Current Affairs May 12- West Bengal to set up plant tissue culture laboratory

National

Air India to operate direct flight between Colombo and Varanasi:

PM Narendra Modi announced that from August this year, Air India will operate direct flights between Colombo and Varanasi. He is participated in the International Vesak Day celebrations in the Sri Lankan capital, the biggest festival of Buddhists.

West Bengal to set up plant tissue culture laboratory:

The West Bengal government has decided to set up a state-of-the-art plant tissue culture laboratory at the Kolkata Biotech Park to enhance production and quality of plants and vegetables.

West Bengal to set up plant tissue culture laboratory:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a Rs 150 crore super-speciality hospital in Srilanka built with India’s assistance in Dickoya, home to a large Tamil community who are of Indian-origin. Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena attended the function with Modi.

INTERNATIONAL

Nepal Signed a deal to join China New Silk Road Project: 

Nepal on signed up to China’s new Silk Road drive, a massive infrastructure project spanning some 65 countries at the centre of the Asian giant’s push to expand its global influence.

The One Belt, One Road Initiative (OBOR) spearheaded by President Xi Jinping would see 60 percent of the global population and around a third of global GDP linked through a network of Chinese-bankrolled ports, railways, roads and industrial parks.

Brazil declares an end to Zika emergency:

Brazil has declared an end to its public health emergency for the Zika virus on, 18 months after a surge in cases drew headlines around the world. Now, ban was lifted following the less cases of zika affected people in the country.

US approves sale of 160 missiles to UAE:

The US State Department has approved the possible sale of 160 missiles to the United Arab Emirates for an estimated $2.0 billion as per pentagon report.

The UAE government has requested the possible sale of 60 Patriot missiles with canisters and 100 Patriot guidance enhanced missiles, among other military equipment from US.

Banking & Business

India would get 7.5% growth in 2017-18

Finance Secretary Ashok Lavasa announced that India can clock a GDP growth of over 7.5 per cent in the fiscal 2017-18

SPORTS

Sachin Tendulkar to be co-owner of a Pro Kabaddi League team:

Sachin Tendulkar set to become the new owners of the four new Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) teams that will participate in the fifth season of the tournament, to be played from July to October. Sachin Tendulkar will team up with serial entrepreneur N. Prasad as the co-owner of the Tamil Nadu-based franchise.

OBITUARY

Himachal Pradesh Cabinet Minister passes away:

Himachal Pradesh Ayurveda and Cooperative Affairs Minister Karan Singh from Congress passed away in AIIMS, New Delhi.

Mr. Singh was first elected to the Vidhan Sabha in 1990 and then in 1998 as a BJP member. He was then made Minister of State for Primary Education in the Dhumal government of 1998-2003.