 IT firm Cognizant has acquired privately-held Belgium based Hedera Consulting, a move that will strengthen the former’s consulting and digital transformation capabilities for clients in Belgium and the Netherlands. The size of the deal was however not disclosed. Founded in 2009, Hedera specialises in business advisory and data analytics services across sectors, helping clients in areas like growth strategy, innovation, marketing, sales and customer service. |
| Source- The Livemint |
Every year, 3 May is a date which celebrated as the World Press Freedom Day to evaluate press freedom around the world, to defend the media from attacks on their independence and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession. This year’s global theme for WPFD is ‘Keeping Power in Check: Media, Justice and The Rule of Law’. In 2018, UNESCO will lead the 25th celebration of World Press Freedom Day. The main event, jointly organized by UNESCO and the Government of the Republic of Ghana, will take place in Accra, Ghana.
Background: World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1993 following a Recommendation adopted at the twenty-sixth session of UNESCO's General Conference in 1991. This, in turn, was a response to a call by African journalists who in 1991 produced the landmark Windhoek Declaration on media pluralism and independence.
| Source- The United Nations |
 Maharashtra became the first state to provide digitally-signed land record receipts (also known as 7/12 receipts), which Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis claimed would check irregularities and bring in transparency. The 7/12 receipt is the most important document which establishes the ownership of the land and is primarily used by farmers while applying for loans. It is also used by the government during crop surveys and to extend various facilities. |
| Source- The Hindu |
 Former Australian cricketer Justin Langer has been appointed as Australian cricket team's head coach for all three formats. Langer replaces Darren Lehmann, who had stepped down after Australia's tour of South Africa amid the ball-tampering controversy. The 47-year-old, who represented Australia in 105 Tests, will begin his four-year term ahead of limited-overs series against England in June. |
| Source- The Guardian |
 Stepping up its crackdown on money laundering and round-tripping, SEBI recently came out with a detailed framework for risk-based Know Your Customer (KYC) documentation of foreign portfolio investors (FPIs). Among other things, the market regulator made it clear that non-resident Indians (NRIs), overseas citizens of India (OCI) and resident Indians cannot be beneficial owners of FPIs. NRIs and OCIs can only obtain an FPI licence on condition that they limit their roles to investment advisors and do not invest their money. Sebi further sought a comprehensive list of beneficial owners from the existing FPIs within six months. |
| Source- Business Standard |
 The bilateral trade between India and China through Nathu La border has resumed. The announcement in this regard was made by the General Secretary of the Indo-China Border Traders’ Welfare Association, Tenzing Tsepel. Trade between India and China through Nathu La border, located at a height of 14,200 feet, resumed in 2006, 44 years after it was closed. As per the agreement, both countries agreed the list of items to 36 as export items and 20 as import items. |
| Source- AIR World Service |
 The first Finance Minister in the Left Front government in West Bengal Ashok Mitra passed away in Kolkata. He was 90. Besides serving the State Government, he also worked with the Central Government as the Chief Economic Adviser and was a member of Rajya Sabha. |
| Source- The Hindu |
 The 15th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas will be held in the holy city of Varanasi in January 2019 with the Indian diaspora having an option to participate in Kumbha Snan and attend the Republic Day parade in New Delhi.
This year’s event would be inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi and his Mauritian counterpart Pravind Jugnauth. Organised by the Ministry of External Affairs in association with the Uttar Pradesh government, the theme of this Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is “Role of Indian Diaspora in building a New India”.
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| Source- The Hindu |
 Telecom Commission approved a proposal for allowing people to make phone calls and use internet services in domestic and international flights in India, with certain riders. Telecom Commission (the highest decision-making body of telecom department) also approved regulator TRAI’s recommendations on internet telephony in its meeting in New Delhi.
Another proposal that received approval entails creation of an ombudsman to deal with telecom grievances. The ombudsman will be set up under TRAI and will require an amendment to the TRAI Act.
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| Source- DD News |
The government has released the draft of the new Telecom policy named National Digital Communications Policy, 2018. The policy aims at creating 40 lakh new jobs by 2022, attracting 100 billion US dollars investment in the sector and ensuring broadband coverage at 50 mbps for every citizen. The draft proposes one Gbps connectivity to all Gram Panchayats by 2020 and 10 Gbps by 2022. It also proposes to address woes of the Telecom sector by reviewing licence fees, spectrum usage charges, universal service obligation fund levy for enhancing ease of doing business in the sector.
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