NATIONAL UPDATES:
1.
India elected a new Chair of the Association of Asian Election Authorities for
2022-24:
India has been unanimously elected as the new Chair of the Association of Asian
Election Authorities (AAEA) for 2022-2024 at the meeting of the Executive Board
and General Assembly in Manila, Philippines. Commission on Elections, Manila
was the current chair of AAEA. The new member of the Executive Board now
includes Russia, Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Taiwan and the Philippines.
The Election Commission of India 3-member
delegation headed by Deputy Election Commissioner Shri Nitesh Vyas, along with
CEO Manipur Shri Rajesh Agrawal and CEO Rajasthan Shri Praveen Gupta, attended
the Executive Board meeting at Manila and presented the work plan for 2022-23
as also futuristic activities for 2023-24 to the Executive Board.
What is the work of the Association
of Asian Election Authorities: According to ECI, the mission of the
Association of Asian Election Authorities is to provide a non-partisan forum in
the Asian region for sharing experiences and best practices among election
authorities to discuss and act upon ways to promote open and transparent
elections with the objective of supporting good governance and democracy.
2.
Mumbai Gets India’s First EV Charging Station Powered by bio-gas: India’s first EV
charging station powered by bio-gas was inaugurated in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
This station be will expected to generate 220 units of electricity from food
waste collected from its nearby areas, mostly from bulk generators like hotels
and offices. This energy plant will be utilized to power street lights and also
to charge electric vehicles. It was inaugurated by Maharashtra Environment
Minister Aaditya Uddhav Thackeray. The Biogas Electricity Generation Plant, set
up in the year 2021, uses about 1.5 lakh kilograms of food waste to generate
electricity. Also, to promote electric vehicles, BMC is planning to set up
organic waste-powered EV charging stations in its 24 administrative wards.
Country’s first organic waste-powered EV
charging station at Keshavrao Khadye road near Haji Ali in Mumbai. The project
is a joint venture between the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and AeroCare
Clean Energy. This EV Charging Plant is connected with the Waste-Energy Unit at
Minatai Thackeray Park.
3.
RailTel introduced PM-WANI based access to its Wi-Fi at 100 Railway Stations: RailTel, a micro
Ratna PSU, launched the Prime Minister Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (PM-WANI)
scheme, providing access to its Public WiFi services across 100 train stations
in 22 states. PM-WANI is a Department of Telecom (DoT) initiative to connect all
silo Wi-Fi networks for simplicity of use and to increase broadband adoption
among the general public.
Key Points:
a)
Android
users can connect to this WiFi network by downloading the ‘Wi-DOT’ app from the
Google Play Store. The software was created in close collaboration with C-DOT.
b)
This
means of connecting to Wi-Fi via the ‘mobile app’ would be in addition to the
present technique of connecting to WiFi at these stations by selecting the
RailWire Service Set Identifier (SSID).
c)
PM-WANI-based
access will make it easier to use WANI-based Public WiFi by allowing one-time
Know Your Customer (KYC) to bypass one-time password (OTP) based
authentication.
d)
The
RailTel WiFi network now covers 6,102 railway stations across the country and
has 17, 792 WiFi hotspots, with more on the way.
4. VP
Venkaiah Naidu releases ‘Modi @20: Dreams Meeting Delivery’ book: Vice President M
Venkaiah Naidu has released the book “Modi@20 Dreams Meet Delivery” in New
Delhi. ‘Modi@20’ is an anthology edited and compiled by BlueKraft Digital
Foundation, and is a compilation of chapters authored by eminent intellectuals
and domain experts, Rupa Publications.
The essence of the book: The book
encompasses the experiential journey of Modi since he left his house at the
tender age of 17 and set out on a mission of knowing himself, and his country
and finally define the mission of transforming India. In 2021, Modi completed
twenty continuous years as the head of a government. This book, a compilation
of chapters authored by eminent intellectuals and domain experts, attempts a
definitive and expansive exploration into the fundamental transformation of
Gujarat and India over the last twenty years due to Modi’s unique model of
governance.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1.
South Korea becomes 1st Asian country join NATO Cyber Defence Group: South Korea became
the first Asian country join in North Atlantic Treaty Organization Cooperative
Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence. South Korea’s National Intelligence Service
(NIS) is joined as a contributing participant in the NATO Cooperative Cyber
Defence Centre of Excellence.
Now, the total NATO CCDCOE has 32 countries
as its official members which include 27 NATO member countries and 5 five
non-NATO states as contributing participants. South Korea has participated in
the Locked Shields 2022, the largest and most complex annual international
live-fire cyber defence exercise in the world. It has been participating two
years in a row since 2020. South Korea joining the CCDCOE would help it counter
the cybersecurity threat perception due to North Korea.
