Daily GK Update- 31st, May 2021

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Ayush Ministry Organises Series of 5 Webinars On “Be With Yoga, Be At Home”: The Ministry of Ayush is organising various activities in the run-up to the International Day of Yoga, 2021. One among these is a series of five webinars that the Ministry is organising under the broad theme of “Be with Yoga, Be at Home” in collaboration with five renowned organisations of the country who will present one webinar each on a particular topic. Some renowned Organisations are:- The Art of Living, The Yoga Institute, ArhamDhyanYog, etc.

This series of five insightful webinars are aimed to remind the wider audience about the issues that have become extremely important in the present context of Covid-19. The series will seek to develop a cumulative understanding to respond to these cross-cutting issues, relying upon the collective experiential wisdom of five organisations that have their own distinctive tradition of learning and sharing.

Note: Minister of State (IC) of the Ministry of AYUSH: Shripad Yesso Naik.

 

2. Cabinet Approves MoUs Signed between ICoAl, ICSI with Foreign Countries: The Union Cabinet has granted approval to the Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) entered into by the Institute of Cost Accountants of India and the Institute of Company Secretaries of India with various countries and organisations. The MoUs seek to facilitate mutual recognition of qualifications and a range of collaborative activities for the exchange of knowledge. The signed MoUs would help in the advancement of the goals on equity, public accountability and innovation among the beneficiaries countries.

The Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICoAl) and the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) have signed MoUs with foreign organisations namely Institute of Public Accountants (IPA), Australia, Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment, UK (CISI), Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA), UK, Institute of Certified Management Accountants, Sri Lanka and Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA), UK.

 

3. Govt to set up National Mission on use of Biomass in coal based thermal power plants: The Power Ministry has decided to set up a National Mission on the use of Biomass in coal based thermal power plants. It is intended to address the issue of air pollution due to farm stubble-burning and to reduce the carbon footprints of thermal power generation.  It will also further support the energy transition in the country and its targets to move towards cleaner energy sources. The Mission will increase the level of co-firing from the present five percent to higher levels to have a larger share of carbon-neutral power generation from the thermal power plants

 

4. Government releases Rs 1605 crore to 8 North Eastern States under Jal Jeevan Mission: The Union Government has released Rs 1605 crore to eight North Eastern states under Jal Jeevan Mission to provide tap water supply to rural homes in the current financial year. Jal Shakti Ministry said, this is the first tranche of the four to be released in this financial year. There are about 90 lakh rural households in all the North East States, with a maximum 63.35 lakh in Assam.

 

INTERNATIONALUPDATES:

 

1. Ecuador’s Lasso sworn in as first right-wing leader in 14 years: Guillermo Lasso, a conservative, assumed the presidency of Ecuador and has become the first right-wing leader in 14 years in Ecuador. The 65-year-old former banker beat left-wing economist Andres Arauz in a second-round run-off last month and succeeds the hugely unpopular Lenin Moreno. Guillermo Alberto is a banker, businessman, writer and politician who recently became the 47th president of Ecuador. He is the first centre-right president in two decades.

Note: Ecuador Capital: Quito; Ecuador Currency: United States Dollar.

 

2. NASA Partners ISRO to develop Earth System Observatory: The US space agency, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is developing a new system called the Earth System Observatory, to mitigate efforts related to climate change and disaster mitigation. NASA has also partnered with the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) which will provide NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR). NISAR will carry two radar systems to measure changes in the Earth’s surface, during one of the observatory’s first missions intended as a pathfinder.

About the Earth System Observatory:

(1) The Earth System Observatory will be a set of missions designed to study “designated observables” such as aerosols, clouds and weather, water supply, and the Earth’s surface and ecosystems, for an unprecedented understanding of the critical interactions between Earth’s atmosphere, land, ocean, and ice processes, which determines how the changing climate will play out at regional and local levels, on near and long-term time scales.

(2) Each new satellite under Earth System Observatory will be uniquely designed to create a 3D, holistic view of Earth, from bedrock to atmosphere, providing a new architecture to advanced space-borne Earth observation systems.

Note: 14th NASA administrator: Bill Nelson; Headquarters of NASA: Washington D.C., United States; NASA Founded: 1 October 1958.

 

3. World No-Tobacco Day: 31st May: Every year, on 31st May, the World Health Organization (WHO) and global partners celebrate World No Tobacco Day (WNTD). The annual campaign is an opportunity to raise awareness on the harmful and deadly effects of tobacco use and second-hand smoke exposure, and to discourage the use of tobacco in any form. This year theme of the 2021 WNTD is “Commit to quit.” This yearly celebration informs the public on the dangers of using tobacco, the business practices of tobacco companies, what WHO is doing to fight the tobacco epidemic, and what people around the world can do to claim their right to health and healthy living and to protect future generations.

History: World Health Organization on 15th May 1987 passed a resolution, calling for April 7, 1988, to be the first World No Smoking Day. This date was chosen as it was the 40th anniversary of the World Health Organization. Then on May 17, 1989, the World Health Organization passed a resolution calling for May 31 to be annually known as World No Tobacco Day. World No Tobacco Day has been observed every year on 31st May since 1989.

