INS Kolkata and Shakti undertake Group Sail with Japan, Philippines, US naval ships

1. NASA to crash spacecraft into an asteroid in 2022

The US space agency NASA revealed its plan to hit a small moonlet target in a double asteroid system with a spacecraft in 2022.It is its first mission to demonstrate a planetary defence technique.The Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) will get one chance to hit its target.The asteroid, called Didymoon or Didymos B, is a moon asteroid around 150 meters tall orbiting a larger body Didymos A.

2. India signs protocol for export of chilli meal to Chinese markets

India and China signed a protocol for the export of Indian chilli meal to China.This is the fourth protocol signed between the two nations over the past year allowing the export of farm commodities from India.Chilli meal is the residue left after oil is extracted from chillies.It is widely used as an industry input in manufacturing chilli sauce and other similar products.India is the world’s largest producer, consumer and exporter of chillies.

3. INS Kolkata and Shakti undertake Group Sail with Japan, Philippines, US naval ships

Two Indian Navy ships Kolkata and Shakti carried out ‘Group Sail’ with naval ships of Japan, Philippines and the USA in the South China Sea from May 3 to May 9.The ‘Group Sail’ was aimed to deepen the existing partnership and foster mutual understanding among participating navies.At Qingdao in China, both the ships had participated in the International Fleet Review (IFR) as part of the 70th Anniversary Celebration of People’s Liberation Army PLA (Navy).

4. CBIC organises a meeting of regional heads of Customs Administration of Asia Pacific Region of the WCO in Kochi

Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) organised a meeting of the Regional Heads of Customs Administration of Asia Pacific Region of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) in Kochi from 08th to 10th May 2019.India is hosting this meeting in its capacity as Vice Chair of the Asia Pacific region that it assumed on 1st July 2018 for a two-year period.The meeting will take stock of the progress being made in carrying forward the programmes and initiatives of WCO.This meeting is being chaired by Mr Pranab Kumar Das, Chairman, CBIC.

5. Reliance Industries’ subsidiary acquires iconic British toy retailer Hamleys

Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries has announced it will acquire iconic British toy-maker Hamleys for 67.96 million pounds (around Rs 620 crore) in an all-cash deal.Founded in 1760, Hamleys is the oldest and largest toy shop in the world with 167 stores in 18 countries.It is currently owned by Chinese fashion conglomerate C Banner International, which had acquired it for 100 million pounds in 2015.

6. India’s Jagjit Pavadia re-elected to International Narcotics Control Board

India’s Jagjit Pavadia was re-elected to the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) for another term.Ms Pavadia has been a member of the INCB since 2015 and her current term is set to expire in 2020.Jagjit Pavadia has been re-elected for a five-year term beginning 2nd March 2020.The victory added to India’s successful record of winning crucial elections at the UN and to the world organisation’s subsidiary bodies.

7. Gates Foundation names Hari Menon as Country Director in India

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation named M Hari Menon as the Country Director in India effective from May 24.Menon will replace Nachiket Mor, who held this position for the past three years and resigned last month.With an endowment of $50.7 billion, Gates Foundation is the world’s largest private philanthropic organisation and has offices in Delhi and Patna.It plays an influential role in India in public policy, funding research and providing aid and grants towards rolling out projects in public health, sanitation, digital financial inclusion, agriculture, and gender equality.

8. Amul to be the principal sponsor of Afghanistan cricket team at ICC World Cup

Dairy major Amul will be the principal sponsor of the Afghanistan cricket team for the upcoming ICC World Cup hosted by England and Wales.This is the third time that Amul is sponsoring a cricket team in the World Cup.The company had associated with New Zealand and Holland teams in earlier World Cup tournaments.The logo of brand Amul will appear on the leading arm of the Afghanistan team playing jerseys as well as on the training kits throughout the showpiece event.