1) World No Tobacco Day 2015 observed:
--> World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) is
observed around the world every year on May 31.
--> It is intended to encourage a
24-hour period of abstinence from all forms of tobacco consumption around the
globe.
--> The theme for World No Tobacco Day
2015 is "Stop illicit trade of tobacco products".
2) China developed world's first ATM with facial recognition
technology:
--> Chinese researchers have
successfully developed the first automated teller machine (ATM) with facial
recognition technology to reduce the risk of theft.
--> The machine has unique security
feature which does not allow users to withdraw cash unless their face matches
their facial ID.
--> The first of its kind ATM was
developed by researchers from Tsinghua University and technology firm Tzekwan.
3) Pinaka Mark-II rocket successfully test-fired:
--> An advanced version of the
indigenously developed Pinaka Mark-II rocket was successfully test-fired on 30
May 2015 from Army's Chandan firing range near Pokhran using a multi-barrel
launcher.
--> Jointly developed by the Defence
Research and Development Organisation and the Indian Army, this multi-barrel
rocket launcher has high operational mobility, flexibility and accuracy as the
major characteristics, which give the weapon an edge in modern artillery
warfare for the Indian Armed Forces.
4) Modi to flag off country's first semi high-speed Gatimaan
Express in June:
--> Gatimaan Express, the first semi
high-speed train service between Delhi and Agra which would touch speeds of up
to 160 kmph, is likely to be launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the
second week of June.
--> The trials of the semi-high speed
train have already been conducted twice on the 200-km-long tracks between the
two destinations and awaited now is the mandatory clearance from the
Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS).
5) President gives assent to re-promulgation of Land
Ordinance for 3rd time:
--> President Pranab Mukherjee has given
his assent to re-promulgation of land ordinance for third time as per
provisions of Article 123 of Indian Constitution.
--> Earlier, Union Cabinet meeting
chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi had approved re-promulgation of the
ordinance, which was to expire on 3 June 2015.
--> The Right to Fair Compensation and
Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (Amendment)
Bill, 2015 is currently with the Joint Committee of Parliament chaired by BJP
MP S.S. Ahluwalia for detailed discussion on the provisions of the legislation.
6) Gurpreet Singh gets quota place for Rio Olympics:
--> Gurpreet Singh secured India a fifth
quota place in shooting for the Rio Olympics by finishing fourth in the Men's
10m Air Pistol final at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF)
Shooting World Cup in Munich on 31 May 2015.
7) Deepika Kumari won bronze in Archery World Cup:
--> Indian archer Deepika Kumari
outclassed Chang Hye Jin of Korea in straight sets to clinch the bronze medal
in the women's individual recurve event of the World Cup, in Antalya on 31 May
2015.
8) Mohun Bagan FC won I-League title:
--> Kolkata’s Mohun Bagan Football Club
(FC) has won the I-League title by defeating Bengaluru Football Club.
--> Mohun Bagan won the title after a
1-1 draw score against Bengaluru FC in their final game of the 2014-15 season
played at the Kanteerva Stadium, Bengaluru.
9) Former Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo appointed
new chancellor of Nalanda university:
--> Former Singapore Foreign Minister
George Yeo will be the new Chancellor of the Nalanda University, the Ministry
of External Affairs announced on 31 May 2015.
--> Mr. Yeo, who is on the governing
board of prestigious university, will take over from Nobel laureate Amartya
Sen, who withdrew his candidature for a second term as Chancellor of the
Nalanda University in Bihar in February 2015.
--> Mr. Yeo was awarded the Padma
Bhushan in 2012 in recognition of his contribution in the field of "public
affairs."
