Current Affairs 21st May 2021| Current Affairs News

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CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

World Bee Day – Observed on May 20

• World Bee Day is celebrated on May 20.
• The theme of World Bee Day 2021 is: Bee Engaged – Build Back Better for Bees.
• On this day Anton Janša, the pioneer of beekeeping, was born in 1734.
• The purpose of the international day is to acknowledge the role of bees and other pollinators for the ecosystem.
• The U.N. has designated May 20as the day to celebrate these famous pollinators.
• “There are 20,000 species of beesaround the world and a lot of these bees are in decline,” says bee expert Hien Ngo.

World Metrology Day – Observed on May 20

• World Metrology Day is an event occurring on 20 May celebrating the International System of Units.
• The theme for World Metrology Day 2021 is “Measurement for Health”.
• The date is the anniversary of the signing of the Metre Convention in 1875.
• Metrology is the study of measurement.
• The World Metrology Day project is currently realized jointly by the BIPM and the OIML.
• World Metrology Day is an annual celebration of the signature of the Metre Convention on 20 May 1875 by representatives of seventeen nations.

National Anti-Terrorism Day – Observed on May 21

• Anti-Terrorism Day is observed on May 21 in India every year.
• The objective behind the observance of this day is to wean away from the youth from terrorism and the cult of violence by highlighting the suffering of common people and showing how it is prejudicial to the national interest.
• It was on this day in the year 1991 that former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated.
• This year commemorates Rajiv Gandhi’s 30th death anniversary as India observes Anti-Terrorism Day.

National Endangered Species Day – Observed on Third Friday of May

• National Endangered Species Dayis observed every year on the third Friday in May.
• This year the dayfalls on May
• The themefor National Endangered Species Day 2021 is “Wildlife without Borders”.
• Across the globe, the dayis celebrated to raise awareness about endangered species of flora and fauna.
• Each year on the third Friday in May, National Endangered Species Day offers an opportunity for everyone to learn about the importance of protecting endangered species.
• The observance also encourages learning about wildlife habitats and the actions necessary to protect them.

International Tea Day – Observed on May 21

• International Tea Day is observed annually on May 21, according to the United Nations.
• The resolution was adopted on December 21, 2019 and calls on the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization to lead the observance of the Day.
• The reason for UN celebrating May 21 as International Tea Day is that the season of tea production begins in May in most of the tea producing countries.
• According to the UN, tea has medicinal value and has the potential of bringing health benefits to people.

World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development – Observed on May 21

• The World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development is a United Nations–sanctioned international holiday for the promotion of diversity issues.
• It is currently celebrated on May 21.
• Every year on 21 May, the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development celebrates not only the richness of the world’s cultures, but also the essential role of intercultural dialogue for achieving peace and sustainable development.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS

Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar launches project of honey testing laboratory at IARI

• On the occasion of World Bee Day and in the context of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar launched the project of setting up of a honey testing laboratoryat the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa, and New Delhi.  
• He informed,  efforts are also being made for good quality honey.
• Inaugurating the project to establish a regional honey quality testing laboratory at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) for quality testing of honey and other products of beekeeping under the National Beekeeping and Honey Mission, Union Minister Shri Tomar said that when farmers used to get a bag of DAP for 1200, its actual price was Rs. 1700.
• The government used to pay the remaining Rs. 500.
• Government provides a subsidy of just 500 per bag in such a situation, it would have been available for the farmers for Rs. 1900 per bag.

Govt revises subsidy on export of sugar for sugar season 2020-21 

• Govt revises subsidy on export of sugar for sugar season 2020-21 from Rs 6000 to Rs 4000 per metric tonne. 
• In view of the increase in international prices of sugar, the government has reviewed the subsidy on the export of sugar for sugar season 2020-21 and revised it from Rs 6000 to Rs 4000 per metric tonne.

About sugar export:

• India, the world’s biggest sugar producer after Brazil, is unlikely to exportthe sweetener for up to three years as high production costs price shipments out of the global market and a drought in major growing regions squeezes output.

