Kerala became the first state to tap into masala bond market by listing the KIIFB masala bond amounting USD 312 million in London Stock Exchange (LSE)’s International Securities Market (ISM). The masala bond has tenor of 5-year .
KIIFB- Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board
US has launched a merit-based immigration system from which foreigners, waiting to get Green Cards or permanent legal residency stand to benefit. The reform proposals significantly increase the quota for skilled workers from existing nearly 12% to 57%.
This proposal was launched by US President, Donald Trump.
IBRD (World Bank) and Commonwealth Bank have enabled secondary market trading recorded on the blockchain for bond-i (blockchain operated new debt instrument), making it the first bond whose issuance and trading are recorded using distributed ledger tech.
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development -IBRD
State-run telecom major BSNL has partnered with Google to increase access to its WiFi footprint in India. Henceforth, Indians can use BSNL's free WiFi services. This initiative will allow customers to use BSNL's high-speed internet services on WiFi.
BSNL Director: Vivek Bansal
NSG commandos created history as they scaled the Mount Everest, the world's highest peak(8848 m), in their maiden attempt.
The 7 member team was led by Lt Col J P Kumar.The team took the southeastern approach via South Col in Solukhumbhu region of Nepal.
NSG Director General: Sudeep Lakhtakia
Ms. Radha Venkataraman, presently Director in the Ministry of External Affairs, has been appointed as the next High Commissioner of India to the Kingdom of Eswatini. She succeeds Rudra Gaurav Shresth.
Capital of Eswatini- Mbabane
Currency: Lilangeni
Rafael Nadal defeated world’s number 1 ranked player, Novak Djokovic to win a ninth Italian Open title and a record 34th Masters crown. World number two, Nadal, claimed the 81st title of his career.
Rafael Nadal is from Spain, while Novak Djokovic is from Serbia.
The navies of India and Singapore conducted their bilateral naval drill SIMBEX in the South China Sea. Indian Navy ships Kolkata and Shakti took part in the exercise with Singapore, along with long-range maritime patrol aircraft Poseidon-8I (P8I).
SIMBEX -Singapore India Maritime Bilateral Exercise
Germany’s Double Olympic biathlon champion Laura Dahlmeier retires at the age of 25 owing to health issues. In the Winter Olympics 2018, she became the first female biathlete to win sprint as well as the pursuit at the same Olympics.
She took the overall biathlon World Cup in 2017.
The world-famous architect IM Pei, best known for his remarkable work, the Louvre pyramid in Paris, passed away at the age of 102. He was also the mastermind behind the landmark 72-story Bank of China tower in Hong Kong and Athens' Museum of Modern Art.
Pei won most awards in his field including the Pritzker Prize.