Current Affairs 22nd May 2015

Current Affairs 22nd May 2015 - Important Points

• Which Indian Shuttler has been ranked No.1 in single rankings released by BWF - Saina Nehwal

• World Bank approved 250 million dollar credit for Enhancing Teacher Effectiveness for which Indian state - Bihar

• Where were the Blue whales spotted for the 1st time in 100 years - Sindhudurg coast in Maharashtra

• Which day was observed on 22nd May - International Day for Biological Diversity

• Which army has developed Blast proof wallpaper to protect soldiers from explosions - US Army

• In the environmental democracy Index 2015, India is at which position - 24th position

Current Affairs 22nd May 2015 - Details

Which Indian Shuttler has been ranked No.1 in single rankings released by BWF - Saina Nehwal

On 21st May 2015, As per latest single's rankings released by BWF (Badminton World Federation), Ace Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal is at top position. Chinese Li Xuerui is at second place. 

Earlier also she was at first place in April 2015 for the first time ever but then she slipped from the top rank, now again she has reclaimed her top position. 

As far as Men's singles are concerned for India then K Srikanth is at fourth place while P Kashyap and HS Parnnoy are at 13th and 15th positions respectively.

World Bank approved 250 million dollar credit for Enhancing Teacher Effectiveness for which Indian state - Bihar

On 20th May 2015, 250 million US dollar credit was approved by World Bank for Enhancing Teacher Effectiveness in Bihar Programme. This credit will be utilized to improve effectiveness of elementary school teachers in Bihar by making them more qualified, accountable and responsive.

International Development Association (IDA) is providing this credit which is a World Bank concessionary lending arm. This credit is on IDA terms having a maturity period of 25 years which also includes 5 years grace period.

Where were the Blue whales spotted for the 1st time in 100 years - Sindhudurg coast in Maharashtra

Among the Important National Current Affairs, In May 2015 Konkan Cetacean Population Study (CPS) team researchers spotted Blue Whales (mother-calf pair) and four Bryde's whales near Kunkeshwar off the Sindhudurg coast in Maharashtra after a long time of 100 years. Last time blue whales were seen in Maharashtra in 1914. The whales were spotted during a survey carried out by researchers to study Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins along the Maharashtra coast under United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) project on Mainstreaming Coastal and Marine Biodiversit and Maharashtra State Mangrove Cell is implementing this project.

Which day was observed on 22nd May - International Day for Biological Diversity

Among the Important Days in a year, On 22nd May International Day for Biological Diversity was observed by United Nations. Theme for the year 2015 was "Biodiversity for Sustainable Development".

In Dec 2000, May 22 was proclaimed as the International Day for Biological Diversity with an aim to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues and to commemorate the adoption of Convention of Biological Diversity.

Which army has developed Blast proof wallpaper to protect soldiers from explosions - US Army

On 21st May 2015, A prototype was displayed at an exhibition of army innovations in Pentagon which demonstrated a Blast proof wallpaper to protect soldiers from explosions. It is developed by US Army engineers. The prototype is lightweight sticky wallpaper lined with tough Kevlar fibres could be carried by troops to reinforce the walls of temporary buildings. The special fabric acts as a net to stop shrapnel flying around and injuring soldiers or civilians who are stuck inside.

In the environmental democracy Index 2015, India is at which position - 24th position

On 20th May 2015, World Resources Institute (WRI) which is a Washington based Institute and Access Initiative released the first Environmental Democracy Index (EDI) for the year 2015 which evaluated environmental democracy in 70 countries based on recognised international standards.

India was ranked 24th out of 70 countries studied. In this study Lithuania was at first position, Latvia is at second postion while Russia is at third position. 

The Environmental Democracy Index (EDI) is the first comprehensive index designed specifically to measure procedural rights in an environmental context.