National News

1. Union Cabinet approves cooperation between Indian and Japan on

Railway Safety:

 The Union Cabinet, presided by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi,

gave its ex-post facto approval to the signing the Memorandum of
Cooperation (MoC) with Japan on Railway Safety.
 The MoC was signed in February 2017.
 The MoC also provide a platform for Indian Railways to interact and
share the latest development and knowledge in the railway sector.

2. CCEA approves Central Sector Scheme SAMPADA:

 The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by the

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on 3 May 2017 approved the re-
structuring the schemes of Union Ministry of Food Processing
Industries (MoFPI) under Central Sector Scheme SAMPADA.
 The scheme was approved for the period 2016- 2020.
 It will benefit 20 lakh farmers and will generate 530500 direct/ indirect
employment in the country by the year 2019-20.

3. Madhya Pradesh Assembly declares Narmada living entity

 The Madhya Pradesh government has passed a resolution granting

river Narmada the status of a living entity and committed itself to the
protection of its legal rights.
 A month ago, the Uttarakhand High Court had declared Ganga,
Yamuna and their tributaries living entities with the status of a legal
person.

4. Reliance, SAP launch 'SARAL GST' solution for taxpayers

 Reliance Corporate IT Park Ltd. (RCITPL) has signed a

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with enterprise application
software major SAP SE to launch 'SARAL GST' solution for
taxpayers.
  According to the subsidiary of Reliance Industries, the new offering
will enable taxpayers to be GST compliant and smoothly access the
government's GST System, once GST is rolled out from July 1, 2017.

5. Facebook launches Express WiFi in India:

 The Express WiFi offers Internet facility through public hotspots to

users in rural parts of India.
 The social network giant partnered with telecom operator Bharti Airtel
that plans to bring an additional 20000 hotspots online.
 The company previously launched the service commercially in
Kenya.

6. India organises festival in Egypt to mark Tagore's birth anniversary

 To mark the 156th birth anniversary of the famous Indian poet,

Rabindranath Tagore, India is organising a cultural festival inEgypt.
 Being hosted by the Maulana Azad Centre for Indian Culture, the
cultural wing of the Indian Embassy in Cairo, the function started on 8
May 2017. Rabindranath Tagore, Birth Anniversary of Tagore The
cultural festival will feature a dance show, film screening, a play and
painting competition.

7. India elected as President of UN-Habitat, the United Nations’ Human

Settlements Programme

 India was unanimously elected as the President of the UN-Habitat,

an organ of the United Nations’ Organisation (UNO).
 The country has been elected to head the body after 10 years. Since
the UN-Habitat came into being in 1978, it is only the third time that
India has been elected to lead this important organization after 2007
and 1988.
 The UN-Habitat promotes socially and environmentally sustainable
human settlements across the world. The body reports to the United
Nations General Assembly.

8. Every house in Haryana to get a smart ID

  Haryana government has decided to gather a detailed data of every
resident and issue a smart IDs for every house in Haryana.

 The aim of this survey is to get details of land holdings and the status
of facilities such as social security pension, scholarship, MGNREGA,
loans and LPG connection.
 The data will be used to make sure that benefits of 150 services of 87
departments are provided online.
 The unemployed youth will be provided employment through the
survey and every hired youth (Saksham) will cover 150 to 200
houses.

9. Finance Minister Arun Jaitely’s 3-day visit to Japan

 Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, embarked on a 3-day visit to

Japan. Mr. Jaitley attended the annual Meeting of Board of
Governors’ of Asian Development Bank in Yokohama, Japan.ADB
Meeting
 50th annual meeting of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Board of
Governors heldfrom 4th – 7th May 2017 in Yokohama, Japan with
the theme “Building Together the Prosperity of Asia”
 Both the countries have affirmed plans to strengthen their military
cooperation amid rising tension in the Asian region.

