Current Affairs - May 26, 2018 Current Affairs

Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation has introduced VIKALP scheme for passengers in wait-listing to provide berth in another train. Under the scheme, passengers from all classes & trains can select 5 trains, however, the scheme does not guarantee a confirmed berth. Passengers should be prepared as they can be shifted to another train leaving even 12 hours prior to the booked one.

From Samoa to Canada, 53 countries unite under one flag today to commemorate Commonwealth Day under the 2018 theme of 'Towards a Common Future'. The Commonwealth Day 2018 was observed in India on 24th May. It was earlier known as Empire Day. It is an annual celebration of the Commonwealth of Nations. It is celebrated on the second Monday in March in many countries. In India it is celebrated on 24th May.

A three-day Smart Cities India 2018 Expo, began in New Delhi. The five expos are Building India Expo, Solar India Expo, Transport India Expo, Smart Cities India Expo and Water India Expo. Over 300 exhibitors from different countries are participating in the 4th edition of this event.

Paytm has announced a programme called Paytm AshaKiran, which aims at educating rural women about financial services. It will help in creating new job opportunities in small towns & cities of India. In the first phase, the bank has partnered with United Nations Development Program under its Disha project to mobilize self-help groups and organize workshops.

The Rajasthan government has launched 'Nidaan' software for presumptive diagnosis and monitoring of seasonal and non-communicable diseases as well as the trends of ailments found in specific areas. It is expected to help in formulation of specific action plans for control of diseases. "Nidaan" will facilitate online entries of as many as 46 diseases and healthcare services available for their treatment in different institutions.

Elina Svitolina defeated Simona Halep 6-0, 6-4 in the finals to successfully defend her Italian Open crown. The win marked Elina Svitolina's 12th career title on what was her eighth final in succession. Svitolina, the world number 4, has now successfully defended 3 career titles, in Baku, Dubai and also Rome. She also won in Brisbane and Dubai this season to take her 2018 title total to 3.

Indian Navy has conducted an exercise called 'Prasthan' in the Western Offshore Development Offshore area in Mumbai. The exercise is held every 6 months & aims at integrating maritime stakeholders, including, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, ONGC, Customs & Port Trust. The drill focused on things like fire on an oil platform, Oil spill, search and rescue for crashed helicopters and more.

Grandmaster Srinath Narayanan from Chennai has become the champion of the LIC 3rd Kolkata Open International Grandmasters Chess Tournament 2018 and clinches a prize purse of Rs 3 lakh at The Newtown School on May 22. He registered a quick draw against Shyam Sundar M to won the final match of the tournament.

India's Largest stock exchange National Stock Echange (NSE) has given approval to Yes Bank to be empanelled as'Settlement Bank' for National Securities Clearing Corporation (NSCC). It is already empanelled as a 'Clearing Bank' for BSE, NCDEX, MCX. . It will provide different services to the member viz. Settlement and Clearing, electronic fund transfer and 'anywhere' banking and free of cost fund transfer across all centres of NSE's members. NSCCL will be coordinating with YES bank accounts for its risk management and settlement operations that it does on behalf of NSE.

The Caribbean island of Barbados has elected Mia Mottley as its first female Prime Minister since gaining independence from the UK in 1966. The Caribbean island of Barbados has elected Mia Mottley as its first female Prime Minister since gaining independence from the UK in 1966.

India will be the host country for celebrations of World Environment Day 2018. The announcement in this regard was made by the Environment Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan. The theme for this year is 'Beat Plastic Pollution'. The government has launched green deeds campaign to raise awareness about protection of the environment. The World Environment Day will be celebrated on 5th of June.

The Third Mission Innovation Ministerial Meeting was held at Malmo, Sweden. The Indian delegation was led by Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Science, Technology and Earth Sciences. Mission innovation countries launched Mission Innovation Champions Programme to felicitate clean energy innovators. Dr Harsh Vardhan inaugurated Smart Grid Workshop at Copenhagen and Chaired public-private roundtable on Strategies on Decarbonisation through innovations in Smart Grids. India announced setting up of First International Incubator for clean energy in a public-private partnership at a total investment of around US $ 5 million in Delhi.

The Ministry of External Affairs announced the appointment of Pradeep kumar Gupta as the next Ambassador of India to the Islamic Republic of Mauritiana. Shri Pradeep Kumar Gupta, (YOA : 2004), presently Ambassador of lndia to Republic of Mali, has been concurrently accredited as the Ambassador of lndia to the lslamic Republic of Mauritania with residence in Bamako (Mali).

The 71st Session of the WHO's World Health Assembly will be held in Geneva, Switzerland from 21 to 26 May 2018. The WHA will be attended by delegations from all WHO Member States, the Indian Delegation will be led by Union Health Minister of India, J P Nadda. The theme chosen for World Health Assembly 2018 is "Health for All: Commit To Universal Health Coverage".

Market valuation of Tata Consultancy Service (TCS) has risen past Rs. 7 lakh crore. It becomes the first company so far to have achieved this goal. The valuation is measured at Rs. 7,03,309 crore. In April TCS became the first company to close trading session with over $100 billionmarket value. Following TCS are : Reliance Industries at Rs. 5, 83,908.87 crore, HDFC bank at Rs. 5,19,654.83 crore, HUL at Rs. 3,42,244.47 crore , ITC at Rs. 3,30,919.46 crore.