Note: WHO was established on 7 April 1948; WHO is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland; WHO current President is DrTedrosAdhanom Ghebreyesus.

 

4. International Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories: 25th May – 31st May: The United Nations is observing the International Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories from May 25 to 31, 2021. On December 06, 1999, the UN General Assembly called for the annual observance of the Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories. In UN Charter, a Non-Self-Governing Territory is defined as a Territory “whose people have not yet attained a full measure of self-government.”

The observation aims to take effective measures to safeguard and guarantee the inalienable rights of the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories to their natural resources, including land, and to establish and maintain control over the future development of those resources and requested the Administering Powers to take all necessary steps to protect the property rights of the peoples of those Territories. At present, there are 17 Non-Self-Governing Territories remaining.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Mary Kom Settles with Silver Medal at 2021 Asian Boxing Championships: Indian pugilist Mary Kom, lost to two-time world champion NazymKyzaibay of Kazakhstan, to settle for silver medal at the 2021 ASBC Asian Boxing Championships in Dubai. The five-time Asian Championships gold medallist Mary Kom was competing in a high-octane 51kg final. This is the second silver for Mary Kom at the Asian Championships who has previously won silver in 2008. Apart from this, she won world championship titles on five occasions including 2003, 2005, 2010, 2012, and 2017. Meanwhile, Pooja Rani won the gold medal in the 75kg Women’s Middle category final at the Asian Boxing Championships. She defeated MavludaMovlonova in the gold medal clash.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. LIC hikes its stake in Union Bank to over 5%: The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has hiked its stake to 5.06% in state-run Union Bank of India with acquisition of nearly 2% additional stake in the bank. Earlier, the LIC held 3.09% stake in UBI, representing 19,79,23,251equity shares of the bank, as per a regulatory filing of LIC sent to exchanges through Union Bank of India.

 

2. Mahindra Rural Housing Finance, IPPB tie up for cash management solution: Mahindra Rural Housing Finance and India Post Payments Bank announced a strategic partnership for cash management solution. As part of the tie-up, IPPB will be offering cash management and collection services to MRHFL through its access points and postal service providers. With the cash management service, its customers will be able to repay their monthly or quarterly loan instalments at over 1.36 lakh post offices.

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. SBI research: GDP likely grew by 1.3% in Q4 FY21: India’s GDP is likely to have grown at 1.3% in the fourth quarter of 2020-21 and may have contracted by about 7.3% for the full financial year, according to an SBI research report ‘Ecowrap’. The National Statistical Office (NSO) will release the GDP estimates for the March 2021 quarter and provisional annual estimates for the year 2020-21 on May 31.

State Bank of India (SBI) has developed a ‘nowcasting model’ with 41 high-frequency indicators associated with industry activity, service activity, and the global economy in collaboration with the State Bank Institute of Leadership (SBIL), Kolkata. The economics research team said that going by the estimate of 1.3% GDP growth, India would still be the fifth-fastest-growing country among 25 nations that have released their GDP numbers so far.

Note: SBI Chairperson: Dinesh Kumar Khara; SBI Headquarters: Mumbai; SBI Founded: 1 July 1955.

 

2. Andy Jassy will become Amazon’s CEO on July 5th: Andy Jassy will officially become the CEO of Amazon on July 5th, the company announced at a shareholder meeting. Amazon announced that Jassy, who is the current CEO of Amazon Web Services (AWS), would replace Jeff Bezos as CEO of the entire company in February. Bezos will become executive chair of Amazon’s board. Jassy joined the company in the late ’90s and was tasked with exploring what would become AWS around 2003.

Note: Amazon.com Inc Founded: 5 July 1994; Amazon.com Inc Headquarters: Seattle, Washington, United States.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Shergaon BMC bags best Biodiversity Management Committee award in Arunachal Pradesh: The Shergaon Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC) in West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh was awarded the best such panel in the country at the fifth edition of the India Biodiversity Award. The award was given by the National Biodiversity Authority at a virtual programme on the occasion of the International Day for Biological Diversity. Winners of the India Biodiversity Awards get a memento, a certificate and a cash prize of Rs two lakh each for individuals and Rs five lakh each for institutions. The Shergaon BMC has worked on documentation of endemic flora and fauna of the village forest. Plant species like Paris polyphylla, Taxusbaccata, Swertiachirayita, Rubiacordifolia, and faunas such as red panda, flying squirrels, civets, Himalayan Asiatic black bear have been documented.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Freedom fighter HS Doreswamy passes away: Freedom fighter H S Doreswamy, who recently recovered from Covid-19, passed away. He was born in Bengaluru on April 10, 1918, HarohalliSrinivasaiahDoreswamy, is known for his participation in the Quit India movement and VinobaBhave’sBhoodan movement. He was also a familiar figure in civil society movements in Karnataka as he had campaigned to revive lakes in Bengaluru. 

Daily GK Update- 30th, May 2021

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. IIT Ropar develops unique detector ‘FakeBuster’: Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar and Monash University, Australia have developed a detector named ‘FakeBuster’ to identify imposters attending a virtual conference without anybody’s knowledge. It can also find out faces manipulated on social media to defame or make a joke of someone.

