NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Pankaj
Agrawal appointed as new Power Secretary: The
government of India has appointed Pankaj Agrawal as the new Power
Secretary. He would replace present Secretary Alok Kumar, who will retire on
June 30. While Rajat Mishra will be the new Fertiliser
Secretary, and Chanchal Kumar to join the Civil Aviation
Ministry as Secretary. Sudhansh Pant will move from the Ports, Shipping
and Waterways Ministry to Health Ministry. Subhas Chandra Lal
Das will move to the Ministry of MSME as Secretary.
2. Odisha
celebrates 'Raja' agricultural festival:
Odisha is celebrating the Raja festival, an agricultural
festival on June 14, 2023. The first day is observed as
‘Sajabaja’, which means preparations, while the second day is
observed as Pahili Raja. The third day is observed as
‘Majhi Raja’ or ‘Mithuna Sankranti’ and the fourth day is ‘Bhudaha’
or ‘Sesha Raja’. The fifth day is called ‘Basumati Snana’. On this day,
ladies give a bath to the grinding stone, considering it as mother earth.
3. Vigyan
-Vidushi 2023 summer programme: Vigyan -Vidushi –
2023 has been commenced at the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education
(HBCSE), in Mumbai. It is an initiative to address the gender balance in
the discipline of Physics at the doctorate level. 40 women students from forty
different institutes all over India have attended this program which gave them
exposure to advanced physics courses. This program is an initiative of
Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), through its HBCSE.
4. Amitava Mukherjee gets 3 months extension as CMD of
NMDC: The Ministry of Steel has given three months
extension to Amitava Mukherjee, Director (Finance) of the NMDC to
hold the additional charge of Chairman and Managing Director
(CMD) mining major and its disinvested company NMDC Steel Limited (NSL). Thus,
he will be holding the additional charge as CMD of NMDC Limited for a further
period of three months with effect from June 1, 2023 to August 31, 2023. A
wholly owned subsidiary of NMDC Limited, NMDC Steel Limited was incorporated on
January 2, 2015, under the Companies Act, 2013 with a registered office at NMDC
Iron and Steel Plant, Nagarnar (Bastar, Chhattisgarh). The NSL has set up a 3
MTPA greenfield integrated steel plant in Nagarnar that is all set to go on
full stream this month.
5. Mumbai Traffic Police declare ‘No Honking Day’ on June
14: Mumbai Police’s Traffic
Control Branch has taken a significant step to address the issue of noise pollution
and its detrimental effects on public health. They have announced the
observance of a ‘No Honking Day’ on June 14, aimed at curbing the
unnecessary use of vehicle horns. With noise pollution causing harm to both the
environment and human health, the police are urging motorists to positively
respond to this initiative by refraining from honking their horns. The Mumbai
Police advised all motorists to ensure that their vehicle horns meet the
guidelines specified in Rule 119 of the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. World
Blood Donor Day 2023: June 14: World Blood Donor
Day is celebrated every year on June 14 to raise awareness for
the necessity of blood donation and thank the altruistic acts of selflessness
of voluntary blood donors and celebrate life and humanity. 2023 theme: Give
blood, give plasma, share life, share often This day was first distinguished by
the WHO in 2004. At the 58th World Health Assembly (2005), it was declared an
annual global event on June 14 (the birthday of Karl Landsteiner).
2. Global
Slavery Index 2023 released: The Global Slavery Index 2023
provides national estimates of modern slavery for 160 countries. Produced
by: ILO, Walk Free, and International Organisation for Migration Walk Free
has reported that 49.6 million people are living in modern slavery, out of
which, India is home to 11 million. Countries with the highest prevalence:
North Korea, Eritrea, Mauritania, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey Countries with the
lowest prevalence: Switzerland, Norway, and Germany
3. Indo-Maldives joint military exercise commences: The 12th edition of the joint military exercise “Ex
Ekuverin” between the Indian Army and the Maldives National Defence
Force has commenced at Chaubatia, Uttarakhand. “Ekuverin” means
“Friends” and is a bilateral annual exercise conducted alternatively in India
& Maldives. The primary objective of the exercise is to enhance
interoperability in counter-insurgency/counter-terrorism operations under the
UN mandate. Additionally, it aims to facilitate joint humanitarian assistance
and disaster relief operations, it added. The previous edition of the exercise,
the 11th edition, was held in the Maldives in December 2021.
