Current Affairs of 18th May 2021
National
1. Haryana has declared black fungus a notified disease
- Black fungus has been declared a recognized disease in Haryana, according to Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij. If any cases of this disease are discovered, doctors must report them to the chief medical officer in charge (CMO).
- A fungus called mucor causes black fungus infection, also known as mucormycosis.
2. In FY21, NABARD provided Assam with Rs 1,236 crore from its Rural Infrastructure Development Fund.
- During the financial year 2020-21, the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) provided an all-time high amount of Rs 1,236 crore from its Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF), with Rural Connectivity Projects (Roads & Bridges) as the focus area in Assam.
- Under RIDF XXVI, NABARD has also approved Rs 1150 crore to the Government of Assam for the construction of new infrastructure projects in 2020-21.
3. In the current fiscal year, the Centre has released over Rs 5950 crore to 15 states for the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission
- In the current fiscal year, the Centre has released over Rs 5950 crore to 15 states for the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission. It is being carried out in collaboration with the states and union territories.
- According to the Ministry of Jal Shakti, this is the first of four tranches to be announced this fiscal year. The National Jal Jeevan Mission has been asked to receive proposals from the remaining 17 states and union territories in order to release funds.
Business & Economy
4. Microsoft and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the digital transformation of tribal schools
- The Ministry of Tribal Affairs and Microsoft have agreed to work together to digitally transform tribal schools such as Eklavya Model Residential Schools and Ashram Schools.
- The partnership aims to equip educators and students with knowledge of next-generation digital technology, such as artificial intelligence.
5. Starlink internet service is a collaboration between Google and Elon Musk’s SpaceX.
- Google announced a collaboration with SpaceX to provide cloud services to assist in the delivery of the internet through the latter’s Starlink satellites.
- Elon Musk’s space development company will instal Starlink ground stations at Google data centres that connect to Starlink satellites as part of the agreement, with the aim of enabling high-speed broadband internet through Google Cloud. The service is scheduled to be available to corporate customers in the second half of 2021, according to the tech giant.
Appointments
6. Shiv Sunder Das has been appointed the Indian women’s cricket team’s batting coach.
- Shiv Sunder Das, a former Test opener, has been appointed the Indian women’s cricket team’s batting coach for the upcoming seven-match tour of England.
- Abhay Sharma, a former Indian Railways player, has been appointed fielding coach, as part of a nine-member support staff led by chief coach Ramesh Powar.
Sports
7. Rafael Nadal won the Italian Open by defeating Novak Djokovic.
- Rafael Nadal won the Italian Open for the 10th time, defeating world number one Novak Djokovic. Nadal, the second seed from Spain, defeated the defending champion 7-5, 1-6, 6-3. In his 12th Rome final, Nadal matched Djokovic’s record of 36 ATP Masters 1000 titles.
- Iga Swiatek, a Polish teenager, won the Women’s Singles title. Swiatek, the 15th seed, beat Czech Karolina Pliskova, the ninth seed, 6-0, 6-0.
8. Shubhankar finishes 34th in the British Masters, though Bland takes the crown.
- Even though England’s Richard Bland won the Betfred British Masters, Indian golfer Shubhankar Sharma finished tied 34th after shooting his best round of the week at 3-under 69.
- Meanwhile, Bland won an emotional first European Tour title on his 478th appearance, defeating young Italian Guido Migliozzi in a play-off to take the title.
9. India’s Tejaswini Shankar Wins Consecutive High Jump Titles In USA
- Representing Kansas State University, India’s Tejaswini Shankar won back-to-back men’s high jump titles in the Big 12 Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Manhattan, USA.
- Shankar, 22, cleared the bar to win high jump gold, but his efforts fell short of the Tokyo Olympic Games qualification standard of 2.33m.
Awards & Honours
10. Kobe Bryant was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame after his death.
- After months of delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant was inducted posthumously into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, as the class of 2020 was enshrined.
- Last year, the five-time NBA winner, along with his daughter and seven others, died in a helicopter crash at the age of 41. As presenter Michael Jordan stood nearby, Bryant’s wife Vanessa gave an acceptance speech on his behalf.
