NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. AIIMS New Delhi signed MoU with University of Bolton Institute of Medicine: AIIMS New Delhi has signed an MoU with the University of Bolton Institute of Medicine to collaborate in the field of medical research, innovation and education. The MoU was signed through a virtual event by executives from both institutions. The partnership will encompass various initiatives such as staff and student exchange, educational conferences and collaborative degree programmes.
2. India registers record export at USD 778 Billion in 2023-24: India registered record exports in financial year 2023-24 at USD 778 billion, according to the commerce ministry. In the financial year 2022-23, the combined value of exported goods and services stood at USD 776.3 billion. In 2023-24, services exports increased from USD 325.3 billion to USD 341.1 billion, while merchandise exports marginally declined from USD 451.1 billion to USD 437.1 billion. China, Russia, Iraq, UAE, and Singapore are among the countries where India’s exports in the just-concluded financial year have risen substantially, though with a low base.
3. 16 May – National Dengue Day: National Dengue Day is observed every year on May 16. Objective – To spread awareness about the disease and ways to prevent it. Theme 2024 – Dengue Prevention: Our Responsibility for a Safer Tomorrow. Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection. it spreads from mosquitoes to humans and is more common in tropical and subtropical regions.
High fever, headache, body ache, joint and muscle pain, nausea and rash are common symptoms of dengue.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. India overtakes Australia, Japan and Singapore in data centre capacity: India has become the country with the highest data center capacity in the Asia-Pacific region, surpassing major countries like Australia, Hong Kong SAR, Japan, Singapore, and Korea. The country is expected to record the highest capacity addition of 850 MW during the 2024-2026 period, higher than major APAC countries. In 2023, there was an addition of 255 MW of new supply, resulting in a total stock of approximately 1,030 MW by the end of the year.
2. Sela Tunnel recognized as India’s highest tunnel by International Book of Honour: Sela Tunnel, constructed by BRO India, is officially recognised as the highest tunnel in the country by the International Book of Honour, The 2.598 Km long tunnel is situated at an altitude of 13000 ft on the Tezpur-Tawang Road. Situated at an altitude of 13,000 feet, the strategically important Sela Tunnel will ensure all-weather connectivity to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh.
3. Lawrence Wong to be Sworn in as Singapore’s fourth PM: Singapore’s deputy leader Lawrence Wong is set to be sworn in as the nation’s fourth Prime Minister. 51-year-old US-trained economist Wong will succeed 72-year-old Lee Hsien Loong, who stepped down after two decades at the helm. Lee’s resignation marked the end of a family dynasty led by his father Lee Kuan Yew.
Since becoming an independent nation in 1965, Singapore has only had three Prime Ministers – all from the ruling People’s Action Party.
4. 16 May – International Day of Living Together in Peace: The International Day of Living Together in Peace is observed on 16 May every year. The United Nations General Assembly established this day to support the international community’s efforts to promote peace, unity, and solidarity.
In 1997, “the General-Assembly proclaimed by its resolution 52/15 the year 2000 as the International Year for a Culture of Peace. In 1998, it proclaimed the period 2001-2010 as the International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for Children of the World.
5. 16 May – International Day of Light: International Day of Light is observed every year on May 16. Objective – To highlight the importance of light and its various applications in science, culture, art, education, and sustainable development. In the year 1960, Physicist and Engineer Theodore Maiman conducted the first successful operation of the laser. To commemorate the special day, International Day of Light came to be observed every year on May 16.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. ‘Operation Sadbhavana’: Army’s support for North Sikkim’s communities: The Indian Army’s Trishakti Corps under Operation Sadbhavana provided essential aid and healthcare to North Sikkim’s Naga and Rangrang villages post-GLOF. Over 150 villagers received medical attention, and youths participated in educational sessions linked to the Agniveer Scheme for empowerment. These efforts, rooted in compassion, highlight the Army’s commitment to fostering community development and strengthening bonds with border populations, ensuring sustained harmony and solidarity in the region.
SPORTS
1. Sunil Chhetri announces retirement from International Football: India Captain Sunil Chhetri will be retiring from international football after the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier against Kuwait on June 6. The 39-year-old striker has been capped 145 times by India, scoring 94 goals in a career spanning 20 years. Chhetri, who made his debut in 2005. He will leave the scene as India’s all-time top scorer and most-capped player. He is also third in the list of goal scorers among active players behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. NASA plans to develop first railway systems on moon: NASA has unveiled its ambitious plan to construct the first lunar railway system, known as FLOAT (Flexible Levitation on a Track), designed to revolutionize payload transport on the Moon. The long-lasting robotic transport system which will play a major role in the daily operations of a sustainable lunar base envisioned for the 2030s. This lunar railway system is part of NASA’s Moon to Mars initiative and mission concepts such as the Robotic Lunar Surface Operations 2 (RLSO2).
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. Tata AIG General Insurance partners Aurm for its vault services: Aurm, an asset protection firm has partnered with Tata AIG General Insurance to provide comprehensive insurance coverage to its customers for their valuables. Under this partnership, Aurm’s vaults will be fully insured for up to Rs 2.5 million, courtesy of TATA AIG, India’s leading general insurance provider. Aurm partners with banks and real estate companies to offer state-of-the-art safe deposit storage facilities that are fully automated and available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
2. LIC gets 3-yr extension from Sebi to achieve 10% public shareholding: Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India has been granted a three-year extension by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to achieve a 10 per cent public shareholding. LIC is required to increase its public shareholding to 10 per cent on or before May 16, 2027. According to SEBI norms, a company must attain a 10 per cent public shareholding within three years from the date of listing. LIC was listed on May 17, 2022.
3. PhonePe partners with LankaPay for UPI Payments: PhonePe has partnered with LankaPay to allow its users to pay using UPI across Sri Lanka. PhonePe app users travelling to Sri Lanka can make payments using UPI across LankaPay QR merchants. The transactions will be facilitated by the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and LankaPay National Payment Network. Users can scan LankaQR code to make secure and quick payments without carrying cash or calculating currency conversions. The amount will be debited in INR, showing the currency exchange rate.
No comments:
Post a Comment