About the NATO: The North
Atlantic Treaty Organization, also called the North Atlantic Alliance, is an
intergovernmental military alliance between 30 member states – 28 European
states. Founded in 1949. Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium.
2.
Intersolar Europe 2022 to be attended by Bhagwant Khuba: Shri Bhagwant
Khuba, Union Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy, has arrived in
Munich, Germany for Intersolar Europe 2022. In Munich, the Indian Union
Minister will deliver a keynote talk at the investment promotion event India’s
Solar Energy Market. The Indo-German Energy Forum (IGEF) is organising the
event. Key Points:
a)
The
event is critical in terms of possible benefits for India, such as solar
technology transfer, international investor investments in solar manufacturing,
KfW development bank financing, and knowledge exchange pacts with Europe.
b)
Intersolar
is the world’s largest solar industry and partner show series. It brings together
individuals and businesses from all over the world with the goal of boosting
the use of solar energy in our energy supply.
c)
Intersolar
has the unique ability to bring together participants of the solar business
from all over the world, thanks to its more than 30 years of expertise.
d)
Munich,
So Paulo, Long Beach, Gandhinagar, Dubai, and Mexico City all host Intersolar
fairs and conferences. Intersolar Summits, which take place in emerging and
developing markets around the world, supplement these global gatherings.
e)
More
than 20,000 individuals are expected to participate, including ministers and
secretaries from several countries. Major renewable energy international firms
such as ABB, Siemens, Ercon, 3S Swiss Solar Solutions, Meyer Burger
Technologies AG, BayWa r.e. GmbH, Engie, Enel, and Wacker are expected to be
represented at the event through their CEOs.
3.
World Migratory Bird Day: 14th May: World Migratory Bird Day is marked twice a
year since its inauguration in 2006. International Migratory Bird Day will be
celebrated on 14 May and 8 October 2022. The day is celebrated with an aim to
safeguard migratory birds’ breeding, non-breeding as well as stopover habitats
while preserving a healthy bird population. The theme for World Migratory Bird
Day 2022 is light pollution. As artificial lighting has been increasing
globally by at least 2 per cent per annum, this has had an adverse impact on
many birds. Light pollution is a major threat to migratory birds as it leads to
disorientation when they fly at night, this, in turn, leads to collisions and
also interferes with their long-distance migrations.
History of International Migratory
Bird Day:
International Migratory Bird Day was marked in 2006 when the United Nations
decided that the world’s population needs to be made aware of the worldwide
migratory linkages. Since then, 118 countries participated in and organised the
event. The United Nations (UN) Agreement on the Conservation of
African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds had envisioned the World Migratory Bird Day.
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1.
India won 14 medals in Archery Asia Cup 2022 Stage 2: Indian archers
wrapped up a highly successful Asia Cup 2022 Stage-2 campaign in Sulaymaniyah,
Iraq with a total of 14 medals – eight golds, four silvers and two bronze. The
Indian team of women archers Parneet Kaur, Aditi Swami, and Sakshi Chaudhary
has won India’s first gold medal of the continental meet after defeating
Kazakhstan in Iraq. The men’s team of Prathamesh Fuge, Rishabh Yadav, and
Jawkar Samadhan has won the second gold for India. The compound mixed duo of
Prathmesh Fuge & Parneet Kaur won the third Gold Medal at Asia Archery Cup.
India medal winners:
Women’s team compound: gold (Sakshi
Chaudhary, Parneet Kaur, and Aditi Gopichand Swami)
Men’s team compound: gold (Rishabh Yadav,
Prathamesh Fuge, and Prathamesh Jawkar)
Mixed team compound: gold (Prathamesh Fuge
and Parneet Kaur)
Men’s individual compound: Prathmesh Fuge
(gold); Rishabh Yadav (silver); Jawkar Samadhan (bronze)
Women’s individual compound: Sakshi
Chaudhary (gold); Parneet Kaur (silver)
Women’s team recurve: gold (Avani, Bhajan
Kaur and Laxmi Hembrom)
Men’s team recurve: gold (Mrinal Chauhan,
Parth Salunkhe and Juyel Sarkar)
Mixed team recurve: silver (Parth Salunkhe
and Bhajan Kaur)
Men’s individual recurve: Mrinal Chauhan
(gold); Parth Salunke (bronze)
Women’s individual recurve: Bhajan Kaur
(silver)
BANKING AND FINANCE
1.
