15 May 2019 - Daily Current Affairs

1. International Day of Families being observed today

The International Day of Families is observed on the 15th of May every year to provide an opportunity to promote awareness of issues relating to families and to increase the knowledge of the social, economic and demographic processes affecting families
The theme of this year is “Families and Climate Action: Focus on SDG13”.
In 1993, the General Assembly of United Nations decided that 15 May of every year should be observed as The International Day of Families.

Source: UN.org

Appointment

2. Dinesh Pangtey appointed as CEO of LIC Mutual Fund

Mr. Dinesh Pangtey has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of LIC Mutual Fund.
He started his career as a direct recruit officer with LIC of India in 1984 and has risen through the ranks to this senior position.
Dinesh Pangtey was Director and Chief Executive Officer at LIC HFL AMC.

Note:

LIC Mutual Fund was established on 20th April 1989 by LIC of India.
Being an associate company of India's premier and most trusted brand, LIC Mutual Fund is one of the well-known players in the asset management sphere.

Source: Business-Standard

Honours & Awards

3. IPS Officer Chhaya Sharma receives McCain Institute Award 2019

IPS officer Chhaya Sharma has been awarded the 2019 McCain Institute Award for Courage and Leadership.
Chhaya Sharma led the investigation team of the infamous Nirbhaya gang-rape and murder case.
The award is given to those who show courage on behalf of human rights, humanitarian compassion, justice, freedom, and human dignity.
She has also played a critical role in drafting Standard Operating Procedures and Guidelines to Combat Trafficking of Persons in India in 2017.

Note:

The McCain Institute Award is given to those who show courage on behalf of human rights, humanitarian compassion, justice, freedom, and human dignity.
Some of the famous awardees are-Malala Yousafzai (2015) and Dikembe Mutombo (2016).

Source: Deccan Chronicle

International Affairs

4. 17 developing countries call for strengthening WTO

Seventeen developing countries have stressed on working collectively to strengthen the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to promote development and inclusivity for the benefits of all members.
A 13-point declaration was signed by these nations at the end of the two-day Ministerial meeting of developing countries in New Delhi.
The countries include Egypt, Barbados, Jamaica, Malaysia, India, Indonesia and South Africa.
According to the document, the process of WTO reform must keep development at its core, promote inclusive growth and fully take account the interests and concerns of developing members.
The member nations who signed the document also pitched for filling vacancies in WTO's appellate body saying that the current impasse could completely paralyse the dispute settlement mechanism.
The developing nations also agreed to consult with developing members on various issues of common interest.

Source: PIB

5. India to co-chair Consultative Group (CG) of Global Facility for disaster reduction & recovery

India has been unanimously chosen as co-chair of the Consultative Group (CG) of Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) for the fiscal year 2020.
The decision was taken during the meeting of GFDRR held in Geneva, Switzerland on the margins of the 6th Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction.
It is a grant-funding mechanism, managed by the World Bank, that supports disaster risk management projects worldwide.
India’s candidature was backed by its consistent progress in disaster risk reduction in the country and its initiative to form a coalition on disaster resilient infrastructure.

Note:

GFDRR is a global partnership that helps developing countries better understand and reduce their vulnerability to natural hazards and climate change.
India became a member of CG of GFDRR in 2015 and expressed its interest to co-chair during the last meeting of the group held in October 2018.

Source: AIR News

Banking and Finance

6. HDFC ERGO launches 'Mosquito Disease Protection Policy'

HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company has announced to launch the 'Mosquito Disease Protection Policy'.
This new policy will cover an individual against common mosquito-borne diseases like Dengue Fever, Malaria, Chikungunya, Japanese Encephalitis, Kala-azar, Lymphatic Filariasis and Zika Virus.
According to the report published by National Health Profile 2018, there has been an alarming rise in dengue cases in India, an increase of 300% between 2009-2017.
These diseases also lead to hospitalisation adding burden on expense or affecting the No Claim Bonus of any standard Health Insurance.

Source: Business Standard

7. Indian Bank posts a net loss of Rs 190 cr in Q4 on higher NPA provisioning

The public sector Indian Bank has registered a loss of 189.77 crore rupees in the last quarter, as compared to its previous quarter.
Its Chairperson and Managing Director Padmaja Chunduru unveiled the bank's annual financial results today in Chennai.
The net profit has turned negative due to two corporate loans turning into NPAs for which no provisioning has been made earlier.
The development is a one-off event and expressed confidence that the net profit would turn positive during the next quarter.
The global business of the bank has exceeded 4.3 lakh crore rupees, registering a sixteen per cent rise.

Source: AIR news

National Affairs

8. The Union Government extends the ban on LTTE for five years

The Union Government has extended the ban on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) for another five years.
The ban has been extended under sub-sections (1) and (3) of section 3 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 with immediate effect.

Note:

LTTE was founded on 5^th May 1976 by Velupillai Prabhakaran.
Its aim was to secure an independent state of Tamil Eelam in the north and east in response to the state policies of successive Sri Lankan governments towards Tamils.

Source: The Hindustan Times

9. Indian Navy’s first full-fledged SSB opened at in Kolkata

The Indian Navy’s first full-fledged Services Selection Board (SSB) has been inaugurated by Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba at Diamond Harbour near Kolkata, West Bengal.
The SSB (Kolkata) spread over 27 acres located on the banks of Hooghly that was previously occupied by a Naval Coastal Battery.
The SSB (Kolkata) has the capacity to screen 5,000 officer-candidates annually.
This is the fifth SSB of the Indian Navy and will cater for a selection of both permanent and short service commission (SSC) officers.
The other boards are located at Bhopal, Bengaluru, Visakhapatnam and Coimbatore.

Source: PIB

Sports

10. Japan’s Yosuke Asaji wins Asia-Pacific Diamond Cup 2019

Japan’s Yosuke Asaji has won the Asia-Pacific Diamond Golf Cup 2019 by one shot at the Sobu Country Club.
Rahil Gangjee (India) finished tied 39th and Viraj Madappa ended tied 53rd in the finals.
Diamond Cup Golf (founded in 1973) is an annual golf tournament on the Japan Golf Tour.

Source: Times of India

11. India's GS Lakshmi first woman on ICC international panel of match referees

India's G.S. Lakshmi (51-years) has become the first woman to be appointed to ICC's international panel of match referees
Now, she will be eligible to officiate in international games with immediate effect.
Earlier, Claire Polosak had become the first ever woman umpire to stand in a men's ODI,
Lakshmi first officiated as a match referee in domestic women's cricket in 2008-09.
She has overseen three women's ODI matches and three women's T20 International matches.

Source: The Hindu

12. Lewis Hamilton wins Spanish Grand Prix

British racing driver Lewis Hamilton (34-years) has won the Spanish Grand Prix for a third consecutive year.
He overtakes Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas at the first turn in Barcelona.
Red Bull's Max Verstappen clinched the 3rd spot and was voted as the F1 driver of the day.
Hamilton's win at the Spanish Grand Prix brings his tally to 76 F1 victories in all.

Source: The Guardian