Current Affairs – May 9, 2018

S.No Topic Page Number

1 World News 2 - 3

2 National News 4 - 5

3 State News 6

4 Banking & Economy 7 – 8

5 Sports News 9

6 Awards & Honours 10

7 Appointments & Resignation 11

8 Science & Techonology 12

World News

Trump announces US withdrawal from Iran nuclear deal

 On May 8, 2018, US President Donald Trump announced withdrawal of US from Iran Nuclear Deal.  After years of tension over Iran’s alleged efforts to develop a nuclear weapon, in 2015, Iran agreed a long-term deal with the US, UK, France, China, Russia and Germany.  As per the deal, Iran agreed to limit its sensitive nuclear activities if the economic sanctions imposed on it were lifted.  On May 8, 2018, US President Donald Trump withdrew from this deal and re-imposed sanctions on Iran, saying that it was a poorly negotiated deal by his predecessor Barack Obama-led administration and the agreement had not prevented Iran from its quest for nuclear weapons.  However, Trump has also stated that he is ready, willing and able to renegotiate a nuclear deal that would definitively end Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons.

Beijing to hold World Robot Conference 2018

 On 8th May 2018, authorities said that, the 2018 World Robot Conference will be held in Beijing from 15th to 19th August 2018.  More than 12,000 teams and 50,000 participants from over 10 countries and regions will participate in the conference.  A robot competition will be conducted during the conference. Participants will compete in five categories in this competition.  This conference will enhance passion and innovation in the robot industry and help to improve research and development.

2019 Climate Summit to be held in New York: UN

 On 8th May 2018, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced that a climate summit will be held in September 2019 in New York to review the Paris Agreement commitments.  Antonio Guterres made this announcement at the opening ceremony of the 37th session of the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean.

 In March 2018, he appointed former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg as his Special Envoy for Climate Action.  He announced that Michael Bloomberg will support the UN in its climate strategy and to organise the 2019 summit.

Nepal grants power generation licence to Indian company

 Investment Board Nepal (IBN) has granted licence to Satluj Jala Vodyut Nigam Power Development Company, a subsidiary of Indian government-owned Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd, to generate power from the Arun-3 Hydropower Project that is located in Nepal.  The licence was granted in accordance with the decision taken at the 30th meeting of IBN’s board of directors chaired by Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on 28th April 2018.  The company has paid Nepali Rupees 5 million as licence fee to the board. Indian government has approved investment of Rs 57.24 billion proposed by SJVN in Arun-3 Hydropower Project.  Arun-3 Hydropower Project is an export-oriented project. It will sell the electricity to India.

US and Philippines began military exercises

 US and Philippine forces have begun their largest annual military exercises named Balikatan. The Balikatan exercises involved combat drills in mock urban settings to train special forces in battling terrorists.

Saudi women to start driving from June 24

 Saudi women will be allowed to start driving in the kingdom from June 24, the General Department of Traffic Director General Mohammed Bassami.

National News

India launches biggest city gas distribution auction

 On May 8, 2018, India launched auction for 9th city gas distribution (CGD) licensing round offering permits for selling compressed and piped natural gas (CNG and PNG).  This auction is being considered as the biggest so far as it will offer permits for CGD in 86 geographical areas.  Awards from the 9th CGD licensing round would extend gas coverage to 174 districts in 22 states and Union Territories, covering 29 per cent of India’s area and 24 per cent of the population

President clears Delhi govt’s amendment in minimum wages act

 President Ram Nath Kovind has given his assent to Delhi government’s proposed Bill to amend the Minimum Wages Act.  As per the amended act, employers violating labour rules in Delhi will now face fine ranging from Rs 20000-50000 and jail term between one to three years.  In March 2017, Delhi’s Lt. Governor Anil Baijal had approved Delhi Government’s decision to hike the minimum wages of unskilled, semi-skilled and skilled workers by 37 per cent.  Minimum wages for an unskilled worker in Delhi is Rs 13350 per month, for semi-skilled, it is Rs 14698 and for skilled persons is Rs 16182.  The amendment prescribes that the court before which the prosecution complaint is made, will dispose it off within a month from the date of filing.

Commission approves modern animal-free testing for drugs

 In the 2018 edition of Indian Pharmacopoeia, that provides guidelines on tests for drugs manufactured and marketed in India, Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission has approved modern, animal-free tests for drug manufacturers.  As per the new guidelines that will come into effect from July 1, 2018, pyrogen test (carried out to check impurity or substance that can cause adverse side-effects) will be replaced by a bacterial endotoxin test or a monocyte activation test which can be carried out in test tubes.  Under pyrogen test, the drug is injected into a rabbit and the animal is closely observed for feverish symptoms.

 As per the new guidelines, for the abnormal toxicity test, that is carried out to check potential hazardous biological contamination in vaccine formulations, vaccine manufacturers can apply for waiver by getting a compliance certificate from the National Control Laboratory.  Under abnormal toxicity test, mice or guinea pigs are injected with the vaccine and then, scientists observe if there is death of any animal.