10. SAMADHAN – Rajnath Singh coins an acronym to wipe out left-

wing terror

 A meeting of the Chief Ministers of states affected by Left-Wing

Extremism (LWE), presided over by Union Home Minister Rajnath
Singh was held in New Delhi.
 In this meeting, Mr. Rajnath Singh announced SAMADHAN, a new
strategy to wipe out left – wing terror.
 Other Govt. functionaries who attended the meeting included Ajit
Doval – National Security Adviser, Rajiv Mehrishi – Union Home
Secretary, Director of Intelligence Bureau, State Heads of Police
Department and Heads of the Central Forces.
11. Narendra Modi to attend International Day of Vesak celebrations in
Colombo

 Buddha Purnima or "Vesak", the day of the Full Moon was observed
globally on 10 May 2017. The day marks the birth of Gautam
Buddha, who was born two and a half millennia ago in the year 623.

 The International Day of Vesak celebrations will be held in Colombo

from 12 May to 14 May.
 The International day was established by the UN General Assembly
to acknowledge the contribution of Buddhism to the spirituality of
humanity

12. Ahmedabad to host a mega-event to celebrate International Yoga

Day

 The city of Ahmedabad in Gujarat would be hosting the biggest ever

International Yoga Day event on 21 June 2017.
 The same was announced by Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev while
addressing a press conference in the city on 10 May 2017. The Yogi
announced that the event would witness participation from over 5
lakh people.
 The event would be inaugurated by the state’s Chief Minister Vijay
Rupani and BJP president Amit Shah would be present at its
concluding ceremony

International

1. Emmanuel Macron elected as President of France

 Pro-European centrist leader Emmanuel Macron has been elected as

President of France after winning 20.7 million votes on 8 May 2017.
  Thirty-nine-year-old former investment banker, who has never held
elected office, becomes the youngest President and occupant of the
Élysée Palace.
 He is France's youngest leader since Napoleon Bonaparte.
 With this win, Macron, who was unknown to the world three years
ago, will become the first President from outside the two traditional
main parties, namely center-left or center-right, since the modern
republic's foundation in 1958.

2. Unmanned US Air Force space plane lands after secret, two-year

orbit

 The US military’s experimental space plane, X-37B landed at NASA’s

Kennedy Space Centre in Florida after completing a two-year-long
classified space mission.
 The unmanned Boeing-built space plane, which resembles a
miniature space shuttle, blasted off in May 2015 aboard an Atlas 5
rocket built by United Launch Alliance, a joint effort between
Lockheed Martin Corp and Boeing Co.
 Known as the Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV), it is a reusable unmanned
spacecraft.

3. Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation observed for victims of

World War II

 Time of remembrance and reconciliation was observed globally on 8-

9 May 2017.

 UN Day pays tribute to victims of Second World War.

 The day was designated by the UN General Assembly by resolution
59/26 of 22 November 2004.
 It was established on 24 October 1945.

4. Moon Jae-in sworn in as President of South Korea

 Liberal politician Moon Jae was sworn in as South Korea's President

in a ceremony at the National Assembly Seoul.
  Moon won South Korea's presidential election in a victory that ends
nearly a decade of conservative rule. He succeed former
president Park Geun-hye.

Finance & Economy

1. RBI tightens JLF rules, directs banks not to break any norms

 The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) tightened the rules of Joint Lenders’
Forum (JLF) under “Framework for Revitalising Distressed Assets in
the Economy – Guidelines on Joint Lenders’ Forum (JLF) and
Corrective Action Plan (CAP)”.
 The new JLF rules are more effective and direct banks not to break
any rules and to meet all deadlines. Moreover, it also directs that any
breach of rules would attract a monetary penalty.

 Joint Lenders’ Forum (JLF) are the meetings that are held to
revitalise stressed assets. In JLF, banks attempt to red-flag stress
early and check them by putting in place a Corrective Action Plan
(CAP).
 The entire model of JLF is based on the ground of collective action of
banks against a borrower for recovery.

2. India to grow at 7.7 per cent in 2018-19 – IMF

 The International Monetary Fund has predicted India to grow at 7.7%

in 2018-2019.
 India’s growth is expected to 7.2 per cent in the 2017-18 fiscal year.
 The main challenge before the Indian economy will be to improve
agricultural productivity.
 According to the report, Asia will see a rise in growth from 5.3% in
2016 to 5.5% in 2017.
 India is one of the countries that have excellently performing reforms.

