Current Affairs May 2021 India and Pakistan

• India’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew 1.6 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2021, marking two quarters of consecutive growth after it exited a rare recession.
• China announced today that couples may have up to three children, from the existing limit of two after recent census data showed a dramatic decline in births in the world’s most populous country.
• At the Asian Boxing Championships in Dubai, defending champion Pooja Rani won the gold medal in the 75kg Women’s category while legendary pugilist MC Mary Kom, Lalbuatsaihi and Anupama finished with silver.
• World No Tobacco Day is observed today.

• Punjab Closes Down All Colleges Across 25 Districts Amid Covid Rise. As the country fights off with all its might the third wave of the global pandemic which is increasingly concerning the governments with mutated variants and increased infection incidence, the higher education authorities in Punjab have Saturday shut down colleges in at least 25 districts across the province.
• Allama Iqbal Open University postpones all examinations.The Allama Iqbal Open University has postponed all ongoing examinations across the country, it said in a statement Sunday.

• International Day of UN Peacekeepers is observed today. This day is observed on the 29th of May every year to pay tribute to peacekeepers’ contribution.
• All children who have lost both their parents due to Covid-19 will be supported under the ‘PM CARES for Children’ scheme, the PMO said in a statement today.

• Turkey to enter full lockdown May 29 to May 17.Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday announced a full lockdown from May 29 to May 17 to fight a surging third wave of coronavirus infections.
• Dollar price climbs again in Pakistan over lockdown fears.The dollar rate crept up to Rs154.80 in the open market as lockdown fears loomed because Covid-19 cases are going up in the country. It has increased by Rs1.20 in the last four days.
• Bashar Al-Assad will continue to serve as the President of Syria after winning the election for the fourth time. Assad has been president since 2000.
• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman chairs the 43rd GST Council meeting through video conferencing in New Delhi today.
• India becomes 2nd country after US to administer over 20 crore doses of COVID-19 vaccine.
• Amnesty International Day being observed today.

• Military troops deployed in 16 cities across Pakistan: ISPR DG. ISPR DG Major General Babar Iftikhar said on Monday that the army has deployed troops in 16 cities across Pakistan, where they are assisting the civil administration in implementing coronavirus SOPs.
• Pakistan announces a five-day Eid-ul-Fitr holiday. The government has announced a five-day holiday on Eid-ul-Fitr, the Ministry of Interior said in a notification Monday.

• Cyclone Yaas has made the landfall and has crossed the Odisha coast, south of Balasore as a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm.
• Subodh Kumar Jaiswal today took charge as the Director of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). He has been appointed as Director for a period of two years.
• Buddha Jayanti or Buddha Purnima is observed today.

• 5611 Cases Of Coronavirus Reported Across The Country. Pakistan has reported 118 deaths in the last 24 hours by novel coronavirus as the number of positive cases has surged to 795,627. The nationwide tally of fatalities has jumped to 17,117 on Sunday.
• Pakistan receives another 1m doses of coronavirus vaccine from China. Three special flights brought on Sunday 1 million doses of coronavirus vaccine from China, a Pakistan International Airlines spokesperson confirmed, as the government steps up efforts to contain the third and most dangerous wave of infections in the country.
• Pakistan Purchases Over 30 Million Doses Of COVID Vaccine From China. Pakistan has purchased over 30 million doses of COVID vaccine from China that will soon arrive in the country to help in a drive to vaccinate its over 220 million population.
• Coronavirus: Islamabad schools, colleges closed till Eidul Fitr. Authorities have closed all public and private educational institutes in Islamabad till Eidul Fitr, the Federal Directorate of Education announced Sunday.
• Pakistan Win T-20 Series As Zimbabwe Defeated In Final Short Format Match.Pakistan defeated Zimbabwe by 24 runs in third and final Twenty20 international at Harare Sports Club to clinch series 2-1.
• PSL 2021 replacement draft to take place next week: reports.The replacement draft for the remaining Pakistan Super League (PSL) season six matches will reportedly take place next week.
• Babar Azam becomes fastest to score 2,000 T20I runs.Pakistan captain Babar Azam has become the fastest to score 2,000 runs in T20 Internationals.

