Top 5 Current Affairs: 8 May 2019

World Red Cross Day 2019 observed

The World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day was celebrated across the globe on May 8, 2019 to mark the birth anniversary of Henry Dunant, the founder of the Red Cross and International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The theme of the World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day 2019 was ‘Love’.

Iran quits key commitments under nuclear deal

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani announced nation’s partial withdrawal from international nuclear deal 2015. Post the withdrawal, the country will restart higher enrichment of uranium in 60 days. The announcement came a year after the US President Donald Trump made announcement of US withdrawal from the landmark accord and re-introduced sanctions against Iran.

PM Modi second most followed politician globally

PM Narendra Modi surpassed the US President Donald Trump by becoming the second most followed politician across the globe with a total audience of 110.9 million on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. President Trump has 96 million followers globally. The world’s most followed politician is the former US President Barack Obama.

India re-elected as Arctic Council’s Observer

India was re-elected as Observer to the Arctic Council, the leading intergovernmental forum that “promotes cooperation and interaction among the Arctic States, Arctic indigenous communities and inhabitants of Arctic region on issues pertaining to sustainable development and environmental protection”.

Home Ministry revokes Black List of Indian-origin people

The Union Home Ministry announced to do away with the ‘Black List’ of Indian-origin people. The ‘Black List’ is majorly comprised of people belonging to the Sikh Community, who took asylum abroad under the plea of alleged persecution in India. The list was maintained by Indian missions and posts abroad.