SIPVS Knowledge is Power
- Guatemala opens embassy in Jerusalem after US
Guatemala officially moved its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusale, becoming the second country to do so after the U.S. inaugurated its embassy in Jerusalem.
- At the inaguration, which was attended by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales said his country is bringing a message of “love, peace and fraternity” to Israel.
- Guatemala was one of seven countries to vote with the Trump administration and Israel on the Jerusalem embassy issue at the United Nations.
- The others were Honduras, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau and Togo.
- World AIDS Vaccination Day: 18 May
World AIDS Vaccine Day, also known as HIV Vaccine Awareness Day, is observed annually on May 18 ever since it was first celebrated on May 18, 1998.
- The day is marked to increase the awareness of a continued need for a vaccine to fight against HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
- Modi inaugurates hydro project in Kashmir
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated a hydroelectric power plant in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, amid protests from neighbour Pakistan which says the project on a river flowing into Pakistan will disrupt water supplies.
- The 330 megawatt Kishanganga hydropower station, work on which started in 2009, is one of the projects that India has fast-tracked in the volatile state amid frosty ties between the nuclear-armed countries.
- Modi, who is on a day-long visit to the state, also flagged off the construction of the 14 km (9 mile)-long Zojila tunnel to provide all-weather connectivity between the cities of Srinagar, Kargil and Leh.
- The government said it would be the longest road tunnel in India and Asia’s longest two-way tunnel, to be constructed at a cost of $1 billion.
- ‘Green Good Deeds’ Movement Launched by Dr Harsh Vardhan Gets Global Recognition
Green Good Deeds, the societal movement launched by the Union Minister for Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Dr Harsh Vardhan, to protect environment and promote good living in the country, has found acceptance by the global community.
- The ongoing BRICS Ministerial on Environment at Durban, South Africa, has agreed to include “Green Good Deeds” in its official agenda in the next Ministerial in Brazil and another meeting in Russia”.
- Indian economy projected to grow 7.6% in 2018-19: UN
India’s economy is projected to grow 7.6 per cent in fiscal year 2018-19, remaining the fastest growing economy in the world, according to a UN report.
- The UN World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) as of mid-2018, said GDP growth in India is expected to climb to 7.5 and 7.6 per cent in fiscal years 2017-18 and 2018-19 respectively.
- This is a substantial recovery from the 6.7 per cent growth India registered in fiscal year 2017.
- Kumaraswamy to take oath as Karnataka CM
Just two days after taking oath as the Chief Minister, Karnataka BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa resigned ahead of the crucial vote of confidence on the floor of the house.
- With Yeddyurappa’s departure, all eyes are on HD Kumaraswamy, the CM choice for the Congress-JD(S) combine.
- HD Kumaraswamy will take oath on May 21.
- India’s Jagriti Yatra wins charity award in UK
An Indian charity that organises 15-day train journeys around India to understand and build the India of smaller towns and villages through enterprise has won an award in London.
- Jagriti Yatra was among a series of worldwide charities and individuals recognised for their impact within their communities at the Asian Voice Charity Awards, powered by due diligence platform Charity Clarity.
- Jagriti Yatra organises 15-day train journeys, covering 800 km for 400 young change-makers across India every year.
- Eminent Tamil writer Balakumaran passes away
Writer Balakumaran, whose works were a link between serious and popular writing in Tamil, died. He was 71.
- His novel Thaymumanavan was translated into a tele-serial and he directed the film Idhu Namma Aalu, starring Bhagyaraj
Source: currentaffairs.wifistudy.com