• Coronavirus Claims More 157 Deaths.Pakistan has reported 157 deaths in the last 24 hours by novel coronavirus as the number of positive cases has surged to 790,016. The nationwide tally of fatalities has jumped to 16,999 on Saturday.
• NCOC hints at lockdown in high-risk cities amid a worsening COVID situation. National Command Operation Centre (NCOC) meeting headed by Asad Umar on Saturday hinted at lockdown in high-risk cities if COVID-19 situation further worsens
• Army Takes Charge In Islamabad To Ensure Implementation On Covid-19 SOPs.Pakistan Army on Saturday implementing National Coordination and Operation Center (NCOC) has taken charge of their duties in Islamabad.
• PM Expresses Solidarity With People Of India As They Battling Coronavirus. Prime Minister Imran Khan has called for collectively fighting the global challenge of Covid-19.
• 90pc Of Available Oxygen Is Consumed: Fawad. Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain said that currently, we are consuming 90 percent Oxygen of our total supply while the positivity ratio of cases has jumped to 11 percent.
• Pakistan Receives 500,000 COVID Vaccine Doses. A special plane from China arrived in Pakistan on Saturday, carrying a consignment of 500,000 coronavirus vaccines.
• Not oxygen but cylinder shortage can be expected: dealers. Amid calls for Pakistan to prepare ahead of an India-like Covid-19 crisis, oxygen dealers want the government to waive duties on the import of oxygen cylinders temporarily so that there are enough.
• Pakistan offers medical aid to India amid the growing Covid-19 crisis. As a gesture of solidarity with the people of India in the wake of the current Covid-19 wave, Pakistan on Saturday offered to provide relief support to New Delhi to deal with the sharp increase in the COVID-19 cases
• Pakistani Medical Student In New York Near To Blind In Acid Attack. An unidentified man threw acid on a Pakistani college student in the Long Island suburb of New York, US, disfiguring her face in an attack that activists want to be investigated as an anti-Muslim hate crime.
• Gold prices edge up in the domestic market. Gold prices went up to Rs104,500 per tola in the domestic market on Saturday, showing a rise of Rs200

• Prescribe medicines without using brand names, Pakistan regulator tells doctors. Doctors should write generic (chemical) drug names and not use brand names in their prescriptions, the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan has advised.

• The Reserve Bank has approved the transfer of 99,122 crore rupees as surplus to the central government for the accounting period of nine months ended March 31.
• Nepal President Bidya Devi Bhandari has dissolved Parliament and fixed general elections in November.
• The 2024 FIFA under-17 Women’s World Cup will be held in India from October 11 to 30, 2024.
• International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) is observed today globally.

• Noted environmentalist and Padma Vibhushan Sunderlal Bahuguna, who was being treated for Covid-19 at AIIMS hospital in Rishikesh, died today. He was 94.
• A Ceasefire came into force in Gaza Strip, bringing halt to fiercest fighting between Israel and Hamas from last 11 days.

• Pakistan condoles with Egypt after a deadly train derailment. Pakistan extended its condolences to Egypt on Monday, a day after 11 people were killed and 98 injured in a train accident in Egypt’s Qalioubia province north of Cairo.
• Rupee Falls By 12 Paisa Against USD. The exchange rate of the US Dollar increased by 12 paise in the interbank on Monday against the Pakistani rupee.
• Pakistan Team Arrives Zimbabwe For T-20 And Test Series. The winner of the T-20 and ODI series against South Africa, the green team on Monday reached Harare.
• CPI (M) veteran Pinarayi Vijayan took oath as Kerala chief minister for the second successive term.
• The Union Health Ministry asked all states to declare mucormycosis or “black fungus” an epidemic under the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897, stating that the infection is leading to prolonged morbidity and mortality amongst COVID-19 patients.
• A government advisory on stopping the spread of COVID-19 said that aerosols could be carried in the air for up to 10 metres and improving the ventilation of indoor spaces would reduce transmission.

• Pakistan Bans Incoming Passengers From India. The National Command Operation Centre (NCOC) meeting headed by Asad Umar on Monday placed India on C-category for travelers, banning incoming passengers over concerns regarding a COVID variant found in the neighboring country.
• Pakistan installs the first-ever mobile phone tower at K2 base camp. The Special Communication Organization, a government entity that works under the Ministry of Interior, has installed the first-ever cellphone tower at the K2 base camp.
• 0-magnitude earthquake jolts Swat, Mingora, and adjoining areas. An earthquake measuring 4.0 on the Richter Scale jolted Swat, Mingora, and its suburban areas
• FM Qureshi to depart for a three-day official visit to Iran. Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi will depart for a three-day official visit to Iran on Tuesday, citing sources
• Coronavirus: Balochistan govt announces closure of schools. Balochistan government has announced the closure of all schools across the province to contain the spread of novel coronavirus

