Daily Current Affairs 2nd May, 2019

Daily Current Affairs 2 May 2019 for Banking/Insurance/SSC and other related exams.

NATIONAL NEWS

India 4th Biggest Military Spender in 2018: SIPRI Report

World’s military expenditure increased by 2.6 per cent, reaching $1822 billion in 2018 with India along with United States, China, Saudi Arabia and France contributing 60 per cent of the amount, according to a latest report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).

• India’s military spending went up by 3.1 per cent to $66.5 billion while Pakistan’s grew by 11 percent to reach $11.4 billion.

Government Hikes Customs Duty On Wheat To 40%

The government has hiked the customs duty on wheat to 40 per cent from 30 per cent to curb imports and protect the domestic industry. The government wants to restrict overseas purchase so that domestic prices of wheat do not come under pressure as the country’s wheat output is expected to scale a record high this year. 

• The government has fixed wheat’s minimum support price (MSP) or the price at which it buys from farmers, at Rs 1,840 per quintal, up from Rs 1,735 a year earlier, as part of its decision to fix the support price at a minimum of 1.5 times the production cost.

CPWD Constitutes 8-member Committee To Chart Out Design Policy

The Central Works Public Department (CPWD) has constituted an expert committee to formulate a design policy for building construction and infrastructure development. The committee has been set up under the chairmanship of CPWD’s Additional Director General M K Sharma.

• The move is aimed at reviving building construction and infrastructure development at all levels in the CPWD which comes under the Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry.

ICMR Launches Malaria Elimination Research Alliance

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) recently launched the Malaria Elimination Research Alliance (MERA)- India and organised the Stakeholders’ Meeting at ICMR headquarters, New Delhi to have vibrant discussions on the roadmap of the Alliance.

• ICMR has established ‘Malaria Elimination Research Alliance-India (MERA-India)’, which is a conglomeration of partners working on malaria control. The principal activity of the Alliance is to prioritise, plan, conduct, scale up and translate relevant research in a coordinated and combinatorial way in order to have a tangible impact of this research on the population at risk for malaria.

LIC HFL launches Udyam Centre in Bengaluru

LIC Housing Finance (LIC HFL) has launched ‘Udyam’, a skilling centre in Bengaluru. It was launched in association with Lok Bharti Education Society, the implementing partner.

• The Centres of Excellence will provide training to marginalised youth in the BFSI, retail, and IT/ ITES sectors. 

Green Number Plates Become Mandatory For All Electric Vehicles

Indian government had earlier proposed a special green-coloured number plate for all electric vehicles in the country. Putting the year old plan in action, the Central government has now asked the state transport departments to make it mandatory for all EVs to use the green number plates, irrespective of the year in which they were bought.

• The special number plate is supposed to have the vehicle number spelled out in white colour on a green background. The new mandate is supposed to help provide a preferential treatment to the vehicles with no carbon emissions, like parking, free entry in congested areas as well as a concessional toll on highways.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

US Withdraws From UN Arms Trade Treaty

US President Donald Trump has said he will withdraw his country from the International Arms Trade Treaty. The agreement, signed by Barack Obama in 2013, aims to regulate the sale of weapons between countries.

• The US National Rifle Association says the treaty amounts to international gun control, and is a threat to America’s second amendment right to bear arms. The US is the world’s top arms exporter. Its weapons sales are 58% higher than those of Russia, the world’s second largest exporter.

5th ABU Media Summit Held In Kathmandu

5th Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) Media Summit on Climate Action and Disaster Preparedness began in Kathmandu. The theme of the two-day summit is “Media Solutions for Sustainable Future: Saving Lives, Building Resilient Communities”. 

• Nepal’s Minister for Communication and Information Technology Gokul Prasad Baskota inaugurated the summit. The basic aim of the summit is to address the issue of fully utilizing media’s potential of accelerating climate action and disaster preparedness and connect stakeholders to media professionals for collaboration and joint practical projects.

‘Avengers: Endgame’ becomes the highest grossing film of 2019 in India

‘Avengers Endgame’ in India has now become the highest grossing film of 2019 so far. ‘Avengers: Endgame’ released on April 26 and also marks the final film within the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s current generation, which comprises of 22 films, including ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ and the recently released ‘Captain Marvel’. It will also be the last Marvel movie for some of the key actors including Chris Evans as Captain America.

• The film also beats the record set by ‘Baahubali 2: The Conclusion,’ which had crossed Rs 100 crore mark within three days of its release.