One Stop Centres’ for women in 100 more districts

 On May 8th,2018; To help violence affected women, the centre has approved setting up of 100 additional One Stop Centres (OSC) in 9 states and these states areHaryana, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.  The sole purpose of these OSCs is to facilitate integrated services to those women’s by providing them services like police assistance, medical aid, psycho-social counselling and all these can now be available under one roof.  The Ministry of Women & Child Development has already set up 182 Centres till date under this scheme for women affected by violence since April, 2015 and over 1.3 lakhs such women affected by violence have been assisted at these centres till date in 33 States/UT  Raipur, Chhattisgarh, where the first OSC was built has received the President’s award on March 8, which is celebrated as International Women’s Day.

15th Finance Commission constituted advisory council

 The 15th Finance Commission has constituted an advisory council to advise and assist the commission. The six-member council will be headed by the President of Forum for Strategic Initiatives, Arvind Virmani.  The role and functions of the council will be to advise the commission on any issue or subject related to the Terms of Reference (ToR) of the Commission.  The council will also assist the commission in the preparation of any paper or research study which will enhance the Commission’s understanding on the issues containing in its ToR.  The advisory council will help in broadening the commission’s ambit and understanding to seek best national and international practices on matters pertaining to fiscal devolution and improving the quality and reach and enforcement of its recommendations.

State News

1 lakh incentive to SC, ST students in Bihar

 The Bihar Cabinet on Tuesday announced a Rs1 lakh encouragement incentive for Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe students who clear the UPSC preliminary test.  The Cabinet also decided to provide Rs1,000 to each SC/ST student as hostel incentive and free supply of 15 kg foodgrain to the hostels.  “The Cabinet approved the decision to give Rs1 lakh and Rs 50,000 as encouragement incentive to those SC/ST students who clear the UPSC and the BPSC tests,” Chief  Secretary Anjani Kumar Singh said. The Cabinet also approved 16 decisions of different departments on Tuesday.

Banking & Economy

India fastest growing economy at 7.4 per cent in 2018: IMF

 As per International Monetary Fund’s (IMF’s) Asia and Pacific Regional Economic Outlook report released on May 8, 2018, India will be the fastest growing major economy in 2018, clocking a growth rate of 7.4 per cent.  As per IMF, Indian economy is recovering from after effects of demonetisation in November 2016 and roll out of Goods and Services Tax (GST) in July 2017.  IMF reiterated that medium-term prospects for Indian economy remains positive and growth rate is expected to rise to 7.8 per cent in 2019.  Consumer Price Indexinflation is projected to be five per cent in 2018 and 2019.  On account of increased inflation pressure, IMF is of the view that monetary policy should maintain a tightening bias.

TRAI releases draft of telecom interconnection regulations

 On 8th May 2018, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) released the draft amendment of telecommunication interconnection regulations.  As per the draft, TRAI has set time-frame for provisioning of ports for initial interconnection and augmentation to be increased to a maximum 42 working days.  The draft said a service provider may request the other service provider for additional ports at a Point of Interconection (POI), if the projected utilisation of the capacity of such POI at the end of 60 days from the date of placing the request, would be more than 85 %.  Such projected utilisation of the capacity of POI will be determined based on daily traffic for the preceding 60 days at the POI during busy hour.  TRAI said that, each service provider can offer its forecast of busy hour outgoing traffic for each POI, once in every six months, to the interconnecting service provider.  The first such forecast can be provided within 60 days of the release of “The Telecom Interconnection (Amendment) Regulations, 2018” and after that on 1st April and 1st October every year.

NASA, Uber team up to make flying cars a reality

 On 8th May 2018, Uber and NASA announced that they are tying up to simulate flying taxis in urban areas.

 NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) and Uber have signed an agreement to explore the implementation of flying taxis in US cities.  NASA said that it will start simulations for the “urban air mobility” vehicles. The urban air mobility vehicles also include delivery drones.  This announcement was made at the Uber Elevate summit in Los Angeles. NASA has said that, the aim is to develop a rideshare network using which residents can hail a small aircraft like how Uber users now hire a car using the app.  NASA said that, the simulations have been planned at its research facility at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.

LIMCO signs MoU with APCPL for giving out crutches, aids at Charkhi Dadri

 Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India(ALIMCO), under Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment and Aravali Power Company Pvt Ltd (APCPL),Jhajjar has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for Distribution of Aids and Assistive Devices to Persons with Disabilities at Charkhi Dadri District of Haryana under the CSR initiative of APCPL.  As per the MoU, Distribution camps will be organized at Charkhi Dadri District for an estimated cost of Rs 2 Crores.  In the Distribution Camps artificial limbs, aids & appliances such as Motorized Tricycles Tricycle, Wheel Chairs, BTE Hearing Aids, Crutch Axilla Adjustable, Braille Cane, MSIED Kit, Braille Kit, Smart Cane, Smart Phones etc. to Persons with Disabilities will be distributed.

