1. Prime minister Narendra Modi on May 26, 2017 inaugurated India’s longest river bridge over the Lohit river, a tributary of Brahmputra river. The 9.15 km long bridge between Dhola and Sadiya in Assam’s Tinsukiya district will shorten the distance between Assam & Arunanchal Pradesh by 165 km. The 5.6km long Bandra Worli Sea Link was the previous record holder. The Dhola-Sadiya river bridge can be withstand the weight of 60 tonne battle tank. The bridge will provide an easy access to the Indian army to the North-East borders.
2. Railway minister Suresh Prabhu on May 22, 2017 flagged off India’s first-speed and feature rich train Tejas Express from Chatrapati Shivaji Station, Mumbai to Karmali, Goa. It will cover the distance at a speed of 130 kmph. Tejas Express is equipped with CCTV cameras for security of passengers. The 20-modern coaches of the train are also equipped with automatic doors, wi-fi and LCD screens, tea and coffee vending machinines etc. A one-way trip in the train from Mumbai to Goa would cost Rs2,740 with food and Rs2585 without food, while the fare for the ordinary chair car has been fixed at Rs1310 with food and Rs1185 without food.
3. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched its 2230 kg communication satellite named GSAT-9 on board its heavy rocket Geo-synchronous Satellite Launched Vehicle(GSLV-F09) on May 5, 2017 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. GSAT-9 is popularly known as South Asian Satellite as it is aimed at providing communication and disaster support to India’s South Asian neighbours except Pakistan which had declined to get its services. GSAT-9 is an ‘invaluable gift’ from India to its SAARC neighbours. The satellite with its 12-ku band transponder-transmitters and receivers of radio signals, will enable telecommunication, tele-education and tele-medicine as well as mapping of natural resources to its beneficiaries. The spacecraft and the launch are estimated to have cost India around Rs450 crore. The GSAT-9 would augment internet connectivity and bolster disaster managment system in the South Asian nations.
4. India emerged the second largest producer of stainless steel in the world with a total productivity of 3.32 million tonnes in 2016 as per the data released by the International Stainless Steel Forum (ISSF) in a conference in Tokyo in May, 2017. India pipped Japan to claim the second spot in the list of largest stainless steel producers worldwide with an annual hike of 9% in 2016. China continued to be the largest producer of stainless steel.
5. Mumbai Indians clinched the coveted Indian Premier League title-2017, beating Rising Pune Supergiants by just 1 run in the final on May 21, 2017 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hydrabad. It was MI third IPL title triumph as it had won it in 2013 and 2015 before this new one. It is also the first team to clinch three IPL crowns. Mumbai gave 130 runs target to RPS. In reply RPS succumbed to disciplined bowling attack of MI and lost the title by just one run. Rohit sharma was the captain of the champion team. He had also led the same team to title glory in 2013 and 2015 as captain. Mumbai got Rs 15 crore as prize money and a trophy. Sunrisers Hyderabad’s David Warner got the Orange Cap for being the highest scorer and his teammate Bhuvneshwar Kumar got the Purple cap for emerging the highest wicket taker in the 10th IPL this year.
6. The Army carried out a successful test of the advanced version of BrahMos Block III Land Attak Missile (LACM) in the Andaman and Nicobar Island on May 3, 2017. This is the second consecutive test of the missile in two days. The test in an operational configuration was carried out by the Army’s South Western Command based 1 strike corps. Testing BrahMos in the Andman and Nicobar islands is a symbolic statement, as it brings the strategic Malacca straits under its range. Precise capabilities of BrahMos missile for quick sea access and denial in the event of a conflict, and its testing in the Andaman Sea is a reflection of the changing dynamics in the Indian Ocean.
7. Turkish President visits India in 1st week of May 2017. It is his first foregin visit to New Delhi after the constitutional referendum held earlier gave him sweeping powers. Several agreement seeking to strengthen bilateral relationship and cooperation in different field signed. Turkey supported India’s bid for permanent membership of the UN Security Council. Mr. Erdogon was conferred with the honorary degree of Doctor of Letters by Jamia Millia Islamia University in New Delhi.
8. India on May 5, 2017 successfully launched, in copy book style, the South Asia Satellite, intended to serve "Economic and developmental priorities of South Asian Nations," using its heavy rocket Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F09). Precisely at 4.57 pm. the GSLV-F09 rose into the sky from the second launched pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at the Sriharikota spaceport in Andhra Pradesh carrying the satellite GSAT-9, intended as Indian Gift for its fellow SAARC nations except for Pakistan which had opted out. The 49-metre, 415 tonne rocket slung the 2,230kg satellite into geosynchronous transfer orbit, from where it could be taken up to its final geostationary orbit.
9. China has proposed a four-point initiative to overcome different and deepen relation with India which includes aligning its ‘One Belt One Road’ project with India’s Act East Policy’ and restart negotiations on a free trade pact. The proposal put forword by Chinese envoy Luo Zhaohui also includes starting negotiations on a ‘China-India Treaty of Good Neighbourliness and Friendly Cooperation’ and prioritising finding an early solution to the border dispute between the two countries. "Firstly, start negotiation on a China-India Treaty of Good Neighbourliness and Friendly Cooperation. Secondly, restart negotiation on China-India Free Trade Agreement. Thirdly, strive for an early harvest on the border issue. Fourthly, actively explore the feasibility of aligning China’s ‘One Belt One Road Initiative’ (OBOR) and India’s Act East Policy," he said.