BANKING & FINANCE

Canara Bank, Canara HSBC OBC Life launch ‘Webassurance’

Canara Bank and its life insurance partner Canara HSBC Oriental Bank of Commerce Life Insurance launched ’Webassurance’ to enable its customers to purchase life insurance in a convenient and hassle-free way.

• Total Four life insurance products of Canara HSBC OBC Life would be made available to its customers with various facilities like covering the key needs of child future, savings and investments, retirement planning and protection. Through this Webassurance, the bank will be able to service the protection needs of its younger and net-savvy customers.

IndusInd Bank Receives NCLT Approval For Merger With Bharat Financial Inclusion

National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) approved the merger of private sector lender IndusInd Bank with Bharat Financial Inclusion (BFIL), a microfinance company.

• Earlier, IndusInd Bank had received ‘No Objection’ from Reserve Bank of India, National Stock Exchange and Bombay Stock Exchange. Bharat Financial will become a subsidiary of the private lender.
• Extra info.:
  IndusInd Bank Headquarter: Mumbai
  NCLT Headquarter: New Delhi

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

Wipro Acquires Philippines’ Largest Personal Care Company ‘Splash’

Wipro Consumer Care and Lighting (WCCL), the consumer care business of software provider Wipro Ltd, has acquired the Philippines-based personal care maker Splash Corporation for an undisclosed amount to enter the country which has a consumer base of around 100 million.

• The maker of Santoor soap and Yardley deodorants said the acquisition will also help complete its Southeast Asian footprint. Splash Corporation is among the top five local companies in the Philippines.

Netherlands Becomes The Third Largest Foreign Direct Investor In India

The Netherlands has emerged as the 3rd largest Foreign Direct investor in India for the years 2017-2018 with investments valued at US$ 2.67 billion across variety of sectors such as services, trading, automobile industry, fermentation industries, chemicals and water management.

• The Indian School of Business, Hyderabad and the Netherlands Business Support Office in Hyderabad jointly organized the “Dutch-India Dialogue on Trade & Technology” in the city, in connection with the National Day celebrations of the Netherlands.

SPORTS

ISSF Rifle/Pistol World Cup 2019 Concludes: India Finishes Top

India drew blank on the final day but still topped the chart for the second consecutive ISSF World Cup, third time in two years, by bagging 3 gold and a silver at the Beijing edition of the Rifle/Pistol event in Beijing. India topped the medals tally ahead of hosts China (2 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze), who won five medals in total. In the last edition in New Delhi, India had jointly topped the standings with Hungary. 

• For India, while Anjum Moudgil and young Divyansh Singh Panwar started the medal hunt with a gold in the 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team competition, the teenaged pair of Manu Bhaker and Saurabh Chaudhary backed them up with another yellow metal in the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team Pistol event.

Apurvi Chandela Becomes World Number One In 10m Air Rifle ISSF Rankings

Shooter Apurvi Chandela became the world number one in women’s 10m Air Rifle category with 1,926 rankings points, according to the latest rankings released by International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) recently.

• While Chandela has already booked a Tokyo Olympics berth, she narrowly missed out on a medal, finishing fourth with a total score of 207.8, at the recently-concluded ISSF World Cup in Beijing, China.

Dominic Thiem Wins Barcelona Open 2019

World number five Dominic Thiem won his first Barcelona Open title with a comfortable victory over Russia’s Daniil Medvedev. The Austrian, 25, was broken early on but then took 12 of the next 13 games to win 6-4 6-0 in one hour 13 minutes.

• Thiem ended Rafael Nadal’s hopes of a 12th title in the clay tournament in Saturday’s semi-final, having lost to the Spaniard in the 2017 final.

23rd Asian Athletics Championships Concludes: Bahrain Tops, India Finishes 4th

The 23rd edition of the Asian Athletics Championship concluded in Doha, Qatar. The four-day event saw participation from 63 nations across the world. Bahrain topped the tally with 11 gold, 7 silver and 4 bronze, followed by China with 10 gold, 13 silver, 7 bronze and then Japan with 5 gold, 4 silver, 9 bronze.

• Tejinder Pal Singh Toor won Gold in Men’s shot put event, Gomathi Marimuthu won Gold in Women’s 800m event and PU Chitra won Gold in Women’s 1500m race event.

India retain top-spot in ICC test team rankings

India have retained their top position in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Test team rankings in the annual update. India now have 113 points while the second positioned New Zealand are just two points behind, which was earlier eight points.

• While in the ICC One Day International (ODI) team rankings, England retained the top spot as the English side has 123 points. England is followed by India, who are just 2 points behind from England. South Africa, New Zealand and Australia secured the third, fourth and fifth position respectively.