Export subsidy:

• Export subsidyis a government policy to encourage export of goods and discourage sale of goods on the domestic market through direct payments, low-cost loans, tax relief for exporters, or government-financed international advertising.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Union Health Minister chairs 33rd meeting of Health Ministers of Commonwealth countries opening session

• Harshvardhan, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare chaired the opening session of the 33rd meeting of Health Ministers of Commonwealth countries through video conference.
• Agenda of the Meet – ‘Ensuring Equitable Access to Vaccines and Building Resilience for Health Systems and Emergencies’
• Health minister stated that, “My motto has always been ‘Health for those without wealth’”
• He pointed out how India’s thrust on telemedicine would show the way.
• “In India, such hurdles were overcome by the extensive use of technology.
• Our National telemedicine platform eSanjeevaniOPD has been one such remarkable initiative which facilitated over 5 million consultations in a short span of 14 months.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: STATE NEWS

HUL brings up Mission HO2PE in Assam

• Hindustan UnileverLimited has rolled out Mission HO2PE in Assam.
• Through Mission HO2PE, HULhas airlifted over 5000 oxygen concentrators into India.
• Through Mission HO2PE, HULwill provide access to oxygen for COVID-19 patients.
• ‘Mission HO2PE’ is also being rolled out in other severely affected cities such as New Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata, Lucknow, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Chandigarh. 
• HUL will also be donating 1000 concentrators to hospitals in nearly 20 locations across India.

About Hindustan Unilever:

• Hindustan Unilever Limited is an Indian consumer goods company headquartered in Mumbai, India.
• It is a subsidiary of Unilever, an Anglo-Dutch company.
• Its products include foods, beverages, cleaning agents, personal care products, water purifiers and other fast-moving consumer goods.

About Assam:

• Chief minister: Himanta Biswa Sarma
• Capital: Dispur
• Governor: Jagdish Mukhi

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BUSINESS NEWS

Prasar Bharati to launch DD International 

• India’s national broadcaster, Doordarshan (DD) is going to set up a new international channel, DD International, on the lines of BBC World to present India’s point of view to the world in wake of the rising negative coverage of India’s COVID-19 crisis in foreign media.
• Prasar Bharati, the parent body of DD, has floated an Expression of Interest (EOI) seeking suggestions to draft a detailed project report for the upcoming news channel.
• This move comes after the government received global criticism from the media worldwide on the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: APPOINTMENT AND RESIGNATION NEWS

Founder of TikTok’s Chinese owner Zhang Yiming stepping down as CEO

• Zhang Yiming announced he will step down as CEOof TikTok–owner ByteDance, saying he lacked the social skills to be an ideal manager and naming his college roommate Liang Rubo as his successor to navigate a rising tide of Big Tech regulations.
• Zhang founded ByteDance in 2012.
• Its first short-video platform, Douyin, was launched in 2016.
• TikTok was launched outside China the following year.
• The company said last year that TikTok had 700 million users globally.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: AWARDS AND HONOURS

Prime Minister Hasina hands over Independence Award 2021

• Prime MinisterSheikh Hasina gave away the highest civilian award of Bangladesh ‘Swadhinta Puraskar 2021‘ also known as Independence Award to nine individuals and a research organisation.
• She handed over the awardat her official residence Ganabandhan in Dhaka.
• The Independence Award is conferred on people or organizations for their outstanding contribution to the Liberation War of Bangladesh, Science and Technology, literature and Culture among others.
• The award for the year 2021 included four posthumous awards given to AKM Bazlur Rahman, Shaheed Ahsanullah Master, Brigadier General Khurshid Uddin Ahmed, and Akhtaruzzaman Chowdhury Babu for their contribution to independence and the War of Liberation.
• Mrinmoy Guha Neogi received the honour for his contribution to Science and Technology while Mohadeb Saha was bestowed with the award for his contribution to the field of literature.
• Ataur Rahman and Gazi Mazharul Anwar got the award for Culture and M Amjad Hossain for Social Work.
• Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council received the award in the research and training category.

About Bangladesh:

• Capital: Dhaka
• Currency: Bangladeshi taka
• Prime minister: Sheikh Hasina
• President: Abdul Hamid

CURRENT AFFAIRS: MOU’s AND AGREEMENTS

India and Oman renew MoU on military cooperation 

• The ministry stated that, “India and Oman renewed the Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) on military cooperation along with its annexure as well as on maritime issues on May 20″.
• The document was signed by Secretary-General of Oman”s defence ministry Dr Mohammed bin Nasser Al Zaabi and Indian Ambassador Munu Mahawar.
• The MoU on cooperation on maritime issues was signed at the maritime security centre by Commander of Royal Navy of Oman Rear Admiral Saif bin Nasser Al Rahbi and Mahawar.

