Current Affairs Daily Digest – May 24 2019
1. WHO: Algeria and Argentina declared Malaria-Free
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared Algeria and Argentina as ‘Malaria-Free’ countries after no cases of indigenous transmission of disease were recorded.
Algeria became second country in Africa to be declared malaria-free, after Mauritius, which was certified in 1973. Argentina became second country in South America to be certified malaria free after Paraguay, which was certified in June 2018.
The certificates will be presented to both countries on sidelines of the 72nd session of the World Health Assembly (WHA) which is being held in Geneva, Switzerland.
2. Shaheen-II: successfully test-fired by Pakistan
Pakistan has successfully test-fired a land-based ballistic missile named ‘Shaheen-II’. The impact point of missile was in the Arabian Sea. The test was conducted to ensure operational readiness of Pakistan Army’s Strategic Forces Command.
Shaheen-II is a highly capable missile as it fully meets Pakistan’s strategic needs towards maintenance of desired deterrence and stability in region.
3. SCO Foreign Ministers’ meeting held in Kyrgyzstan
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers was held in Kyrgyzstan capital Bishkek. It was attended by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.
This was the second SCO Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) meeting attended by India as a full member of SCO and was represented by Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. The last CFM meeting was held in Beijing, China on April 2018.
4. JF-17 Fighter Jet: delivered to PAF by China
China has delivered the first overhauled multi-role JF-17 Thunder fighter jet the Pakistan Air Force (PAF). The delivery was part of a project undertaken by two nations more than a decade ago for development and manufacture of the aircraft.
About JF-17 jet:
The JF-17s jet were reassembled and delivered to its Pakistani client by Changsha 5712 Aircraft Industry Co Ltd under state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) in March.
5. UN downgraded the global economy growth forecast to 2.7% in 2019
UN downgraded the global economy growth forecast to 2.7% in 2019. United Nations (UN) in its mid-year report on economic prospects named “World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) 2019 Mid-year Update” diminished the global economic growth forecasts for 2019 to 2.7% and for 2020 to 2.9%.In the January predictions, the economic growth was projected at 3% for both years.
6. US, Japan, South Korea, Australia Hold 1st Naval Drills In Western Pacific
US, Japan, South Korea, Australia Hold 1st Naval Drills In Western Pacific. US State Department approved to sell air-defense missiles for worth of more than USD 600 million to Japan and South Korea.
This approval was result of rising tension with North Korea when a pair of missile was tested by North Korea last week. The US government has approved sale of 94 SM-2 missiles used by ships against air threats along with 12 guidance systems for a total cost of USD 313.9 million.
About South Korea
Capital: Seoul
Currency: South Korean Won
President: Moon Jae-in
About Japan
Capital: Tokyo
Currency: Japanese Yen
Prime Minister. Shinzo Abe
About USA
Capital: Washington D.C.
Currency: United States Dollar
President: Donald Trump
7. Bengaluru based Doctor Hema Divakar gets ‘Global Asian of the Year’ Award for Contribution to Women’s Healthcare Ecosystem
Bengaluru based Doctor Hema Divakar gets ‘Global Asian of the Year’ Award for Contribution to Women’s Healthcare Ecosystem. Bengaluru based doctor Hema Divakar received the ‘Global Asian of the Year 2018-19’ Award for women services and contribution towards Women’s Healthcare Ecosystem.
Dr. Hema was conferred the award at the Asian Business & Social Forum 2019 under the ‘In Service of the Society and the Nation’ category from UAE’s Trade Promotion Director Mohammed Naser Hamdan A1 Zaabi.
8. UN celebrated May 23 as an International Day to End Obstetric Fistula
UN celebrated May 23 as an International Day to End Obstetric Fistula. United Nations celebrated May 23 as an International Day to End Obstetric Fistula (IDEOF). In 2003, the United Nations Population Fund (UNPF), formerly known as the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) and its partners had launched a global campaign to End Obstetric Fistula.