About the ‘FakeBuster’:

(1) The ‘FakeBuster’ is a deep learning-based solution that helps detect if a video is manipulated or spoofed during a video-conference meeting.

(2) It has been tested for its effectiveness on popular web conferencing applications – Skype and Zoom and also detecting deepfakes where faces are manipulated on social media to spread misinformation or defame persons.

(3) ‘FakeBuster’ can function online and offline. It uses a 3D convolutional neural network for predicting video segment-wise fakeness scores.

(4) ‘Deepfake’ has been extensively trained on datasets such as Deeperforensics, DFDC, VoxCeleb, and deepfake videos created using locally captured (for video conferencing scenarios) images.

(5) Deepfake a form of artificial intelligence which seamlessly stitches anyone in the world into a video or photo they never actually participated in.

 

2. Cheetah to be re-introduced in India from Africa in November: Cheetah, the world’s fastest land animal which was declared extinct in India in 1952, is expected to be re-introduced into the country in November this year at the Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh. Kuno, positioned within the Chambal area, unfolds over a space of over 750 sq km and has a conducive atmosphere for the cheetah. The country’s last spotted cheetah died in Chhattisgarh in 1947 and it was declared extinct in the country in 1952. The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) some years again ready a cheetah re-introduction undertaking.

The Supreme Court docket had earlier given its approval to introduce African cheetahs to an acceptable habitat in India on an experimental foundation. Officers from India might be despatched to South Africa for sensitisation and coaching in June and July these 12 months and in accordance with the plan, the transportation of the cheetahs will happen in October and November.

Note: Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh: Shivraj Singh Chouhan; Governor: Anandiben Patel.

 

3. MP CM transfers Rs. 112. 81 crore under COVID-19 assistance scheme into account of Rs. 11. 28 lakh construction workers: In Madhya Pradesh, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan transferred the amount of Rs. 112. 81 crore under the COVID-19 assistance scheme into the account of Rs. 11. 28 lakh construction workers of the state. Chief Minister MrChouhan said that all the poor, including construction workers, are being given free ration of five kg per member for five months, the state government has provided three months ration and the Central government is giving two months ration. Meanwhile, the state  Cabinet under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Choauhan decided to implement ‘MukhyaMantri Covid-19 AnukampaNiyukti Yojana’ to provide compassionate appointment to eligible dependents of those who died while serving in government service during COVID-19 pandemic including  daily wage earners, ad hoc , contractual.

 

INTERNATIONALUPDATES:

 

1. CollinetMakosso appointed Republic of Congo’s new Prime Minister: The President of the Republic of Congo, Denis SassouNguesso has appointed Anatole CollinetMakosso as the country’s Prime Minister. He replaced Clement Mouamba, in-office since 2016. Before this appointment, Makosso was the education minister of the Central African country. He was also minister of youth and civic instruction from 2011 to 2016. Since 2016, he has held the position of Minister of Primary and Secondary Education in charge of literacy. MrCollinetMakosso was the deputy campaign manager of candidate SassouNguesso during the last presidential election.

Note: Congo Capital: Brazzaville; Congo Currency: Congolese franc.

 

2. David Barnea Appointed as Israel’s Next Mossad Chief: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appointed David Barnea as the new head of the country’s spy agency, the Mossad. Barnea, a former longtime Mossad operative, will succeed Yossi Cohen as head of Israel’s intelligence agency on June 1. Cohen has served as Israel’s spymaster since taking office in 2016. Barnea, who is in his 50s, lives in the Sharon region north of Tel Aviv. He did his military service in the elite SayeretMatkal special operations force. About 30 years ago, he enlisted in the Mossad, where he became a case officer.

Note: Prime Minister of Israel: Benjamin Netanyahu; Israel Capital: Jerusalem; Israel Currency: Israeli Shekel.

 

3. Mount Nyiragongo erupts in the Republic of Congo: Mount Nyiragongo erupted in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Mount Nyiragongo is one of several volcanoes near the DRC’s border with Rwanda and Uganda. Its last major eruption, in 2002, killed 250 people and displaced thousands. Nyiragongo and nearby Nyamuragira are together responsible for 40 per cent of Africa’s historical volcanic eruptions. Mount Nyiragongo is located inside Virunga National Park.

Note: President of the Republic of Congo: Denis SassouNguesso; Prime Minister of Republic of Congo: Anatole CollinetMakosso; Congo Capital: Brazzaville; Congo Currency: Congolese franc.

 

4. International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers: 29th May: The “International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers” is observed on May 29 annually. The day is celebrated to pay tribute to all the men and women who have served and continue to serve in United Nations peacekeeping operations for their high level of professionalism, dedication, and courage and to honour the memory of those who have lost their lives in the cause of peace.

The day was designated by United Nations General Assembly on December 11, 2002, and first celebrated in 2003. The 2021 Theme: “The road to a lasting peace: Leveraging the power of youth for peace and security.”

