Daily Current Affairs Updates – 24th May 2017

Daily Current Affairs Updates –  24th 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.

DAYS TO REMEMBER:

World Turtle Day 2017 observed globally

The World Turtle Day 2017 was observed across the world on 23 May 2017 with an aim to protect the turtles and tortoises and their rapidly disappearing habitats across the world. The day was sponsored by American Tortoise Rescue (ATR). The World Turtle Day was proclaimed by American Tortoise Rescue (ATR) in the year 2000. Since then, it is celebrated every year to create awareness about turtles and tortoises, the world’s oldest living reptiles in the world.

NATIONAL:

Kiren Rijiju unveils world's first philosophical novel on God

Kiren Rijiju, the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, on 23 May 2017 unveiled a philosophical novel on God titled “Confessions of a dying mind: The blind faith of atheism,” in New Delhi. The book, touted as world’s first philosophical novel on God, is penned by IAS officer Haulianlal Guite.

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs: Kiren Rijiju

Reader with guidelines for raising happy children released by WCD Ministry

The Ministry of Women and Child Development has released a reader titled ‘Raising Happy Children and Providing Safe Childhoods’. Divided into three parts, the reader aims to serve as a guide for parents, teachers and community members on how to prevent crime and violence by children and give suggestions to help them create a more protective and caring environment for their children.

Minister of Women and Child Development: Maneka Gandhi

NGT demands for data on trees in eco-sensitive zone near Taj Mahal

The National Green Tribunal has ordered the Divisional Commissioner of Agra to provide information regarding the trees planted in the eco-sensitive zone (Taj Trapezium Zone) near the historic monument, Taj Mahal. The directive was given by a bench led by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar. The bench has given the officer three weeks to provide the necessary data, in order to support MC Mehta, who has been appointed as the local commissioner to investigate the illegal cutting and sale of around 4000 trees in the area.

Union Minister Manoj Sinha launches Pt Deendayal Upadhyaya Telecom Skill Excellence Awards

Communications Minister Manoj Sinha today launched Pt Deen Dayal Upadhyay Telecom Skill Excellence Awards and a scheme Sanchar Kaushal Vikas Pratishthan named after the BJP ideologue at a function in New Delhi.  Speaking on the occasion, Mr Sinha said, 10,000 people will be imparted training in Telecom sector through the scheme. He said, government will recognize achievers and talents in Telecom sector.

Tourism Minister inaugurated Exhibition displaying Stone Sculptures returned by Australia

The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Culture and Tourism, Mahesh Sharma inaugurated an exhibition titled ‘Return of the Three Stone Sculptures from Australia to India’ in the National Museum at Janpath, New Delhi on 23 May 2017. The exhibit marks the safe return of three Indian stone sculptures including the ‘Seated Buddha’, ‘Worshippers of Buddha’ and ‘Goddess Pratyangira’ from Australia to India.

Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Culture and Tourism: Mahesh Sharma

Israel aerospace industries signs $630 million deal with India

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has closed another major deal worth 630 million US dollar with India to supply advanced long-range air and missile defense systems for four ships of the Indian Navy.  According to State-owned IAI, the contract is for supplying Long Range Surface to Air Missile (LRSAM) systems. The LRSAM is a joint development by IAI and India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The system provides the ultimate protection against a variety of aerial, naval and airborne threats. The deal, a major boost to the ‘Make in India’ campaign.

Ministry of Culture launches Swachh Bharat App in National Museum

Ministry of Culture has launched “Swachh Bharat App” in National Museum with a focus to involve people actively in Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. The App is available for Android Mobile phones which can be downloaded from Google Play Store. In this App the concept of Physical web is implemented. When a person is in a monument or Museum the App will deliver him the message about Swachh Bharat Abhiyan asking to report the garbage lying around. All that is needed is to enable the Bluetooth in mobile device.

Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Culture: Mahesh Sharma

Environment Ministry and OzonAction organised “Ozone2Climate” Technology Roadshow in Agra

Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on 23 May 2017 organised Ozone2Climate Technology Roadshow in Agra. The roadshow was organised along with the UN Environment OzonAction’s Compliance Assistance Programme. The Roadshow was inaugurated by the Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Ajay Narayan Jha on the sidelines of the South Asia National Ozone Officers Annual Network Meeting – 2017. The Technology Roadshow was organised for the first time as part of the annual network meeting for Ozone Officers of South Asia. The roadshow took place post the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol.

INTERNATIONAL

Seventieth World Health Assembly kicks off in Geneva

The 70th World Health Assembly (WHA) opened on 22 May 2017 at Geneva-based UN headquarters in Switzerland. The World Health Assembly is the main decision-making body of the World Health Organization (WHO). The Member States of the WHA will elect a new Director-General, who will take office for a five-year term on 1 July 2017. The three nominees for the position are Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of Ethiopia, Dr David Nabarro of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and Dr Sania Nishtar of Pakistan. They will each address the Health Assembly for 15 minutes on 23 May 2017.

Duterte declares martial law in southern Philippines

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law in the southern region of Mindanao, where security forces have been battling Islamic State group- linked militants. Spokesman Ernesto Abella yesterday said in a nationally televised briefing from Moscow where the President was on an official visit. Abella said martial law would be in place for 60 days. Abella said Duterte would cut short his trip to Moscow and return to the Philippines.

