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Tripura BJP chief Manik Saha on Sunday took oath as the 11th Chief Minister of the state at Raj Bhavan in Agartala, a day after Biplab Kumar Deb resigned from the post. Previously in the Congress, Saha joined BJP in 2016 and was made state unit president in 2020. He was elected to the Rajya Sabha in March this year.

Nepal visit to further deepen time-honoured linkages: PM Modi

A day ahead of his visit to Nepal, PM Narendra Modi said that India's ties with the country are unparalleled. "My visit is intended to celebrate and further deepen these time-honoured linkages that have been fostered through centuries and recorded in our long history of intermingling," he said. PM will visit Lumbini on the occasion of Buddha Purnima.

VP Naidu visits UAE to offer condolences over death of Sheikh Khalifa

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday arrived in the UAE to offer his condolences following the demise of the country's late ruler Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Naidu offered his condolences to new President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and UAE's entire leadership. Several leaders from across the world are visiting the country to pay their respects.

Delhi maximum temperature crosses 49 degrees amid heatwave warnings

Maximum temperatures breached the 49 degrees Celsius mark at two weather observatories in Delhi on Sunday, amid warnings of an intense heatwave in the national capital. Mungeshpur and Najafgarh observatories recorded 49.2 degrees Celsius and 49.1 degrees Celsius respectively. Gurugram, meanwhile, recorded a maximum temperature of 48.1 degrees Celsius. IMD has issued an orange alert for Delhi.

Actress Ketaki arrested for allegedly insulting Sharad Pawar in Facebook post

The Thane Crime Branch has arrested Marathi actress Ketaki Chitale for allegedly sharing a 'derogatory' Facebook post on NCP chief Sharad Pawar, police said. Chitale allegedly remarked upon Pawar's illness, appearance and voice and claimed that he was corrupt in a Facebook post on Friday. She has been booked under IPC section 500 (defamation) and other relevant sections.

Our partnership will continue to deepen: PM Modi to UAE's new Prez

PM Narendra Modi on Saturday extended his best wishes to Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan after he was elected as UAE's new President. "I'm confident that under his dynamic and visionary leadership, our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership will continue to deepen," he said. This comes after UAE's President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan passed away aged 73 on Friday.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Russia stops electricity supply to Finland amid NATO membership bid

Russia has suspended the supply of electricity to Finland, an official for the Finnish grid operator said on Saturday. This comes a day after Russian state-owned utility Inter RAO said that it will stop exporting electricity to Finland, citing problems with payments. Notably, Finland has announced that it plans to apply to join NATO, a move strongly opposed by Russia.

Ukraine has deployed American M-777 howitzers at front lines: US

The US embassy in Kyiv on Sunday tweeted that Ukraine has deployed many of the newly supplied American M-777 howitzers at the front lines. The howitzers were delivered as part of the "$800 million care package for the Ukrainian Armed Forces", it said. "All but one of the 90 Howitzers sent by the US are now in Ukraine," it added.
UN report lists US, Pakistan among 23 drought-hit countries

Pakistan is among the 23 countries that have faced drought emergencies over the past two years, according to a UN report. Iran, Iraq, the US and Afghanistan are among the 22 other countries also facing a similar situation. Separately, the report estimated that an additional 4 million square kilometres of natural areas would require drought restoration measures by 2050.

IIFA postponed following UAE President’s demise, to be held in July

International Indian Film Academy 2022 (IIFA) has been postponed following UAE President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan's demise. The event was slated to be held in May, but now will be held from July 14 to July 16 due to the 40-day mourning period in the UAE. IIFA will be hosted by Salman Khan, Ritesh Deshmukh and Maniesh Paul.

Sweden to apply for NATO membership amid Ukraine war, ruling party confirms

Sweden's ruling Social Democrats party on Sunday said it will work toward the country applying for membership in the military alliance NATO. This came after Finland said it will seek membership in the alliance amid the Russia-Ukraine war. The party, however, said it was opposed to stationing nuclear weapons or permanent NATO military bases in Sweden.

$11 trillion wiped out in worst losing streak for global stocks since 2008 crisis

As much as $11 trillion has been wiped out from the markets amid the worst losing streak for global stocks since the 2008 financial crisis, Bloomberg reported. The valuations of companies across the US and Europe have lowered due to the selloff in MSCI ACWI Index, MSCI's global equity index. Morgan Stanley and Citigroup strategists expect stocks to fall further.

BANKING , BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

Govt lists 3 reasons for ban on wheat exports

After government banned wheat export, Commerce Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam listed 3 reasons. "Reason for ban is to protect...food security of our citizens, ensure adequate food supply to...public distribution system and ensure that we're able to direct food supplies to vulnerable food-deficit countries," he said. "There's no dramatic fall in production, also no need to imagine shortage," he added.

