TODAYS NEWS FOR FUTURE
1) The boxing bout between which two boxers held on 2 May 2015 was billed by numerous hyperboles such as the
“Fight of the Century” and “The Battle for Greatness”? – Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and Manny Pacquiao
Explanation: The Professional Boxing Match between American boxer Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and Manny Pacquiao
(the Philippines) created sensation all around the world. This bout (welterweight category) was held at MGM Garden
Arena in Las Vegas (US). It was won by Floyd Mayweather, Jr. who defeated his Pilipino opponent on points. The
bout was not just the most anticipated bout in recent times but was also the highest grossing fight in the history of
boxing. While Mayweather earned a mind-boggling Rs. 1142 crore, Pacquiao also pocketed Rs. 761 crore despite
losing. The bout was actually anticipated as early as in 2009 but disagreements between the two boxers’ camps on
terms for the fight prevented this. After this win Floyd Mayweather, Jr. has a perfect professional record of 48 wins
and 0 losses (although he lost in the Olympic games of 1996). On the other hand Manny Pacquiao has won 57 of his
64 bouts with 38 wins in knock-outs. He is a cult personality in the Philippines and is a likely candidate for
Presidency.
2) The Department of Telecom (DoT) deadline to fully implement the mobile number portability (MNP) across the
country was extended by how many months on 2 May 2015? – Two months
Explanation: The earlier deadline to roll out ‘Full MNP’ was 3 May 2015. DoT had sought extension for implementing
nationwide MNP as telecom operators have to make some technical changes to their networks due to changes in
national numbering plan (NNP) and this could take about 8 weeks. It has amended NNP asking telecom operators to
allow their subscribers to dial on to mobile numbers within the same circle as well as inter-circle without any prefix.
Calls can also be made using the prefix ‘0’ and/or ‘+91′. The full MNP will allow subscribers to retain their mobile
number in any part of the country even when they change their operator or state. At present, MNP allows subscribers
to change mobile network while retaining their number in the same telecom circle.
3) Which state govt. launched ‘Niramaya’, a free drug distribution scheme to cover whole state on 1 May 2015? –
Odisha
Explanation: ‘Niramaya’ is the name given to an ambitious free drug distribution scheme of the Odisha Govt. to
provide as many as 570 medicines in all the 30 districts of the State. The scheme was formally launched by Chief
Minister Naveen Patnaik on 1 May. It will be managed by the Odisha State Medical Corporation (OSMC). The State
Government has already allocated Rs.200 crore for the free medicine scheme in the budget for 2015-16. Apart from
general ailments, medicines for treatment of cancer, haemophilia, thalassemia and sickle cell diseases will also be
provided under the scheme.
4) Which noted Indian scientist was chosen for Japan’s highest civilian award – the “Order of the Rising Sun, Gold
and Silver Star” as announced by the Japanese Govt. on 2 May 2015? – Prof. C.N.R. Rao
Explanation: Professor C.N.R. Rao is a National Research Professor and Honorary President of the Jawaharlal
Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bengaluru, an autonomous institution supported by the Ministry of
Science & technology, Government of India. He is one of the most distinguished scientists of India at present and
apart from being honoured with the highest civilian award of India, Bharat Ratna, he has been bestowed with about
70 honorary doctorates. He was named as a winner of Japan’s prestigious “Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver
Star” for his ‘contribution to promoting academic interchange and mutual understanding in science and technology
between Japan and India’. The order is awarded to those who have made distinguished achievements in the
following fields: international relations, promotion of Japanese culture, advancements in their field, development in
welfare or preservation of the environment.
5) Who took over as the new Director General of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) on 1 May 2015? –
Surender Singh
Explanation: Surender Singh is a 1980-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the West Bengal cadre. He was
serving as a special director in the Intelligence Bureau (IB) before taking up his new assignment as CISF chief. He
succeeded Arvind Ranjan, a 1977-batch IPS officer of Kerala cadre who retired on 30 April 2015.
6) Ruth Rendell, who passed away on 2 May 2015, was associated with which field? – Crime fiction writing
Explanation: 85-year old Ruth Rendell was an English author of thrillers and psychological murder mysteries. She
was one of Britain’s best-selling contemporary authors, also wrote under the pen-name Barbara Vine. Many of her
works were translated into more than 20 languages and adapted for cinema and TV, attracting worldwide sales of 60
million. Some of her famous works include “From Doon to Death”, “A Judgement in Stone”, “The Face of Trespass”,
“Live Flesh”, “Talking to Strange Men”, “The Killing Doll”, “Going Wrong”, “Adam and Eve and Pinch Me”, “The
Monster in the Box” and “The Vault”. Inspector Reginald Wexford was one of the most famous characters created by
her.
7) Which Indian airport was recently presented the world’s best airport award for the year 2014 by Airports Council
International (ACI), under the category of handling 25 to 40 million passengers per annum? – Indira Gandhi
International Airport (Delhi)
Explanation: Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) was presented Airports Council International (ACI’s)
Airport Service Quality (ASQ) award at a ceremony of the ACI Asia-Pacific/World Annual General Assembly held at
Jordan on 28 April 2015. The Delhi airport scored 4.90 on a scale of 5 points measured by 300 members of the ACI
ASQ benchmarking programme. IGIA bettered its ranking from second position for the years 2011, 2012 and 2013 to
emerge on top in 2014. Their score was 3.02 in 2007. ASQ is the key to understanding how to increase passenger
satisfaction and improve business performance. IGIA hosts six domestic carriers, 56 international carriers and also
has the capacity to handle the gigantic Airbus A380 aircraft. It is a joint venture between the GMR Group, Airports
Authority of India, Fraport and Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad.
8) Which Latin American city has highest bookstores per capita than any other major city in the world, according to a
recent study by the World Cities Cultural Forum? –Buenos Aires (Argentina)
Explanation: According to the data disclosed by World Cities Cultural Forum (WCCF), Argentine capital Buenos
Aires has more bookstores per capita than any other major city in the world. With a population of 2.8 million people
within the city limits, there are 25 bookstores for every 100,000 people, putting Buenos Aires far above other world
cities like London, Paris, Madrid, Moscow and New York. The closest is Hong Kong, which has 22 bookstores per
100,000 people. WCCF said hence Buenos Aires could also be described as world’s bookstore capital. WCCF is an
organization that works to promote culture.