About Oman:

• Capital: Muscat
• Currency: Omani Rial
• Sultan of the Oman: Haitham bin Tariq Al Said

CURRENT AFFAIRS : DEFENCE NEWS

BEML Initiates mechanical minefield marking equipment for Indian Army

• For Indian Army , Bharat Earth Movers limited has rolled out the first prototype of mechanical minefield marking equipment Mk-II.
• It has been built on BEML TATRA 6×6 an ‘Atmanirbhar’ product.
• The equipment has been developed through Technology of Transfer (ToT) from Research & Development Establishment Engineers (R&DE Engineers), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

Benefits :

• MK-II will greatly benefit Indian army to mark/fence minefields.
• The system is designed to operate in plains of Punjab, as well as semi-desert & desert of Rajasthan, in all weather conditions.
• BEML is expected to receive the orders of more than 55 systems from MoD (Ministry of Defence) after the successful trial evaluation.

About BEML :

• BEML is a multi-technology schedule ‘A’ company under the Ministry of Defence.
• Headquarters: Bengaluru
• Founded: May 1964, Bengaluru
• Chairman & MD : V. Rajasekar
• It operates in three verticals like defence & aerospace, mining & construction and rail & metro. 
• As on 31 March 2021, the government held 54.03% stake in BEML.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Google floats News Showcase in India

• On May 18, 2021, Google launched its global licensing programme, News Showcase, in India.
• Amid mounting pressure from the global media fraternity asked for a fair price and advertising share from technology platforms.
• In February, the Indian Newspaper Society (INS) had also asked search engine Google to compensate newspapers for the use of content published by them and sought a larger share of its advertising revenue.
• Google has sealed agreements with 30 Indian publishers to offer access to some of their content.
• The content from these publishers will begin to appear in dedicated News Showcase story panels in Google News and on Discover pages in English and Hindi.
• The support for more local languages will be added in the future.
• It will also pay participating news organizations to give readers access to a limited amount of paywalled content.

About Indian Newspaper Society :

• Founded: 27 February 1939
• Headquarters location: New Delhi
• Presidents: Shailesh Gupta, Somesh Sharma

About Google :

• CEO: Sundar Pichai
• Founded: 4 September 1998
• Headquarters: California, United States
• Founders: Larry Page, Sergey Brin

NASA Finished its Pre Launch test on James Webb Space Telescope

• James Webb Space Telescope , The world’s largest and most powerful space science telescope Successfully Completed its Pre Launch Test.
• This event marked a key milestone in preparing the observatory for launch later this year.
• It is done by opening its iconic primary mirror.
• The 5 meter (21 feet 4 inch) mirror was commanded to fully expand and lock itself into place.
• It will survive its million-mile (1.6 million kilometre) journey and is ready to discover the origins of the Universe.
• The mirrors will function as one massive reflector, to enable the telescope to peer deeper into the cosmos than ever before.
• It can be fitted within a 5 meter launch vehicle and it is designed to be folded in origami style.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : RANKING & INDEX

S&P Global Market Intelligence : India emerges as second-largest insurance technology market

• India is the second largest  insurance technology market in the Asia Pacific, as per a new report released by S&P Global Market Intelligence.
• India has the second-largest insurance technology market after China.
• China was the largest insurance-technology market and it accounts for around 43% of the total investment.
• India Contributes for USD 1.28 billion, or 35% of the total venture capital poured into the insurtech sector in the Asia Pacific region so far.
• Out of 335 private insurtech firms in the APAC region, 122 companies have disclosed their fundraise, amounting to a total of USD 3.66 billion.
• Nearly half of them are headquartered in India and China, and have collectively attracted about 78% of the total investment.

About S&P Global :

• CEO: Douglas L. Peterson 
• Headquarters: New York, United States
• Founder: James H. McGraw
• Founded: 1917, New York, United States

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SPORTS NEWS

Former World No 1 Tennis doubles player Barbora Strycova retires

• Barbora Strycova, a former top-ranked doubles player and Wimbledon singles semifinalist, has announced retirement from Tennis.