4. 13 June – International Albinism Awareness Day : International Albinism Awareness Day is
observed every year on 13 June. Objective – To spread awareness about the
human rights of the Albinos across the world and also to condemn such attacks Theme
2023 – Inclusion Is Strength The United Nations Human Rights Council adopted
the first resolution on albinism on June 13, 2013, called “Attacks and
discrimination against persons with albinism.” Eventually, the United Nations’
General Assembly (UNGA), on December 18, 2014, established June 13 as
International Albinism Awareness Day. The celebration has taken place since
2015 as International Albinism Awareness Day. Albinism was a serious problem in
Tanzania during the mid-2000s. The country is believed to be having the highest
percentage of albinos living. Hundreds of them have been brutally murdered and
mutilated in the African country in the past decades. Local superstitions claim
their body parts can bring luck and prosperity. Another widespread rumor is
that albinos are evil spirits. The Tanzania Albinism Society (TAS) and other
NGOs campaigned for the human rights of albinos.
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1. Harry Tector won ICC Men’s Player of the Month for
May: Ireland’s Harry Tector has won the ICC’s Men’s Player of The
Month award for May 2023, beating off competition from Pakistan star Babar
Azam and Bangladesh’s Najmul Hossain Shanto. Tector has been one of the rising
stars in Ireland cricket and was in top form during the ODI series against
Bangladesh recently. The 23-year-old was 21 not out in the first match, that got
washed out, but it was in the second ODI he showed his class. Tector scored 140
from just 113 balls with seven fours and 10 sixes to help Ireland recover from
a poor start. The youngster would then cap off a great series for him with 45
in the final ODI. While, 19-year-old Thipatcha Putthawong (Thiland) has
become the latest recipient of the ICC Women’s Player of the Month for May
2023, after her countrywoman Naruemol Chaiwai won it last month.
2. Andy Murray beats Jurij Rodionov to win Surbiton
Trophy: Tennis player Andy
Murray clinched his second ATP Challenger Tour title of the
season Surbiton Trophy. The former World No. 1 defeated Jurij Rodionov
6-3, 6-2 in the final at the ATP Challenger Tour 125 grass-court event. The
36-year-old Murray also became the oldest grass-court champion at an ATP
Challenger Tour event and earned a seeded position at Wimbledon next month
which begins on 3 July. It was his first singles title on grass since winning
Wimbledon in 2016. Murray withdrew from the French Open to prioritize
Wimbledon, where he has won two of his majors on grass.
3. Uruguay beat Italy to win maiden FIFA U-20 World Cup
title: Uruguay beat Italy
1-0 to win its first Under-20 World Cup title. The Celeste’s victory
ends a streak of four consecutive wins of European teams in the tournament. Luciano
RodrÃguez scored the winning goal in the 86th minute in a header from close
range, giving Uruguay a much-deserved victory after an entire match of
dominance against Italy. France finished third, defeating South Korea 3-2 in
the third-place playoff. Uruguay lost the final of the tournament in 1997 and
2013. Brazil was the last winner from South America in 2011. FIFA decided to
hand the organization over to Argentina one month before kickoff.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. Fino
Payments Bank partners Hubble for `Spending Account: Hubble has joined hands with Fino Payments Bank for
introducing India's first spending account. Features: Depositors
can save money in the account and earn up to 10% cash
back on all purchases they make from the account. They can track
expenses over 50 partnered brands and potentially save up to Rs. 20,000
annually. Users earn an interest rate of 2.75% annually on their
parked funds. It will be integrated with Fino Payments Bank's digital
savings account.
2. Sebi
introduces framework for direct mutual fund investment platforms: SEBI has introduced a regulatory framework for online
investment platforms that facilitate investments in commission-free
mutual fund schemes. It also addresses investor concerns about associated
risks and introduces a grievance redressal mechanism. Platforms
providing MF investment services in direct (commission-free)
plans will have to apply for an 'execution only platform' licence
through Sebi or AMFI within three months of the regulation coming into
force.
3. KVG
Bank launches a new deposit scheme: Karnataka
Vikas Grameena Bank (KVGB) has launched a new deposit scheme ‘Vikas
Ashadeep 400 days”. Features: The scheme is of a tenor of 400 days with an
interest rate of 7.5% for senior citizens and 7% for the general public. Prospective
customers of the scheme will earn higher interest for a shorter period (almost
13 months). Under the scheme, a minimum of Rs 10,000 and a maximum of Rs 2
crore can be deposited. KVGB chairman: Shreekant Bhandiwad
4. NPCI
introduces UPI plug-in with RING digital credit platform: RING digital credit platform has partnered with the National
Payments Corporation of India to add its newly launched UPI plug-in
functionality to RING's pre-existing suite of digital services. Aim: To
help RING offer 'scan & pay' options to its existing customers and acquire
new customers who use UPI as a preferred mode of payment It will become
a one-stop integrated payment and credit solution where a customer
can avail credit and pay merchants across the country.
