Current Affairs May 20-21, 2015

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Current Affairs May 21, 2015

1. Astra missile successfully test-fired from Sukhoi-30 MKI in Odisha: India’s beyond visual range (BVR) air-to-air missile, Astra, was successfully test-fired from Su-30 MKI fighter jet at the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, Odisha, as part of evaluating the missile’s performance in different engagement scenarios. On 20th May, two Astra missiles were launched at very low and very high altitudes when the fighter aircraft was performing High-G manoeuvres in two separate trials. Astra is air-to-air beyond-visual-range (BVR) all-weather missile that can be launched from different altitudes.
2. Yamuna Expressway becomes India’s first road runway after IAF Mirage 2000 jet successfully lands: Yamuna Expressway in Uttar Pradesh had become India’s first road runway after Indian Air Force (IAF) Mirage 2000 fighter jet successfully landed as part of trials to use national highways for emergency landing
3. Maharashtra allows women to work in night shifts in factories: Maharashtra government decided to make necessary changes in the Factories Act, 1948 to allow women to work in factories in night shifts. The decision was taken at a meeting of the state Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Mumbai.
4. SBI signs pact with Snapdeal: India’s largest commercial bank the State Bank of India said that its tie up with Snapdeal for funding MSMEs will boost Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Make-in-India initiatives by putting more funds in the hands of the small entrepreneurs enabling them to boost their industries. Earlier, SBI announced another partnership in the digital space — with Paypal — the open digital payments company, to promote cross-border trade and payments facilitation for SBI and Paypal users in India and overseas.
5. ISIS captures Palmyra, the ancient ciy of Syria: Militants from the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) have raised their flag over an ancient citadel in Syria's historic city of Palmyra, pictures posted online overnight by the group's supporters showed. The militants seized the city, also known as Tadmur, after days of fierce fighting with the Syrian army on Wednesday.

Current Affairs May 20, 2015

1. The state of Meghalaya has achieved 100% success in the Prime ministers PMDY scheme: The state has 11 districts covering a household of 5.5 lakhs. Meghalaya has opened bank account for each of the household under the PMJD yojna.
2. Reliance Jio signed an agreement with Huawei for sourcing 4G devices.: Reliance Jio Infocomm, a telecommunication subsidiary of Reliance Industries limited (RIL), signed an agreement with Chinese telecommunication equipment manufacturer firm Huawei for sourcing varieties of Generation (4G) devices. As per the agreement, Huawei will provide 4G devices to Reliance Jio including smart phones, tablets and mifi dongles.
3. Hungarian writer Laszlo Krasznahorkai wins Man Booker International Prize 2015: Hungarian writer Laszlo Krasznahorkai has won the prestigious Man Booker International Prize for 2015. The Man Booker International Prize recognises one writer for his or her achievement in fiction. Worth £60,000, the prize is awarded every two years to a living author who has published fiction either originally in English or whose work is generally available in translation in the English language. The winner is chosen solely at the discretion of the judging panel and there are no submissions from publishers.
4. NS Kavaratti, anti-submarine warfare ship launched in Kolkata: INS Kavaratti, Indian Navy’s latest anti-submarine warfare class stealth corvette was launched on 19 May 2015 in Kolkata. Kavaratti is the last of the four anti-submarine warfare class stealth corvettes being built for India under Project 28.
5. 6 Indian-Americans receive 2015 Ellis Island Medals of Honor in US: Six Indian-Americans and a British-Indian were presented prestigious 2015 Ellis Island Medals of Honour in United States for their contributions to America. It is an American award founded by the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations. The award pays homage to the immigrant for their experience and contribution made to America. It is awarded to native-born and naturalized US citizens