Current Affairs

Urjit Patel assures parliamentary panel of steps to strengthen banking system

RBI Governor Urjit Patel on Tuesday faced tough questions from a parliamentary panel on bad loans, bank frauds, cash crunch and other issues even as he assured the members that steps were being taken to strengthen the system, sources said.

Sources present at the meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance said the RBI Governor expressed confidence of tiding over the crisis regarding non-performing assets (NPAs).



Trump's North Korean gamble ends with 'special bond' with Kim

Singapore (CNN)Nearly five hours of unprecedented and surreal talks between US President Donald Trump and North Korea's Kim Jong Un culminated on Tuesday with fulsome declarations of a new friendship but just vague pledges of nuclear disarmament.

"We both want to do something. We both are going to do something. And we have developed a very special bond. So, people are going to be very impressed. People are going to be very happy," Trump said at the conclusion of the landmark summit during a formal ceremony.


The document he and Kim signed said the North Korean leader "reaffirmed his firm and unwavering commitment to complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula." In exchange, Trump agreed to "provide security guarantees" to North Korea.



Former NIA chief Sharad Kumar appointed as Vigilance Commissioner in CVC

Nearly eight months after Sharad Kumar, former Director General (DG) of National Investigation Agency (NIA) retired, the 1979 batch Haryana cadre IPS officer has been appointed as the Vigilance Commissioner in the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC).

62-year-old Kumar retired in September last year after heading the National Investigation Agency, an anti-terror probe organisation, for over four years.

Kumar has been appointed vigilance commissioner in the Central Vigilance Commission for a term of four years or till he attains the age of 65.



G7 summit: War of words erupts between US and key allies

A war of words has erupted between the US and its G7 allies, hours after the group had put on an apparent show of unity at the end of a tense summit.

US President Donald Trump has continued his personal attacks against Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, tweeting that he "acts hurt when called out".

Germany's Angela Merkel said Mr Trump's decision to reject a joint communique was "sobering" and "depressing".

That statement had sought to overcome deep disagreements, notably over trade.



Scotland beat England for first time in international cricket

SCOTLAND beat England for the first time in international cricket after a high-scoring, one-off ODI on Sunday.


The hosts won by six runs with former Durham batsman Calum MacLeod scoring 140 not out from 94 balls at Grange Cricket Club.

After losing the toss and posting a massive 371-5, Scotland held its nerve in the field and with the ball to clinch a thrilling one-day international with just seven balls remaining.



Sebastian Vettel cruises to Canadian Grand Prix victory and retakes championship lead from Lewis Hamilton

Blind optimism might compel us to describe Sunday night’s Canadian Grand Prix as the perfect plot-thickener for this year’s championship, with Sebastian Vettel producing a dominant gun-to-tape victory to edge ahead of arch-rival Lewis Hamilton by a single point.

But Toto Wolff, Mercedes’ perfectionist team principal, offered rather a different view. Maddened by Ferrari’s irresistible pace here in Montreal, the Austrian said: “It is a s--- result for us ‒ I can only put it like that. The only feeling I have is that we have to wake up.”



Rafael Nadal wins French Open final

Paris: Rafael Nadal claimed an 11th French Open title on Sunday with a 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 demolition of Dominic Thiem despite a worrying injury scare in the closing stages of the final.

The 32-year-old world number one now has 17 Grand Slam titles, just three behind great rival Roger Federer.

"It's really incredible. I played a great match against a great player," said Nadal,"I had tough moment in the third set with cramps in my hand. I was very scared but that's sport - it was very humid."



Sunil Chhetri scores a brace as India beat Kenya to win Intercontinental Cup

  • Hosts India defeated Kenya 2-0 in the summit clash in Mumbai
  • Sunil Chhetri scored a brace to take his tally for India to 64 goals in 102 matches
  • Chhetri is now joint-second, with Lionel Messi, in the top goalscorers list among active players



Bangladesh break India stranglehold to lift maiden Women’s T20 Asia Cup



India and Norway sign MoU to extend health cooperation

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Norway to extend the cooperation within health sector through the Norway India Partnership Initiative (NIPI) for a period of three years starting from 2018 to 2020, here today. Smt. Preeti Sudan, Secretary (HFW) and Mr. ilsRagnarKamsvag, Ambassador of Norway signed the Memorandum of Understanding. Smt. VandanaGurnani, JS (RCH) and officials from the Ministry and counterparts from the Norwegian side were also present during the signing ceremony.

This cooperation between India and Norway is aligned with the development goals of Government of India as outlined in its National Health Policy 2017 for achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The cooperation shall also focus on global health issues of common interest.

The partnership shall also include areas related to maternal, new-born, child health, and shall build on experiences from NIPI phase I and II. The cooperation will continue to focus on innovative, catalytic and strategic support, and stride in taking the Indian Government’s Intensification Plan for Accelerated Maternal and Child Survival in India.