About Barbora Strycova :

• Strycova won two WTA singles titles and 31 in doubles.
• In 2016, She won the bronze medal at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
• In 2019, She won the women’s doubles with Hsieh Su-wei to become No. 1.
• Her career-high in singles was No. 16.

Due to Pandemic Asia Cup 2021 Deferred

• On May 19, 2021, Sri Lanka Cricket Chief Executive Ashely de Silva Informed Due to Covid – 19 the Asia Cup T20 that was scheduled to be held in June 2021 in Sri Lanka has been postponed indefinitely.
• Initially, the tournament was supposed to be played in September 2020 then it was postponed to Sri Lanka in June 2021.
• With all the teams planning for their Future Tour Programs (FTPs) for the next two years, the tournament is likely to happen only after the 2023 ICC 50-over World Cup.
• Originally, Pakistan was supposed to host the tournament in 2020, but the hosting rights were exchanged with Sri Lanka due to security reasons after the postponement.

Note :

• India has won the Asia Cup title seven times.

About Asia Cup :

• The Asia Cup, established in 1983 by the Asian Cricket Council.
• The first Asia Cup was played in 1984 in the UAE.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : OBITUARIES

Ex Rajasthan CM Jagannath Pahadia passes away 

• On May 19, 2021, Veteran Congress leader and former Rajasthan chief minister Jagannath Pahadia Passed away.
• He was 89.

About Jagannath Pahadia :

• Pahadia was the chief minister of Rajasthan for about eleven months from June 6, 1980 to July 13, 1981.
• He was the First Dalit CM of Rajasthan.
• He is also a former governor of Haryana and Bihar.

About Rajasthan :

• Governor: Kalraj Mishra
• Capital: Jaipur 
• CM : Shri Ashok Gehlot

Daily CA On May 20 : 

• The Indian Council of Medical Research, ICMRhas approved CoviSelf kit for the purpose of home testing. It stated that all symptomatic individuals who test negative by Rapid Antigen Test should get themselves immediately tested by RT-PCR.
• Indian Navyhas designed an Oxygen Recycling System, ORS to mitigate the current oxygen crisis. The Diving School of the Southern Naval Command of the Indian Navy has conceptualized and designed the System to alleviate the existing Oxygen
• The 51stedition of virtual Indian Handicrafts and Gift Fair, IHGF of Delhi was inaugurated. The fair is the India’s largest Virtual Fair in the Home, Fashion, Lifestyle, Textiles and Furniture sector and an exclusive B2B online platform is developed to assist the buyers from all across the globe to source from India.
• In Assam, the tele session service of the well being division is offering good assistance to nearly 60,000 COVID-19 sufferers who’ve opted for dwelling isolation.
• The Noida Traffic Police department has launched auto-rickshaw ambulances to provide additional support for Covid-19 patients in the city. The service can be availed by calling the helpline 9971009001.
• Reserve Bank of India has permitted 35 prepaid payments instruments i.e. PPI.  It includes Delhi Metro Card, Amazon Pay, Phonepe, Ola Money, Mobikwick wallet etc.
• The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has permitted existing Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) account holders, including NGOs and associations, to open their “FCRA Account” in the New Delhi Main Branch (NDMB) of the State Bank of India up to June 30, 2021.
• IDBI Bankannounced the launch of its fully digitized loan processing system, offering over 50 products to MSME and agriculture sector.
• HSBC Indiahas launched digital banking solutions for its corporate customers.“HSBC SmartServe and HSBC IntelliSign” are first-of-its-kind digital solutions aimed at ensuring a quick, secure and seamless on-boarding process for corporate clients.
• Lady Justice Martha Karambu Koome is a Kenyan advocate and Human Rights Defender, serving as the Chief Justice of the Republic of Kenya since May 19, 2021. She is the first woman to serve as Chief Justice in Kenya.
• Drug firm BDR Pharma stated it has inked a licensing pact with Eli Lilly And Company for the manufacturing and distribution of Baricitinib for the treatment of COVID-19 in India.
• On May 17, 2021, Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Jio Infocomm will be constructing the largest international submarine cable system centred on India.
• The European Space Agency developed an interplanetary spacecraft named JUICE ( Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer ) that has entered into a testing phase. It can be tested at Esa’s European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) in the Netherlands.
• A United Launch Alliance (ULA – American Spacecraft Service Provider)Atlas V rocket has successfully launched the Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO) Flight 5 mission.
• On May 18, 2021, Six Indian sites were added to the tentative list of UNESCO’s world heritage sites, the Ministry of Culture. The submissions were made by Archaeological Survey of India, which is responsible for the conservation and preservation of Indian monuments.
• India has moved a notch higher at the third spot on EY’s Renewable Energy Country Attractiveness Index. It is the 57th Renewable Energy Country Attractiveness Index released by Ernst & Young. The US retains top position on RECAI 57.
• A group of herpetologists gathered for the South Asian Reptile Red List Assessment organised by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) discovered a new species  Subdoluseps nilgiriensis from the dry leeward slopes of the Nilgiri hills (Western Ghats), Tamil Nadu state, India.
• On May 15, 2021, Mixed Martial Artist (MMA) Arjan Bhullar became the first Indian to win the ONE Heavyweight World Title at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

