Daily Current Affairs for May 17, 2020

Candidates aspiring to crack bank exams, SSC exams or UPSC exams know very well, the importance of preparing for current affairs section. It consists of atleast 15-20 questions.

The easiest way to scoop up full marks in this section, is to keep a track of the important daily events.With vast information available in newspapers, it will be really tough for you to follow everything at one go.

To help you in these preparations, we are here with the daily current affairs for May 17, 2020

Atmanirbhar Bharat Economic Stimulus Package final list of measures revealed by FM; Focus on structural reforms

The 5^th and last tranche of economic stimulus measures, as part of the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ or ‘Self Reliant India’ was released by FM Nirmala Sitharaman.Here are the key pointers, from her speech:

• Rs 40,000 crore  increase in allocation for MGNREGS to provide employment boost
• Increased investments in Public Health and other health reforms to prepare India for future pandemics
• Technology Driven Education with Equity post-COVID
• Further enhancement of Ease of Doing Business through IBC related measures
• Decriminalisation of Companies Act defaults
• Ease of Doing Business for Corporates
• Public Sector Enterprise Policy for a New, Self-reliant India
• Increase borrowing limits of States from 3% to 5% for 2020-21 only & promoting State level reforms

World Hypertension Day on May 17

World Hypertension Day is observed on May 17 every year. The purpose of the WHD is to promote public awareness of hypertension and to encourage citizens of all countries to prevent and control this silent killer.

• This is an initiative of the World Hypertension League (WHL), an affiliated section of the International Society of Hypertension (ISH)
• The theme for current year is “Measure Your Blood Pressure, Control It, Live Longer”

Due to global COVID-19 pandemic, the World Hypertension League (WHL) has announced that it will postpone the celebration of World Hypertension Day (WHD) 2020 until October 17, 2020.

India to export $ 1 billion worth non-medical, non-surgical masks in next 3 months: AEPC

The export of non-medical and non-surgical masks of all types including cotton, silk, wool and knitted shall start soon, as the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) issued a notification amending the export policy to allow the above products for exports.

Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC), the official body of apparel exporters in India, said they will ensure exports of non-medical and non-surgical masks worth USD 1 billion in next three months.

Next-generation biodegradable metal implants, developed by ARCI scientists

A new generation of Iron-Manganese based alloys were developed to make biodegradable metal implants for use in humans.

• Scientists at the International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI) and Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute of Medical Sciences, Thiruvananthapuram under the Department of Science & Technology (DST) have jointly developed it.
• The newly developed Fe-Mn based alloys are suitable for biodegradable stent and orthopedic implant application.
• Invivo and in-vitro studies are being planned at Sri Chitra Tirunal Institute of Medical Sciences by the team.

World Telecommunication and Information Society Day celebrated on May 17

May 17 is celebrated as the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, marking the anniversary of the signing of the first International Telegraph Convention and the creation of the International Telecommunication Union.

• The World Summit on the Information Society in November 2005, officially asked the United Nations General Assembly to declare May 17 as World Information Society Day to focus on the significance of (Information and communication technology) ICT.
• The day is observed to raise awareness about the possibilities of the use of Internet and other information and communication technologies (ICT) in bringing societies and economies together by the ways to bridging the digital divide.

The theme for current year is “Connect 2030: ICTs for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”.

Kepler-88D, the newly discovered exoplanet is might be heavier than Jupiter

A new exoplanet was discovered, more than 1,200 light-years from Earth.It is weighing three times the mass of Jupiter.

• Keppler-88 d orbits its star every four years, and its orbit is not circular, but elliptical.
• It was discovered based on six years of radial velocity (RV) follow-up from the W. M. Keck Observatory High Resolution Echelle Spectrometer spectrograph

Kepler-88 d, now replaces Kepler-88 c as the largest and massive planet in the solar system.

AITA to nominate Ankita Raina, Divij Sharan for Arjuna award; Nandan Bal for Dhyan Chand award

Asian Games medal winners Ankita Raina and Divij Sharan are to be nominated for the Arjuna award by the All India Tennis Association (AITA).The former Davis Cup coach, Nandan Bal’s name is being recommended for Dhyan Chand award.

• Ankita Raina had won a women’s singles bronze medal at the Asian Games 2018 and also played a key role in India’s qualification in the Fed Cup for the first time.
• Divij Sharan had won the gold medal in the men’s doubles event in Jakarta along with Rohan Bopanna.
• Nandan Bal  had been India’s Davis Cup coach for many years.He had represented India in the Davis cup for 11 long years and is ranked among top 200 players around the globe.