03 May 2019 - Daily Current Affairs
1. World Press Freedom Day being observed today
- The ‘World Press Freedom Day’ is being observed on 3rd May every year across the world to raise awareness of the importance of freedom of the press.
- This day also seeks to remind governments their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression enshrined under Article 19 of 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
- The theme of World Press Freedom Day 2019 is ‘Media for Democracy: Journalism and Elections in Times of Disinformation’
- It discusses current challenges faced by media in elections, along with the media’s potential in supporting peace and reconciliation processes
Note:
- World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in December 1993, following the recommendation of UNESCO's General Conference.
Source: UN.Org
Honours & Awards
2. Goldman Environmental Prize 2019
- World’s six grassroots environmental activists received prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize 2019 at the award ceremony held at San Francisco Opera House in California, USA.
- It is also known as Green Nobel Prize and awards a Cash prize of USD 200,000.
- It is an annual award established in 1989 by U.S. philanthropists Richard and Rhoda Goldman.
Note:
- The Goldman Environmental Prize is a prize awarded annually to grassroots environmental activists, one from each of the world's six geographic regions: Africa, Asia, Europe, Islands and Island Nations, North America, and South and Central America.
- The award is given by the Goldman Environmental Foundation headquartered in San Francisco, California.
Goldman Environmental Prize 2019 winners list
| S. No. | Names | Countries |
| 1. | Bayarjargal Agvaantseren | Mongolia |
| 2. | Alfred Brownell | Liberia |
| 3. | Alberto Curamil | Chile |
| 4. | Jacqueline Evans | Cook Islands |
| 5. | Linda Garcia | United States |
| 6. | Ana Colovic Lesoska | North Macedonia |
Source: CNN International
National Affairs
3. Environment Ministry Constitutes Committee to implement National Clean Air Programme
- The Union Environment Ministry has constituted a committee to implement the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), which aims to reduce particulate matter (PM) pollution by 20%-30% in at least 102 cities by 2024.
- The committee will be chaired by the Secretary, Union Environment Ministry. It would be headquartered in New Delhi.
Source: The Hindu
4. The Netherlands becomes the third largest foreign direct investor in India
- The Netherlands has emerged as the third largest foreign direct investor in India during 2017-18, with investments pegged at about USD 2.67 billion across sectors.
- The Netherlands was also the second largest destination for foreign investment by Indian companies, after Singapore, with investments worth USD 12.8 billion in 2017.
- The objective of the dialogue was to strengthen the business partnership between India and the Netherlands in times of rapid technological changes.
Note:
- The Indian School of Business (ISB), Hyderabad, and the Netherlands Business Support Office in Hyderabad jointly organised the ‘Dutch-India Dialogue on Trade & Technology’ in connection with the National Day celebrations of the Netherlands.
Source: The Hindu Business Line
International Affairs
5. US Air Force General Tod Wolters sworn in as NATO Commander
- US Air Force General Tod D. Wolters has been sworn in as the top military officer of the 29-nation NATO military alliance.
- The former pilot Mr Wolters has served in Afghanistan and Iraq.
- He became Supreme Allied Commander Europe at a ceremony at NATO's military headquarters in Mons in southern Belgium.
- He will also be the commander of U.S. forces in Europe.
Source: AIR News
6. World Bank gives 545 million dollars for cyclone-hit southern Africa
- The World Bank will extend more than half-a-billion dollars in grants for cyclone-ravaged southern African countries.
- A total of up to 545 million US dollar will be disbursed to Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi - the three countries hit by Cyclone Idai in March.
- Cyclone Idai devastated the port city of Beira and its surrounding areas when it hit on March 14, killing more than 600 people.
- Weeks later a fresh massive storm, Cyclone Kenneth, lashed the northern coastal regions of Mozambique which killed 41 people.
- Mozambique, which received 350 million US dollar from the total aid, will use the funds to rebuild water supply systems and damaged public infrastructure.
- Malawi will get 120 million US dollar while Zimbabwe will receive 75 million US dollar for social welfare programmes for cyclone victims.
Source: AIR News
Obituaries
7. Kannada Theatre personality Master Hirannaiah passes away
- Noted Kannada theatre personality TV actor Master Hirannaiah (84-years) passed away in Bengaluru.
- His father, K Hirannaiah too was a director of Kannada plays and had his own theatre company – K Hirannaiah Mitra Mandali.
- Narasimha Murthy hailing from Mysuru, making his debut on the stage as a child.
- He shot to fame after playing the lead role in the play Lanchavatara.
- Master Hirannaiah has won the Kannada State Award in 1984, Rajyotsava Prashasthi, Gubbi Veeranna Award in 1988, Drama Academy Award, Sandesha Arts Award in 2009 and Maha Advaithi Award in 2017 among others.
Source: The Hindu
Sports
8. Jaipur to host Asian youth Women Handball Championship
- Pink city Jaipur will host the 8th Asian Youth Women Handball Championship from 21 to 30 August 2019.
- The previous edition in 2017 was held at Jakarta in Indonesia.
- The Asian Women's Youth Handball Championship is the official competition for youth women's national handball teams of Asia, organised under the aegis of Asian Handball Federation.
- It takes place every two years.
Source: Business Standard
9. Spain legend Xavi Hernandez announces retirement from football
- Barcelona legend from Spain Xavi Hernandez (39 years) has announced his retirement from professional football at the end of the current season.
- Xavi helped Spain win the 2010 World Cup and the European Championships in 2008 and 2012.
- He holds a Barcelona record with 767 appearances and helped the club win 25 titles, including four Champions Leagues and eight Spanish leagues.
Source: First Post
10. Bajrang Punia bags gold in Ali Aliyev wrestling tournament
- Bajrang Punia (World number one) has become the first Indian to win the gold medal in the 65 kg freestyle at the Ali Aliev wrestling tournament, Kapiisk.
- He defeated Viktor Rassadin of Russia.
- Earlier, Bajrang Punia had won a gold medal last week at the Asian Championships in Xi'an, China.
- Bajrang (part of the JSW Sports Excellence Program) will fight at the historic Madison Square Garden arena.
- He will take on former cadet world champion and two-time NCAA champion Yianni Diakomihalis.
Source: AIR News
11. India to bid for 2024 World Table Tennis Championships
- Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) has decided to bid for the 2024 edition (take part-32 teams) of the biennial World Team Championships.
- The last time India hosted a World Championships was way back in 1987 and
- The last big ITTF event that was staged in India was in 2012 when Hyderabad hosted the World Junior Championships.
- According to Federation secretary M P Singh, TTFI has recommended three names to the sports ministry for the Arjuna award and they are Harmeet Desai, Sanil Shetty and Madhurika Patkar.
Source: AIR News