Daily CA On May 21 :

• World Bee Day is celebrated on May 20. The theme of World Bee Day 2021 is: Bee Engaged – Build Back Better for Bees.
• World Metrology Day is an event occurring on 20 May celebrating the International System of Units. The theme for World Metrology Day 2021 is “Measurement for Health”.
• Anti-Terrorism Day is observed on May 21 in India every year. This year commemorates Rajiv Gandhi’s 30th death anniversary as India observes Anti-Terrorism Day.
• National Endangered Species Dayis observed every year on the third Friday in May. This year the day falls on May The theme for National Endangered Species Day 2021 is “Wildlife without Borders”.
• International Tea Day is observed annually on May 21, according to the United Nations. The resolution was adopted on December 21, 2019 and calls on the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization to lead the observance of the Day.
• The World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development is a United Nations–sanctioned international holiday for the promotion of diversity issues. It is currently celebrated on May 21.
• On the occasion of World Bee Day and in the context of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar launched the project of setting up of a honey testing laboratoryat the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa, and New Delhi.  
• Govt revises subsidy on export of sugar for sugar season 2020-21 from Rs 6000 to Rs 4000 per metric tonne. 
• Harshvardhan, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare chaired the opening session of the 33rd meeting of Health Ministers of Commonwealth countries through video conference.
• Hindustan UnileverLimited has rolled out Mission HO2PE in Assam. Through Mission HO2PE, HUL has airlifted over 5000 oxygen concentrators into India.
• India’s national broadcaster, Doordarshan (DD) is going to set up a new international channel, DD International, on the lines of BBC World to present India’s point of view to the world in wake of the rising negative coverage of India’s COVID-19 crisis in foreign media.
• Zhang Yiming announced he will step down as CEOof TikTok–owner ByteDance, saying he lacked the social skills to be an ideal manager and naming his college roommate Liang Rubo as his successor to navigate a rising tide of Big Tech regulations.
• Prime MinisterSheikh Hasina gave away the highest civilian award of Bangladesh ‘Swadhinta Puraskar 2021‘ also known as Independence Award to nine individuals and a research organisation.
• India and Oman renewed the Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) on military cooperation along with its annexure as well as on maritime issues on May 20″. The document was signed by Secretary-General of Oman”s defence ministry Dr Mohammed bin Nasser Al Zaabi and Indian Ambassador Munu Mahawar.
• For Indian Army , Bharat Earth Movers limited has rolled out the first prototype of mechanical minefield marking equipment Mk-II. It has been built on BEML TATRA 6×6 an ‘Atmanirbhar’ product.
• On May 18, 2021, Google launched its global licensing programme, News Showcase, in India. Amid mounting pressure from the global media fraternity asked for a fair price and advertising share from technology platforms.
• James Webb Space Telescope , The world’s largest and most powerful space science telescope Successfully Completed its Pre Launch Test. This event marked a key milestone in preparing the observatory for launch later this year.
• India is the second largest  insurance technology market in the Asia Pacific, as per a new report released by S&P Global Market Intelligence.
• Barbora Strycova, a former top-ranked doubles player and Wimbledon singles semifinalist, has announced retirement from Tennis.
• On May 19, 2021, Sri Lanka Cricket Chief Executive Ashely de Silva Informed Due to Covid – 19 the Asia Cup T20 that was scheduled to be held in June 2021 in Sri Lanka has been postponed indefinitely.
• On May 19, 2021, Veteran Congress leader and former Rajasthan chief minister Jagannath Pahadia Passed away.