28th May, 2024 Current Affairs

Sakshi Education

NATIONAL
Dissolution of Food and Nutrition Board: Rationalizing Government Bodies

The Food and Nutrition Board (FNB), a technical branch of the Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) responsible for providing logistical support to community nutrition programs, has been officially dissolved as part of the government’s plan to rationalize various bodies.
The decision to discontinue the FNB was taken after the Cabinet meeting on April 6, 2022, following recommendations from the Principal Economic Advisor’s report on the rationalization of government bodies in November 2020.
Three Community Food and Nutrition Extension Units (CFNEUs) in Mumbai, Jaipur, and Bhubaneswar have been transferred to the Directorate of Estates under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
The process of transferring four immovable properties in Faridabad, Chennai, Navi Mumbai, and Kolkata is underway.
The Central Food Testing Laboratory in Faridabad and the Regional Food Testing Laboratory in Chennai, both owned by FNB, are being handed over to the FCI or the Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD).
The leased Regional Food Testing Laboratories in Navi Mumbai and West Bengal will be leased to FCI and DFPD after obtaining necessary approvals from the respective state governments.

INTERNATIONAL
Lithuania’s President Gitanas Nausėda Secures Landslide Reelection Victory

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda has clinched a second term, triumphing over Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė. With preliminary results indicating Nausėda’s commanding lead with 74.5% of the votes, his reelection underscores broad support for his moderate conservative stance and unwavering advocacy for Ukraine.
Situated on NATO’s eastern flank, Lithuania’s presidency holds significant weight amid escalating tensions between Russia and the West, particularly amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Nausėda’s leadership in overseeing foreign and defense policy, alongside his role as supreme commander of the armed forces, underscores Lithuania’s strategic significance in the Baltic region.

Saudi Arabia Names Faisal bin Saud Al-Mejfel as Ambassador to Syria

Saudi Arabia’s appointment of Faisal bin Saud Al-Mejfel as its ambassador to Syria signifies a significant shift in bilateral relations, marking the first such appointment in over a decade. This move comes amidst a period of thawing relations between the two nations following years of estrangement sparked by the Syrian civil war.
The rift between Saudi Arabia and Syria emerged in 2011 amid the Syrian civil war, with Saudi Arabia backing rebel groups opposed to the Assad regime. Diplomatic ties were severed in 2012, leading to the closure of Saudi Arabia’s embassy in Damascus.
The re-establishment of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Syria holds broader implications for regional dynamics. It may inspire other nations to pursue similar reconciliation efforts, potentially contributing to a more stable and cooperative Middle East.

Also Read: Test Your Knowledge with Our Daily Current Affairs Quiz - May 14th, 2024

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ECONOMY
India’s Trade Deficit with Top Partners in 2023-24

India faced a trade deficit with nine out of its top ten trading partners in the fiscal year 2023-24, according to official data. Notably, China emerged as India’s largest trading partner, surpassing the United States, with bilateral commerce totaling $118.4 billion.
India experienced widening trade deficits with China, Russia, Korea, and Hong Kong compared to the previous fiscal year.
The trade deficit with China rose to $85 billion, with Russia to $57.2 billion, with Korea to $14.71 billion, and with Hong Kong to $12.2 billion in 2023-24.
India maintained a trade surplus of $36.74 billion with the United States, which is one of the few countries where India holds such a surplus.
Notably, India has free trade agreements with four of its top trading partners: Singapore, the UAE, Korea, and Indonesia (as part of the Asian bloc).

SPORTS
Payal Kapadia Wins Grand Prix Award for ‘All We Imagine as Light

The 77th Cannes Film Festival witnessed a remarkable achievement for Indian cinema as Payal Kapadia’s film ‘All We Imagine as Light’ won the prestigious Grand Prix award, the second-highest honour at the festival. This triumph marks a historic moment, as Kapadia becomes the first Indian filmmaker to receive this prestigious accolade.
The 2024 Cannes Film Festival also recognized the exceptional talent of Indian artists in various fields.
The Bharat Pavilion, set up by the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) under the aegis of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, served as a centerpoint for various activities throughout the festival days.

Published date : 28 May 2024 04:44PM