Walmart acquires Flipkart for $16 billion, world’s largest ecommerce deal

 Walmart Inc will acquire a 77 percent holding in Flipkart Group for $16 billion.  Flipkart co-founder Binny Bansal and other shareholders will hold the remaining shares.  Japan’s Softbank will exit Flipkart by selling entire 20 per cent stake to Walmart. Flipkart co-founder Sachin Bansal will exit Flipkart by selling his 5.5 % stake to Walmart.  This is said to be the largest-ever deal in e-commerce. It is said that, Flipkart will maintain a separate brand and operating structure.

Sports News

Sachin Tendulkar, Anurag Thakur launch ‘Khel Mahakumbh’

 Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Anurag Thakur and cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar launched ‘Star Khel Mahakumbh’ in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, in the presence of 1500 athletes.

Arun Bhardwaj will head the Centre of Excellence for Cricket

 Noted coach and umpire Arun Bhardwaj will head the Centre of Excellence. Known for his sound knowledge of the game, Bhardwaj, who calls himself a “student” of the game, is a retired employee of the Sports Authority of India.

Manchester City lift third premier league trophy in seven seasons

 It took three weeks for Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany to finally get his hands on the Premier League trophy. This was also Pep Guardiola’s first league title in England.

Awards & Honours

Narendra Modi among Top 10 most powerful People in the world: forbes

 Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has secured a place among the 10 most powerful people in the world in Forbes’ 2018 list of the world’s most powerful people that was released on 8th May 2018.  The list is topped by Chinese President Xi Jinping. Reliance Industries (RIL) Chairman Mukesh Ambani is the only Indian businessman who has appeared in the list. He has obtained 32nd rank.  Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has secured ninth rank on Forbes’ 2018 list of the world’s most powerful people.  Russian President Vladimir Putin is in 2nd position. US President Donald Trump has secured third rank.  The list features a total of 75 people. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has been ranked 13. British Prime Minister Theresa May occupies 14thrank.  Apple CEO Tim Cook is in 24th rank. Indian-origin Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella is in 40th place.

Appointments & Resignation

Carlos Alvarado is sworn in as Costa Rica’s 48th president

 On May 8, 2018, Journalist Carlos Alvarado was sworn in as Costa Rica’s 48th President.  First round of Presidential election in Costa Rica was held in February 2018, followed by a runoff election.  In the runoff election, Carlos Alvarado of the ruling Citizens’ Action Party got 60.8 per cent of the votes while his opponent, Fabricio Alvarado of the National Restoration party managed to secure only 39.2 percent votes.  During the inauguration ceremony in Costa Rica capital, San Jose, Alvarado accepted the sash of office from his predecessor and ally, Luis Guillermo Solis.  During election campaign, Carlos Alvarado, the former labour minister spoke in favour of same-sex marriage. In his first speech post being sworn-in, he stated that he intends to improve employment, education and health and fight poverty.

Cabinet Secretary P.K. Sinha gets extension till 2019

 On 7th May 2018, government gave one year extension to Cabinet Secretary Pradeep Kumar Sinha till June 2019.  P.K. Sinha will be the Cabinet Secretary till the next Lok Sabha elections. He was appointed as Cabinet Secretary in May 2015 for a two-year term.  He took charge as Cabinet Secretary in 13 June 2015. He had been given one-year extension in 2017.  He had replaced Ajit Seth. Pradeep Kumar Sinha is a 1977-batch IAS officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre.  Earlier he was Power Secretary. He had also worked in various ministries like Shipping and Petroleum and Natural Gas.

New York attorney general Eric Schneiderman resigns

 New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced that he would be resigning from office hours after four women accused him of physical violence.

Science & Techonology

China launches new satellite Gaofen-5 to monitor air pollution

 On8thMay, 2018; China successfully launched Gaofen-5, a hyper-spectral imaging satellite, as part of the country’s high- resolution Earth observation project.  The Gaofen-5 satellite was launched off the back of a Long March 4C rocketfrom the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre in northern Shanxi Province.  The satellite, launched as part of its high-resolution Earth observation project, was developed and produced by China Aerospace Science andTechnology Corporationcan be used for comprehensive environmental monitoring.  It can dynamically reflect the state of air pollution in China through the monitoring of air pollutants, greenhouse gases, and aerosols and it can detect inland water, land surface environment and altered minerals, providing reliable data for China’s environmental monitoring, resource exploration and disaster prevention and mitigation.  It is the 274th flight mission by a Long March carrier rocket and has a designed life of eight years.  It is the world’s first full-spectrum hyperspectralsatellite for comprehensive observation of the atmosphere and the land.

Rajasthan institute comes up with new sheep insemination technique

 Scientists at the Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute (CSWRI), Rajasthan, have come up with a new laparascope-assisted insemination technique for sheep.  This new technique has resolved the difficulties involved in freezing of semen and inability to transit the complex reproductive tract of the ruminant mammals.  The technique involves passing a rigid fibre-optic laparoscope into the abdomen through a small incision. The reproductive tract is located through camera and the frozen semen is deposited into the uterus.  Scientists at CSWRI have claimed that new technique would help achieve up to 60% survival in the birth of lambs and would enable to inseminate as many as 40 females from a single ejaculate.