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Daily Current Affairs of 21st May 2018

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International Current Affairs

Today (21st May) is World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development.

This day is a United Nations–sanctioned international holiday to help people learn about the importance of cultural diversity and harmony.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today arrived in Russia’s Black Sea coastal city Sochi for an informal summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

This informal summit will focus on pressing global and regional issues, including impact of the US withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal.
Aim of the informal summit : To use the friendship and trust between the two countries to create convergence on key global and regional issues.

French President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to pay a two-day visit to Russia, commencing on May 24.

The two leaders are set to discuss Iran, Syria and Ukraine during their meeting.

The 26th BASIC Ministerial Meeting of Environment Ministers was held in Durban, South Africa.

The grouping is a bloc of four countries – Brazil, South Africa, India and China.
India was represented by Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan.
During this meet, BASIC countries decided to preserve integrity of historic 2015 Paris Agreement, including principles of common but differentiated responsibilities and equity.
They held that world is at critical stage in combating climate change and response of developed nations to tackle the issue is still not adequate.

National Current Affairs

Former Prime Minister of India, Rajiv Gandhi, was assassinated by a female suicide bomber on this day (21st May) 1991, while conducting an election campaign in Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu.
The bomb attack was carried out by Thenmozhi Rajaratnam, also known as Dhanu, who was reportedly a member of the Sri Lankan militant organisation Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

The government has proposed that those clearing the All India Civil Services Examination be allotted the service as well as the cadre or state only after the three-month foundation course.

Under the existing rules, qualifying candidates are immediately allocated the service and cadre based on the ranks they secure in the examination, which is conducted for 24 all-India services.

Kerala on high alert as rare and deadly Nipah Virus (NiV) infection which was detected for the first time in the state.

Nipah virus (NiV) infection is zoonotic disease that causes severe disease in both animals and humans.
Fruit bats of the Pteropodidae Family, Pteropus genus are natural host of the virus.
It was first identified during outbreak of disease that took place in Kampung Sungai Nipah, Malaysia in 1998.
There is no vaccine or medicine for the disease and the only form of treatment is intensive supportive care.

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has commissioned special unit called Bastariya Battalion (numbered 241) to combat Naxals activities in Bastar region of Chhattisgarh.

Note : This is for first time CRFP has raised special battalion that includes local representation to enhance combat capabilities in Naxal-hit area of Bastar district.

New Appointments

Nicolas Maduro was elected as the President of Venezuela for a second term with over 67% votes.

Science & Technology

India today successfully conducted the first test of the BrahMos cruise missile aimed at increasing its life from 10 to 15 years.

The missile was test fired from a mobile launcher from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur along the Odisha coast.
Note : BrahMos is the first Indian missile whose life has been extended from 10 to 15 years.

Defence Production Secretary Ajay Kumar has announced that India is going to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) in defence forces to improve preparation for "next-generation warfare".

The initiative, which will be undertaken in partnership with private sector, is aimed at producing unmanned vehicles and weaponry.
Note : A task force led by Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran has been formed to oversee the project.

China launched relay satellite named Queqiao (Magpie Bridge) to establish communication link between earth and its planned Chang’e-4 lunar probe (rover) that will explore the dark side of moon.

It was launched as part of Chinese Lunar Exploration Program (CLEP) onboard of Long March-4C rocket from Xichang launch centre.

Banking, Business & Economic Affairs

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has approved steps to allow 100% foreign ownership in companies by year-end.

Important Note : At present, foreigners cannot own more than 49% of any UAE firm unless it is incorporated in a special "free zone".
The new rules will also offer residency visas of up to 10 years to investors and specialists in medical, scientific, research, and technical fields.

India has told the World Trade Organisation (WTO) that it proposes to raise duties on 20 products by up to 100% if the US doesn't roll back high tariffs on certain steel and aluminium items.

The items include almonds, walnuts, soybean oil, apples and specific motorcycles imported from the US.
India has announced that its tariffs would come into effect by June 21.

Sports Current Affairs

Spanish professional tennis player, Rafael Nadal has won the Italian Open title for a record 8th time by defeating Germany's Alexander Zverev.
Barcelona forward Lionel Messi was crowned Europe's top-goalscorer for the fifth time after scoring on 34 occasions in the La Liga for the Catalan side.

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