11. The NBA has established a social justice award in honour of legendary Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
- The NBA has announced the creation of a new award, the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion Award, to honour players who are making significant contributions to the fight for social justice.
- Each NBA team will nominate one player for consideration; five finalists will be chosen, and one winner will be chosen.
12. The ‘International Invincible Gold Medal’ was awarded to Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank
- Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, Union Education Minister, was awarded the International Invincible Gold Medal for this year.
- Dr. Nishank has been recognised for his exceptional contribution and exemplary service to humanity through his books, social and illustrious public life, according to Dr. Tony Nader, worldwide president of the Maharshi Organization.
Books & Authors
13. The book “Sikkim: A History of Intrigue and Alliance” has been published
- The book “Sikkim: A History of Intrigue and Alliance,” written by former diplomat Preet Mohan Singh Malik and published by HarperCollins India, was released on May 16, 2021.
- Malik has narrated the unique history of the erstwhile kingdom of Sikkim in his latest book, along with the fascinating storey of how it became India’s 22nd state.
Obituary
14. Rajendrasinh Jadeja, a former cricketer and BCCI referee, has died.
- Rajendrasinh Jadeja, a former Saurashtra pacer and BCCI match referee, died of COVID-19. Jadeja was 66 years old when she died.
- Rajendrasinh was a fantastic all-rounder and one of the best right-arm medium pacers in the world. In a 12-year stretch between 1975 and 1987, he played 50 first-class matches and 11 List A games, taking 134 and 14 wickets respectively. He scored 1,536 runs in first-class matches and 104 runs in List A cricket.
15. Awardee of the Padma Shri Dr. KK Aggarwal has died.
- Dr. KK Aggarwal, a Padma Shree awardee and former national president of the Indian Medical Association, died at New Delhi’s All India Institute of Medical Sciences after fighting Covid-19 for several days. He was 62 years old at the time.
- He was a cardiologist who also served as the president of the Heart Care Foundation of India.
16. Anjan Bandyopadhyay, a television journalist, has died.
- Anjan Bandyopadhyay, a well-known journalist and TV anchor who tested positive for Covid-19 about a month ago, died in a private hospital in Kolkata. He was 56 years old at the time.
- Before joining TV9 Bangla as the channel’s first Editor, Bandyopadhyay worked for ETV Bangla, 24 Ghanta, and Anandabazar Patrika’s digital unit. Just before West Bengal’s assembly elections this year, he returned to Zee 24 Ghanta as its editor.
17. KD Chandran, a veteran actor, has died.
- KD Chandran, best known for his role as Juhi Chawla’s father in Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke, died of a heart attack in Mumbai at the age of 84.
- KD Chandran’s filmography includes Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke, Tere Mere Sapne, Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota Hai, China Gate, Pukar, Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega, Shararat, Koi Mil Gaya, and the TV series Gulmohar.
Important Days
18. Museum Day: 18th May
- Every year on May 18, the world celebrates International Museum Day. The 44th edition of this international event will take place in 2021. The importance of museums in promoting cultural experiences and exchanges is highlighted on International Museum Day.
- “The Future of Museums: Recover and Reimagine” is the theme of International Museum Day 2021.
19. World AIDS Vaccine Day: 18th May
- World AIDS Vaccine Day or HIV Vaccine Awareness Day is observed annually on May 18 to promote the continued and urgent need for a vaccine to prevent HIV infection and AIDS.
- The theme for World AIDS Vaccine Day 2021 is ‘Global solidarity, shared responsibility
20. The UN’s 6th Global Road Safety Week will take place in 2021.
- The UN’s 6th Global Traffic Safety Week, which takes place this year from May 17 to 23, calls for 30 km/h (20 mph) speed limits to be the standard in all cities, towns, and villages around the world.
- The United Nations Global Road Safety Week (UNGRSW) is a biennial global road safety initiative organised by the World Health Organization (WHO).
- The 6th UNGRSW’s theme is Streets for Life, with the hashtag #Love30.
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