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Ashok Kumar, the only Indian referee to officiate in wrestling in Tokyo Olympics: Ashok Kumar will be the only referee from the country to officiate in wrestling matches of the Tokyo Olympic Games. He was named in the list of officials released by the United World Wrestling (UWW). Ashok, who will officiate in his second consecutive Olympics. He is a UWW referees’ educator as well.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Equitas Small Finance Bank offers online process for NRI account opening: Equitas Small Finance Bank has now become the first Small Finance Bank to offer its NRI customer segment the ease of account opening online. The company will also be the only one in the Small Finance Bank sector to have Virtual Relationship Managers based on time zones. The online process of account opening for NRIs can be done via smartphone or computer connected to the Internet.

How to open an account:

(1) The applicants will have a span of 90 days to courier documents after account opening. With this pioneering move, Equitas Small Finance Bank is seamlessly increasing opportunities for its NRI account holders to manage their investments, deposits and the income earned in India.

(2) The Equitas Net Banking would also facilitate investment in mutual funds and Portfolio Management Services for the NRI account holders.

(3) Through Banking alliances, Equitas Bank also offers online and offline remittance facilities to its NRI customers at the best exchange rates thereby making it easier and beneficial to transfer their overseas earnings to India seamlessly.

Note: Equitas Small Finance Bank MD & CEO Vasudevan P N; Equitas Small Finance Bank Headquarters: Chennai; Equitas Small Finance Bank Founded: 2016.

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. Foreign direct investment jumps 19% to $59.64 bn in 2020-21: Foreign direct investments (FDI) into the country grew 19 per cent to USD 59.64 billion during 2020-21 on account of measures taken by the government on the fronts of policy reforms, investment facilitation and ease of doing business. Total FDI, including equity, re-invested earnings and capital, rose 10 per cent to the “highest ever” of USD 81.72 billion during 2020-21 as against USD 74.39 billion in 2019-20. In terms of top investor countries, Singapore is at the top with a 29 per cent share. It was followed by the US (23 per cent) and Mauritius (9 per cent) during the last fiscal. FDI equity inflow grew by 19 per cent in 2020-21 (USD 59.64 billion), compared to 2019-20 (USD 49.98 billion).

 

2. Barclays pegs India’s FY22 GDP growth at 7.7%: Barclays has pegged India’s economic growth for fiscal 2021-22 (FY22), as measured by gross domestic product (GDP) at 7.7 per cent in the bear-case scenario if the country is hit by the third wave of the Covid pandemic going ahead. The economic cost, it believes, could rise by at least a further $42.6 billion, assuming another round of similar stringent lockdowns is imposed across the country for eight weeks later this year.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. IAS VK Pandian to receive FIH President’s Award: V Karthikeyan Pandian, an IAS officer, and private secretary to Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik was conferred with President’s award by International Hockey Federation through the 47th FIH Congress. He was awarded for his contribution in direction of the event and promotion of hockey in Odisha. On the closing day of the 47th FIH Congress held virtually, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) announced Pandian will receive the award for his contribution and services to Hockey in Odisha. Pandian also works as Secretary of the State government’s 5T Initiative (Technology, Transparency, Teamwork and Time Leading to Transformation).

Note: Chief Minister of Odisha: Naveen Patnaik and Governor is Ganeshi Lal.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. 1971 war hero Col Panjab Singh passes away: Colonel Panjab Singh, a hero of the Battle of Poonch during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, was cremated with full military honours under pandemic protocols after he passed away. The retired officer, who was awarded the Vir Chakra, the third highest war-time gallantry award, died of post-Covid complications. Panjab Singh was born on 15 February 1942, the colonel was commissioned into the 6th Battalion, The Sikh Regiment on16 December 1967. He went on to command the prestigious battalion from 12 October 1986 to 29 July 1990. 

Daily GK Update- 29th, May 2021

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Cabinet approves Opening of a new Consulate General of India in Maldives: Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the opening of a new Consulate General of India in Addu City, the Maldives in 2021. India and Maldives share ethnic, linguistic, cultural, religious and commercial links steeped in antiquity. Maldives occupies an important place in the ‘Neighbourhood First Policy’ and the ‘SAGAR’ (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision of the Government of India.

About the Consulate General:

(1) The opening of a Consulate General in Addu City will help augment India’s diplomatic presence in the Maldives and make it commensurate with the existing and aspired level of engagement.

(2) The momentum and energy in the bilateral relationship have reached unprecedented levels under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi and President Solih. This is also a forward-looking step in pursuit of our national priority of growth and development or ‘SabkaSaathSabkaVikas’.

(3) Augmentation of India’s diplomatic presence will, inter-alia, provide market access for Indian companies and bolster Indian exports of goods and services. This would have a direct impact in augmenting domestic production and employment in line with our goal of a self-reliant India or ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’.

Note: President of the Maldives: Ibrahim Mohamed Solih; Capital of Maldives: Male; Currency of the Maldives: Maldivian Rufiyaa.