Better.com allows India employees to leave, accepts 920 resignations: Report

US-based mortgage lending startup Better.com recently offered its employees in India the option to leave under a voluntary separation agreement, TechCrunch reported. Around 90% of the 2,100 employees took the offer, more than the company expected, and eventually, the resignations of 920 employees were accepted. In December 2021, Better.com CEO Vishal Garg had fired 900 employees over a Zoom call.

UAE-based telecom group acquires 9.8% stake in Vodafone Group for $4.4 billion

Emirates Telecommunications Group Company PJSC (e&) has acquired a 9.8% stake in Vodafone Group for $4.4 billion. With this, the UAE-based company has become the largest shareholder in Vodafone, Bloomberg reported. e& said that it has "made the investment in Vodafone to gain significant exposure to a world leader in connectivity and digital services".

Govt extends wheat procurement season till May 31, 2022

The government on Sunday announced that the wheat procurement season has been extended till May 31, 2022. "Present geopolitical situation and market prices may also affect the projected procurement of wheat during the current Rabi marketing season 2022-23 under the central pool," a government order said. Union Minister Piyush Goyal said it will "ensure that no wheat farmer faces inconvenience".

Adani to buy Holcim's stake in Ambuja Cements and ACC for $10.5 billion

Adani Group on Sunday announced that it will acquire Holcim's stake in Ambuja Cements and ACC. The value for Holcim's stake and open offer consideration is about $10.5 billion. It will be the largest-ever acquisition for Adani Group and the largest-ever transaction in India's infrastructure and materials space. Switzerland-based Holcim holds 63.19% stake in Ambuja Cements and 54.53% in ACC.

India added 8.8 million jobs in April 2022: CMIE report

Indian labour markets saw substantially increased activity during April 2022 as the labour force increased by 8.8 million from 428.4 million in March to 437.2 million in April, according to a Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) report. "This is one of the largest monthly increases in the labour force if we exclude the lockdown impacted months," the report added.

SPORTS
RR defeat LSG by 24 runs, move to 2nd position on IPL 2022 points table

RR defeated LSG by 24 runs at Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai to move to the second position on the IPL 2022 points table. RR and LSG have 16 points each, with RR having a superior net run-rate (NRR). RR put up a total of 178/6 with Yashasvi Jaiswal top-scoring with 41(29). LSG were restricted to 154/8 in their 20 overs.

Former Australia cricketer Andrew Symonds passes away in car accident aged 46

short by Anmol Sharma / 08:22 am on 15 May 2022,Sunday

Former Australia cricketer Andrew Symonds passed away in a car accident aged 46 on Saturday night. Symonds was involved in a single-vehicle accident, as per the police. "Emergency services attempted to revive the 46-year-old driver and sole occupant, however, he died of his injuries," the police said. Symonds is survived by wife Laura and children Chloe and Billy.

India's Thomas Cup win is like winning cricket WC in 1983: Dinesh Khanna

Following Indian men's badminton team's maiden Thomas Cup win after defeating 14-time champions Indonesia 3-0 in final on Sunday, ex-Asian badminton champion Dinesh Khanna congratulated them, saying, "It's like winning...World Cup in cricket for the first time in 1983." He added, "There's nothing more greater than this win, as far as team championship for men in the sport is concerned."

Novak Djokovic wins Italian Open, clinches his record-extending 38th Masters 1000 title

Novak Djokovic defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-0, 7-6(7-5) in the final of the Italian Open on Sunday to clinch a record-extending 38th ATP Masters 1000 title. It is Djokovic's first title victory of the year. The Serbian had become the fifth man in the Open Era to earn 1,000 singles match wins when he defeated Casper Ruud in the semi-finals.

₹1 cr reward announced for men's badminton team for historic Thomas Cup win

Sports Minister Anurag Thakur has said that a ₹1 crore cash reward will be given to the Indian men's badminton team to acknowledge their historic Thomas Cup win. "This extraordinary feat, with successive victories over Malaysia, Denmark and Indonesia, calls for matching honour by the nation," said Thakur. PM Narendra Modi also congratulated the team.

OBITUARY

Actress Pallavi Dey found dead at her flat in Kolkata, family alleges murder

Bengali TV actress Pallavi Dey was on Sunday found dead at her rented apartment in Kolkata's Garfa area, the police said. As per a preliminary investigation, the actress, who was in her 20s, is suspected to have died by suicide, police said. Her family, however, alleged that she may have been murdered. Her live-in boyfriend is being questioned.

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CURRENT AFFAIRS SNIPPETS

14^TH AND 15^TH MAY 2022

NATIONAL NEWS