• 8 Killed In Mosque Attack In Afghanistan. Eight members of the same family were gunned down in an attack on a mosque in eastern Afghanistan, officials said Sunday.
• PMD forecast rainfall with thunderstorms in upper areas of the country. Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast rain-wind/thunderstorms (a few Hailstorms) in the Potohar region, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir on Sunday (today).
• Academic activities for classes 9-12 resumed in COVID-hit areas: Shafqat Mahmood. Federal Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood on Sunday announced the resumption of academic activities for classes ninth to 12th in order to ensure preparation for the scheduled board exams nationwide
• At least 32 dead, over 100 injured after train derails in Egypt. At least 32 people have lost their lives and 109 sustained wounds in the horrible train accident, whereas, several victims were still trapped underneath overturned carriages.
• FM Qureshi says no meeting scheduled with the Indian counterpart. Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi while denying the media reports said that no meeting has been scheduled with his Indian counterpart during his three-day visit to the UAE

• At least six people died in Karnataka and Goa as Cyclone Tauktae intensified into a “very severe” cyclonic storm.
• The first batch of the drug 2-deoxy-D-glucose has been released for Covid patients today. The drug has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organization, DRDO which recently got the approval for emergency use from the Drugs Controller General of India, DCGI.
• International Invincible Gold Medal of this year has been conferred on Union Education Minister Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank.
• Rafael Nadal beat world number one Novak Djokovic to win a 10th Italian Open title. Nadal won through 7-5, 1-6, 6-3 against the defending champion.
• Miss Mexico Andrea Meza beat more than 70 contestants from around the globe to win the Miss Universe title for 2021.

• Government has said that the online appointments for 2nd Dose of Covishield will be given only after 84 days.
• China has successfully landed its rover on Mars. The China National Space Administration (CNSA) said its rover Zhu Rong had successfully landed in the pre-selected landing area in the Utopia Plain in southern part of Mars.
• Leicester won the FA Cup for the first time in the club’s 137-year history as Youri Tielemans strike to beat Chelsea 1-0 in the final at Wembley.

• PM Imran launches Rehmatul-Lil Alameen scholarship program. Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan Thursday launched the Rehmatul-Lil Alameen scholarship program in Islamabad.
• COAS Bajwa Visits Headquarters Of Fauji Foundation. Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Qamar Javed Bajwa Thursday visited headquarters of Fauji Foundation, Inter-Service Public Relations reported.
• Pakistan cuts the petrol price by Rs1.79.The government has reduced the price of petrol by Rs1.79, Finance Minister Hammad Azhar announced Thursday.
• PM launches Pakistan Medical Commission Online Service. Prime Minister Imran Khan has launched Pakistan Medical Commission Online Service to facilitate doctors, dentists, and students to apply online for licenses, certificates, and verification.
• Fawad Chaudhry appointed an information minister in a cabinet reshuffle. In a cabinet shuffle on Thursday, Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry was appointed minister for information and broadcasting for the second time.
• Pakistan supports US troop withdrawal in coordination with Afghan stakeholders: FO. The Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson said on Thursday that Pakistan supports the principle of responsible troop withdrawal in coordination with Afghan stakeholders
• Sindh extends the closure of shrines up to May 16. The Sindh government has decided to extend the closure of shrines for the general public across the province amid the third wave of Covid-19 cases in-country
• Minister’s reply sought on plea for cancellation of A/O level exams. The Sindh High Court (SHC) directed on Thursday Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood to file his reply to a petition seeking cancellation of A and O level exams.
• UAE played part in the India-Pakistan ceasefire, says the diplomat. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) played a role in getting longtime rivals Pakistan and India to agree to a cease-fire amid tensions over the disputed region of Kashmir, the Emirati ambassador to Washington said.

• Farooq Qaiser, who was a household name for Pakistani children of the 80s and 90s as Uncle Sargam, passed away,
• Eid-ul-Fitr is being celebrated across the country today.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi today released the 8th instalment of financial benefit under Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme to over 9 crore 50 lakh farmers in the country.
• The first dose of Sputnik-V vaccine has been administered in Hyderabad today as part of its soft launch and limited pilot.

• The expert panel of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation has granted permission to Bharat Biotech to conduct Phase- II and III trials of COVID vaccine Covaxin for the age group of two to 18 years.
• The National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) has recommended to increase the gap between two doses of Serum Institute of India’s Oxford COVID-19 vaccine, Covishield, to 12 to 16 weeks. The panel has, however, kept the dosage interval for Covaxin unchanged.
• The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the appointment of former India spinner Ramesh Powar as the head coach of India women’s cricket team.

• International Nurses Day is celebrated today to honour nurses and healthcare workers.
• U.S. regulators authorized Pfizer (PFE.N) and BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine for use in children as young as 12. This is the first COVID-19 vaccine to be authorized in the United States for ages 12 to 15.

• Pakistani mountaineer Sheroze Kashif became the youngest mountaineer to climb the world’s highest peak – Mount Everest.
• Today is National Technology Day. The day is celebrated every year on the 11th of May to highlight the achievements of engineers and scientists in the field of technology and science.
• The Nagaland government has announced a one week statewide total lockdown from the 14th of May.

