1.Cyclonic storm ROANU to strike Andhra Pradesh coast: IMD

a) A cyclonic storm called ROANU emerged in the west central Bay of Bengal.

b) Indian Meteorological Department has notified that the cyclone will intensify into a severe cyclonic storm and hit the Andhra Coast.

c) The storm moving at a speed of 25 km per hour finally broke up on northern Bangladesh and Myanmar. More than 20 people are known to have died. Although a tragedy for victims, the country seems to be improving its warning services and 500,000 people were evacuated before the storm hit.

d) Roanu was the first cyclone of the Indian Ocean season that has two peaks: May-June and October-November; these peaks are in advance of the Southwesterly Monsoon and before the Northeasterly Monsoon, respectively.

2. JP Nadda launches Centre for Environmental Health to assess environmental impact on health

a) Recently, Union Health minister J P Nadda launched the Centre for Environmental Health to assess environmental impact on health.

b) It has been established to evaluate the impact of environmental problems like air pollution, climate change, pesticide use and sanitation on human health. The centre will take part in conducting research on environmental health issues.

c) The centre will also provide a policy engagement platform with the government, civil society & private sector with an aim to develop a road plan for the proper implementation of environment friendly policies.

d) This centre is the joint initiative of the Public Health Foundation of India and the Tata Institute of Social Science.

3. Himachal CM launches PEHAL programme

a) To work on areas having direct impact on people’s lives, Shimla district administration has launched PEHAL. It includes implementation of programmes related to primary education, (PRERNA), educating people on rights of forests, health and sanitation, anti-drug campaign, livelihood and women empowerment.

b) PEHAL also aims to build a resource base of semi-skilled and skilled women. The district administration is also trying to create infrastructure for sports and recreational activities to steer young minds away from drugs under the anti-drug campaign incorporated in PEHAL.

c) The programme is also an attempt to integrate various stakeholders in the development of the district.

4. India praised for Medicines with the Red Line campaign on antibiotics

a) A global review on Antimicrobial Resistance has cited India’s idea of putting a red line on the antibiotic packages to curb over-the-counter sale of these medicines. As per the report, 20-30% of antibiotics are consumed without prescription in south and east Europe, and up to 100% in parts of Africa.

b) The report was commissioned by the UK Prime Minister David Cameron in 2014 and chaired by economist Jim O’Neill.

c) India’s Red Line Campaign was launched in the February 2016. Under this campaign, antibiotics were marked with a red line curb their irrational use and create awareness on the dangers of taking antibiotics without being prescribed them.

5. International Buddhist Conference begins in Nepal

a) A two-day international Buddhist Conference to mark the 2,560th birth anniversary of Lord Buddha has begun in Kathmandu.

b) Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli inaugurated the event and propagated the message of Buddha advocating extremism in all forms.

c) He also conveyed the government’s commitment to effectively implement the Greater Lumbini Development Plan which aims to develop Buddha’s birthplace as a major tourism hub by promoting religious tourism.

6. India, Slovenia sign Double Taxation Avoidance Convention

a) India and Slovenia have signed a protocol to amend an existing double taxation avoidance treaty between the two countries. The protocol aims to widen the scope of the existing framework of exchange of tax-related information.

b) The framework will benefit both countries to end tax evasion and avoidance. It also provides India and Slovenia with the prospect of a mutual assistance to collect taxes.

7. Beijing-New Delhi Yoga Conference opens in China

a) Kunming city in Beijing witnessed the China – India Yoga Conference, which was held between May 18 to 22 saw a participation of over 1,000 Chinese yoga practitioners.

b) Activities like courses from Indian yoga masters and yoga introductions for communities were conducted.

c) It was jointly organised by the foreign affairs and overseas Chinese affairs offices and the China-India Yoga College in Kunming.

8. Mukesh Ambani awarded Othmer Gold Medal for Entrepreneurial Leadership

a) The top chemical industry award, the Othmer Gold Medal, was recently conferred on Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani.

b) The US-based Chemical Heritage Foundation (CHF) awarded Ambani for his entrepreneurial leadership which has resulted in the expansion of India’s petroleum refining industry and creation of the Jamnagar refinery in Gujarat, which is the largest grassroots oil refinery in the world.

c) The CHF established the Othmer Gold Medal in 1997 to honour outstanding individuals who have made multifaceted contributions to chemical and scientific heritage through activities in areas like innovation, entrepreneurship, research, education, public understanding, legislation, or philanthropy.

9. Indian journalist Philip Abraham elected Deputy Mayor in UK

a) Well-known Indian Journalist Philip Abraham was recently unanimously elected as the Deputy Mayor of the Loughton town in the UK.

b) Councillor Carol Davis, the newly-elected Mayor, presented the Deputy Mayor’s Badge to Abraham.

c) An Indian journalist from Kerala and an editor for Kerala Link, Abraham won the election to the Loughton Town Council in 2012.

