1.Jharkhand government partners with Oracle to boost IT infrastructure :-
(I)In a bid to ramp up its IT infrastructure, the Jharkhand government on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding with US-based technology major Oracle to enhance delivery of services to citizens as well as make the State more attractive for startups.
(II)“We are ramping up IT infrastructure in the State and have initiated programs in this direction.
(IIII)We are undertaking continued efforts to bridge the gap between the government and the citizens through use of IT,” Raghubar Das, Chief Minister of Jharkhand, said at an event in New Delhi.
2.200 airports to be brought under regional air connectivity: Jayant Sinha :-
(I)The central government has embarked upon a plan
to bring 200 airports under the regional air connectivity scheme, Union Minister of State for Aviation Jayanta Sinha said here today.
(II)”Under the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) regional air connectivity scheme, 33 airports have been already included since its launch last year in addition to 75 taking the total to 108. We intend to take the number to 200,” Sinha said at an interaction at Bharat Chamber of Commerce.
3.After decisive win, Macron to take over on Sunday :-
(I)After a resounding victory in Sunday’s runoff, Emmanuel Macron will be sworn in as France’s next President at the Elysee palace on May 14, outgoing President Francois Hollande said.
(II)At 39, the pro-EU former investment banker will become France’s youngest-ever President. On Monday, Mr. Macron’s laid the groundwork for his transition to power, announcing a visit to Germany and a name change for his political movement and appearing with his predecessor at a solemn World War II commemoration, even as the focus shifted to the challenges ahead for his administration.
4.Next Syria peace talks to start in Geneva on May 16: UN :-
(I)A new round of United Nations-backed peace talks for war-ravaged Syria is set to begin in Geneva next week, the office of the UN mediator said Monday.
(II)”Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura will reconvene the intra-Syrian talks under the auspices of the United Nations in Geneva on 16 May 2017,” the UN said in a statement.
(III)The announcement comes days after regime backers Russia and Iran and rebel supporter Turkey signed a deal in the Kazakh capital Astana to strengthen a ceasefire agreed upon last December by implementing “de-escalation zones” where the government and opposition will halt hostilities.
5.SC puts Lalu Prasad back on trial in fodder scam case :-
(I)In a blow to Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Lalu Prasad, the Supreme Court on Monday held that he and other accused persons, including former Bihar Chief Minister Jagannath Mishra, will be tried separately for corruption in a criminal case involving the withdrawal of Rs. 84.53 lakh and falsification of records from the Deoghar Treasury in 1991-94 in connection with the Rs. 900 crore fodder scam.
6.Polls open in South Korea’s presidential election :-
(I)South Koreans went to the polls Tuesday to choose a new president after Park Geun-Hye was ousted and indicted for corruption, and against a backdrop of high tensions with the nuclear-armed North.
(II)More than 139,000 voting stations opened at 6 am local time across the country under overcast skies, with turnout expected to hit a record high.
(III)Voters have been galvanised by anger over the sprawling bribery and abuse-of-power scandal that brought down Park, which catalysed frustrations over jobs and slowing growth.
7.Delhi Metro to hike fares :-
(II)According to sources in the Union Urban Development Ministry, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) board has accepted the recommendations of the Fare Fixation Committee and the fares are going to be effective from May 10.
(III)The new fare slab is likely to be ₹10, ₹ 15, ₹ 20, ₹ 30, ₹ 40 and ₹ 50.
8.Police pour in to Paris’ train station, evacuate passengers :-
(I)Police poured into Paris’ Gare du Nord station, evacuating passengers from platforms and sealing off the area for several hours in a new security scare to hit the French capital.
(II)Paris police spokeswoman Johanna Primevert told The Associated Press that yesterday’s operation was aimed at “removing doubt” and ended with no arrests, but she would not say what prompted it.
9.Emma Watson bags first ever ‘genderless’ award :-
(I)Hollywood actor Emma Watson picked up the first-ever Genderless Acting Award for the Best Actor category at the MTV Movie and TV Awards.
(II)The 27-year-old actress made history at the annual event held at the Shrine Auditorium here on Sunday, reports mirror.co.uk.
(III)After collecting her award for Best Actor in a Movie, she praised MTV for making their awards genderless. She said, “I feel I have to say something about the award itself.
10.Justice Karnan imposes 5-year rigorous imprisonment, Rs 1 lakh fine to J S Khehar, seven SC judges :-
(I)Calcutta High Court judge Justice Chinnaswamy Swaminathan Karnan on Monday ordered five-year rigorous imprisonment and Rs 1 lakh fine each for Chief Justice of India (CJI) Jagdish Singh Khehar and seven other Supreme Court (SC) judges after finding them guilty under SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocity) Act.