• Senior BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma was sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Assam today. Governor Prof. Jagdish Mukhi administered him the oath of office.
• World number six Alexander Zverev beat Matteo Berrettini to clinch his second Madrid Open title. Zverev rallied to defeat Italian world number 10 Berrettini 6-7 (8), 6-4, 6-3 in the final.

• May 9 – 2021 in order to curb the spread of COVID-19 variants internationally.
• Senior BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma elected as the next Chief Minister of Assam. He was elected as the leader of the legislative party today.
• In Delhi, the lockdown has been extended till 17th of this month. The Delhi Metro services will also be suspended during this period.
• Mother’s Day is celebrated today.

• PMIK and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held candid discussion in the former’s three-day visit to the Saudi Kingdom
• President Alvi promulgated Election (Second Amendment) Ordinance, 2021, allowing voting rights to overseas Pakistanis and use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) during the election process.
• The Supreme Court of India constituted a 12-member national task force that would be tasked with formulating a methodology for the “scientific allocation of medical oxygen” to states and Union Territories (UTs) during the pandemic.
• The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has approved the emergency use of drug 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) as an adjunct therapy in moderate to severe Covid-19 patients. The Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS), a lab of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has developed the drug, in collaboration with Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, Hyderabad.
• The Health Ministry announced that requirement of a positive test for the COVID-19 virus is not mandatory for admission to a COVID-19 health facility and no patient will be refused services on any count.

• On May 07, Engr. Ahmed Farooq Bazai the government nominated as the new chairman of the Higher Education Commission.
• The Goa government has decided to impose a 15-day ‘total curfew’ in the state to contain the spread of coronavirus infections. The curfew will start from 9th May.
•  DMK chief MK Stalin was sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, along with 33 members of his cabinet, by Governor Banwarilal Purohit.
• In Puducherry, Mr. N. Rangasamy was sworn in as the Chief Minister by the Lt. Governor of Puducherry Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan today.
• Border Roads Organisation, BRO is celebrating its 61st Raising Day today.

• On May 06, President Alvi appointed 13 additional judges to the Lahore High Court.
• Kerala Government has declared complete lockdown across the state from May 8th to 16th, on account of surge in covid cases.
• Former Union Minister and Rashtriya Lok Dal Chief Ajit Singh passed away today after battling with corona virus.
• SpaceX achieved the first successful touchdown of its prototype Starship rocket during the latest test flight of the next-generation launch vehicle in south Texas.

• Mohammad Ashraf Khan, aka Sehrai, Chairman of Tehreek-e- Hurriyat and a lifetime aide of Syed Ali Geelani, passed away.
• Dr. Shamshad Akhtar was unanimously elected chairperson of the board of directors of Pakistan Stock Exchange, becoming the first woman elected to the post.
• In West Bengal, TMC chief Mamata Banerjee was sworn-in as the Chief Minister of the state for the third consecutive term. Ms. Banerjee has become the second woman in the country to be sworn in as Chief Minister of any state consecutively for three terms after former Chief Minister of Delhi, Sheila Dixit.

• Former Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral (R) Karamat Rahman Niazi, passed away on May 4.
• The 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) was suspended today by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) owing to the rise in COVID-19 cases among players and support staff of different franchises.
• The Bihar government has imposed a complete lockdown from tomorrow till May 15 due to surge in Covid-19 cases in the state.
• In Snooker, Mark Selby became the World Champion for the fourth time. Selby won the Championship defeating Shaun Murphy by 18-15 victory at Crucible Theatre, Sheffield.

• On May 03, Uzbekistan the first-ever shipment under the Convention on the International Transport of Goods, for traffic-in-transit of goods across the border, reached from Pakistan.

• Admiral (R) Karamat Rahman Niazi was the first Commanding Officer of the country’s first-ever submarine named Ghazi.
• The World Health Organisation has given the go-ahead for emergency use of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine.
• In the assembly elections held in four states and one Union territory, the ruling parties BJP expected to retain power in Assam, while TMC will retain power in West Bengal and LDF in Kerala. DMK is likely to form government in Tamil Nadu.

• On May 01, China began the construction of a third 054A frigate for Pakistan Navy.
• On May 01, Pakistani-born Dr. Kamal Munir was appointed Pro-Vice Chancellor of Cambridge University.
• Statehood Day is observed in Gujarat and Maharashtra.
• Today is International Labour Day. The day is celebrated to honour the contribution of workers across the world.
• The first batch of Russia’s coronavirus vaccine, Sputnik V, has arrived in Hyderabad. Dr Reddy’s Laboratories has partnered with the makers of Sputnik V to roll out the vaccine in India.