Daily Current Affairs, 30th April 2019

1) US Withdraws From UN Arms Trade Treaty

•US President Donald Trump stated that his administration is withdrawing the U.S. signature from the U.N. Arms Trade Treaty, in response to concerns from gun rights activists that it could impinge on Americans’ right to bear arms. Former US President Barack Obama signed the treaty in 2013 and sent the treaty to the Senate for ratification.

2) India 4th Biggest Military Spender in 2018: SIPRI Report

•India was the world’s fourth biggest military spender in 2018 behind the United States, China, and Saudi Arabia, according to new data think tank Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). India was the fifth largest military spender in 2017.

•France also figures on the list of top five spenders that together accounted for 60% of the global military spending in 2018. According to the SIPRI data, China was the second-largest military spender in 2018. India accounts for 3.7% of the global defence spending. In contrast, India’s military spending went up by 3.1% to $66.5 billion.

3) GRSE To Build 8 Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Watercraft For Indian Navy

•The Defence Ministry has awarded a contract of worth Rs 6,311 crore to Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited (GRSE) to build eight anti-submarine warfare shallow watercraft (ASWSWC) for the Indian Navy.

•As per the agreement, the first ship is to be delivered within 42 months from the date of signing of the contract and subsequently, two ships are required to be delivered per year. The project completion time is 84 months.

4) Wipro Acquires Philippines’ Largest Personal Care Company ‘Splash’

•Wipro Consumer Care announced that it is acquiring personal care company ‘Splash’, which is based in the Philippines. The transaction strengthens the Bengaluru-based company’s consumer care portfolio in personal care and completes its South-East Asian footprint. Splash, the largest personal care player in the Philippines, recorded revenues worth $80 million in 2018.

5) Golfer Gaganjeet Bhullar Wins Outstanding Achievement As a Player Award

•Arjuna awardee and star Indian golfer Gaganjeet Bhullar won the outstanding achievement as a player award at the fourth edition of the annual India Golf Industry Association (GIA) awards at the Delhi Golf Club.

•The GIA awards were held along with the 8th India Golf & Turf Expo (IGTE), South Asia’s largest golf trade show. Bhullar won the 2018 Fiji International, a European Tour event, and also holds the rare distinction of becoming the youngest golfer on the Asian Tour to achieve nine career victories on tour.

6) Bajrang Punia To Become 1st Indian Wrestler To Fight At Madison Square Garden

•Bajrang Punia is set to become the first wrestler from India to fight at the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York. The 25-year-old has recently won the gold medal in the 65-kg category at the ongoing Asian Wrestling Championships.

•He is the first Indian wrestler to be invited by the American governing body. Punia will take part in the “Grapple at the Garden – Beat the Streets” fight night. He is currently the World No.1 in the 65-kg weight category.