3. Next round of the dialogues will take place in India.

  LIC Housing Finance Launches New Home Loan Product Griha
Siddhi’

Key Notes:

 Griha Siddhi will offer loans for construction, purchase of house or

flat and repairs or renovation to the existing properties.
 It will offer interest rate of 8.40 per cent up to Rs 25 lakh and for
loans up to Rs 1 crore the interest rate will be 8.50 per cent per
annum for the borrowers.
 For women borrowers a special interest rate of 8.35 per cent for
loans up to Rs 25 lakh.

Science & Tech

1. South Asia Satellite successfully launched:

 Indian Space Research organisation (ISRO) successfully launched

the South Asia Satellite.
 The communication and broadcasting satellite was launched with
Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle GSLV F-09 from the
second launch pad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at
Sriharikota.
 Participating nations: Six of India’s neighbours including
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Srilanka and the Maldives
were the participants of the space-based regional communication
project.

2. China to install a cabin on Moon

 China initiated its second attempt to test its simulated space cabin-
Yuegong-1- in Beijing to strengthen its knowledge of what would be
required for humans to remain on the moon for medium and long
durations.
 The development indicates that the country is clearly planning to
send its first lunar explorers for a longer stay on the space body.
  Eight Chinese volunteers will be living in the space cabin for the next
year.
 The experiment, which has been code-named "Yuegong-365," is
Beihang's second experiment to see how the cabin’s Bioregenerative
Life Support System (BLSS) works in a moon-like environment.

3. India celebrates 2017 National Technology Day

 The National Technology Day 2017 was observed in India with the
theme -Technology for inclusive and sustainable growth.
 The day is commemorated to mark the anniversary of Pokhran
nuclear tests of 1998. It also marks India's scientific prowess and
technological advancements.
 It was the same date in 1998 when India successfully conducted first
among the five nuclear tests in Pokhran under the leadership of Atal
Bihari Vajpayee. The tests showcased India's strength to the entire
world.

4. Bengaluru ranked world’s most affordable tech city

 As per Savills Tech Cities 2017 rankings, Bengaluru has been

adjudged as the most affordable city having the lowest cost of living
out of 22 tech cities across the world.
 Overall Ranking of 5 Tech Cities:
o 1 Austin, US
o 2 San Francisco, US
o 3 New York, US
o 4 London, UK
o 5 Amsterdam, Netherlands

Defence

1. 29th edition of CORPAT between India and Indonesia begins at Port

Blair

 The Indonesian Naval Ship KRI Sutedi Senoputra arrived at Haddo

Wharf, Port Blair to mark the commencement of the 29th series of
IND–INDO CORPAT.
  An Indonesian Maritime Patrol Aircraft also flew in with the
Indonesian Naval delegation led by First Admiral Bambang Irwanto to
INS Utkrosh, Port Blair.
 The Coordinated Patrol enhances mutual understanding and inter-
operability between the navies of the two countries.

2. Sanjay Mitra appointed as Defence Secretary

 Road Transport and Highways Secretary Sanjay Mitra was appointed

as Defence Secretary in a top-level bureaucratic reshuffle. His
appointment was approved by Appointments Committee of Cabinet
(ACC).
 Mitra will succeed G Mohan Kumar, who will completes his tenure on
24 May 2017. Till then, Mitra will function as an Officer on Special
Duty in the Defence Ministry. This will be his first posting in the
Defence Ministry.
 He will have a fixed two-year tenure.

3. India, US exchange views on maritime developments in Asia-

Pacific & IOR

 During the two-day India-US Maritime Security Dialogue in Rhode

Island, US, top Indian and American officials exchanged views on
maritime developments in the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean Region
(IOR).
 Besides reviewing the implementation of the decisions taken at the
first Maritime Security Dialogue, the officials also discussed ways to
strengthen bilateral maritime security cooperation.
 Indian delegation was led by Pankaj Sharma – Joint Secretary
(Disarmament and International Security Affairs), whereas David
Helvey, the acting Assistant Secretary of Defence for Asian and
Pacific Security Affairs led the American Delegation.