APPOINTMENTS

Kumar Sangakkara Named As 1st Non-British President of MCC

Former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara has been appointed as the first non-British president of the Marylebone Cricket Club. Sangakkara will be the first overseas MCC president in the organization’s 233-year history.

• The wicketkeeper-batsman, whose nomination was announced by current president Anthony Wreford, will begin his one-year tenure in October.

BSE Appoints First Independent Woman Director Jayshree Vyas To board

BSE has finally appointed its first independent woman director Jayshree Vyas last week, though still late by at least a few weeks from the deadline of April 1 given to all top 500 listed companies based on their market capitalisation for appointing an independent woman director on their board.

• BSE already has two non-executive women directors namely Usha Sangwan and Rajeshree Sabnavis on its Board.

AWARDS

Jacques Kallis Receives Ikhamanga Award 2019

Former South Africa all-rounder Jacques Kallis has been honoured with the Order of Ikhamanga in the Silver Division. The national honour is bestowed by the President of South Africa on citizens who have made significant contributions to arts, literature, music, journalism, culture and sports.

• Former teammates of Kallis have previously been bestowed with the honour. In 2018, Hashim Amla received the Silver award, while Shaun Pollock and Makhaya Ntini were both recognised in 2008.

Goldman Environmental Prize Conferred On 6 Environmental Activists

6 grassroots environmental activists received the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize. Known as the Green Nobel Prize, the Goldman Prize honors environmental activists from each of the 6 continental regions: Europe, Asia, North America, Central America and South America, Africa and islands and island nations.

• The winners of the award are Alfred Brownell, Bayarjargal Agvaantseren, Ana Colovic Lesoska, Jacqueline Evans, Alberto Curamil, Linda Garcia.

Drake Sets Record With Most Wins At Billboard Awards

Rapper Drake set a record with the most wins ever, taking home 12 honours at the Billboard Music Awards. The ceremony took place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas with singer Kelly Clarkson as the host.

• Drake surpassed singer Taylor Swift to become the top award recipient in the Billboard Music Awards history. He won 12 awards, bringing his career total to 27. Swift has won 23 Billboard Music Awards. 
• Ariana Grande took top female artist for the first time. She also won the fan-voted Billboard chart achievement award. Cardi B took home six, while Maroon 5 scored four, and Ella Mai, Ozuna, Luke Combs and Lauren Daigle nabbed three. 

OBITUARIES

Kannada Theatre Personality Master Hirannaiah Passes Away

Noted Kannada theatre and film personality Master Hirannaiah passed away at a private hospital in Bengaluru. He was 84. Known for his wit, Hirannaiah used his stage performances to sharply attack the political class and bureaucracy on issues like corruption.

• Makmal Topi, Anaachara, Bhrashtachara and Devadasi are among Hirannaiah’s other popular plays. Hirannaiah has acted in several Kannada movies too. 

Youngest Best Director Oscar Nominee John Singleton Passes Away

John Singleton, an Academy Award-nominated filmmaker best known for directing “Boyz N the Hood” and “Poetic Justice,” has passed away. Singleton became the first black filmmaker nominated for a Best Director Oscar for his debut feature from 1991, “Boys N The Hood.” He was only 24 at the time, and still remains the youngest director to receive that nomination. 

Former Ethiopian President Negasso Gidada Passed Away

Former Ethiopian president Negasso Gidada has passed away in Germany where he was undergoing medical treatment for an unspecified illness. Negasso, who was 75, was president between 1995 and 2001 and was the first head of state after Ethiopia adopted a new constitution transforming the country into a federal state, with increased autonomy given to the different regions.

• More recently, he was rehabilitated by the ruling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), to which he was appointed an advisor in 2017.

Terry Rawlings, British Film Editor Passes Away

Terry Rawlings, a British film and sound editor who was an Oscar nominee for his work on Best Picture winner “Chariots of Fire,” has passed away. Rawlings worked as a film editor on such films as “Alien,” “Blade Runner,” “Legend,” “Yentl,” “Alien3” and, most recently, 2204’s “The Phantom of the Opera.”

• Rawlings had a 50-year career in film, beginning in 1955 and stretching until 2005. The 5-time BAFTA nominee also received a career achievement award from the American Cinema Editors society in 2006.

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Tuna Day

Every 2 May is World Tuna Day, which should serve as more motivation to highlight the importance of these fish to the marine ecosystem and the global economy. World Tuna Day is the perfect time to recognize why these incredible species should be fished sustainably.

• With the right implementation of harvest strategies, RFMOs can ensure that tunas, and tuna fisheries, thrive for many years to come.

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