1. Voters come out in large numbers during last phase
i. Brisk voting was recorded till noon on Monday in most of the 41 constituencies in three states during last phase of Lok Sabha polls in which the spotlight is on the high-profile contest in Varanasi where a controversy broke out over the Congress candidate sporting the party symbol. ii. Over nine crore voters are expected to vote to seal the fate of 606 candidates, including BJP�s prime ministerial nominee Narendra Modi and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal (both Varanasi) and SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav (Azamgarh) in the ninth phase of polling in the states of Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Bihar.
iii. Voting was by and large peaceful except in West Bengal where 13 people were injured in a clash between CPI(M) and Trinamool Congress supporters in North 24 Parganas district.
2. Government gets poll panel nod to appoint next army chief
i. The Election Commission on Monday gave a go-ahead to the defence ministry to initiate the process of appointing the next army chief, an issue that was caught in a controversy because of the BJP's protest.
ii. The ministry recommended Lt Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag to be the next army chief. A recommendation was sent to the appointments committee of cabinet, sources said.
iii. In a communication sent to the defence ministry on Monday morning, the EC cited its March 27 order which makes it clear that appointments, promotions, tenders and procurements of defence forces are not covered under the model code of conduct in the ongoing elections as well as any other election in the future, sources said.
iv. The incumbent army chief Gen Bikram Singh will retire on July 31 and as per the tradition, the successor is to be appointed two months ahead of that.
3. India cheapest major economy: Survey
i. Indian cities are the cheapest places for a movie and burger date, whereas London has been termed the most expensive city for a date. While Kuala Lumpur and Mumbai have been termed the cheapest places for a weekend holiday, Sydney is reportedly the most expensive, according to a new study.
ii. In its third edition of its annual survey of global prices, the agency has noted that as in previous years, Australia is overall the most expensive major economy, while the United States is generally the cheapest developed country. Brazil remains very expensive for a developing country.
iii. There are many cities in the world that are now more expensive than Tokyo. China remains very cheap in some categories like car rentals, but in many categories it is steadily converging on US prices. For a number of branded goods like Levi�s jeans, Adidas shoes and iPhones, the agency has found China to be more expensive than the United States.
4. President confers National Florence Nightingale Awards on 35 nursing personnel
i. President Pranab Mukherjee today conferred National Florence Nightingale Awards for 2014 on 35 nursing personnel for their meritorious services. The award is given every year on this day which is International Nurses' Day.
ii. The award instituted in 1973, carries a medal, a certificate and citation and cash prize of 50 thousand rupees. It is given to the outstanding nursing personnel employed in Central, State, Union Territories, Non-Government and Voluntary Organisations.
iii. India�s healthcare industry today is worth more than 45 billion dollars which is less than one per cent of the global healthcare industry even though it serves about 17 per cent of the world population.
5. Indian Railways launched a book entitled India Junction � A Window to the Nation
i. Arunendra Kumar, the Chairman of Railway Board on 9 May 2014 released a book entitled India Junction � A Window to the Nation. The book has been brought out by Public Relations Directorate Railway Board.
About the Book
The book features in-depth analytical essays of the rich history of Railways in India. It contains delectable travel pieces along with some truly amazing and rare photo features. It has examined that how railways has transformed the lives over time.
6. O�Sullivan named as Snooker�s Player of the Year
i. Ronnie O�Sullivan on 8 may 2014 was crowned World Snooker�s Player of the Year at the sport's annual awards ceremony in London.
ii. Apart from this, O�Sullivan was also handed the Fans Player of the Year award after being voted by snooker supporters.
7. Nadal wins in Madrid title
i. Rafael Nadal won his fourth title at the Madrid Mutual Open on Sunday as he defeated Japan�s Kei Nishikori 2-6, 6-4, 3-0 in a match his opponent was forced to abandon due to an injury in the final set.
ii. It was tough on the number 10 seed, who took the game to the home favourite and despite a partisan crowd cheering in Nadal�s favor and blitzed his way to the first set with some wonderful aggressive tennis.
8. Manila to host 1st leg of newly launched International Premier Tennis League
i. Manila will host the first leg of the newly launched International Premier Tennis League (IPTL).
ii. The organisers of the event said today that it has been shifted from Bangkok to Manila because of the political unrest in Thailand.
iii. The Tennis League has attracted many top players of the ATP and WTA Tour to compete in the team competition.
iv. The league format features a total of 24 matches to be played in the four host cities Manila, Singapore, Mumbai and Dubai from November to December. The teams compete against each other in one-set men's singles, women's singles, men's doubles, mixed doubles and legends singles matches and the team that wins the most games (not sets) wins the match tie.
9. Sammy retires from tests but remains T20 captain
i. Asserting that he had no choice but to retire from Test cricket, hard-hitting West Indies all-rounder Darren Sammy on Sunday said his role was not needed as captain and player in that format and IPL had nothing to do with his decision.
ii. Sammy, who remains as the T20 skipper, decided to retire from Test captaincy on Friday when the selectors announced Denesh Ramdin as his replacement. The 6 feet 5 inches tall player said it�s best to read the writing on the wall.
iii. �West Indies cricket has a new dispensation. It has a new force and direction and I am no longer required to play a role in Tests. I had no choice but to retire from Test cricket,� said Sammy.