The theme for 2019 is “Fistula is a human rights violation, end it now”. In 2012, United Nations announced to celebrate May 23 as International Day to End Obstetric Fistula every year starting from 2013.
Obstetric fistula:
An obstetric fistula is a hole between the vagina and rectum or bladder that is caused by prolonged obstructed labor, leaving a woman incontinent of urine or feces or both.
9. Department of Biotechnology signed MoU with DAE on cancer research
Department of Biotechnology signed MoU with DAE on cancer research. Two departments under the Government of India, Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for supporting joint collaborative research programmes in the area of Cancer. The MOU was signed by Dr. Renu Swarup, Secretary DBT and Shri K N Vyas, Secretary DAE.
The MOU aims to help build different initiatives in the field of cancer like strategizing and prioritizing.
10. Volodymyr Zelensky sworn in as the 6th President of Ukraine
Volodymyr Zelensky sworn in as the 6th President of Ukraine. Ukrainian TV star Volodymyr Zelensky won the presidential election in April 2019 and sworn in as 6th President of Ukraine recently. He succeeded Petro Poroshenko.
According to the Central Election Commission, Zelensky won the second round with 73.22% of the votes. He became Ukraine’s youngest post-Soviet President. In his speech, he announced the dissolution of the parliament. It is a strategic move to bring the October 27 parliamentary elections forward to boost his party’s chances of securing a majority at the height of his popularity.
11. Jagan Mohan Reddy To Be Sworn In As CM of Andhra Pradesh
Jagan Mohan Reddy To Be Sworn In As CM of Andhra Pradesh. YSR Congress Chief Jagan Mohan Reddy sworn in as chief minister of Andhra Pradesh on 30th of May at Vijayawada. Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy announced this following his party achieving inching towards a landslide victory in the legislative elections for Andhra Pradesh Legislative assembly. He will replace N Chandrababu Naidu who resides as Andhra Pradesh CM.
12. Dr. Ankur Patwardhan, a scientist from Pune conferred with ‘German Chemistry Prize’
Dr. Ankur Patwardhan, a scientist from Pune conferred with ‘German Chemistry Prize’. Dr. Ankur Patwardhan, a scientist from Pune won second place in ‘German Chemistry Prize’ in an international competition named ‘Elsevier Foundation-ISC3 Green and Sustainable Chemistry Challenge’ during in the 4th Green and Sustainable Chemistry Conference held in Dresden ,Germany.
13. Sethu FC Crowned As Indian Womens League Champions
Sethu FC Crowned As Indian Womens League Champions. Sethu FC turned around a first-half deficit to clinch their first ever Indian Women’s League trophy defeating Manipur Police at the Guru Nanak Stadium, in Ludhiana, Punjab.
India international had the first clear chance a little after 10 minutes when she received the ball just inside the box and pulled the trigger. However, she scuffed her instep shot and it lacked any sting.The winger had another good chance when she received the ball from a melee inside the Manipur box, but her shot rolled inches wide of the post.
14. BJP won with an absolute majority for its second term in the 2019 LS election
BJP won with an absolute majority for its second term in the 2019 LS election. BJP won with an absolute majority:”If the 16th general election in 2014 catapulted the BJP as the primary pole of Indian politics, relegating the Congress to a distant second, 2019 establishes it as the overarching hegemon”.
The BJP is the second political party in Indian history to come back to power, even stronger this time. The BJP got an absolute majority bagging 297 of the 458 seats (as per Election Commission’s counting till 9.25 am on 24th May) and was on course to touch the 303-seat mark in the 543-member Lok Sabha. The BJP has already surpassed its 2014 performance when it won 282 seats.
15. Laver Cup becomes an official ATP event
Laver Cup, an event played between a ‘Europe’ team and a ‘Rest of the World’ team, has been made into an official ATP event. The competition, the first two editions of which were held in Prague and Chicago respectively, is backed by Roger Federer. Notably, this year’s edition of the tournament in Geneva will hold no ranking points.