 

2. Mohali international hockey stadium renamed after Balbir Singh Senior: The Punjab Government finally announced to rename the Mohali International Hockey Stadium, after triple Olympian and Padma Shri Balbir Singh Sr. the stadium will now be known as Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium. The government also announced to start a scholarship scheme in the legend’s name for meritorious hockey players of the state.

Balbir Singh Sr played an important role in making the Indian hockey team a three-time Olympics champion. No one has been able to break his Olympics final record till date. He scored five goals in India’s 6-1 victory over the Netherlands in the final of the 1952 Olympic Games. He also was the manager of the 1975 World Cup-winning Indian team. The Punjab Government had honoured the legendary player with the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Award in 2019.

Note: Punjab CM: Captain Amarinder Singh; Punjab Governor: V.P.SinghBadnore.

 

3. IPS Subodh Kumar Jaiswal appointed new CBI director: IPS officer, Subodh Jaiswal has been appointed Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). He was the most senior officer among the three shortlisted for the post of CBI Director. Jaiswal, along with KR Chandra and VS Kaumudi, was short-listed out of 109 officers for the top post by the high-powered committee led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Other members of the committee include Chief Justice of India (CJI) NV Ramana and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, AdhirRanjan Chowdhury.

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has based on the panel recommended by the Committee, approved the appointment of Shri Subodh Kumar Jaiswal, IPS (MH: 1985) as Director, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a period of two years from the date of assumption of charge of the office or until further orders whichever is earlier.

Note: Central Bureau of Investigation Headquarters: New Delhi; Central Bureau of Investigation Founded: 1 April 1963.

 

4. Neena Gupta announces autobiography “SachKahunToh”: Bollywood actor Neena Gupta is all set to launch her autobiography “SachKahunToh”, publisher Penguin Random House India. she wrote the book in 2020 during the lockdown. The book addresses issues like casting couch, film industry politics, and also talks about what it takes for a young actor to survive without a godfather or guide. From her time at the National School of Drama (NSD) to moving to Bombay (Mumbai) in the 80s and her single parenthood, the book will share Gupta’s life story in the most “unapologetically honest” manner. “She details the big milestones in her life, her unconventional pregnancy and single parenthood, and successful second innings in Bollywood.

 

INTERNATIONALUPDATES:

 

1. India-Israel signs 3-year program for Cooperation in Agriculture: India and Israel have inked a three-year joint work programme which will continue till 2023. A joint work programme was initiated with the aim of enhancing cooperation in agriculture. Under the new work programme, 13 Centres of Excellence (CoEs) were set up to make Indian farmers aware of Israeli farm and water technologies. A model ecosystem in agriculture called Villages of Excellence (VoE) will also be created across eight states within 75 villages. The new programme will promote the increase in net income and enhance the livelihood of the individual farmer. India and Israel have completed four similar joint work programmes successfully.

 

2. Dr Harsh Vardhan chairs 74th World Health Assembly: Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare and Chairman of WHO Executive Board, Dr Harsh Vardhan, chaired the 74th World Health Assembly in virtual mode. According to Dr Harsh Vardhan, the executive board has asked for further efforts which can ensure fair and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines under COVAX Facility. Director-General of World Health Organisation, DrTedros, also participated in the event.Board recommended 74th World Health Assembly to consider the report on mental health preparedness and response for the Covid-19 pandemic. It further recommended endorsing updated comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan for 2013 to 2030 and encouraged WHO to work in collaboration with World Organisation for Animal Health and Food & Agriculture Organisation so that source of zoonotic virus can be identified.

 

3. Amnesty International Day: 28th May: Amnesty International Day is observed every year on May 28, because it was on this day in 1961 that this non-governmental organization was founded in London. The Amnesty International was founded on 28 May 1961 in London, following the publication of the article “The Forgotten Prisoners” in The Observer, a British newspaper, by the lawyer Peter Benenson.

Amnesty International is a non-governmental organization that focuses on the protection of human rights, by working to prevent abuses to human rights, fight for justice for those whose rights have been violated, expand and enforce human rights protections in international law, by lobbying governments and other powerful groups and publicizing their violations. The organisation has won the 1977 Nobel Peace Prize for its “defence of human dignity against torture,” and the United Nations Prize in the Field of Human Rights in 1978.

 

4. International Everest Day: 29th May: International Everest Day is being observed on 29th May. Nepalese Tenzing Norgay and New Zealand’s Edmund Hillary had climbed Mt. Everest on this day in 1953, as the first humans to achieve the feat. Nepal decided to observe the day as International Everest Day in 2008 when the legendary climber Hillary passed away. Everest Day on May 29 every year in memory of the first summit of Mt. Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa on the day in 1953. The day is celebrated with memorial events, processions, and special events in Kathmandu and the Everest region.

Note: Nepali name of Mt. Everest: Sagarmatha; Tibetan name: Chomolungma.

Prime minister of Nepal: KP Sharma Oli; President: Bidhya Devi Bhandari; Capital of Nepal: Kathmandu; Currency: Nepalese rupee.

