NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Indian
Army conducts Flood Relief Exercise Jal Rahat in Assam: Gajraj Corps of the Indian Army has organized a Joint Flood
Relief 'Exercise Jal Rahat' at Hagrama Bridge on Manas River, Assam. Aim: To
validate joint drills and coordinate preparedness by multi-agency flood relief
columns The exercise was joined by Indian Army- SSB, National
Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force, DDMA, and police
representatives. It includes coordination and rehearsals for a rescue
mission of people from inundated areas.
2. Govt
appoints Anil Kumar Jain as new PNGRB chairman: The
Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, headed by PM Modi has
appointed Anil Kumar Jain (retired coal secretary) as the new
chairman of the Petroleum & Natural Gas Regulatory Board. He has been
appointed for five years (from the date assumption of charge) or
attaining 65 years, or until further orders, whichever is the earliest. He is
a 1986-batch IAS officer from the MP cadre. PNGRB was constituted
under The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board Act, 2006.
3. UGC
launches two websites to enhance quality education in India: The University Grants Commission has launched a newly
redesigned website and portals named 'UTSAH' and 'Professor of Practice'. UTSAH
refers to Undertaking Transformative Strategies and Actions in Higher
Education. This portal will serve as a platform providing detailed information
about UGC's initiatives for qualitative reforms in higher education. The Professors
of Practice portal facilitate institutions to get experienced professional
experts in the required area.
4. Indian
economy expected to grow 6.7% in 2024: UN:
According to a UN report titled, 'World Economic Situation and Prospects
as of mid-2023', India’s economy is expected to grow by 5.8% in 2023
and 6.7% in 2024 (CY), supported by resilient domestic demand. The report has
also highlighted that the higher interest rates and weaker external demand
will continue to weigh on investment and exports this year for the
country. Inflation in India is expected to decelerate to 5.5% in 2023 as
global commodity prices moderate.
5. Union
Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw launches Sanchar Saathi portal: Minister of Communications, Ashwini Vaishnaw has launched
the Sanchar Saathi portal. He has also introduced three reforms: CEIR
(Central Equipment Identity Register) – for blocking stolen/lost mobiles. Know
your mobile connections – to know mobile connections registered in your
name.
ASTR
(Artificial Intelligence and Facial Recognition powered Solution for Telecom
SIM Subscriber Verification) – to identify fraudulent subscribers.
6. Minister
Jitendra Singh inaugurates 8th All India Pension Adalat in Delhi: Union MoS for Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh has inaugurated
the 8th All India Pension Adalat in Delhi on May 17, 2023. Agenda: Chronic
cases will be taken up and resolved. Till now, 7 All India Pension
Adalats have been organized, in which 24,218 cases have been
taken up and 17235 cases have been resolved. The Minister has
also presided over the 50th Pre-Retirement Counselling
Workshop, conducted by the Department of Pension & Pensioners’
Welfare.
7. Kerala
launched Welfare Fund for Workers Under Employment Guarantee Scheme: Kerala becomes the first state in India to launch a
welfare fund for Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS)
workers. The workers who have completed the age of 60 will be
entitled to a pension under this fund and it will also provide financial
assistance for medical treatment, and other benefits. The workers need to
pay a nominal monthly amount of Rs 50 as a contribution to the fund and
the government will also contribute an equal amount.
8. Andhra
Pradesh launches 'e-Chits' app: Andhra
Pradesh government has introduced an electronic service delivery
system, e-Chits' to regulate and usher in transparency in the sector Aim: Financially
protecting chit-fund companies' subscribers amid alleged scams The transactions
can be done only online, which will enable the registration department
officials to verify subscribers and only then give approval It also ensures
that subscribers know which registered companies are operating in the
chit-fund business
9. Sonal Srivastava appointed as new CFO of Vedanta: Sonal Shrivastava has been appointed as new Chief Financial
Officer (CFO) of Vedanta Limited, effect from 1 June, 2023. Sonal
Srivastava had served as the Chief Financial Officer for Asia Pacific, Middle
East and Africa operations at Holcim Group. Shrivastava has more than 26 years
of financial leadership experience across sectors. She holds a bachelor’s
degree in chemical engineering from BIT, Sindri and a master’s degree in
business administration from the Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management
Studies.