5. India’s CPI inflation eases to 4.25 percent in May: India’s retail inflation dropped to 4.25 percent in May from 4.7
percent in April, according to a data from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme
Implementation. The consumer price-based index (CPI) inflation in May is
lowest in 25 months. The food inflation also eased to 2.91 percent in April. It
was 3.84 percent in the month of April. The food basket accounts for nearly
half of the CPI. While, inflation in fuel and light also eased to 4.64 percent,
from 5.52 percent in April. It was for the second month in a row that retail
inflation remained within the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)’s comfort zone of
below six percent. Despite the huge 227-basis-point fall since January, CPI
inflation remains above the central bank’s medium-term target of 4 percent for
the 44th month in a row. India’s CPI inflation in April fell sharply to 4.7
percent from 6.4 percent in February on the back of favourable base effects,
with softening observed across all three major groups.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. Ramachandra
Guha's book wins Elizabeth Longford Prize 2023:
The book 'Rebels Against the Raj: Western Fighters for India’s
Freedom', authored by Ramachandra Guha has won the £5,000
Elizabeth Longford Prize 2023 for Historical Biography. This book tells
the story of seven foreigners (4 British, 2 American, and 1 Iris)
who joined India’s freedom struggle. The list includes Annie Besant, B.G.
Horniman, Philip Spratt, Richard Ralph Keithahn, Samuel Stokes, Madeline Slade,
and Catherine Mary Heilemann. Prize money: £5,000
2. GSITI
Hyderabad gets Accredited as 'Athi Uttam':
The Geological Survey of India Training Institute has been
awarded accreditation as 'Athi Uttam' by the National Accreditation Board
of Education and Training (NABET). The assessment was made on the basis of
the inspection of all standard operating procedures and methodologies. The team
of the Capacity Building Commission (CBC), NABET, and Quality Control of India
conducted the on-site assessment. GSITI was established in 1976 and its
headquarters located in Hyderabad.
3. EPFO
set to be ISSA affiliate member, get global recognition: EPFO will gain access to professional guidelines, expert
knowledge, services, and support from the International Social Security
Association (ISSA). The move comes after the central board of trustees of EPFO
gave its approval to change its membership status with ISSA from associate
member to affiliate member now. The organization became an associate
member in 1962. Other than EPFO, the Coal Mines Provident Fund
Organisation is the only ISSA affiliate member from India.
4. RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das named ‘Governor of the
Year’: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta
Das was awarded the “Governor of the Year” at the Central Banking Awards
2023 in London. Central Banking is a London-based international economic
research journal. Das is the second RBI governor to receive the award after
Raghuram Rajan, who was given the title in 2015. The RBI governor has cemented
critical reforms, overseen world-leading payments innovation and steered India
through difficult times with a steady hand and well-crafted turn of phrase. Das
is a retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Tamil Nadu
cadre, who is currently serving as the 25th governor of the RBI. He has worked
for both the central government and the Tamil Nadu government in several
capacities, such as the economic affairs secretary, the revenue secretary, and
fertilizers secretary.
OBITUARIES
1. Cormac
McCarthy, novelist of a darker America, passes away: A novelist, Cormac McCarthy passed away at 89 in the USA. “All
the Pretty Horses,” “The Road” and “No Country for Old Men” were among his
acclaimed books that explore a bleak world of violence and outsiders. He was
awarded the National Book Award in 1992 for his novel 'All the Pretty
Horses'. He also won a Pulitzer Prize in 2007 for 'The Road'. Other
novels: Suttree, Blood Meridian, The Border Trilogy, No Country for Old
Men
2. Former Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi passes away: Former Prime Minister of Italy Silvio Berlusconi passed away at the age of 86. Berlusconi previously served as Prime Minister of Italy four times, from 1994 to 1995, 2001 to 2006, and 2008 to 2011. Berlusconi’s centre-right Forza Italia party went into coalition under right-wing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni last September.
No comments:
Post a Comment