31 May 2018 - Daily Current Affairs

World No-Tobacco Day (WNTD) is observed every year across the world on 31st May.
This day highlights the health risks associated with consumption all forms of tobacco and advocating for effective policies to reduce tobacco consumption.
The theme for World No Tobacco Day 2018 is ‘Tobacco and heart disease’.

Note:

In 1988, WHO’s World Health Assembly had passed a resolution calling for the celebration of World No Tobacco Day, every year on 31st May.

International Affairs

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Kuala Lumpur on the second leg of his three-nation tour (Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore).
Mr. Modi met his newly-elected Malaysian counterpart Mahathir Mohammad (92-year) at his office in Putrajaya.
The two leaders had a productive exchange of views on strengthening the strategic partnership.
Malaysia is a strategic partner and a priority country in India's Act East Policy.

According to the US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis, United States has renamed its oldest and largest military command, US Pacific Command (PACOM) to Indo-Pacific Command.
The decision has been taken in recognition of the growing importance of the Indian Ocean in US strategic thinking.
The US administration had also renamed the Asia Pacific as Indo-Pacific and identified India as one bookend of the region.

The ambassador to Russia Pankaj Saran (IFS-1982) has been appointed deputy National Security Advisor by the Appointment Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) for a period of two years.
Earlier, he was also the Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh (March 2012 to December 2015).

Note:

The National Security Adviser (NSA) is the chief executive of the National Security Council (NSC), and the primary adviser to the Prime Minister of India on national and international security.
NSA is assisted by a Deputy NSA.

The Ministry of Railways has launched a new version of User Interface for its online travel portal “irctc.co.in” to provide faster services by automating the journey planning and purchase of tickets.
Now, users can inquire and check the availability of seats without login, and features like ‘Waitlist prediction' to know the probability of a Waitlisted or RAC ticket getting confirmed.
E-ticketing constitutes about two-thirds of the total reserved tickets on Indian Railways.
The new link features easier navigation and smooth transition of bookings and cancellations.

The Ministry of Women and Child and Development has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Uttar Pradesh Govt for management of Home of Widows at Sunrakh Bangar, Vrindavan.
The Ministry of Women and Child Development has constructed this shelter home for widows with a capacity of 1000 inmates.
The MoU shall be in force for a period of 2 years which may be renewed for further period on the satisfactory running of the Home.

The Union Tourism Minister K. J. Alphons has launched for the first-time guidelines for Adventure Tourism in India.
The objective of this initiative is to help adventure tour operators understand and execute safety guidelines in a better manner.
The guidelines on Safety and Quality Norms for Adventure Tourism in India have been formulated along with the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India.
These guidelines cover land, air, and water-based activities which include mountaineering, trekking, bungee jumping, paragliding, kayaking, scuba diving, snorkeling, river rafting and many other sports.

Note: Adventure tourism is a tourist activity that includes a physical activity, a cultural exchange, or activities in nature.

The Union Tribal Affairs Minister ‘Shri Jual Oram’ has launched an exhibition cum sale event ‘The Pankha’ (Hand-fans) at the TRIBES India Showroom in New Delhi.
The Pankhas, a range of exotic hand fans draws inspiration from the eminent Artist Jatin Das and from his collection of 10000 handmade Pankhas.
TRIFED collaborated with Jatin Das Centre for Arts (JDCA) for taking the initiative of hand fans forward by way of providing marketing support to the tribal artisans who are associated with this craft.

Maharashtra Agriculture Minister & BJP leader Pandurang Phundkar (67-year) has passed away due to a massive heart attack.
He was a member of 9^th, 10^th, and 11th Lok Sabha from Akola (Lok Sabha constituency) from Maharashtra.
On July 8, 2016, he was sworn in as a Cabinet Minister in Devendra Fadnavis government.

Indian discus thrower ‘Vikas Gowda’ (four-time Olympian) retired after competing at the highest level for more than 15 years.
Gowda became the first and only Indian male to win Commonwealth Games medals in the discipline.

The union Minister Col Rajyavardhan Rathore (Youth Affairs and Sports) has sanctioned financial assistance of five lakh rupees to fencer Kalambia Chanu of Manipur for medical treatment.
The assistance was released from Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Welfare Fund for Sportspersons.
Chanu is suffering from Multiple Sclerosis and could not continue her sports.