ICICI Bank and Santander UK Partner for business ease between India and UK: ICICI Bank, one of
India’s largest private sector banks, established a partnership with Santander
Bank in the United Kingdom, aimed at making banking easier for businesses operating
in both countries. The ICICI and Santander UK Plc signed a MoU in Mumbai to
build a framework of partnership between the banks to satisfy the financial
service needs of corporate clients operating along the India-UK corridor. Key
Points:
a)
ICICI
Bank said it will offer UK corporates operating in India banking solutions in
trade, cross-border payments, supply chain, treasury solutions, and retail
banking, while Santander UK will support Indian corporates and new age firms
with their banking needs in the UK.
b)
ICICI
Bank’s Head of the International Banking Group, Sriram H Iyer, who signed the
MoU on behalf of the bank, stated that India and the United Kingdom have long
had strong bilateral relations and that India has long been a favoured foreign
investment destination for British companies.
c)
This
MoU enables corporates in the UK-India corridor to receive smooth banking
services. They are convinced that ICICI Bank would support Santander UK and
assist its customers build their businesses in India, and make India one of
their main markets, thanks to their extensive network, industry-first digital
services, and comprehensive suite of corporate ecosystem banking.
d)
According
to the banking executive, the cooperation will serve the financial needs of the
corporate ecosystem in the booming UK-India corridor.
Note: Non-Executive (part-time) Chairman of
ICICI Bank: Mr. Girish Chandra Chaturvedi; Chief Executive Officer of Santander
UK: Mike Regnier; ICICI Bank’s Head of the International Banking Group: Sriram
H Iyer
BUSINESS AND ECONOMY
1.
Saudi Aramco overtook Apple Inc. as the world’s most valuable company: Oil giant Saudi
Aramco has dethroned Apple Inc. to become the world’s most valuable company,
underscoring the recent surge in oil prices that have boosted the energy giant
this year. Aramco traded near its highest level on record, with a market
capitalization of about $2.43 trillion, surpassing that of Apple for the first
time since 2020. The iPhone maker fell 5.2% to close at $146.50 per share,
giving it a valuation of $2.37 trillion.
Even if the move proves short-lived and
Apple retakes the top spot again, the role reversal underscores the power of
major forces coursing through the global economy. Soaring oil prices, while
great for profits at Aramco, are exacerbating rising inflation that is forcing
the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates at the fastest pace in decades. The
higher rates go, the more investors discount the value of future revenue flows
from tech companies and push down their stock prices.
Note: Saudi Aramco Founded: 1933; Saudi
Aramco Headquarters: Dhahran, Saudi Arabia; Saudi Aramco CEO: Amin H. Nasser.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1.
Mamata Banerjee recieved Special Bangla Academy Award: West Bengal Chief
Minister, Mamata Banerjee received the Bangla Academy Award for her “relentless
literary pursuit”. The award, introduced this year by Sahitya Academy, was
presented to Banerjee for her book “Kabita Bitan”, which pays tribute to the
best writers of West Bengal. Mamata Banerjee’s ‘Kabita Bitan’ was launched at
the 2020 Kolkata Book Fair. The book contains 946 poems written by the TMC
supremo. Despite being on the stage, Mamata Banerjee did not accept the award
on her own and it was received by state Education Minister Bratya Basu on her
behalf.
Banerjee was given the award at the “Ravi
Pranam” function organised by the government’s information and culture
department on the occasion of Rabindranath Tagore’s birth anniversary. Bangla
Academy has decided to reward those who are working tirelessly for the
betterment of literature as well as other sectors of society.
2.
President confers 13 Shaurya Chakras, Param Vishisht Seva Medal to Army Chief: President of
India, Ram Nath Kovind conferred 13 Shaurya Chakras which included six posthumous
to the personnel of the Indian Armed forces for their conspicuous courage
displayed during operations. Army Chief General Manoj Pande was conferred with
the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) for his distinguished service of
exceptional order at a defence investiture ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhawan. The
President also conferred 14 PVSM, four Uttam Yudh Seva Medals (UYSM) and 24 Ati
Vishisht Seva Medals (AVSM) for distinguished service of an exceptional order.
These awards of Gallantry and other Defence
decorations conferred were approved by the President in January on the eve of
the 73rd Republic Day celebrations this January. Gen Manoj Pande assumed the
charge of the 29th Chief of the Army Staff on April 30. Before that, he was
serving as the Vice Chief of Army Staff for three months and was the General
Officer Commander in Chief, Eastern Command of the Army before that.
OBITUARIES
1.
Leonid Kravchuk, the first president of Independent Ukraine Passes Away: Leonid Kravchuk, a
former communist who helped sign the Soviet Union’s death warrant and then
served as the first president of independent Ukraine, passed away at the age of
88. Kravchuk was known as the “wily fox” as he rose through the ranks of
Ukraine’s Communist Party and take over as head of the parliament in 1990. He
signed the Belovezha accords with Russian President Boris Yeltsin and
Belarusian leader Stanislav Shushkevich in December 1991 which effectively
triggered the Soviet Union’s collapse.
Note: Ukraine Capital: Kyiv; Ukraine Currency: Ukrainian hryvnia; Ukraine President: Volodymyr Zelenskyy; Ukraine Prime minister: Denys Shmyhal.
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