10. The five day annual meeting of African Development Bank (AFDB) was held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat in the last week of May 2017. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on May 23, 2017 that Africa was a top priority for his Government’s foreign and economic policy and India will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with countries of the continent in the long and difficult race for a better future. Inaugurating the 52nd Annual Meeting of the African Development Bank (AFDB) at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar, Modi’s said that India’s partnership with Africa was free of any conditions and will remain demand driven.
1. Pro European Union Centrist Leader Emmanuel Macron was elected the new President of France after registering a landslide win over his far right rival Marine Le Pen in a run off on May 8, 2017. Mr. Macron, a former investment banker gained 66.1 per cent vote against his rival Le Pen’s 33.9 per cent votes in run off. Macron’s victory was so comprehensive that he claimed victory in 105 French department out of 107 while Le Pen won only two Macron aged 39 was sworn in as the youngest ever French President in a ceremony on May 14 at a ceremony at the Elysee Palace in Paris.
2. Nauru, the tiny island nation with a population of just 10,200 became the sixth country to ratify the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Framework pact which was initiated by the Indian and French governments at the climate change summit, Paris in 2015. Five African nation – Comoros Cote d’Ivoire, Somalia, Ghana and Dijibouti have already endorsed the ISA Framework Pact. Headquartered in India, the ISA Framework alliance will turn out to be a legal entity after ratification from atleast 15 countries along with their respectives deposites to the framework agreement.
3. South Korea on May 28, 2017 clinched the coveted Sudirman Cup-the Biennial Mixed Team International Badminton Championship-for the first time since 2003 when it defeated China 3-2 in a closely fought final at Gold Coast. Australia to the end its 12 year long reign over the Cup. It is South Korea’s fourth Sudirman Cup title triumph. South Korea’s Choi Sol-Gyu and Chae Yoo-Jung won the fifth and final rubber of the final againsy Chinese pair of Lu kai and Huang Yaqiong to help Korea with the Sudieman Cup.
4. Swedish director Ruben Ostlund’s film The Square was honoured with the prestigious Palme dór, the top award of the Cannes film festival on May 28, 2017. The Square is an art world staire, starring Claes Bang Elizabeth Moss and Dominic West. Andrey Zvyagintsev’s Loveless won the jury prize. Spanish film director Pedro Almodovar was the chairman of award jury in the 70th Cannes film festival. Hollywood Actress Nicole Kidman was conferred the special anniversary prize on the 70th edition of Cannes Film Festival.
5. Austria imposed a ban on wearing full facial veils in public places like universities and public transportation with an objective of more integration of immigtrants. Despite protest from the rights activists, the Austrian parliament on May 16, 2017 passed a bill banning the full-face veils in public place. The violation of this rule will fetch a fine of $167. The full-face veils are like niqabs or burquas, prevalent and practised especially in the women of Muslim Community.
6. Taiwan’s constitutional court, locally known as the ‘Judicial Yuan’, on May 24, 2017 ruled in favour of same sex marriage, a landmark ruling in favour of gay-rights, making Taiwan the first place in Asia to legalise same-sex wellocks. The court gave the Taiwan government two years to implement the ruling. The top Taiwanese court stated in its ruling that the current marriage laws were in violation of both the people’s freedom of marriage and the people’s right to equality.
7. Ferrari’s driver Sebastian Vettle of Germany won the Monaco Grand Prix-2017 on May 28, 2017 in Monaco, strengthening his position top on the F1 Drivers’ Standings. Vettle finished the race in 01 Hour, 44 minutes and 44.340 seconds, 3.145 seconds ahead of his teammate and runner-up Kimi Raikkonen. Raikkonen was also the pole position holder in the race. It was Vettel’s second Monaco win and third of this season so far. It was Vettel’s 45th career win.
8. India’s Ovais Sarmad has been appointed the Deputy Executive Secretary in the United Nation Framework Convention of the International Organization for Migration. Mr. Sarmad is a commerce degree holder from Osmania University.
9. China and Pakistan on May 13, 2017 inked various infrastructure agreements, including one on setting up ports and further developing Gwadar port, ahead of the One Belt, One Road that began the next day. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. The first MoU is related to cooperation within the framework of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st century Maritimes Silk Road initiative. An Mou was also signed on upgradation of the main railway line track ML-1 and establishment of Havelian Dry Port. Three agreements related to economic and technical cooperation worth 3.4 billion Yuan for Gwador port and East Bay Expressway. Sharif also reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment for completion of early harvest projects under CPEC. Sharif also held meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping and assured that Islamabad will fully support Beijing’s OBOR initiative. Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported.
10. Under Pressure from allies, US President Donald Trump backed a pledge to fight protectionism on May 27, 2017 but refused to endorse a global climate change accord, saying he needed more time to decide. The summit of Group of Seven wealthy nations pitted Trump against the leaders of Germany, France, Britain, Italy, Canada and Japan on several issues, with European diplomats frustrated at having to revisit questions they hoped were long settled. "The entire discussion about climate was very difficult, if not to say very dissatisfying," German Chancellor Angela Merkel told reporters. ‘There are no indications whether the United States will stay in the Paris Agreement or not.’ The final communique was just six pages long, against 32 pages last year, with diplomats saying the leaders wanted a simpler document to help them reach a wider audience.
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