Current Affairs from May Week 1 (1-7)
Economy
IMF approves $17 bn aid for Ukraine
Washington: In a bid to provide the financial aid, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved a two- year financial aid programme totalling $17 billion for Ukraine to support its economy.
- The move will certainly play crucial role for the reconstruction of Ukraine which has suffered many setback recently.
Steel Park in Vishakapatnam
- Vishakhapatnam will soon witness a steel park for its people. Lalitanjali Group, a leading infrastructure engineering and supply chain management firm, has announced it will set up a steel industrial park in Vishakapatnam with an investment of Rs 650 crore.
Madhya Pradesh launches web portal for panchayats
In a bid to place the e-governance to the local body much closer, Madhya Pradesh launched a web portal for village panchayats to ensure greater transparency in their functioning.
CNG prices in Delhi hiked by Rs.2.95 a kg
People of Delhi forced to face another thrust of price hike when the price of compressed natural gas (CNG) in the national capital was hiked by Rs.2.95 per kg, and that of piped cooking gas (PNG) by Re.1 per standard cubic metre (scm) due to a rise in input cost.
Certainly it will raise the ordeals of people of NCR who are already to suffer more in terms of price hike.
Mark Fields new CEO of Ford
Mark Fields will be the new CEO for Ford Motor who has been named its president and chief executive officer.
Etihad named best Middle East Airline
The national airline of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Etihad Airways, has been named the Middle East’s Leading Airline for the eighth consecutive year at the World Travel Awards Middle East.
People in News
British actor Bob Hoskins died at 71
- British actor Bob Hoskins died of pneumonia at the age of 71 in London on 29 April 2014. He was a famous actor who has given a number of major hit and memorable films.
- The Long Good Friday, Mona Lisa and Who Framed Roger Rabbit are the some of his mega hit movies.
Alenka Bratusek , Prime Minister of Slovenia resigned
Prime Minister of Slovenia, Alenka Bratusek resigned on 5 May 2014 from his post.
- After his resignation, he urged for early elections in the country.
- Alenka Bratusek handed her resignation to the speaker of Parliament and announced her resignation.
Sijo Kuruvilla George invited to US leadership programme
Sijo Kuruvilla George, chief executive officer of the Kochi Startup Village, has been invited to take part in the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), conducted by the US Department of State to foster professional ties and mutual understanding with other countries.
Elena Baltacha, Tennis player died due of liver cancer
Elena Baltacha, the former British No 1 tennis player died due to Live Cancer. She was battling for Liver Cancer for last some month and died on 4 May, 2014.
Nobel Laureate economist Gary Becker died
Nobel Laureate economist Gary Becker was the world famous economist, who died due to illness at Chicago on 3 May, 2014.
- An eminent professor of economics and sociology at the University of Chicago, Becker has contributed a lot in the field of economics.
Mallika Sherawat to inaugurate CII Pavilion at Cannes
- Bollywood actress Mallika Sherawat, will inaugurate the CII (Confederation of Indian Industry) Pavilion during the gala later this month.
- Needless to say, Mallika has been a regular at the Cannes International Film festival since the past few years.
Sports
India ranked No 1 in Twenty20 International Team ranking
India ranked no 1 in ICC Twenty20 International Team rankings announced in Dubai.
- India replaced Sri Lanka from the top position.
- Sri Lanka earned the top position on 8 April 2014 by replacing India after defeating it in the T20 world cup 2014 in Bangladesh.
Increase in Prize Money in Wimbledon
Wimbledon announced an increase of 10.8 percent (to 25 million Pound) in the total prize amount for 2014 Wimbledon.
- It is an increase of 2.4 million Pound over 2013. Apart from this, the All England Club on the same day announced an increase of 12.5 percent in prize money for each singles player in the first three rounds.
Sania Mirza and Cara Black won WTA Portugal Open 2014
- Sania Mirza and Cara Black won women’s doubles title at the WTA Portugal Open 2014.
- Sania Mirza of India and Cara Black of Zimbabwe on 3 May 2014 won the title on 3 May 2914 in Oeiras, Portugal.
Miscellaneous
India successfully test-fired Akash missile
- India successfully test fired indigenously-developed surface-to-air Akash missile on : 2 May 2014.
- The indigenously-developed surface-to-air Akash missile belongs to complex-3 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur.
- Missile has a strike range of 25 km and capability to carry warhead of 60 kgs.
Rohtang Pass reopens after five months
The snowbound Rohtang Pass, which is the ultimate gateway to the adventure tourism destination of Lahaul valley in Himachal Pradesh, reopened for traffic after remaining closed for five months.
World’s highest tunnel for high-speed train opened in China
Chinese made another world’s highest series to their name when it opened the world’s highest tunnel for high speed train in the country.
- It is situated in northwest China at an altitude of 3607.4 metres became operational on 1 May 2014.
SIT Constituted to Monitor Black Money case
In a major development, The Supreme Court constituted SIT monitor probe into the black money case.
- The retired judge MB Shah will be its Chairman and retired Judge Arijit Pasayat will be the Vice Chairman of the SIT to monitor the issue.
- Black Money has become a major hot topic in Indian Politics right now and several political parties and organizations have been raised their voiced for the same.
World’s highest polling station situated in India
Leh (Ladakh) is the World’s highest polling station situated in India which witnesses the Lok Sabha election recently.
- At 5,000 meters or nearly about 15,000 feet, Anlaythu polling station is world’s highest where only around 60-70 people are voters who cast their votes.
Election Queue Management System introduced in India
The Election Queue Management System, a first of its kind initiative was introduced in India.
- With the help of the system, voters can find out the level of crowd in the polling booths in the area.
- It was introduced by the District Election Authority in Burdwan district, West Bengal during Lok Sabha election held on 30 April 2014.
Book / Authors
The Candidate written by Anirudh Bhattacharyya
- Indian journalist Anirudh Bhattacharya penned down the book The Candidate which was released earlier.
- The Candidate is a breezy and humorous story of the General Election of India in a candidate who fights for the Narayanpore seat – A nondescript district in West Bengal.
Awards
Ahmet Sik, Turkish Journalist won UNESCO World Press Freedom Prize 2014
- Turkish investigative journalist Ahmet Sik won 2014 UNESCO Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize.
- He received the award worth of 25000 US dollars by the Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova in Paris.
S.Korea and Rwanda Presidents won ITU award
The Prestigious World Telecommunication and Information Society (WTIS) Award 2014 were declared.
- The President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, President Park Geun-hye of South Korea and Mexican billionnaire Carlos Slim got the World Telecommunication and Information Society (WTIS) Award 2014.
Mighty Mother award to Bollywood actress Kajol
The high profile Mighty Mother, which is being provided on the occasion of Mother’s Day, provided to Bollywood actress Kajol.
- Green Gold Animation, the makers of children’s shows Chhota Bheem and Mighty Raju have decided to honour Kajol with a ‘Mighty Mother’ award ahead of Mother’s Day.
- It is noted that Mother Day is being celebrated on the Second Sunday of Every May.