 

5. World Digestive Health Day: 29 May: Every year, World Digestive Health Day (WDHD) is observed on 29 May. It is organised by the World Gastroenterology Organisation (WGO) in collaboration with the WGO Foundation (WGOF). Each year the day focuses upon a particular digestive disease and/or disorder in order to increase general public awareness of prevention, prevalence, diagnosis, management and treatment of the disease and/or disorder. The theme of WDHD 2021 is “Obesity: An Ongoing Pandemic.”

About World Digestive Health Day: World Digestive Health Day was launched in 2004 to mark the 45th anniversary of the creation of the World Gastroenterology Organisation. The organisation has over 100 member societies and 50,000 individual members all over the world.

Note: WGO Headquarters: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States; WGO Founded: 1958.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Lyon Open: StefanosTsitsipas beats Cameron Norrie to claim 2nd title of 2021: In Lyon Open tennis, StefanosTsitsipas teed himself up for the French Open in dominant fashion as he claimed his second title of 2021 with a 6-3, 6-3 win over Cameron Norrie. Tsitsipas, who dropped only one set in the entire tournament, wrapped up the match in 69 minutes to add a second title in the claycourt swing after winning last month’s Monte Carlo Masters.

 

2. Casper Ruud wins Men’s Singles title at Geneva Open tennis: In Geneva Open tennis, world No. 21 Casper Ruud of Norway was rock-solid in the final as he took down 15th-ranked Denis Shapovalov of Canada 7-6 (6), 6-4 for his second ATP Tour title. Ruud improved to an ATP Tour-leading 32 clay-court wins in 2020-21, ahead of Greece’s StefanosTsitsipas (26) and Chile’s Cristian Garin (25).

 

3. Former top-ranked doubles player BarboraStrycova retires at age 35:BarboraStrycova, a former top-ranked doubles player and Wimbledon singles semifinalist, has announced her retirement. The 35-year-old Czech player has won two WTA singles titles and 31 in doubles. She was at her best at Wimbledon in 2019, when she won the women’s doubles with Hsieh Su-wei to become No. 1 and reached the singles semifinals, losing to Serena Williams. Her career-high in singles was No. 16. In 2016, she teamed up with Lucie Safarova to win the bronze medal at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. NPCI partners PayCore to help merchants accept contactless payments: The National Payments Corp. of India (NPCI) has partnered with Turkey’s global payment solutions company PayCore as one of the certified partners for RuPaySoftPOS to drive cashless payments across the country. RuPaySoftPOS enables merchants to accept payments securely from contactless cards, mobile wallets, and wearables just with their mobile phones.

Under this association: NPCI has authorized the SoftPOS solution developed by PayCore for RuPay. This solution can be integrated into bank or aggregator acquiring systems to enable acquiring of RuPay using mobile phones enabled with NFC capability or add-ons. Millions of merchants now can convert their near field communication-enabled (NFC) smartphones into a POS machine to accept contactless payments through RuPaySoftPOS.

Note: National Payments Corporation of India MD & CEO: DilipAsbe; National Payments Corporation of India Headquarters: Mumbai; National Payments Corporation of India Founded: 2008.

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. PayPoint, Digit General Insurance Tie Up to Grant Health Cover in Rural India:PayPoint India has partnered with Digit General Insurance to bring affordable health insurance for its customers in the under-served regions of India, enhancing access to insurance, and helping rural masses cushion themselves against any major financial losses due to the surging Covid-19. The partnership is being flagged off with the launch of a Coronavirus hospitalisation insurance policy that covers treatments up to Rs 2 lakh at a premium of Rs 799. With premium rates starting at Rs 487, the Covid-19 insurance policy offers the benefit of a minimum of Rs 1 Lakh, post 24-hour ICU or HDU hospitalisation. The insurance covers pre-hospitalisation expenses for up to 30 days, post-hospitalisation expenses up to 60 days, road ambulance charges (1 per cent of your chosen sum insured up to Rs 5,000). It has a waiting period of only 15 days from the payment of the premium and does not have any cap on room rent or ICU charges. The claim covers the customer’s spouse and family too.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. DrNageshwar Reddy becomes first Indian to win Rudolf V Schindler award: Padma Bhushan awardee and noted gastroenterologist Dr D Nageshwar Reddy, who is also the chairman of AIG Hospitals, has won the Rudolf V Schindler Award from the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE). Rudolf V Schindler Award is the highest category in the prestigious Crystal Awards named after Dr Schindler who is considered as “the father of gastroscopy.” With this, Dr Reddy becomes the first Indian medical practitioner to win this award. Dr Reddy is one of the first to promote endoscopy in India and has led the charge of educating numerous endoscopists all over the world.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Ex-Formula One boss Max Mosley passes away: Max Mosley, the former head of Formula One’s governing body, has died at the age of 81 after suffering from cancer. The youngest son of Oswald Mosley, the leader of the British fascist movement in the 1930s. Mosley was a racing driver, team owner and lawyer before becoming president of the International Automobile Federation (FIA) in 1993. 

Daily GK Update- 28th, May 2021

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Govt hikes variable dearness allowance for workers in central sphere: Central government has notified and revised the rate of Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA) with a view to provide relief to different category of workers engaged in various scheduled employments in the central sphere. The hike will be effective from 1st of April of the last month. The VDA is revised on the basis of average Consumer Price Index for industrial workers (CPI-IW) a price index compiled by Labour Bureau. Highlights:

(1) In case of unskilled workers engaged in Construction or building operations, the area wise revised rates per day will range from 431 rupees to 645 rupees.

