NATIONAL UPDATES:
1.
XraySetu Launched to Detect Covid in Rural Population via WhatsApp: A new AI-driven
platform called ‘XraySetu’ has been developed to help in the early detection of
COVID 19, with the help of Chest X-ray. The solution will be beneficial for
early detection especially in rural areas, where RT-PCR tests and CT-Scans are
not easily available. XraySetu will operate through WhatsApp. It will identify
COVID positive patients even from low-resolution Chest X-Ray images sent over
Whatsapp-based Chatbot. The solution has been developed by ARTPARK (AI &
Robotics Technology Park), a not-for-profit foundation established by the
Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, with support from the Department
of Science & Technology (DST), GOI, in collaboration with Bangalore based
HealthTech startup Niramai and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc).
Working of XraySetu: The doctor will
need to visit www.xraysetu.com and click on the ‘Try the Free XraySetu Beta’
button. They will then be redirected to another page, from where they can
choose to engage with the WhatsApp-based chatbot either through the web or
smartphone application. Alternatively, the doctor can even send a WhatsApp
message to the phone number +91 8046163838 to start the XraySetu service. After
this, they just need to click the picture of the patient’s X-ray and upload it
on the chatbot, from where they will obtain the 2-page automated diagnostics
with annotated images in a few minutes.
2. Dr
Vinay K Nandicoori appointed as Director of CCMB: Former IITian, Dr
Vinay K Nandicoori, has been appointed as the Director at the CSIR-Centre for
Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad, Telangana. He is a well-known
molecular biologist, and a scientist at the DBT-National Institute of
Immunology, New Delhi. DrNandicoori’s research interest extensively spans
molecular signalling networks in Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the micro-organism
that causes TB. His research has found national and international relevance and
recognition.
Note: Centre for Cellular and Molecular
Biology Founded: 1977.
3.
Amul’s RS Sodhi elected to board of International Dairy Federation: The International
Dairy Federation (IDF) has unanimously elected R S Sodhi, managing director,
Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd or GCMMF that sells Amul
branded products in India, to its board during the general assembly held on 1
June. He is alumni of the Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA). He joined
GCMMF (Amul) in the year 1982 after completing his post-graduation from IRMA.
About the International Dairy
Federation:
IDF is an international non-governmental, non-profit association and represents
the global dairy sector. The federation ensures that right policies, standards,
practices and regulations monitor the production of dairy products globally.
Note: DG of International Dairy Federation:
Caroline Emond; International Dairy Federation Established: 1903.
INTERNATIONALUPDATES:
1. Dr
Patrick Amoth of Kenya Appointed as Chair of WHO Executive Board: Dr Patrick Amoth,
the acting Director-General for Health, Ministry of Health of Kenya has been
appointed as the Chairman of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Executive
Board, for a period of one year. The announcement was made during the 149th
session of the WHO Executive Board, on June 02, 2021, by the outgoing Chair Dr
Harsh Vardhan. MrAmoth replaces Union Health Minister, Government of India, Dr
Harsh Vardhan, who completed his tenure as Chairman of WHO Executive Board on
June 02, 2021. DrVardhan will continue to be a member of the Executive Board of
WHO till 2023. The chairman’s post is held on a rotation basis for one year
among regional groups.
Note: Kenya Capital: Nairobi; Kenya
Currency: Kenyan shilling; Kenya President:Uhuru Kenyatta.
2.
SCO Agreement on Mass Media Cooperation Gets India’s Retrospective Nod: The Cabinet
accorded an ex post facto approval for signing and ratifying an agreement on
cooperation in the field of mass media between all member states of the
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). The agreement aims to promote equal
and mutually beneficial cooperation among associations in the field of mass
media. The agreement, which was signed in June 2019, would provide an
opportunity for the member states to share best practices and new innovations
in the field of mass media.
The main areas of cooperation in the
agreement are the creation of favourable conditions for the wide and mutual
distribution of information through mass media in order to further deepen the
knowledge about the lives of the peoples of their states. The agreement shall
promote equal and mutually beneficial cooperation among professional
associations of journalists of the states in order to study the available
professional experience, as well as to hold meetings, seminars and conferences.