Country : Philippines

Capital : Manila

Currency: Philippine peso

President:  Rodrigo Duterte

Neil Armstrong’s Moon Dust Bag to be sold at an auction

Neil Armstrong’s Moon Dust Bag will be sold at an auction at Sotheby’s auction house in New York on 20 July 2017. The announcement of the auction was made by Sotheby’s Auction House on 23 May 2017. It will be up for auction along with a signed photograph of Armstrong’s companion Buzz Aldrin on the Moon and other noteworthy objects. The auction will coincide with 48th Anniversary of Apollo 11 landing on the Moon.

Dubai police recruits world’s first Robocop

The Dubai police on 22 May 2017 officially inducted the world's first operational robot police officer 'Robocop' into the force at the 4thGulf Information Security Expo and Conference (GISEC). The launch of the world’s first operational Robocop is a significant milestone for the United Arab Emirates' vision to be a global leader in smart cities technology adoption.

United Arab Emirates'

Capital : Abu Dhabi

Currency: United Arab Emirates dirham

President:  Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan

World's smallest nation Nauru ratifies International Solar Alliance Pact

Nauru, world’s smallest republic and the tiny island nation, on 23 May 2017 ratified the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Framework pact. With this, Nauru became the sixth country to ratify ISA pact. Five more African nations including Comoros, Cote d’Ivoire, Somalia,  Ghana and Djibouti have committed to sign the Solar Alliance pact during  the ongoing meeting of the African Development bank in Gujarat, India.

Hyperloop India to participate in SpaceX’s Hyperloop Pod Competition II

SpaceX, an American aerospace manufacturer and space transport services company, will organise Hyperloop Pod Competition II in August 2017 at its headquarters in Hawthorne, California. The competition will see the participation of 24 teams from across the world including a team from India’s BITS Pilani. BITS Pilani’s team will be participating in the competition with name Hyperloop India.

Indian-born woman elected to City of London Corporation

A 43-year-old UK entrepreneur has become the first India-born woman to be elected as a councillor to a ward in the UK.  Rehana Ameer, who was born and raised in Chennai, contested from Vintry ward in the City of London county as an independent candidate.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus becomes first African to be elected as WHO Director-General

The World Health Assembly on 23 May 2017 elected Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus as the new Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO). Ethiopia’s Ghebreyesus will begin his five-year term on 1 July 2017. Ghebreyesus will succeed Dr Margaret Chan, who has been serving as WHO’s Director-General since 1 January 2007.

Organisation: World Health Organization

Director General: Tedros Adhanom

Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland

World's largest aircraft Airlander 10 completes test flight

The world's largest aircraft has successfully completed a test flight, bringing the massive helium-filled airship one step closer to commercial use. The hybrid aircraft dubbed the Airlander 10combines technology from airplanes, helicopters and airships. It is designed to fly at altitudes of 6,100 meters for up to five days. with a length of 92 metres, it is the largest aircraft currently flying.

BANKING NEWS

Federal Bank launches new trading platform

Federal Bank, in association with Geojit, has launched a new trading platform called “Selfie” for customers. Designed and managed by Geojit, the trading platform will give its users absolute control over their investments with timely research inputs to make sound investment decisions.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY NEWS:

HDFC Life launches AI-based insurance email bot 'SPOK'

 HDFC Life announced the launch of an artificial intelligence-based application 'SPOK' that can automatically read, understand, categorize, prioritize and respond to customer emails sent to the private insurer.  'SPOK', an insurance email bot, can read customer queries within milliseconds and respond to them. The deployment of SPOK will improve customer experience, while providing the support staff with the bandwidth to focus on customer satisfaction.

AWARDS AND HONOURS :

India's Vaishali wins gold in Asian Blitz Chess Championship

India's R Vaishali won the women's title with eight points from nine rounds in the Asian Continental Blitz Chess Championship in Chengdu, China.  Vaishali drew her final round game against Uurtsaikh Uuriintuya of Mongolia to finish half-a-point ahead of Iran's Sarasdat Khademalsharieh and clinch the gold medal.  The Chennai player with an ELO rating of 2203 had finished third in the Asian Championship event.

The Cochin port trust bags two best performance awards

The ‘Cochin Port Trust’ has received two best performance awards from Ministry of Shipping for the highest growth in operating surplus and also for achieving third highest growth in cargo traffic among the major ports in the year 2016-17. The awards have been received by P Raveendran (Chairman) and A V Ramana (Deputy Chairman) Cochin Port Trust by the union Road Transport and Highways and Shipping minister ‘Nitin Gadkari’ at a function held at Goa Port Trust.

OBITUARY:

Mathunny Mathews, the Real-life Hero of 'Airlift' passes away

Indian businessman Mathunny Mathews died aged 81 in Kuwait after being part of the tiny emirate's fortunes and trials for over six decades. He was known as one of the heroes who made possible the largest civilian evacuation in known history and the main inspiration behind the 2016 Bollywood historical drama Airlift.

Controversial godman Chandraswami passes away

Controversial godman, Chandraswami, passed away due to multi-organ failure on 23 May 2017 in New Delhi. He was 66. Chandraswami, whose real name was Nemi Chand, exerted enormous power during the regime of former Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao.