28th May CURRENT AFFAIRS IN ENGLISH

1. Netherlands joins Solar Alliance

The Netherlands has become the 64th signatory member of the International Solar Alliance (ISA). 

• The joint statement issued hailed the Netherlands as India’s “Gateway to Europe”.
• India also welcomed the Netherlands as the Partner Country for the TechSummit in 2019.

2. India launches 2nd IT corridor in China

India has launched its second IT corridor in China to cash in on the burgeoning Chinese software market.

• The National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) has established one more Digital Collaborative Opportunities Plaza (SIDCOP) platform in China in an effort to provide market access to Indian IT firms in the huge Chinese market.

3. PM inaugurates Eastern Peripheral Expressway and Phase-I of Delhi-Meerut Expressway

 

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi dedicated to the nation, two newly built expressways in the Delhi NCR Region.

• The first of these is the 14 lane, access controlled, Phase-I of the Delhi-Meerut Expressway, stretching from Nizamuddin Bridge to Delhi UP Border.
• The second project to be dedicated to the nation is the 135 km long Eastern Peripheral Expressway (EPE), stretching from Kundli on NH 1 to Palwal on NH 2.
• The Delhi Meerut Expressway, once completed, will significantly reduce travel times from the National Capital to Meerut, and to several other parts of Western Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
• The Eastern Peripheral Expressway (EPE), will contribute towards the twin objectives of decongesting and de-polluting the national capital by diverting traffic not destined for Delhi.

4. Himachal Pradesh launches three welfare schemes

 

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur has launched three welfare schemes to mark completion of four years of the Narendra Modi government at the Centre.

These schemes are:

• "Jan Manch" for redressal of public grievances.
• "Mukhya Mantri Swavlamban Yojana" aimed at providing assistance to the unemployed youth.
• "Himachal Grihini Suvidha Yojana" for offering gas cylinder security and gas stoves to those not covered under the Ujjwala Yojana.

5. 9th edition of ‘Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav’ inaugurated in Tehri , Uttarakhand

Ministry of Culture has organised 3 day long diversified cultural festival ‘Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav’ festival which was inaugurated by Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Shri Trivendra Singh Rawat Near Tehri Lake, Uttrakhand.

• The North Zone Cultural Centre (NZCC), Patiala has been entrusted with the responsibility as the nodal agency to carry forward the execution of the National Cultural Festival under the banner of the slogan “EK BHARAT SHRESHTHA BHARAT”.

6. Prime Minister of Netherlands Inaugurates Indo-Dutch Ganga Forum

 

Prime Minister of Netherlands Mr. Mark Rutte inaugurated the Indo-Dutch Ganga Forum to take forward the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Government of India and the Ministry of Infrastructure & Environment of the Netherlands  in June last year.

• The inauguration of the Indo-Dutch Ganga Forum was followed by a technical session on “Innovative Financing Models for Indo-Dutch PPP Projects” during which a detailed discussion on Hybrid Annuity based PPP mode took place.

7. Barbados elects Mia Mottley as first woman PM

The Caribbean island of Barbados has elected its first woman prime minister since gaining independence from Britain in 1966.

• Mia Mottley led her Barbados Labour Party (BLP) to a crushing victory over the Democratic Labour Party (DLP).
• The BLP won all 30 seats up for grabs in the House of Assembly.

8. Japan end 37-year drought with Uber Cup win

Japan's women clinched the Uber Cup, breezing by surprise finalists Thailand 3-0 in Bangkok to end a 37-year wait to regain the title.

• It ends an Uber Cup drought for Japan that stretches back to 1981 and is a major confidence boost ahead of the Olympics which they will host in two years' time.
• The Uber Cup is second in prestige only to the Olympics as a national team event.

9. Shane Watson century powers Chennai Super Kings to third IPL title

Shane Watson put up an exhibition of power-hitting in front of a packed Wankhede crowd as he struck a memorable unbeaten century to power Chennai Super Kings to their third Indian Premier League title.

• Chasing 179, CSK overhauled the target in 18.3 overs, scoring 181/2, winning by eight wickets.
• This was the 11th season of Indian Premier League.

Points to Remember

• Sun risers Hyderabad: Runner Up
• Sunil Narine:  Most Valuable Player
• Kane Williamson: Orange cap with 735 runs
• Andrew Tye: Purple cap with 24 Wickets
• Rishabh Pant: Stylish Player of the Season
• Mumbai Indians: IPL Fairplay award
• Rishabh Pant: Emerging player of the season

10. China wins its 10th Thomas Cup title

Li Junhui and Liu Yuchen beat Japanese pair of Keigo Sonoda and Yuta Watanabe 17-21, 21-19, 22-20 to give China its 10th Thomas Cup men's badminton title.

• Li and Liu fought back from trailing 18-20 in the decider to beat the Japanese duo in a 70-minute encounter.
• China last won the tournament in 2012.

11. Bollywood actor Geeta Kapoor passes away

Veteran Bollywood actor Geeta Kapoor, had her last breath in an old age home in Mumbai. She was 67.

• Geeta acted in around 100 films such as in Kamal Amrohi’s "Pakeezah" and "Razia Sultan".