Latest Current Affairs – May 27 2018
1. PM Modi opens two Expressways in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana
Two projects — phase one of the Delhi-Meerut expressway and Eastern Peripheral Expressway (EPE) — constructed to decongest Delhi, has been inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The 135-km-long EPE, built at a cost of Rs 11,000 crore, envisages signal-free connectivity between Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Greater Noida and Palwal and will ultimately decongest the national capital. The 135-km expressway is powered by solar energy and has provisions for rainwater harvesting every 500 metres.
Phase I of Delhi-Meerut expressway is almost 9-km long and has 14 lanes, and runs from Nizammudin bridge to the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border. The first phase, which cost ₹841 crore, was completed in 18 months, nearly a year ahead of the scheduled time. After completion, the expressway will reduce travel time from Delhi to Meerut from 4-5 hours to 45 minutes.
2. Real Madrid beat Liverpool 3-1 to win Champions League
Real Madrid defeated Liverpool 3-1 in Kiev, Ukraine to win the UEFA Champions League for the third straight year. Gareth Bale, who came on as a substitute in the 61st minute, scored a brace including a bicycle kick and a long range goal. Real Madrid have now won Champions League/European Cup for a record-extending 13th time.
3. BCCI partners with United Nations to promote ‘green cricket’
The BCCI and United Nations Environment have signed an agreement to promote ‘green cricket’ in India. “The BCCI will endeavor to reduce its environmental impact by greening operations and engaging cricketers and fans in green initiatives”, a statement by BCCI read. The partnership will focus on phasing out single-use plastic across stadiums in the country.
4. World’s highest mountain biking race to be held in Sikkim
Sikkim’s north district administration is organising a mountain biking race, touted to be the world’s highest, at over 17,000 feet across 330 km in June. The themes for the race are ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ and ‘Secure Himalayas’. District Collector Karma R Bonpo said he hoped the race would be a “game-changer” for tourism development in the area.
5. Public sector banks lose ₹53,000 crore in March quarter
Government-owned banks have reported losses of ₹53,000 crore for the final quarter of 2017-18, according to data compiled by BloombergQuint. This compares with a net loss of ₹4,302 crore by the banks in the same quarter last year. Of the 17 listed public sector banks which have reported earnings till Friday, only Indian Bank and Vijaya Bank have posted profits.
6. Ireland votes by landslide to legalise abortion in referendum
Over two-thirds of the Irish electorate has voted to overturn the ban on abortions in a historic referendum. Earlier, a constitutional amendment gave equal right to life to pregnant women and unborn children, allowing abortion only if the mother’s life was in danger. Illegal abortion in Ireland is punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
7. Fourth person to walk on the Moon, Alan Bean, dies aged 86
NASA astronaut Alan Bean, who became the fourth person to walk on the Moon in 1969, passed away aged 86 on Saturday. Bean was a lunar module pilot of Apollo 12, which made the second Moon landing, after Apollo 11’s Buzz Aldrin and late Neil Armstrong. Only 12 people have set foot on the Moon, eight of whom have died.
8. India ranks 145 out of 195 countries in healthcare: Report
India has been ranked 145 out of 195 countries on the Healthcare Access and Quality Index (HAQ), according to a report published by The Lancet. The reason behind the poor rank of the country is the unequal income, which leads to unequal access to healthcare, a Manipal University professor said. Further, UP and Assam have the lowest HAQ in India.
9. Fourth element showing magnetism at room temperature found
A University of Minnesota-led research has discovered that ruthenium (Ru) is the fourth single element to have unique magnetic properties at room temperature. So far only three periodic table elements have been found to be ferromagnetic at room temperature: iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), and nickel (Ni). The discovery could help improve magnetic devices like sensors and hard disks, noted researchers.
10. Rustom-2 drone to be delivered to armed forces by 2020: DRDO
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) said the Rustom-2 drone would be ready for use in two years. Rustom drones are medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). They are a part of India’s Rs 1,500 crore UAV project that will cater to the needs of the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force. Rustom-2 is being developed on the lines of USA’s predator drones. It will carry out surveillance and reconnaissance for the armed forces and has a 24-hour endurance cycle. The medium-altitude prototype can fly at over 22,000 feet.
11. Kummanam Rajasekharan appointed as Governor of Mizoram
Senior BJP leader from Kerala, Kummanam Rajasekharan, who has been the President of the state unit of the party for the past three years, was appointed as the Governor of Mizoram. He started his activities as an activist of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Sangh Parivar in the state of Kerala in 1970. From 18 December 2015, he has been the state president of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Kerala.
Also Read : Updated List of Chief Ministers and Governors of India
12. Daniel Ricciardo wins Monaco Grand Prix
Daniel Ricciardo drove a masterful race to fend off Sebastian Vettel’s Ferrari and win the Monaco Grand Prix in a stricken Red Bull. The Australian dominated and led from pole but shortly after his only pit stop suffered a power loss at one-third distance. Ricciardo managed to hold off Vettel for the remaining 59 laps, as Lewis Hamilton took third in his Mercedes.