(2) For semi-skilled or unskilled supervisor, the wages to be paid in defined categories will be in the range of 505 rupees to 714 rupees.

(3) In case of Skilled and Clerical category, it will be in the range of 609 rupees to 784 rupees and for highly skilled worker, the rate of wages will range between 714 to 853 rupees.

(4) For unskilled workers engaged in Agriculture sector, the rate would be 372 to 411 rupees.

(5) For semi-skilled supervisor, it will be in the range of 379 to 449 rupees while high skilled will get from 449 to 540 rupees.

(6) For Mines Employees, the revised wage rate in case of unskilled worker engaged above the ground will be 431 rupees while those engaged below the ground will get 539 rupees per day.

(7) For semi-skilled supervisor, it will be 539 and 645 rupees, for skilled, it will be 645  and 752 rupees while for Highly Skilled category, the wages will be 752 to 840 rupees.

 

2. Govt to give assistance of Rs 1500 to each Transgender person in view of COVID-19 pandemic: Government has decided to provide assistance of Rs 1500 to each Transgender person as immediate support to meet their basic requirements in view of Covid pandemic. Any transgender person or Community-based Organisations on behalf of the Transgender Person can apply for financial assistance after providing basic details like Aadhar and Bank Account number. They have to fill a form, which is available on the website of the National Institute of Social Defence. Centre had provided similar financial assistance and ration kits to Transgender persons during last year’s lockdown.

 

3. Countrywide Ayush COVID-19 counselling helpline on toll-free number 14443 operationalised: Countrywide Ayush COVID-19 counselling helpline has been operationalised. The toll-free number is 14443. The helpline is operational pan-India from 6 a.m. to 12 midnight-all seven days of a week. Through the helpline 14443, experts from different streams of Ayush, namely Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani and Siddha would be available to address queries of the general masses.

 

INTERNATIONALUPDATES:

 

1. NASA to send its first mobile robot to search for water on the moon: The United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration is planning to search for water and other resources on the moon in 2023. The US agency, as part of its Artemis program, is planning to send its first mobile robot to the Moon in late 2023 in search of ice and other resources on and below the lunar surface. The Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover, or VIPER will collect data that would help NASA map resources at the lunar South Pole that could one day be harvested for long-term human exploration at the Moon.

About the VIPER:

(1) The data received from VIPER has the potential to aid our scientists in determining precise locations and concentrations of ice on the Moon and will help us evaluate the environment and potential resources at the lunar South Pole in preparation for Artemis astronauts.

(2) VIPER runs on solar power. It will be required to quickly manoeuvre around the extreme swings in light and dark at the lunar South Pole.

(3) NASA has awarded a task order to Astrobotic for VIPER’s launch, transit and delivery to the lunar surface as part of the agency’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative.

Note: 14th NASA administrator: Bill Nelson; Headquarters of NASA: Washington D.C., United States; NASA Founded: 1 October 1958.

 

2. Indian-Origin AnveeBhutani Elected as Oxford Student Union President: An Indian-origin Human Sciences student from Magdalen College at the University of Oxford has been declared the winner at the end of a Student Union (SU) byelection. AnveeBhutani, Co-Chair Campaign for Racial Awareness and Equality (CRAE) at Oxford SU and President of the Oxford India Society, was in the fray for the by-election for the 2021-22 academic years, which attracted a record turnout.

 

3. World Hunger Day: 28th May: World Hunger Day is observed globally on 28 May every year. The objective of this day is to raise awareness about more than 820 million people living in chronic hunger worldwide. It is observed since 2011 to not only spread awareness about the malaise of chronic hunger but also to solve hunger and poverty through sustainable undertakings. The initiative recognizes the dire need to save nearly a quarter of a billion lives from malnourishment and chronic hunger.

History of the day: World Hunger Day is an initiative by The Hunger Project, first started in the year 2011. This year marks the 11th annual WHD to look at hunger as a whole.

Note: India ranked 94 among 107 nations in the Global Hunger Index 2020.

 

4. International Day of Action for Women’s Health: 28th May: The International Day of Action for Women’s Health (International Women’s Health Day) is observed every year on May 28 since 1987 to raise awareness on the issues related to women’s health and well-being. Latin American and Caribbean Women’s Health Network (LACWHN) and Women’s Global Network for Reproductive Rights (WGNRR) launched the day. Year after year, women, girls, advocates and allies have continued to take action and stand up for sexual and reproductive rights for what they are: an indivisible and inalienable part of our human rights.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

 

SPORTS

 

1. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen wins Monaco Grand Prix 2021: Red Bull’s Max Verstappen has won the Monaco Grand Prix for the first time to take the Formula One championship lead from Lewis Hamilton. Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz Jr. finished second, while McLaren, L. Norris came in a disappointing third place. Verstappen’s second win this season and 12th of his career moved the Red Bull driver four points ahead of Hamilton overall. The seven-time world champion finished seventh on a bad day for the usually ultra-reliable Mercedes team.