Person in News
1. First Woman Chief Judge of State High Court Justice Leila Seth
passes away

 Justice Leila Seth, the first woman judge of Delhi High Court, passed
away on 6 May 2017 after a brief illness in Uttar Pradesh. She was
86.
 She was one of three members of Justice Verma Committeewhich
was constituted in 2012 to recommend amendments toCriminal Law
so as to provide for quicker trial and enhanced punishment for
criminals accused of committing sexual assault against women, post
2012 Delhi gang rape case.

2. ICICI Bank Chief Chanda Kochhar receives ‘Woodrow Wilson

Award’ for global corporate citizenship

 Chanda Kochhar, the Managing Director and Chief Executive of ICICI

Bank became the first Indian woman to be conferred with the
prestigious Woodrow Wilson Award for Global Corporate
Citizenship.ICICI Bank Chief Chanda Kochhar receives 'Woodrow
Wilson Award' for global corporate citizenship
 The award was conferred by Woodrow Wilson Centre on May 10,
2017 in Washington DC, US. Ms. Kochhar received this award for
demonstrating a commitment to the common good beyond the
bottom line.
 2017 Woodrow Wilson Award for Public Service has been conferred
on United States Senator, Mitch McConnell.

3. Emma Watson conferred first ever 'genderless' award

 Harry Potter fame star, Emma Watson was conferred the first ever
‘Genderless Acting Award’ for Best Actor category on 7 May 2017 at
the annual MTV Movie and TV Awards ceremony held at the Shrine
Auditorium in Los Angeles, California.
 The 27-year-old actress beat Taraji P. Henson, Daniel Kaluuya, Hugh
Jackman and Hailee Steinfeld to take home the award for Best Actor
in Film and TV for her performance as Belle in the 'Beauty and the
Beast.'
4. Lion’ actor Sunny Pawar named Rising Star at Asian Awards

 London Child actor Sunny Pawar has been chosen for the Rising
Star Award.

 The award will be presented to Sunny at the 7th Annual Asian

Awards.

 Lion’ actor Sunny Pawar named Rising Star at Asian Awardsii. He is

known for his best performance in the Oscar-nominated film “Lion”.

5. Konkona Sen Sharma bags Best Director and Best Actress awards
at New York Indian Film Festival

 Konkona won the Best Director award for her directorial debut A
Death in the Gunj and the Best Actress award for Lipstick Under My
Burkha at 2017 NYIFF.
 A Death in the Gunj is a drama thriller, which stars Kalki Koechlin,
Vikrant Massey, Jim Sarbh and Tanuja.
 The film also features one of the last performances by veteran actor
Om Puri, who passed away in January 2017.

Sports

1. India break into top 100 of FIFA rankings for 1st time in 21 years

 The Indian men’s national football team has made it into the top 100
of the FIFA (International Federation of Association Football) world
football rankings for the first time in 21 years.

 This upward movement is the result of away wins against Myanmar

and Cambodia.
 As per the updated rankings on May 4, India, with a total of 331
points, have climbed a spot and are now placed 100th.
  The last time India had been in the top 100 of the rankings was way
back in 1996, with the 94th spot in February 1996 being the country’s
best ever FIFA ranking.

2. N’GoloKante named Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the

Year

 N’GoloKante named 2017 Footballer of the Year by the Football

Writers’ Association.

 Kante topped the poll of the 340-strong membership ahead of his

Blues team-mate Eden Hazard, with Tottenham’s Dele Alli in third
place.
 Footballerii. N’GoloKante is a French professional footballer.
 The 26-year-old Kante will receive the prestigious FWA accolade at
London on 18 May 2017.
 He plays as a central midfielder for English club Chelsea and the
France national team.

3. India's Harpreet Singh wins bronze in Greco-Roman weight

category

 Indian wrestler Harpreet Singh won a bronze medal in the Greco-

Roman weight divisions on the opening day of the Asian Wrestling
Championship.
 In the opening match played in New Delhi, Harpreet defeated his rival
Jun Ji Na of China 3-2 in 80kilogram category.
 In addition to this, another Indian wrestler Gurpreet Singh lost his
bronze medal bout 0-8 in just 38 seconds to Bin Yang of China. He
earlier entered the bronze medal play-off round of Greco-Roman
weight divisions in the 75 kilogram category.