About the SCO: The Shanghai
Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is a permanent intergovernmental international
organisation, the creation of which was announced on June 15, 2001, in
Shanghai.
SCO comprises eight countries: India,
Kazakhstan, China, the Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and
Uzbekistan.
3. UN
Sustainable Transport Conference will take place in China: The second United
Nations Global Sustainable Transport Conference will be held from 14-16 October
2021 in Beijing, China. It will provide an opportunity to focus attention on
the opportunities, challenges and solutions towards achieving sustainable transport
worldwide.
The conference will follow up on the first
Global Sustainable Transport Conference, held in 2016 in Ashgabat,
Turkmenistan, and is expected to indicate a way forward for sustainable
transport to help achieve the objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development and the Paris Agreement on climate change.
4.
World Oceans Day: 8th June: World Ocean Day is observed globally on 8th June every
year. This day is observed to raise global awareness about the importance of
the ocean in our lives and the ways through which we can protect it. The
purpose of the Day is to tell the general public of the impact of human actions
on the ocean, develop a worldwide movement of citizens for the ocean, and
mobilize and unite the world’s population on a project for the sustainable
management of the world’s oceans.
“The Ocean: Life and Livelihoods” is the
theme for World Oceans Day 2021, as well as a declaration of intentions that
launches a decade of challenges to get the Sustainable Development Goal 14, “Conserve
and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources”, by 2030. This
year’s theme is especially relevant in the lead-up to the UN Decade of Ocean
Science for Sustainable Development, which will run from 2021 to 2030. The
Decade will strengthen international cooperation to develop scientific research
and innovative technologies that can connect ocean science with the needs of
society.
History of World Oceans Day: The government of
Canada had proposed the concept of World Ocean Day, at the Earth Summit in Rio
de Janeiro in 1992. Officially World Ocean Day was established by the United
Nations General Assembly in 2008 to be celebrated worldwide annually on 8 June
to resolve the issues of oceans and also to save ocean water. By the
collaboration of The Ocean Project and the World Ocean Network, it has been
started celebrating on the international level.
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1.
ICC Expands Men’s ODI Cricket World Cup to 14 teams: The International
Cricket Council (ICC) has announced that the Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2027
and 2031, will once again be a 14-team, 54-match tournament. Earlier in the
2019 World Cup, only 10 teams contested, compared to 14 teams in the 2015 World
Cup. These 14 teams will split into two groups of seven, top three from each
group will be progressing to a Super Six stage, followed by semifinals and
final. ICC has also decided to expand the men’s T20 World Cup to 20 teams. The
tournament will take place every two years from 2024-2030.
Note: Chairman of ICC: Greg Barclay; CEO of
ICC: Manu Sawhney; Headquarters of ICC: Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1.
ICICI Bank Became 2nd globally to offer ‘SWIFT gpiInstant’ facility: ICICI Bank has
announced that it has tied up with SWIFT to offer a facility that helps overseas
partner banks to send instant remittances on behalf of their customers to the
beneficiary in India. The beneficiary gets the credit to the bank account
instantly. This makes ICICI Bank the first bank in Asia-Pacific and the second
globally to offer the facility, called ‘SWIFT gpiInstant’, for cross border
inward payments. With this new service, we continue to live up to our
commitment to offering customer-centric solutions enabling quick and
hassle-free money transfers.”
Key benefits of ‘SWIFT gpiInstant’:
(1) Instant transfer: Personal remittances
of up to 2 lakh sent through ‘SWIFT gpi Instant’ are processed instantly and
credited into the beneficiary account held with any bank* in India, via the
IMPS network. (Bank to be enabled to receive foreign remittance through IMPS)
(2) Available 24X7 and 365 days: The
service is available 24X7.
(3) Transparency on the charges: The
details about the charges levied by intermediary banks are updated on the
‘SWIFT gpi’ platform; it gives the sender complete clarity on charges.
