boost to investment ecosystem in the core areas of agriculture, food and improvement of rural livelihoods. It is registered with SEBI as a Category II Alternative Investment Fund . The Nabventures Fund has a proposed corpus of Rs 500 crore with a greenshoe option of Rs 200 crore and has also received an anchor commitment from NABARD. Till now, NABARD has been contributing to other funds and this is the first time that the rural development bank has launched a fund of its own. NABARD is now 100% owned by the government, which has been focusing on startups through a slew of measures.
9. The 18 nations ADMM-Plus (Asean Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus) multilateral maritime security field exercise has recently concluded in Singapore on May 13. In it, two Indian Navy ships – Guided Missile Destroyer INS Kolkata and Fleet Support Ship INS Shakti carried out Group Sail with the naval ships of Japan, the Philippines and the U.S. in the disputed South China Sea (SCS). The exercise was jointly organised by Singapore and South Korea, which was started in Busan on April 30. This is the 4th such exercise conducted under the ADMM-Plus grouping. The ADMM-Plus consistes of 10 ASEAN countries along with Australia, China, Japan, India, South Korea, New Zealand, Russia and the United States.
10. China is hosting Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations in close collaboration with UNESCO in its capital city Beijing from 15 to 22 May, 2019. The conference will focus on themes of the exchange and mutual learning of Asia civilizations, and a community of shared future. During the event, an opening ceremony and six parallel sessions will be held. Other activities include an Asia cultural carnival, Asian civilization week, and an Asian food festival. Around 1500 experts from around the world, including heads of state and high-level governmental representatives, are invited to attend the conference which seeks to promote intercultural dialogue in view of building an “Asian Community of Shared Future”. It is expected to provide an occasion for the talented artists and youth delegates to communicate while at the same time demonstrate the charms of the Asian cultures.