10. Tsai Ing-wen sworn in as first woman president of Taiwan

a) Tsai Ing-wen was recently sworn in as first woman president of Taiwan.

b) The 59-year-old former law professor will succeed Kuomintang (KMT, or Nationalist Party) President Ma Ying-jeou. The former president was ineligible for re-election after two four year terms.

c) Tsai has said she will preserve the status quo in relations with China, but that Beijing must respect Taiwan’s democracy.

11. CBS News journalist Morley Safer passes away

a) Legendary journalist and 60 Minutes veteran Morley Safer passed away at the age of 84, a week after retiring from his post at the long-running CBS News program after 46 seasons.

b) Born in Toronto in 1931, Safer worked as a war correspondent in the 1950s and 1960s before joining 60 Minutes in 1970.

c) During his career, he reported on a broad range of topics, including war, cyberspace, social injustices and art.

12. Veteran Gujarati folk singer Diwaliben Bhil passes away

a) Gujarat’s renowned singer Diwaliben Bhil passed away recently at her Junagarh residence.

b) Born in a tribal family, she began her singing career from a local Garbi, has become the voice of hundreds of Gujarati folk songs and garbas, including the famous “Maare todle betho mor”, “Sona Vatakdi Re Kesar Gholya” and “Vage che re” and Ram Na Ban Vagya, Hari Na Ban Vagya Re to name a few.

c) She achieved success and was acknowledged in 1990 with Padmashree award for her precious contribution in the field of music.

13. 27th India and Indonesia CORPAT concludes in Belawan

a) India – Indonesia coordinated patrol CORPAT recently concluded in Belawan, Indonesia. The 27th edition of CORPAT was conducted from April 27th to May 19, 2016.

b) Indian naval ship Karmuk entered the Belawan harbour on May 16 to participate in the closing ceremony which was held during May 16th-19th, 2016.

c) The ship was escorted by Indonesian Navy ship KRI Imam Bonjol into the harbour.

d) Since 2002, Navies of India and Indonesia are taking part in coordinated patrol (CORPAT) twice a year along the International Maritime boundary Line (IMBL). The CORPAT is aimed to strengthen the collaboration and interoperability between these two navies.

14. After liquor, Bihar government bans gutka and paan masala

a) After the recent ban on every type of liquor, Bihar government moves towards imposing a ban on gutkas and paan masalas effective form May 21 to a period of one year. The ban includes the sale, distribution, storage and publicity of such tobacco products.

b) The government also issued authorising officials to conduct raids and inspections and take action against those flouting the guidelines.

c) RK Mahajan, Commissioner of Food Safety, Bihar government mentioned that the ban is aimed at improving the public health and prevent its further deterioration.

15. Indigenous faecal incontinence management device ‘Qora’ launched

a) Minister of State for Science & Technology Y.S.Chowdary has launched ‘Qora’, which is a faecal incontinence management system.

b) The technology for the medical device was developed by Consure Medical, New Delhi, to address a new level of care for patients outside the ICU.

c) Faecal incontinence is a condition wherein the patients are unable to control the bowel movements causing unexpected stool leakages.

d) The international partners of the programme are Stanford University, US, Queensland University of Technology, Australia, and Tottori University, Japan.

16. World Bank arm IFC to invest $68 mn in Apollo Health

a) International Finance Corporation (IFC), a subsidiary arm of the World Bank is planning to invest 68 million in Apollo Health & Lifestyle Ltd. (AHLL). AHLL is a subsidiary of Apollo Health Enterprises ltd.

b) This current investment by IFC is the part of overall of raise of $135 million by IFC.

c) AHLL is biggest chain of standardized primary health care models such as Apollo clinics.

17. IFC to invest $20 million in FCEL

a) The subsidiary arm of the World Bank, International Finance corporation (IFC) has decided to invest $20 million in Future Consumer Enterprise Ltd. (FCEL) through equity-linked instruments.

b) The FCEL will use these funds to support the growth pans and strengthen its balance sheet.

c) US based Proterra Partners has also invested $55 million in the FCEL.

18. Binali Yildirim set to become Prime Minister of Turkey

a) Turkey’s ruling party chose Binali Yildirim, a long-time ally of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to be the country’s next Prime Minister.

b) Yildirim, Turkey’s minister of transport, maritime and communications, will replace Ahmet Davutoglu.

c) He has served as the minister of transport in three separate administrations since the Justice and Development party (AKP) took power in 2002.

19. International Day for Biological Diversity 2016 observed

a) The International Day for Biological Diversity 2016 was recently observed.

b) This year’s theme was ‘Mainstreaming Biodiversity; Sustaining People and their Livelihoods.’

c) UN General Secretary Ban-Ki-moon highlighted that biodiversity is an important cross-cutting issue in the message marking the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

(d) He also noted that despite numerous attempts, the loss of biodiversity continues. Only 15% of the countries are on the track to achieve the Aichi Biodiversity Targets by the agreed-upon date of 2020.