 

2. Ireland Seamer Boyd Rankin Retires From International Cricket: England and Ireland pacer Boyd Rankin, the only cricketer to have played for two countries in all three formats, has announced his retirement from international cricket. Rankin made his Ireland debut in 2003 and played last for the country in a T20 against Afghanistan in Greater Noida in 2020. The 36-year-old has also played an Ashes Test for England on the 2013-14 tour besides seven ODIs and two T20s. He went back to play for Ireland after they got the Test status in 2017. In all, he played three Tests, 75 ODIs and 50 T20s.

 

3. Phil Mickelson wins PGA Championship; becomes oldest major winner in history: In Golf, Phil Mickelson won the PGA Championship by two shots over Brooks Koepka and South African Louis Oosthuizen to become the oldest major winner in history. The 50-year-old Mickelson, who started the day with a one-shot lead, sealed the deal with a one-over-par 73 at the Ocean Course that left him at six under on the week. The victory by Mickelson marked the sixth major championship win of his career and first since the 2013 British Open.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. HSBC launches Digital Banking solutions for Corporate Customers: HSBC India has launched digital banking solutions for its corporate customers. HSBC SmartServe and HSBC IntelliSign are first-of-its-kind digital solutions aimed at ensuring a quick, secure and seamless on-boarding process for corporate clients. The API-enabled solutions provide an accelerated on-boarding experience, replacing the documentation process with a digital platform, including the use of electronic signatures, as well as leveraging existing data assets to complete account opening requirements.

 

2. Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance launches Vision LifeIncome Plus: Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance (ABSLI), the life insurance subsidiary of Aditya Birla Capital Limited (ABCL), has announced the launch of a hyper-flexible savings plan. The new ABSLI Vision LifeIncomePlus Plan will provide guaranteed regular income plus flexible bonus payouts to policyholders. This non-linked participating individual plan will offer various plan options which can be tailor-made to suit customers’ unique financial needs across different life-stages. This savings plan provides a customer with a guaranteed regular income for up to 30 years to help them achieve their evolving life goals while reaping the benefits of a comprehensive life insurance cover.

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

 

1. IRDAI Slaps Rs 24 Lakh Penalty on Policybazaar for Violating Advertisement Norm: Insurance sector regulator Irdai has slapped a fine of Rs 24 lakh on policy aggregator Policybazaar for violating advertisement norms with regard to SMS sent to customers last year about increase in term insurance policy premiums. The matter relates to Policybazaar sending SMS between March 15, 2020, and April 7, 2020, to its customers without stipulating its full registered name in the message. The web aggregator had sent SMS to about 10 lakh customers telling them that life insurance prices are set to increase from April 1 and that they could save up to Rs 1.65 lakh by buying a term plan.

 

2. Country’s Foreign exchange reserves crosses USD 590 billion mark: Country’s Foreign exchange reserves crossed the USD 590 billion mark on the week ended 14th March. In terms of rupee, it is 43,24,574 crores. As per the data released by Reserve Bank of India, in last week it rose by USD 563 million. In last one year country’s foreign exchange reserve rose by USD 102 billion. Country has foreign currency assets of USD 546.87 billion, Gold of USD 36654 million, SDR of USD 1506 million and reserve position in IMF of about USD 5,000 million.

 

3. TikTok Parent’s Founder Zhang Yiming to Step Down as CEO: The founder of Chinese internet powerhouse ByteDance, the company behind video-streaming apps TikTok and Douyin, will resign at the end of the year and be succeeded by co-founder Liang Rubo, the company said. Zhang Yiming, 38, who launched ByteDance 10 years ago, is the latest high-profile Chinese internet billionaire founder to resign, in the general context of a Beijing crackdown, through threats and fines, designed to curb the influence of big technology companies and their sometimes charismatic leaders.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. SpiceHealth wins Gold Stevie Award 2021: SpiceHealth, a healthcare company founded by the promoters of SpiceJet, has won the Gold Award at the 2021 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards for ‘Most Valuable Medical Innovation’ under Covid19. At a time when Covid-19 was at an all-time excessive in India in November 2020, SpiceHealth, beneath the management of Avani Singh, disrupted the Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) testing house by providing checks in cell laboratories at ₹499, versus the then-present rate of ₹2,400 in Delhi and helped convey down Covid-19 testing price dramatically throughout the nation.

About the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards: The Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards are the one business awards program to recognise innovation within the workplace in all 29 nations of the Asia-Pacific area. The Stevie Awards are broadly thought about to be the world’s premier business awards, conferring recognition for achievement in applications akin to The International Business Awards for 19 years.

 

OBITUARIES

 

1. Record-setting U.S. Olympic sprinter Lee Evans passes away: Lee Evans, the record-setting sprinter who wore a black beret in a sign of protest at the 1968 Olympics then went onto a life of humanitarian work in support of social justice. Evans became the first man to crack 44 seconds in the 400 meters, winning the gold medal at the Mexico City Games in 43.86.