10. Ashutosh Dixit appointed as Vice Chief of the Air
Staff: Air Marshal Ashutosh
Dixit took over as the Deputy Chief of the Air Staff. Ashutosh Dixit,
an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, was Commissioned in the fighter
stream on December 6 in 1986. He is a graduate of the Staff Course, Bangladesh
and National Defence College, New Delhi. Dixit is a qualified flying instructor
as well as an experimental test pilot, with over 3,300 hours of flying
experience on fighter, trainer and transport aircraft. He participated in
Operation Safed Sagar and Rakshak.
11. Duroflex announces Virat Kohli as new brand
ambassador: A mattress and sleep
products maker, Duroflex Private Limited has signed
cricketer Virat Kohli as its brand ambassador. Kohli will appeal to a
wider audience, inspiring individuals to prioritize their sleep for a healthier
tomorrow. Its campaign is titled ‘Great Sleep Great Health’. He will promote
the importance of good sleep for better health. In 2023, Bollywood actor
Ranveer Singh became the most valued celebrity for endorsements in 2022,
replacing Indian batter Virat Kohli.
12. 16 May – National Dengue Day: National Dengue Day is observed every
year on 16 May. Objective – To create awareness and promote measures to
prevent the disease Theme 2023 – Fight Dengue, Save Live
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. PM
to inaugurate International Museum Expo 2023: PM
Modi will inaugurate the International Museum Expo
2023 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi on 18 May 2023. He will
also unveil several key initiatives, including the Mascot, a Graphic
Novel titled ‘A Day at the Museum’, the Pocket Map of Kartavya Path, and Museum
Cards. The Mascot is an artistic representation inspired by
the iconic Dancing Girl sculpture in the Chennapatnam art style. Indian
Museums Directory serves as a comprehensive survey of museums in India.
2. World
Telecommunication and Information Society Day 2023: May 17: World Telecommunication and Information Society Day is celebrated
annually on May 17 to raise awareness of the possibilities that the
use of the Internet and other ICT. 2023 theme: Empowering the least
developed countries through information and communication technologies The first
World Telecommunication Day was celebrated on May 17, 1969, to mark the
founding of ITU and the signing of the first International Telegraph Convention
in 1865.
3. Economist
Ludovit Odor appointed as Slovakia's caretaker prime minister: Economist Ludovit Odor was appointed as the interim prime
minister of Slovakia, who will lead the country until early elections. He is
a politically independent economist who comes to the job straight
from the board of the country’s central bank. Odor and his caretaker cabinet
were picked by President Zuzana Caputova. Slovakia is a member of the
European Union, the Euro Zone, and NATO. Slovakia is struggling with high
inflation due to war in neighboring Ukraine.
4. World
Hypertension Day 2023: May 17: World Hypertension
Day is observed on May 17 every year to raise awareness about
hypertension or high blood pressure, its consequences, and preventive measures.
It was established in 2005 by the World Hypertension League (WHL). 2023 theme:
Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer According to
the WHO, hypertension affects around one billion people worldwide, with
complications resulting in over 7.5 million deaths annually.
5. Google invests $1 million to IIT-Madras Al research
centre: US technology giant Google announced an
investment of $1 million in the form of grants to the Indian
Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras). Google has been announced as the
inaugural ‘platinum consortium’ member of the IIT Madras newly formed Centre
for Responsible Artificial Intelligence (CeRAI). CeRAI’s major goal will be to
create high-quality research outputs such as research publications in
high-impact journals or conferences, white papers, and patents, among other
things. It will aim to provide technical resources in the domain of Responsible
AI, such as curated datasets (universal and India-specific), software,
toolkits, and so on.
6. 16 May – International Day of Light: The International Day of Light is celebrated
every year on May 16. Objective – To highlight the importance of light and
its role in science, culture, art, education, and sustainable development. The
day also celebrates the role light plays in fields as diverse as medicine,
communications, and energy. The International Day of Light marks the
anniversary of the first successful operation of the laser by Theodore Maiman,
renowned physicist and engineer, in 1960. The International Day of Light was
first proclaimed at the General Conference of the United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in November 2017. The day is
recognised to strengthen scientific cooperation as well as harness its
potential to foster peace and sustainable development around the world.
7. 17 May – World Telecommunication and Information
Society Day: World Telecommunication
Day, or as it is now known, World Telecommunication and Information Society
Day, is celebrated on May 17 by the International Telecommunication
Union (ITU). The day highlights the impact of the Internet and other
communication tools on society. Theme 2023 – Empowering the least
developed countries through information and communication technologies On May
17, 1969, World Telecommunications Day was first observed to mark the founding
of the ITU, originally called the International Telegraph Union. The ITU was
established by the signing of the very first international telegraph
Convention, on May 17, 1865, in Paris. It changed its name to International
Telecommunication Union in 1932 and eventually became a specialized agency of
the United Nations in 1947.