(4) Immediate update on the status of the
transfers: (a) The ‘SWIFT gpi’ platform provides end to end tracking of
payments from initiation till fulfilment through an instant automated status
update. (b) To send instant remittances to India, non-residents can visit their
Bank overseas and initiate remittance transaction via ‘SWIFT gpiInstant’. It
will in turn be executed by ICICI Bank in India to send money instantly to the
beneficiary.
Note: ICICI Bank Headquarters: Mumbai,
Maharashtra; ICICI Bank MD & CEO: Sandeep Bakhshi; ICICI Bank Tagline: Hum
Hai Na, KhayalApka.
BUSINESS AND ECONOMY
1.
SBI Economists Revises GDP Growth Estimate in FY22 to 7.9%: SBI economists, in
its research report “Ecowrap”, has sharply cut the GDP growth estimates for the
Indian economy to 7.9 per cent in FY22, compared to an earlier projection of 10.4
per cent. This is the lowest growth rate estimate for India among all analysts.
The key factor for revision in the growth estimate is the impact of the second
wave of COVID-19 infections. The SBI economists project a “W-shaped” recovery
in FY22, with two troughs, instead of the earlier anticipated “V-shaped”
recovery.
Note: SBI Chairperson: Dinesh Kumar Khara;
SBI Headquarters: Mumbai; SBI Founded: 1 July 1955.
2.
Moody’s Projects Indian Economy to grow 9.3% in FY22: According to
Moody’s Investors Service, India’s economy will rebound in the current
financial year to mark a growth of 9.3 per cent but the second Covid-19 wave
has increased risks to the country’s outlook with potential longer-term credit
implications. Moody’s Investors Service has projected the GDP growth rate of
the Indian economy as follows:
2021-22 (FY22): 9.3%
2022-23 (FY23): 7.9%
In terms of Sovereign ratings, Moody’s has
estimated a ‘Baa3’ rating on India with a negative outlook. The economy
rebounded quickly from a steep contraction in 2020, it said. But risks to
India’s credit profile including a persistent slowdown in growth, weak
government finances and rising financial sector risks have been exacerbated by
the shock of coronavirus second wave.
3.
Microsoft launches the first ever Asia-Pacific cybersecurity council: The first Asia
Pacific Public Sector Cyber Security Executive Council has been launched by
Microsoft. It consists of policymakers and influencers from Brunei, Indonesia,
Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. The council aims to
accelerate public-private partnerships in cybersecurity and share threat
intelligence. The council will meet virtually on a quarterly basis. As part of
the council, government agencies and state leaders will join a forum. The forum
includes Microsoft and its cybersecurity industry advisors. Encounter rates for
malware and ransomware attacks are higher than average in the case of APAC.
APAC means Asia-Pacic (A-sia PAC-ic).
Note: Microsoft CEO: Satya Nadella;
Microsoft Headquarters: Redmond, Washington, United States.
DEFENCE
1.
Vice-Admiral Ravneet Singh assumes charge as Deputy Chief of Naval Staff: Vice-Admiral
Ravneet Singh, AtiVishishtSeva Medal (AVSM), and Nausena Medal (NM) holder
assumed charge as the Deputy Chief of Naval Staff. He relieves Vice Admiral MS
Pawar, a ParamVishishtSeva Medal (PVSM), AVSM, VishishtSeva Medal (VSM) holder,
who superannuated on May 31.
2.
Lt. General Pradeep Chandran Nair takes charge as DG of Assam Rifles: Lieutenant General
Pradeep Chandran Nair, AtiVishishtSeva Medal (AVSM), YudhSeva Medal (YSM) took
over as the 21st Director General of the Assam Rifles (popularly known as
Sentinels of the North-East). He has rich experience of Assam Rifles and the
North East, having earlier served as an Inspector General and a Company
Commander in Assam Rifles, besides having commanded Assam Rifles battalions as
a Brigade Commander.
Note: The Assam Rifles came into being in 1835; Assam Rifles HQ: Shillong, Meghalaya.
No comments:
Post a Comment