Current Affairs Current Affairs May 2018

 The first month of the current financial year has brought some bad news on the inflation front with both retail (Consumer Price Index or CPI) and producer (Wholesale Price Index or WPI) inflation showing a surge raising the possibility of a policy rate hike by the Reserve Bank in the near future. A statement issued by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation revealed that an increase in fruit and vegetable prices, coupled with egg prices, has pushed CPI to 4.58 percent in April, from 4.28 percent in March. The Consumer Food Price Index, however, was a tad lower at 2.8 percent in April, from 2.81 percent in March. The latest number has put a break on the slide in CPI since January this year.
Source- The Hindu Business Line

 FIH Mobile, the investment subsidiary of Foxconn Technology Group, the world’s largest contract manufacturing giant, has written off an additional $40 million of its $200 million bet on Gurgaon-based online marketplace Snapdeal. The latest write-down comes about nine months after the Hong Kong-listed unit of the Apple iPhone manufacturer announced that it had undertaken an impairment loss of $160 million. In its 2017 annual report, FIH Mobile has stated the company had come to the view that its entire $200 million investment in Jasper Infotech, first announced in September 2015, cannot be recovered.
Source- The Economic Times  

 The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a comprehensive plan to eliminate industrially-produced artificial trans fats from the global food supply by 2023. WHO calls on governments to use the 'REPLACE' action package to eliminate industrially-produced trans-fatty acids from the food supply. Elimination of trans fats is key to protecting the health and saving lives. The global health body estimates that every year, trans fat intake leads to over 5,00,000 deaths worldwide from cardiovascular diseases. 
Source- The Economic Times

  Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and UAE Minister of State & Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) Group CEO Dr. Sultan Al Jaber flagged off the first consignment of 2 million barrels of ADNOC crude for Mangalore Cavern. During the day, Mr Pradhan also held the bilateral meeting with H.E. Dr. Jaber. The Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister also had an interactive session with over 250 Indian professionals, business leaders and community representatives working in the UAE. The event was organised by the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi.
  • The UAE Capital- Abu Dhabi, Currency- UAE dirham.
Source- Business Standard
 

A state-run Chinese bank, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) has launched the country's first India-dedicated publicly offered investment fund, saying the Indian market offers the best opportunity for Chinese investors due to the prospects of double-digit growth. The fund, named the ICBC Credit Suisse India Market Fund, will invest in exchange-traded funds listed on more than 20 exchanges in Europe and the US that are based on the Indian market. It is China's first publicly offered fund for investing in India. The fund will invest in the future of the Indian economy and track the distribution of the industrial structure across the Indian market.
Source- DD News

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu was on a five-day visit to South America's Guatemala, Peru and Panama.Bilateral trade and investments were discussed during the visit. This was the Vice President's first overseas visit after assuming office. He was be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Jasvantsinh Sumanbahi Bhabhor.
1. On 1st Leg Visited Guatemala: Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu arrived in Guatemala on the first leg of his three-nation tour to Latin America. During his stay in Guatemala city, Mr Naidu met the leadership of the nation. A pact has been signed between India and Guatemala for strengthening diplomatic cooperation through Respective Foreign Service Institutes in the educational field.
  2. On 2nd Leg Visited Panama: On 2nd leg, Mr Naidu visited Panama where India and Panama have signed 2 agreements on the exemption of Visas for holders of Diplomatic and Official Passports and in the field of Agriculture. During the talks with Panamanian leaders, Mr Naidu also announced a total of US $ 25 million Line of Credit for setting up a Centre of Bio-diversity and Drug Tracking and a Centre for Innovation and Technology.  
3. On 3rd Leg Visited Peru: Vice President Venkaiah Naidu arrived in Peru on the third and final leg of his three-nation visit to Latin America. India and Peru signed an agreement in the field of Renewable Energy at Lima. The pact was signed in the presence of Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and the Prime Minister Cesar Villanueva Arevalo.
Source- Press Information Bureau (PIB)

  General Bipin Rawat, Chief of the Army Staff is on an official visit to Sri Lanka for four days. During the visit, he will hold talks with top political and military leadership of Sri Lanka and explore new areas of military-to-military cooperation between the ground forces of the two countries. The visit assumes significance in light of India’s persistent efforts to strengthen the existing bonds of friendship and military cooperation based on mutual interests and understanding.
Source- DD News

 The Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh chaired a meeting of the High Level Committee (HLC) in New Delhi for Central Assistance to the States/ UT of Assam (affected by floods during 2017-18), Himachal Pradesh(affected by floods/ landslides during 2017-18), Sikkim (affected by floods/ landslides during 2017-18), Lakshadweep (affected by cyclone Ockhi during 2017) and Rajasthan (affected by Kharif drought during 2017). The HLC approved assistance of Rs 480.87 crore in respect of state of Assam. The HLC also approved assistance from NDRF amounting to Rs 84.60 crore for the state of Himachal Pradesh, Rs 67.40 crore for the state of Sikkim, Rs 2.16 crore for the UT of Lakshadweep and Rs 526.14 crore for the state of Rajasthan.The total assistance approved was Rs 1,161.17 crores.
Source- Press Information Bureau (PIB)

  A parliamentary panel headed by veteran BJP leader Murali Manohar Joshi decided to study the recovery of black money and performance of public sector banks (PSBs) among a host of subjects. The 30-member Estimates Committee, in a meeting, decided to study a host of subjects related to various ministries in the year 2018-19. As per the memorandum of the committee, the panel will look into the import of uranium for nuclear plants, mining activities and environment, upgrading of India Post offices and the drought situation in the country among other matters.
Source- Business Standard

 Melody queen Lata Mangeshkar was honoured with the Swara Mauli title by spiritual guru Vidya Narsimha Bharati Swami. Mangeshkar, 88, was conferred with the award at her residence in Mumbai. Her sisters Asha Bhosle and Usha Mangeshkar and brother Hridaynath Mangeshkar were also present.
Source- The Tribune


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