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1. Barcelona wins La Liga for 1st time since 2019: Barcelona has won its first Spanish league title after
the departure of Lionel Messi with a 4-2 victory against Espanyol Robert
Lewandowski scored twice to lead the Catalan club to its first league title
since 2019. The title was secured with four rounds remaining and two years
after Lionel Messi left amid the club’s financial struggles. Alejandro Balde
and Jules Koundé also scored for Barcelona, which now has 27 league titles,
eight fewer than Real Madrid.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. NSE launches WTI crude oil and natural gas futures
contracts: The National Stock Exchange (NSE) has
launched the rupee-denominated NYMEX WTI Crude Oil and Natural Gas
futures in its commodity derivatives segment. It will provide effective
trading and hedging opportunities to market participants, with the availability
of key energy products on a single trading platform. The contracts will provide
effective trading and hedging opportunities to market participants, with the
availability of key energy products on a single trading platform.
2. PayNearby launches ‘PayNearby Mall’ for small
businesses and consumers: A branchless banking and digital network in
India, PayNearby has launched a new meta-commerce platform
called PayNearby Mall. With this initiative, the company aims to upgrade every
retailer, in its active network, to benefit from the ongoing e-commerce acceleration.
This platform is designed to enable easy access to goods and services and will
be integrated with the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) platform. Aim –
To upgrade every retailer in its million+ active network and help them meet the
demand of their customers
3. IRDAI constitutes Expert committee for matters related
to mental health: The Insurance
Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has recently
constituted a five-member expert committee comprising medical experts
and insurers to advise on matters related to mental health and insurance. Pratima
Murthy, director of the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences
(NIMHANS), has been made the chairperson of the committee. The panel has
been constituted for 2 years to advise on matters related to mental health and
insurance. The committee will provide advice and input on existing insurance
coverage and what is offered for mental illnesses.
4. NPCI introduces CVV-less payments for tokenized cards: RuPay has introduced the CVV (Card
Verification Value) free payment experience for its debit, credit and
prepaid cardholders who have tokenized their cards on the merchant
application or webpage. This new CVV less experience ensures that the
cardholder will not have to reach out to their wallet or remember any card
details, if they have saved (tokenized) their card on the e-commerce merchant
which supports this feature. They will just have to enter the OTP or their
device will auto-populate the OTP during the domestic e-commerce transaction
and the payment will be done. Tokenization is a simple technology to secure
card transactions without sharing clear or real card details with the
merchants. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had made it mandatory for all credit
and debit card data used in online, point-of-sale, and in-app transactions to
be replaced with unique tokens. This added layer of security by way of
tokenization is expected to enhance users’ digital payment experience. National
Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) was incorporated in 2008 as an umbrella
organization for operating retail payments and settlement systems in India.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. ‘Gauri’
bags ‘Best Long Documentary Award’ at SAFF, Montreal : A documentary, titled
‘Gauri’ (directed by Kavitha Lankesh) has been awarded the ‘Best Long
Documentary Award’ at the South Asian Film Festival of Montreal 2023. It
is based on journalist and activist Gauri Lankesh, who was assassinated in
2017. This film was commissioned by Free Press Unlimited, Amsterdam. The Free
Press Unlimited mission stems from Article 19 of the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights: Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression.
2. Uttar
Pradesh ranked second in country with 48 GI-tags : Uttar
Pradesh has received the Geographical Indications (GI) tags for
three more ODOP crafts - Mainpuri tarkashi, Mahoba Gaura stone craft, and
Sambhal horn craft. Uttar Pradesh has now 48 GI tags. Among the 48 GI
goods of UP, 36 products belong to the handicraft category. Tamil Nadu has a
maximum of 55 GI-tagged goods while UP and Karnataka have 48 and 46 GI products
respectively. Tarkashi is a technique of inlaying brass, copper, or silver
wires in wood.
OBITUARIES
1. Nobel laureate and pioneering economist, Robert E. Lucas Jr. passes away: An American economist, Robert E. Lucas Jr. passed away at 85. He was honoured with the Nobel Prize in Economics for having developed and applied the hypothesis of rational expectations, and thereby having transformed macroeconomic analysis and deepened our understanding of economic policy in 1995. He was well known for his investigations into the implications of the assumption of the rational expectations theory.
No comments:
Post a Comment